Diffused Congruence: The American Muslim Experience

Since its launch last October, the Serial podcast has taken the country by storm. Reporter Sarah Koenig's gripping investigation into the 1999 murder of high schooler Hae Min Lee, and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed for the killing -- a crime for which he maintains his innocence to this day -- has set records and spurred conversation with how it combines the intrigue of a weekly procedural with broader questions about cultural assimilation and the peculiarities of the legal system. For this episode, Parvez and Zaki are joined by Rabia Chaudry, an attorney and civil rights activist who is a family friend of Syed's, who first brought this case to Koenig's attention. Listen to our conversation to hear Rabia discuss her history with Adnan, her thoughts on what she's heard on the show thus far, as well as the other work she's engaged in. Listen via the embed below, or download at the link. Also, be sure to hit us up at our Facebook page to let us know how we're doing!

We start off episode thirteen with highlights from Zaki's roundtable interview with Daily Show host Jon Stewart on his feature directing debut, the based-on-true-events Iranian prison drama Rosewater. After that, listen to Parvez and Zaki's lunchtime conversation with comedian and political commentator Dean Obeidallah as we cover a whole host of topics, including his time at Saturday Night Live, what drew him to comedy, and the portrayal of Muslims in media post-9/11. You can download or stream the show below, or listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. As always, feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

After last week's debate about Islam and Muslims between Bill Maher and Ben Affleck (which conspicuously had no Muslims actually involved in the conversation), Parvez and Zaki use the twelfth episode of Diffused Congruence to chat with each other about the rise of anti-Muslim and Islamophobic invective from mainstream media figures, and why this podcast is meant at least partially as a response to that. In addition, they also delve into the secret origins of the show, and and what they hope to achieve going forward. Download or stream the show below, or listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

For this episode of the show, Parvez and Zaki shine a spotlight on Muslim authors who've successfully broken through into the mainstream. First, we chat with Ayesha Mattu, co-editor of Love, Inshallah and its new sequel Salaam, Love about how the two books came about, what the reactions have been, and what she's learned from her audience. After that, we have a conversation with Ali Eteraz, author of Children of Dust and the upcoming Falsipedies and Fibsiennes. You can download or stream below, and also listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

For this month's show we're joined by Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Institute and author of Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East for a far-ranging conversation on the foreign policy events that have been playing out in the Middle East over the last few years, including the Arab Spring, the rise of ISIS, and the escalation of conflict between Gaza and Israel this past month. Whether you're a policy wonk or just have a mind to learn more about what's been going on lately, this is a conversation you're certain to enjoy. As always, download or stream below, and listen at iTunes and Stitcher Radio. Send any comments or questions to diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

For this episode, we're joined by famed photographer and filmmaker Mustafa Davis, co-founder of Ta'leef Collective, about his road to Islam, and what he views as the role of Muslim-Americans artists. As usual, download or stream the show below, and also listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

This month, we speak with Professor Zareena Grewal about her new book, Islam is a Foreign Country, and engage in a spirited conversation about the many rich facets of Islam in America. You won't want to miss this one! Download or stream the show below, and also listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. Feel free to send any comments or questions our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

For this month's show, Parvez and Zaki are joined by acclaimed Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir, who's been appearing on big and small screens for more than twenty years now in big budget fare such as Iron Man, Star Trek, and Elysium, as well as TV's Dallas, for a spirited conversation about what he's learned during his many years in the Hollywood trenches, his hopes for future Muslim engagement in media arts, and his work with the Muslim Advocates organization. In addition, he offers up some details on his latest project, the supernatural thriller Jinn (currently in theaters), and shares a heartwarming story of what he learned from the late Larry Hagman. As always, you can download or stream the show below, and also listen at iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!) and Stitcher Radio. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to send them our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com or via our Facebook page!

This month we're honored to be joined by Imam Abu Qadir Al-Amin, a veteran religious leader in the San Francisco Bay Area who came to Islam after first being exposed to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Imam Abu Qadir shares his reflections on being at the forefront of Black Muslim experience, including thoughts on Malcolm X, and his memories of the late W.D. Muhammad, one of the most influential religious leaders of our time. Download or stream the episode below, as well as via iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send any questions and concerns our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com.

For episode five of the show, we had an in-depth chat with with Islamic scholar Dr. Muneer Fareed on a variety of topics, including the distinctions between secular and spiritual scholarship, what he learned during his time as an imam in Detroit, and his work with ISNA (the Islamic Society of North America), the ALIM Program, and more. You can download or stream the show below, as well as via iTunes (don't forget to leave us a review!). Send any questions and concerns our way at diffusedcongruence@gmail.com.