142: Fear of a Muslim Planet, Global Islamophobia and the Top 10 Hip Hop MCs of All Time with Arsalan Iftikhar

The Maverick Show with Matt Bowles

Arslan Iftikhar reflects on growing up in a Pakistani immigrant family in Chicago, experiencing racism, and being inspired to pursue a life of anti-racist advocacy work. He talks about his Punjabi cultural heritage, makes Bhangra music recommendations, and shares tips for traveling to Pakistan. He then talks about his experience in South Africa and the inspiration he drew from Nelson Mandela in his decision to become a civil rights lawyer and focus on Islamophobia in post 9-11 America. He then goes on to discuss his new book “Fear of a Muslim Planet” and explains various manifestations of Islamophobia around the world and their inter-connection to other forms of racism. He then unpacks “The Great Replacement” white-supremacist conspiracy theory, and gives examples of anti-Muslim case studies around the globe ranging from Hijab bans in France to Uyghur internment camps in China to right-wing Hindu nationalism in India to the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar. He then talks about his experience as a global media commentator and reflects on the time CNN’s Don Lemon asked him on prime time television if he supported ISIS. He also talks about the influence of Islam in hip hop culture and names his Top 10 hip hop MCs of all time. Finally, he discusses how we can all be better anti-racist allies. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com