Ep 82: Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an and the 2024 Election

In part 1 of this double episode, Dr. Denise Spellberg, author of "Thomas Jefferson's Qur'an: Islam and the Founders" discusses how conceptions of Muslims played a crucial role in the religious pluralism in the early republic, anxieties over a Muslim president, and the clash between principles and prejudice that continues today. In part 2, the ImanWire hosts get together for a round table discussion on Muslims and the 2024 election. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:50 - Conceptions of Islam at the Time of the Founders 11:16 - Jefferson's Qur'an 15:55 - John Locke, Jefferson and Religious Freedom 23:51 - A Muslim President? 30:48 - Imaginary Vs Real Muslims 32:22 - Slavery and Racial Hypocrisy 37:06 - Omar bin Said and the Legacy of Islam in the United States 41:19 - Participating in a Flawed Political System 48:40 - A Critique of the Judeo-Christian Construct 52:20 - Retelling Islam in American History 58:30 - Round Table Discussion on Muslims and the 2024 Election 1:05:18 - The Moral Obligation of American Muslims 1:09:50 - Weakening Religiosity and Liberalism 1:13:38 - Returning to the Source of Peace and Community 1:16:26 - Conceptualizing a Spiritual Framework 1:29:27 - Political Differences 1:41:05 - Anchoring in the Divine Reality 1:45:26 - American Muslims Mattering