Welcome to Our Newsletter!
As-salamu alaykum and welcome to the second edition of the Kufi Productions newsletter! We're thrilled to launch this monthly digest bringing you compelling stories, cultural insights, and community connections that matter to Muslim and ethnic communities.
This November edition features investigative journalism on global conflicts, heartfelt stories from Gaza, spiritual reflections, and vibrant community events. Let's dive in!
✨ CREATOR SPOTLIGHT
November: Hosneara Begum
Driven by a passion to help and inspire, Hosneara Begum is a highly imaginative storyteller with a clear mission to bring her vision to life through animation with Kufi Productions. Her adaptability, honed through experiences in both non-profit and corporate sectors, fuels her creative writing, which explores relatable themes, particularly for Muslim women in the West. Hosneara also strives to understand and portray unique individuals, crafting stories that foster visualization and empathy. She is also s free-spirited and brave solo traveler, who embraces exploring diverse cultures and trying new experiences, which broadens her perspective and allows her to connect with people effortlessly. Her future aspirations include a global journey to interview Muslims worldwide, documenting their diverse cultures and stories of resilience.
🎬 FEATURED INVESTIGATIONS
Palantir: Surveillance Capitalism and Human Rights
Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company that processes information across surveillance, immigration enforcement, and military operations, has been found guilty in perpetuating harm against marginalized communities, from its ImmigrationOS platform that enables near real-time tracking of deportation targets to its role in reinforcing biased policing practices through programs like LAPD's LASER operation. This article connects surveillance capitalism to human rights violations, showing how data-driven technologies can amplify existing injustices while remaining largely hidden from public scrutiny.
Endless Displacement: The Silent Journey of Gaza's Women and Children
The article explores how these journalists serve as crucial witnesses to events in Gaza, often working without the protections afforded to international correspondents, while continuing their mission to show the world the human reality of life under bombardment.
📰 NEWS ROUNDUP
Top US Domestic News - November 2025
Mamdani’s Win and the Oval Office Visit
Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory in New York City is historic — and his post-election move this month adds a twist. After winning the race, Mamdani met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week. Despite their prior mouthing of insults, the two struck a surprisingly cordial tone. Mamdani framed the meeting around the “affordability agenda” for New Yorkers — housing, utilities, groceries — and Trump publicly signalled he expects to help rather than hinder the incoming mayor. That said, Mamdani stood by his earlier critique of the president as a “fascist,” making clear that working productively doesn’t mean siding politically.
The broader significance: This meeting signals a new model of city-federal relations, one where even deep political fault lines may be set aside — pragmatically — in the interest of urban governance. Whether this signals real shift or simply optics remains to be seen.
U.S. Congress Decisively Vote for the Release of Epstein Files
Congress moved almost in lockstep this month to force the release of the long-buried Epstein files. The House passed the bill with only one dissenting vote, and the Senate followed without objection. The measure orders the Justice Department to make the records public in a searchable format, limiting redactions to ongoing investigations, national security concerns or the protection of victims. What remains unclear is how far the disclosures will reach and whether they will expose the political and financial networks that helped shield Epstein for years. The White House’s initial hesitation only raised more questions about who stands to lose once these documents see daylight.
U.S. Supreme Court to Consider Trump’s Limit to Birthright Citizenship
The Supreme Court signaled it may take up the legal battle over Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The order would deny automatic citizenship to children born on U.S. soil if their parents lack permanent legal status. Lower courts blocked the policy under the 14th Amendment’s plain language, but if the Court chooses to hear the case, it could redefine who is considered American at birth. The move is widely viewed as a test of the Court’s willingness to revisit long-held constitutional guarantees and potentially reshape the country’s immigration landscape.
Majority of Individuals in ICE Custody Have No Criminal Convictions
Newly released data show a stark reality: the majority of people detained by ICE have never been convicted of a crime. More than two-thirds of those held fall into this category, undermining claims that detention targets individuals who pose a public safety threat. The numbers instead reveal a system relying on mass administrative detention. Advocates argue that ICE has shifted even further from its stated mission, using detention as a broad immigration control strategy rather than a targeted enforcement tool.
Top International News - November 2025
Gaza
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire has meant little on the ground. Israeli Occupational forces have violated the truce nearly five hundred times in just over six weeks, striking homes, shelters and civilian cars across Gaza. More than 310 Palestinians have been killed during the supposed pause, 67 of them children and women who believed they were seeking safety.
The latest attacks hit Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and parts of Nuseirat camp, adding new layers of devastation to neighborhoods already emptied out by months of bombardment. Hospitals warn that with bare shelves and dwindling fuel, they are operating on the edge of collapse.
Sudan
Thousands of families from Sudan are fleeing into neighbouring Chad as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces expands. Chad, already impoverished, is hosting new refugee waves.
The humanitarian situation in Darfur and Kordofan has reached “protection catastrophe” levels, according to UN and NGO reports: displacement is massive, food supplies are collapsing, and famine is looming despite global attention.
Saudi Arabia
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a broad military and civil-nuclear cooperation deal. As part of that, the United States announced it will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The jets to be sold will lack certain advanced features reserved for Israel — underscoring Washington’s attempt to balance arms transfers with preserving the regional status quo.
Analysts say the F-35 sale marks a major shift: Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab state to be cleared for these jets under the U.S. export regime. At the same time, the deal raises questions about how the U.S. will continue to guarantee Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region.
Iran
Iran is grappling with its worst drought in 60 years. Rainfall is down by roughly 85-96 % in parts of the country; in Tehran reservoirs are at historic lows and authorities are warning of full water rationing or even evacuation of the city if conditions don’t improve.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has accused Iran of failing to fully report on its highly enriched uranium stockpile and some of its nuclear sites. A resolution demanded immediate disclosure, but Iran says it is no longer enriching uranium on any of its nuclear sites.
Venezuela
The U.S. is preparing to launch a new phase of pressure against the government of Nicolás Maduro, including covert tools and financial sanctions, as part of an intensified campaign to force regime change in Caracas.
Airlines have cancelled flights to and over Venezuelan airspace after a U.S. aviation warning cited “potentially hazardous situations” due to rising military activity and reports of GNSS (satellite navigation) interference.
U.S. authorities moved to designate the state-linked criminal network known as Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization, opening new enforcement channels and escalating the confrontation with Venezuela’s security apparatus.
🌙 CULTURAL HERITAGE & SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Miles for Migrants: Joy, Solidarity, and Culture in Astoria
Feet freshly tucked into a pair of frilly ruffled socks, I slipped on my Mary Jane Doc Martens. I made a final pass of my tote bag before leaving Long Island for Astoria. Camera, wallet, phone, keys, charger, sunglasses: check. The afternoon autumnal sunshine enveloped my senses in a familiar embrace as I began the pre–rush commute toward Queens. Vibrant hues of amber, scarlet, green, and gold adorned the path of my 25-mile journey. But this trip wasn’t just another weekend city outing; it was for Miles for Migrants: a walk dedicated to raising critical funds and awareness for migrants and refugees in New York City.
Duaa for Seeking Refuge from Sadness and Worry
This powerful dua is deeply relevant to the challenges we face today. With the ongoing crises in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Yemen and so many other places it reminds us of the importance of turning to Allah for strength and protection.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحُزْنِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الجُبْنِ وَالبُخْلِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min al-hammi wal-huzni, wa a’udhu bika min al-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wa a’udhu bika min al-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a’udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sadness and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from helplessness and laziness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice and stinginess, and I seek refuge in You from being overpowered by debt and from the oppression of men.
In times like these, when grief and worry weigh heavily on hearts, reciting duas like this is essential. We never truly know what someone else is going through, and life can change in an instant. Allah can take a soul without warning, so it’s crucial to keep up with our daily adhkar and pray not only for ourselves but for others.
Entire nations are suffering because of greed and oppression. Our prayers matter they bring comfort, hope, and connection to Allah in a world that feels broken.
The Uyghur Struggle: Tracing the Roots of Ethnic Tensions in Xinjiang
This article examines the historical and ongoing tensions between China's Uyghur minority and the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The piece traces how cultural differences—including the Uyghurs' Turkic language, Islamic faith, and distinct traditions—have clashed with China's emphasis on national unity and assimilation. It explores key turning points, including the violent 2009 protests that left nearly 200 dead and the 2017 crackdown that intensified surveillance of mosques and religious practices under Xi Jinping's "Sinicization Campaign."
🎙️ PRODUCTION UPDATES & EXCLUSIVES
The Treaded Path Podcast: New Episode Released!![]()
In this episode of the Tread a Path podcast, host Salman Hasan speaks with Kamla Tung, Director of International Communications and Marketing, about her unique journey through education and communications. Kamla shares her early influences, the challenges she faced as a Chinese American Muslim, and her transition from a political science background to a career in education. The conversation delves into workplace discrimination, the importance of networking, and making ethical career decisions. Kamla emphasizes the significance of building trust and relationships, especially for young professionals navigating their careers. She offers valuable advice on prioritizing personal values and the impact of cultural diplomacy in education.
🎪 COMMUNITY & EVENTS
Poets for Palestine: Art, Culture, and Community for a Cause
Poets for Palestine hosted an inspiring event dedicated to raising funds for Palestine and Sudan, blending art, culture, and activism into one powerful evening. Every dollar raised went directly to support these communities, making the event not only creative but deeply impactful
Explore more NYC events year-round →
Rebel Tongues: A Night of Poetry and Purpose in Brooklyn
“Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence…” - Audre Lorde. The organization was created to uplift others from oppression, allowing poets and artists a place to connect with like-minded people and find community.
Co-founder, Fatima Niveen and Fathmah, began Rebel Tongues as a safe space for artists, to uplift others from oppression and connect with like-minded people.
💌 Stay Connected
Thank you for joining us for this second edition! 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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