An Audience of One with Dalia Mogahed

QUICK SUMMARY

What does it mean to be fully committed to your faith while building bridges across differences? In this episode of Religion to Reality, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with renowned Muslim scholar and author Dalia Mogahed for a thoughtful conversation on faith, identity, prayer, fasting, belonging, and interfaith dialogue. Dalia shares her journey from Egypt to America, how discovering Malcolm X shaped her identity as an American Muslim, and why listening without an agenda may be one of the greatest acts of love.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE

Dalia Mogahed is one of the most respected voices on Islam, identity, and religious understanding in America today. As a researcher, author, public speaker, and former advisor to President Barack Obama, she has dedicated her career to fostering greater understanding between communities and challenging misconceptions about faith.

In this conversation, Dalia reflects on growing up between two cultures, embracing her Muslim identity, and discovering how faith can serve as a source of freedom rather than restriction. She discusses the meaning behind the hijab, the spiritual practices that shape Muslim life, and the transformative power of prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

The discussion also explores common misconceptions about Islam, the role of Jesus in Islamic belief, and the importance of approaching others with curiosity rather than judgment. Throughout the episode, Dalia offers profound insights that resonate far beyond religious boundaries, reminding us that authentic listening is essential for human connection.

ABOUT DALIA MOGAHED

Dalia Mogahed is a scholar at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), CEO of Mogahed Consulting, and former Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. She co-authored Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think with John L. Esposito, and served on President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Her TED Talk on identity and belonging was named one of the top TED Talks of 2016. Dalia is also co-host of the Quran Conversations podcast.  

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Listening without an agenda is about the most generous thing that one can do for another person.”

“The only way to truly liberate ourselves is to surrender to God.”

“You are not representing 1.5 billion people. You are representing yourself.”

“The sense of obligation is part of the relief.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think by Dalia Mogahed and John L. Esposito
• Dalia Mogahed’s TED Talk: “What It’s Like to Be Muslim in America”
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Quran Conversations Podcast
• Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)