G. Willow Wilson is a comic book author, a novelist, an essayist, and a former journalist. And if that wasn’t enough, she is also the author of the soon-to-be-released autobiography, Butterfly Mosque, story of a young North American’s conversion to Islam and her ensuing romance with an Egyptian man. Willow recently took some time out of her schedule to speak to elan about her passion for comic books (check out Willow’s Air series and Vixen!) and her upcoming memoir.

Internationally acclaimed writer and scholar, Reza Aslan, author of No god but God and the recently released Beyond Fundamentalism sat down with elan: The Guide to Global Muslim culture to discuss his book, his experiences and, yes, his personal life.  We dug deep in our questions to show you the man that so many have learned to love through his writing. 

Using his words as dawah, Boonaa Mohammed, is a driven poet with unique name and a clear message. A gifted story-teller, twenty-two year old Mohammed entertains as he teaches and has been dubbed the, “voice of a generation.” His work was most recently published in the anthology, Pieces to Pieces: Stories About Fitting into Canada, and he just released an album of poetry called Stranger to this World. A first generation Canadian, Mohammed talks about the discrimination he faced growing up, his fascination with television and film, and the need to unplug and find inner taqwa. 

Only eighteen years old, Ainee Fatima, is a force to be reckoned with on the Chicago spoken word scene. This young firecracker is a two-time winner of Chicago Public Radio’s Louder Than a Bomb contest. Her poems speak openly and eloquently about topics all young Muslims go through growing up, yet few Imams know how to address - How do you fall in love Islamically? How do you keep your iman when the boy next-door’s lips are just so kissable? Where do your parents’ cultural tradition end and your identity begin? And why can’t parents just understand...?! In her own words, Fatima talks about her personal struggles with faith and tradition, understanding parents, and her hopes for her writing.

Waleed Aly is a well known Australian sports commentator, musician, political science lecturer, TV show co-host and published writer. When you list it all out like that he almost sounds like a proverbial renaissance man, a myth… except he’s real. I was first introduced to him through the Australian TV show he helped found, Salam Cafe which was eventually picked up by a national TV station. The popular Australian show involves Muslims having a round table style discussion leading into comedic clips regarding Australian Muslims. I would soon find out that that was only the tip of the Aly-iceberg. I recently had a chance to ask him a few questions and was presently surprised by his responses.

Edina Lekovic’s passion for activism is one to be reckoned with. From her TV appearances to the leadership programs she helped create for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, it’s clear that Edina enjoys helping others and making a difference. And believe it or not - she has Peter Jennings to thank for all that. As the Communications Director of MPAC, Edina strives to create a more accurate image of Muslims in the media. But where did this passion originate and what can we expect from Edina in the future? elan is here to find out. 

If you’re from anywhere in the South Asian region, chances are that at some point in your life, you’ve tapped your feet (or bopped your shoulders) to some form of Punjabi- bhangra-hip-hop-pop fusion music, widely known as “urban-desi.” And if you’re not from South Asia and have no idea what I’m talking about, maybe you’ve heard of a little chart-topper known as Jay Sean. Before Jay was dropping beats with Lil’Wayne and Sean Paul, he was collaborating with Punjabi artists like Rishi Rish, Juggy D and the like. Although Jay Sean’s recent success makes us really want to assume that Urban Desi is the new gateway to global pop superstardom, we’ll hold out for a few more breakouts before proclaiming Billboard domination with a signature bhangra flourish (we’re waiting for it though). 

On the surface, Rima Abdelkader may be yet another grad student pursuing a Masters degree at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, but in actuality, she’s already well on her way to giving Barbara Walters a run for her money. An emerging name to watch both in the media industry and in the Muslim world, Rima’s list of accomplishment includes doing broadcast reports for local TV stations on Hurricane Katrina (before she even finished her undergrad degree), and starting her career with a not-too-shabby gig as a print journalist at the United Nations. Currently in Syria teaching the world of social media to young students, elan grabbed Rima to shed light on her career path so far, and to share her words-of-wisdom for aspiring journalists: 

“Law and Order” might be her go-to television show, but CAIR NY’s Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif asserts Jack and Abbie had nothing to do with her choice to lunge at a law degree. The tough time she endured wading through law school prepared her that much more to be dedicated and commited to organizing and mobilizing American Muslims. Plus, her work for CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) has enhanced her exposure to the spectrum of discrimination cases facing the community. 

Odds are you’ve already seen him on a CNN roundtable, heard him on NPR or read his stuff in the opinion section of your hometown newspaper. He was even featured as an extra in the 2008 film Body of Lies, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. The question is: Where does Arsalan Iftikhar find the time to do it all? A Washington, D.C.-based international human rights lawyer by profession, Iftikhar is the self-described “snake-charming, belly-dancing Muslim Guy” for the U.S. media, spearheading his popular TheMuslimGuy.com website, all on top of his other responsibilities, including contributing posts at Islamica magazine and the Tell Me More show on NPR. Arsalan recently spoke with elan about his accomplishments, motivations and penchant for Diet Coke.