In Good Faith

In this enlightening chat, Harris Irfan, a veteran of Islamic finance and CEO of Cordoba Capital Markets, dives into the future of Bitcoin as sound money. With three decades of experience, he challenges the practicality of gold compared to Bitcoin's decentralization. Harris discusses the importance of self-custody over custodial platforms, advocates for education on Bitcoin, and explores grassroots efforts for adoption. He also critiques traditional banks and highlights the role of Bitcoin in promoting social stability and ethical finance aligned with Islamic values.

Muhammed Yesilhark, Chief Investment Officer at Noia Capital and co-founder of EverGive, dives deep into the transformative potential of Bitcoin. He discusses how its properties make it a form of sound money, essential for protecting savings and fostering societal prosperity. Yesilhark argues that the fiat system is flawed, emphasizes Bitcoin's scarcity, and its ability to reshape human behavior toward long-term thinking. He also explores the concept of separating money from the state to reduce corruption and advocates for grassroots adoption of Bitcoin as a revolutionary solution.

I sat down with the wonderful Tarek El Diwany after the recent publication of the 4th Edition of his hugely influential book: The Problem With Interest. We revisited some familiar themes of his work - namely the great harms of interest-based economies and the ills of fiat money creation - as well as his views on Bitcoin as a form of sound money. Tarek also shared his thoughts on whether there is any hope of saving ourselves from the sinking ship in which we all find ourselves. At Tarek's request, this is an audio only episode.See Tarek's website: https://theproblemwithinterest.com(0:00) Introduction(3:31) Conceptual frameworks(6:31) What is the problem with interest?(11:10) Hasn't capitalism reduced poverty?(24:50) Our broken monetary system(30:42) If Tarek were Chancellor...(41:01) Would a mass transition be painful?(44:01) The power of vested interests(49:24) Is Bitcoin the solution?(59:06) Possibilities in the meantime(1:08:01) Truth will win

Alcohol consumption has been rapidly declining in Britain, but the full benefits of this trend are yet to be fully understood and unlocked. To discuss what's been happening and what the future could look like, I spoke to the highly experienced Dr Jennifer Eggert, Director of Policy and Research at Equi, about the think tank's new report entitled: "A Teetotal Britain? Learning from Faith Communities." Equi is a new, dynamic, faith-based think tank committed to producing ethically-driven research and policy recommendations on issues affecting the UK.Follow Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-philippa-eggert-6639a553/Read the full report: https://equi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/08-Equi-Report-Teetotal-Britain.pdfDiscover Equi: https://equi.org.uk(0:00) Trailer(1:31) Introducing Equi's work(8:31) Why discuss this topic?(17:10) Calculating cost & data issues(32:15) Why the fall in consumption?(35:22) Reimagining nightlife(51:50) Changing workplace trends(53:49) Better use of cultural spaces(57:51) How research impacts policy(1:07:10) Equi's future(1:11:15) Jennifer's journey(1:16:01) Career advice(1:22:43) Concluding remarks

In this insightful discussion, Ali Siddiqui, a practicing lawyer, dives into thought-provoking ideas with guest Iqbal Nasim. They challenge the notion of Muslim identity, arguing it's become divisive and obsolete. Iqbal emphasizes the need to rethink labels like 'Islam' and 'Muslim' to better reflect diverse realities. The conversation also explores the roots of extremism, urging a shift towards universal values and community engagement. They advocate for mosques to transform into inclusive centers and call on leaders to facilitate a much-needed re-evaluation of assumptions.

Jehangir Malik OBE, a seasoned humanitarian leader, discusses immigration and community action. He highlights the importance of evidence-based immigration policies while rejecting mass deportation proposals. Jehangir also addresses the rising anti-Muslim narrative and reflects on communal insularity, emphasizing the need for civic engagement. He showcases the Himmah project in Nottingham as a model for faith-inspired community service, encouraging individuals to contribute positively and bridge generational gaps within Muslim communities.

In this engaging discussion, Mohammed Nizami, founder of the New School for Abrahamic Restoration, explores the relevance of ancient covenantal laws for modern society. With a rich academic background from prestigious institutions, he argues that understanding our divine heritage can help us escape contemporary chaos. Topics include the roles of prophets, the significance of stewardship, and how Abraham initiated a legacy of covenantal order. Nizami also emphasizes the need for practical application of these laws to promote community flourishing in today's world.

Join Fahad Tasleem, a research fellow at The Sapience Institute and author of 'No Doubt', as he explores the urgent need for reconnecting with natural beauty in a tech-dominated age. He delves into how our environments shape perceptions, the therapeutic benefits of sound, and the contrasting experiences of beauty in Islamic tradition versus Western art. Fahad argues that engaging with natural beauty and nurturing empathy can safeguard our souls against the erosion of technology. His insights on objective beauty and its connection to the divine are both thought-provoking and uplifting.

One of the biggest challenges to people's faith and their ability to make sense of God and life is the extent of harm and suffering they experience and observe. To help tackle this perennial problem, I spoke with Dr Tubanur Yesilhark, whose PhD was on this very topic. This segment was part of my full-length conversation with Dr Tubanur but excluded from the edit. To see the rest of the conversation, see here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MmFOxpX37doa5BxLjzpfW?si=QYbbR3uHQ_y7wIQPkAUAGA(0:00) Framing the problem(2:10) What is evil?(7:45) Important premises (11:40) Pain wakes us up(15:42) Abuse and forgiveness(20:11) Praying for wisdom

Why are we in a meaning crisis when we are constantly surrounded by sources of meaning? To help us understand this issue more deeply I spoke with Dr Tubanur Yesilhark, Head of Operations at the International Foundation for Muslim Theology (IFMT). The main goal of the IFMT is to bring God-talk back into the centre of day-to-day life. The most recent project of the IFMT on Divine Revelation and Communication was funded by the John Templeton Foundation.Dr Tubanur's completed her PhD at Durham University, UK. Her thesis - A Muslim Response to Evil: Said Nursi on the Theodicy" - was published by Routledge in 2018.Follow Dr Tubanur: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tubanur-yesilhark-ozkan/Check out IFMT: https://ifmt.co.uk(0:00) Trailer(0:44) The meaning crisis(3:24) A world without humans(6:43) Our unique purpose(13:20) The levels of meaning(19:44) Surrounded by signs(25:00) Advice to parents(29:47) Divine names: an example(34:59) How to sustain deep connection(45:32) How intention transforms action(59:18) From multiplicity to unity (1:10:01) Levels of paradise(1:12:50) About the IFMT(1:23:40) Future plans and conclusion