A Muslim Feminist talks about Zionism and Antisemitism with a Jewish Lawyer

I sit down with two remarkable guests: Soraya M. Deen—a Muslim feminist lawyer, interfaith organizer, and outspoken critic of antisemitism within Muslim spaces—and Julie Marzouk—an immigrants’ rights attorney and professor who’s been building bridges across communities for two decades.

We dive into:

Whether the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is primarily religious or political?

Antisemitism inside parts of the Islamic world and how to challenge it from withi

The Quran, Israel, and why Soraya believes Zionism aligns with Quranic prophecy

Post–October 7 interfaith ruptures—and practical steps for rebuilding trust

Immigration policy, vetting, and liberalism vs. fundamentalism

Feminism, LGBTQ rights, and the progressive–Islamist contradiction

Union politics (UAW), ethnic studies (AB-101), and coalition-building around shared American values

If you value honest dialogue across real differences, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Intro
0:06 Meet today’s guests
1:16 Soraya on faith, Zionism & condemning Hamas
3:22 Is this conflict religious, political—or both?
5:12 “Palestinianism,” media narratives & accountability
7:35 American mosques, sermons, and rising tensions post–10/7
9:30 How borrowed European antisemitism spread in Muslim contexts
12:17 Growing up in South Asia: early signals & stereotypes
13:59 From bullying to bridge-building: Soraya’s interfaith path
17:01 Fear, threats, and speaking up anyway
19:40 Liberal discomfort vs. calling out radicalism
21:58 Why outreach often stalls—and what to try next
24:39 What the Jewish community can do better (concrete steps)
27:10 “Islamophobia” accusations & staying principled
31:00 Re-centering Jewish strength without abandoning dialogue
34:18 Julie on losing progressive allies & finding new bridges
37:01 Immigration ideals vs. ideological vetting
41:02 What U.S. asylum law already requires
42:58 Screening gaps & community responsibility
45:38 Compassion, gratitude, and reform from within
49:03 Building broad coalitions (Latino, Asian, Black, Hindu, Christian)
51:02 Unions, mission drift & shared interests
53:38 Schools, AB-101 & prioritizing core education
55:03 The feminism/LGBTQ breaking point with Islamism
56:45 Is Islamic reform gathering steam?
1:00:01 Textual literalism vs. living tradition
1:01:35 Why medieval Islamic intellectuals matter today
1:03:44 Cost of dissent: reformers under threat
1:06:00 What should Israel do now? A “Chief Compassion Officer”?
1:08:05 Progressives, Zionism & owning the narrative
1:12:30 Focus Jewish orgs on Jewish needs; keep allies honest
1:12:58 Closing thoughts & a call to action

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Zionism, antisemitism in Muslim community, Quran and Israel, Islamic reform, interfaith dialogue, October 7, Hamas condemnation, liberalism vs. fundamentalism, feminism in Islam, LGBTQ rights & Islam, progressive Judaism, coalition-building, unions UAW Israel, ethnic studies AB-101, immigration vetting, American Muslim leadership, Bernard Lewis, Maimonides, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), diaspora vs. nationalism.

Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.

Politics:    • Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? ...  

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