I'm getting the feeling more and more that the original SAIF movement is somehow inauthentic, too artificial. Kind of just an "non-binding declaration of intent," at worst a more pretentious form of piety signaling. BTW, "non-binding declaration of intent" is also how advertising is defined, which is why legally speaking, it can spread lies about a product or service.
I'm coming to this view more and more, not just because of recent events, but I had this impression from the beginning, from the first so-called "SAIF-OGs." It's not about the abstract, very theoretical articles they write, but more:
- Lack of practical relevance
- None of the SAIF-OGs are active here on Nostr (despite a certain number of supporters in the Muslim community)
- I hardly ever see them talking about Bitcoin or OPSEC
- They're not involved in the FOSS scene and talk too little about it
... just idealistic yada yada blah blah in hard-to-digest articles all the time.
In short, it feels like every crap we modern Muslims set up these days: Fake, without substance, quickly passing. Basically like an Islamic shitcoin.
There are some real SAIF Muslims, don't get me wrong. They were SAIF before the term even existed. Like nostr:npub17veg2gt7ja4dnjhs23jyttvpqlde3ajevlxuumxwghnqmgqwuv4q78cc5z and nostr:npub1uzfp6cgwue2njm86cmyeq7m26y0n58w72acq98sjsnnv4c87002s6857h3 for example. They take the ideas behind it seriously from the beginning. I myself have written articles on my domains that could be classified as "SAIF," but never labeled them as such. But the guys behind https://saif.systems/? Yeah, nice website, so what? It seems to me like this new, artificial SAIF movement just settled into the ready-made nest and is somehow trying to take it over.
I've observed it for a long time, kept quiet for a long time, didn't want to be the critic who ruins a good thing right at the start with criticism. But now? Stay away from me with "SAIF," you hypocrites. I myself will only use the term mockingly from now on. And I'll understand it that way if someone brings it up to me. With a contemptuous smile.
I agree with a lot of what you wrote but I still support them. I see SAIF as laying the ground work for theory + praxis that can inspire future endeavors inshaAllah. It's inspired me for sure.
I do wish SAIF was more cypherpunk. Neglecting that ethos will hurt SAIF in the long run (though I'm unable to explain how)
What is SAIF exactly? Is it an org with certain principles? Does it have a Does it have a hierarchy? Is it a new idea or philosophy? (it has to be *new*, because obviously it needs a new term for it). Even that's not clear to beginn with.
Whatever it is, I can't get anything more out of it than a "sincere declaration of intent" without any further consequences, benefits, or connection to real life, whether digital or analog, for Muslims like me.
