The Thinking Youth

Leqaa Kordia spent 368 days in ICE detention. She joins The Thinking Youth Podcast to share what she endured inside a Texas immigration detention centre and why she believes she was targeted for speaking up for Palestine.Leqaa describes sleeping on the floor for three months and being shackled to a hospital bed. She shares the stories of pregnant women and elderly detainees she met inside, revealing the conditions they faced and how they supported one another.Having lost 200 family members in Gaza, Leqaa speaks about her commitment to Palestinian freedom, the guilt that followed her release and the lasting effects of detention on her health. She explains how the Qur’an and prayer helped her find peace through 368 days of uncertainty.The conversation explores ICE detention, Palestinian activism and freedom of speech under the Trump administration. Leqaa also discusses the responsibility of Muslim communities to support people facing deportation and continue organising for Palestine.

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What stayed with you from Leqaa’s story? How can our communities better support those facing detention for speaking up for Palestine? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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DISCLAIMER 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. #islam #muslim #usa #america #uk #london #gender #muslimwomen #women #gender #dawah #islamicvideo #quran #islamic #muslimcontent #muslimstatus #muslimreminder #islamicreminder #youngmuslim #youth #freemixing

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This might be one of the most entertaining episodes of The Thinking Youth you watch. If you’ve been following the online drama about Muslim women, free mixing, and what really goes on in MSAs and ISOCs, parts of this conversation will feel very familiar.

Imam Suhaib Webb joins us in Istanbul for a lighthearted but deeply sincere conversation about gender interactions, politics, university life, and our responsibilities to the ummah.

In the UK, debates about free mixing can erupt over everything from a university event to a female scholar giving a talk. In North America, the conversation often turns to whether Muslim Students’ Associations are helping young Muslims connect to their faith or becoming social spaces that have lost their purpose.

There are genuine concerns about boundaries and behaviour. There are also moments when those concerns become suspicion, exclusion, or an argument about whether women should be in the room at all. Pushing back against that shouldn’t mean pretending Islamic boundaries don’t matter.

So how do young Muslims actually navigate this?

We ask the questions behind the comment-section arguments. What does “free mixing” actually mean? Can Muslim men and women organise events and attend protests together? What is the difference between a public gathering and khalwah, or private seclusion? How do we support women’s leadership while observing Islamic etiquette?

From “Brother, there’s a woman here!” to a man complaining about women simply praying in the masjid, Imam Suhaib brings stories, scholarship, and humour to a discussion that too often gets reduced to accusations.

But we also ask a bigger question: while we argue about who can stand in the same room, what are we doing with our education, our communities, and our responsibility to the ummah?

Drawing on his experience as a convert and the friendships that shaped his faith, Imam Suhaib reflects on belonging, sectarian division, mentorship, and the purpose of Muslim student organisations. He also shares the advice he would give his younger self on education, financial independence, emotional intelligence, and travelling to learn from others.

Whether you’re on an MSA committee, involved in your ISOC, organising for Palestine, at University, in Highschool, trying to de-brainrot your mind, or trying to find your place as a young Muslim, this conversation is for you.

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What do Muslim student spaces get right, and where do they need to change? Are we giving questions about gender interactions the attention they deserve, or allowing them to dominate everything else?

Share your experiences in the comments. Engage with the arguments, respect one another, and help make this a useful conversation.

Subscribe and share this episode with your MSA, ISOC, or someone who would benefit from the discussion.

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DISCLAIMER

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#islam #muslim #usa #america #uk #london #gender #muslimwomen #women #gender #dawah #islamicvideo #quran #islamic #muslimcontent #muslimstatus #muslimreminder #islamicreminder #youngmuslim #youth #freemixing

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What is the future of Islam in America? Are Muslim Americans really in crisis or is the future of Muslims in America more hopeful than social media makes it seem?

Muslims in America are often discussed online as a community struggling with faith, identity, Islamophobia, politics and the pressures of growing up Muslim in the United States. Young American Muslims, in particular, are frequently portrayed as losing their Islamic identity or becoming disconnected from their communities.

But how much of that picture is actually true?

Are Muslim Americans really “cooked”? Has the Muslim project in America failed? And what does the next generation tell us about the future of Islam in America?

On this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, we sit down with Aqil Farooqui and Shaheer Iqbal, the current leaders of Young Muslims (YM), one of America’s largest Muslim youth organisations, to hear directly from those working with Muslim youth across the United States.

We discuss the reality facing young Muslims in America, the state of Muslim American identity, and how young Muslims are navigating Islam, American culture and an increasingly polarized political environment.

We also explore what this generation actually thinks about being Muslim and American, whether Muslim communities are successfully passing Islam to the next generation, the challenges facing Muslim organizations, and whether there are reasons to be more hopeful about the future than social media suggests.

At a time when American Muslims, Islamophobia, Muslim political participation and the place of Islam in America are increasingly part of the national conversation, what does the future actually look like for Muslims growing up in the United States?

A conversation about Muslims in America, American Muslims, Islam in America, Muslim youth, Muslim identity, Islamophobia, faith, community, Muslim Americans and the next generation of Islam in the United States.

#MuslimsInAmerica #AmericanMuslims #IslamInAmerica #MuslimYouth #MuslimIdentity #Islam #YoungMuslims #ThinkingYouth

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**Please note that this conversation was interrupted by a few technical issues in the studio. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.**

What does it mean to be a young Muslim in Britain today?

In this episode of The Thinking Youth, we sit down with Sean Ramiz to discuss his journey to Islam, the rise of anti-Muslim hatred, the far right and why Islam continues to be so deeply misunderstood.

We explore how social media and digital echo chambers are shaping the way young people think, why difficult conversations still matter, and how Muslims should navigate politics, identity and injustice in Britain. Sean also reflects on Surah Ad-Duha, the difference between Islamic values and inherited culture, and the importance of remaining God-conscious in an increasingly polarised world.

We also discuss Gaza and its impact on a generation, the state of dawah in Britain, and Sean shares the advice he would give to his 18-year-old self.

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In this episode of The Thinking Youth, we sit down with Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani following reports of an alleged attempted assassination plot against her.

Nerdeen reflects on becoming a target, the events that unfolded, and the wider questions they raise about political activism, public safety, and accountability. The conversation also explores Betar's activities in New York, community responses, legal action, and the realities faced by those speaking out for Palestine in the United States.

Beyond the headlines, Nerdeen shares how these experiences have shaped her personally, the importance of standing firm in the face of intimidation, and the one book that transformed the way she sees the world.

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Is the Sunni–Shia Debate… FINALLY Over?

Sectarian divisions have long shaped Muslim discourse. But in an age of global crises and unprecedented pressure on the Ummah, the real question is this: how do Muslims today, and especially Muslim youth, navigate these differences while facing the realities of the modern world?

In this unflinching conversation, Imam Tom joins us to confront the questions that are too often left untouched:

• How do we approach the Sunni–Shia divide and broader intra-Muslim debates?

• Why is Imam Hussein (RA) so rarely spoken about in Sunni mosques? What do we lose by neglecting his martyrdom?

• Can Muslims confront the painful episodes of Islamic history with honesty and justice?

• Why do we invest more in interfaith dialogue than in intra-faith conversations?

• Who should we take knowledge from, and has the “don’t take from xyz scholar” discourse gone too far?

• Can we pursue a unity of purpose without agreeing on every detail?

At the heart of this discussion lies another crucial question: how do we interact across our differences in a way that does not compromise our Ummatic principle; love for the Sahabah, reverence for Ahlul Bayt, respect for the scholars, the pursuit of justice, and above all the call to Tawheed and love for the Messenger ﷺ?

From Sufi–Salafi debates, to the notion of a “Salafi Mawlid,” to the lighter question of whether chocolate from an “innovator” is really off-limits, this conversation blends seriousness with candid moments while always returning to the central concern: what kind of Ummah are we striving to build? 

This is not simply another debate. It is a call to reflect deeply, to stand consistently on principle, and to imagine a stronger, more united Ummah in a divided world.

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Palestinian MMA fighter and activist Al-Baraa “Abu Ayoub” Atmeh joins us to talk about Islamic masculinity, the men of Gaza, and how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ redefined what it means to be a man. In a world obsessed with Andrew Tate and “alpha-male” culture, Al-Baraa reminds us that real rajoolah true manhood in Islam s built on mercy, discipline, and care for the Ummah. As a fighter, husband, businessman, and new father, he connects faith, fight, and family to show that masculinity isn’t dominance; it’s responsibility. We filmed this video in the beautiful mountain city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How the men of Gaza embody strength through compassion

• Why Prophetic masculinity is the antidote to “toxic masculinity”

• Lessons from Khaled Nabhan and Saleh Al-Jafrawi

• What being a man means in the eyes of the Ambiya and Sahabah

• How caring for the Ummah defines true male leadership

• How REAL men are supposed to act and be with their Mothers, Wives, Sisters, and Women around the World

We talk about it’s about faith, sacrifice, and service. Listen now to hear how the Men of Gaza and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ teach the world what being a real man truly means.

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Today on The Thinking Youth we are joined by Aber Kawasor a wide-ranging conversation on faith, politics, organizing, and the future of progressive movements in America.

Aber Kawas is a community organizer, democratic socialist, and candidate for the New York State Senate. In this episode, we discuss what motivates her political work, the role of Muslim ethics in public service, the impact of the genocide in Gaza on American politics, and whether a new political realignment is emerging across the country.

We also explore the influence of money in politics, AIPAC's role in electoral races, the rise of the "Mamdani Moment," state-level policymaking, voter perceptions, and Aber's personal experience navigating the ICE deportation process. The conversation concludes with advice for young people looking to enter politics and the books that have most influenced her worldview.

Whether you're interested in grassroots organizing, electoral politics, or the intersection of faith and public life, this episode offers an insightful look into the ideas shaping a new generation of political leaders.

Let us know what you think of the discussion in the comments below!

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In today’s episode of Thinking Youth, we are joined by political commentator and global affairs analyst Sami Hamdi for a personal and reflective discussion on the challenges and inspirations shaping the Muslim world today.

Together, we explore whether the Ummah has truly been fragmented over the past century, the importance of studying contemporary Islamic thinkers and influential Muslim voices, and how young Muslims can stay intellectually and spiritually connected to their history and identity in the modern world.

The conversation also dives into the vision and inspiration behind Pakistan, with a special discussion on the legacy of Allama Iqbal and why his ideas continue to resonate with Muslim youth across generations. Sami Hamdi also shares his thoughts on the companions of the Prophet PBUH, discussing which companion he finds most inspiring and why their examples remain timeless today.

Towards the end of the episode, the discussion becomes deeply personal as we reflect on a powerful question: if we had the opportunity to speak directly to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), what would we say?

This episode is filled with insight, sincerity, history, and reflection - offering young Muslims meaningful perspectives on faith, identity, leadership, and the future of the Ummah.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to Thinking Youth for more conversations that inspire meaningful thought and discussion.

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In this episode of The Thinking Youth, we sit down with Mahfuz Talukder for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on the changing global order, the decline of unipolar Western dominance, and the emergence of China as a civilisational and geopolitical superpower. As the balance of power shifts eastward, we explore what this transformation could mean for the Muslim world politically, economically, and strategically. Especially on today's key visit of US President Trump to China... the world is watching closely.

Together, we examine whether the world is entering a catastrophic shift and whether Muslim-majority nations are prepared to navigate it with clarity and long-term vision. The discussion explores China’s growing influence, the opportunities this presents for Muslim states, and the difficult moral and political questions that inevitably arise alongside strategic alliances.

We also confront some of the most pressing issues of our time: the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, the question of Taiwan, Xi Jinping’s long-term ambitions, and whether China’s current restraint on the global stage is temporary or strategic. Beyond statecraft and diplomacy, the conversation reflects on hard power, economic leverage, civilisational confidence, and the realities of building alternative alliances in a rapidly changing world.

As global instability intensifies and old assumptions begin to collapse, this episode asks a critical question: are we witnessing the beginning of a new world order - and if so, what place will the Muslim world occupy within it?

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