As-salamu alaykum. We're happy to feature inspiring stories of Muslim creatives from around the world. From filmmaking to poetry to news reporting, each of these creatives are putting their unique spin to storytelling and showing the world what it means to own your narrative.
Let's dive in!
Creative of the Week: Amena Bakali
Meet Amena Bakali, a travel content creator, blogger, speaker, and consultant. She educates her audience and community on how to travel smarter by leveraging everyday spend to earn points and miles. She writes and creates content on award travel and personal finance. She has also created "A Guide to Umrah on Points & Miles" which helps individuals earn points and miles for an Umrah trip, without the hefty price tag.
What’s the story behind your creative journey? Tell us how you got started, and what moment made you realize this was your calling?
We've always wanted to travel, but never knew how we could afford it (to travel as we do now, Alhamdhulillah). When the pandemic happened, it lit a fire in me that tomorrow is not promised. I got more serious about leaning into award travel, and dove all in to learning how to leverage our regular expenses to earn points and miles, towards travel.
How does your cultural or faith background influence your work? We’d love to hear about the unique perspective you bring to your art.
Frankly put, there is no one in my demographic that is talking about this. Personal finance, is well, personal. And as a Muslim woman, talking about personal finance, credit cards, and travel - I'm sharing a perspective that isn't brought to the market, and leaning into how we can shift our mindset to work smart, and travel smarter.
What’s a project you’re especially proud of, and why? Walk us through the creative process and why it holds a special place in your heart.
I've created a guide called "A Guide to Umrah on Points & Miles." I also create content on using points and miles for Umrah travel. The feedback I've received about how helpful this has been, has been heart-warming to say the least. As someone who has booked an Umrah trip for just $500 for 4 people (thanks to points and miles), I want U.S. Muslims to understand that there are ways to make an Umrah trip, especially with a family, more feasible iA. We don't need to spend thousands on one trip - rather, work smart, and leverage your regular spend to earn travel rewards.
If you could collaborate with any artist (living or historical) from the Muslim or ethnic diaspora, who would it be and why?
Ibn Battuta has a famous quote "Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." We've heard and used this quote often, and it couldn't be more true now, more than ever! I would have loved to understand his love for travel, and how we became one of the greatest travelers in pre-modern history, as well as a scholar. How did his travel shape his work as know it today?
What’s one misconception about your art form or your community that you’d like to challenge? What do you wish more people understood?
As Muslims, we don't partake in interest. There is so much taboo around credit cards, and I wish (U.S.) Muslims would take more time in understanding how credit works. I'm not a scholar in Muslim ethics or finance, but it's crucial we understand there are ways to navigate finances responsibly, more specifically credit cards. By doing so, we can benefit (earn travel rewards), save money, and work smarter!
How can our community support your work and stay connected with you?
Support and engage with my posts :) Share my page with others in the U.S. Muslim community! I have also created a guide called "A Guide to Umrah Using Points & Miles" to help Muslims lessen the cost of Umrah travel, using points and miles. I write and create content around how to significantly lower costs for this trip - something, no one else is talking about! We all want to travel for Umrah, but let's be real - the costs are higher than ever. I also have a free Substack that goes out weekly sharing tips on how to earn, and use points and miles towards travel.
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Until next time,
The Kufi Productions Team
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