The Interfaiths podcast, hosted by Prof. Dr. Iqbal Akhtar, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and International Relations at Florida International University (FIU), offers a scholarly and deeply engaged exploration of interfaith cooperation. The podcast distinguishes itself by moving beyond theoretical dialogue to focus on tangible, real-world applications of interfaith work, making it a crucial resource for the next generation of religious and civic leaders.
The central mission of the podcast is to dissect and understand the dynamics of interfaith relations through two primary lenses:
Highlighting Moral Exemplars: The podcast provides a platform for in-depth conversations with individuals who embody the principles of interfaith cooperation. These are not just religious leaders but also practitioners, activists, and community organizers who have dedicated their lives to building bridges between different faith communities. Through their personal stories and practical wisdom, the podcast showcases what it truly means to live out interfaith values.
Exploring Cutting-Edge Global Practices: A key focus is on identifying and analyzing innovative and effective methods for promoting religious pluralism worldwide. Prof. Dr. Akhtar and his guests delve into "cutting-edge global practices"—successful models and pioneering projects that can be studied, adapted, and implemented by aspiring interfaith leaders. This forward-looking approach ensures the conversation is always geared towards actionable strategies for the future.
As a host, Prof. Dr. Akhtar brings a wealth of academic rigor and specialized knowledge to the conversations. His expertise in Islamic studies, transnational religious histories, and the politics of religion provides a rich context for the discussions, ensuring they are both accessible and intellectually robust.
In essence, the Interfaiths podcast serves as a bridge between academic theory and on-the-ground practice. It is designed as an educational tool that equips emerging leaders with the knowledge, inspiration, and practical examples needed to navigate and positively shape the complex landscape of global religious diversity.
Refining our character as a path in interfaith understanding
This episode explores the ethical philosophy of the tenth-century thinker Miskawayh, focusing on his seminal work on character refinement. It examines how achieving true virtue is inherently relational, suggesting that moral development requires active engagement with a community and neighbors rather than isolated tolerance. Furthermore, we connect these classical Islamic teachings to broader themes of interfaith dialogue and shared human spirituality. By analyzing the nature of the soul and moral growth, these discussions highlight the deep connections between diverse traditions and their approaches to peace and virtue.
24 Sept 2026
The Arithmetic of Forgiveness
This episode examines how the Jain, Jewish, and Islamic traditions utilise specific religious calendars to facilitate the repair of human relationships. Through the practices of Paryuṣaṇa, Yom Kippur, and the Hajj, these faiths mandate that individuals seek forgiveness and restitution from those they have wronged. While Jainism focuses on a universal shedding of karmic burdens, Judaism and Islam emphasise legal and personal reconciliation with specific victims as a prerequisite for divine mercy. Collectively, these rituals challenge the modern ideal of the autonomous self by framing human life as a web of mutual debts and obligations. By formalising rupture and repair, these ancient traditions provide a structured path for maintaining communal solidarity through humility and accountability.
12 Sept 2026
25 Years After 9/11: A Muslim Convert's Reckoning with Grievance Politics — Ismail Royer
On the 25th anniversary of September 11th, Professor Iqbal Akhtar (FIU) hosts Ismail Royer — Director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute and a member of the President's Religious Liberty Commission — for an unusually candid reflection on the American Muslim community's response to 9/11, then and now. Royer traces his own path: converting to Islam in 1992, volunteering with Bosnian refugees, fighting in Bosnia during the war, and later helping build CAIR's civil rights department from the ground up. He argues that American Muslim advocacy adopted a "grievance model" — demand, condemn, reject — without first building the local relationships and institutional trust that could have absorbed the shock of 9/11. Twenty-five years later, he says, public opinion of Muslims is worse than it was in the immediate aftermath, and the underlying pattern hasn't changed. The conversation closes with audience Q&A on ethnic diversity within the Muslim American community, interfaith institution-building, and why Muslim charitable giving so rarely funds domestic, common-good institutions.
Speaker: Ismail Royer, Religious Freedom Institute
Host: Dr. Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University
#September11 (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/september11) #AmericanMuslims (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/americanmuslims) #InterfaithDialogue (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/interfaithdialogue) #ReligiousFreedom (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/religiousfreedom) #CovenantalPluralism (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/covenantalpluralism) #IslamInAmerica (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/islaminamerica)
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