Welcome to Our Newsletter!
As-salamu alaykum and welcome to the next edition of the Kufi Productions newsletter! We're happy to bring you compelling stories, cultural insights, and community connections that matter to Muslim and ethnic communities.
Apologies for the delay for the month of April, but we hope these stories are worth the wait. Let's dive in!
✨ CREATOR SPOTLIGHT
Photo credit: Samina Malik
April: Samina Malik
With over 20 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industries, she built a career at the intersection of artistry, innovation, and cultural expression. A graduate of the London College of Fashion, her journey began in the UK and has taken her through Germany, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and now Dallas, Texas—each destination adding depth and diversity to her creative lens.
📰 NEWS ROUNDUP
Top US Domestic News - April 2026
American Lung Association: Nearly Half of U.S. Children Are Breathing Dangerous Air Pollution
A new report warns nearly half of all children across the United States are regularly exposed to dangerously high levels of toxic air pollution. The annual “State of the Air” report by the American Lung Association, released on Earth Day, found more than 33 million children live in counties that received a failing grade on at least one of the ALA’s measures of air pollution; meanwhile, nearly 130 million people across the U.S. were exposed to dangerous levels of ozone, with communities of color disproportionately affected. (Source: Democracy Now!)
Houston City Council Votes to Gut an Ordinance Limiting Police Cooperation with ICE
Houston’s City Council voted Wednesday to gut an ordinance that had limited local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities, after Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to revoke more than $114 million in public safety grants unless Mayor John Whitmire reversed the measure. Earlier this month, the council had approved an ordinance prohibiting officers from detaining people or prolonging traffic stops solely on the basis of civil immigration warrants issued by ICE. The amendment, passed Wednesday, removes a rule directing the police to wait 30 minutes for ICE agents during encounters and gives officers more leeway to extend detentions during stops. Dozens of people spoke out in opposition to the amendment during a City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Source: Democracy Now!)
U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Texas Law Requiring Classrooms to Display Ten Commandments
A panel of federal appeals court judges has upheld a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms. On Tuesday, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 9 to 8 that the law does not violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, overruling two lower court decisions. Plaintiffs are planning to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
Tuesday’s ruling came as President Donald Trump joined a Bible-reading marathon being live-streamed from the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and other locations. In a prerecorded video, Trump read from a portion of the Old Testament popular among Christian nationalists. This comes after Trump clashed with Pope Leo over the Iran war and shared an AI image to social media depicting himself as Jesus Christ. (Source: Democracy Now!)
Top International News - April 2026
Lebanese Journalist Amal Khalil Killed in Israeli Strike
Israeli forces killed the prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil on Wednesday despite a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Khalil and her colleague, photographer Zeinab Faraj, were reporting from southern Lebanon when an Israeli drone struck a car near them, killing two civilians. Khalil and Faraj sought shelter in a nearby building, but then Israel struck that building, as well. Emergency and medical workers rescued Faraj but came under fire before they could rescue Khalil, and were prevented by the Israeli military from returning for over six hours. Khalil died by the time her body was recovered from under the rubble.
ICC Trial for Rodrigo Duterte
The International Criminal Court ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte must stand trial for crimes against humanity.
Iran - Strait of Hormuz Conflict
Officials in Iran say they’ve collected the first revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say the tolls could generate up to $20 million in daily revenue for Iran from oil tankers alone. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy says it’s forced 31 vessels to turn back since President Trump ordered a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13.
It remains unclear when the U.S. and Iran will hold a second round of talks in Pakistan. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said three main obstacles are holding up negotiations: a breach of commitments by the U.S., the U.S. naval blockade and U.S. threats to Iran.
🌙 CULTURAL HERITAGE & SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Duaa of the month: Dua for the your soul
اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلَاهَا
Transliteration: Allahumma aati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkihā anta khayru man zakkāhā, anta waliyyuhā wa mawlāhā
Translation: “O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it; You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and Master.”
Now that Ramadan has ended and the month of Shawwal is almost over, it can feel increasingly difficult to maintain the good habits you worked so hard to build. This is exactly why it is so important to continually seek Allah’s guidance, especially during moments when you feel spiritually low. In the coming month, make it a goal to learn more about your nafs and its different levels. Developing this understanding can help you recognize where you currently stand and guide you back toward the spiritual highs you experienced during Ramadan.
Do your best to restart and adjust your habits when necessary. For example, if you were consistent with reading the Qur’an after Fajr but are struggling to keep it up, try reading after Isha instead once you have finished your worldly responsibilities, such as work or spending time with friends. Sometimes a small shift in routine can make consistency easier.
It is also important not only to notice when you slip back into old habits, but to reflect on why it happens and what steps you can take to prevent it in the future. This may mean changing your environment or being more mindful of the people you surround yourself with. Start by limiting certain hangouts, and over time you will notice positive changes and how much easier it becomes to maintain good habits.
At the end of the day, it comes down to self-awareness and accountability. Ask yourself whether you are willing to hold yourself accountable instead of blaming others. Since we have free will, every choice we make carries consequences. Take a moment to think things through before acting in ways you might later regret. And always remember: Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful to those who repent sincerely.
How War Affects Children: The Lasting Impact on the Children of War
According to the BBC's Global Story episode, war exposure creates what experts call 'toxic stress', which is a prolonged activation of the body's stress response system. This constant fear (from bombings, displacement, or loss of family members) can disrupt normal brain development, particularly in young children whose brains are still forming.
Research echoed in other reports shows that trauma can alter the “developmental architecture” of a child’s brain, leading to long-term consequences for learning, emotional regulation, and physical health. Children exposed to war often experience includes (but is not limited to), chronic anxiety and hypervigilance, nightmares and sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating or learning and emotional withdrawal or aggression. Such symptoms are not temporary. As humanitarian research notes, toxic stress can lead to lifelong mental health challenges if not treated.
What is “Hooliganism” and what does this mean for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup?
“Hooliganism” refers to disorderly, often violent behavior by groups of sports fans, most notably associated with football (soccer) culture in Europe during the late 20th century. While hooliganism became synonymous with fan violence and rowdy behavior, particularly from the 1970s onwards in the UK, its legacy is deeply intertwined with stadium safety and the modernization of global sporting events. One of the most pivotal moments in history concerning ‘hooliganism’ is the Hillsborough Stadium disaster of 15 April 1989, which reshaped not only English football but also the approaches to crowd control and event security across Europe.
🎙️ PRODUCTION UPDATES & EXCLUSIVES
The Treaded Path Podcast: New Episode Released!![]()
In this episode of the Treaded Path podcast, host Salman Hasan speaks with Taskeen Hamidullah-Bahl, who retired from the workforce in 2024. She now volunteers for nonprofits including Stop the Traffic and Hearts and Homes for Refugees, and serves on the board of Nushoor Institute. Previously, she worked on Wall Street at Barclays, HSBC, and JP Morgan Chase in technology, operations, and data, focusing on financial crimes. Earlier in her career, she was a reporter and co-anchor for CNN and Global Television Network
🎪 COMMUNITY & EVENTS
A National Gathering for Muslim Civic Advocacy
Delegates, organizers, and activists from across the US smile for a photo.
Organized by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) in partnership with groups like Young Muslims, Islamic Council of North America (ICNA), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), Muslim Advocacy Day 2026 celebrated its 11th year with young delegates to Capitol Hill from all over the United States.
Donning Vela scarves and black tuxedos, teenagers and young adults focused their Congressional meetings on three top advocacy priorities: opposing the “Sharia Free America” caucus, defending free speech and immigrant rights, and challenging militarized foreign policy. For many participants, Muslim Advocacy Day was about new experiences in civic engagement, making friends, and demanding change from those in power. These perspectives set the stage for how the day unfolded for us all.
Explore more NYC events year-round →
💌 Stay Connected
We're committed to bringing you stories that matter, voices that inspire, and connections that strengthen our communities.
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, & LinkedIn and visit our website, www.kufiproductions.com, for more content throughout the month.
Until next time,
The Kufi Productions Team
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