Happy to share this 2025 ICJS Silber-Obrecht Lecture Conversation Event where Rachel S. Mikva, ...

I am super excited to announce that my book

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 ...

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

Subscribe to the Islamic Mary podcast as we explore the chapter of Mary or Maryam!  In our second season, we will examine how the chapter (sura) has a unique rhyme scheme, emerges from an era of hopelessness and desperation, and emphasizes...

In the Chapter of Mary (Maryam), Zechariah/Zakariyya foreshadows the coming of Maryam.  I sit down with Maria Barga to discuss her article "Redeeming Zachariah" which uses the Qur'an to understand the Biblical narrative and to argue that Z...

We now have reached the climax of the story where Maryam is about to give birth to her son Jesus.  However, she begins to experience pain and retreats to a trunk of a palm tree.  The Qur'an signals that relief comes after hardship and...

Join me for one of the most popular episodes of 2024 where I interview Martin Nguyen on his edited book

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 Mu...

Before she gives birth to Jesus/'Isa, Maryam withdraws for a second time.  The word that is used for "withdrawal" is a hapax or a word that is only used in the Chapter of Mary (Surat Maryam).  The Qur'an is highlighting that something...

In this episode, I join Roshan Iqbal, Celene Ibrahim, and Oludamini Ogunnaike ...

Join me in one of the most popular episodes of 2024.  While writing my book the Islamic Mary, I came across various works on Christian-Muslim relations, in particular the groundbreaking Catholic document of Nostra Aetate which speaks about...

As the month of Ramadan approaches, I wanted to explore the word "fasting" (sawm) in the story of Maryam.  While most Muslims understand the word "fasting" as abstaining from food and drink, the word "fasting" is used in the Chapter of Mar...

After Maryam asks how she will have a child when no man has touched her, the Angel Gabriel/Jibril responds that this is a decree from God and the Jesus/'Isa will be a sign from God and a mercy.  Maryam is then silent, accepting God's decre...

Join me for this throwback interview with Asma Afsaruddin, which was one of our most popular episodes of 2024.  When writing my forthcoming book the Islami...

When Maryam hears the news that she will have a child, she immediately asks a question: "How can I have a child when no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"  Here question represents a theme in Qur'anic and Biblical figures as...

After Maryam is initially scared of Gabriel/Jibril, he responds and explains that he is a divine messenger and that he is there to bestow upon her a son.    Gabriel/Jibril speaks directly to Maryam and describes Jesus as "pure" in com...

When the Angel first approaches Maryam, she is afraid and seeks refuge.  This is similar to how other Qur'anic and Biblical figures, such as Abraham/Ibrahim, react to Angels in that they don't immediately recognize them or have questions a...

I speak about the Top 5 Podcasts of 2024.  They were a mix of individual session and interviews that all speak about topics related to the Islamic Mary.  A common theme is to give voice to overlooked figures and shed light on groundbr...

After Maryam withdraws from her family and is in a state of seclusion, an angel appears in the form of a man.  Angels frequently appear in the Islamic tradition in human form and are not initially recognizable.  Nonetheless, after the...

We have finally reached the section of Maryam!  I speak about how the Qur'an introduces Maryam, connecting her with other Biblical and Qur'anic figures and emphasizing how she withdrew before the revelation occurred.  In many ways, Ma...

While silence and speech are major themes in Surat Maryam, so are life and death.  After Zechariah/Zakariyya's impassioned plea, the divine voice introduces his son John/Yahya who is forerunner to Jesus/'Isa.  The Chapter uses almost ...

In the Chapter of Mary (Maryam), Zechariah/Zakariyya foreshadows the coming of Maryam.  I sit down with Maria Barga to discuss her article "Redeeming Zachariah" which uses the Qur'an to understand the Biblical narrative and to argue that Z...

When Zechariah/Zakariyya is granted his wish of having a child, he asks for a sign and that sign is to be silent.  I speak in this episode on how the silence of Zakariyya sets the stage for Maryam and how silence and speech are themes that...

I just came back from San Diego where I attended the American Academy of Religion (AAR) conference!  I speak about the mission and vision of the AAR and how it has changed since I first started to go.  I also share my own experiences ...