92: What a Muslim Senate Candidate Taught Us About "Love Your Neighbor" with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

This week, we are honored to be joined by the one and only Dr. Abdul El-Sayed! As he loves to remind us, Dr. Carter is from Michigan, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is currently running in a three-way Democratic primary to be Michigan's Senator against Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow. If he wins, he would not only be an unprecedented Progressive voice in Congress, but he would also be the first Muslim Senator in United States History. Dr. El-Sayed has also been vocal about how his religious views are part of his holistic philosophy - shaping his time growing up in America and the way he is committed to loving his neighbors. You guys have been asking for some more interfaith collaboration on the podcast, and we felt that there was an incredible opportunity for some interfaith religious construction here. Spoilers... Dr. Abdul El-Sayed totally blew us away. (disclaimer: this interview was recorded the week of May 17th, so our political discussions focus on last week's news cycle) Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Introducing Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 5:00 - How Christians Can Fight Islamophobia/ How To Build A Better Society 8:00 - Successful Muslim Progressives 12:30 - Is Being Progressive Radical or Religious? 16:30 - What Gives You HOPE? 20:35 - Dr. Abdul's Medical Experience and Medicare For All 25:00 - The Black Church 29:00 - How To Support Abdul 32:00 - Break 33:00 - Post Interview Freak Out/ Debrief 44:00 - "Rededicate 250" 1:08:40 - Good News! Show Notes: - Find out more about Abdul: https://abdulforsenate.com/ - San Diego attack: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/18/us/live-news/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting  - Green Nobel Prize: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D7tWNrETNQXfIYUu17qjgj3k2QB_IpRsF45skAHlvZo/edit?tab=t.0  - Rededicate 250- https://freedom250.org/celebration/rededicate-250-a-national-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving - RNS News Review of Rededicate 250- https://religionnews.com/2026/05/17/trump-allies-lead-thousands-in-prayer-to-rededicate-america-to-god-on-national-mall/ - The Convocation Unscripted- https://convocation.substack.com/  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast