Why We Need Muslim Public Intellectuals | Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmad Siddiqui
Muslims in India face exclusion across multiple fronts, particularly as right-wing Hindutva gains ground. Despite various efforts, resistance has largely failed to create an impact. This podcast critically examines the gaps, failures, and the urgent need for a meaningful intellectual response to counter Muslim marginalisation in the wake of rising hate and discrimination.
In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmad Siddiqui explores the intellectual gaps within Muslim leadership, the absence of public intellectualism, and how the nation-state framework systematically sidelines Muslim voices from mainstream discourse.
The conversation delves into the challenges of theorising Muslim struggles and why resistance lacks a strong intellectual foundation. It examines the disconnect between modern-educated Muslim youth and Islamic institutions, the reasons Muslim organizations struggle to mobilize real change, and how public intellectualism shapes public thought, even as Muslim voices remain notably absent. The discussion also addresses the decline of Islamic thought traditions, attempts at their revival, and the relevance of the Prophet Muhammad’s approach as a public intellectual and social reformer.
Further, the podcast analyzes how citizenship and nation-state politics shape a restrictive framework that limits Muslim identity in the public sphere. It questions whether Islamic knowledge systems can be synthesized with modern frameworks without losing their authenticity and examines the role of Ulema in pre-Partition India and their relevance in contemporary discourse. By unpacking these issues, the conversation seeks to understand why Muslim intellectualism has declined and what practical steps can be taken to re-establish a meaningful presence in public discourse.
If you’ve ever wondered why Muslim struggles in India remain unheard or misunderstood, this podcast gives you the tools to understand and rethink it all.
