Ali Shukri Amin portrait

Plate 01 / 11

طالب العلم

Ali Shukri Amin

Ṭālib al-‘ilm, tech CEO, cypherpunk, and published author. Everything here is organised around three pillars: Spirit, Mind, and Body.

At a glance

Study
Ṭālib al-‘Ilm · Muwahhid 🇸🇩
Work
Tech CEO · Cypherpunk · Published author
Education
MS IT Management
Cognition
129 IQ RAIT crystallized (top 3%)
Body
5′11″ · 180 lb · Weightlifting · Martial arts
History
Political prisoner during the Syrian civil war
Interests
Philosophy, Psychology, Geopolitics, MENA, Literature, Poetry, Art, Film, Fine dining, Coffee, Tea, Fashion, Motorcycling

First impressions · Photofeeler

SmartExceptional
9.7/ 10
TrustworthyExceptional
9.5/ 10
AttractiveExceptional
9.5/ 10

Now

What is Ali up to?

Latest highlights across Spirit, Mind, and Body.

Spirit

Islamic study, practice, teaching, and refinement.

Are Sufis Mushrik or Are Salafis Extremists?

Current featured Islamic writing and video-linked update.

Mind

Reading, writing, research, and cultivated curiosity.

Body

Training, movement, recovery, and lived health.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401

My current motorcycle pick for minimalist styling, nimble handling, and everyday riding.

Open motorcycling blog

Geisha

My current coffee fixation when I want something aromatic, clean, and memorable in the cup.

Open tea & coffee blog

Matcha & Pu-erh

The current tea rotation: one for focused ritual and one for slow, earthy depth.

Read tea notes
My favorite restaurants

My Favorite Restaurants

Favorite dining spots and comfort picks I keep returning to.

Restaurants - Been
  1. Oyster Oyster — $$$$ | American, Vegetarian — Northwest Washington, DC — 10.0
  2. Albi — $$$$ | Palestinian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean — Navy Yard, Washington, DC — 9.9
  3. Nasime Japanese Restaurant — $$$$ | Japanese — Old Town, Alexandria, VA — 9.9
  4. Joon — $$ | Persian, Mediterranean, Iranian — Vienna, VA — 9.8
  5. Petite Cerise — $$$ | French — Northwest Washington, DC — 9.7 (Permanently closed)
  6. Sushi Nakazawa — $$$$ | Japanese, Omakase, Sushi — Northwest Washington, DC — 9.7
  7. Rose’s Luxury — $$$$ | American — Capitol Hill, Washington, DC — 9.6
  8. PhoXotic — $$ | Vietnamese, Pho — Northwest Washington, DC — 9.5
  9. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana — $$$ | Mexican, Tapas, Tacos — Penn Quarter, Washington, DC — 9.5
  10. Bourbon and Fig — American — Lake Ridge, VA — 9.4
  11. Ceibo — $$$ | Uruguayan, Wine Bar — Northwest Washington, DC — 9.4
  12. Bistro L’Hermitage — $$$ | French — Woodbridge, VA — score not visible
  13. Kazan Restaurant — $$ | Turkish — McLean, VA — 9.1
  14. The Dabney — $$$$ | American — Shaw, Washington, DC — 9.0
  15. CHIKO — $$ | Chinese, Korean, Asian Fusion — Dupont Circle, Washington, DC — 9.0
  16. Maketto — $$$ | Asian Fusion, Taiwanese, Cantonese — H Street Corridor, Washington, DC — 8.9
  17. I Egg You — $$ | Breakfast, Korean, Asian Fusion — Capitol Hill, Washington, DC — 8.6
  18. Menya Hosaki — $$ | Japanese, Ramen, Noodles — Petworth, Washington, DC — 8.6
  19. Timber Pizza Co. Petworth — $ | Pizza — Northwest Washington, DC — 8.5
  20. Alfreda — $$ | Pizza, Italian — Northwest Washington, DC — 8.4
  21. Yume Sushi — $$$ | Japanese, Sushi — East Falls Church, Arlington, VA — 8.4
  22. Blue Duck Tavern — $$$ | American — Northwest Washington, DC — 8.3
  23. Ravi Kabob House — $$ | Pakistani, South Asian — Ashton Heights, Arlington, VA — 8.1
  24. Ottoman Taverna — $$ | Middle Eastern, Turkish — Mount Vernon Triangle, Washington, DC — 8.0
  25. Bansari Indian Cuisine — $$ | Indian — Vienna, VA — 7.9
  26. Mediterranean Eats and Butchery — Woodbridge, VA — 7.9
  27. CHIYOSHI — $ | Chinese — Woodbridge, VA — 7.8
  28. bb.q Chicken Potomac Town Center — Korean, Fried Chicken — Woodbridge, VA — 7.7
  29. Space 220 Restaurant — cuisine/location not visible — 7.7
  30. America’s Best Wings — $$ — Woodbridge, VA — 7.5
  31. Tasty Crab — $$ | Seafood, American — Woodbridge, VA — 7.4
  32. Two Brothers Chicken — $ — Woodbridge, VA — 7.3
  33. Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant — $$ | Lebanese — Woodbridge, VA — 7.3
  34. La Tingeria — $ | Mexican, Tacos — Falls Church, VA — 7.2
  35. Lutèce — $$$$ | French, Contemporary — Northwest Washington, DC — 7.2
  36. Mim’s Food – Uyghur Cuisine — $$ | Uyghur — Fairfax, VA — 7.1 (Permanently closed)
  37. Kabob Zone — $$ | Afghan — Woodbridge, VA — 7.0
  38. Shawarma Taco — Mediterranean, Mexican — Woodbridge, VA — 7.0
  39. Marib Restaurant — $$ | Middle Eastern, Arabic — Springfield, VA — 6.9
  40. Chili on Top (Woodbridge) — Mexican, Tex-Mex — Woodbridge, VA — 6.8
  41. JINYA Ramen Bar – Logan Circle — $$ | Ramen, Bar, Japanese — Northwest Washington, DC — 6.8
  42. Seray — $$$ | Lebanese — Vienna, VA — 6.7
  43. Residents Cafe & Bar — $$$ | Bar, Brunch, Greek — Connecticut Ave / K Street, Washington, DC — 6.5
  44. Afghan Bistro — $$ | Afghan — Springfield, VA — 6.2
  45. Thai Ghang Waan — $$ | Thai — Springfield, VA — 6.0 (score partially obscured)
  46. Rus Uz — $$ | Russian, Uzbek — Virginia Square, Arlington, VA — 5.3
  47. Anju — $$$ | Korean, Asian Fusion — Northwest Washington, DC — 5.3
  48. Rasika — $$$ | Indian — Northwest Washington, DC — 5.3
  49. The Cheesecake Factory — $$ | American — Woodbridge, VA — 4.6
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