Season 16
An Unholy Alliance: Fourteen Blood-Drenched Centuries
Explore the deep-rooted conflict between Sunnis and Shias that has shaped Islamic history for nearly fourteen centuries. Following Muhammad's death in 632, a dispute over leadership succession led to a split: Sunnis supported community-elected leaders, while Shias believed leadership should remain w...
Islam at War with Itself: Understanding the Yemen Conflict
n this episode, explore the complex nature of the Muslim-versus-Muslim violence in the Middle East, focusing on the ongoing Yemen Civil War. Learn about the key factions, including the Sunni government and the Houthi rebels, a Shia group, and how their struggle for power has led to a humanitarian cr...
Dreams of a World Empire: The Rise and Expansion of Early Islam
Explore the historical expansion of the Muslim empire following Muhammad's death in 632. Delve into the rapid territorial conquests under the first caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab, and the empire's reach from Spain to India within a century. Learn about the resurgence of Islamic influence ...
A Journey to Faith: Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Conversion
Explore the captivating story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's conversion from Islam to atheism and ultimately to Christianity. In a profound conversation at the Dissident Dialogues festival with Richard Dawkins, Ali shares how a personal crisis led her to find new meaning and connection through faith. Discover...
Hope on the Horizon: Reassessing the Muslim Brotherhood
In this episode, explore Dr. Michael Youssef's insights into the complexities surrounding the Muslim Brotherhood. Discover why certain Middle Eastern nations view the organization as a threat, and how perspectives in America may be shifting. Learn about Texas Senator Ted Cruz's efforts to designate ...
Understanding the Tensions: Why Islamists Oppose Christianity
In this episode, explore the reasons behind the hostility some jihadists hold toward Christianity, as outlined by Dr. Michael Youssef in "An Unholy Alliance." Discover the historical, cultural, and ideological factors contributing to this enmity, including perceptions of Western society, the legacy ...
Sayyid Qutb and the New Interpretation of Jihad
In this episode, explore the influential role of Sayyid Qutb in reshaping Islamic political thought. Discover how his reinterpretation of jihad, influenced by Salafism and the Wahhabi Movement, advocated for militant action and challenged traditional Islamic law. Learn about Qutb's division of the w...
A Jihadist in Colorado: Sayyid Qutb's American Experience
Explore the intriguing story of Sayyid Qutb, a Sunni Muslim scholar whose time in 1949 Colorado shaped his views on American culture. Discover how Qutb's experiences in the conservative town of Greeley, with its prohibition and moral values, led him to perceive America as decadent. Delve into his ob...
The Origins of the Muslim Brotherhood
In this episode, delve into the origins of the Muslim Brotherhood with insights from Dr. Michael Youssef's "An Unholy Allowance." Discover how Hassan al-Banna founded the organization in 1928 in response to European colonialism and the diminishing influence of Islam in Egypt. Learn about the Brother...
When Cultures Collide: The Rise of the Third Jihad
In this episode, we explore Chapter 7 of Dr. Michael Youssef's "An Unholy Alliance," delving into the origins and impact of Islamist terrorism as the Third Jihad. Learn about pivotal events from the 1972 Munich massacre to recent conflicts, and uncover the influence of Hassan al-Banna, whose respons...