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Middle Nation & Shahid Bolsen: Overview and Key Insights

1. Shahid Bolsen: Background and Activism

Shahid Bolsen is a prominent Muslim intellectual and activist known for his focus on social justice, Islamic principles, and critiques of Western imperialism. Born in the U.S., he converted to Islam in his early 20s after being influenced by Malcolm X’s autobiography. His career spans roles as a legal consultant, PR strategist, and advocate for marginalized communities, including work with Rohingya refugees and victims of legal abuse in the UAE.

Bolsen faced significant challenges, including a seven-year imprisonment in the UAE over a controversial manslaughter case, which he describes as a politically motivated ordeal. Post-release, he relocated to Turkey and later Malaysia, where he intensified his activism and writing, particularly addressing the Arab Spring and Muslim unity.

2. The Middle Nation Initiative

Middle Nation is Bolsen’s flagship project, launched in 2021 as a rebranded platform from his earlier channel Qawwamun. It focuses on three pillars:

1. Economic Sovereignty of Muslim Countries: Advocating for financial independence from Western-dominated systems.
2. Political Independence: Opposing foreign interference in Muslim-majority nations.
3. Psychological Decolonization: Addressing cultural and mental impacts of colonialism on Muslim societies.

Recent Developments (2023–2025)

• Phase 1 Expansion: Middle Nation has launched working groups for grassroots activism, education, and regional representation, with a focus on Muslim-majority countries. Initiatives include book discussions (e.g., Arabs and Israel for Beginners) and volunteer teams for translation and tech development.
• Podcast: The Middle Nation Podcast (26 episodes, 2019–2023) discusses geopolitics, Islamic Realpolitik, and critiques of Western policies. Topics range from the Ukraine conflict to the economic rise of the Muslim world.

3. Key Themes in Middle Nation’s Work

• Geopolitical Critique: Bolsen argues that Western powers, particularly the U.S., exploit global crises (e.g., Ukraine) to weaken rivals like Russia and China, urging Muslim nations to form independent economic blocs.
• Demographic Advantage: Highlighting the Muslim world’s youthful population as a future economic and cultural asset.
• Anti-Normalization Stance: While critical of alliances with Israel, Bolsen controversially suggests strategic engagement could pressure Israel politically, contrasting with traditional rejectionist approaches.

4. Controversies and Challenges

Bolsen’s outspoken views have led to smear campaigns, with accusations of extremism—though he consistently denounces violence and groups like ISIS. His focus on nonviolent civil disobedience and critiques of social media platforms (e.g., Facebook’s “algorithmic discrimination”) reflect his unconventional approach.

5. How to Engage

• Podcasts: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Archive.org.
• Telegram Groups: Join working groups on regional activism or volunteer initiatives.
• YouTube Channels: Middle Nation and Middle Nation Translations for multilingual content.

Conclusion
Middle Nation represents a blend of Islamic ethics, anti-colonial rhetoric, and pragmatic strategy. While polarizing, Bolsen’s work underscores the need for Muslim-majority nations to reclaim agency in a shifting global order. For deeper insights, explore his podcasts, writings, and ongoing projects.