Aysha Mercedes: Near-Death to Islam, Dawah From Rappers, Schizophrenic Dad & More...(EP114)

Bismillah, Before we dive in, a personal request;If this story touches you, please subscribe, hit the bell, like, comment, and share. Your support helps us grow the channel and bring on even bigger guests.In this episode with Aysha Mercedes, a woman whose journey from near-death and illness to Islam will leave you speechless.She opens up about growing up with a schizophrenic father, facing the chaos of street life, and how rappers were the first to introduce her to Islam. From trauma to transformation, this is a story of struggle, faith, and humility, and the power of Allah’s mercy to rewrite any life.Inside the conversation we cover:– Surviving a near-death experience and what it taught her about Allah– Living with a schizophrenic father and broken family dynamics– Street life, trouble, and seeking belonging– Rappers as unexpected da’wah voices– The challenges and loneliness of being a new Muslim– Her father’s shocking reversion to Islam after being stabbed– The lack of support for reverts in our communities– Balancing faith, wealth, and humility after finding purposeTimestamps00:00:00 – Near-Death Revelation00:02:11 – Battling a Rare Illness00:06:09 – Life with a Schizophrenic Father00:07:57 – Street Life & Trouble00:09:33 – Rappers Introduce Islam00:12:19 – Struggles of a New Muslim00:16:07 – Father Stabbed, Then Reverts00:20:28 – Lack of Support for Reverts00:27:02 – Faith, Wealth & Identity00:53:03 – Arrogance vs Humility#AyshaMercedes #RevertStory #Islam #FaithJourney #StreetLifeToIslam #BritishMuslimVoices #SideBySidePodcast #KaziRahman #MuslimPodcast #Transformation #SpiritualHealing #RevertSupport #WomenInIslam #FaithAndHealing #IslamicInspiration

Bismillah, Before we dive in — a personal request 🙏If this story moves you, please subscribe, hit the bell, like, comment, and share. Your support helps us grow the channel and bring on even bigger guests for conversations like this.In this episode, I sit down with Cllr Rukhsana Ismail, the Mayor of Rotherham, as she opens up for the first time about her journey, the challenges of online hate, and what it means to lead as a proud British Muslim woman. From criticism of her language to her viral “Proud British Muslim” video, she shares the raw truth about mistakes, resilience, faith, and finding peace under pressure.Inside the conversation we cover:– Dealing with online abuse and criticism– Islam’s role in leadership and decision-making– Overcoming personal and professional challenges– Cultural vs religious practices and their clash in public life– Finding inner peace while serving as Mayor– Encouragement for struggling sisters in the communityTimestamps00:00:00 – Emotional Mayor Announcement00:02:19 – Welcome and Introduction00:03:56 – Dealing with Online Abuse00:11:18 – Responding to Language Criticism00:13:02 – Making Proud British Muslim Video00:18:07 – Islam’s Role in Leadership00:22:34 – Overcoming Life Challenges00:25:36 – Admitting Mistakes in Leadership00:32:03 – Cultural vs Religious Practices00:39:04 – Finding Inner Peace00:46:12 – Helping Others and Saying No01:11:03 – Encouragement for Struggling Sisters#KaziShafiqurRahman #SideBySidePodcast #FirnasAirways #BritishMuslimEntrepreneur #MuslimPodcast #BusinessPodcastUK #BritishBangladeshiSuccessStory #AirlineStartupStory #FreshlyGrounded #BritishMuslimVoices #BritishBusinessDocumentary #HowToStartAnAirlineKazi #BuddiesLondon #Sunnamusk #KSRBuddies #BuddiesLondon #MuslimEntrepreneur #BoycottBrands #MiddleEastCrisis #MayorOfRotherham #CllrRukhsanaIsmail #Hijabi #UKPolitics #MuslimMayor #MuslimWomen

Before we dive in, a personal request 🙏If this story adds value, please subscribe, hit the bell, like, comment, and share. Your support helps us grow the channel and bring on even bigger guests.In this episode, I sit down with Stairway2Freedom, The Saviour (Josh) to talk about confronting pro-Israel marchers, facing online harassment, and the rising tide of anti-Muslim hate in the UK. We discuss the far-right, racism, and flag symbolism, and why building bridges across faiths is the only way forward.Inside the conversation we cover:– Josh’s background and activism journey– Facing online harassment and intimidation– Confronting pro-Israel marchers on the streets– The UK’s social and political challenges today– Tommy Robinson, far-right threats & flag politics– Racism, division, and anti-Muslim hate– The need for unity across faiths– Dialogue, bridge-building, and changing minds– Who really influences UK foreign policy– Social media growth, censorship, and street wisdomTimestamps00:01:21 – Introduction & Meeting Josh00:02:55 – Josh’s Background & Activism00:04:10 – Facing Online Harassment00:05:10 – Confronting Pro-Israel Marchers00:08:10 – UK’s Social & Political Challenges00:11:10 – Views on Tommy Robinson & Far-Right Figures00:12:50 – Racism & Flag Symbolism in the UK00:14:20 – The Need for Unity Across Faiths00:18:40 – Challenges of Changing Minds00:22:40 – Engaging in Dialogue & Building Bridges00:25:10 – What It Takes for UK to Improve00:41:10 – Influence Behind UK’s Foreign Policy00:45:50 – Social Media Growth & Censorship00:53:40 – Unexpected Wisdom from the Streets#Stairway2Freedom #TheSaviour #AntiMuslimHate #FarRight #ProIsraelMarchers #Josh #Activism #Unity #ProPalestine #UKPolitics #FaithAndUnity #SideBySidePodcast #KaziRahman

Before we dive in — a personal request 🙏If this story adds value, please subscribe, hit the bell, like, comment, and share with others. Your support helps us grow and bring even bigger guests to the channel.In this episode, I sit down with Areeb Siddiqui, founder of Kestrl and host of Muslim Money Talk Podcast. From starting at rock bottom to leading one of the UK’s most talked-about halal finance startups, Areeb shares how he’s trying to change the way Muslims think about money, wealth, and opportunity.Inside the conversation we cover:– Kestrl’s dual business model and pivot into B2B revenue– The poverty challenge in UK Muslim communities– Scarcity vs abundance mindset in building wealth– Vision beyond Islamic banking and trust issues in finance– Innovative Sharia-compliant features, gold and crypto– Raising capital, customer acquisition, and scaling fintech– Founder challenges, growth pains, and market opportunityTimestamps00:00:00 – Starting from Rock Bottom00:04:00 – Kestrl’s Dual Business Model00:08:00 – Poverty Challenge in UK Muslims00:11:00 – Scarcity vs Abundance Mindset00:13:00 – Innovations from Community Events00:15:00 – Vision Beyond Islamic Banking00:17:00 – Trust Issues in Islamic Finance00:20:00 – Pivoting to B2B Revenue00:24:00 – Founder Challenges and Growth Pains00:30:00 – Levels of Islamic Finance Development00:33:00 – Innovative Sharia-Compliant Features00:38:00 – Competitive Edge: Gold and Crypto00:44:00 – Investment Opportunity and Market Potential00:50:00 – Customer Acquisition Strategy#AreebSiddiqui #Kestrl #MuslimMoneyTalk #HalalFinance #FaithDrivenBusiness #Fintech #MuslimEntrepreneurs #SideBySidePodcast #KaziRahman

Bismillah and Before we dive in, a personal request…Your support helps us grow the channel and bring on even bigger guests.If this story moves you, please subscribe, turn on the bell, like, comment, and share this episode. In this episode, I sit down with Aykiz Shah, founder of Salaam Cola, to unpack her extraordinary journey. From rejecting a £108 million offer to taking a boycott-born brand global, all while navigating life as a niqaabi, mother of three, and wife.Aykiz shares a story of courage, conviction, and vision.Inside the conversation we cover:– Turning down a £108m offer and the pushback that followed– The origins of Salaam Cola and family boycott principles– Boycotting root causes and building real alternatives– Overcoming backlash while staying true to values– Unity within the Ummah and overcoming division– Charity, legacy, and global projects from schools to orphanages– Challenges as a female founder and trademark battles– Advice for sisters and the importance of family support00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome – Aykiz Shah – Salaam Cola00:02:13 – Turning Down the £108 Million Offer and Facing Pushback00:07:00 – Origins of Salaam Cola and Family Boycott Principles00:09:30 – Boycotting Root Causes and Creating Alternatives00:11:20 – Overcoming Backlash and Staying True to Values00:15:00 – Unity Within the Ummah and Overcoming Division00:17:30 – Charity Work, Legacy, and Impact Projects00:24:30 – Global Projects: Schools, Orphanages, and More00:50:00 – Challenges as a Female Founder and Trademark Battles01:16:00 – Advice for Sisters and Importance of Family Support#KaziShafiqurRahman #KSR #SideBySidePodcast #FirnasAirways #BritishMuslimEntrepreneur #MuslimPodcast #BusinessPodcastUK #BritishBangladeshiSuccessStory #AirlineStartupStory #Ceocast #FreshlyGrounded #BritishMuslimVoices #BritishBusinessDocumentary #HowToStartAnAirlineKazi #BuddiesLondon #Sunnamusk #KSRBuddies #BuddiesLondon #AykizShah #SalaamCola #MuslimEntrepreneur #MumPreneur #Niqaabi #BusinessWoman #WomenInIslam #BoycottBrands #MiddleEastCrisis #HalalCapitalism

Bismillah, Before we dive in, a personal request 🙏If you’ve been enjoying these conversations, please subscribe, turn the notification bell on, like, comment, and share this episode with others. Every bit of support helps us grow the channel and bring on even bigger guests for you.In this episode, we sit down with BigFish TV on his first ever podcast appearance to talk about identity, belonging, and the double-edged sword of being visible in the community. From growing up Bengali and cultural shifts, to handling backlash, racism, and social media pressure. BigFish TV shares his story with honesty and grit.We also explore his business ventures, from vape shops to food businesses, his lessons in branding, networking, and perseverance, and the launch of PFC as a family legacy project.Inside the conversation we cover:– Likability vs backlash and building thick skin– Growing up Bengali and cultural identity– Racism, dialogue, and bridging divides– From vape shops to multiple ventures– PFC’s launch and family legacy– The realities of food business, reviews, and branding– Lessons on consistency, setbacks, and perseveranceTimestamps00:00:00 – Likability vs. Backlash: The Double-Edged Sword00:03:41 – Growing Up Bengali: Language and Culture Shifts00:05:21 – Technology’s Impact on Family Respect00:07:26 – Speaking Out: Courage and Controversy00:11:58 – Britannia Hotel: Bridging Divides in Tense Areas00:16:00 – Understanding ‘The Other Side’00:21:12 – Identity, Belonging, and Ownership of This Country00:23:55 – Progress in Education and Business00:25:34 – Challenges of Integration and Outreach00:28:54 – Responding to Racism with Dialogue00:30:21 – Inspirations from the Prophet’s Example00:31:53 – Handling Negativity: Building Thick Skin00:34:09 – From Vape Shop to Diverse Ventures00:35:31 – Scar’s Story: From Streets to Entrepreneurship00:37:24 – Changing Mindsets and New Opportunities00:38:54 – PFC Launch: Family Legacy and Ambitions00:42:58 – Social Media Success vs. Real Hard Work00:44:16 – Managing Multiple Businesses and Teams00:46:18 – Food Business: Balancing Quality and Foot Traffic00:49:59 – Owning Delivery: The Push for Independence00:52:00 – Branding Challenges and Rebranding Journey00:54:17 – Networking and Growth Mindsets00:55:58 – From NHS Admin to Entrepreneurial Success00:57:31 – A Message to Youth: Patience and Perseverance01:00:34 – Business Setbacks and Investments01:01:31 – Quickfire: Cars, Food, and Social Media Choices01:04:01 – The Impact of Reviews on Food Businesses01:05:22 – The Value of Consistent Hard Work01:06:16 – Final Blessings: Protecting Against Negativity#BigFishTV #PFC #BritishBangladeshi #BusinessPodcastUK #SideBySidePodcast #KaziRahman #EntrepreneurJourney #MuslimPodcast

From bricklaying to sweet making, from a single shop in Green Street during recession to scaling over 250 stores and floating Cake Box on the London Stock Exchange & Buying Ambala, Sukh Chamdal’s story is as bold as it is inspiring.Inside this episode we cover:– The family migration story that shaped him– The birth of the egg-free cake idea– Opening the first Cake Box during a recession– How customer demand drove franchising success– Balancing family and business leadership– Building a team and protecting brand reputation– Acquiring Ambala and preserving its legacy– The challenges of going PLC on the London Stock Exchange– Cake Box’s global vision for the futureTimestamps00:02:00 - Family Migration Story: From Bricklaying to Sweet Making00:05:20 - Childhood in an Immigrant Household00:07:30 - Early Lessons in Business and Responsibility00:09:45 - Birth of the Egg-Free Cake Idea00:12:00 - First Shop in Green Street During Recession00:14:30 - Discovering Franchising and First Franchisee00:18:00 - Expanding the Business Through Customer Demand00:21:20 - The Road to Becoming a PLC on London Stock Exchange00:25:40 - Balancing Family and Business in Leadership00:29:10 - Building a Strong Team & Hiring Lessons00:33:00 - Work Ethics, Smiling, and Positivity in Business00:37:20 - Handling Controversy & Protecting Brand Reputation00:40:50 - Scaling to 250+ Stores and International Expansion00:44:00 - Acquiring Ambala and Preserving Legacy00:48:10 - Why Cake Box Stays Out of Shopping Malls00:51:30 - Future Growth Plans: Doubling Stores Nationwide00:55:20 - Customer Loyalty, Training & Franchising System01:00:00 - Sustainability and Reducing Plastic Use01:05:10 - Governance, IPO Challenges, and Shareholder Trust01:11:00 - Community Impact, Charity, and Giving Back01:18:20 - Vision Ahead: Global Expansion & Next Chapters💸 SPONSOR MESSAGE – Send Money to Bangladesh with ZERO Fees!Taptap Send makes it easier to support loved ones back home — with no transfer fees and a £20 bonus just for you.✅ Download the app using this link:👉 https://taptapsend.one…💬 When prompted to “Add promo code,” enter KSR and press Enter.Taptap Send UK Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900842).

Between 2016 and 2018, filmmaker Larry Walford followed my journey as I set out to do the impossible, launch Firnas Airways, a Shariah-compliant airline built from the ground up. The result was a Channel 4 documentary that captured not just the dream, but the struggle of building an airline as a young British Bangladeshi entrepreneur.In this conversation, we revisit that story:– Why Larry chose to make the documentary– The highs and lows of the Firnas journey, which began in 2014– The reality of risk, rejection, and resilience in aviation– How it all came to a grinding halt in March 2020, during the UK Covid lockdownThis isn’t just a look back at a failed airline, it’s about the lessons, the scars, and the drive to keep building despite the setbacks.Send Money to Bangladesh with ZERO Fees!Taptap Send makes it easier to support loved ones back home — with no transfer fees and a £20 bonus just for you.✅ Download the app here:👉 https://taptapsend.one…💬 Enter promo code KSR when prompted.Taptap Send UK Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900842).#SideBySidePodcast #KaziRahman #KSR #MuslimPodcast #BusinessPodcastUK #BritishMuslimVoices #EntrepreneurPodcast #InspiringConversations #SuccessStories #FaithAndBusiness #LarryWalford #FirnasAirways #Channel4Documentary #AviationStartup #StartupJourney #BritishBangladeshi #EntrepreneurJourney #AviationIndustry #CovidLockdown #UKEntrepreneursLarry Walford Trailer 00:00  Catching Up 02:44 How To Start an Airline, Firnas & Abdul 04:03 Who Is Larry Walford? 22:08What does the audience want today? Is Kazi a celebrity? 24:14 Has it changed Kazi’s life? 25:35Larry’s life now 30:47Ai - resist or absorb? 41:45 Muslim’s and BAME communities in the media 48:37Risk and trust in documentaries 58:42 Say yes to people, has being a celebrity changed KSR? 1:03:47

What does it take to innovate in the halal food space, and still keep prices fair?In this thought-provoking conversation, Saima Duhare, founder of It’s Halal, joins me to debate fast food vs healthy food pricing, the role of Muslim communities in innovation, and what we can learn from big players like HelloFresh. She shares her journey from culture shock and changing family eating habits to building a brand that blends ethics, taste, and business sense.We also get into the real challenges of securing investors for halal ventures, and why the “it’s halal” label isn’t always enough.Topics include:– The price debate: fast food vs healthy food– Why Muslim innovation matters– Investor hurdles in halal products– Lessons from global brands– Saima’s personal story of culture shock and changeTimestamps:00:00 – Trailer01:00 – Intro03:40 – Price Debate: Fast Food vs Healthy Food14:00 – Comparing with Brands18:45 – Saima’s Backstory: Culture Shock & Family Habits29:00 – Role of Muslim Community in Food Innovation39:25 – Investor Challenges in Halal Innovation44:20 – Learning from HelloFresh49:20 – “It’s Halal” Backstory58:25 – Muslim Innovation1:05:10 – Final Reflections1:40:44 – Outro💸 SPONSOR MESSAGE – Send Money to Bangladesh with ZERO Fees!Taptap Send makes it easier to support loved ones back home — with no transfer fees and a £20 bonus just for you.✅ Download the app using this link:👉 https://taptapsend.one…💬 When prompted to “Add promo code,” enter KSR and press ‘Enter’.Taptap Send UK Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900842).#SaimaDuhare #ItsHalal #MuslimInnovation #HalalFood #HealthyEating #HalalBusiness #HalalInnovation #FoodEntrepreneur #BusinessPodcastUK #KaziRahman #SideBySidePodcast #HalalStartup #TaptapSend #BangladeshiEntrepreneur #BritishMuslimVoices

Who is Mr Hamlets, and why is he talking about me?In this no-holds-barred episode, Kazi Shafiqur Rahman responds directly to the comments, the claims, and the gossip.From SM and Firnas Airways to Buddies London and questions about mentorship, nothing is left off the table.This is straight talk. No PR. No filters.Inside this episode:– Who is Mr Hamlets?– Why was H removed from SM?– Firnas, and whether investors are getting paid back– Buddies London: one hit wonder or something bigger?– Tarik rumour and business disputes– Am I cut out to be a mentor?– How public comments hit harder than you think– My honest view on Mr Hamlets and the wider communityBehind the headlines and rumours, there’s still a person taking the hits, carrying the weight, and showing up anyway.Timestamps:00:00 – Trailer, Mr Hamlets Response01:16 – Who is Mr Hamlets?02:34 – Firnas & Are Investors Getting Paid Back20:22 – Buddies – One Hit Wonder, Tarik Rumour?29:44 – Is KSR Cut Out to Be a Mentor? The Effect of Comments on KSR36:50 – Summary of Mr Hamlets and the Community45:50 – Ending Remarks#MrHamlets #KaziShafiqurRahman #SM #FirnasAirways #BuddiesLondon #BusinessTruths #Mentorship #CommunityTalk #BritishBangladeshi #EntrepreneurshipUK