Episode 43: Imam Abdullah Antepli "May the Sons of Abraham Unite"

In a thought-provoking discussion with Imam Abdullah Antepli, he talks about growing up in a secular family in Turkey and overcoming the Antisemitic indoctrination in his youth. He responds to the notion that Jew hatred is baked into Christianity and Islam and, therefore, unstoppable. We delve into the similarities between Judaism and Islam, our complicated history living together, contextualizing Zionism, the promising impact of the Abraham Accords, and pay tribute to his friend and our inspiration, the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt'l. With a focus on hope and mutual respect, we discuss if there can be a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and discuss the importance of building bridges between Jewish and Muslim communities. Additionally, he clarifies misconceptions about Islam and addresses whether it should be moderated, reformed, or neither. The fact is, religious fundamentalism is a problem that plagues all 3 Abrahamic faiths, which can only be solved by understanding each other and promoting more dialogue. We also talk about the power of Shabbat and the Imam's call for singing a "new song" of peace. Don't miss this enlightening conversation between 2 sons of Abraham, a Jew and a Muslim. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/judaismdemystified/support