Growing up, I can't tell you how many times I used to hear the words 3aib, haram or the most triggering of all: "What will people say." But in today's episode you're going to hear what Alya Mooro, my special guest, has to say about navigating the many facets of her identity as an Arab woman.It was just last year when I had picked up Alya's book, 'The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman Outside the Stereotypes', and I found myself devouring every word of hers. In her book, I had seen myself, my struggles, my identity crisis and the many obstacles I had faced trying to figure out who I truly am.

As a first born and the daughter of immigrant parents, I've come to realize that my life path was already written for me by my parents, extended family and members of the community before I ever had a say in it.

Navigating life as an Arab woman meant that I was responsible for carrying the burden of my family's honor on my shoulders. I was always paralyzed by the fear of making any wrong decisions that could jeopardize the reputation of my family name. 

I never understood why this huge responsibility was placed on us women and never on our male counterparts until Alya Mooro directly said this in her book:"Women hold the burden of their family's honor and that honor lies between their legs."

It's this obsession and constant policing of women that dictates our every move. As an Egyptian born and London raised Arab woman, Alya shares the struggles she had faced and is still facing as she is trying to figure out who her authentic self truly is.

In this episode we discuss how our identities can dictate how we behave, the East vs West mentality (haram vs halal), juggling different versions of ourselves, halal dating and how to deal with rejection in life.

It's important to note that all of us still have our own unique experiences growing up as Arab, Muslim or as women in general, and the obstacles we faced as women isn't limited to only our Middle Eastern culture, these issues are also very prominent in Western societies.

I hope that we can continue to have these conversations and for us to continue providing spaces to do so. We all have a voice and we all have the right to be heard.

Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:@unsweetenedandunfilteredFollow Alya Mooro  on Instagram:@alyamooroTune into Alya's 'Talk of Shame' podcast here:Talk of ShamePurchase Alya's book here:The Greater Freedom: Life as a Middle Eastern Woman Outside the Stereotypes