Irshad Akhtar

Introduction: Challenging Misconceptions In his influential book, The Fate of Abraham: Why the West is Wrong about Islam, Peter Oborne exposes the deep-rooted misconceptions about Muslims that have been ingrained in Western thought. These prejudices, which date back centuries, were deliberately constructed to justify military conquests, economic expansion, and political Continue Reading

Sufism, the mystical dimension of Islam, has captivated minds and hearts for centuries. More than just a set of esoteric practices, it is a deeply personal and transformative spiritual tradition that has shaped Islamic civilization, philosophy, and culture. Its influence extends beyond theology into poetry, music, art, and even politics. Continue Reading

In a world obsessed with borders, passports, and national anthems, it’s easy to believe that “nationhood” depends entirely on political sovereignty and physical territory. Modern politics and international relations hammer home the idea that we can’t call something a “nation” unless it has a seat at the United Nations, a Continue Reading

Executive Summary Global trade in agricultural commodities has entered a new era of turmoil, amplified by a hypothetical second Trump administration’s hardline stance on China, resurgent tariff wars, and renewed pushback from emerging economies in the Global South. This turbulence comes against a historical backdrop of heavily subsidized U.S. and Continue Reading

Few communities in our world today rival the size, dynamism, and multifaceted identity of the Indian diaspora. From New York’s high-rises to the tech hubs of Singapore, and from the bustling streets of London to the sprawling suburbs of Sydney, Indian-origin individuals have become key players in fields as varied Continue Reading

Introduction In a world often driven by financial gain and transactional relationships, there exist powerful examples of individuals and organizations whose motivations transcend monetary interests. These initiatives, rooted in faith, ethics, and communal responsibility, inspire positive change without the expectation of financial returns. Major world religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Continue Reading

1. The Myth of the Lone Pioneer History is often told as a tale of great men: bold explorers, visionary inventors, and brilliant scientists who single-handedly pushed the boundaries of human knowledge. These figures—almost always Western and overwhelmingly male—are credited with the first ascents of mountains, the discovery of new Continue Reading

Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Why Emerging Muslim-Majority Markets? Picture yourself in the early 1990s: the Cold War had ended, Western economies were mending from late-80s turbulence, and globalization was picking up steam. Many emerging economies—especially those with substantial Muslim populations—were either opening up to foreign investment or struggling through Continue Reading

Abstract As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges—ranging from global health crises and an escalating mental health epidemic to the rapid development of artificial intelligence—our modern approach to problem-solving remains largely compartmentalized. But what if an ancient thinker had already envisioned a more effective path forward? Ibn Sina, known as Continue Reading

For the better part of a century, the United States operated under the assumption that it was the unassailable leader of the free world. It boasted cultural influence through Hollywood and Silicon Valley, military reach extending to the far corners of the globe, and economic dominance underwritten by the almighty Continue Reading