This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is this just the same old festering problem?

The show is back after a “spring break,” honestly the Imam got ill so we were forced to take a week off…but we are back!

Imam Azhar starts this show off by talking about the ebb and flow of life. He uses spirituality as an example, which is he is right to do, there are times we feel cemented in our faith, so close to our Lord. Then there are times where we feel further away, and we must work harder to get back to that feeling. Such is the way with everything in life.

After we talk about all this, the Imam recaps the week from letters in London calling to beat up Muslims to the gun debate… we can’t seem to leave that topic alone.

The Imam goes on to say that there needs to action, we cannot accept things the way they are. We have to work together – Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheist – to work towards ending racial inequality, to work towards ending sexual inequality, to work towards ending poverty, to work towards ending violence, to work towards a better world.

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

And introducing the new Venn Network t-shirt, which you can own by heading over to Amazon.com. When you buy one of these shirts you help, not only support the network, but you also help support the hosts. The Venn Network is growing, and it is only with support from listeners – like you – that we can reach those in need of hearing our message!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

 



This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is how can we work on our communication, collaboration, and our civilization?

Imam Azhar opens this week’s show by telling our audience that if you have ideas or suggestions for a specific design of t-shirt for the Raw Islam Podcast we want your submissions! So, email us your best ideas and you might see them on a t-shirt!

He then goes on to remind our listeners what this show is about – it is about peeling the layers of the onion away to get to the center to find there is nothing there. Meaning that all the talk about how Islam hates the West, how Islam and Muslims want to rule the world, how all Muslims want to kill everyone… there is nothing there. It is – as they say #FakeNews.

After all that – we are right back into the gun debate, there are two sides to this debate, the pro and the con.

When the pro talk about gun control they tend to double down, say that the constitution says they can have their guns. They tend to use scare tactics with such language as “They are coming to your house to take your guns” or “If they strip away the first amendment, which one is next” and so on and so on down the rabbit hole we go.

Then the cons which highlight recent events in our history to show why we don’t need specific firearms. Really, is the one deer out there in bulletproof vest just waiting on a hunter with an AR-15?

But this debate just goes around and around and around and we never seem to solve the issue.

What we need to try is talking to each other more we need to work on our communication, collaboration, and our civilization.

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

And introducing the new Venn Network t-shirt, which you can own by heading over to Amazon.com. When you buy one of these shirts you help, not only support the network, but you also help support the hosts. The Venn Network is growing, and it is only with support from listeners – like you – that we can reach those in need of hearing our message!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

 

 

This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is greed the root of all evil? And how is that related to the Parkland shooting?

While B.C. Dodge opens the show on a positive note, and Imam Azhar agrees that on this podcast we try our best to stay and keep positive, there is no ignoring the fact that there was yet another school shooting – this time in Parkland, Florida.

Imam Azhar reminds us of a hadith that tells us to be wary of this life, and the things in this life. We need to remember to prepare for the here-after, and not get caught up in the pleasures of this life. Part of getting caught up in this life is avoiding greed.

He then recounts a story of a Muslim brother that went on a business trip and had lavish gifts given to him, including women being sent to his hotel room. He knew this was not the way to do business and it is proof that this world can be used against us, and that money is a motivator – which is part of being greedy.

Imam Azhar brings it all back around to the simple point that with the money that the NRA is spending, and the willingness of people to take that money – are prayers and thoughts enough when these tragedies happen?

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

And introducing the new Venn Network t-shirt, which you can own by heading over to Amazon.com. When you buy one of these shirts you help, not only support the network, but you also help support the hosts. The Venn Network is growing, and it is only with support from listeners – like you – that we can reach those in need of hearing our message!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

Drop us an email at [email protected] 

 

 

 

This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is recognizing halal love haram?

This episode of the Raw Islam Podcast opens with B.C. Dodge complaining - that isn't new - about how he has had no access to his TV because his daughter has been using it nonstop to watch the 2018 Winter Olympics. Imam Azhar goes on to say that beyond B.C.'s TV issues and the technology that was used to open the games, it is always a beautiful sight to see the world come together in a moment of peace. All the political differences are, kind of, set aside for a moment so that the games can take place.

There was so much unity in the 2018 Winter Olympics that we even saw North Korea and South Korea come together to participate as a united Korea. But even while the world watched this amazing display of unity, the United States was still being torn apart by the never end gun debate, which is brought on by - what seems to be - the never-ending series of gun violence. But even with something like 78% of Americans not owning firearms, there seems to no end or middle ground on this conversation of gun violence. However, if North Korea and South Korea can come together as united for one week - there has to be some hope for all humanity to come together in peace.

B.C. then finds an opening to make a shameless plug for the official Venn Network t-shirt, which you can get over at Amazon.com. When you buy one of these shirts you not only help support the shows like Raw Islam, but you help support all the shows on the network - like Islamic Faith in Focus - and the hosts of these show. So, help us reach a larger audience with our message and head over to Amazon.com and get yours today!

Back to our show notes -

Imam Azhar brings the focus back home - thank God for him - and reminds us all that, much like the snowboarders or skiers in the Winter Olympics we have to be flexible. If one of these athletes were to go down the slopes and be stiff as a board, they would fall and hurt themselves, much like these athletes we need to remember to be flexible at all times.

Finally, Imam Azhar answers the big question - is Valentine's Day halal or haram? Or does he even actually answer that question? There is only one way to find out!

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

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This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week can Islam work with current issues and topics?

B.C. Dodge starts the show by introducing the new Venn Network t-shirt, which you can own by heading over to Amazon.com. When you buy one of these shirts you help, not only support the network, but you also help support the hosts. The Venn Network is growing, and it is only with support from listeners – like you – that we can reach those in need of hearing our message!

Imam Azhar reminds our audience that Raw Islam is a topical show. This show does not preach, we do not condemn, we bring you weekly topics through an Islamic filter. Because, believe it or not, there is an Islamic perspective on many of the things that are going on in the world around us today.

Part of the issue around is this is that there are many “Cultural Muslims” that have separated Islam from the rest of the world. The fact of the matter is that as a Muslim, you can’t do “your Muslim thing,” and then go out into the world. You need to be living example of your faith.

To prove his point, Imam Azhar will perform the amazing feat by pulling in facts and information about the Super Bowl, The State of The Union Address, and the biggest dip the Dow Jones in years and show you – well rather tell you – how Islam pertains to each one of them.

Starting with the Super Bowl – Breitbart put out a tweet that, as best we can figure, was supposed to be funny. And in the Tweet they wrote that “Well ‘lil Muhammad, back when the kuffar ran things, they stitched up filthy pig skins, moved them around painted lines, and shoved each other. There was secular music and alcohol – A Very haram affair!” This sends B.C. into a tailspin about how pork is not kryptonite to Muslims. Muslims are simply instructed not to eat it.

Imam Azhar brings things back to center as he address the peaceful celebration in Philadelphia, what seemed to be the longest State of the Union in history, and yes one of the biggest dips in the stock market in quite some time.

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

 

This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week what is wrong with YOU (or us)?

The Imam opens this episode by telling us a story from his childhood of how there was a leak in his house and try as he might his father just could not find the source. After months of work and poking around they finally found the source, and it was on the other side of the room. He tells us this story to remind us that while we make look at a problem, what we are looking at might not be the source of the issue.

Imam Azhar asks B.C. Dodge if he understands the point that he is trying to make. B.C. says that he does understand. He goes on to say that there is a lot of negativity in the world today, not just in the U.S, but around the world, and we sometimes - while we would like to blame President Trump or some other outside force, the fact is that once in a while it is us, it is our view on things, that causes this negativity.

The Imam goes on to say that there are three issues in the Muslim community that we, as Muslims don't want to talk about - or even acknowledge are there - the first being that Muslims are very unwelcoming to others outside their community.

The second point is that Muslims are very judgmental, not just of people that are from different cultures, but of their own community. For instance, when B.C. goes to pray - he is white, he can't be Muslim, he must be an FBI informant.

And the third point - well… you are going to have to download it to hear it!

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

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This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week when did the decline of humanity start?

While we are not talking about the Super Bowl, Imam Azhar does open this episode of the podcast by talking about how the New England Patriots had just won another division title, so that they were eligible to attend the Super Bowl. But the Imam isn’t a fan of the Patriots…B.C. Dodge guesses that it is in relation to deflategate, after all, what other reason could there be to not like a team, other than – you know – cheating!

As it turns out what the Imam is referring to is the ability to go back and review things. When things don’t go right, when there are failures, when we get knocked down, do we review and say, “what did I do wrong?” “What can I change if I do this again?”

B.C. reminds the listeners of the George Santayana quote “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Imam Azhar goes on to say that much like the New England Patriots, who started the season off very poorly, and then went back to review what they had done and how they could change things up – humanity needs to do the same. We need to stop and review what we have done, assess how well things are working, and go back and try new things over again.

Which leads to this week’s topic, where did the deterioration of humanity start? When did it all start to go wrong? When did manners become a thing of the past?

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show? Drop us an email at [email protected]

This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week what happened to the trust?

Imam Azhar reminds us that this program isn’t here to be the CNN of the Islamic perspective, as much as he and B.C. Dodge try to keep the show on track (B.C. often derails the conversation regardless) and to cover the hot trending topics, it is easy to become bogged down in the news of the day – What did the president tweet? What policies are under question now? What dumb thing has humanity tried to do today?

On the Raw Islam Podcast, we don’t want to cover the headlines – we want to cover what is behind the headlines.

In the last few weeks there has been a lot of talk about the leader of the free world talking about how countries in Africa and Haiti are shitholes – of course the Imam is way too nice to actually say that word – Imam Azhar states the simple fact, not #FakeNews, that these statements are racists and offensive, and he reminds us that there is no place in this world for this kind of racism.

In the 1960s we saw a cultural shift, we say people who had been oppressed for hundreds of years fighting for God given rights, fighting for the right to be treated as humans. To take such actions as calling Africa a shithole stomps all over what was fought for and takes humanity backwards thousands of years.

But in the interest of not getting weighed down in headlines, the Imam wants to talk about trust. God stated in the Quran that he gave us trust, and because of this gift of trust we should be able to trust our leaders and they should be able to trust us, and we should be able to trust our neighbors, and they us.

But do we?

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show?

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This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is bitcoin the next evolution in currency?

As 2017 ends and 2018 begins, we reflect on if we have the strength and fortitude to push through another year, to continue dealing with the issues that we have at hand.

We then begin the conversation of how God knows everything that has ever been, and everything that ever will be. And this world, this planet, that was given to us by God is our responsibility to care for, or to abuse - which, for the record, we do not advocate for the abuse of our planet.

Part of the items that God created was wealth, or currencies. When society started off we ran on a simple bartering system - meaning that we would exchange goods and services for other goods and services. As we grew we started to get more complex and we started to use gold and silver.

As time went on we started to form this gold and silver into coins to be used regularly; then we started to issue paper money, which was backed by the gold and silver that the issuer had. At one point in U.S. history the twenty-dollar bill represented around an ounce of gold… not so much anymore, but you get the point. This was the pure evolution of our currency.

With all things being equal in the universe, it would stand to reason that at some point we would evolve beyond paper money, and with cryptocurrency that evolution has started.

B.C. Dodge went all techie on what cryptocurrency is and how it works, Imam Azhar then makes it a little more simple.

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show? Drop us an email at [email protected]

This week on the Raw Islam Podcast with Imam Azhar– a 2017 Podcast Award nominated podcast, our question of the week is as we look back on 2017 - what present are you taking for granted?

On this episode we close out 2017, and prepare to welcome in 2018. 2017 had some very unique issues – from political to social to environmental, but we move ahead because time waits for no man.

Imam Azhar opens this episode recalling a story about a conversation he had with a sister who asked him – why do you follow religion?

He admits that this question left him confused, and he spent a lot of time thinking and pondering this. Imam Azhar admits that his faith tells him how to be a good citizen, how to treat others, how to be a good person in general.

When he followed up with sister she replied – how did faith take ownership of those items?

Imam Azhar reflects on the fact that some acts that were cultural norms; such as holding the door open for people, or shaking with the right hand, or eating with your right hand… it was religion that influenced all of this. When relaying this information, the Imam intentionally uses past tense because it seems today we don’t say “thank you” or “excuse me” as much or as often as we should.

As part of closing out 2017 and reflecting on what seems to be a loss of basic manners in society, Imam Azhar thanks GOP for reminding us what lying looks like; he thanks Trump of reminding us what a good leader is; he thanks the democratic party for reminding us what happens when we don’t stand together and we allow shady activates to take place.

Make sure to subscribe to this Venn Network production – Raw Islam with Imam Azhar Subedar. This is surely one of the best podcasts to subscribe to if you are looking for facts about Islam and if you want to know what Islam is all about. The Raw Islam Podcast delivers important information about Islam to you weekly, so make sure to subscribe to this Muslim Talk show that isn’t just for Muslims!

Do you have questions for the Imam or thoughts on the show? Drop us an email at [email protected]