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Imran Khan: The People's Champion or a Populist Illusion? with Professor SherAli Tareen
Pakistan is an enchanting country, fertile and vast, with a talented young population and, at least on paper, all of the ingredients of a regional powerhouse. But the country is experiencing a tumultuous time. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan languishes in prison while the country’s military leaders use every greater coercion to maintain the status quo. Pakistan’s economy is faltering, and the brain drain of qualified professionals continues to leave the country, devastatingly affecting public services and businesses. To help us understand the sheer predicament many Pakistanis feel, we have Professor SherAli Tereen, who recently returned from the country, to share with us his experience and understanding of the underlying power dynamics of the country.
SherAli K. Tareen is the author of the award-winning books “Defending Muhammad in Modernity” (2020) and “Perilous Intimacies: Debating Hindu-Muslim Friendship after Empire” (2023) – he is currently a professor of religious studies at Franklin and Marshall College.
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Dire Straits: Oil, War, and Economic Collapse | Mehreen Khan
01:11:33|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimWhat are the real economic consequences of the current war - and are the “doomsday” predictions justified?In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined by Mehreen Khan to explore the global economic shockwaves triggered by the Iran war and what they reveal about the future of power, finance, and geopolitics. From the resilience of sanctioned economies to the vulnerabilities of Gulf states, this conversation examines whether we are entering a new era of fragmentation and economic realignment.We ask difficult but necessary questions:Are Gulf Arab states truly stable? Why didn’t energy get used as leverage during Gaza? Is liberal capitalism reaching its limits? And are we witnessing the early foundations of a more independent and coordinated Muslim economic bloc?You can find Mehreen Khan here:X: https://x.com/MehreenKhnBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
Ceasefire: Iran Broke the Myth of American Power | Mouin Rabbani
46:30|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimIn this episode of The Thinking Muslim, renowned Middle East analyst Mouin Rabbani joins us for a deep and unfiltered conversation on the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and the shifting global order.The discussion opens by examining whether the recent ceasefire represents a genuine strategic win for Trump - or something far more fragile. It then turns to the intensifying bombing campaign in Lebanon, exposing the stark imbalance on the ground and what it reveals about the trajectory of the conflict.Can the region return to the pre-February status quo, or has a permanent shift already taken place?The conversation expands to the role of the Gulf States, evolving security arrangements, and who is ultimately emerging as the real loser in this confrontation. With global stakes rising, Rabbani also unpacks China’s strategic calculations - particularly its interest in the Strait of Hormuz - and whether US actions are inadvertently accelerating Beijing’s influence.The episode also explores the ideological forces shaping Western policy, including the intersection of extreme Christianity, imperialism, and Zionism.You can find Mouin Rabbani here:X: https://x.com/MouinRabbaniBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:35 – Was the ceasefire a victory for Trump?07:00 – Escalation of the bombing campaign in Lebanon: assessing the imbalance between sides16:50 – Is a return to the pre-February status quo possible?24:00 – The Gulf States, security agreements, and identifying the net losers of the conflict30:00 – China’s strategic perspective: understanding the Strait of Hormuz37:30 – The intersection of extreme Christianity, imperialism, and Zionism41:44 – What might the emerging new world order look like?
Iran Exposes the Delusions of Empire | Dr Nader Hashemi
01:15:24|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimThis week on The Thinking Muslim, Iranian-born academic and dissenting voice Nader Hashemi of Georgetown University joins us to examine how the logic of American empire is driving this disastrous war with Iran. We also dissect the roles of Iran, Israel, and the Arab regimes in sustaining this conflict.You can find Nader Hashemi here:X: https://x.com/naderalihashemiBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
Iran and Gaza: Was Human Rights Always a Lie? | Omar Shakir
53:32|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimIn this powerful conversation, we sit down with Omar Shakir, former Israel & Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch, to explore whether the global rules-based order was ever truly fair - or if it has always been selectively applied.From the blocking of a major HRW report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, to the broader failures of international law in places like Palestine and beyond, this discussion confronts uncomfortable truths about power, hypocrisy, and the limits of humanitarian institutions.We also examine the post-9/11 world, the role of Western states, funding pressures within NGOs, and whether meaningful reform is even possible. Finally, we reflect on whether a values-driven ethical framework - rooted in justice and consistency - can be rebuilt in an increasingly unstable world.You can find Omar Shakir here here:X: https://x.com/OmarSShakirIG: https://www.instagram.com/omarishakir/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Power of Words: Sami Hamdi on Stage
01:59:35|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimWelcome to our very first LIVE show on The Thinking Muslim, featuring Sami Hamdi.In this special session, we explore some of the most pressing intellectual and spiritual questions facing the Muslim Ummah today. From reflecting on why Fatih continues to hold such deep significance to the Ummah, to examining the power of words in shaping narratives, we dive into how language can uplift, influence, and even be weaponised.We also discuss how we can make our words more impactful, analyse the ongoing battle between truth and propaganda, and reflect on the importance of trusting in Allah’s (SWT) timing when it comes to victory. The session concludes with a live audience Q&A, addressing key questions from the community. You can find Sami Hamdi here:X: https://x.com/SALHACHIMIIG: https://www.instagram.com/salhachimi/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Plot Against Al-Aqsa: Red Heifers & the Third Temple | Dr. Abdallah Marouf
01:29:09|This week on The Thinking Muslim, we speak with Dr. Abdallah Marouf, Palestinian academic and former Media and Public Relations Officer at Masjid al-Aqsa, who delivers an urgent warning. He says he has never felt this concerned about the possibility of Al-Aqsa being attacked.We discuss the growing calls from some Israeli religious figures to build a Third Temple, the activities of Temple movements, and whether the long-standing status quo at the Haram al-Sharif is already being eroded.Dr. Marouf also explains the influence of American evangelical support, the recent attention around the red heifer narrative, and what these developments could mean for the future of Al-Aqsa. And finally, we examine the difficult reality facing Palestinians in Jerusalem today, and whether any change to Al-Aqsa could once again ignite a wider uprising across the Muslim world.You can find Dr. Abdallah Marouf here here:X: https://x.com/AbdallahMaroufIG: https://www.instagram.com/amarouf/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Iran Trap: Is America Losing the War? | Dr. Sami Al-Arian
01:36:54|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimIn this interview on The Thinking Muslim, Dr Sami Al-Arian joins us to analyse the rapidly escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, USA and The Wider Arabic Region.We discuss whether Iran’s recent strikes and shifting strategy reveal deeper divisions inside the Iranian leadership. Dr Al-Arian also examines the consequences of Iran targeting Gulf states such as Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, and whether these moves risk turning regional public opinion against Tehran.The conversation explores whether Iran is preparing for a long war of attrition, the possibility of disruptions to global energy and shipping routes, and how these developments could reshape alliances between the Gulf, the United States, and Israel. Who is really winning this conflict, and what might the next phase of the war look like for the region and the world?You can find Dr. Sami Al-Arian here here:X: https://x.com/SamiAlArianIG: https://www.instagram.com/profsamialarian/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
Is This the War That Breaks the Middle East? | Sami Hamdi
01:45:49|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimIn this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we’re joined by political analyst Sami Hamdi to unpack the escalating confrontation with Iran - and what it reveals about the world order shaping our lives.We examine claims of a preemptive strike, the shifting power dynamics between Washington and Tel Aviv, and whether U.S. policy is being driven by Israel’s actions. From reports that Tucker Carlson urged restraint to voices like Marjorie Taylor Greene framing this as a defining political divide in America, the stakes have never been higher.What role are Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states really playing? Are Arab governments truly autonomous, or constrained by deeper alliances? Is Iran’s strategy sustainable, and could this conflict spiral beyond control? We also assess Benjamin Netanyahu’s regional vision and the risk of wider destabilisation.Join us for a principled, in-depth discussion on what these events mean for the future of our ummah in international affairs.You can find Sami Hamdi here:X: https://x.com/SALHACHIMIIG: https://www.instagram.com/salhachimi/Become a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.
Why Tehran Might Outlast Washington | Dr Andreas Krieg
01:03:46|Help us expand our Muslim media project here: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDonate to our charity partner Baitulmaal here:http://btml.us/thinkingmuslimDr Andreas Krieg joins us in discussion as events unfold rapidly following the unprovoked and illegitimate attack on Iran. We examine the assassination of senior Iranian leaders, Tehran’s retaliation against military and civilian targets in Israel and key Arab states, and the escalating strikes on sites such as the US airbase in Doha.Are we witnessing the start of a prolonged war of attrition between Iran, the US and Israel? Are their tactics sustainable? And does Washington even have a coherent strategy?You can find Andreas Krieg here:X: https://x.com/andreas_krieg?lang=enIG: https://www.instagram.com/drandreaskrieg/?hl=enBecome a member here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipOr give your one-off donation here:https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/donateListen to the audio version of the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vXiAjVFnhNI3T9Gkw636aApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-thinking-muslim/id1471798762Purchase our Thinking Muslim mug: https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/merchFind us on:X: https://x.com/thinking_muslimLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-thinking-muslim/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Thinking-Muslim-Podcast-105790781361490Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingmuslimpodcast/Telegram: https://t.me/thinkingmuslimBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thinkingmuslim.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@thinkingmuslimpodcastFind Muhammad Jalal here:X: https://twitter.com/jalalaynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalalayns/Sign up to Muhammad Jalal's newsletter: https://jalalayn.substack.comWebsite Archive: https://www.thinkingmuslim.comDisclaimer:The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.