"You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself... You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life." -Mufasa
Be prepared for the event of a lifetime! Be prepared for sensational news! Join us for a special conversation led byOthman Altalib as we explore the concept and necessity of Islamic Masculinity though lens of The Lion King!
The story of Simba is one of childhood, loss, care-free drifting, and finally, acceptance of his responsibility as king. In many ways, it is the story young men find themselves living in the modern world.
In this unique talk and latest in our hit Islam and Popular Media series, we will explore the parallels between Simba's life and the lives of boys as they go through the early stages of manhood. We will ask questions like why are so many young men living carefree "Hakuna Matata" lifestyles? Why have they, like Simba, seemingly forgotten who they are and who they were meant to be? And just as Pridelands needed Simba, why do families, communities, and society need men?
This talk is not about criticizing the state of men; it's about the broader questions of why it seems like so many men are not reaching their potential. Like Simba, what are the internal regrets, fears, and shames holding them back? And most importantly, how can they, like Simba, the confront their mistakes and rediscover their responsibilities and roles as men? How can they take their own place in the circle of life, and awaken the king within themselves?
Comprised of a talk followed by discussion questions, this event is open to MEN AND WOMEN ages 14+ and will include heavy discussion of Islamic philosophical and religious concepts. All are encouraged to come to provide a dynamic and wholistic perspective, whether you are a brother or sister, a fan of animation or simply interested in the topic and what lessons we can learn from fiction and apply in real life. Familiarity with the Lion King and Mufasa movie are recommended as this talk will heavy spoilers.
So take your place in the circle of life... and in the circle of attendees! Now that's a wonderful phrase, because this event ain't no passing craze! Grab a ticket to register now so you won't have any more worries, for the rest of your day! If you'd like to seem more events like this in the future, please donate because that's our problem free philosophy! And just as Simba couldn't wait to be king, we just can't wait to see you there Inshallah!
About The Lion King:
A young lion prince is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, who claims he killed his father. While the uncle rules with an iron paw, the prince grows up beyond the Savannah, living by a philosophy: No worries for the rest of your days. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young prince must decide his fate: Will he remain an outcast or face his demons and become what he needs to be?
The Lion King is Rated G for intense thematic elements. Muslim parents should also be aware that the film contains several musical numbers and one romantic song between 2 animated predatory cats. Parental discretion is advised.
About Othman Altalib:
Othman helps leaders transform pressure into purpose and discomfort into growth. Raised in a family of Islamic leaders, he grew up under high expectations while wrestling with ADHD and being told he did not fit the mold. Choosing to embrace the high expectations, he graduated at the top of his class at George Mason University. He then grew to become a coach, motivational speaker, operator, strategist, and community leader that has led in high-growth environments at Fortune 100 companies, late-stage startups, and mission-driven ventures.
Othman’s career began in consulting at IBM before he joined a late-stage startup that went public and then moved to Google, where he excelled professionally and led the 3,000+ member Muslims@Google community worldwide. Living in the Bay Area exposed him to some of the most brilliant Muslims working at the highest levels, sparking a vision of what the Ummah could achieve if it built leaders grounded in faith and courage.
He later served as Chief Growth Officer at a Series A startup, where he rebuilt the company strategy, secured major Series B funding, and positioned the company for a future exit. That experience showed Othman how isolating leadership can feel when carrying the weight of responsibility alone.
In 2024, after witnessing the horrors unfolding in Palestine, Othman left corporate America and founded RYSE Coaching to help Muslim men reclaim clarity, discipline, and presence. This shared passion for coaching Muslims led to the creation of Miraj Collective with Asheq and Shaykh Mikaeel.
For two decades, Othman has delivered khutbahs across the U.S., served on boards of global Muslim organizations, and advised leaders on strategy and operational excellence. Othman is an 8x Triathlon finisher, including two Ironman 70.3. He lives in Virginia with his wife and three sons, striving to leave a legacy of strength, mercy, and prophetic leadership.