Crossing Faiths

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Rushan Abbas, an advocate for the Uyghur community and founder of the Campaign for Uyghurs, about the history and ongoing genocide of her people. Abbas explains the Uyghurs' distinct identity as a Turkic, Muslim people from East Turkestan (now called Xinjiang by China), tracing the evolution of their persecution from the Cultural Revolution to the present day. She details the current atrocities, linking them to Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, and describes the horrific conditions in concentration camps, including torture, forced sterilization of women, family separation, and the use of forced labor to create a profitable genocide. Sharing her personal story of how her own activism led to her sister's imprisonment, Abbas highlights the Chinese government's transnational repression and concludes with a powerful call to action, urging listeners to educate themselves, use their consumer power to boycott goods made with forced labor, and pressure their governments to hold China accountable.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Matt Hawkins, a founder of the podcast, about his return to the international religious freedom (IRF) space and his new role as Executive Vice President of the IRF Secretariat. Hawkins explains how the Secretariat serves as an administrative support body for the global religious freedom movement, primarily by convening the IRF Roundtable, a multi-faith platform for collaboration and advocacy. They discuss Hawkins' personal journey away from and back to this work, which included significant health challenges and a period in Christian publishing, as well as the evolution of the IRF movement itself. Hawkins outlines the movement's three-pronged strategy of advocacy, cooperative engagement, and building local capacity, and highlights upcoming initiatives like a high-level meeting in Prague.

https://matthewthawkins.com/

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, Elliot Toman speaks with Joseph Dumond, an author and expert on biblical prophecy and the Jubilee calendar. Dumond explains his theory that humanity has been allotted 120 Jubilee cycles of 49 years, a timeline derived from Genesis 6:3, which he believes provides a framework for predicting major prophetic events, including the beginning of the end times. He argues that the holy days described in Leviticus 23 serve as a prophetic template, with Jesus's crucifixion fulfilling the Passover and his return corresponding to the Feast of Trumpets. The conversation also explores the historical divergence of Christianity from its Jewish roots, the importance of observing God's law (including the Sabbath), and the practical implications of Dumond's timeline, which points to a final judgment period culminating in 2033. Ultimately, Dumond issues an urgent call for listeners to repent, return to the Bible as their sole authority, and prepare for what he asserts is a biblically calculated and imminent conclusion to the current age.

Joseph F. Dumond's Website:

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Despina Namwembe, a social scientist and regional coordinator for the United Religions Initiative (URI) in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Namwembe discusses her work coordinating dozens of grassroots interfaith organizations to address the area's complex challenges, primarily focusing on violence prevention, environmental protection, and community empowerment. She details the drivers of conflict, including political instability, resource competition, and identity-based extremism, while also sharing heartbreaking stories about the human cost, such as the plight of refugees, the recruitment of child soldiers, and the trauma endured by women. Namwembe highlights URI's strategy of providing long-term psychosocial support, fostering economic independence for women through small business initiatives, and utilizing indigenous knowledge for sustainable development. She ultimately calls for a global shift away from a purely numbers-driven aid model towards a more empathetic, long-term investment in the human-centered, grassroots work necessary for lasting peace and stability.

Despina is a social scientist with a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies. She coordinates the work of over 70 grassroots interfaith organizations doing different social action in the Great Lakes countries of Africa. Despina is a community organizer, trainer, and mentor in organizational development and peace work. Growing up on a continent that sometimes fuses strong customs with religion to deter the full participation of women, Despina has a passion for addressing issues that support women and girls to achieve their full potential. She has widely traveled, which has helped her conceive many “out of the box” solutions which have changed lives. She is also a contributor to different literature in the areas of interfaith, gender, environment and peacebuilding work.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Michael Kinnamon, a novelist, professor of theology, and expert in interfaith relations, about his novel "A Rooftop in Jerusalem" and the broader themes of his life's work. Kinnamon discusses his three careers—as a professor, an ecumenical leader with the National Council of Churches, and now a novelist—and how they are all connected by the goal of fostering empathy and cross-cultural understanding. The conversation delves into the power of fiction to humanize complex political and religious conflicts by putting a face on headlines and allowing readers to inhabit different perspectives. They explore the central plot of Kinnamon's novel, a 40-year love story between an American Christian and an Israeli Jewish woman, which serves as a lens to examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the tension between unity and justice, and the role of hospitality in bridging divides. Throughout the discussion, Kinnamon emphasizes how personal relationships and shared experiences, often over meals, can break down stereotypes and create meaningful dialogue in a world defined by walls and conflict.

Michael Kinnamon is the author of two previously published novels: Summer of Love and Evil (2021) and The Nominee (2024). Prior to his career as a novelist, he was a widely respected professor of theology, author of numerous books on ecumenical and interfaith relations, and general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the US. [A Rooftop in Jerusalem](https://www.amazon.com/Rooftop-Jerusalem-Michael-Kinnamon/dp/B0DZQDMQ15/) draws on his extensive experience in the Middle East. Dr. Kinnamon and his wife, Mardine Davis, an art consultant, live in San Diego.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Joseph Dumond, an author and subject matter expert on biblical prophecy and the Jubilee calendar. Dumond explains his decades-long research into establishing a precise timeline for the end of days based on 120 Jubilee cycles of 49 years each. Using historical and archaeological evidence like the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC and ancient tombstones, he outlines a prophetic calendar that he believes pinpoints key events. He discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked a significant midpoint and interprets the October 7th attack on Israel as the "abomination" prophesied in Daniel. Dumond offers specific future dates for major prophetic fulfillments, including a significant event in July 2026, the start of the great tribulation in 2030, and the beginning of the Messianic age in 2045, arguing that these events align with biblical holy days and that the time for these prophecies is imminent.

Joseph F. Dumond's Website:

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Eric Roux from the United Religions Initiative (URI) about his personal and professional journey in interfaith collaboration and religious freedom advocacy. Roux recounts how his work began by defending his own faith, Scientology, against discrimination in France, but evolved as he recognized the greater power and necessity of working alongside other religious communities to support each other. They discuss the complex landscape of religious freedom in Europe and explore the unique, grassroots structure of URI, which fosters "Cooperation Circles" worldwide to build relationships and tackle local issues—from environmentalism to violence prevention—through collaborative action. Key themes include the effectiveness of diverse communities defending one another, the importance of moving beyond dialogue to tangible cooperation, and the belief that building genuine relationships is the most effective way to create a more peaceful world focused on shared goals and human dignity.

Eric Roux has devoted himself to the service of his faith and to the universal cause of freedom of religion for more than three decades. He became a member of the clergy of the Church of Scientology in 1993 and was ordained as a minister of religion shortly thereafter. From the earliest days of his ministry, he demonstrated a strong commitment to both spiritual outreach and humanitarian initiatives.

Recognizing that meaningful progress requires cooperation across faith traditions, Eric Roux co-founded the FoRB Roundtable Brussels EU. This innovative platform regularly brings together over one hundred governmental and non-governmental organizations to exchange insights, forge alliances, and develop joint strategies for the protection and promotion of religious rights. Through regular meetings, the Roundtable has become a crucible for collaborative policymaking, leading to tangible improvements in legal safeguards for persecuted minorities.

His work has earned him international acclaim as a champion of freedom of religion and belief. In recognition of his skills in consensus-building and his unwavering dedication to human dignity, Eric Roux was recently elected Chair of the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to interreligious cooperation. As Chair, he now guides URI’s strategic vision, supporting a myriad of local multifaith groups and grassroots projects.

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A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, cohosts John and Elliot have a typically wide-ranging discussion involving comparative religion, ancient cultures and the White House's recent "America Prays" initiative, loosely held together by the thread of Elliot's problematic popcorn habit.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Chad Brignac, an author, consultant, and self-described "transformationist," about applying principles of personal growth and faith to the divisive landscape of American politics. Brignac details his personal journey from workaholism to developing a philosophy of compassionate leadership, deeply rooted in his Christian faith and the model of Jesus's ministry. The conversation centers on Brignac's concept of the "pendulum of politics," a metaphor for the escalating polarization where political extremes gain momentum, driven by divisive rhetoric and a lack of common ground. He critiques modern leaders for their absence of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and authenticity, which fosters a culture of capitulation instead of genuine consensus, and ultimately advocates for a leadership style that calms the environment, prioritizes serving others, and fosters authentic dialogue to create lasting, positive change.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dr. Sahar Khamis about the complex and evolving role of digital and social media, particularly within the Arab and Muslim world. They explore the concept of social media as a "double-edged sword," discussing its initial promise as a tool for liberation during events like the Arab Spring and its subsequent co-opting by authoritarian regimes for repression and control. Dr. Khamis traces the shift in online activism from early blogs to modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which, despite their entertainment focus, have become significant sites for political mobilization on issues ranging from feminism in Iran to combating Islamophobia. The conversation also addresses the rise of influencers who may lack expertise, the creation of ideological echo chambers that stifle dialogue, the challenges of transnational activism from the diaspora, and the critical importance of media literacy in navigating a landscape rife with misinformation and disinformation.

Dr. Sahar Khamis is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park, recognized as an expert on Arab and Muslim media, an ethnographer, Islamic feminist, peace and interfaith activist, and an accomplished media commentator and analyst.

Her experience includes serving as the Head of the Mass Communication and Information Science Department at Qatar University (2005–2006), Mellon Islamic Studies Initiative Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago (2014), and Professor of Communication at the American University in Cairo (1990–2004). Since 2014, she has been an associate professor at the University of Maryland.

She is the co-author of the books: Islam Dot Com: Contemporary Islamic Discourses in Cyberspace (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) and Egyptian Revolution 2.0: Political Blogging, Civic Engagement and Citizen Journalism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). She is the co-editor of the book Arab Women’s Activism and Socio-Political Transformation: Unfinished Gendered Revolutions (Palgrave Macmillan 2018). Additionally, she authored and co-authored numerous book chapters, journal articles and conference papers, regionally and internationally, in both English and Arabic. She is the recipient of a number of prestigious academic and professional awards, as well as a member of the editorial boards of several journals in the field of communication, in general, and the field of Arab and Muslim media, in particular.

Sahar Khamis links:

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