Interfaiths

Interfaiths

by Iqbal Akhtar
SpiritualityReligion
Season 3

Interfaiths: Jewish Student Life, Tikkun Olam, and Interfaith Bridges at FIU with Jon Warech

In this episode of Interfaiths, Dr. Iqbal Akhtar sits down with Jon Warech, the Executive Director of Hillel at Florida International University. Jon shares his unique personal journey from a career in entertainment journalism and Hollywood back to his roots in North Miami Beach to serve the Jewish community. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of Jewish student life at a public university. The conversation delves into: The Role of Hillel: Moving beyond traditional misconceptions to discuss how Hillel acts as a center for education, Israel engagement, and a safe haven against antisemitism. Post-October 7th Realities: How the mission has intensified recently, the unique supportive atmosphere at FIU compared to other campuses, and the importance of distinct student voices over outside agitators. The Meaning of Israel: A look at the emotional and historical connection American Jews hold with Israel as a safeguard against history repeating itself. Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World): A candid discussion on the challenges of applying this central Jewish tenet in a polarized 2025 society. The "Miami Factor": How Miami’s close-knit, family-like dynamic fosters a unique environment for interfaith relations, contrasting with other major cities like New York or Los Angeles. Key Stat: The discussion highlights the shared reality of minority faith groups in the U.S., noting that the Jewish population constitutes approximately 2% of the American population and 0.2% of the global population, underscoring the vital need for Jewish-Muslim partnership. Guest: Jon Warech, Executive Director, Hillel at FIU Host: Dr. Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University
S3 · E4
Dec 24, 2025
30:06

Interfaiths: From Porto to Miami: Jewish Identity, Campus Climate, and the Path to Dialogue

In this episode of Interfaiths, we sit down with Jason, an undergraduate student at Florida International University, to explore the diverse textures of modern Jewish identity. Jason shares his unique backstory growing up in Porto, Portugal—a city where he was often the only Jewish person his age—and the culture shock of moving to Miami’s vibrant, highly visible Jewish community. The conversation delves into the realities of student life post-October 7th, including: The Diaspora Experience: Contrasting the tight-knit, reviving community of Porto with the expansive Jewish life in South Florida. Campus Climate: A candid discussion on the rise of antisemitism, including a firsthand account of aggressive protests at FIU and the distinction between political speech and hate speech. Zionism & Identity: How students navigate the complexities of connection to Israel alongside political nuance. The Imperative for Dialogue: Why Jason believes that despite deep divides, Jews and Muslims have a responsibility to act as ambassadors for their communities. Join us as we discuss how shared values—like the belief that saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity—can help embolden the peaceful majority to bridge the gap during difficult times.
S3 · E5
Dec 24, 2025
21:40

Interfaiths: One Moon, Many Phases- A Monk’s Journey of Renunciation and Art

In this episode of the Interfaiths Project, Professor Iqbal Akhtar sits down with Haridas, the secretary of the Sacred Vedic Arts Temple in Miami, for a deep dive into the intersection of personal identity, devotion, and religious transition. Born into a Jewish family in New York, Haridas shares his candid story of navigating corporate anxiety and spiritual emptiness before discovering the transformative power of Kirtan and Bhakti Yoga. He discusses his transition into the monastic life as a Brahmachari in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, explaining the theology behind his vows of renunciation and the significance of his pink robes (representing saturation in the love of Godhead). The conversation explores the philosophy of the Sacred Vedic Arts Temple, the concept of the "Kali Yuga" (the current age of quarrel), and how the "bodily conception of life" creates obstacles to human connection. Haridas and Prof. Akhtar also discuss the "Miami Model" of interfaith dialogue, emphasizing how shared lived experiences—such as birth and death—can bridge the gap between diverse communities. Key Topics Discussed: Spiritual Transformation: Moving from a secular Jewish upbringing to becoming a Hindu monk. Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Understanding the goal of "God Consciousness" and the practice of chanting. The Miami Context: How the Sacred Vedic Arts Temple is using art and devotion to connect with the local community. Interfaith Philosophy: Seeing different religions as "one moon, different phases."
S3 · E6
Dec 24, 2025
36:30

Interfaiths: The Monsoon Winds of Identity- From Najaf to Zanzibar with Dr. Ibrahim Al-Marashi

In this episode of the Interfaiths podcast, we are joined by historian Dr. Ibrahim Al-Marashi for a fascinating journey through a family history that defies modern geopolitical borders. We trace his lineage from his grandfather—a cleric fighting the British in the 1920s Iraqi insurgency who fled to become a spiritual leader for the Khoja community in Zanzibar—to his mother’s hidden Syriac Orthodox Christian roots in Lebanon. Dr. Al-Marashi discusses the concept of the "Monsoon Winds" as a historical connector between the Middle East, East Africa, and India, challenging the artificial boundaries of area studies. He also shares the surreal and cautionary story of how his doctoral research on Iraq was plagiarized by the British government to create the infamous "Dodgy Dossier" used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Key Topics: Transnational Heritage: Tracing roots from Najaf to Zanzibar, and the intersection of Shia Islam and Syriac Christianity within one family. The Khoja Connection: How an Iraqi cleric helped shape the religious tradition of the East African Khoja community. The Politics of History: The British Empire’s role in shaping family migration and the misuse of historical research in modern warfare. Finding Your "Pathos": Advice for students on resisting family pressure, discovering their own history, and finding the passion that drives their identity. Guest Bio: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Marashi is an Associate Professor of History at California State University San Marcos. His research focuses on the modern history of Iraq and the Middle East. He is the co-author of Iraq's Armed Forces: An Analytical History.
S3 · E7
Dec 24, 2025
33:30
Season 4

Interfaiths: Faith, Force, and Fiqh- Evaluating Hamas through Classical Islamic Law

In this episode, we undertake a rigorous examination of the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel through the lens of classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). While Hamas invokes religious doctrines such as jihād to justify its military operations, many scholars argue that its tactics represent a political manipulation of religion rather than authentic practice. Drawing on the research of leading scholars like Ahmed Al-Dawoody, Karima Bennoune, and Nesrine Badawi, we explore two critical dimensions of Islamic war law: Jus ad Bellum (The Right to Wage War): We discuss why classical jurists traditionally required legitimate political authority (such as a state ruler) to declare jihād, a condition Hamas lacks as a non-state actor. We also examine the scholarly consensus that jihād is fundamentally a defensive struggle justified only against aggression or persecution. Jus in Bello (Conduct in War): The episode provides a detailed look at the principle of distinction, documenting how the Prophet Muhammad and early Caliphs explicitly prohibited the targeting of women, children, the elderly, and clergy. We evaluate how the deliberate killing of civilians and mass hostage-taking on October 7 violate these "inviolable norms," which are grounded in divine command rather than military reciprocity. The discussion further covers the prohibition of using human shields (tatarrus), the requirement for humane treatment of prisoners, and why major Islamic institutions like Al-Azhar and the signatories of the Amman Message have not endorsed Hamas's conduct. Ultimately, we reflect on how promoting international humanitarian law (IHL) in Muslim-majority contexts can be achieved by reviving these neglected aspects of Islamic tradition. Analogy for Understanding: Evaluating Hamas through classical fiqh is like judging a player in a modern sports tournament by the original, sacred rulebook of the game. Even if the player claims they are playing for the "true spirit" of the sport, if they ignore the referee’s authority and break foundational rules—such as attacking the spectators—they are no longer playing the game as it was designed, regardless of their stated motivations.
S4 · E1
Jan 3, 2026
12:56

Interfaiths: Sacred Repetition (mantra) in Abrahamic Traditions

This episode examines how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam utilise repeated sacred phrases, often referred to as mantras, to foster a deeper connection with the divine. These monotheistic traditions employ specific names of God or holy verses to align a practitioner’s life with spiritual reality and transform their inner consciousness. The source details how these invocations can be performed as structured seated meditation or as "portable" prayers integrated into daily activities to maintain constant spiritual focus. Modern research explores how these ancient repetitive practices are currently being adapted for psychological health interventions and clinical studies. Ultimately, while the terminology varies, the practice of sanctified repetition serves as a cross-cultural bridge between Abrahamic and Dharmic contemplative traditions. For more information, connect with us by visiting https://interfaiths.substack.com/ and http://theeastwestfoundation.org/
S4 · E2
Jan 8, 2026
11:56

Interfaiths: The Academic Study of Religion (Religionswissenschaft)

Inter-religious dialogue is the effort by individuals and organisations of different religious affiliations to exchange views on their commonalities and differences, reduce misunderstandings, and cooperate on shared goals such as peace or ecology. The relevance of the academic study of religion (Religionswissenschaft) to this dialogue is multifaceted, acting as both a historical initiator, a critical observer, and a resource provider. Key aspects of its relevance include: Historical Foundation: The study of religion and modern inter-religious dialogue share common roots in the 19th-century fascination with "the foreign" and the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, which was a turning point where religions first actively communicated the expectation of learning from one another. Provision of Expertise: Scholars act as resource givers, providing practitioners with essential information on religious traditions, scripture (such as introductions to the Quran), and specific themes like gender or ecology to facilitate informed exchange. Analysis of Learning Processes: Research examines how individuals learn in inter-religious settings, noting that it often involves a "double networking" where learners find anchor points in their own tradition to connect with aspects of the "other". Critical Reflection and "Boundary Work": The sources highlight that dialogue is not neutral; it often involves power dynamics and "boundary work". Scholars investigate how dialogue can sometimes reinforce the "World Religions Paradigm" by treating religions as fixed, static entities rather than fluid processes. The Debate on Engagement: There is an ongoing debate within the field between those who advocate for a "Watchtower" function—maintaining a strict distance to observe dialogue from the outside—and those who promote "Engaged Religious Studies", where scholars actively advise NGOs or serve on inter-religious boards. Typological Frameworks: Scholars provide categories to understand the nature of dialogue, such as distinguishing between polemical (who is right?), peace-promoting, cognitive (who are you?), and partnership-based (how can we improve the world?) interactions. Ultimately, the study of religion helps to de-essentialise the participants in a dialogue; instead of seeing "Islam" or "Christianity" as monolithic blocks, it reveals them as diverse, changing systems influenced by their social and historical contexts. To understand the scholar's role in this dialogue, one might see them as a mapmaker in a complex terrain: while the religious practitioners are the travellers seeking to build bridges between their lands, the scholar provides the detailed cartography that shows where the ground is firm, where the borders have shifted over time, and where hidden power currents might affect the journey. To learn more about our work, visit http://theeastwestfoundation.org/ and sign up for our substack at Interfaiths | Iqbal Akhtar | Substack
S4 · E3
Jan 9, 2026
15:30

Interfaiths: The National Socialists' Spiritual Mandate for Genocide

Mikael Nilsson’s research challenges the common assumption that Nazi antisemitism was purely secular by highlighting how Adolf Hitler’s worldview was rooted in a distorted Christian theology. It explains that Hitler reimagined Jesus as an Aryan warrior rather than a Jewish figure, weaponising religious symbols to transform genocide into a perceived moral and divine mission. This historical analysis suggests that the Holocaust emerged from a horrifying mutation of established religious thought rather than a simple rejection of faith. Consequently, modern interfaith dialogue must move beyond superficial commonalities to honestly confront how sacred traditions can be manipulated to justify violence. It emphasises that theological accountability and historical honesty are essential for preventing the recurrence of such radicalised ideologies. Such a reckoning requires religious communities to acknowledge their past complicity while actively deconstructing the perverse ethical frameworks that enabled historical atrocities.
S4 · E4
Jan 10, 2026
15:13

Interfaiths: How to Read the Quran

In "How to Read the Qur'an," Carl W. Ernst provides a scholarly framework for understanding the text through a literary and historical lens, rather than a purely theological one. He addresses the significant cultural barriers and modern anxieties that often prevent non-Muslim readers from engaging with the book in a fair-minded way. By advocating for a chronological reading, Ernst allows the audience to see how the scripture developed over time in dialogue with its original listeners, moving from the poetic Meccan suras to the more legalistic Medinan ones. The work highlights the intertextuality between the Qur’an and earlier biblical traditions, framing it as an integral part of a shared global heritage. Ultimately, Ernst argues that examining the text’s internal structure and historical context can bridge the gap between outside academic study and traditional religious interpretations. For more information about Interfaiths, please visit us at The East-West Foundation http://theeastwestfoundation.org/
S4 · E5
Jan 13, 2026
11:42

Interfaiths: Hindu-Jewish Dialogue

Prof. Nathan Katz focuses on the formal interfaith dialogue between the Hindu and Jewish communities, highlighting their shared values and theological intersections. He documents specific meetings where religious leaders and scholars discussed mutual respect, the rejection of proselytisation, and the preservation of sacred traditions in a modern world. He addresses the historical lack of conflict between the two faiths, noting that India has been a sanctuary for Jewish people for centuries. This discussion aim to foster global cooperation and a deeper understanding of how both religions conceptualise the divine. Ultimately, Prof. Katz records the growing diplomatic and spiritual partnership dedicated to promoting peace and cultural exchange. For more information about Interfaiths, please visit us at The East-West Foundation http://theeastwestfoundation.org/
S4 · E6
Jan 14, 2026
12:35
3 of 7