EP16: Greater Isr*el, Ir*n & The Narrative You’re Fed | Faisal Kutty
Hey everyone, Umer here!
Some people plan their path. Others are pushed into it.
And then there are people like Faisal Kutty who didn’t choose a path at all. The path chose him. Through displacement. Through injustice. Through moments that stayed buried… until they came back with purpose.
Here’s what I learned.
Your Path Isn’t Always a Choice, It’s a Response
Faisal doesn’t talk about ambition. He talks about circumstances.
As a child, he fled India during a state of emergency. Moving from safe house to safe house. Leaving everything behind. At the time, it didn’t make sense. But years later, it did.
“I don’t think I ever chose a path… I think the path kind of chose me.”
Sometimes the things you go through early in life quietly shape what you stand for later.
Awareness Changes Everything
It wasn’t until law school that things clicked. He read about “states of emergency” and suddenly understood what had happened to his family. And then came 9/11. Watching governments suspend rights again made one thing clear: The system isn’t as stable as we think.
“I went to law school thinking we have the rule of law… and then one day they can just say we’re going to suspend everything.”
The moment you see how things actually work, you can’t unsee it.
You Don’t Find Purpose You Grow Into It
Faisal didn’t start out wanting to be a lawyer. He wanted to do business. Build something. Make his parents happy. But leadership found him. People started coming to him with problems. Discrimination. Injustice. Real issues. And slowly, that became his responsibility.
“I was in a position to help… and I felt like I had to.”
Purpose doesn’t show up as a big idea. It shows up as small responsibilities you choose not to ignore.
Principles Matter More Than Popularity
One of the strongest things he said:
Speak the truth. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it’s against your own people.
“You must speak up for truth and justice… whether it’s for you or against you.”
That’s where most people stop. They’re okay calling out others. But not themselves. That’s the difference between being loud… and being principled.
Doing Nothing Is Also a Decision
A lot of people feel helpless. Like nothing they do will matter. Faisal disagrees completely.
“Hope comes from doing.”
You don’t need a huge platform. You don’t need to be on the front lines. But you do need to do something. Because doing nothing? That’s still a choice.
You’re More Responsible Than You Think
This was the biggest shift. Especially for people living in stable countries.
“You sit closest to the positions of power that can determine the fate of somebody.”
That means you have influence. And influence comes with responsibility. Not just for yourself. But for others too.
Faith Is Not Just Personal It’s Action
Faisal’s understanding of faith is not passive. It’s not just rituals. It’s accountability.
“If God asks what I did… I can say I did what I could with my talents.”
That line hits. Because it simplifies everything. You don’t have to do everything. But you do have to do something.
If this resonated with you, the full episode dives deeper into immigration, leadership, resilience, and building a life grounded in values.
Watch the full conversation on The Path We Choose.
Watch Full Episode
Thanks for tuning in. I hope this episode encourages you to live authentically and embrace your own path with resilience.
Best,
Umer Farooque
Host, The Path We Choose
