One of the questions that Maryam raises is the level of agency and power of women in religion, especially within scriptures such as the Qur'an and Bible. In this episode, I speak about the Queen of Sheeba, known as Bilqis in the Islamic tradition, and how she is seen as a wise, sensible and pious ruler. I also speak about the various stories and traditions that developed around the Bilqis, such as her getting married to Solomon/Sulyaman and her hairy legs.  ...

One of the questions I received in presenting on The Islamic Mary is why is Maryam silent? This question is connected to a larger question about women and religion and their speech, agency, and power in various scriptures. I analyze Maryam's speech in the Qur'an and contend that it represents spirituality, vulnerability and agency. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podca...

As I speak about the book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries, I keep getting the question: how is your book different? In this show, I review the books on Maryam in the last ten years and discuss how they are similar and different in terms of themes, style and approach. I then share how they influenced my own writing and eventual publication of my book. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is ...

In the climax of the story, Maryam makes a remarkable statement: "I wish I had died before this and been a thing forgotten". Qur'anic commentators understood this statement as part of the pain and suffering of the righteous and that when trials became too difficult believers would some times wish that they did not exist. The statement also connects with the larger theme of life and death which is found within the Qur'an and the with the chapter (surat) of Maryam in particular. &nb...

Here I present a short commentary on Nostra Aetate, a Catholic document on the church's relationship with other religions. Specifically, I focus on the paragraphs on Muslims and how it open up modern possibilities for Christian-Muslim relations, such as shared spirituality, figures and social justice. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcast...

When I was writing The Islamic Mary, I became further interested in the field of Christian and Muslim dialogue and its relevancy today and in the future. This led me to various books published on the topic, such as Amir Hussain's new book One God and Two Religions: Christians and Muslims as Neighbors. Amir's book is unique in that it speaks about Christians and Muslim worshipping the same God and living next to each other as neighbors. I sit down with Amir to discuss his sp...

Today, we revisit the first episode of my commentary of the chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam). I have now done commentaries of over 30 of the first verses of the chapter that you can follow on the podcast archives. The Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam) is unique with a special rhyme scheme, opening letters and emphasis on love and mercy. I speak about its context, relationship with other Qur'anic chapters and what makes it distinct. Send me a text regarding your feedb...

I had the opportunity to speak at Georgetown University on the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a Catholic document on the church's relationship with other religions. Specifically, I spoke on the panel on Christian-Muslim relations and how Nostra Aetate continues to be relevant in terms of prayer and spirituality, social justice and moral welfare and shared figures such as Abraham and Mary. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic ...

When I started writing my book The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries, I was drawn to the Qur'anic chapter of Mary or Surat Maryam. As I started to research the chapter, I came across the work of Shawkat Toorawa who focuses on the sound, rhyme and rhythm of the Qur'an and points out some of Surat Maryam's unique qualities and characteristics. I was thus excited to see that he has come out with a new book entitled The Devotional Qur'an which translates key chapters and vers...

One of the reasons I became interested in Biblical and Qur'anic figures is because I did my dissertation and initial research on the medieval Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373) and Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328). Both Ibn Kathir and Ibn Taymiyya engaged the Arabic Bible and wrote on Biblical literature and its relationship to the Qur'an. These figures today would be understood as "salafis". But what does that mean? I sit down with Yasir Qadhi to discuss the meaning of "salafism", hi...

When I started my career, I was interested in the figure of Abraham/Ibrahim and how he could be a bridge figure between Christians, Jews and Muslims. However, as I wrote my book on "The Bible and the Qur'an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition," I became more interested in the figure of Mary and how she could bring Christians and Muslims together. This led me to the work of Rita George-Tvrtkovic, especially her book "Christian, Muslims and Mary" and subsequent articles. I si...

When Maryam returns to her people, she mocked and told that she come from a righteous family, her father was a good man and her mother was chaste. In response, she points to her child leading the people to once again criticize her saying "how can we speak to an infant"? The verse speaks once again to the idea of speech and silence in the Qur'an and how God is the ultimate speaker. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary p...

I sit down with Alexander Massad to discuss his new book "Witnessing God: Christians, Muslims, and the Comparative Theology of Missions". Alex is a strong proponent of Evangelical and Muslim dialogue and with wrestling with the claims of each religion. In the interview, we discuss his spiritual biography, interest in Christian-Muslim dialogue, program at Wheaton College and theological views. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Is...

I speak about a recent keynote address that I gave at the Pacific Northeast Virtual Exchange conference where I connect my research on the Islamic Mary or Maraym to COIL Virtual Exchange. Growing up in the 90s, there was a strong push for the "Clash of Civilizations" thesis, or that the "West" was in an intrinsic conflict with "Orient" and "Islam". It was "Islam versus the West" or the "West versus the Rest". Both my research and virtual exchange challenge this thesis and de...

One of the reason I have been drawn to the Islamic Mary or Maryam is the idea of a shared figure between various religious traditions and the interactions between them. This led me to the emerging field of Interreligious Studies and to the new book Interreligious Studies: An Introduction by Rachel Mikva. I sit down with Rachel to talk about defining Interreligious Studies, how it is different from other fields, and how it is relevant to Jewish-Muslim relations and the current cris...

As part of the slander against Maryam, her people reference her family. They say that she comes from a noble lineage and her father was a decent man and her mother was not unchaste. The verse connects Maryam once again to Moses/Musa and his mother and speaks to the idea of criticism and family expectations. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as ...

After Maryam has her child Jesus/'Isa, she has to return to her people and face their judgement and criticism. Maryam "carries" her child which echoes how Noah was "carried" in the ark. Also, Maryam is attacked for her perceived sexual immorality which is similar to other figures in the life of the Prophet Muhammad, such as his wife 'Aisha. The slander, accusations, and criticism eventually lead to her defense through the words of Jesus/'Isa Send me a text regarding your fee...

When I was writing The Islamic Mary, I became further interested in the field of Christian and Muslim dialogue and its relevancy today and in the future. This led me to various books published on the topic, such as Amir Hussain's new book One God and Two Religions: Christians and Muslims as Neighbors. Amir's book is unique in that speaks Christians and Muslim worshipping the same God and living next to each other as neighbors. I sit down with Amir to discuss his spiritual bi...

After Maryam is told to eat, drink and be glad, she told to take a vow of silence and not speak to anyone for an entire day. The second half of verse 19:26 sets up the themes of God being the most merciful and the themes of silence and speech. Maryam's silence leads to the speech of Jesus/'Isa. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Po...

As we are six months into 2025, we revisit the top 5 podcasts of 2024. The Islamic Mary podcast now has over 50 episodes and a library of different interviews, reflections and commentaries. A common theme is to give voice to overlooked figures and shed light on groundbreaking research. Send me a text regarding your feedback, comments and questions Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast which is available on the major podcast streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts and S...