'Behind The Kufi' - March 2026 Edition

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

Photo credit: Fatima Izzat

March: Fatima Izzat

She is an optimistic creator who loves coffee, research, and developing creative solutions. She transitioned from Visual Design to Experience Design during her time at R/GA, and is currently building out her wedding photography company. She strives for greatness, growth, and making a positive impact in the world. She is inspired by the stories passed down, the real folklore of our very own lives. And contributing to these stories is what she loves most, as a photographer and as a human who is unapologetically nostalgic.

View the full interview →

🎬 FEATURED INVESTIGATIONS

ICE: Modern-Day Gestapo

This hard-hitting exposé examines the militarization of ICE under the current administration, revealing how a tripled budget, private prison profits, and a daily arrest quota have fueled widespread abuses. From deadly detention conditions and preventable deaths to invasive AI surveillance and family separations, the article uncovers a system prioritizing profit over human life. With oversight dismantled and violence normalized, the piece challenges the rhetoric of safety while documenting the devastating human cost of these policies. A powerful read for anyone seeking to understand the realities behind the headlines.

Read the full investigation →

📰 NEWS ROUNDUP

Top US Domestic News - March 2026

Anthropic Sues Trump Administration Over AI Weapons Use

The U.S. and Israel are relying on software developed by Palantir to select thousands of targets across Iran; the software relies partly on Anthropic's Claude AI systems. Anthropic sued the Trump administration for designating the AI company as a "supply chain risk" after Anthropic refused to allow Claude to be used for autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance. Trump had ordered all federal agencies to stop using Claude, denouncing Anthropic as a "Radical Left AI company" after Anthropic refused to concede to a Pentagon ultimatum for full access to its AI tools. Bloomberg reports $529 million was traded on contracts tied to the timing of the strikes on the Polymarket prediction market, with one account making more than a half-million dollars betting on the U.S. attack on Iran.

Eight Anti-ICE Protesters Convicted on Terrorism Charges in Texas

In Texas, a federal jury convicted eight anti-ICE protesters on terrorism charges in a closely watched trial that raised fears over the Trump administration's intensifying crackdown on activists and First Amendment rights, marking the first time terrorism charges were successfully brought against activists by the Justice Department. Federal prosecutors accused the protesters of being members of antifa, with the trial focused on a reported shooting that happened during a protest outside the Prairieland ICE jail in Alvarado last year. The coalition DFW Support Committee said, "This is a sham trial, built on political persecution and ideological attacks coming from the top".

Trump’s SAVE Act: Worst Voter Suppression Bill Ever

As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on a Trump-backed voter ID bill known as the SAVE Act, millions of citizens who lack easy access to its required forms of documentation are now at risk of disenfranchisement. “Republicans are singularly focused on making it harder to vote and pursuing this MAGA fever dream,” explains Ari Berman, national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones. “It is the overarching goal of the Republican Party now to make it harder to vote.”

Top International News - March 2026

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Triggering Global Energy Crisis

A commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz "closed" and said that any ships attempting to cross the narrow shipping channel would be set on fire, with about a fifth of all oil consumed worldwide usually passing through the strait each day. Iranian missiles caused extensive damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan facility, which handles nearly 20% of global exports of liquified natural gas, following Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field. Brent crude rose as much as 13% in early trading on March 2, briefly above $82 a barrel, as traders reacted to disrupted flows from the Gulf, with around 150 ships having dropped anchor in the waterway. The U.S. eased sanctions on Russia and Venezuela to unlock more viable sources of oil as energy prices rise and the war with Iran continues.

U.S.-Israeli War on Iran Escalates with Ground Operations Considered

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, President Trump says the U.S. is considering "winding down" military efforts, as it also seeks to ease the energy crisis by lifting sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea. As Israel and the U.S. continue to fire missiles at targets within Iran, the American military and President Donald Trump are weighing the costs and benefits of putting U.S. boots on the ground in the Middle East once again. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon has asked for $200 billion in additional funding for the war on Iran. Iran says U.S. and Israeli strikes have killed 1,348 civilians, with senators demanding accountability as Pentagon admits U.S. struck an Iranian girls' school.

Slovenia Declines to Join ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel Amid Scandal

The Slovenian government decided against joining South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice on March 12, despite having previously expressed desire to participate in the proceedings. While Prime Minister Robert Golob had initially been inclined to give the proposal the green light, he was ultimately swayed against doing so by national security officials, who reportedly cautioned that joining the lawsuit could jeopardise Slovenia's national security, noting that many of the country's cyber defence systems are of Israeli origin. In the weeks leading up to the election on March 22, a series of secretly recorded conversations were published, featuring a Slovenian lobbyist, a lawyer, a former minister and a manager, with a Slovenian rights group claiming that an Israeli intelligence firm, Black Cube, was behind the videos and that the firm was linked to Janša's Slovenian Democratic Party. 

🌙 CULTURAL HERITAGE & SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS

Duaa of the month: Dua for Shawwal

 رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Transliteration: Rabbana taqabbal minna innaka anta as Sami ul Alim  

Translation:  “Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing” – (Surah Al Baqarah 2:127) 

Shawwal is a special month that follows Ramadan. It is a time when Muslims continue their worship and maintain the spiritual momentum built during Ramadan. One of the most well-known acts of worship in Shawwal is fasting six days of the month.

Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year. – (Sahih Muslim) Dua is one of the most beloved acts of worship in Islam. It represents humility and dependence on Allah. Allah says in the Quran:

After Ramadan, believers should ask Allah to accept their fasting, prayers, and charity.

This dua was made by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail when they were building the Kaaba in Makkah. Even though they were performing a great act of worship commanded by Allah, they still asked Allah to accept their deeds. This teaches an important lesson to every Muslim. No matter how many good deeds a person performs, humility and sincerity are essential, and believers should always ask Allah to accept their worship.

Praying everyone's fast gets accepted and duas be answered if it is good!

Don't forget Fasting Mondays & Thursday are considered to be sunnah so if you ever feel like you need a control of your Nafs or get closer to Allah or even need help with getting rid of a vice fasting helps you reflect and keeps you grounded again! 

Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Elections: A Resounding Victory for BNP Amidst Challenges and Controversies

🎙️ PRODUCTION UPDATES & EXCLUSIVES

The Treaded Path Podcast: New Episode Released!

In this episode of the Treaded Path podcast, host Salman Hasan speaks with Dr Aneesah Nadir, award-winning social worker, educator, and pioneer in Muslim mental health and healthy marriage movements. Co-founder of the Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA), a 25-year-old nonprofit. Prevention specialist with over 40 years of experience. Former university professor. Author of Before the Nikah (on pre-marital education) and Two Callings (a memoir on her journey as a Muslim social worker). Join us as we explore Dr. Aneesah Nadir's journey in Muslim mental health, marriage, and social work. Discover her insights on community challenges, professional development, and the importance of culturally sensitive mental health services.

Watch the full interview →

View the show notes →

🎪 COMMUNITY & EVENTS

Eid Joy and Memories with Malikah Safety Center

Photo credit: Suha Syed

The streets of Astoria were alive with the spirit of Eid this past Saturday, March 21. The Malikah Safety Center hosted an Eid market in Astoria, Queens, where vendors, families, children, locals, and visitors from across New York City gathered to enjoy the splendid, lively atmosphere and beautiful spring weather.

Read the full story →

Follow them on IG ->

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