Ramadhan is officially upon us! To get in the spirit of this holy month, I’d like to share Islam-related contents for the entirety of this month. It will mostly be pretty chill and applicable for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.
So here we go!
Ramadhan mubarak, my fellow Muslims! And happy April for the rest of y’all! Today I thought I start this series with the easiest one that all of you can equally enjoy. I feel like Muslim content creators are not given enough space to voice their opinions and share their experiences, especially the women. But—you know what?—that still doesn’t stop me from finding some awesome names who create inspiring contents regularly. That being said, these are not all women, mind you—although the majority are—and they don’t necessarily put Islam in the forefront of their contents. In fact, a lot of them just happen to be Muslim, but their contents are often completely irrelevant to religion—so, even if you’re a Non-Muslim, I hope you’ll still enjoy their contents too.
Ramadhan is officially upon us! To get in the spirit of this holy month, I’d like to share Islam-related contents for the entirety of this month. It will mostly be pretty chill and applicable for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.
So here we go!
Ramadhan mubarak, my fellow Muslims! And happy April for the rest of y’all! Today I thought I start this series with the easiest one that all of you can equally enjoy. I feel like Muslim content creators are not given enough space to voice their opinions and share their experiences, especially the women. But—you know what?—that still doesn’t stop me from finding some awesome names who create inspiring contents regularly. That being said, these are not all women, mind you—although the majority are—and they don’t necessarily put Islam in the forefront of their contents. In fact, a lot of them just happen to be Muslim, but their contents are often completely irrelevant to religion—so, even if you’re a Non-Muslim, I hope you’ll still enjoy their contents too.
Astri Puji Lestari (@atiit)
Instagram + TikTok
Let’s start with someone local and highly inspirational for me—meet Atit! An architect who champions a low-impact lifestyle, living in a minimalist Japandi-inspired house she shares with her husband and son.
Atit’s contents generally feel very raw, filled with slices of her life without looking too staged—if at all. She often shares her home organisation tricks, meal-prep methods and simple workout routines—sometimes featuring her cute baby boy, Poli. Her neat and minimalistic aesthetics shines through in her photos and her digital space—namely, her website.
Her down-to-earth and seemingly slow approach to life feels so refreshing to the flex culture of the fast-paced digital world. Even the aesthetically-pleasing portrait of her life seems to come organically from her organising habits. What an embodiment of healthy body, healthy mind!
Astri Puji Lestari (@atiit)
Instagram + TikTok
Let’s start with someone local and highly inspirational for me—meet Atit! An architect who champions a low-impact lifestyle, living in a minimalist Japandi-inspired house she shares with her husband and son.
Atit’s contents generally feel very raw, filled with slices of her life without looking too staged—if at all. She often shares her home organisation tricks, meal-prep methods and simple workout routines—sometimes featuring her cute baby boy, Poli. Her neat and minimalistic aesthetics shines through in her photos and her digital space—namely, her website.
Her down-to-earth and seemingly slow approach to life feels so refreshing to the flex culture of the fast-paced digital world. Even the aesthetically-pleasing portrait of her life seems to come organically from her organising habits. What an embodiment of healthy body, healthy mind!
Tasneem Afridi (@tazzyphe)
YouTube + Instagram
As a Desi woman who was raised in the US, Tazzy Phe has often shared her thoughts on race, culture, faith and sexism. She has this amazing ability to delve into even the most controversial topics in such an entertaining manner. Her apt for comedy and unabashed outspoken personality allows for a unique room for discussion that can appeal to anyone. She also has this almost scientific approach to her research by involving experts and other creators to be part of her discussion—and not only US-based ones, but various people from across the globe, such as Gita Savitri, per se.
I first discovered Tazzy around Ramadan last year, through her hilarious video explaining why she’ll never have a Christmas tree at home—which should’ve been obvious to us, since she wears a hijab. It was one of the funniest things I’ve watched in recent times, so I was instantly hooked to her humour and persona. Since then, I’ve followed her life story as she discussed muslim representations, got married and tried out traditional recipes.
As an extension to her channel, Tazzy also has her own podcast Unfazed where she invites guest speakers to have deeper discussions on topics she would normally go over on her YouTube videos as well. Although it is not updated regularly, every single episode tackles Islamic values in a refreshing way and is worth listening to.
Tasneem Afridi (@tazzyphe)
YouTube + Instagram
As a Desi woman who was raised in the US, Tazzy Phe has often shared her thoughts on race, culture, faith and sexism. She has this amazing ability to delve into even the most controversial topics in such an entertaining manner. Her apt for comedy and unabashed outspoken personality allows for a unique room for discussion that can appeal to anyone. She also has this almost scientific approach to her research by involving experts and other creators to be part of her discussion—and not only US-based ones, but various people from across the globe, such as Gita Savitri, per se.
I first discovered Tazzy around Ramadan last year, through her hilarious video explaining why she’ll never have a Christmas tree at home—which should’ve been obvious to us, since she wears a hijab. It was one of the funniest things I’ve watched in recent times, so I was instantly hooked to her humour and persona. Since then, I’ve followed her life story as she discussed muslim representations, got married and tried out traditional recipes.
As an extension to her channel, Tazzy also has her own podcast Unfazed where she invites guest speakers to have deeper discussions on topics she would normally go over on her YouTube videos as well. Although it is not updated regularly, every single episode tackles Islamic values in a refreshing way and is worth listening to.
Anoosha Syed (@foxville_art)
YouTube + Instagram + Twitter
Probably the most unique one out of this list, Anoosha is a children’s book illustrator first and a content creator second. Based in Toronto, she has a gleaming portfolio of over 20 children’s books, including some award-winning works. She brings that experience to her YouTube channel, where she often posts long-format videos guiding fellow creatives with a glimpse into the publishing industry and behind-the-scenes to her own projects.
I first found Anoosha on Twitter, actually, where her incredible works just capture my heart. Through her illustrations, she often addresses race, culture and female empowerment. On her channel, she likes to be candid about changing dreams and day-to-day struggles of a creative worker.
Anoosha Syed (@foxville_art)
YouTube + Instagram + Twitter
Probably the most unique one out of this list, Anoosha is a children’s book illustrator first and a content creator second. Based in Toronto, she has a gleaming portfolio of over 20 children’s books, including some award-winning works. She brings that experience to her YouTube channel, where she often posts long-format videos guiding fellow creatives with a glimpse into the publishing industry and behind-the-scenes to her own projects.
I first found Anoosha on Twitter, actually, where her incredible works just capture my heart. Through her illustrations, she often addresses race, culture and female empowerment. On her channel, she likes to be candid about changing dreams and day-to-day struggles of a creative worker.
Personally, I found her tips and shared experiences in illustrating for books very helpful for my first book, Take It Slow, as well. Although a lot of her videos are long, each of them has those juicy bits inside that will add to our knowledge and professional journey. It’s definitely not bite-sized, but you won’t regret consuming them when you do. You can tell that Anoosha made them all with great care and consideration—isn’t that worth its bigger size?
Personally, I found her tips and shared experiences in illustrating for books very helpful for my first book, Take It Slow, as well. Although a lot of her videos are long, each of them has those juicy bits inside that will add to our knowledge and professional journey. It’s definitely not bite-sized, but you won’t regret consuming them when you do. You can tell that Anoosha made them all with great care and consideration—isn’t that worth its bigger size?
Yassmin Abdel-Magied (@yassmin_a)
YouTube + Instagram
Here is a force of nature that comes with such modern flair and a sassy personality that is Yassmin. She is a female engineer who writes on politics, culture, tech and social justice—publishing 2 fictions (The Layla Series) and 2 non-fictions (one of them coming out this May!) in the past 5 years.
Yassmin first came to my attention through her essay on her experience as the only female engineer working at an oil rig in Griffith Review 40: Women & Power. Her writing was so eloquent yet witty that it etched itself in my mind forever. Ever since then, I’ve been following her works and experiences through her Twitter—which I recommend everyone follow.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied (@yassmin_a)
YouTube + Instagram
Here is a force of nature that comes with such modern flair and a sassy personality that is Yassmin. She is a female engineer who writes on politics, culture, tech and social justice—publishing 2 fictions (The Layla Series) and 2 non-fictions (one of them coming out this May!) in the past 5 years.
Yassmin first came to my attention through her essay on her experience as the only female engineer working at an oil rig in Griffith Review 40: Women & Power. Her writing was so eloquent yet witty that it etched itself in my mind forever. Ever since then, I’ve been following her works and experiences through her Twitter—which I recommend everyone follow.
Today Yassmin is a much-celebrated social advocate living in the UK. Her work has spanned over numerous media, including NGOs, television and printed journalism. She has even appeared on a TED Talk, discussing the ever-controversial Islamic headscarf. She advocates for transformative justice and a fairer, safer world for all—Muslims and Non-muslims alike. Her unique voice and resilience really won a huge amount of respect in my heart.
Ali Abdaal (@aliabdaal)
YouTube + Instagram
Okay, finally we get to the first man on this list. If you’re as much into productivity YouTube as I am, you might have heard of this man before too. Ali Abdaal actually started his career as a doctor—which he still pursued even after he started his YouTube channel. Honestly, I think that’s what got a lot of people intrigued—how did a doctor find the time to film YouTube videos? He often shares productivity tips, exposes his various income streams and tools that help him achieve his goals. To his audience, he tends to come across very efficient and calculative—and perhaps also a little cold.
That being said, Ali’s approach to productivity can reach all aspects of our lives. Recently, he has been exploring the efficiency and technical side of romance—doing research on the dating world to secure himself a prospective wife. I know, it sounds almost robotic and definitely not at all romantic, but I know people who need to think in practical terms so I understand what Ali is trying to do.
Today Ali is no longer a medical practitioner—a decision he made very recently. He chose to focus on pursuing his career as a motivational life coach and teacher through his various online classes, podcasts—Deep Dive and Not Overthinking—and, of course, his YouTube channel. I, for one, has definitely been inspired by him.
Today Yassmin is a much-celebrated social advocate living in the UK. Her work has spanned over numerous media, including NGOs, television and printed journalism. She has even appeared on a TED Talk, discussing the ever-controversial Islamic headscarf. She advocates for transformative justice and a fairer, safer world for all—Muslims and Non-muslims alike. Her unique voice and resilience really won a huge amount of respect in my heart.
Ali Abdaal (@aliabdaal)
YouTube + Instagram
Okay, finally we get to the first man on this list. If you’re as much into productivity YouTube as I am, you might have heard of this man before too. Ali Abdaal actually started his career as a doctor—which he still pursued even after he started his YouTube channel. Honestly, I think that’s what got a lot of people intrigued—how did a doctor find the time to film YouTube videos? He often shares productivity tips, exposes his various income streams and tools that help him achieve his goals. To his audience, he tends to come across very efficient and calculative—and perhaps also a little cold.
That being said, Ali’s approach to productivity can reach all aspects of our lives. Recently, he has been exploring the efficiency and technical side of romance—doing research on the dating world to secure himself a prospective wife. I know, it sounds almost robotic and definitely not at all romantic, but I know people who need to think in practical terms so I understand what Ali is trying to do.
Today Ali is no longer a medical practitioner—a decision he made very recently. He chose to focus on pursuing his career as a motivational life coach and teacher through his various online classes, podcasts—Deep Dive and Not Overthinking—and, of course, his YouTube channel. I, for one, has definitely been inspired by him.
Dr. Sheen Gurrib (@sheengurrib)
YouTube + Instagram
Not going to lie—I first found out about Sheen from Ali’s videos. They were roommates for a while in London, but now she lives in Dubai, UAE. Sheen came from Mauritius to pursue her education at Oxford and graduated with a PhD from Cambridge University.
Sheen is very passionate about issues on gender, race and mental health. Her contents tend to come in the form of a chat on diverse topics—such as Woke Wednesdays, where she has guests over for a discussion. Much like her consultancy job, she shares various tips on choosing an academic and career path.
Not only on YouTube, Sheen is also doing her part in supporting the next generation of women through her podcast, Dream, Girl as well as her TEDx Talk.
Dr. Sheen Gurrib (@sheengurrib)
YouTube + Instagram
Not going to lie—I first found out about Sheen from Ali’s videos. They were roommates for a while in London, but now she lives in Dubai, UAE. Sheen came from Mauritius to pursue her education at Oxford and graduated with a PhD from Cambridge University.
Sheen is very passionate about issues on gender, race and mental health. Her contents tend to come in the form of a chat on diverse topics—such as Woke Wednesdays, where she has guests over for a discussion. Much like her consultancy job, she shares various tips on choosing an academic and career path.
Not only on YouTube, Sheen is also doing her part in supporting the next generation of women through her podcast, Dream, Girl as well as her TEDx Talk.
Divina Aulia (@vinaulia)
YouTube + Instagram
This one is probably a no-brainer for loyal readers of this blog, since Vina is my friend—from primary school, no less! We also often collaborated whenever she was in the country or even long-distance—as you can see here, here, here and here. But I’m getting way ahead of myself, so let me back track.
Divina is an Indonesian who lives in Germany to pursue her education, and now working in Potsdam as an architect. She often posts aesthetically-pleasing photos, self-reflecting contents and sometimes daily vlogs series. Some of her most inspiring and prominent series include Nikah on Budget and Kuliah Arsitektur—both of which derive directly from her own experiences.
Divina Aulia (@vinaulia)
YouTube + Instagram
This one is probably a no-brainer for loyal readers of this blog, since Vina is my friend—from primary school, no less! We also often collaborated whenever she was in the country or even long-distance—as you can see here, here, here and here. But I’m getting way ahead of myself, so let me back track.
Divina is an Indonesian who lives in Germany to pursue her education, and now working in Potsdam as an architect. She often posts aesthetically-pleasing photos, self-reflecting contents and sometimes daily vlogs series. Some of her most inspiring and prominent series include Nikah on Budget and Kuliah Arsitektur—both of which derive directly from her own experiences.
Most of her contents are in Indonesian, but her view on female struggles, body image and personal insecurities is universal and speaks to her audience on a deeper level. Her view may come from her learning of Islamic ideals and guidance, but she provides a room for discussions that is applicable to people of all faith. Vina also supports sustainable living by trying vegan diets and choosing secondhand. Annually, she designs calendars and sell them at Berantara and, together with her friend, she also built a photography business called Prapudar.
Kübra Gümüsay (@kuebra)
Twitter + Instagram
Out of everyone on this list, Kübra is probably the one creator who I discovered through German media. I first read her article on Die Zeit: CAMPUS from around 2013-2014 where she compared her experience living in Germany with her time as an exchange student in the UK—to dispute the non-existence of racism in Germany. It was really powerful and opened my eyes to the experience of Muslim women in the country. I thought people who were raised there would be immune—but I was gravely mistaken.
Since then, I have followed Kübra’s work through her Twitter, where she often speaks out against racism and sexism—advocating regularly for refugees and girls’ rights to education. She has also gone on to found several women-centric campaigns and organisations including eeden and future_s. Her book Sprache und Sein will be released in its English version this coming May 2022!
Perhaps it will be quite inaccurate to call Kübra a content creator—she clearly isn’t, at least not in a regular way—but she does create contents that are both inspiring and educative. Her view on German and European politics as well as her approach to female empowerment is something that transcends faiths and cultures, relating to all of us equally.
Most of her contents are in Indonesian, but her view on female struggles, body image and personal insecurities is universal and speaks to her audience on a deeper level. Her view may come from her learning of Islamic ideals and guidance, but she provides a room for discussions that is applicable to people of all faith. Vina also supports sustainable living by trying vegan diets and choosing secondhand. Annually, she designs calendars and sell them at Berantara and, together with her friend, she also built a photography business called Prapudar.
Kübra Gümüsay (@kuebra)
Twitter + Instagram
Out of everyone on this list, Kübra is probably the one creator who I discovered through German media. I first read her article on Die Zeit: CAMPUS from around 2013-2014 where she compared her experience living in Germany with her time as an exchange student in the UK—to dispute the non-existence of racism in Germany. It was really powerful and opened my eyes to the experience of Muslim women in the country. I thought people who were raised there would be immune—but I was gravely mistaken.
Since then, I have followed Kübra’s work through her Twitter, where she often speaks out against racism and sexism—advocating regularly for refugees and girls’ rights to education. She has also gone on to found several women-centric campaigns and organisations including eeden and future_s. Her book Sprache und Sein will be released in its English version this coming May 2022!
Perhaps it will be quite inaccurate to call Kübra a content creator—she clearly isn’t, at least not in a regular way—but she does create contents that are both inspiring and educative. Her view on German and European politics as well as her approach to female empowerment is something that transcends faiths and cultures, relating to all of us equally.
Aissata Amadou (@aissata_amadou)
YouTube + Instagram
For y’all Gen Zs who feel under represented on this list, I’ve got you covered—Meet Aissata! She is a 20-year-old Muslim student who lives in California. She often shares things she’s currently reading and watching—including manga and anime, because your girl is a proud weaboo. She also likes to take her audiences along on her day-to-day life as a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz.
I first found her last Ramadan when she talked about Muslim representation in the media—which inspired me to write this post, to be honest. Her sharp wit at such a young age makes her come across more mature than her age, which makes her contents often suitable for millennials such as myself.
Aissata Amadou (@aissata_amadou)
YouTube + Instagram
For y’all Gen Zs who feel under represented on this list, I’ve got you covered—Meet Aissata! She is a 20-year-old Muslim student who lives in California. She often shares things she’s currently reading and watching—including manga and anime, because your girl is a proud weaboo. She also likes to take her audiences along on her day-to-day life as a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz.
I first found her last Ramadan when she talked about Muslim representation in the media—which inspired me to write this post, to be honest. Her sharp wit at such a young age makes her come across more mature than her age, which makes her contents often suitable for millennials such as myself.
Subhi Taha (@iamsbeih)
TikTok + Instagram + Twitter
Let’s be real! Who doesn’t know Subhi Taha at this point? Even if you don’t follow him on social media, you must have seen his face floating around the internet at least once. If not recently, at least sometime in the last year or so—especially around the time the Israel-Palestine conflict started to gain traction around the globe again.
While Subhi is more well-known for his funny videos on TikTok, he also often educates his audience on Middle Eastern politics and the Arab language. His cultural graphics brand Dar Collective embraces the beauty of the Islamic traditional cultures from all over the world—one of their first posts on Instagram showcased Batik from Indonesia.
Subhi Taha (@iamsbeih)
TikTok + Instagram + Twitter
Let’s be real! Who doesn’t know Subhi Taha at this point? Even if you don’t follow him on social media, you must have seen his face floating around the internet at least once. If not recently, at least sometime in the last year or so—especially around the time the Israel-Palestine conflict started to gain traction around the globe again.
While Subhi is more well-known for his funny videos on TikTok, he also often educates his audience on Middle Eastern politics and the Arab language. His cultural graphics brand Dar Collective embraces the beauty of the Islamic traditional cultures from all over the world—one of their first posts on Instagram showcased Batik from Indonesia.
Got any more Muslim content creator recommendations?
Let me know in the comments!
Got any more Muslim content creator recommendations?
Let me know in the comments!