RADIO
Reza Aslan is the author of "How To Win A Cosmic War: God, Globalization and the End of the War on Terror." He talks with Steve Paulson about President Obama's recent speech in Cairo and its effect on the Muslim world. Aslan seems to admire what Obama said but says Muslims will wait to see if the actions of the United States reflect its leader's words.
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.
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."
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.
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.
To the Best of Our Knowledge is an audio magazine of ideas - two hours of smart, entertaining radio for people with curious minds.
© Copyright 2012 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
© Copyright 2012 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
