Introducing my latest project: QAWWAM

The magazine by Muslim men, for Muslim men.

If you’ve been following my Twitter for the past month, you’ve probably seen me talk about my work on a new publication for Muslim men. I was quite vague at first, but now that the first issue is out it’s about time to let you all know about it.

As of today, QAWWAM Magazine, Issue 1, is out now, entirely free. You can just hit that link and download it.

This might be a little surprising to some of you, and for others, you might find this format of media weird and novel. I wanted to put this post out to explain myself.

The brief rundown explaining in simple terms my motivation is in the Editor’s Letter. Here I’ll go more in detail and answer some FAQs. Many of you know I’m a fan of Man’s World Magazine by the anonymous writer, whom I’m happy to call a great online mutual and friend, Raw Egg Nationalist. I’ve written for it before actually, and ever since had the idea that I should, one day, create a similar publication for the young Muslim men who follow me. I already have the design skills and a lifelong artistic eye, I write all the time; all it would take is the work and inspiration to make it happen.

Well, one might ask, why? Why not just keep writing and posting these memes and parodies you design? Why make it into the magazine format, something so ancient and old-fashioned?

First off, the space clearly demanded it. The success of Raw Egg Nationalist’s magazine already proved that many young men enjoy this type of content, and because of how it’s organized it’s a natural filter for most who would be hostile to the messages we’re presenting. It’s quick, snappy, and presents long-form content in a digestible way.

Second, I wanted to bring greater attention to my friends on the “Dissident Muslim” side of the internet, as it exists now, who are very talented writers and artists themselves but either don’t care enough, don’t have the time, or don’t have the know-how to promote themselves. QAWWAM is going to work as a central publication that brings more eyes to these gentlemen, and brings them and their work together when they contribute to the magazine.

Third? Blogs and Substacks are great, but they’re limited by the fact that most people’s attention spans suck, and can only seem to be animated by either short and snappy content or long-form stuff if it’s grouped into “releases” that they look forward to. I also just wanted to have fun and centralize my memes and writing in the most effective propaganda possible. Other than my logo, you guys are free to use the memes and graphics in the magazine however you like. Go wild and spread the Based Muslim message.

To answer some frequently asked questions:

1. Who's on your team?

   No one. It’s just me. I’m Editor in Chief, Art Director, graphic designer, all of it. I’m f***ing sick, due to previous experiences, of the mere thought of trying to start a passion project of this kind with a group of guys just so it ends in abysmal failure for stupid life reasons. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and only really am friends with guys who are driven by real goals — but this is different. I don’t want to deal with meetings, phone calls, shared spreadsheets — f*** all that. I just want to make great art and gather contributions from people I like and want to promote.

2. Wait, can I submit something for the magazine? Can anyone?

   I mean pretty much, yeah. Obviously, you have to be a Muslim man. I understand many men’s magazines let some women write for them, but I don’t see the appeal. Not sorry. If you fit that criterion and think you can make the cut to submit any piece of writing in the realm of Islam, fiction, history, fitness, politics, culture, etc., then email me (avdullah@protonmail.com) and we can take it from there. I have very high standards and will only accept the best.

3. Is it monetized in any way? Will it ever be? Do/will you pay people to write for QAWWAM?

   For the first one — fact, I have no idea. This is going to be on my mind for a while, but trying to monetize this now seems very stupid to me. I’m trying to spread propaganda for my ideas like wildfire right now, putting a paywall doesn’t seem conducive to that goal. I might provide paperback copies of collections of certain content or have a subscription service in the future. In terms of paying people, obviously not in the present. I’m opening the door for all of us and not making any money off this right now, so all they’re getting is — yes, I’m going to say it — EXPOSURE to a wider audience and niche, as well as networking with the other dudes I gather. For example, this issue alone brings light to two great accounts (Muslim Bitcoiner and Secret Muslim Banker) who are just really smart anon guys talking about Islamic finance. The connections this creates will be far more rewarding to me than any monetary benefit, which by God’s grace I’m in no dire need of. If in the future this just so happens to grow so big that people have to pay me for advertising, great, Allah blesses whom he wills. But right now the objective is growth.

Anyway, I’m glad to see the first issue make the rounds already. You guys are the best. The second issue is estimated to be out in Late August/Early September.

Thanks!