We were lucky to catch up with Hosneara Begum recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hosneara, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Volunteering with Kufi Productions has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, allowing me to freely apply the skills I’ve gained from both non-profit and corporate environments. At Kufi, I’ve had the autonomy to think creatively, propose new ideas, and execute projects, trusting my judgment to enhance Kufi’s recognition and reach.

One ongoing project I’ve led is particularly close to my heart. Kufi Productions is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and educating the public about organizations making a difference in the Muslim community. My goal has been to inform people about various community groups they can join, the events happening year-round, and how they can get involved in other organizations’ missions.

I’ve always enjoyed learning about diverse cultures and meeting people from all walks of life, firmly believing that everyone has a unique story, something to share, and something to teach. My research into various organizations and involvement in different Muslim community group chats have provided me with valuable connections, allowing me to explore and understand these events firsthand.

Living in NYC, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of diverse options for connection, but I’m also keenly aware that attending events alone and trying to make new friends can be daunting. My efforts with Kufi Productions have focused on helping individuals within the Muslim community discover organizations they can join, or simply learn about these communities to share with others who might be interested. To me, that’s the essence of community: the ability to help one another.

Connecting Our Community Through Events
On our Events page, you’ll find a curated selection of organizations I’ve personally explored. My aim in describing each one is to help you quickly gauge if it’s the right fit for you, whether you plan to attend alone or with a friend. I’ve made sure to include photos and videos to give you a better feel for each event and community.

This initiative has been a fantastic way to both spread the word about Kufi Productions and build numerous relationships. I’ve connected with event hosts and individuals who, like me, were looking to make new friends. It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet people, sometimes even if it’s just for a single event, especially when they’ve traveled from other countries or are new to the city.

Ultimately, we hope our Events page becomes a valuable resource for our community, keeping everyone informed and connected.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always struggled to settle into one specific path, but through my diverse experiences across various industries, I’ve discovered a key strength: my adaptability and a deep desire to help others. I often find myself taking the lead, connecting people with valuable resources I’ve uncovered. Beyond that, I also recognized a strong creative drive within me, eager to express itself through poetry, art, and storytelling.

One of our upcoming projects truly excites me: creating animated short stories. Our aim is to educate the world about Muslim experiences and the struggles faced by individuals within the community. This could be anything from a young person growing up in the West striving to hold onto their faith, to a profound life event and how someone overcame it. These stories won’t just be visual; they’ll convey emotion and meaning through sound and dialogue.

I’ve already written one such story called “The Little Black Scarf.” Without giving too much away, it explores a young girl’s journey to America and the difficult choice she faces: whether to continue wearing her hijab or remove it to appease her bullies. When the time comes to animate this, I envision either a cliffhanger ending or perhaps two separate short stories depicting the outcomes of each choice. I firmly believe that art should be timeless, and that individual experiences have the power to create a profound impact globally.

I’m also passionate about hearing others’ stories. I plan to actively engage with the community, asking about topics they wish were discussed more often or what kind of content they’d like to see. Ultimately, any way we can involve the community will make a world of difference, as we truly need to lean on one another.

My journey to Kufi Productions began after I left my corporate job in the advertising industry and embarked on a period of solo travel. This time for soul-searching also became a profound exploration of Islam. The more questions I asked—about why we pray five times a day, why we fast during Ramadan, or why Arabic is the language of the Quran—the more fascinated I became. Everything started to click, and the choices I made subsequently transformed me in ways I never imagined. Looking back, I’m filled with immense gratitude and humility.

I realized that my struggle wasn’t finding a job, but rather finding a company that truly aligned with my values. Serendipitously, Salman, the founder of Kufi, reached out to me through a Muslim Professional organization—a network designed to connect Muslims across various industries. While he was seeking employees for his venture, I was actively searching for a meaningful role that would leverage and expand all my skills. It was a perfect match.

My experience at Kufi so far, attending events and spreading our mission by word of mouth, has highlighted how frequently the term “community” is used. Everyone seems to want to “help” or “engage” the community, yet few truly grasp what that looks like in practice.

A prime example was a project the founder envisioned: a “skillshop” workshop designed to connect youth with guest speakers and mentors. The goal was to provide students with networking opportunities and insights into professional journeys, like breaking into various industries related to someone’s interest, whether it be Graphic designing, Tech, Journaling, ect…, as we observed a significant lack of such resources. We decided to pitch this idea to a well-known, established organization.

Without revealing too much about them, we quickly learned that many “established” organizations sometimes forget how to support new startups like ours. While I respect their right to decline, receiving no feedback or resources to help bring our vision to life—simply being denied the use of their space—was a setback. For me, personally, it was particularly draining, as I was already feeling burnt out by people who claimed interest in helping or joining, only to later ghost.

This was a crucial lesson: I’m learning not to take things too seriously, especially people’s words. The adage “Actions speak louder than words” resonates deeply with me now. I’m also learning not to chase after people; if something is truly meant to happen, it will unfold effortlessly and naturally, without a major push. I’m focusing on giving myself grace and maintaining a positive outlook, often through lectures that align with my mood, which has helped me tremendously.

Every step I’m taking now, no matter how small, is contributing to something significant. I’m actively building connections, fostering meaningful relationships, and engaging in work that feels truly impactful. I’m proud of every rejection I faced during my job hunt, as they ultimately led me to Kufi Productions, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

My plan is to continue spreading positivity and love. I know that as we grow, all our hard work will pay off, and I’ll finally be able to say I’ve made a real difference.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Never give up on yourself! It’s never too late to start over, and always keep doing what makes you happy. I believe a major obstacle to feeling inspired is the constant comparison to others. We forget that everyone has their own journey to reach where they are. In this digital age, with lives constantly curated on Instagram and TikTok, it’s easy to assume others are doing better. But life isn’t a race, and we shouldn’t compete with anyone; doing so will only lead us astray.

Through job hopping, I learned what I genuinely liked and disliked. Even though my friends and family teased me for never staying in one place, I continued to follow what felt right. While negative words and opinions can sting, deep down, I always knew I was destined for more than the typical 9-to-5 grind. Eventually, you just get tired of the same old routine.

I’ve always loved traveling, but for a long time, I was afraid to venture too far from home, especially as a woman. Thankfully, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also become bolder. My five-plus years in the ad industry left me so burnt out that I longed for a break, even from the city itself. While still working, I started with domestic travel, easing into the feeling of navigating things on my own.

One day, I confidently winged a solo trip to Marrakech, Morocco, without overthinking it. Of course, I researched accommodation and travel, but nothing truly prepares you for potential “danger.” Marrakech wasn’t highly developed then, though it was gaining recognition, especially among nearby tourists. Thankfully, I was safe and enjoyed all the activities. This experience was so fulfilling that I went to Turkey next, a more developed country.

While traveling, I found myself incredibly open to meeting strangers. Staying in hostels definitely had its perks, allowing me to meet people from all walks of life while still feeling safe. When I returned to the U.S., I brought back memories that will last a lifetime. This is one story in my life I’ll always remember.

So, to be resilient is to be brave, to be bold, and to take chances. It was obviously scary at first to travel solo as a female, but once you step out of your comfort zone, it truly becomes addictive.

To summarize my journey, as a Muslim woman of color, I’ve embarked on what many might consider a controversial path. With my parents’ support, I’ve chosen to travel solo, an experience that for me, breaks barriers within our community. It demonstrates that a Muslim woman can confidently explore the world independently. Not everyone needs to wait for marriage or for a “man” to take them places—sometimes, that opportunity never even materializes.

I am willing to challenge certain cultural norms to show the world that anything is possible if you place your trust in God. With faith, you will surely find your way.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’ve always been drawn to animated movies, and with today’s shorter attention spans, I’ve developed a deep passion for short-form animation as a powerful way to convey life lessons. The incredible work of Pixar Animation has particularly inspired me to create animations that resonate with the experiences within the Muslim community.

I believe animation is a phenomenal medium for storytelling, offering limitless creative freedom. It allows for a rich visual experience, where the careful selection of sound can deeply move an audience. Dialogue can also play a crucial role, perhaps echoing conversations people wish they had or words they’ve heard.

I’m eagerly anticipating the day Kufi builds a large enough creative team to bring my short story, “The Little Black Scarf,” to life. My broader mission is to inspire others to create their own narratives, making this a stepping stone for future creatives. To achieve this, Kufi is actively looking to hire talented graphic designers and artists.

Beyond animation, Kufi also plans to host community art events, showcasing diverse artwork from around the world. We aim to support these artists by collaborating with them, helping them gain recognition for their incredible work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kufiproductions.com/explore-events/nyc-events/
• Instagram: hosneara_begum
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hosneara-begum/

Image Credits

The one where I am in Blue Sari, my friend who is a photographer, took them. his name is Brandon Roberts Blake his IG handle is portraitblake