Women have always played important roles in Islamic learning, but their path to scholarship is not without its unique challenges. In part 1 of their conversation, Shaykha Tamara Gray of Rabata and Ustadha Zaynab Ansari of Tayseer Seminary discuss the future of female scholarship, facing misogyny in the community, and how to facilitate more open platforms for feminine voices in the teaching of sacred knowledge. The two scholars consider the role of feminism, the need for gender-equitable spiritual spaces and discourse, and other contemporary issues.

Please subscribe to the podcast and stay tuned for part 2 of their conversation. Please visit www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

History shapes the present and influences the future, but what if that history was turned on its head? What if we were to learn that African Muslims in the 18th century were pioneers in abolishing slavery and monarchy? Or that the intellectual tradition in West Africa has a chain of authenticity actually more faithful to the practice of early Islam than some of its Middle Eastern counterparts often deemed more authoritative? Or that the flourishing of Islam throughout sub-Saharan Africa was predicated more on the personal piety and pacifism of "walking Qur'ans" than political state power?

In this episode, Dr. Rudolph Ware, professor at the University of Michigan and author of the book, "The Walking Qur'an", discusses a history of Islam and Africa that hasn't been taught in the history books — or our religious communities. These insights revolutionize our concepts of self and play a crucial role in the spiritual and social world-view and approach for those of all backgrounds, in America and beyond.

Please subscribe to the podcast and visit www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

For the past three years, Zaki Hasan and Parvez Ahmed have hosted Diffused Congruence: The American Muslim Experience, interviewing a wide variety of Muslims, ranging from well-known scholars to artists and activists. Casting light on the life stories of these individuals, the show has become a resource for both Muslims and those of other faiths and backgrounds to learn about both the diversity of American Muslims' experiences as well as the common threads that bring them all together. The two shared their own story with Mohammed Saleem in this episode, discussing a variety of topics, from where they see the American Muslim story heading in the future, the guest that surprised them most, to how even Batman and Ben Affleck connects with the American Muslim experience,

Subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review on iTunes and check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

As Muslim leaders and activists engage both the government and their own organizations, a number of ethical questions arise. Does partnering with government entities lend itself to conflicts of interest and inauthenticity? Do programs like CVE impose a frame on the Muslim community that takes away its own agency and agenda? Are activist-driven circles and initiatives any less immune to these risks? Muslim leaders and activists from all sides of the spectrum are challenged to keep themselves anchored in Islamic principles while navigating the complex socio-political realities of our time. In this episode, Ahmed Shaikh, a community leader and lawyer, and Mohamed Ghilan discuss these and other issues and offer their suggestions on preserving our integrity as external actors and internal egos battle for influence in the Muslim community.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

We might appreciate the benefits of physical fitness, but are there spiritual benefits to exercise as well? In this episode, we discuss not only how to find time and implement a successful exercise program but how exercise can teach us invaluable lessons critical to being spiritually healthy. Exploring the strong connections between physical and spiritual fitness, Moutasem Atiya, Mohammed Saleem & special guest Dr. Saleem Farooqui, a physician and competitive cyclist, reflect on how exercise can enhance our own spiritual path to God.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

In the wake of the recent controversy at the RIS convention, Dr. Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, a professor of anthropology and African American studies and author of "Muslim Cool: Race, Religion and Hip Hop in the United States", and Moutasem Atiya from Al-Madina Institute discuss the issues at hand, anti-Blackness in the community, and how we can move forward positively.

In the second part of the episode, our guests discuss the path American Muslim culture is taking and explore "Muslim Cool", a culture rooted in embracing Blackness and social justice that connects both Black and non-Black Muslims to Islam in America.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes. Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

How can we connect with the Prophet? Our Islamic education on the Prophet's life often lacks the spiritual, introspective, and personal component that effects change in our own life. In this episode, Dr. Meraj Mohiuddin, author of the book, Revelation: The Story of Muhammad, and Shad Imam, co-director of the Qurtuba Institute at ADAMS, join host Mohammed Saleem to discuss their own challenges in finding their path to the Prophet and give practical advice in how to develop a meaningful connection with the Messenger(peace be upon him).

Check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes and send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) programs have been a source of controversy in the Muslim American community, yet there is a lack of clarity in the discussion as to what CVE is. Is it a black and white issue as both its proponents and critics make it seem? In this episode, Alejandro Beutel, a researcher in CVE, and Mohamed Ghilan, a critic of CVE, discuss both government and community-led initiatives in countering violent extremism and consider how to address this divisive issue constructively in the Muslim community.

Check out additional articles on CVE from different perspectives on www.imanwire.com including:

The Danger of Imams Being Involved in CVE

CVE, Afghanistan, and the Theological Castration of Muslims

The Prophet Muhammad and Quraysh's CVE Program

Send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

Opioid addiction is a far-reaching problem in our society and the Muslim community is not immune. In this episode, Moutasem Atiya, Dr. Mohamed Ghilan, Dr. Hasan Awan & Mohammed Saleem address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, its social and spiritual ramifications, the path to recovery and how our attitudes towards addicts should be grounded in love.

Check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes and send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected].

In this new series of conversations on issues facing the Muslim community, Moutasem Atiya & Mohammed Saleem discuss the 2016 presidential elections and how to stay upbeat, what to tell our children, and how we can move forward socially and spiritually.

Check out www.imanwire.com for the latest articles and podcast episodes and send any questions or comments to @imanwired on Twitter or [email protected]..