In this powerful episode of OnGuard by Islam21c, Hamza Andreas Tzortzis sits down with Dr Zeyn Green-Thompson, a medical doctor and psychiatrist, for an honest and profoundly moving conversation on mental health, hope, and the Muslim experience.

Together, they explore some of the most difficult and often unspoken topics in our communities, including depression, hopelessness, and s**cidal ideation. Dr Zeyn brings rare clarity by combining clinical psychiatry with an Islamic worldview, showing how īmān, meaning, and responsibility can reshape the way we understand suffering and recovery.

This discussion goes beyond labels and quick fixes. We talk about:

• What hopelessness really means from a clinical perspective
• Why despair is central to s**cidal intent
• The biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of mental health
• How Islamic concepts such as duty, patience, humility, and hope offer practical protection
• How Muslims should approach others who are struggling, with empathy rather than harshness
• Why listening matters more than giving blanket advice

Dr Zeyn also shares real clinical insights from his work in psychiatry, reflecting on how timeless Islamic principles can be communicated in ways that help both Muslims and non-Muslims.

This is not just an intellectual discussion. It is personal, reflective, and deeply human. Whether you are struggling yourself, supporting someone else, or simply want a more grounded way to think about mental wellbeing, this conversation is essential viewing.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why This Episode Is Different
02:59 – S**cide & Mental Health in the Muslim Community
06:29 – What Is Hopelessness, Clinically Speaking?
10:04 – The Critical Shift: From Ideation to Intent
13:09 – “Hopelessness Is Always a Lie”
16:34 – When Depression Overwhelms Rational Thought
19:39 – Biology, Psychology & Social Triggers Explained
22:54 – Why Muslims Must Add the Spiritual Dimension
25:54 – Duty, Not Outcomes: A Powerful Mental Framework
29:04 – Why This Approach Works for Non-Muslims Too
31:54 – A Personal Childhood Story of Shame & Isolation
35:14 – How to Speak to Someone Who Is Struggling

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“They stole land from the Palestinians and they stole identity from Jews.”

In this remarkable conversation, Rabbi Elhanan Beck — a Palestinian-born rabbi from Stamford Hill — shares his powerful story and deep insights into the clear distinction between Judaism and Zionism.

He explains why true Judaism is rooted in faith, humility, and obedience to God, while Zionism, as he argues, transformed a spiritual religion into a political and national project divorced from its sacred origins.

Together, we explore:
🔹 What it truly means to be Jewish according to the Torah
🔹 The 13 principles of faith outlined by Maimonides
🔹 How Zionism emerged as a secular movement
🔹 The Jewish understanding of exile and the promised land
🔹 The peaceful vision of the Messiah in Jewish scripture
🔹 Centuries of coexistence between Muslims and Jews

This is a heartfelt and eye-opening discussion that challenges common narratives and offers a glimpse into an authentic Jewish perspective on faith, identity, and justice.

Also watch:

Jewish Rabbi gives an Islamic History lesson
https://youtu.be/xbI2S9wG--o

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To extend the reach of our impactful content, kindly consider making a contribution (www.islam21c.com/guardians). Your support helps us make a difference.

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A quiet name change on a school register. Pronouns switched without a word to the parents. Then the reveal: at home she’s one child, at school she’s another. That’s the moment most families realise they can’t outsource their children’s formation—and it’s where our conversation with Yusuf Patel begins.

We dig into how parents can confidently navigate RSE in UK schools without retreating from education altogether. Yusuf explains why emailing questions (not just chatting at the gate) creates an audit trail that compels a school to reflect: what exactly is being taught, which parts are compulsory, and how will the religious background of pupils be respected? We unpack the latest legal clarity on biological sex, what it means for toilets, uniforms, social transitioning, and safeguarding, and how to press for policy updates that protect freedom of belief in the classroom. Real case studies show how calm complaints turned into apologies, revised policies, and cancelled sessions when materials crossed the line—proof that small, strategic wins protect many children.

Then we turn the lens homeward. Values are caught, not taught, so we talk about building a lived Islam that children can see: praying on time, modelling charity, showing gratitude and tawbah, and aligning daily choices with faith. Yusuf calls fathers to emotional availability—hugs, words of affection, and presence that inoculate against online echo chambers and peer pressure. And when a child says, “I’m not a boy,” we offer a roadmap rooted in love: slow down, look beneath the label, rebalance home routines, limit digital triggers, and seek a trusted Muslim counsellor who explores underlying needs rather than fast-tracking identity claims.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or governor looking for practical steps, legal awareness, and heart-level guidance, this conversation will equip you to engage schools wisely and strengthen your home. Subscribe, share with a fellow parent, and leave a review with the one question you’ll email your school this week. Your voice—and your love—can change the outcome.

Chapters:

0:00 Chapter 1 - Intro

1:41 Chapter 2 - The Challenge of Sexualised Education

2:10 Chapter 3 - Step One: Know What’s Being Taught

3:55 Chapter 4 - The Power of Engagement

5:35 Chapter 5 - Know Your Rights: The Parental Toolkit

8:54 Chapter 6 - Case Study: A Father’s Impact

11:25 Chapter 7 - Real-Life Incident: A Child Punished for His Faith

13:59 Chapter 8 - Every Success Counts

15:08 Chapter 9 - Teach Children to Speak Out

16:47 Chapter 10 - Courage in the Classroom

19:14 Chapter 11 - Gender Ideology in Primary Education

24:17 Chapter 12 - Advice to Parents

25:31 Chapter 13 - Develop a Child's Relationship With Allah

28:07 Chapter 14 - The Absent Father Problem

30:24 Chapter 15 - The Sunnah of Showing Love

34:18 Chapter 16 - How to Raise Dysfunctional Children

40:04 Chapter 17 - If your child comes to you and says...

46:15 Chapter 18 - Conclusion

This is part of our Guarding Innocence c

Support the show

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