The Thinking Youth

Guzelya Marisova, an Uyghur author and activist, passionately explores the neglected parallels between the Uyghur and Palestinian struggles. She discusses her children's books as tools for advocacy, linking imagery that resonates with young readers. The conversation dives into the geopolitical dynamics that lead to denialism around the Uyghur cause, raising awareness about cultural resilience and the importance of maintaining identity. Guzelya also shares impactful books that shaped her worldview, emphasizing the role of Islam in preserving her heritage.

In this episode, we sit down with Representative Munira Yasin Abdullahi, the youngest American politician ever elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, the first Muslim woman, and one of the first Somali Americans to serve in the state legislature.Munira speaks boldly about the issues most politicians avoid: • Why is American taxpayer money funding Israel while millions of Americans struggle at home? • What does it mean to be a Muslim in politics today? • Can the Democratic Party survive in the face of genocide? • How do you become a poltiicain that DOESN't sell their values?Along the way, we discuss Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Zohran Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie Sanders, and how they all reflect the shifting landscape of American politics.From Gaza to Washington, from endless wars to domestic decay, this is a conversation about politics, power, and principle. And what it really means to answer to God while serving the people. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations.Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Follow us on:IG: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingyouthpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkingyouthpodSubscribe to our Youtube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@thethinkingyouthSubscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheThinkingMuslimDisclaimer: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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this enlightening discussion, Mohammad Saleh, a young Palestinian journalist with Middle East Eye, dives deep into the role of social media in shaping global narratives. He highlights the stark contrast between real-time atrocities witnessed by citizen journalists and their denial by major news outlets. Saleh advocates for Muslims to become experts in their fields, emphasizing the importance of truth in journalism. The conversation examines the impact of censorship, the balance between representation and tokenism, and the necessity of independent voices in today's media landscape.

Sami Hamdi, a keen political analyst focused on Middle Eastern and Muslim affairs, shares his insights on youth activism in response to global events. He discusses the importance of discerning fact from opinion in today’s media landscape, stressing that understanding headlines requires a diverse network of information. Sami also urges the youth to love their Ummah, update their historical knowledge through travel, and adopt a humble approach to learning, turning themselves into 'empty vessels' to gain deeper political understanding.