Episode 123 - Do Muslim Votes Matter? | Dr. Yassir Morsi

We dive deep into the "Muslim Vote Matters" (MVM) movement in Australia.

Joined by special guest Dr. Yassir Morsi, a renowned political scholar and critic, we unpack the complexities of Muslim political engagement, the challenges of representation, and the broader implications of voting in a settler-colonial state.

From the aftermath of Gaza to the role of democracy in shaping Muslim identity, this conversation challenges the status quo and asks: Is voting enough to create real change?

We explore the pitfalls of over-reliance on electoral politics, the dangers of miseducation, and the need for self-determination within the Muslim community.

Whether you're a supporter of MVM or a skeptic, this episode offers a balanced, critical, and engaging discussion that will leave you questioning the systems we live in and the power we hold as a community.

Key Topics Covered:

• The rise of the Muslim Vote Matters movement

• The limitations of electoral politics in addressing systemic issues

• The role of community self-determination vs. reliance on government

• The impact of Gaza and Palestine on Muslim political consciousness

• The dangers of miseducation and victim-blaming in political activism

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.

Join the Conversation:

What are your thoughts on the Muslim Vote Matters movement? Do you believe voting can create real change, or is it time to rethink our approach to political engagement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro 00:10 The Rise of Muslim Vote Matters 05:00 The Vacuum of Muslim Representation 10:00 Educating the Muslim Community 15:00 Yassir's Critique of MVM 20:00 The Illusion of Electoral Power 25:00 Failure of Interfaith Dialogue & CVE 30:00 The Myth of the Muslim Voting Bloc 35:00 Over-Identifying with Democracy 40:00 Anger and Grief in Activism 45:00 Need for Self-Determination 50:00 Islamic Schools & Palestinian History 55:00 Fantasy of a Muslim Voting Bloc 60:00 Appropriating Gaza's Rage 65:00 Punishing Labor in a Two-Party System 70:00 Community-Building Over Voting 75:00 Internal Community Accountability 80:00 Shaming Muslims into Voting 85:00 The Role of Critics in Movements 90:00 The Need for Community Consultation 95:00 The Psychological Impact of Oppression 100:00 The Failure of Islamic Institutions 105:00 The Importance of Political Education 110:00 Outro