The Thinking Youth

Muhammad Jalal

Welcome to the Thinking Youth Podcast!

We’ve launched our YouTube channel featuring voices like Leanne Mohammad, Sami Hamdi, Shaykh Navaid and Imam Tom, along with scholars and experts. Join us for deep conversations on faith, identity and social justice that inspire enlightened action and meaningful Ummatic change. This is just the start! Bismillah!

Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@thethinkingyouth

Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheThinkingMuslim

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34 episodes
Updated July 25

Episodes34

Newest first

Dec 24, 2025 · 26 min
Good Muslim, Bad Muslim, Zohran Mamdani
Are Muslims losing agency over their own identity? Who defines what is anti-Islam? Today we are seeing the system label and choose who it considers a "good Muslim" and who it considers a "bad Muslim" in a way that strips agency from Muslims. We are very good at identifying confrontational Islamphobia, but are we identifying the silent secularization of Islamophobia? This discourse happens as New York City elects its first Muslim mayor. Zohran Mamdani — an excellent political communicator, state elected official, and known for his pro Palestine rhetoric — is set to take office in the coming days. What does the Good Muslim/Bad Muslim mean in terms of representation of Muslims in politics? With us, we have former Zohran intern Hadeeqa Malik, a Muslim student who was suspended for alleged Islamophobia. Her offense was calling on Muslim NYPD officers to respect their names and stand for Palestine. We explore what the Zohran win means for NYC and Muslims at large. You can support Hadeeqa's fight for justice here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hadeeqa/ Follow us on: IG: / https://www.instagram.com/thinkingyouthpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / https://www.youtube.com/@thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: /https://www.youtube.com/@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.
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Can Muslims, Christian, and Jews Co-Exist After Bondi? With Pablo Talks
What happens when someone who once absorbed Islamophobic narratives is forced to confront history honestly? In this episode of the Youth Show, Pablo opens up about his journey from accepting media-driven stereotypes about Islam to critically questioning them. Through a raw and thoughtful conversation, we unpack why Islamic history is often dismissed as “boring,” how it’s been taught without context or excitement, and why reclaiming history is not about nostalgia, but about extracting lessons that shape how we live today. From popular historical dramas like Ertugrul and Osman to the responsibility of Muslim historians to remain truthful, this episode challenges myths head-on. We explore overlooked realities such as Muslims, Christians, and Jews living side by side under Islamic rule, Jewish communities welcoming the Ottomans as liberators, and non-Muslims choosing Sharia courts due to fairness and justice. The conversation spans the Ottoman world, Aurangzeb Alamgir, Sicily as a centre of learning, and the forgotten fact that European students once travelled to Muslim lands to study in madrasas. It also confronts how nationalism and modern propaganda reshaped historical memory. This is not about “we were once great.” It’s about understanding what actually happened, why it mattered beyond the Ummah, and how truth challenges the narratives we’ve been taught. Make sure to subscribe to Pablo’s YouTube channel, PabloTalks, for more thoughtful conversations on history, faith, and really cool historical videos: https://www.youtube.com/@PabloTalks_/featured Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 4, 2025 · 37 min
Why is Kings College London Trying to Deport a 22 Year Old Student? With Usama Ghanem
Usama Ghanem is a 22 year old student at King’s College London. In just a few days, the university intends to revoke his visa and remove him from the country. His “crime” is simple. He spoke out against the genocide in Gaza and criticised his university’s financial ties to companies enabling it. For this, he was doxxed, targeted, beaten by security during a peaceful protest, and is now facing deportation. In this episode, Usama walks us through the full story. From the moment he challenged KCL’s decision to reward the very company linked to the killing of a Palestinian Alumnus, to the harsh retaliation that followed. He explains how universities across the UK are cracking down on Muslim students, how rules are being ignored, and why speaking truth in this moment carries real personal risk. We also talk about faith, courage, and conviction. Usama reflects on how Allah strengthens the hearts of those who stand firm, and why he is certain—both about his own case and about the justice of the cause—that victory is near. To learn more or support Usama’s case, visit CAGE’s campaign page: https://www.cage.ngo/campaigns/kcl---reinstate-usama-now B-roll footage in this episode includes media from: https://www.instagram.com/solidarity.diary/?hl=en This is a story about repression, resistance, and the price of speaking the truth. Watch until the end.Follow us on: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingyouthpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@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.
Nov 21, 2025 · 41 min
UK vs US Muslims: Who’s BETTER?
This episode is a wild mix of humour, stereotypes, and real talk about the differences between UK and US Muslims. It starts with explosive one-liners and playful accusations about liberalism, sectarianism, SuhoorFest culture, aggression, halal food, free mixing, and even whether women can pray in certain masajid. The jokes are sharp, the reactions are chaotic, and nothing is off the table. But underneath the humour, the episode digs into deeper questions about how communities build identity and how these stereotypes form in the first place. We talk about what each side gets right, what each side struggles with, and the habits and mindsets that help a community not only survive but thrive. We explore the role of knowledge, the influence of local cultures, and why conversations about men versus women have become so exaggerated in online Muslim spaces even though that framing does not exist in our faith. The debate eventually circles back to the big question everyone secretly argues about. Which community is actually doing it better. UK Muslims or US Muslims. The conversation gets honest, self reflective and surprisingly unifying as both perspectives clash and then converge. We must work together, as must Muslims from Canada, France, Australia, Germany, and everywhere else. A fun episode with humour, tension and meaningful insight into two very different Muslim experiences. Enjoy the debate and decide for yourself who really comes out on top Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim Help us expand our Muslim media project here: / https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membership 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.
Nov 12, 2025 · 47 min
The Islamic Hack to Becoming STRONG in the Face of Sadness and Worry
Watch this when you’re sad, when you’re hurt, when you’re worried, when your heart feels heavy. Learn how to start the journey of being strong when you’re heartbroken, how to find peace again, and how to build true resilience through faith. In this powerful and emotional episode, Imam AbdulRahman Khattab shares how to reconnect with Allah when life feels unbearable, how to trust His plan when everything falls apart, and how to find strength when you feel like giving up. He takes us through the stories of believers who never gave up, from the youth who changed empires in Makkah to the barefoot man in Gaza who stands before a tank with nothing but faith. We talked about Musa (AS) and what it means to be chosen through trials, about the bravery it takes to stand firm in the darkest moments, and about the quiet power of Sumud, unshakable steadfastness. This is not just a conversation; it’s a journey through pain, patience, and the power of believing that the One standing with you is the Unbreakable. Have you ever felt like your duas aren’t being answered? Have you ever felt fake, or felt like a hypocrite? If you’ve ever felt lost, anxious, heartbroken, or far from Allah, this is the reminder you’ve been searching for. While these issues are complex, complicated, and more than just about slogans and immediate solutions, we hope this eases the hearts of those that watch. And a message to everyone who wants to take that leap of resilience. Every young Muslim should watch this. Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim Help us expand our Muslim media project here: / https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membership 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.
Nov 5, 2025 · 20 min
Is Politics REALLY a part of Islam? With Imam Tom Facchine
Has anyone ever told you “don’t speak up about politics?” Has anyone told you “don’t bring religion into this?” Is secularism compatible with Islam? Can a Muslim truly separate their faith from politics? In this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, Imam Tom Facchine explores where the secular mindset comes from, how it reshaped Muslim identity, and why many Muslims today feel pressured to keep Islam “private.” We dive into: • Why secularism insists religion stays out of politics • How colonialism reshaped Muslim institutions • The impact on Muslim youth and identity today • What Islam actually says about governance, justice, and public life If you’ve ever wondered whether Islam is just a personal belief, orr a holistic way of life, this conversation is for you. Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2025 · 48 min
To Be a Leader, YOU Need to Come Out of Your Comfort Zone
In this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, we sit down with Danial Farrukh - former national director of Young Muslims, an author and community organiser. In this episode we unpack what it truly means to be a leader in today’s world. We explore the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone, stand on the right side of history, and embody the principles you preach. Danial reflects on the essence of sacrifice - reminding us that Allah does not need our sacrifices, but that through them, we shape our own character, conviction, and legacy. Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
How Kashmir EXPOSED India and Israel’s TWISTED Bromance
We sat down with Dr. Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur — one of the world’s leading Kashmiri activists, historians, and freedom advocates. The son of Dr. Ayub Thakur, one of the only people ever exiled by the Indian government, Dr. Muzzammil continues his father’s legacy — even after surviving a crazy assassination attempt on his life. In this explosive conversation, we spoke about: - How Kashmir exposed India and Israel’s weird relationship — and what it reveals about modern-day occupation - The Pulwama attack (2019), the recent Pahalgam attack, and how they reshaped India–Pakistan tensions and what that REALLY means for the Kashmiri people - Pakistan’s role in the Kashmiri freedom struggle and its global political ripple effects - The use of pellet guns, torture, and mass detentions under Indian rule - Gaza and Palestine — and why their struggle mirrors Kashmir’s - The Modi–Netanyahu alliance and how both states share a playbook of repression, propaganda, and control - And the ultimate question: what does liberation truly mean for Kashmir, for Palestine, and for the global Muslim Ummah? This isn’t just politics, it’s resistance, legacy, and survival. From Srinagar to Gaza, the struggle is one: faith, freedom, and the fight for dignity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 1, 2025 · 20 min
Microsoft FIRED her for Palestine - With Ibtihal Abousaad
In this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, we sit down with Ibtihal Abousaad. A key Organiser behind the campaign against Microsofts complicity. Microsoft recently announced that it will no longer supply cloud services to Israel’s cyberwarfare unit, the infamous Unit 8200. This significant move is the first time Microsoft has suspended services from Israel, due to mounting pressure over their complicity in Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. Follow us on: IG: / thinkingyouthpod TikTok: / thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: / @thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: / @thethinkingmuslim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 24, 2025 · 41 min
How to Get RICH as a Young Muslim
In this episode of The Thinking Youth Podcast, we sit down with Shaykh Navaid Aziz, a Canadian Imam, scholar, and Director of Public Relations at the Islamic Information Society of Calgary and is with Yaqeen Institute. Known across the world for making classical Islamic knowledge accessible, Shaykh Navaid brings his experience as a community leader and teacher to help us understand money from an Islamic lens. We talk about everything from building the ABCs of financial literacy, saving, budgeting, and investing, to understanding why the Sahabah like Uthman ibn Affan (RA) were wealthy and how they used their money for the Ummah. Shaykh Navaid also shares how Islamic finance can fight inequality, how to escape the modern rat race, and why money should always be a tool, not the ultimate goal. If you’ve ever wondered whether wealth is a good or bad thing in Islam, how to avoid riba without falling behind, or what financial habits you need to build as a young Muslim, this conversation will give you both practical steps and spiritual perspective; including amazing duas that you don't want to miss! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 17, 2025 · 36 min
The Ummah has ABANDONED the Uyghurs and Gaza - With Guzelya Marisova
The Ummah was afflicted by 2 occupations in 1948, the occupation of Palestine and the occupation of East Turkestan. Yet, the Ummah speaks very little about the Uyghur cause for their homeland, and the two causes have very clear parallels that we often overlook. How come we don't speak about the Uyghurs in the same framing as Palestine? We invited Guzelya Marisova, an Uyghur author and activist, to help us answer this question. 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.
Sep 11, 2025 · 27 min
Meet the YOUNGEST American Politician Standing Up to Israel
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.
Aug 23, 2025 · 41 min
I Saw It in 4K — But the NEWS Says It DIDN’T Happen | Mohammad Saleh
This episode features Mohammad Saleh, a young Palestinian journalist with Middle East Eye, whose fearless reporting challenges mainstream narratives and exposes the truths often hidden from public view. He speaks about the incredible importance of journalism and why we must re-approach the conversation in a world dominated by outlets like CNN, BBC, Fox News, GB News, and others. We also discuss the urgent need for Muslims to become true experts in their fields— so skilled, knowledgeable, and beneficial that their voices cannot be ignored. We need to bring back the importance of Truth in our Journalism. In this conversation, we explore: - What it means to witness atrocities in real time, yet see them denied by major outlets. - How social media journalism is reshaping the global information war. - The power — and cost — of telling the truth as a Palestinian journalist. - Why independent voices now reach millions, while traditional media struggles to maintain credibility. This episode is dedicated to Anas Al Sharif (رحمه الله), his family, and all the courageous journalists and heroes of Gaza who risk — and sacrifice — their lives to keep the world informed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 15, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
The Ultimate Hack to Political Analysis with Sami Hamdi
In the last 18 months, a new generation of youth have been activated as a response to the state of the Ummah, and more specifically the genocide in Gaza. Since October 7, the world has changed permanently at a very rapid pace, leaving many in this new generation of activists and beyond struggling to properly analyze the events that are happening. Especially in the age of fake news and media double standards, how can youth develop a correct sense for political analysis in a way that benefits the Ummah? With us we have expert political analyst Sami Hamdi to teach us his secret to political analysis. Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thinkingyouthpod/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkingyouthpod Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@thethinkingyouth Subscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheThinkingMuslim Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.