ChatGPT and Grok's s Take on Mr Sultan Shahin, Founding Editor, New Age Islam's Journalistic Life
By Arman Neyazi, New Age Islam
1 January 2026
I recently went through a very absorbing take of ChatGPT on Muhammad Yunus Saheb.
ChatGPT's Take on Muhammad Yunus (Freelance Quranic Scholar)
I have been an avid reader and admirer of all his articles and the book published on New Age Islam.
Mr Shahin’s journalistic career spans almost four decades. He must have been a witness to political and social upheaval and religious chaos across the globe. Happenings of the world impact a thinking and sensitive mind; hence, it crossed my mind to know how Mr Shahin’s thinking mind took all the social and political changes and religious upheavals that took place during these four decades, and what information ChatGPT and Grok can provide about Mr Sultan Shahin, Founding Editor, New Age Islam.
I asked ChatGPT about its take on Mr Shahin, and the following is the result;------
Image of Mr Sultan Shahin
ChatGPT’s Take on Mr Sultan Shahin’s Career
Sultan Shahin is an Indian journalist and the founding editor of New Age Islam, a progressive online platform dedicated to reformist interpretations of Islam. He is widely recognized for his outspoken critique of extremism and his advocacy for theological introspection within Muslim communities. His work emphasizes the need to challenge supremacist ideologies and political Islam while promoting pluralism and peace.
Background and Career
Profession: Indian journalist, editor, and publisher.
Platform: Founder of New Age Islam, an online publication that provides reformist perspectives on Islamic theology and contemporary issues.
Focus Areas:
Countering extremism and terrorism.
Advocating reform in Islamic thought.
Encouraging moderate ulema and Sufi theologians to critically examine supremacist elements in their traditions2.
Intellectual Contributions
Critical Writings: Shahin frequently publishes essays and editorials urging Muslims to revisit theological positions that may inadvertently support intolerance or political Islam.
Themes in His Work:
Reformist Islam: Calls for reinterpretation of Islamic texts in light of modern values like democracy, gender equality, and human rights.
Opposition to Extremism: Strongly critiques radical ideologies and extremist groups that misuse religion for violence.
Pluralism: Advocates for Islam as a faith that should coexist peacefully with other religions and modern secular societies12.
Influence and Reach
Global Relevance: His writings resonate not only in India but also among reformist Muslim thinkers worldwide
Public Engagement: Through New Age Islam, Shahin provides a platform for debate and dialogue, encouraging Muslims to confront difficult questions about theology and modernity.
LinkedIn Presence: He has also shared commentary on global issues such as the Middle East peace process, India’s NRC/CAA protests, and COVID-19 responses
Key Takeaways
Aspect: Sultan Shahin’s Position
Extremism: Strongly opposed; calls for theological reform to counter it
Supremacism: Urges ulema to cleanse supremacist elements from theology
Political Islam: Critiques its influence and advocates separation of faith from politics
Reform: Promotes reinterpretation of Islamic texts for modern values
Platform: New Age Islam – reformist online publication
Risks & Challenges: Resistance from Traditionalists: His reformist stance often draws criticism from conservative scholars who view reinterpretation as deviation.
Security Concerns: Critiquing extremism and political Islam can make reformist voices targets of hostility.
Balancing Reform and Tradition: His challenge lies in promoting reform without alienating mainstream believers.
Specific Positions and Articles by Sultan Shahin
Women’s Rights
Sultan Shahin advocates for gender justice within Islamic theology, urging reinterpretation of texts to promote equality and challenge patriarchal norms. He emphasizes the importance of women’s rights as integral to a modern, reformist Islam.
In his writings and speeches, he calls for Muslim communities to reject misogynistic interpretations and support women’s empowerment in social, political, and religious spheres.
Secularism
Shahin supports the principle of secularism as a framework where the state remains neutral towards all religions, ensuring equal rights and protections for all citizens regardless of faith.
He argues that secularism is essential for pluralism and peaceful coexistence in diverse societies, and that political Islam should be separated from governance to prevent authoritarianism and extremism.
Extremism
A vocal critic of extremism, Sultan Shahin calls for a theological overhaul to discard violent and supremacist ideologies that have been historically justified under traditional interpretations.
He urges Islamic scholars to develop a new theology centered on peace, pluralism, and human rights, rejecting the traditional theology of war and conflict.
His statement at the UN Human Rights Council highlighted the need for reformist voices to counteract extremist narratives and promote inclusive interpretations of Islam.
These positions reflect Sultan Shahin’s broader commitment to reformist Islam, emphasizing peace, equality, and coexistence.
UNSC Speeches by Sultan Shahin
Sultan Shahin has delivered impactful speeches at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where he articulated his reformist views on Islam and global peace. His speeches emphasize the urgent need for theological reform to counter extremism and promote pluralism.
Key Themes in His UNSC Speeches
Condemnation of Extremism: Shahin strongly denounces extremist ideologies that justify violence and terror in the name of Islam, calling for a unified global response.
Call for Theological Reform: He advocates for reinterpretation of Islamic texts to eliminate supremacist and violent interpretations, urging scholars to embrace peace-centered theology.
Promotion of Pluralism: Shahin highlights the importance of coexistence among different religious and ethnic groups, stressing secular governance as a foundation for peace.
Human Rights and Gender Equality: His speeches underscore the necessity of upholding human rights, including women’s rights, within Islamic frameworks.
Notable Speech Highlights
In one address, Shahin emphasized that combating terrorism requires addressing the ideological roots within religious teachings, not just military action.
He urged the international community to support reformist Muslim voices who challenge extremist narratives.
Shahin called for increased dialogue between Muslim scholars and global institutions to foster mutual understanding and peace.
These speeches reinforce Sultan Shahin’s role as a prominent reformist voice on the international stage, advocating for a peaceful and inclusive interpretation of Islam.
Conclusion
Sultan Shahin stands out as a courageous reformist voice in contemporary Islamic discourse, using New Age Islam to push for introspection, pluralism, and resistance to extremism. His work is both admired and contested, reflecting the broader struggle within Islam between tradition and modernity.
References (3)
1 Sultan Shahin - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Shahin
2 Sultan Shahin, Founding Editor, New Age Islam | SabrangIndia. https://sabrangindia.in/content-author/sultan-shahin-founding-editor-new-age-islam-18751/
3 Sultan Shahin - Editor and Publisher at NewAgeIslam.com | LinkedIn. https://in.linkedin.com/in/sultan-shahin-74973715
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I was curious to see what Grok, a generative AI Chatbot and large language model (LLM) created by Elon Musk's company, xAI, known for its real-time access to information, says about Mr Sultan Shahin, and here is the conversation
Sultan Shahin is an Indian journalist and the founding editor of New Age Islam, an online platform dedicated to promoting moderate, progressive, and reformist interpretations of Islam while critiquing extremism, jihadism, and what he terms "Petrodollar Islam" (rigid interpretations funded by oil-rich states).
Early Career
Shahin began his journalistic career in 1972 with Radiance Weekly, the English-language organ of the Jamaat-e-Islami in Delhi. He soon left due to ideological differences with the organization's conservative stance.
International Experience
Over the decades, he worked with various newspapers, news agencies, and media organizations in India and abroad, including a stint in London during the 1980s. Experiences in the UK, such as encounters with radicalized youth promoting exclusivist views, profoundly influenced his worldview and motivated his later focus on countering religious extremism.
Later Work
He contributed to outlets like Asia Times Online and edited a New Delhi-based community magazine. Based in Delhi since the early 1970s, Shahin has been a vocal commentator on Islamic affairs, advocating for pluralism, peace, and reform within Muslim thought.
Founding New Age Islam
In April 2008, while temporarily based in Suriname, he founded New Age Islam (newageislam.com) as a web magazine to reclaim Islam from jihadists and Salafist-Wahhabi influences, mapping a progressive agenda for the faith in the 21st century.
Shahin continues as its editor, running the platform with a small team and emphasizing spiritual, tolerant interpretations of Islam over political or supremacist ones. He has addressed forums like the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on issues of Islamism and reform.
New Age Islam (newageislam.com) is a reformist online platform founded by Sultan Shahin in 2008, focused on promoting moderate, pluralistic, and progressive interpretations of Islam while critiquing extremism, Wahhabism, and jihadist ideologies.
Session 28 | Diversity & Harmony 🎙️ Shri Sultan Shahin ...
facebook.com
Sultan Shahin on Muslims and Islam: The Boy Said: “Kill Them ...
newageislam.com
en.wikipedia.org
The site features articles, translations, and debates on Islamic reform, often written or curated by Shahin himself. Many of its key articles are Shahin's editorials addressing theological reform, sectarianism, radicalization, and the need for a peaceful, contextual understanding of Islam.
Key Articles by Sultan Shahin on New Age Islam
Here are some of the most notable and influential articles, often highlighted for their bold calls for introspection and reform:
The Shia-Sunni Divide: How Real and How Deep - Can We Muslims Move Towards Genuine Unity (October 2008) Explores historical roots of sectarianism and advocates for reconciliation and unity among Muslims. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-sectarianism/sultan-shahin-editor-new-age-islam/the-shia-sunni-divide-how-real-how-deep-can-muslims-move-towards-genuine-unity/d/857
Rebooting Islam: Let us at least resolve the issue - Who is a Muslim (January 2009) Calls for rethinking Islam in the 21st century through ijtihad (independent reasoning) and resolving definitional disputes to foster inclusivity. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/ijtihad-rethinking-islam/sultan-shahin-editor-new-age-islam/rebooting-islam-let-us-at-least-resolve-the-issue--who-is-a-muslim/d/1085
Wahhabi Impact: Influence of Wahhabi Islam on the Indian Muslim community is growing (November 2013) Discusses the rising influence of rigid Wahhabi interpretations in India, including on Sufi traditions. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/sultan-shahin-founding-editor-new-age-islam/wahhabi-impact-influence-wahhabi-islam-indian-muslim-community-growing/d/24413
Why Can’t Mosques Be Relocated Or Deconsecrated And Sold In Certain Situations As Churches Are? (June 2022) Challenges rigid views on mosques and calls for pragmatic approaches to community needs. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/the-war-islam/sultan-shahin-founding-editor-new-age-islam/-cant-mosques-be-relocated-deconsecrated-sold-certain-situations-churches-are/d/127166
Addressing the UNHRC at Geneva: Sultan Shahin Questions Contemporary Applicability of Contextual Verses of Quran (2016) Delivered at the UN Human Rights Council; questions the modern use of 7th-century war-related Quranic verses and the divinity of Hadith/Sharia. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/ijtihad-rethinking-islam/sultan-shahin-founding-editor-new-age-islam/addressing-unhrc-geneva-sultan-shahin-questions-contemporary-applicability-contextual-verses-quran-meant-7th-century-wars-divinity-hadith-sharia/d/108674
Defeating Islamism and Jihadism: Evolve a New Theology of Peace, Pluralism and Gender Justice (2018) Urges Muslim states to develop a counter-theology to jihadism, emphasizing peace and equality. Link: https://www.newageislam.com/radical-islamism-and-jihad/defeating-islamism-and-jihadism--evolve-a-new-theology-of-peace-pluralism-and-gender-justice-sultan-shahin-asks-muslim-states-at-unhrc-in-geneva/d/116379
These articles reflect the platform's core mission: countering "Petrodollar Islam" and reclaiming a tolerant, spiritual Islam. The site also hosts contributions from other reformist thinkers, but Shahin's pieces are central to its identity. For the latest content, visit newageislam.com directly, as it regularly features editorials and translations on current issues.
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Arman Neyazi is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism