The Lion's Roar: A Call to Courage and Wisdom

 "The Lion's Roar: A Call to Courage and Wisdom"

As we navigate the complexities of our faith and the world around us, let us not be distracted by the criticisms of those who seek to be alpha jackals. The jackal, by its very nature, is a scavenger, feeding on the leftovers of others, never capable of hunting and providing for itself like the majestic lion.

As the great Sufi poet, Rumi, once said, "The lion's roar is not for the jackal's ears." The wisdom and courage of the lion are lost on the jackal, who can only respond with snarls and snips.

To the one who reads this, you will know who you are, and so will everyone who knows you as a jackal. Your actions and behaviour have earned you this reputation, and it is not for me to judge. However, I will say that the company you keep and the ideologies you promote are a reflection of your character.

As the great Islamic philosopher, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), wrote, "The truth is not revealed to those who are not worthy of it." The jackal's limited understanding and lack of wisdom make it unworthy of the truth, leaving it to prowl in the shadows, seeking to tear down rather than build up.

Unfortunately, some of our scholars have fallen into this trap, seeking to be alpha jackals rather than lions. They prioritise their own ego and desire for power over the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. As the Quran warns us, "And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves" (Surah 59:19).

Let us not be fooled by the pretensions of these scholars. Instead, let us strive to be like the lion, courageous, wise, and just. Let us seek knowledge and understanding, not for personal gain or recognition, but to serve the greater good and to bring people closer to the truth.

As the great Islamic poet, Al-Khansa, once said, "The lion's strength is not in its roar, but in its heart." Let us cultivate hearts that are strong, compassionate, and wise, and let us not be swayed by the criticisms of those who are merely seeking to be alpha jackals.

-Whalid Safodien

The Feather Pen

The Imperative of Islamic Digital Finance and Satellite Sovereignty: A Strategic Response to Global Economic Hegemony

 The Imperative of Islamic Digital Finance and Satellite Sovereignty: A Strategic Response to Global Economic Hegemony

In the contemporary global landscape, the notion of warfare has transcended conventional boundaries. The most potent weapon in modern conflict is no longer the nuclear arsenal or advanced military hardware, but rather the strategic manipulation of financial systems and control of satellite networks. As Muslims, we possess the capacity to revolutionize the global economic paradigm by developing an Islamic digital finance framework and establishing our own satellite network, thereby rendering the existing hegemony obsolete.

The creation of a payment system analogous to Visa, Mastercard, and SWIFT, grounded in Islamic principles, is an imperative necessitated by the following factors:

1. Prevention of Economic Warfare: The existing financial institutions, which dominate the global payment landscape, are often complicit in financing wars and perpetuating economic inequality. By establishing our own Islamic digital finance framework, we can prevent these institutions from exploiting Muslim economies and financing conflicts that ravage our communities.

2. Mitigation of Economic Sanctions: The arbitrary imposition of economic sanctions by Western powers has devastated Muslim economies, causing untold suffering and hardship. An Islamic digital finance system would enable us to circumvent these sanctions, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and services.

3. Promotion of Financial Inclusion: The existing financial system excludes millions of Muslims from accessing basic financial services, perpetuating poverty and economic marginalization. An Islamic digital finance framework would provide unparalleled access to financial services, bridging the economic divide and fostering global economic growth.

4. Protection of Sovereignty: The reliance on Western-dominated financial institutions compromises the economic sovereignty of Muslim nations, rendering them vulnerable to external manipulation and control. By establishing our own Islamic digital finance system, we can safeguard our economic sovereignty and ensure that our financial systems serve the interests of Muslim communities.

Furthermore, owning our own satellite network is crucial for the following reasons:

1. Secure Communication: A Muslim-owned satellite network would provide secure communication channels, immune to interception and eavesdropping by hostile entities.

2. Independence from Western Dominance: By owning our own satellite network, we can break free from the stranglehold of Western-dominated communication systems, ensuring that our voices are heard and our messages are conveyed without interference.

3. Enhanced Economic Cooperation: A Muslim-owned satellite network would facilitate enhanced economic cooperation among Muslim nations, enabling the seamless exchange of goods, services, and ideas.

4. Promotion of Islamic Values: Our own satellite network would provide a platform for promoting Islamic values, culture, and education, countering the pervasive influence of Western media and cultural hegemony.

5. Strategic Autonomy: Ownership of a satellite network would grant Muslim nations strategic autonomy, enabling us to pursue our own interests and agendas without being beholden to Western powers.

Partnering with Russia and China would provide a significant boost to our efforts, as these nations have already demonstrated their willingness to challenge Western dominance. By collaborating with these powers, we can create a robust and resilient Islamic digital finance framework and satellite network, capable of withstanding the pressures of economic warfare and sanctions.

In conclusion, the imperative of Islamic digital finance and satellite sovereignty is clear. We must establish our own payment systems, free from the influence of Western-dominated financial institutions, and own our own satellite network to ensure secure communication, independence from Western dominance, enhanced economic cooperation, promotion of Islamic values, and strategic autonomy. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for Muslim communities worldwide and contribute to a more just and equitable global economic order.

As the renowned Islamic scholar, Imam Al-Ghazali, aptly stated, "The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr." Let us, as Muslim scholars, technologists, and entrepreneurs, unite to create a digital financial revolution and establish our own satellite network, thereby detonating the very financial nuclear bombs in the faces of the perpetrators of genocide and economic warfare.

Wa 'alaykum al-salam (وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلاَم).

Whalid Safodien 

The Feather Pen