Episode 124 - Is the Special Envoy Combating Islamophobia? | Dr. Yassir Morsi

We're joined by Dr. Yassir Morsi and Faraz to unpack the controversial role of Aftab Malik, Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

What does this position truly represent? Is it a genuine step toward justice, or is it entangled in state-driven narratives of governance and social cohesion?

We explore the political architecture behind CVE (Countering Violent Extremism), the historical context of Islamophobia, and why certain forms of "anti-racism" can actually perpetuate systemic control.

From internalized Islamophobia to the policing of dissent within our own communities, this episode is a deep dive into the uncomfortable truths that need to be heard.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The political function of the Special Envoy role

• Structural vs. interpersonal Islamophobia

• CVE, social cohesion, and soft state control

• Why truth and resistance are sidelined for strategy

• The economy of representation & Muslim complicity

👤 About Dr. Yassir Morsi

Dr. Yassir Morsi is a prominent political scholar, academic, and public intellectual known for his critical perspectives on race, Islam, and the politics of representation in Western societies.

With a PhD in Politics, Dr. Morsi has dedicated his career to examining the intersections of colonialism, Islamophobia, and the lived experiences of Muslim communities in the West.

He is a leading voice in challenging mainstream narratives around Muslim identity, democracy, and political engagement, often critiquing the limitations of liberal democratic systems in addressing systemic racism and inequality.

Dr. Morsi's work emphasizes the importance of self-determination, community power, and the need for Muslims to rethink their relationship with state structures.

As a lecturer and researcher, Dr. Morsi has contributed extensively to academic and public discourse, blending rigorous scholarship with accessible commentary.

He is also a sought-after speaker and has been featured in various media outlets, podcasts, and community forums, where he continues to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of Muslim political agency.

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro 03:45 Faraz's meeting with Aftab & the ISRA event fallout 10:20 Why Aftab took the role: Good faith or political naivety? 15:30 Structural Islamophobia vs. individual ignorance 20:50 Postmodernism, Marxism & the dismissal of race critics 26:15 Islamophobia as governance, not just hate 31:40 Internalized Islamophobia and Muslim respectability politics 37:00 CVE, counter-terrorism & the state's soft power tools 42:30 Social cohesion or social control? 48:15 Economic incentives: grants, representation & compromise 54:40 Palestine, performance politics & selective solidarity 1:00:05 The illusion of power: managing Muslims through "inclusion" 1:05:25 Community complicity, careerism & soft censorship 1:11:40 Can we engage power without selling out? 1:17:10 Yassir on state-approved anti-racism & Islamic resistance 1:22:30 Faraz: The ecosystem of control & Muslim leadership 1:26:00 Conclusion