Aymann Ismail
Aymann Ismail is an American journalist and author. He is a staff writer at Slate whose work focuses on identity, religion, and politics, and the creator of the Slate video series Who’s Afraid of Aymann Ismail? (2017), which examines fears about Muslims in the United States. He is also the author of the memoir Becoming Baba: Fatherhood, Faith, and Finding Meaning in America (2025). His 2020 feature "The Store That Called the Cops on George Floyd" won the Writers Guild of America Award for Digital News and was a finalist for the National Magazine Award in Reporting (both 2021)."2021 Writers Guild Awards Winners Announced". Writers Guild of America. March 21, 2021. Missing or empty |url= (help)"The American Society of Magazine Editors announce finalists for the 2021 National Magazine Awards". ASME. May 6, 2021. Missing or empty |url= (help)
Early life and education
Ismail grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Al-Ghazaly elementary school in Jersey City. He later earned an art degree from Rutgers University.
Career
Ismail joined Slate as a video editor in 2015. In 2017, he created the video series Who’s Afraid of Aymann Ismail?, in which he met with anti‑Muslim activists, state legislators, and members of his own community to interrogate common fears about American Muslims. The series ran for 15 episodes, in which he featured Muslims like Ramy Youssef and Omar Suleiman, and critics of Islam like Jim Hoft and Raymond Ibrahim.
In 2019, Ismail created and hosted the podcast Man Up, which explores masculinity and relationships.
In 2020, Ismail transitioned into his current role at Slate, staff writer. His first long‑form feature, "The Store That Called the Cops on George Floyd," (2020) examined the Minneapolis convenience store where police were called before George Floyd was murdered. The story won the Writers Guild of America Award for Digital News in 2021.
Since 2025, Ismail has also served as president of the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA), and has been listed as such on joint press‑freedom letters by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders calling for access for journalists in Gaza.{{cite web |title=CPJ and global media leaders call for urgent, unrestricted access to Gaza for journalists |url=
Books
Becoming Baba: Fatherhood, Faith, and Finding Meaning in America was published by Doubleday on July 8, 2025. The book launched at a sold out offsite event presented by Books Are Magic at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, where Ismail was in conversation with comedian Ramy Youssef.
The following evening, on July 9, 2025, Brookline Booksmith in Massachusetts hosted a sold‑out conversation between Ismail and academic researcher 'Mafaz Al‑Suwaidan. The event drew a coordinated protest outside the store. According to local outlet Brookline News, protesters waved large Israeli flags on the sidewalk and accused the author and moderator of antisemitism. Regional coverage on New England Public Radio later cited the Brookline event as part of a broader pattern of protests targeting cultural programming perceived as sympathetic to Palestinians.
Reception
Becoming Baba received trade‑press reviews. Publishers Weekly called it a "tender" debut that "will resonate with readers of all faiths," and Kirkus Reviews described it as a "warm and insightful exploration" of faith across generations. The book also drew notices from books media including Book Riot’s “Best New Book Releases.”
Becoming Baba was named one of The Washington Post’s “10 noteworthy books for July and August” It was included in Literary Hub'’s “Most Anticipated Books of 2025.”
Advance praise for the book included endorsements from Junot Díaz who called it “a profound meditation… Ismail has written an American Odyssey,” Suzy Hansen described it as “funny, tender-hearted, and relentlessly honest,” and Noor Tagouri wrote that Ismail is a “professional Truth Teller” and that this is his “most honest work yet.” Other endorsements highlighted on the publisher’s page include notes from Kareem Rahma, Moustafa Bayoumi, Dean Obeidallah, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, and others.
Awards and honors
Writers Guild of America Award, Digital News, for "The Store That Called the Cops on George Floyd" (2021).
Finalist, National Magazine Award (Reporting), for "The Store That Called the Cops on George Floyd" (2021).
Selected media and appearances
Guest, The Daily Zeitgeist (iHeartPodcasts): episode 1888, "Zohran the Unflappable, Return of Melty Trump" (July 1, 2025).{{cite web |title=Zohran The Unflappable, Return Of Melty Trump 07.01.25 |url=
Guest, Notes From America with Kai Wright (WNYC): "A 9/12 Story: 'I Forgot I Was a Muslim Kid'" (Sept. 13, 2021).{{cite web |title=A 9/12 Story: 'I Forgot I Was a Muslim Kid' |url=
Guest, Notes From America with Kai Wright (WNYC): "Gaza Is Kamala Harris's Moral Challenge, and Also Her Opportunity" (Aug. 15, 2024).{{cite web |title=Gaza Is Kamala Harris's Moral Challenge, and Also Her Opportunity |url=
Guest, The Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC): "How Much Did the Uncommitted Movement Affect Turnout for Harris?" (Nov. 15, 2024).{{cite web |title=How Much Did the Uncommitted Movement Affect Turnout for Harris? |url=
Guest, The Takeaway (WNYC/PRX): "Dads Can Experience Mental Health Issues After Childbirth, Too" (Jan. 19, 2022).{{cite web |title=Dads Can Experience Mental Health Issues After Childbirth, Too |url=
Guest, This Is The Author (Penguin Random House Audio) S10E30 (2025).{{cite web |title=S10 E30: Sarah Hartshorne, Aymann Ismail, and Tre Johnson |url=
Guest, The God Pod (podcast): "Reporter Aymann Ismail Tells Us About Hanging With Zohran Mamdani" (July 17, 2025).{{cite web |title=Reporter Aymann Ismail Tells Us About Hanging With Zohran Mamdani |url=
Who’s Afraid of Aymann Ismail? (video series), Slate (2017)."Who's Afraid of Aymann Ismail? playlist". YouTube. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
Conversation with Ramy Youssef, Brooklyn Public Library (July 8, 2025)."Aymann Ismail in Conversation with Ramy Youssef". Brooklyn Public Library. July 8, 2025. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
The Author podcast (Penguin Random House Audio) episode S10E30 (2025)."S10 E30: Sarah Hartshorne, Aymann Ismail, and Tre Johnson". SoundCloud. Penguin Random House Audio. 2025. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
External links
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