The Young Uncles

We sat down with our brother Zia Eshanzada to talk about his journey, from Afghanistan as a child in the days of the Soviet invasion, to Pakistan and the U.S. as a refugee, and his education, experience in the fashion industry, and many years of supporting Islamic work in America and around the world, in charity, media, and now event planning through his company The Eventive.Zia Eshanzada is a marketing and communications executive with over a decade of experience building brands, leading high-impact campaigns, and forging global partnerships that drive meaningful change.Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with all interested!

We were honored to sit down in Üsküdar for a conversation with Shaykh Suhaib Webb, about his journey to Islam, studying Islam in America and Egypt and beyond, his career in service and teaching, and what he has learned along the way.---Suhaib William Webb holds a degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and completed his focus on Islamic Law at al-Azhar University in Cairo. He was named a “Faith Leader to Watch” by the Center for American Progress in 2016 and was selected by the Muslim community as one of CNN’s 25 Most Influential Leaders. He has also been recognized as one of the “500 Most Influential Muslims” by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. He served as resident scholar at the Islamic Center at New York University and taught a course on Islamic Law and Ethics at NYU. He has served on the North American Fiqh Council. His writings have appeared in the New York Times, and he has been featured on CNN, NBC, al-Jazeera, CBS, and other outlets. He founded and directs SWISS (the Suhaib Webb Institute of Sacred Sciences), an online school focused on functional religious literacy for English-speaking Muslims, and the Ella Collins Institute for Islamic Studies, a seminary based in the Washington that train educators, Imams and muftis in Washington DC, as well as resident scholar at Center DC.SWISS: https://suhaibwebb.com/

The Young Uncles were honored to sit and learn from the great brother Luqman Nieto, to talk about Islam in Spain, his family's entering into Islam, the communities of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Sufi (Ian Dallas), and many other topics. Please like, subscribe, and share with all interested.Luqman Nieto is a writer, media producer, and speaker. He has worked as a producer and executive producer for several international media outlets. Luqman studied History, Politics, and Islamic Studies at the Dallas College, South Africa, holds a master’s degree in filmmaking, and has also pursued studies in psychology. Additionally, he studied Islamic Sciences traditionally in Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt. His work sits at the intersection of politics, geopolitics, philosophy, and Islamic thought.You can find his work on socials @luqmannieto or on his website: luqmannieto.com.

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick sat down with the brilliant comedian and writer Aamer Rahman to discuss his life in the Gulf, Australia, and Turkey, and his journey through law, activism, and stand-up comedy.

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick sit down at Gulfem Hatun Camii in Uskudar to celebrate new milestones, answer some frequently asked questions and comments, and then dive into the topic of all topics: how to envision a balanced life, making time for the many different but important areas that deserve our attention: worship, family, health, education, work, community, and art.

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick sat with a live audience at KIM Vakfi's Islamic Experience Centre in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, to talk about their personal journeys to Islam and Istanbul, and about hijrah, building community, and calling to Islam in one of the world's most important cities. Like, comment, subscribe, and share with all interested!

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick, AKA The Young Uncles, sat down with renowned actor, writer, and producer Ismail Hakki to discuss his personal journey as well as acting, history, identity, storytelling, travel, faith, and the experiences that shaped one of Turkiye's most distinctive screen personalities.---İsmail Hakkı Ürün is a Turkish actor, writer, and producer known for his work in some of the most widely watched historical and action dramas in Türkiye. Over a career spanning television, film, and cultural production, he has become recognized for portraying strong, complex characters in productions that explore history, identity, and the human experience.Born in Istanbul in 1976, Ürün pursued an international educational path that took him across the Muslim world and Europe. He graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) with a degree in International Relations and later studied cinema at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany. His years abroad also included significant time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to a broad cultural perspective that continues to inform his artistic work.Fluent in English, German, Arabic, Russian, Bosnian, and Malay-Indonesian, Ürün brings a uniquely global outlook to his creative endeavors. His academic background, international experience, and deep interest in history and culture have made him a distinctive presence within the Turkish entertainment industry.Audiences around the world know him from acclaimed productions including Sakarya Fırat, Payitaht Abdülhamid, and Kuruluş: Osman, where his performances have earned him a reputation for combining commanding screen presence with emotional depth and authenticity. Whether portraying soldiers, statesmen, scholars, or historical figures, he is known for bringing intensity, nuance, and humanity to every role.Beyond acting, Ürün has worked as a writer and producer and has remained actively engaged in cultural and intellectual life through public discussions, panels, and creative projects. His work reflects a continuing interest in the intersection of history, civilization, faith, and storytelling.Today, İsmail Hakkı Ürün stands as one of the most respected figures in contemporary Turkish historical drama, admired not only for his performances on screen but also for the breadth of experience and perspective he brings to his craft.

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick sit down with the great Brother Ali to talk about his legendary music career, his life in Islam and many great teachers and communities, his love for Üsküdar and our community here, and much more.Timestamps:0:00:00 - Intro0:00:29 - Üsküdar0:02:29 - Brother Ali's childhood and Islam0:09:32 - A history of Islam in Black America0:31:51 - How the WD Muhammad community develops young Muslims0:46:19 - Hip Hop and whiteness, Hip Hop and Islam1:09:17 - Brother Ali's artistic process1:14:45 - The counter-revolutionary agenda of the hip-hop industry1:21:31 - What's next for Brother AliBrother Ali is a respected Hip Hop artist, speaker, and community leader. His two-decade resume includes ten critically-acclaimed albums, mentorships with iconic Hip Hop legends Chuck D and Rakim, and performances on late night shows with Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien. His provocative and uplifting brand of Hip Hop has earned him coveted press features like Rolling Stone’s 40th anniversary edition and Source Magazine’s “Hip Hop Quotables”, while his outspoken social justice message has landed him on government watch lists. He’s also lectured at universities from Princeton to Stanford and delivered the keynote address at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. When he’s not rocking the mic at Coachella or being arrested for civil disobedience in support of marginalized communities, Brother Ali travels the world learning and teaching Islamic Spirituality under some of today’s most renowned teachers. In addition to leading worship services and classes, he co-founded The Gemali Project, an organization that helps Muslim converts and spiritual seekers access the beauty of the Islamic tradition. Brother Ali recently launched The Travelers Podcast from his new home in Istanbul, exploring life’s journey with cultural, spiritual, and thought leaders from across the globe.

For the first time ever, Reshad Strik opens up about his journey from Australia to Hollywood, his decision to leave Hollywood for the Turkish TV industry, his experiences acting in Diriliş: Ertuğrul, and his vision for the future of Islamic storytelling in film and TV.

Reshad Strik and Cyrus McGoldrick meet at Valide-i-Atik Camii in Uskudar, Istanbul, to talk about what makes Turkiye, Istanbul, and particularly the neighborhood of Uskudar so special. What about Uskudar drew a Bosnian-Australian actor away from Hollywood, and an American activist and artist away from New York?