Languages, Revolutions & the Prophet of Peace: A Conversation with Juan Cole

THE PROPHET OF PEACE: Juan Cole on Islam & the Modern Middle EastIn this wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, I speak with Professor Juan Cole — historian, linguist, and author of Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires.Originally planned as a discussion on West Asian geopolitics, this interview turned into a free-flowing journey through language, literature, religion, and revolution. Professor Cole shares how he mastered multiple languages including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and several European tongues — and how this shaped his understanding of cultures and civilisations.We delve into his take on Urdu poets like Allama Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the power of translation, and his motivation behind writing The Prophet of Peace. We also explore his work on modern Middle Eastern uprisings, generational change, and the shifting political landscape across the Arab world — from Gaddafi and Mubarak to the resistance against Bashar al-Assad.We end our discussion with reflections on Rumi’s Mathnawi and the enduring relevance of classical wisdom in today’s world.📚 Books discussed:Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of EmpiresThe New Arabs: How the Millennial Generation Is Changing the Middle East🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on Islam, geopolitics, literature, and social change.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear them.Visit us at: 🌐 www.kianistan.comSupport our sponsors: 💼 www.worldwidelistings.co.uk Follow Professor Juan Cole: www.juancole.com/#JuanCole #Islam #MiddleEast #ProphetMuhammad #Iqbal #ArabSpring #UrduPoetry #Rumi #Podcast