#012: Ali A. Rizvi - "Of Myth & Legends"

Anuj sits down with Ali Rizvi back in the AwokenWord studio. Ali is an author, speaker, and musician who grew up in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan before moving to the US, and eventually Canada at the age of 24. Rizvi has been writing extensively about secularism in the Muslim world for several years, contributing to The Huffington Post, Quillette and major media outlets like CNN. Rizvi is also a medical communications professional and a trained physician and oncologic pathologist.

Ali's book The Athiest Muslim has been widely read, translated and acclaimed as an important book in a world increasingly wrestling with religion and secularism, including high profile reviews such as that by Karim Abdul Jabbar. Ali is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular podcast, Secular Jihadists, which tackles issues, events and stories through conversation with people from all over the world.

Anuj and Ali discuss his background, life experiences growing up, the insights Ali gleaned in working with the dead, science, and religion. They dive deep into the challenges and questions unanswered by religion, the history and impact of religion on human cultural evolution, and the role that spirituality may or may not play in our lives, as well as the beauty of wonder and fatherhood and everyday life. The conversation turns to the current US Democratic primaries and the role of politics, identity, populism and social forces shaping the world today.

The Athiest Muslim
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250094445/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Secular Jihadists Podcast
https://secularjihadists.libsyn.com/