Interfaiths

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."

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.

Join Professor Iqbal Akhtar and FIU students Sarah Currea and Serhan Özgül for a powerful conversation about interfaith dialogue in the face of global conflict. In this episode of the FIU Interfaith Podcast, Sarah and Serhan share their personal journeys with religion and their experiences in FIU's Jewish-Muslim Dialogue group. They discuss the challenges of discussing sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campus, the impact of social media on religious understanding, and the critical importance of human connection, respect, and open-mindedness in bridging divides. Key Topics: Student Perspectives on Interfaith Dialogue: Hear firsthand from FIU students about their experiences in a Jewish-Muslim dialogue group. Navigating Campus Conversations: Explore the challenges of discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and other sensitive topics in a university setting. The Impact of Social Media on Religion: Discuss the role of social media in shaping religious understanding and the dangers of online echo chambers. Building Bridges Through Understanding: Learn about the importance of human connection, respect, and open-mindedness in fostering interfaith dialogue. About the Guests: Sarah Currea: A sophomore at FIU studying international relations, Sarah joined the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue group to broaden her understanding of religion and connect with students from diverse backgrounds. Serhan Özgül: An economics major from Germany with Turkish roots, Serhan shares his personal journey with Islam, including his experiences with religious extremism and his commitment to promoting peace and understanding. About the FIU Interfaiths Podcast: The podcast explores the intersections of religion, politics, and culture through engaging conversations with scholars, students, and community leaders. This podcast is part of FIU's online courses in Religious Studies and Politics & International Relations. Keywords: FIU, Interfaith, Dialogue, Jewish-Muslim, Campus, Religion, Politics, Israel-Palestine, Social Media, Understanding, Peace, Students, Interview, Podcast For more information, please visit https://interfaiths.substack.com or https://theeastwestfoundation.org

My name is Nabila Yusuf, and I am a 23-year-old master’s student of History at Bayero University Kano, Northern Nigeria. Education has always been my path to freedom, and I have worked hard to support myself fully, without external financial or family assistance. Despite the obstacles, I have remained committed to building a future in which my research and advocacy can give African women and youth a stronger voice on the global stage.I am now preparing to take the next step in my academic journey by applying to Florida International University (FIU) to study Religious Studies (M.A.) and Ph.D. in International Relations. My goal is to work with leading scholars such as Professor Aktar and Professor Susanne Zwingel to advance research in African gender studies, religion and feminism. This opportunity represents not just a personal achievement but also a way to bring forward the voices and experiences of women in my region who are often left out of academic and policy conversations.Alongside my studies, I have been actively involved in youth empowerment, advocacy, and mentoring young girls in schools. I lead a local youth NGO and have volunteered in so many other programs that promote civic engagement, gender advocacy and peace. These experiences have shaped me into a scholar who is not only passionate about research but also committed to creating real social impact.However, pursuing this dream comes with significant financial barriers, including academic evaluations, application fees, and living expenses. I am reaching out to kind-hearted individuals and well-wishers who believe in the power of education and gender advocacy to support me in this journey. Your contribution, no matter the size, will bring me closer to achieving my goal of becoming a scholar whose work bridges Africa and the world.

Welcome to the premiere episode of the Interfaiths podcast with Dr. Iqbal Akhtar. In this episode, we are honored to host Dr. Mohammad Homayounvash, Director of the Jaffer Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and Education at Miami Dade College.Together, they discuss the critical shift from "hardcore" international security studies to a more holistic approach that includes civilizational and religious identity. Dr. Homayounvash shares his unique perspective on growing up in Iran, his academic journey, and how the "Miami Model" of interfaith relations is fostering intercultural literacy in South Florida.Key Topics Discussed:From Realism to Religion: Why international relations must include identity politics.The Andalusian Ideal: Can we recreate the collaborative ecosystem of Muslims, Jews, and Christians from historical Spain in the 21st century?Cultural DNA vs. Religion: How stripping away cultural "accessories" makes dialogue easier.AI & Bias: The dangers of algorithmic bias and Islamophobia in Large Language Models (LLMs).Building Bridges: Moving beyond theological debate to cultural connection through art, food, and philosophy.About the Guest: Dr. Mohammad Homayounvash is the Director of the Jaffer Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and Education at Miami Dade College and a professor of International Relations at FIU and the University of Miami.For more information, please visit interfaiths.substack.com or theeastwestfoundation.org