Exploring the complex relationship between the Quran and Jewish traditions, discussing historical events and laws regarding Jews and Christians in Islam, exploring Jewish ethnicity through matrilineal descent, sharing personal narratives of conversion, and ending with a heartfelt prayer for peace, justice, and mercy in the month of Ramadan.

In this engaging discussion, Mustafa Akyol, an expert on Islam and liberal democracy, and Doug Bandow, a foreign policy fellow, explore the shared values between Jewish and Muslim communities. Brian Blankenship sheds light on NATO’s burden-sharing dilemmas. Robert R. Redfield and Ryan Bourne critique the pandemic response and its economic fallout. Emily Ekins, Scott Lincicome, and Caleb O. Brown tackle American misunderstandings of protectionism. Lastly, Gene Healy discusses evolving views on presidential power and accountability.

This episode was recorded on October 18th, 2021.Mustafa Akyol joins me to discuss Muslim history and tradition. We touch on subjects like Jesus Christ from a Christian and Muslim perspective, the Virgin Mary's role in the Quran, separation of church and state as an ideology, the dangers of literalism when facing religious texts, and much more.Mustafa Akyol is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, where he focuses on the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity. He's contributed as an opinion writer for the New York Times since 2013, covering politics and religion in the Muslim world.Published by W. W. Norton, his 2011 book, "Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty," presents a strong argument for Islamic liberalism. The book was long-listed for the Lionel Gelber Prize for best nonfiction book. It was also praised by The Financial Times as "a forthright and elegant Muslim defense of freedom." His other books include "Reopening Muslim Minds" and "The Islamic Jesus."Find Mustafa's most important book, "Reopening Muslim Minds," herehttps://amazon.com/Reopening-Muslim-Minds-Freedom-ToleranceHis book "The Islamic Jesus," discussed in this episode, is athttps://amazon.com/Islamic-Jesus-Became-Prophet-MuslimsFind a free PDF of his book "Why, As a Muslim, I Defend Liberty" athttps://libertarianism.org/books/why-muslim-i-defend-libertyOr visit his page at the Cato Institute:https://cato.org/people/mustafa-akyol_____[00:00] Introduction[02:47] Regarding the separation of church and state, what do Christians and Muslims have in common?[10:36] What are some similarities between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?[11:05] "I see the world's history, and I see a Judeo-Christian/Islamic history because it's all Abrahamic monotheism starting at Judaism." Mustafa Akyol[11:46] What the Three Abrahamic religions have in common—monotheism, rooting in the same tradition; and strange insistence on a book as the bedrock of culture[12:45] Unique ideas of religious and societal tolerance through different ages in history[21:10] The connection Jesus and Islam[28:45] What is the totalitarian impulse?[29:30] "I think it is an understatement of the severity of the totalitarian problem to attribute it merely to the religious." - Jordan Peterson[31:27] Critiquing the inevitable flaws of the purely secular state. The benefits of a higher law on the unification of people and not deifying human rulers[34:59] "There is another value in Sharia law—[it] was separate from the rulers, even above the rulers." - Mustafa Akyol[39:35] Briefly touching on the ruling class in Saudi Arabia. A brief history of the Wahhabi's rise to power, and how a group of extreme thinkers gained more power than would have been naturally possible[45:36] Bad Ideas from the West are, in fact, devastating[48:45] A modern Muslim's take on religion, power, and the birth of Islam with the prophet Muhammad[55:15] "The whole thorny moral problem of what to do when you are being oppressed is not something let's say as a species we have figured out." - JBP[01:18:51] "The inherent problem with literalism in interpretation. The perspective of the reader creates so much of the truth in this model that they can then impose on the world around them." - JBP[01:26:20] Regarding reason and Sharia law, one group has said that Sharia indicates what's inherently right and wrong in the world. Another group, that it only creates that difference through the imposition[01:27:01] Mary's role in the Quran and Islamic tradition[01:31:29] The influence of gnostic Christian gospels on Muhammad in Mustafa's opinion. The odd state of the Jewish Christians who were accepted by neither side[01:35:16] Final questions on Jesus Christ from Christian and Muslim perspectives[01:43:35] Wrapping up_____

Mustafa Akyol and a debate participant discuss the intersection of religion and government, emphasizing respect for religious freedom, avoiding coercion, and cultural contexts. They compare legal processes and free speech standards across countries, explore societal norms in Muslim-majority societies, and discuss universal human values. The conversation delves into the challenges of applying Sharia law, the impact of political systems, and balancing religious laws with state regulations.

Mustafa Akyol, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and author renowned for his insights on Islam and liberty, joins the discussion. He explores the tensions between Islam and Western civilization, the complexities of governance and individual freedoms in Islamic contexts, and the roots of extremism. Akyol emphasizes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is primarily political, not religious. He also addresses the increasing search for meaning among the youth today, advocating for balance between tradition and openness in faith.