Yasmine Mohammed

In this thought-provoking discussion, Sarah Haider, co-founder of Ex-Muslims of North America, critiques the constraints of religious texts on morality. Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, opens up about her journey from fervent belief to a secular worldview. Yasmine Mohammed shares her harrowing escape from fundamentalist Islamism and emphasizes women's rights. The conversation unpacks belief, societal norms, and the power of dialogue in navigating personal transformations and challenging oppressive systems.

In this episode, we examine a series of Sam’s conversations centered around religion, atheism, and the power of belief.  First, we hear the stories of three guests who have fled their respective oppressive religious organizations. We begin with Sarah Haider, founder of the advocacy group Ex-Muslims of North America, who details how her encounters with militant atheists catalyzed her journey to secularism. Then our narrator, Megan Phelps-Roper, walks us through her story of abandoning the Westboro Baptist Church. Finally, Yasmine Mohammed presents her harrowing account of escaping fundamentalist Islamism and Sam’s role in inspiring her public advocacy work. We then tackle the concept of belief more broadly, diving into Sam’s understanding of atheism and what sets it apart from the views of other atheist thinkers like Matt Dillahunty and Richard Dawkins. We also revisit an infamous conversation between Sam and Jordan Peterson, wherein they attempt to come to some universal definition of the word “truth.” The episode concludes with two Q&A portions from life events in which Sam addresses some real concerns about purpose and meaning in the absence of religion.   About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you’ll find this series fascinating.

Yasmine Mohammed, a passionate human rights activist and the author of 'Unveiled,' shares her gripping story of escaping conservative Islam. She discusses the double standards that Western liberals show towards Muslim women and critiques cultural relativism regarding women's rights. Yasmine highlights the complexities of identity and the struggles faced by those trapped in oppressive systems, alongside the importance of universal human rights. Her personal journey sheds light on honor violence and the importance of empowering women through honest discourse.

Yasmine Mohammed, a Canadian human rights activist and author of 'Unveiled', dives into her transformative journey from a restrictive Muslim upbringing to advocating for women's rights. She passionately discusses the psychological effects of religious indoctrination, emphasizing the struggle between faith and freedom. The conversation also tackles media bias, generational differences in Muslim perspectives, and the societal implications of validating extremist ideologies. Yasmine highlights the importance of supporting those who leave oppressive environments and the role of organizations like Free Hearts, Free Minds.

Yasmine Mohammed is a dedicated human rights activist advocating for women in Muslim-majority countries. She discusses the dangers of curtailing free expression in response to extremism and how radical interpretations of religious texts can justify violence. Sharing her own harrowing experiences growing up in a polygamous family in Canada, she emphasizes the need to challenge oppressive societies rather than avoid confrontation out of fear. Yasmine also highlights the resilience of women battling fundamentalism and the crucial conversations needed to shift societal narratives.

Yasmine Mohammed, an author and activist, shares her harrowing journey from growing up in fundamentalist Islam to achieving liberation. She discusses how extreme misogyny persists, even as Western elites often ignore it. Yasmine reflects on the psychological impacts of patriarchy on both women and men, revealing the struggle for autonomy in restrictive environments. She calls for a balance between liberal values and cultural practices, shedding light on the critical intersections of activism, particularly concerning women's rights and radical ideologies.

Yasmine Mohammed discusses challenges faced by a Lebanese Jewish family, societal extremism post-October 7th, the value of supportive partnerships, defying conformity, Jewish identity dynamics, combatting anti-Semitism, and reflections on trauma and gratitude.

Yasmine Mohammed, a human rights advocate, discusses the dynamics of destructive fundamentalist religion and the challenges in Western culture. She shares her personal story of manipulation and coercion, as well as her journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. The podcast highlights the lack of outrage and bravery in exposing extreme fundamentalism, calling for support.

In this discussion, Yasmine Mohammed, a human rights activist and founder of Free Hearts Free Minds, shares her compelling journey from a polygamous family in Canada to advocating for women's rights in Muslim-majority countries. She explains how the same religious texts inspire both devotion and extremism, and argues against self-censorship in free societies faced with radical threats. Yasmine highlights the dangers women encounter under religious extremism and stresses the urgency of challenging oppressive ideologies rather than enabling them out of fear.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Yasmine Mohammed, a human rights activist and author of "Unveiled," shares her gripping journey from conservative Islam to empowering liberation. She tackles the double standards of Western liberals regarding cultural practices, particularly in women's rights. The complexities of the hijab emerge as both a symbol of empowerment and subjugation. Yasmine critiques societal responses to religious extremism, honor violence, and calls for consistency in cultural criticism. Her insights spark vital conversations about feminism and autonomy.