Cultural Bridges and Artistic Triumph After Aphasia

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Malik Gilani, a remarkable individual who transformed personal adversity into a celebration of cultural diversity and artistic expression. After suffering a stroke resulting in aphasia, Malik embarked on a journey of resilience, supported by his husband Jamil Khoury. Together, they founded the Silk Road Cultural Center, an arts organization that highlights Pan-Asian, North African, and Muslim narratives. Malik’s story is not only about overcoming obstacles but also about the role of art in uniting communities and fostering understanding, making this episode a powerful testament to the human spirit.

During our discussion, Malik shares his gratitude for St. John College and the Alumni Association Board, underscoring his passion for lifelong learning. We explore the Silk Road Cultural Center’s mission to amplify voices of immigrant and refugee families through storytelling, addressing social issues and bridging divides. Listeners will be moved by Malik's journey and his belief in the transformative power of art. Tune in to celebrate Malik's achievements and discover how art can bridge divides and connect us all.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello friends, my name is Malik Gilani. I had a stroke five years ago and evidence evidenceani, yeah, and person photos. Allama Association. I would like I had paper and award. Two, three minutes I had I would like share. Good afternoon. My name is Billy Galani and it is an incredible honor to stand before you today. St John College has played a crucial role in shaping my ethic quest of knowledge and worldview. I am deeply grateful to the Alumni Association Board for this profound honor and I am humbly humble accept that award of merit.

Speaker 1: 2:09

Five years ago, my life took a unforeseen turn when I suffer a stroke that result in aphasia, a condition that affects one's ability to speak, read and write. This has been one of the hardest journeys of my life and yet, as I stand here today, I am filled with immense gratitude for this progress I have made and for the unwavering support I've received along the way. My husband, jamil Khoury. I co-founded the Silk Road Cultural Center, the arts organization that drew inspiration from Pan-Asian, north African and Muslim experiences. Since 2003, silk Road has reached thousands of Chicago land. We believe the art possesses a secret power to connect communities, bridge division and explore our shared and unique histories. At Silk Road, we have dedicated ourselves to working with Baibach immigrant and refugee families, bringing their unique story to life. Through storytelling, we engage with complex social issues and foster understanding and learning across To my fellow Johnny and alumni association. I offer my heartfelt thanks for this recognition. Thank you, beautiful, I love it and I would like more knowledge, because knowledge power. Thank you so much.