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.
Let's dive in!
✨ CREATOR SPOTLIGHT
February: Nida Syed
In 2015, Nida attended a spiritual retreat which sparked her love of finding good “suhba” (beautiful company) and a desire to learn sacred knowledge. Since then, a passion to travel and share the same level of transformational magic through travel was born. Her academic background is in Civil Engineering with an initial career focus in airport planning before transitioning to the cloud-based software field. Currently, she is working full time building Caravan Tales: marketing, selling, networking, creating films for social media, managing the website, and much more! She is also a baker passionate about working with local grains and supporting the community of farmers and bakers!
🎬 FEATURED INVESTIGATIONS
TikTok: Government Censorship and Surveillance Tool Research Brief (Part 3)
In the final installment of this three-part series, Kufi Productions examines the legal journey of the U.S. TikTok ban — from the passage of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to its Supreme Court upholding — and explores why the app is still active today thanks to presidential delays. The piece takes a critical look at the proposed sale to a group of American investors, questions who the real beneficiaries of the forced divestment are, and challenges the broader narrative that U.S. foreign aid priorities — particularly toward Israel — serve the American public's best interests.
📰 NEWS ROUNDUP
Top US Domestic News - February 2026
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Global Tariffs
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20 that President Trump exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, emphasizing that the Constitution gives taxing power to Congress, not the president. Within hours of the ruling, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which took effect on February 24, and subsequently threatened to raise it to 15 percent
DHS Indefinite Detention Memo and City Resistance to ICE
The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo on February 18 advising federal agents to detain refugees and migrants who have not yet obtained a green card for an indefinite period for rescreening. The memo states refugees must return to federal custody one year after admission to the U.S. for review of their green card applications, with DHS able to maintain custody for the duration of the inspection and examination process. The policy shift upends decades of protections and puts tens of thousands of people who entered during the Biden administration at risk.
Escalating Iran Military Buildup and Imminent Strike Threats
The United States and Iran held their next round of nuclear talks on Thursday, February 27, in Geneva, with Oman facilitating the indirect discussions. The U.S. military significantly strengthened its presence in areas surrounding Iran, with the USS Gerald R. Ford arriving at the NATO naval base in Crete before joining the USS Abraham Lincoln already in the Middle East. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has been advising President Trump that a military campaign against Iran could carry significant risks, particularly the possibility of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict.
Top International News - February 2026
Mexican Drug Lord "El Mencho" Killed, Sparking Nationwide Violence
The Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, in an operation on Sunday, February 22, in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco. The killing set off a wave of violence, with gunmen torching cars and blocking highways in more than half a dozen states including Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas. Twenty-five members of Mexico's National Guard were killed in clashes in Jalisco state following the operation.
Jeffrey Epstein Files Spark High-Profile UK Arrests
British police arrested Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to the United States, on February 23 amid an intensifying scandal after the Justice Department released millions of Epstein-related documents showing him leaking sensitive political and market information to the financier. His arrest came days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew and brother of King Charles III, was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with email exchanges suggesting he shared government information with Epstein when he served as the UK's trade envoy. The arrests are among the most dramatic fallout from the trove of more than 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents released last month by the U.S. Department of Justice. Both men were released on bail while investigations continue.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Conflict Kills Over 70 Militants
Pakistani military and Balochistan Police forces announced the end of a 40-hour counterterrorism operation that resulted in the deaths of 145 Baloch Liberation Army insurgents, 18 civilians, and 18 security personnel, with the Pakistani government accusing India of backing the BLA. Pakistan's military killed at least 70 militants in strikes along the border with Afghanistan early Sunday, the deputy interior minister said. The cross-border military operations heightened tensions in the volatile region and raised concerns about civilian casualties from the strikes.
🌙 CULTURAL HERITAGE & SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Duaa of the month: Dua for Ramadan
اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
Transliteration: Allahumma ballighna Ramadan
Translation: "O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan."
You can also expand it with heartfelt intentions:
اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ وَأَعِنَّا عَلَى صِيَامِهِ وَقِيَامِهِ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا
With Ramadan just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start framing your intentions. The key is to aim for sustainable goals rather than overwhelming yourself with unrealistic expectations.
There is a beautiful wisdom in the idea that Allah meets us exactly where we are. We are often reminded that the deeds most beloved to Him are those performed consistently, even if they seem small. This was the practice of ‘A’isha (RA)—whatever she did, she did with constancy.
Ways to Prepare
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Reflect: Grab your journal and start mapping out your spiritual intentions.
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Engage with the Quran: Don't just read for completion; read for comprehension. Use the tools Allah has provided to truly seek the truth within the verses.
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Start Small: Focus on one or two habits you can maintain well beyond the 30 days.
We also found a great resource a quick read accompanied by a video that dives deeper into the art of staying consistent:
Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Elections: A Resounding Victory for BNP Amidst Challenges and Controversies
The 13th Parliamentary Elections of Bangladesh, held in February 2026, marked a significant turning point in the country's political landscape. With the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) securing over two-thirds of parliamentary seats (a decisive victory), this election is seen as the first truly competitive vote since 2008. Previous elections were surrounded by political unrest, protests, and allegations of election manipulation.
Read the full article here: https://kufiproductions.com/bangladeshs-13th…entary-elections/
🎙️ PRODUCTION UPDATES & EXCLUSIVES
The Treaded Path Podcast: New Episode Released!![]()
In this episode of the Treaded Path podcast, host Salman Hasan speaks with Nida Syed, founder of Caravan Tales, about her journey from the airport planning industry to creating a travel company that focuses on deeper, more meaningful travel experiences. Nida shares her inspirations from baking, theater, and her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and community in her work. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating social media, the impact of travel regulations, and the significance of character in professional life. Nida defines success beyond financial metrics and expresses her desire to leave a legacy of beauty and connection through her work.
🎪 COMMUNITY & EVENTS
Stand on Business: For You and For Her
Photo credit: Isra Sharnez
While Valentine’s Day is traditionally reserved for date nights and bouquets, it can often leave those flying solo feeling a bit overlooked. This year, Uproar changed the narrative. On a day dedicated to love, Uproar hosted an event that reminded us of the most important way to show up: for ourselves, our community, and our sisters.
Explore more NYC events year-round →
Bangladeshi NYC Meetup: 2/13/26
New York City is home to one of the largest Bangladeshi populations outside of Bangladesh. Yet there are few intentional spaces where young Bengali professionals can meaningfully connect and share opportunities.
Recognizing this gap, two Bengali New Yorkers, Tabiha and Farhana launched the Bangladeshi Professionals Community Meetups, a modern, peer led space built by young professionals specifically for millennials and Gen Z navigating their careers in New York.
Their goal is simple: build a strong support system where professionals can expand their networks, collaborate, mentor one another, and grow while staying rooted in shared cultural experiences.
These meetups aren’t just about exchanging business cards. They’re about sharing ideas, helping with side projects, and showing up for one another. It’s a space where people can be honest about their goals, ask for support when they need it, and move forward together, with a shared commitment to lifting the community as they grow.
In a city as fast paced as New York, this kind of space matters. Tabiha and Farhana hope to create moments where professionals can pause, reconnect with their community, and move their culture forward together.
💌 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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