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Inspired
Inspired is the nation's leading public radio show about faith, ethics and spirituality. Each week we offer you analyses of the big headlines alongside lesser-told stories – those of Orthodox Jewish artists and African-American atheists, Muslim feminists and spiritual seekers. Through these stories, a rough sketch of our country’s religious landscape begins to emerge. It’s a marketplace of beliefs and ideas too complex for sound bites, and too important to ignore.
More than a Boxer: The Religious Life of Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was the champ, a boxer who elevated his sport to new heights of artistry, audacity and showmanship. But he was also a social activist and one of the most famous American Muslims. We speak with two experts about Muhammad Ali’s religious journey from a neighborhood Baptist church, to the Nation of Islam, and eventually to Sufi Islam. We also explore how Ali’s religious views fueled his political activism. With Gregory Carr, professor of Africana Studies at Howard University and Randy Roberts, co-author of Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X.
Muhammad Ali as an Interfaith Leader
Many of us are aware of Muhammad Ali’s activism as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. But his work as an ambassador and interfaith leader is less well known. He traveled the world in defense of human rights, even working to free American captives in Iraq. Ali also strove to build bridges between Sunni and Shia Muslims and across religious traditions. We speak with Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Quiz: Thou Shalt Not Tell A Lie
Thou Shalt Not Tell A Lie is a new quiz on Interfaith Voices. Two statements are false; one is true. It’s up to you to figure out which is which. Vote here for the phrase you think is correct!
For this week’s quiz, we look at the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which began the evening of June 5. During Ramadan, many Muslims fast during the daylight hours.
So, which of these statements is true about Ramadan?
1. Muslims in Scandinavian countries don’t observe Ramadan by fasting because the sun does not set that far north during the summer, and they would never be able to break their fast.
2. Ramadan begins with a sighting of the new moon, but if you don’t see the new moon after five days, you don’t have to observe Ramadan.
3. Muslim Olympic athletes have been given fatwas exempting them from fasting so they can train and compete.
Tune in next week for the correct answer!
