184: Islamofuturism “Science Fiction Is the Most Spiritually Engaged Genre” w. Ahmed Elbenni

Abdul El-Sayed comes on the podcast to explore what it means to build a political movement in an America defined by deepening political and cultural divides.Together, we discuss winning beyond your political base, navigating Washington in the era of Trump, and creating meaningful change in a system shaped by powerful interests. Abdul also shares his perspective on Muslim representation and rising anti-Muslim rhetoric in American politics.Can a new kind of politics bring people together across America’s growing divides?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Why Republican Voters love Abdul10:27 Ad12:01 Taking Lobbyists Out of Government14:19 Ending the Oligarchy16:15 Hassan Piker & the New Progressive Left20:47 Taxes & grocery prices24:41 Medicaid & healthcare for all26:13 Trump28:11 Anti-Muslim Rhetoric30:42 Ad31:34 Members Questions33:54 Final Thoughts#politics #abdulelsayedListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

What happens when you stop imagining yourself in the future?In this episode of The Ansari Podcast, we explore Islamofuturism and the role of science fiction in shaping how Muslims imagine their faith, identity, and place in the future with Ahmed Elbenni. We discuss the influence of Dune, anime, Gulf futurism, and even aliens and the cosmos, while asking why Islam is so often presented in binary terms despite the breadth of its intellectual and spiritual tradition.We explore what an Islamic science fiction could look like and what happens when people are unable to write themselves into the future. Because when you cannot imagine yourself in the future, do you risk disappearing from it?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 What is Science Fiction?06:06 Ad08:12 Dune, Islamo-Futurism, and Islamic Science Fiction20:11 Why Do People of the Future Always Dress Like Muslims?31:53 Ad32:45 Defiant Optimism38:01 What If Someone Wants to Write?41:20 Muslims and Anime50:30 What is Gulf Futurism?55:41 Aliens, UFO's, and Islam01:06:07 Importance of Science Fiction01:20:51 Speed Round Questions01:24:30 Final Thoughts#islamofuturism #islamicsciencefiction #sciencefiction #futurism #islamicartListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

In this episode of The Ansari Podcast, we are joined by Hassan Muzzad to explore one of the most significant and misunderstood chapters in Islamic history: the origins of the Sunni–Shia divide.Together, we examine the leadership of Abu Bakr and Ali, the role of the Companions, the tragedy of Karbala, and why the Battle of the Camel may have been the defining moment that transformed political disagreement into a lasting division. Exploring both Sunni and Shia perspectives with nuance and respect, this conversation asks an enduring question: Was the Sunni–Shia split inevitable, or did history take a path that changed the Muslim world forever?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 What Caused the Sunni Shia Split?05:54 Why Ali and not Abu Bakr?11:50 Ad13:23 Why Does the Position of Khalifah Matter?19:38 Who Are the Imams?27:11 Who Are the Real Sahaba and are Reliable Sources?39:06 Isn't Abu Bakr the Family of the Prophet PBUH?45:31 Ad46:22 What Happened at the Battle of the Camel?59:09 What Happened with Hussain and Yazid?01:08:14 Who Betrayed Hussain?01:11:15 When did the Actual Sunni Shia Split Happen?01:13:55 When Did Shia Hadith Begin?01:16:42 Who are The 12 Imams?01:24:28 Why Did Allah Allow Abu Bakr to Be the Khalifa?01:33:44 Can Shia Insult the Sahaba?01:36:14 Is the Ayatollah like the Pope?01:49:38 Sunni and Shia are a Part of the Same Civilization01:53:13 Final Thoughts#shia #sunni #iran #islamichistory #muslimunityListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

Why would a Uyghur activist visit Israel? And what does that reveal about the way Muslims navigate justice in today's political landscape?In this episode, we are joined by a Uyghur activist to explore China's persecution of the Uyghur people, his controversial visit to Israel, and the difficult questions that arise when every side seeks to claim, or discredit, your cause.Together, we discuss Xinjiang, Palestine, the silence of many Muslim governments, nationalism, the Ummah, and why standing for one oppressed people should never require abandoning another.JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Fleeing Xinjiang to Becoming Uyghur Activist09:53 Ad11:26 Why is China going after the Uyghur People?12:17 Separation or Peace Treaty with China?18:40 Why the Separatist Movement?32:38 His Visit to and Connections to Israel47:40 Ad48:31 Where Do We Focus Gaza or Xinjiang?55:41 Loving Your Country vs Worshipping It01:01:15 What it Means to Stand for the Truth01:14:17 Is Bringing Islam to the Chinese the Solution?01:19:56 How the Uyghur Became Muslim/The story of how islam went to East Turkestan01:25:34 Final Thoughts#uyghur #china #palestine #israel #Xinjiang #EastTurkistanListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

In this episode, we are joined by a leading businesswoman and marketer Sarah Su who has worked with some of the world's biggest companies to exploring the unexpected journey that led her to Islam. Together, we discuss growing up in an atheist culture, the search for meaning beyond professional success, life as a Muslim in China, and how Islam challenged everything she thought she knew about purpose, identity, and healing. After achieving the career so many aspire to, she discovered that success alone couldn't answer life's deepest questions.What happens when, instead of searching for Islam, it feels like Islam finds you?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Sarah’s Convert Story05:07 Growing Up in an Atheist Culture09:12 Ad10:44 Why Choose Islam and not Chinese Religions?13:09 Entering a Masjid For the First Time19:11 Islam's Effect on Feminine Energy23:16 Does Islam Oppress Women?28:12 Life After Conversion30:24 Ad31:17 Islam in China Past Present and Future44:46 Finding Spiritual Healing in Islam51:12 Speed Round Questions55:54 Final Thoughts56:58 Outro#china #revertstory #convertstory #islam #muslimListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

Why do so many Muslims feel intellectually insecure today?In this episode, we are joined again by Ustadh Saad Yacoob to explore how the history of debate in the Muslim world, from the influence of Aristotle to the impact of colonialism, has shaped the way Muslims think, argue, and understand their faith today.Together, we discuss righteousness, justice, revelation, the thought of Muhammad Iqbal, and why the modern culture of debate may reveal a deeper crisis: many Muslims have come to defend Islam on someone else's terms rather than their own.Has modern debate brought Muslims closer to the truth? … or further away from it?JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Intro00:44 The History of Muslim Debates05:44 Ad07:15 Importance of Aristotle in Muslim Debates14:07 Why are Modern Debates So Bad?31:36 Ad32:28 The Source of Muslim Insecurities38:46 European Insecurities41:12 The Struggles of Muslims in Recent History46:00 Muhammad Iqbal’s Thought57:10 What is the Point of Revelation?01:00:44 What are We Doing With the World?01:03:07 What Makes Islam Different that Every Other Religion01:10:57 How to Raise a Generation of Muslims that aren’t Insecure?01:14:54 Mamdani’s Significant Role01:23:49 23. Does the Future of the Ummah Include Shia?01:29:07 Final Thoughts01:29:52 Outro#debate #history #dawah #philosophy #civilizationListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

British Muslims are often spoken about as outsiders, immigrants, or a “problem” Britain must manage.But what if the history of Islam in Britain tells a much deeper story?In this episode of The Ansari Podcast, we sit down with Paul Williams of Blogging Theology to explore the untold history of British Muslims — from early Muslim presence in the UK, to the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who fought for the British Empire, to the postwar workers from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and other former colonies who helped rebuild modern Britain through factories, mills, transport, the NHS, small businesses, mosques, and working-class communities.We discuss Islam in the UK, British identity, post-Christian Britain, immigration, anti-Muslim panic, Tommy Robinson, Christian nationalism, the Pakistani grooming gangs scandal, poverty among UK Muslims, Palestine, Israel, Zionism, and whether Britain is facing a deeper spiritual crisis than it wants to admit.British Muslims did not build Britain alone. But Muslims helped build the Britain we know today.So why are so many treated as if they don’t belong?00:00 British Muslims Built Britain04:15 The Growing Muslim Problem10:58 DebtDoc X Provision Capital12:30 How Poor Are UK Muslims?22:50 Is the UK a dead Empire?27:30 UK History & The Immigrant problem today31:33 Become an Ansari!34:30 American Christians VS UK Christians36:39 What happened to christianity in the UK44:15 History of Christianity in UK & America47:49 The UK is no longer a democracy?51:00 Who Secretly Runs the UK? 54:12 The Truth on Pakistani Grooming gangs1:02:30 History of European #uk #muslim #immigration #britishhistory Support The Ansari Podcast and help us build independent Muslim media:Become a member of the channel and join the Ansari community.JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.com/Follow The Ansari Podcast:Instagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X : https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

Why is the Democratic establishment terrified of Abdul El-Sayed winning Michigan? What does a senator funded by individual donors do differently than one answering to lobbyists? How will a Muslim candidate survive the attacks awaiting him in the Senate? When you have $2.3M in foreign PAC money flooding a primary, can real grassroots politics still win? And what happens to progressive policy when you're facing both parties in Congress?Join us for a conversation with Michigan's most controversial senatorial candidate. We break down why James Carville and Democratic insiders are actively working to keep him out. Abdul walks us through his entire platform: removing lobbyists, Medicare for All in Michigan, and actually representing working people instead of corporate interests. We dive into his controversial decision to campaign with Hasan Piker, the viral moment he called out Haley Stevens' funding on stage, what it means to be the first Muslim Senator in American history, and the unfiltered answer every voter needs to hear about how to actually win in a rigged system.This isn't polished politics. This is what happens when a candidate refuses to play the game.JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comThe Debt Clinic: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansariProvision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Why Are the Democrats Afraid of You Winning?03:22 Difference Between Senator for the People vs Senator for AIPAC?10:46 Ad12:17 How Do You Get the Republican and Independent Vote?16:03 Why Do You Say Foreign Government and Not Israel Anymore?21:58 How Will You Deal with the Current Administration?24:40 Can You Get Medicaid for All, Remove Lobbyists, and Tax Reform?34:39 Ad35:08 How Will Stand Up Against Anti-Islam Rhetoric?38:04 Why Did You Campaign with Hasan Piker?42:36 Member Questions46:33 Final Thoughts48:27 Outro#AbdulElSayed #MichiganSenate #DemocraticPrimary #LobbyistsOut #ForThePeopleByThePeopleListen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyjFollow The Ansari PodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/ansaripodcastTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcastTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

Islam is spreading across East Asia — and the rise of Muslims in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea could reshape the future of the Muslim world. As China becomes a global superpower and the West declines in influence, Muslim immigrants, converts, and native East Asian Muslims may become one of the most important religious communities in a Chinese-dominated world order.In this episode of The Ansari Podcast, we sit down with Imam Abdullah Cheng, a Taiwanese Muslim imam and computer scientist from a convert background, to explore the future of Islam in China, Taiwan, Japan, and East Asia. We discuss the history of Islam in China, the difference between Uyghur Muslims and Hui Muslims, Hui Muslim cuisine and culture, Islam in Taiwan, dawah in China, Korea, and Japan, and why more East Asians are becoming interested in Islam.We also explore the rise of Islam in Japan, Japan’s masculinity crisis, declining birthrates, loneliness, mental health, marriage collapse, and how Islam offers answers to young men and women searching for meaning. From anime and Eastern storytelling to Islamic dawah, Muslim identity, Chinese atheism, communism, and the treatment of Muslims in China, this conversation reveals why East Asia may become one of the most important frontiers for Islam in the 21st century.JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.com*The Debt Clinic*: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansari*Provision Capital:* https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 What is Life Like For Muslims in Taiwan?05:02 The History of Islam in China08:20 Ad09:51 The Difference Between Uyghur and Hui Muslims12:42 Hui Muslim Cuisine and Culture21:35 The Future of Islam in China32:37 Muslims Becoming the Irish of China34:44 How Dawah is Done in China, Korea, and Japan37:24 Rise of Islam in Japan39:56 The Masculinity and Mental Health Crisis in Japan48:57 Why is Islam Rising Quickly in Japan vs Taiwan51:32 How Muslims Could Use The Power of Anime01:03:00 Ad01:03:30 What is Actually Happening to Muslims in China?01:09:54 Chinese Atheist Communists Worse than Western Powers?01:16:18 Final Thoughts#China #Japan #muslim #podcast #chinesemuslim #japanesemuslim #chinesefood #japaneseculture #islam #dawah *Listen on All Audio Platforms:* https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyj*Follow The Ansari Podcast**Instagram:* https://instagram.com/ansaripodcast*TikTok:* https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcast*Twitter/X:* https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast

The FIFA World Cup is one of the last events on Earth that can bring billions of people together around a shared experience. Yet as the 2026 World Cup approaches, many fans are asking a difficult question: How safe is the United States? Can we afford these tickets and hotel prices?Dr. Jules Boykoff political scientist, former U.S. Men's National Team player, and author of Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine joins us to examine the growing tcorruption between FIFA World Cup and the powerful people that control it.Why was Russia was banned while Israel remains in international competition? Gianni Infantino's increasingly close relationship with Donald Trump, and why some World Cup tickets now cost more than $1,000 per match. We also explore concerns surrounding ICE enforcement near stadiums, expanding surveillance technologies, and what hosting the tournament could mean for America's reputation on the world stage.But this conversation isn't about hating soccer. It's about protecting what makes the World Cup special in the first place. Can fans celebrate the beautiful game while holding its leaders accountable? And what would an ideal World Cup actually look like?Whether you're a lifelong football supporter or someone curious about the politics shaping global sports, this conversation will change how you view the biggest tournament on Earth.JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.comOR Our Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/cw/theansaripodcast*The Debt Clinic*: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansari*Provision Capital:* https://www.provisioncapital.com00:00 Why Criticize FIFA?04:46 Was FIFA Less Corrupt in the Past?06:56 Ad08:27 Will the World Cup Wreck America's Reputation?12:35 Russia Banned but not Israel? 17:00 Trump's Fake FIFA "Peace Prize"20:37 World Cup Crazy Ticket Prices!23:37 New York Ticket Prices: Is Mamdani a Wizard?26:30 Gianni Infantino: Who Actually is FIFA's President?30:53 Ad31:38 ICE Immigration & The 2026 World Cup Fears38:13 The World Cup Increases Surveillance?41:49 Top Teams & Best Players to Watch!53:44 Middle Eastern Teams!54:43 Balancing Celebration and Criticism57:55 What Would an Ideal World Cup Look Like?01:03:06 Final Thoughts#WorldCup2026 #FIFA #Trump #israel #worldcup *Listen on All Audio Platforms:* https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyj*Follow The Ansari Podcast**Instagram:* https://instagram.com/ansaripodcast*TikTok:* https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcast*Twitter/X:* https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast