Video Description
A thousand years of anti-Muslim tropes didn't stay buried in medieval manuscripts. They followed Christians into modern sanctuaries, Sunday school classrooms, and even progressive interfaith circles. So what happens when two ordained Baptist pastors decide to trace the roots and rip them out?
In this episode of WISE Women with Daisy Khan, host Dr. Daisy Khan sits down with Rev. Dr. Anna Piela and Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, a married clergy couple who co-founded Challenging Islamophobia Together Chicagoland and recently released their book Confronting Islamophobia in the Church. Together, they unpack how a deliberately distorted medieval Quran translation shaped centuries of Christian perception, why progressive Christians still harbor "soft Islamophobia" toward Muslim women, and what their survey of American Baptist clergy revealed about the deepest theological blind spots between the two faiths.
Anna draws on her background as an Islamic feminist scholar to challenge the persistent stereotype of Muslim women as lacking agency, while Michael makes the case that reading the Quran with generosity can actually deepen Christian faith. They also share practical steps, from interfaith iftars to their own "Don't Burn the Quran, Read It" initiative, that any congregation can adopt today.
Listen to WISE Women with Daisy Khan because every story matters. This conversation is an invitation to move beyond assumption and into an authentic relationship, one shared meal and one honest question at a time. Listen, Like, Follow, and Share WISE Women with Daisy Khan wherever you get your podcasts.
#WISEWomenwithDaisyKhan #WISEWomen #ConfrontingIslamophobia #InterfaithDialogue #IslamophobiaInTheChurch #ChristianMuslimDialogue #AntiMuslimBias #HolyEnvy #InterfaithSolidarity #MuslimWomenLeaders #IslamicFeminism #SoftIslamophobia #ReadTheQuran #InterfaithIftar #FaithInAction
Connect with Dr. Daisy Khan:
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Connect with Rev. Dr. Anna Piela:
Website: https://www.annapiela.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-piela/
Connect with Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf:
Website: https://www.michaelcaseywwoolf.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/revmichaelwoolf/
Author Bios:
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela & Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf are a married clergy couple who co-founded Challenging Islamophobia Together Chicagoland, an interfaith solidarity initiative dedicated to confronting anti-Muslim hate. Both ordained American Baptist pastors, they are deeply rooted in the Christian tradition yet believe that learning from other religions enriches and deepens their own faith. Together, they serve as Co-Associate Regional Ministers for the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. Anna is also a Senior Writer with the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and Michael serves as Senior Minister of Lake Street Church of Evanston, IL. Equal parts pastor, activist, and theologian, they bring faith to life through public witness and collaboration. inter-religious
WISE Women with Daisy Khan
Where Muslim voices rise, bridges are built, and history's unsung heroines reclaim their light.
WISE Women with Daisy Khan gives voice to Muslims sharing their experiences with anti-Muslim bias, educates non-Muslims to become upstanders against discrimination, and spotlights extraordinary women throughout history whose contributions have been erased. We reclaim faith as a force for good while building bridges between East and West, transforming fear into understanding, one conversation at a time.
We challenge disinformation with knowledge and empathy, confronting the weaponization of religion for political gain. This isn't just another podcast. It's a bridge between communities taught to fear each other, opening hearts and minds to build the understanding our divided world needs.
Welcome to WISE Women. Where wisdom meets courage, and voices become bridges.
News [Source: CBS Evening News]
A man sent a hateful message to a Muslim candidate. He responded with a call for help in an article by Steve Hartman
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-man-sent-a-hateful-message-to-a-muslim-candidate-he-responded-with-a-call-to-help/
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