A Modern Perspective on Ancient Religious Texts with Gibran Malik

As world leaders attempt to combat the repercussions of Muslim extremism, Gibran Malik, an American Muslim reformer and head of The Common Accord, addresses the issues presented when problematic interpretations of ancient religious texts, such as the Quran and Torah, collide with modern politics today. Malik also discusses the continued media coverage of Muslim extremists Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik and the lack of leadership amongst today’s Muslim leaders, who have allowed corruption to run rampant in the Islamic community in this Lip News interview hosted by Philippe Assouline.

Guest Bio

Having been born and raised in Queens, New York - Gibran Malik grew up in the metropolis melting pot like many other city kids. His parents made the voyage from Pakistan to Queens and unlike several transplanted parents - who trek the seas to the states strictly enforcing the native culture within the home – Malik’s father embraced all cultures. He named his son after Lebanese Poet “Khalil Gibran” and it seems to have instilled a natural open and inquisitive spirit. Malik went to public school but attended an Islamic School for summer programs that taught Islamic history, how to be a Muslim, belief in one God, prayer, fasting, charity along with Basic Arabic. Gibran was not much different except that he asked questions more than anyone else, and when he was 15 years old decided to read the Quran for himself. noticing a verse in the Quran that calls for peace between Muslims Jews and Christians alike he decided to take his studies further to learn about all 3 faiths. Today he is the head of an organization called “The Common Accord”, a community founded on the idea of shared knowledge and appreciation of each other’s traditions and opinions while holding to the common principle of Monotheism.