This will seem random, but I want to say something about profanity.

Obviously, in Islam, vulgar speech is disliked. The use of profanity in speech is generally not accepted as befitting a dignified person.

My own objection to profanity, though, has more to do with laziness. I fully believe that profanity is sometimes the most expressive and effective approach in certain circumstances, and in those cases, it does not offend me.

However, the use of vulgarity, bad words, cursing, and so on, has become so completely normalized, so interwoven in everyone's language at this point, that it is simply undisciplined. Speech is degraded, sullied, and it is part of the culturally imposed depletion of our collective lexicon. People cuss for no reason, or simply because they do not know other words to use to express themselves.

Now, even a well-placed cuss word loses its expressive power. And the complete saturation of normal speech with vulgarity lowers the overall quality of discourse. We deserve to speak well. We deserve to be able to employ an elegant vocabulary that accurately conveys our thoughts.

I strongly urge everyone here to make a sincere effort, whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, to curtail your personal use of curse words and profanity in your speech, in public and in private; and you will begin to feel a greater sovereignty over your own language and expression.

Premiering in one hour:
https://youtu.be/prVIXHon9u0

Beginning today, Middle Nation is embarking on a journey to develop, cultivate, and empower Middle Nation Ambassadors. In order to qualify, our team will be observing content engagement via this telegram channel; with the content-related questions that will be posted in a given timeframe.

After some time and a few videos (usually on a monthly basis), the admins will pick individuals who show understanding of and engagement with MN videos, and can potentially be representatives of Middle Nation as Ambassadors.

We will contact you after personal assessment for a short interview (do not call us, we will call you). The brief interview will pertain to various Middle Nation topics, to gauge how well you are able to represent and articulate Middle Nation understandings and concepts.

In case you pass the interview, you will have access to post your own content under the Middle Nation YouTube channel, have access to over 450 000 subscribers, collaborate with the Middle Nation YouTube account, and be able to use the Middle Nation logo on your own channels and content for anything that comes under the Middle Nation umbrella.

The content will be regularly checked by admins to ensure that as an Ambassador you reflect the Middle Nation ethos and codes of conduct.

We are looking forward to your engagement and possible future content.

The social media brigades will consist exclusively of chosen Ambassadors, that we will meet with, and train for opportunities like content talks, podcasts, and much more.

Ustadh Shahid will be the thought-leader of this initiative, and Ambassadors will participate in developing and carrying the message forwards through content and projects.



The series of questions will start soon. Be prepared.

In your own words, what exactly is being "divided" when Shahid says "separate your hands from our throats," and how does that clarify justice?
How does he define "us vs them" by conduct (actions and beliefs) not identity ("not your skin color… nationality… ethnicity")?
Try in your own words to distinguish the "good separation" he describes from "divide and rule" tactic imposed on us.
When is a generalized stance warranted despite the "one-by-one interview" objection Westerners have ("hold your fire because I think one of those archers didn't shoot his bow"), and what safeguard against bigotry does Shahid himself give (hint: the beliefs/actions criterion)?


Practical application (provide your responses and justification):

a) A local paper/article/headline calls your mosque "divisive" for declining a platform to a war-backing official. How would you frame your reply based on your understanding of Middle Nation?
b) How would you answer the typical "any us vs them mindset is harmful"?
c) Write one sentence that "clarifies justice" without identity labels (Westerner, American, etc...)

Based on the video “The Duty to Draw Lines”, express the positive criteria for affiliation and triggers for disavowal while thinking about the following scenarios:

1) A non-Muslim neighbor/classmate/colleague consistently defends your rights and “stands for justice”. How would you apply loyalty/affiliation?

2) A Muslim repeatedly dishonors and attacks your brothers and sisters in Islam (can be family members, rulers, and other Muslims in general). How do you respond?

3) How would you answer the general question of “isn’t this intolerance?”

The belief that the “Trump Gaza Peace Plan” is another iteration of Western colonization, or even potentially part of achieving the “Greater Israel” fantasy; is based on two things. One is guided by experience, the other misguided by it.

That experience is that no peace plan has ever benefited the Palestinians, no treaty is ever respected by the Israelis or the Americans, and there has only ever been one agenda; which is to occupy, subjugate, and ethnically cleanse. This historical reality is the basis for much of the suspicions about the plan.

The other basis of suspicion is that experience has shown us that America and Israel have had the unchallenged power to do as they wish; and this is where that experience is misguiding people because they have not understood that America and Israel’s unchallenged power existed within a context, and that context no longer exists.

Brevity is the soul of wit.


1) In your own words, how do you understand and define the “good Muslim” trap?

2) A well-known Muslim public figure errs on camera/social media (says something that is wrong by mistake). What do you do publicly vs privately? How would you respond to the “public wrongs require public condemnation” notion in this case?

3) Why does Shahid include the rulers of the Muslim lands in his caution against the classic divide and rule tactic? What are the ways in which one might fall into that trap?

4) How do you understand the term “performative condemnation” and how would you relate it to the cases mentioned above?

Premiering in 25 minutes:
https://youtu.be/82PRWqS-284

What are you three favorite Middle Nation videos to date?

explain your choices in one paragraph (no essays).

Premiering in one hour:
https://youtu.be/C51yRnLilyk

One year ago today.
ITYS

Based on the Middle Nation Regions Briefing: GCC Integration & Saudi-Pakistan Security Pact:

Which of the GCC countries do you think will benefit the most from the GCC unified visa and why?

Explain your choice in one paragraph.

This is the second half of Brother Shahid's conversation with Sister Nisa Bardien about South Africa. It addresses broader issues than were covered in the latest Regions Briefing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTNWIZBbd5U

Based on the recent “Middle Nation Regions Briefing: South Africa”

If South Africa’s justice system is being cleaned from the bottom up, but foreign and political influence at the top stays untouched; is that real reform, or managed control?

Explain your briefings-based understanding in 1 paragraph