Here on Earth's Inside Islam Series

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

We're about to launch an exciting new interactive series called Inside Islam. This is a year-long pioneer project we're producing in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Global Studies Center and with funding from the Social Sciences Research Council in New York. Not only does it have the potential to change the way most Americans think about Muslims and Islam, but also the way we Here-on-Earthians think about radio and produce our program!

Let me be specific: A few weeks ago, as part of the preparation for our launch, the Here on Earth team took part in a two-day seminar/workshop on social networking. Not only did the presenters, Sue Schardt and Mary McGrath, teach us how to use some nifty new tools, but more importantly, they opened our minds to the great benefits of getting all of you more actively involved in the process. Open up the gates, they said...there's nothing to be afraid of, and everything to be gained. Hmmm...I had to think about that for a while. This is my baby, after all. Was I really ready to hand it over to day care?

What does all this mean, exactly? Bottom line: we're asking you, our listeners, to partner with us in producing this experimental series. How can you do that? By going to our blog: insideislam.wisc.edu and posting your thoughts, your contacts, your ideas; stories that you've heard; issues you think we should tackle; people we should interview. The first program in the series will focus on Islamic Heavy Metal bands. (You may have heard Mark Levine, author of Heavy Metal Islam interviewed on Talk of the Nation. It will be broadcast on Thursday, September 25, but we're hoping you won't wait until then to let us hear from you. Touched you last.