Faisal Kutty

Toronto

Lawyer & Law Prof. | @TorontoStar @Newsweek @AJEnglish @MiddleEastEye @zeteo_news & @TEDx Agent Sought: Son of an Imam: A Journey Through Belief & Disbelief

Articles

Trump's Military Crackdown on Los Angeles Was Unconstitutional | Opinion

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Faisal Kutty

What unfolded in Los Angeles this month wasn't about restoring order. It was a calculated power play—testing the outer limits of executive authority and showcasing just how far President Donald Trump is willing to go in his second term. Federal judges have begun to rebuke his authoritarian actions. But courts alone aren't enough. Protests began on June 6 as grassroots responses to a surge in aggressive ICE raids across Southern California.
Israel manufacturing war to escape accountability

1 week ago | tribune.com.pk | Faisal Kutty

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented and illegal military assault deep into Iranian territory, striking nuclear facilities, government buildings and residential areas in what it dubbed "Operation Rising Lion". Far from a defensive maneuver, this was a calculated escalation designed to ignite a broader regional war, deflect global scrutiny from its ongoing genocide in Gaza and edge closer to the goal of Eretz Israel. This is not self-defense. This is empire in motion.
One rogue nation’s march toward global chaos

2 weeks ago | madhyamamonline.com | Faisal Kutty

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented and illegal military assault deep into Iranian territory, striking nuclear facilities, government buildings, and residential areas in what it dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.” Far from a defensive maneuver, this was a calculated escalation designed to ignite a broader regional war, deflect global scrutiny from its ongoing genocide in Gaza, and edge closer to the goal of Eretz Israel. This is not self-defence. This is empire in motion.
From protest to occupation: The dangerous precedent set in Los Angeles

2 weeks ago | madhyamamonline.com | Faisal Kutty

The phrase used by California Governor Gavin Newsom captures the gravity of the situation: “The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens.” Over the past week, that’s exactly what has unfolded in Los Angeles. The deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines—without the state’s consent and in response to largely peaceful protests—marks a chilling new chapter in American authoritarianism.
Ben Affleck’s stand against Islamophobia underlines liberalism free of selective application

1 month ago | madhyamamonline.com | Faisal Kutty

In an era of viral outrage and celebrity silence, a rare moment of sincerity can break through. That’s exactly what happened last month when I had a brief but unexpected encounter with Hollywood actor Ben Affleck. While walking with my wife, she spotted Affleck in the distance. To her horror, I walked straight up to him before she could stop me. “Hey Ben,” I said. He looked up, clearly caught off guard—likely expecting a selfie request or a comment about The Accountant 2.
Ben Affleck, Islamophobia and global stakes of speaking up

1 month ago | tribune.com.pk | Faisal Kutty

In an era when celebrity commentary often seems either performative or superficial, a rare moment of sincerity can stand out — especially when it affirms dignity over division. That's exactly what happened last month when I had a brief but meaningful encounter with Ben Affleck. While walking together, my wife spotted Affleck in the distance. To her horror, I walked straight up to him before she could stop me. "Hey Ben," I said.
What are we really teaching our students?

1 month ago | madhyamamonline.com | Faisal Kutty

What are we preparing our students for? In classrooms across the globe, universities claim to cultivate critical thinkers—young people who question the world, stand against injustice, and speak up in the face of wrong. We assign Gandhi's Hind Swaraj, Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. We urge our students to speak truth to power. We quote from their speeches and ask our students to reflect on moral courage.
A new Pontiff, an enduring legacy: a Muslim reflection on Pope Leo XIV's first words

1 month ago | madhyamamonline.com | Faisal Kutty

History was made this week with the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy. For many, including this Muslim observer, the moment carried not only symbolic weight but moral urgency. As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis—a pontiff remembered for his prophetic courage and compassion—the question looms: Will his successor carry forward the moral clarity that defined Francis's papacy?
Photos show US helicopters escorting nuclear submarine

1 month ago | cnas.org | Tim Busch |Faisal Kutty |Gabe Evans |Ryan Chan

A United States submarine, USS Kentucky, which is capable of firing nuclear missiles, carried out an armed air escort exercise with helicopters in the Pacific Ocean last month. Why It MattersThe Kentucky is one of the 14 Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in service with the U.S. Navy. Each submarine, often referred to as a "boomer," can carry up to 20 ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, capable of striking targets over 7,456 miles away.
What the Next Pope Can Learn From Francis: A Muslim's Reflection

1 month ago | newsweek.com | Faisal Kutty

As a Muslim who admired Pope Francis, I join millions in mourning a towering moral voice whose leadership transcended faith boundaries. He was the first pontiff I ever quoted extensively in my speeches and writings. And for good reason. In an era of performative politics and moral ambiguity, Francis dared to speak clearly-and compassionately-about injustice, war, poverty, and dignity.