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To the Best of Our Knowledge

 


A Four Part Series from TTBOOK!

PRI
Public Radio International

WPR
Wisconsin Public Radio

 

 
spacer from Wisconsin Public Radio  

WHOSE ISLAM IS IT?

Program 10-02-07-A

Listen!

President Obama is out to remake America's relationship with the Islamic world. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll explore what this means for both the Middle East and the U.S. We'll also look at the ongoing debate over Muslim immigration in Europe, and we'll talk with a Hollywood screenwriter about his new novel on the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Aisha.

SEGMENT 1:

Ali A. Allawi is the author of "The Crisis of Islamic Civilization." he talks to Steve Paulson. Also, Tissa Hami is one of the world's few female Muslim stand-up comics. She talks with Jim Fleming abut how she went from a career on Wall Street to the comedy club circuit and what her Iranian mother (who's a dentist) thinks of it. And we hear bits from her act.

SEGMENT 2:

Christopher Caldwell talks with Steve Paulson about the European discomfort with the rising tide of Muslim immigration. Devout Muslims pose particular challenges for the largely secular European societies as their native populations age and decline. Caldwell's book is "Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and the West." Also, Senegalese pop star Youssou N'Dour is the top-selling African musician of all time. His album "Egypt" moved away from the raucous sounds of pop and was devoted to his faith. N'Dour is a devout Sufi Muslim. Film-maker Chai Vasarhelyi followed Youssou N'Dour and his band after the album came out and produced a documentary called "I Bring What I Love." Anne Strainchamps talks with the film-maker and musician right after the film opened in New York. "Egypt" won a Grammy in 2005. We hear clips from "Egypt" and from the film.

SEGMENT 3:

Hollywood screenwriter Kamran Pasha has written a novel called "Mother of Believers." It's the story of Muhammad's third wife, Aisha, whom he married when she was very young. Pasha tells Jim Fleming why he wanted to tell this story in novel form, despite the potential controversy. And we hear him read a passage from the book.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 10-02-07-A.

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Books & CDs:

Ali Allawi, The Crisis of Islamic Civilization (Yale University Press)

Kamran Pasha, Mother of the Believers: A Novel of the Birth of Islam (Washington Square Press)

Christopher Caldwell, Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and the West (Doubleday)

Websites:

Music:

  • Youssou N’Dour:
    All from his album “Egypt”:
    *“Mahdihu Laye”
    *”Allah”
    *”Shukran Bama”
    *”Touba – Saru Salaam”
    Nonesuch Records
  • After Kamran Pasha:
    Anouar Brahem w/ “L’oiseau de bois”
    On “Conte de l’incroyable amour”
    ECM Records

Distribution dates: week of 02/07/2010 - hour 1
click HERE for timings and cues

Much of this program was heard in
"Reclaiming Islam" 09-06-14-A

Listen!

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

     


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