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EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT HEALTH & MEDICINE HOUSING JOBS MEDIA WEATHER / Modified jul 9, 2025 6:50 p.m.

"Hidden Voices" reveals empathy and compassion on the streets of Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Building bridges through interfaith connections; and the spiritual creations of artist, Quinton Antone. by Mark McLemore

New Windsor Hotel hero New Windsor Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tim H. Murphy Photography

Front page photograph by Andrew Brown, AZPM.

Arizona Spotlight

July 10, 2025

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the July 10th, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • What is being homeless in Tucson really like? Meet Aleena Rafiyath, a local high school student who volunteers with an organization that offers food and healthcare to those in need. She has created a social media project called "Hidden Voices", containing interviews with people that she meets while volunteering at the Z Mansion.

Aleena Rafiyath Studio hero Aleena Rafiyath, creator of "Hidden Voices", in the AZPM Radio Studio.
AZPM / Zoe Juliano

Aleena Clinic 1 unsized VIEW LARGER Aleena doing a peppermint treatment on a guest at the clinic.
courtesy of Aleena Rafiyath
Aleena Clinic 2 unsized VIEW LARGER Aleena with Ben, a fellow volunteer, observing Dr. Shamudheen Rafiyath at the clinic.
courtesy of Aleena Rafiyath

Hidden Voices hero (left to right) Daniel, Joshua, and Apache--three of the individuals Aleena interviewed for her social media project, "Hidden Voices".
Aleena Rafiyath

  • Meet Irfan Sarwar, an immigrant from Pakistan who is dedicated to creating interfaith connections. Irfan Sarwar demonstrates to others that race and religion can bring us closer together in times of need, while being divisive helps no one.

Muslim Community Center of Tucson

Irfan Sarwar Speech unsized VIEW LARGER Irfan Sarwar speaking at an interfaith dinner in Glenview, IL, March 2025.
courtesy of Irfan Sarwar
Irfan Sarwar and Jesse Jackson unsized VIEW LARGER Irfan Sarwar with Reverend Jesse Jackson in June 2025.
courtesy of Irfan Sarwar
  • And, Quinton Antone is a multimedia artist of Tohono O’odham and Kiowa heritage. What sets him apart is his ability to adapt ceremonial elements into secular art, making spiritual themes accessible to a broader audience.

AZILL Quinton Antone hero Multimedia artist Quinton Antone in his Tucson studio.
AZPM

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.

Webpage by Zoe Juliano.

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EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT HEALTH & MEDICINE HOUSING JOBS MEDIA WEATHER
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