We were sitting in our office planning out the editorial calendar when we got the news that a 7.8 magnitude earthquake had hit Gaziantep, Turkey and other nearby areas. Soon after, TMJ’s consultants updated us that Northern Syria was hit badly too. Oh my God, was our first reaction.

We wondered about the level of devastation, the death toll, and how we would cover this. Right then and there, we knew the editorial calendar would entirely shift to the next week. Everything we had planned to publish would have to wait, because human life was more important. Mostly, there were reports circulating internally that Syria wasn’t receiving the aid it needed due to American sanctions. We knew that we needed to cover it from this angle, because media outlets weren’t talking about it.

After publishing a couple reports about the earthquake, including short videos, a consultant notified us that an aid organization notoriously linked to terror groups had raised millions in fundraising for Syria, a nation that was still sanctioned by the US. Immediately, we knew something nefarious was going on. We had seen this in Yemen and during the pandemic, aid organizations promote fundraising for good causes yet there is a lack of transparency and money trails. Good Samaritans are often tricked into donating after watching moving videos and images that elicit emotions, yet no one knows where the money is exactly going.

The struggle that comes with investigating something as difficult as this is the burden placed on the journalist to do right by the story, do right by the people and do right by those who are suffering. We often wondered about the outcome of this story and we were right; the story went viral because donors who are often well-intentioned found themselves questioning where aid money was truly going. Were the people getting the money? Were they getting the help they needed?

The follow up that came with a huge investigative piece like this was the expectation of readers who now wanted an alternative list of vetted organizations who are getting aid money to the right place. While we currently are compiling such a list, calling organizations, asking for fiscal reports etc, we know that we are also racing against time.

In addition to delving into investigative work, we launched a new show called The Blue Sofa Talks that’s all about women for women, hosted by TMJ’s co-founder Fatima El-Zein. The incredible thing about this show is that issues that have long gone unnoticed are finally being given the space they deserve, reflected on the plethora comments on social media. Women are ooing and aahing and saying that the words on the sneak peak reels are so relatable to how they’ve felt all their lives. In and of itself, the BST is reclaiming a narrative of Muslim women that was stolen from them by mainstream media. The show now is available for first look on our Patreon, just like all shows and exclusive content will be.

We are ending this week with an intensive production weekend where we had our journalist Sara Salimi come down from Toronto to film with us. From an exciting new show launching on Muslim identity, I know a third show (WHAT!!), to reports on Myocarditis and the Covid vaccine, to a monologue about politicization of hijab and an interview on the ethics around fast fashion, TMJ News is simply on a roll.

Most importantly, We’ve learned to not get too attached to our very chaotic editorial calendar. No matter how planned you might be, there will always be stories that will take precedence and we have to learn to be flexible. At the end of the day, that’s news right?

Your Editor,

Zainab Rights

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Our mission at TMJ is to fill gaps in media when it comes to untold stories, elevating minority voices and covering news and its impact holistically. We seek to uphold high journalistic values with utmost editorial independence, which means we rely on our readers to support our work.We are 100% reader funded and supported. If you value what we publish and agree that our world needs alternative voices in media, please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign or becoming a Patron. Check out our Patreon’s details below News Round-up 👇

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As mentioned above, we’ve just launched the first episode of our show ‘The Blue Sofa Talks’ hosted by Fatima El-Zein where our first guest Mariam Charara talks about her spiritual journey, career and motherhood. If you’re a Muslims living in the west, you’ll relate to what she has to say about feeling ‘lost’ between preserving your identity and fitting into the society. Watch the complete episode at our Patreon.

As you become a Patron, your contributions and support show us that the need for quality journalism still exists and this is what keeps us going.

Can you guess this week's riddle?

We should never miss a chance to solve a fun riddle on a Sunday. So, here we go:"With stories untold and pages left blank,

I wait for your thoughts to pour like a tank.

With every stroke, I capture your dreams,

I'm your constant companion, or so it seems.

My cover may be hard or soft,

But the words inside, are always aloft.

What am I?"

If you have an answer reply with your best guess. The correct answer will be revealed in our next Newsletter. 😉P.S: The answer to the last week’s riddle is ‘Cappuccino’. Had you guessed it right?

And that's a wrap for this week! We hope you’re healthy and safe as we updated you on this Sunday with your morning coffee.

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