Why I Publish Daily (or Sometimes More)

A Jihad of the Pen, a struggle against injustice, and a call to stand united

One of the most common questions I receive is “How do you manage to publish on a daily basis? Isn’t it exhausting? Overwhelming?”

It’s a good question and deserves a good answer. In fact, I have four good answers.

One: I’ve been thinking a lot about my father lately. As you know he passed just seven weeks ago. He was a fighter in the truest sense—with words, principles, and relentless courage. He reminded me constantly that the worst thing a person could do in the face of injustice is remain silent. And he lived by that example.

Losing him has been difficult. It’s also ignited a renewed fire and a stark reminder that none of us are here forever. And with the world as it is—with human rights under assault, fascism rearing its head, and corruption burrowing deeper into the systems meant to protect us—we cannot afford to be silent. How can any of us?

Two: Indeed, the threats to our human rights aren’t on pause. Fascism doesn’t skip weekends and corporate greed doesn’t observe holidays. I want to do my best to ensure each of you, the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to Let’s Address This, are not just aware of these threats, but are equipped with the facts to fight back.

That’s also why I keep my work free. All of it. No paywalls. Ever. I don’t have billionaire donors. I don’t have major media platforms funding and dictating my work (though in full disclosure they have approached me only to get a resounding “Nope”). I have you. While corporate press obsesses over profits, I focus on increasing accessibility. So to those gracious enough to become paid subscribers, please know that as you elevate my research, you also keep it accessible for our millions of monthly readers.

Three: Because I cherish this community we’re building. I cherish your trust, support, and your willingness to take action on the calls to action I share. This isn’t just some newsletter—it’s a community of people who refuse to look away. Who call members of Congress to oppose genocide. Who sign petitions to protect Medicaid. Who show up to march against fascism. Who take the plunge to run for office. Who donate to front line human rights orgs. That’s what we’ve built, together, and I cherish every bit of it.

Four: In my faith of Islam, there’s a concept called Jihad. Contrary to what corporate media often portrays, Jihad means “to struggle”—specifically, to struggle against injustice and evil. My father taught me that the most powerful form of Jihad is the Jihad of the Pen. To struggle against ignorance with education. To struggle against hate with compassion. To struggle against apathy with activism.

That’s what I’m trying to do here—win the Jihad of the pen, the struggle against injustice. If we don’t stand up against injustice, we are complicit. And my father raised me better than that.

In Closing: Even now, I am facing attacks on my person and livelihood that I cannot yet discuss publicly. But it’s also why I am all the more grateful for your trust, your support, and your willingness to join me in this struggle against injustice. I know that together we will grow this movement to challenge those in power, demand justice, and effectuate meaningful change for good.

Thank you for believing in this mission, and for believing in me. I promise to keep speaking up, keep fighting back, and keep building with you as long as I am able.

Sincerely and united in this struggle for justice,

— Qasim