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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we sit inside the historic Al-Nuri Bimaristan in Damascus with Dr. Francesca Bocca-Aldaqre to explore one of the most remarkable institutions in Islamic civilisation.

The bimaristan was not simply a hospital. It was a place of healing that understood the human being in their entirety, body, mind, and soul. At a time when much of the world had yet to develop humane approaches to mental healthcare, Islamic civilisation had already built institutions rooted in dignity, compassion, and holistic care.

Together, we explore what made the bimaristan unique, from its patient-centred design and therapeutic environment to the waqf systems that sustained it for generations. We also reflect on what Syria has lost through war, what traditional Islamic approaches to healing can still offer today, and whether these institutions can once again play a role in rebuilding a wounded society.

As Syria looks toward recovery, this conversation asks an urgent question: can true reconstruction happen without healing the people themselves?

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

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In this episode of The Thinking Muslim, we are joined once again by political analyst Sami Hamdi to unpack the far-reaching consequences of the Iran-Israel war and what it reveals about the changing balance of power in the Middle East.

When the conflict began, Washington and Tel Aviv spoke of regime change in Tehran, destroying Iran’s nuclear programme, and remaking the region. Yet months later, many of those ambitions appear unrealised. We examine whether the war has damaged perceptions of American power, strengthened Iran's position, and exposed the limits of Israeli influence despite its military campaign.

We also explore the growing independence of regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, both of which resisted pressure to join a wider confrontation. Has a new regional order begun to emerge?

The conversation turns to Syria, where Ahmed al-Sharaa faces mounting pressure to navigate a volatile geopolitical landscape while prioritising stability and reconstruction. We discuss whether Damascus can avoid being drawn into future conflicts and what role Syria may play in the region's future.

We also examine the continuing tensions between Türkiye and Israel, the state of the Saudi-UAE rivalry, Mohammed bin Salman's standing in the Muslim world, and whether new trade corridors and rail projects signal the revival of a long-lost vision of Muslim economic integration.

Finally, we discuss reports of a potential multi-billion-dollar package involving Iran, including sanctions relief, infrastructure rebuilding, guaranteed loans and the unfreezing of assets, and what this could mean for the future of the region.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and do not represent the views of the host, producers, platform, or any affiliated organisation. This content is provided for lawful, informational, and analytical purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

06:20 - Strait of Hormuz Showdown: Has Iran Forced Washington to Back Down? | Regime Change and Regional Power

20:30 - Iran’s Support for Militias in Syria | What Kind of Iran Emerges After This Conflict?

40:30 - Has Israel Lost the Public Relations War? | How Iran Changed American Perceptions of Israel

54:15 - Erdoğan’s Warning to Israel | Is Turkey the Next Target?

1:08:45 - Syria After the Revolution | The Limits of Pragmatism and Dealing with the US

1:24:15 - The New Hijaz Railway | A Symbol of Muslim Unity After 100 Years of Division?

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