Reflecting on the spiritual, social and political issues to do with how Muslims today can best navigate the challenges of liberal modernity, The Red Umbrella podcasts hopes to offer some much needed food for thought, and even a call to action. Thus taking intellectual and spiritual inquiry as our starting point, and God as our intended goal, here are The Red Umbrella podcasts thus far (these podcasts can also be found on iTunes here):
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1. Open Your Umbrella: This is the first episode of the podcast, The Red Umbrella: Seeking the Divine Shade. It’s a welcome episode, explaining what the podcast aims to discuss, and why. If there were to be a catchline for these podcasts, it would very likely be these words of Walter Gropius, a famous German architect: ‘The mind is like an umbrella. It’s best useful when open.’ Please do listen, subscribe and share. Podcast length: 12’29”.
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2. Islam, Progress & Progressive Islam: This second episode looks at the issue of Islam & Progress. It asks what we mean by the term “progress” and how we as individuals can best progress to God. It then looks at the ideas of ‘Liberal’ or ‘Progressive’ Islam and its body of ideas, and asks that nagging question: Is Islam in a crisis? Podcast length: 37’50”.
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3. Knowing God is Like Knowing Your Neighbour: We moderns are often a huge bundle of contradictions; and we Muslims are no exception. So while many of us are keen to know about God’s laws, or how best to work for the rights of those of God’s servants who face political injustice or persecution, too few of us seem keen to want to know about God Himself. This tragic absurdity is what we discuss in this episode. Podcast length: 26’22”.
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4. Weaning Ourselves Off Worldliness: What does it mean to wean ourselves off the world [worldliness]? Where does money or wealth fit into the religious life and seeking God? And how do we grow our Spirit in this age of turbo-consumerism. Find out in this episode. Podcast length: 11’45”.
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5. Why Isn’t My Life Blessed?: In this episode, we explore the question many of us often ask ourselves: Why does my life lack so much of the blessings? Why is my life not as smooth sailing as that of others? Why are my relationships with family or friends so rocky or rough? In other words, Why isn’t my life blessed?! Podcast length: 14’11”.
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6. Educating the Heart: This episode discusses the Islamic importance of nurturing a sound heart, by asking what – according to the Qur’an – is a ‘sound heart’? Podcast length: 27’19”.