The Thinking Youth

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.

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-nowB-roll footage in this episode includes media from:https://www.instagram.com/solidarity.diary/?hl=enThis 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/@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.

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 topFollow us on:IG:/ thinkingyouthpodTikTok:/ thinkingyouthpodSubscribe to our Youtube channel for more:/ @thethinkingyouthSubscribe to the Thinking Muslim Podcast:/ @thethinkingmuslimHelp us expand our Muslim media project here:/ https://www.thinkingmuslim.com/membershipDisclaimer: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.

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/membershipDisclaimer: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.

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 lifeIf 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.