Niala Mohammad

Produced by Niala Mohammad

• January 24, 2020

  Polio Remains Imminent Threat in Militant-hit Areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan

  There was a spike in polo cases across Afghanistan and Pakistan last year with dozens of new cases reported in both countries, highlighting an increase in the epidemic compared to 2018. Officials blame parents refusing to have their children vaccinated, misinformation and militant threats as the main reasons for the uptick. VOA’s Niala Mohammad reports.

• May 31, 2019

  Muslim Americans Run for Charity During Ramadan Fast

  During the month of Ramada, millions of U.S. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. This year, Ramadan has fallen in May. Already temperatures in Washington, D.C., have risen above 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit.) Running while fasting on hot days can be challenging and ill-advised. Still about 70 fasting Muslims took part in a fundraising run to help raise $100,000 for children with special needs. VOA's Niala Mohammad has more.

• September 14, 2018

  Rewriting the American Muslim Narrative Through Music, Performance

  There are about 3.5 million Muslims living in the United States. The vast majority are from South and Central Asia. While many see America as the "land of the free," some say the current political climate has made it difficult to be Muslim in America. In an effort to increase cultural understanding, the Smithsonian recently curated a group of artists and gave them a stage to make their Muslim American identities visible through a performance titled "Now You See Us." Niala Mohammad has more.

• June 06, 2018

  Muslim Marine Initiative Brings Americans Into Muslim Homes

  Mansoor Shams believes the best way to understand a person is to walk a mile in their shoes. He's the founder of MuslimMarine.org and a member of the Veterans for American Ideals. He recently started a new initiative with other Marine veterans called "#29For29", which utilizes the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to promote understanding and to break down long-held misconceptions about Islam. VOA's Niala Mohammad has more.

• April 02, 2018

  Comedian Uses Humor to Bridge Muslim-Christian Divide

  Use of comedy to bridge the gap between Muslims and Jews dates back centuries

• April 02, 2018

  Using Humor to Promote Religious Tolerance

  Dialogue and social discourse are among the most effective tools for promoting cultural understanding. So is humor. That's the tool of choice for one white, Christian comedian from South Carolina, who claims an affinity for Muslims and a spicy South Asian rice dish called Biryani. VOA's Deewa Service correspondent Niala Mohammad took in one of his shows and filed this report.

• March 21, 2018

  US Muslim Teen Author Writes Strong Female Characters

  Weary of books centered around a male hero who saves the day, Maryam Durrani decided to write her own stories

• March 18, 2018

  Muslim Writer Uses Her Imagination to Give Voice to Girls Like Her

  Maryam Durrani is a child prodigy who wrote her first book at the age of 13, making her one of the youngest authors in America. But as VOA's Niala Mohammad reports, the hijab-wearing teen defies stereotypes associated with Muslims and girls.

• April 27, 2017

  Hawaii AG: Challenge to Trump’s Travel Ban Rooted in WWII

  Citing WWII internments of Japanese-Americans, Hawaii attorney general says discrimination must be nipped in bud early

• April 26, 2017

  Hawaii Official to Sessions: Trump Can't Rule Like a King

  Hawaii's attorney general responds to Justice Department's chief's comment about judge who ruled against the president's travel ban