The Maternalist Quartet
The Maternalist Quartet Podcast
Bridging Arabia & Africa
0:00
-37:00

Bridging Arabia & Africa

Balanced Leadership & Africa’s Hidden Legacy: Reclaiming Power and Responsibility

Leadership is a delicate balance between power and accountability. From Queen Bilqis of Sheba/Saaba to the great women of Islam, history is filled with figures who embodied both wisdom and strength—qualities that remain crucial today.

Too often, leadership is distorted:

Authority without accountability leads to oppression and exploitation.

Accountability without authority results in burnout and powerlessness.

We see this imbalance in homes, workplaces, and societies. A man may bear financial responsibility for his household but lack the authority to prevent its misuse. Nations have been stripped of resources and identity, forced to carry burdens without control over their own destiny. Africa’s legacy is a prime example—the erasure of its history and the misrepresentation of its wealth are direct consequences of this severance of power from responsibility.

Yet, when power and accountability align, the results are transformative. The Quranic account of Queen Bilqis presents a leader who ruled with wisdom, sought knowledge, and led with justice. Likewise, Asiyah, Maryam, Khadijah, and Fatimah were not passive figures but pioneers who shaped history.

Africa, too, has a hidden legacy waiting to be uncovered. From the true extent of Queen Bilqis’s rule to Ethiopia’s Christian heritage, Sudan’s towering ‘Adamites,’ and Islam’s deep roots in Abyssinia, history challenges the narratives we’ve been taught. Why has Africa’s influence been erased? How have colonialism and systemic biases shaped our understanding?

Join us as we explore:

✅ The untold history of Africa’s leaders and their influence.

✅ The impact of distorted leadership in our personal and collective lives.

✅ How we can reclaim our narratives and demand accountability.

If you've ever felt the frustration of responsibility without power or seen authority wielded unjustly, this conversation is for you. It’s time to break free from cycles of exploitation and rediscover the strength of true, balanced leadership.

Al-Idrisi's world map from 'Ali ibn Hasan al-Hufi al-Qasimi's 1456 copy. This is an example of the circular world maps inserted into the manuscript in later editions.

Be part of the change. Tune in now.

Uncovering Africa’s Hidden Legacy: The Queen of Sheba, Egypt, and the Ties That Bind

History is not always what we think it is. Boundaries shift, narratives evolve, and powerful legacies are often buried beneath layers of time and prejudice. This week, we take a deep dive into one of history’s most enigmatic figures—Queen Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba or Saaba — and her connection to Africa, Arabia, and the biblical King Solomon.

Did her territory extend further south than we realise? What does her story reveal about Africa’s deeply intertwined history with the Middle East? And why is so much of Africa’s historical wealth—both material and intellectual—so often dismissed or ignored?

In this powerful discussion, we explore:

The changing demarcations of Africa and how different historians have interpreted its borders.

The fascinating variations of the Queen of Sheba’s story across multiple faith traditions.

The deep-seated prejudices that have shaped historical narratives, from colonialism to systemic racism.

The hidden truths of Africa’s influence, from Ethiopia’s Christian heritage to Sudan’s towering ‘Adamites’ and Egypt’s overlooked African ties.

The complex realities of the transatlantic slave trade, challenging the notion that Africans were simply stolen rather than sold by rival kingdoms.

The rich, untold history of Islamic influence in Abyssinia, where the first Muslims found refuge before the Hijrah to Medina.

Africa has long been positioned as the world's "forgotten continent," but history tells a different story—one of power, depth, and profound influence. Why has so much of this legacy been erased, and what does it mean for us today?

Join us as we peel back the layers, challenge outdated narratives, and reconnect with a past that still shapes our present. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation—tune in now!

#Leadership #AfricanHistory #IslamicHistory #PowerAndResponsibility #QueenBilqis #HiddenLegacy #DecolonizeHistory #ReclaimYourNarrative #WisdomAndStrength #Justice #BalancedLeadership #KnowYourHistory