TL;DR
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, initially a social media creator, has become a leading Muslim media voice amid ongoing conflicts. His platform @Muslim rapidly grew during the COVID pandemic, now reaching millions. His role blends journalism with community leadership.
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, a Palestinian-American journalist and founder of the social media platform @Muslim, has become a prominent Muslim media voice amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. His platform, which has grown rapidly to nearly 7 million followers, now plays a crucial role in covering crises like the recent escalation in Palestine, effectively making him an informal editor in chief for Muslim news on social media.
Al-Khatahtbeh launched @Muslim in February 2019, initially to address the lack of Muslim-centered news coverage on social media. His background as a social media strategist helped him craft digestible, shareable content that resonated with a broad, global Muslim audience. During the COVID pandemic’s first Ramadan in 2020, the platform’s audience surged as Muslims turned to social media for connection and worship during lockdowns. As followers grew from 50,000 to 250,000 by 2020, Al-Khatahtbeh recognized the platform’s potential to influence Muslim discourse.
The platform evolved from light-hearted memes and trending topics to serious coverage of current events, including political conflicts and social issues. Al-Khatahtbeh emphasizes the importance of timely, accessible news, often prioritizing coverage of crises like Palestine, Sudan, and Lebanon, sometimes at the expense of lighter content. The platform’s growth accelerated following the October 7 escalation in Palestine, with followers increasing from 2 million to nearly 7 million, as Al-Khatahtbeh and his team provided real-time updates and alternative narratives often missing from mainstream media.
Why It Matters
Al-Khatahtbeh’s rise highlights how social media influencers can assume roles akin to traditional journalists, especially within marginalized communities. His platform’s focus on timely, community-centered news provides an alternative to mainstream outlets, shaping public perception and discourse around critical conflicts. This development underscores the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping Muslim media and the importance of grassroots voices in global crises.
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Background
Prior to founding @Muslim, Al-Khatahtbeh was motivated by witnessing the impact of Donald Trump’s Muslim ban during his college years, which drove him to create a space for Muslim voices. The platform initially gained traction during the pandemic, a period when many Muslims turned to social media for connection. Over time, it shifted from light content to serious news coverage, especially during major conflicts like the Israel-Hamas escalation beginning October 7, 2023. The platform now serves as a de facto news source for many Muslims worldwide, filling gaps left by traditional media outlets.
“I realized the platform could be much bigger when we hit 250,000 followers during lockdown Ramadan. It became clear we were filling a need for Muslim-centered news and community.”
— Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh
“Our job now is to keep covering the crises that mainstream media often overlook, especially in times like this when Muslims around the world need trusted information.”
— Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear how long Al-Khatahtbeh will continue to serve as an informal media leader or whether he plans to formalize his role into a traditional media organization. The long-term sustainability of his platform as a trusted news source amid ongoing conflicts and potential platform restrictions remains uncertain.
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What’s Next
Al-Khatahtbeh and @Muslim are expected to continue providing real-time coverage of the Palestine conflict and other crises. There may be developments regarding formalizing the platform’s role or expanding its journalistic capacity. Monitoring how mainstream media and social platforms respond to his coverage will be key.
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Key Questions
How did Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh become a prominent Muslim media figure?
He founded @Muslim in 2019 to address the lack of Muslim-centered news on social media, growing the platform rapidly during the COVID pandemic and leveraging his social media expertise to provide timely, accessible coverage of current events.
What role does Al-Khatahtbeh currently play in Muslim media?
He acts as an informal editor in chief, overseeing content that covers major conflicts like Palestine, often filling gaps left by traditional media, and shaping Muslim discourse on social platforms.
How has the platform’s content changed over time?
It evolved from memes and trending topics to serious political and social coverage, especially during crises, prioritizing timely updates on conflicts affecting Muslims worldwide.
What challenges does Al-Khatahtbeh face in this role?
He must navigate platform restrictions, community expectations, and the responsibility of reporting on sensitive issues accurately while maintaining trust and engagement.
What are the implications for mainstream media?
Al-Khatahtbeh’s success illustrates how grassroots social media figures can influence public discourse, potentially supplementing or challenging traditional journalism, especially within marginalized communities.
Source: WIRED · Culture
