The Big Picture

The catholic world is grieving the loss of Pope Francis, but so is much of the Muslim one. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis spent much of his life reaching out across religious lines, forming monumental friendships with Muslims, from refugee families to Islamic scholars to Palestinians. In his final Easter Sunday sermon just hours before his death, he called on the world to protect the sanctity of life in Gaza, and work towards a lasting ceasefire that saved Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages. His voice echoed across all corners of the world, and in his death, his messages were reflected. The grand imam of Al Azhar Ahmad al Tayeb, described Pope Francis as a “true friend to Muslims, sincere in his pursuit of peace”. So how did he leave such a mark on such a divided world? This week on the Big Picture Podcast we speak with Georgetown University scholar, theologian and author Dr Jordan Denari Duffner. Dr Jordan is the author of ‘Finding Jesus Among Muslims’ and the upcoming book ‘Pope Francis and Islam’. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee. You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG

This week on The Big Picture Podcast, we speak to Momodou Taal, a Cornell Unveristy scholar forced to flee from US immigration officers. The crackdown by the Trump administration on pro-Palestine activists has continued to intensify despite legal challenges. Undercover agents belonging to the department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE for short, have been filmed arresting university students on campuses, in their homes and even in the middle of the street. Some of those targeted as part of this nationwide sweep have attempted to appeal to the justice system - in Cornell university a group of academics and students launched a legal case against the Trump Administration. At its centre is the case of Mamodou Taal, a British-Gambian PHD student whose home was then raided by ICE agents in an attempt to arrest him. After failing to get a judge to hear their case, Taal decided instead to leave the United States before he faces the same fate as Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee. You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG

A trauma surgeon stationed at one of Gaza’s largest hospitals says the carnage this week is beyond anything he has seen in Ukraine or anywhere. More than 500 have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since Tuesday, when Israel’s government broke a two-month ceasefire with Hamas and has escalated attacks since. Hospitals continue to be overwhelmed with more than 900 injuries and facing ongoing shortages since food and fuel were cut off by Israel’s government in early March. UNICEF says Tuesday was the single deadliest day for children in Gaza since the war began. On this episode of The Big Picture Podcast, we speak with Dr Feroze Sadhwa, a volunteer trauma surgeon at Nasser Hospital, and an eyewitness to what he describes as ‘carnage’ in Gaza. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee. You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG

At least 400 people have been killed after a surprise Israeli attack on Gaza in the early hours of Tuesday.  Israel’s government vows to continue escalating these military attacks, saying it’s in response to Hamas’ refusal to extend the ceasefire, which has been in place since January. But is this the real reason for this morning’s attack? Or is there a much more cynical explanation - one tied to the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? This week on The Big Picture Podcast, we speak to Daniel Levy, the president of the US/Middle East Project and a former Israeli peace negotiator. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee. You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG

Is Judaism itself an anti-Zionist religion? According to Rabbi and organiser Alissa Wise, it's precisely the teachings of her faith that informs her stance against Israel, and her advocacy for a free Palestine. Rabbi Wise is a former organiser with Jewish Voice for Peace, and in December 2023 founded the group Rabbis for Ceasefire, calling for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza. The group now has more than 200 members, all of them teachers of the Jewish faith. They're a part of a growing movement of dissenting voices within Jewish communities challenging ideas that were taboo for decades. Back in November, shortly after the re-election of Donald Trump, The Big Picture Podcast  travelled to Philadelphia to meet with Rabbi Alissa Wise to talk about the history of Judaism and the Jewish people. And why standing against Zionism is the most Jewish thing she can do. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee. You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG