I think whenever we talk in terms of Ummah and Ummatic power, we overlook our role as individuals. When the prophet PBUH says that we are like a building where each block strengthens the other, we often neglect that "I" as an individual need to be a source of strength. This is not to say we can't/shouldn't think collectively, rather that we shouldn't bemoan the Ummah or even expect an ummah when the building blocks are weak.
I think you point is what I was trying to say in different words in my comment. What does the student do, the single mother with 4 kids, the retired old uncle who doesn't speak much english and wobbles about like a penguin with hip issues.
Not sure we are on the same wave length? I mean to introspect and reflect individually and strengthen ourselves from a faith perspective. Meaning, don't expect a strong Ummah when you don't pray five times a day type of deal
Obviously all other strengths are valuable (physical, financial, emotional...etc) but without a grounding in faith and a connection to the Divine through the curriculum he sent us via our prophet then we're not going to change our circumstances
Oh for sure, 100% in agreement with that. There is no Islam if there is no salah. If the chain is as strong as its weakest link, well, we gotta make sure to grow stronger as individual links.
If Muslims want to develop soft power they must show they have the savvy to win in the game of democratic politics in the US, the country that is the most hostile to Muslim interests. This means, first of all, stopping the slaughter in Gaza.
Fortunately, because of a unique feature of American politics, this is possible, BUT MUSLIMS MUST MOVE QUICKLY.
Th key is to put non-binding propositions on local ballots with this question:
“Should the United States prioritize use of diplomacy to resolve international differences and encourage and Israel and its foes to initiate peace talks?“
YES_______NO_______
This is a form of direct democracy (DD). It is the reform tactic that lets the grassroots shape policy debates... EVEN FOREIGN POLICY. Professor John Matsusaka (Univ. of Southern California), head of the Initiative and Referendum Institute, is the expert…www.johnmatsusaka.com. Read his book, "Let the People Rule" and look for him on YouTube.
Al the major US cities are controlled by Democrats so I predicts many successful outcomes.
In 10 weeks cities will begin firming up their Fall ballots so the work should start now. RIGHT NOW. I have decades of experience with DD (Search on "Houston" and my name). Contact me for more details...Barry Klein; barrybusybee3@gmail.com.
Mr. Indie...THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING! I want to help but I have limited computer skills. I don't know how to use Substack. Please provide me with an email address and I will send the information you need to understand direct democracy (DD) as practiced in the US. (the Swiss routinely use the tactic too but have a different system). In the meantime buy a copy of Let the People Rule which covers DD as it has been used in several countries. The introduction and chapter five ...18 pages...are sufficient to give you the big picture.
If you search on "Houston" and my name you will find articles about my background as an activist.
Never heard of this concept before, but at an overview it makes sense that a one leader solution won't work, at least not until the coming of Imam Mahdi and later Jesus pbuh, and who knows what the world will be like then. But till then, we have to save ourselves, and the whole vertical/horizontal stuff and the 8 different domains of influence seem like right direction to move in.
The decentralized thing was intriguing, cuz my mind immediately goes to crypto (decentalized finance) lol. I should read that article.
Movement is mandatory. Otherwise we fall into a state of despair and depression and pessimism.
What we really need, perhaps, is a collective of think tanks that can provide actionable steps for the Muslim layman, the old and the young, the poor and the affluent. Cuz what does the single mother with four kids in government housing do to feed into this ummatic soft power? Keeping her kids fed and warm and in school is the immediate daily reality she and most folk face. And the ummah is made up kf these very sorts lf people, the "most folk." So we need actionable steps for the average joe-seph that are relative to where he lives and is in his life.
Wallahu a3lam. I just know that we as communities cannot remain stuck in moon sighting politics and 8 vs 20 rakaat taraweeh debates.
One of the major gaps in the discourse within the Muslim community is the lack of pragmatism. True soft power stems not from rhetoric, but from the ability to strategically engage with the world. This means drawing from intellectual empowerment within the current paradigm, based on research in fields like behavioral sciences. It also means having members in the Ummah who have excelled in academia, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and policy-oriented thinking (in a pragmatic sense).
To develop such individuals, the Ummah must have a temperament to learn various disciplines (beyond vocational education), in fields such as economics, history, sociology, political science etc.—in a pragmatic and positivist manner, rather than solely engaging in normative discourse that often lacks realistic grounding.
The world is unlikely to be moved by vague moral appeals like “reduce inequality,” “eradicate poverty,” or “increase welfare,” unless these are supported by credible strategies that demonstrate success—primarily because many non-Muslims (from left) are already doing it. Then there are the likes of Amartya Sen, Thomas Piketty etc. who are doing in an academically rigorous sense. What we need in the Ummah is to produce individuals who at least match if not outperform their intellectual caliber. For that, we must reduce the overcrowding of Muslim academic and intellectual spaces with purely normative and critical discourse. Instead, we should encourage learning grounded in how systems actually function, with all their constraints.
When several thousand individuals pursue the above-mentioned areas, we can expect a few to reach positions of authority—and those will be the source of real influence. Only when such authoritative figures emerge from within the community can the notion of soft power become a reality. Without this, it will remain merely wishful thinking.
Yes, as Ahmed Muhammad reminds us, the whole is made up of the individual parts. Each of contributes whether consciously/intentionally or uncosciously/unintentionally.
With that in mind, every religion has guiding principles such as the Ten Commandments - keeping this visible and as the sieve through which our thoughts, words, deeds, policies, laws must past could lead to positive change/outcomes.
I also offer a form of governance/organization that was founded by Quakers over 100 years ago: Sociocracy. In brief it is based upon "equivalency of voice" - when practiced as intended, no thought, no idea, no proposal is unworthy of serious consideration. Decisions are arrived at via consent. Consent can only be achieved when all concerns are fully and satisfactorily addressed. Of course, it is a bit more complex. I would be happy to proved, via email, a Handbook for Small Groups Wishing to Study Sociocracy.
Like any 'instrument' - if respected fully, it is elegant. In the hands of those who would manipulate it to suit their own objectives, it is useless.
You might lead the world towared a partnership of peace, true restorative justice, and care of the planet.
I think whenever we talk in terms of Ummah and Ummatic power, we overlook our role as individuals. When the prophet PBUH says that we are like a building where each block strengthens the other, we often neglect that "I" as an individual need to be a source of strength. This is not to say we can't/shouldn't think collectively, rather that we shouldn't bemoan the Ummah or even expect an ummah when the building blocks are weak.
I think you point is what I was trying to say in different words in my comment. What does the student do, the single mother with 4 kids, the retired old uncle who doesn't speak much english and wobbles about like a penguin with hip issues.
Not sure we are on the same wave length? I mean to introspect and reflect individually and strengthen ourselves from a faith perspective. Meaning, don't expect a strong Ummah when you don't pray five times a day type of deal
Obviously all other strengths are valuable (physical, financial, emotional...etc) but without a grounding in faith and a connection to the Divine through the curriculum he sent us via our prophet then we're not going to change our circumstances
Oh for sure, 100% in agreement with that. There is no Islam if there is no salah. If the chain is as strong as its weakest link, well, we gotta make sure to grow stronger as individual links.
I recently came across an Arabic saying which draws attention to moving instead of being static ‘ fil harakah barakah’ .
If Muslims want to develop soft power they must show they have the savvy to win in the game of democratic politics in the US, the country that is the most hostile to Muslim interests. This means, first of all, stopping the slaughter in Gaza.
Fortunately, because of a unique feature of American politics, this is possible, BUT MUSLIMS MUST MOVE QUICKLY.
Th key is to put non-binding propositions on local ballots with this question:
“Should the United States prioritize use of diplomacy to resolve international differences and encourage and Israel and its foes to initiate peace talks?“
YES_______NO_______
This is a form of direct democracy (DD). It is the reform tactic that lets the grassroots shape policy debates... EVEN FOREIGN POLICY. Professor John Matsusaka (Univ. of Southern California), head of the Initiative and Referendum Institute, is the expert…www.johnmatsusaka.com. Read his book, "Let the People Rule" and look for him on YouTube.
Al the major US cities are controlled by Democrats so I predicts many successful outcomes.
In 10 weeks cities will begin firming up their Fall ballots so the work should start now. RIGHT NOW. I have decades of experience with DD (Search on "Houston" and my name). Contact me for more details...Barry Klein; barrybusybee3@gmail.com.
Sounds very interesting, and something that Muslims should learn about and apply. Could you do a quick substack on this topic?
Mr. Indie...THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING! I want to help but I have limited computer skills. I don't know how to use Substack. Please provide me with an email address and I will send the information you need to understand direct democracy (DD) as practiced in the US. (the Swiss routinely use the tactic too but have a different system). In the meantime buy a copy of Let the People Rule which covers DD as it has been used in several countries. The introduction and chapter five ...18 pages...are sufficient to give you the big picture.
If you search on "Houston" and my name you will find articles about my background as an activist.
My best,
Barry Klein
Never heard of this concept before, but at an overview it makes sense that a one leader solution won't work, at least not until the coming of Imam Mahdi and later Jesus pbuh, and who knows what the world will be like then. But till then, we have to save ourselves, and the whole vertical/horizontal stuff and the 8 different domains of influence seem like right direction to move in.
The decentralized thing was intriguing, cuz my mind immediately goes to crypto (decentalized finance) lol. I should read that article.
Movement is mandatory. Otherwise we fall into a state of despair and depression and pessimism.
What we really need, perhaps, is a collective of think tanks that can provide actionable steps for the Muslim layman, the old and the young, the poor and the affluent. Cuz what does the single mother with four kids in government housing do to feed into this ummatic soft power? Keeping her kids fed and warm and in school is the immediate daily reality she and most folk face. And the ummah is made up kf these very sorts lf people, the "most folk." So we need actionable steps for the average joe-seph that are relative to where he lives and is in his life.
Wallahu a3lam. I just know that we as communities cannot remain stuck in moon sighting politics and 8 vs 20 rakaat taraweeh debates.
One of the major gaps in the discourse within the Muslim community is the lack of pragmatism. True soft power stems not from rhetoric, but from the ability to strategically engage with the world. This means drawing from intellectual empowerment within the current paradigm, based on research in fields like behavioral sciences. It also means having members in the Ummah who have excelled in academia, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and policy-oriented thinking (in a pragmatic sense).
To develop such individuals, the Ummah must have a temperament to learn various disciplines (beyond vocational education), in fields such as economics, history, sociology, political science etc.—in a pragmatic and positivist manner, rather than solely engaging in normative discourse that often lacks realistic grounding.
The world is unlikely to be moved by vague moral appeals like “reduce inequality,” “eradicate poverty,” or “increase welfare,” unless these are supported by credible strategies that demonstrate success—primarily because many non-Muslims (from left) are already doing it. Then there are the likes of Amartya Sen, Thomas Piketty etc. who are doing in an academically rigorous sense. What we need in the Ummah is to produce individuals who at least match if not outperform their intellectual caliber. For that, we must reduce the overcrowding of Muslim academic and intellectual spaces with purely normative and critical discourse. Instead, we should encourage learning grounded in how systems actually function, with all their constraints.
When several thousand individuals pursue the above-mentioned areas, we can expect a few to reach positions of authority—and those will be the source of real influence. Only when such authoritative figures emerge from within the community can the notion of soft power become a reality. Without this, it will remain merely wishful thinking.
We did try to cover this in our 2024 recap video:
https://mineglobal.substack.com/p/mine-revisiting-the-fundamentals
Yes, as Ahmed Muhammad reminds us, the whole is made up of the individual parts. Each of contributes whether consciously/intentionally or uncosciously/unintentionally.
With that in mind, every religion has guiding principles such as the Ten Commandments - keeping this visible and as the sieve through which our thoughts, words, deeds, policies, laws must past could lead to positive change/outcomes.
I also offer a form of governance/organization that was founded by Quakers over 100 years ago: Sociocracy. In brief it is based upon "equivalency of voice" - when practiced as intended, no thought, no idea, no proposal is unworthy of serious consideration. Decisions are arrived at via consent. Consent can only be achieved when all concerns are fully and satisfactorily addressed. Of course, it is a bit more complex. I would be happy to proved, via email, a Handbook for Small Groups Wishing to Study Sociocracy.
Like any 'instrument' - if respected fully, it is elegant. In the hands of those who would manipulate it to suit their own objectives, it is useless.
You might lead the world towared a partnership of peace, true restorative justice, and care of the planet.