You can’t be moral on your own. That’s a radical idea in this time of moral outrage, but thriving in public life requires a sense of mutual accountability, belonging, and hospitality for each other. Mona Siddiqui is a professor of religion and society, an author, commentator, and public intellectual, and she suggests that the virtues of loyalty, gratitude, hospitality, and hope can lead us through the common struggle of being human together, living forward into a thriving life of public faith and renewed moral imagination. As Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, Assistant Principal for Religion and Society, and Dean international for the Middle-East at the University of Edinburgh, she is an international beacon of hope that we might find restoration, hospitality, and flourishing in our world of struggle. Working through questions of loyalty, responsibility, belonging, gratitude, robust faith, and what we owe each other, we can find abundant resources for thriving and spiritual health. In this conversation with Mona Siddiqui, we discuss: What is a moral life? The connection between faith, spirituality, and living a moral life of responsibility and integrity The difference between cultivating virtuous character and doing justice How to thrive in a pluralistic society marked by constant struggle and conflict The promise of gratitude and hospitality in a life of thriving And how to pursue a hopeful, forward-looking approach to restoration in the wake of harm, loss, pain, and suffering. Episode Highlights "Our moral life only becomes alive when we are in a relationship—you can't be moral on your own." "Life is all about searching. Life is all about introspection. Life is all about reflection." "The good life is hard; it's not about ease, but about living with accountability and responsibility." "Hospitality isn't just welcoming—it's negotiating belonging, loyalty, and a sense of shared life." "Gratitude can liberate, but it can also create hierarchies and transactional indebtedness." "Hope is not naive optimism—without hope, how do you live, build relationships, or carry forward at all?" Helpful Links and Resources Follow Mona on X (Twitter) at @monasiddiqui7 *Christians, Muslims, and Jesus,* by Mona Siddiqui Human Struggle, Christian and Muslim Perspectives, by Mona Siddiqui A Theology of Gratitude: Christian and Muslim Perspectives, by Mona Siddiqui My Way: A Muslim Woman’s Journey by Mona Siddiqui The Moral Maze, BBC Radio 4 Show Notes Mona Siddiqui’s personal background in Islamic jurisprudence and public theology “I got into Islamic jurisprudence because of personal connection and intellectual curiosity.” Navigating public discourse post-9/11 as a non-white, non-Christian scholar Importance of pluralism and living within diverse identities "I need to create a space that appeals to a wider audience—not just about what I think." Growing up with intellectual freedom in a traditional Islamic household How faith upbringing seeds lifelong moral introspection "You are always answering to yourself—you know when you have not lived rightly." Developing comparative theology through seminars with Christian scholars Overlapping themes between Islamic and Christian thought on the good life The significance of accountability over blanket forgiveness "Belonging is crucial to being a good citizen—you can’t flourish alone." Exploration of loyalty: loyalty to people vs loyalty to principles Civic loyalty and critical engagement with the state “Because I feel loyal to my country, I should also be its critic.” The role of prayer in cultivating internal moral awareness Reflection on virtues: gratitude, loyalty, hope The dark sides of gratitude and loyalty in institutions Parenting with a focus on integrity, accountability, and faithfulness “Live so that whatever you say in public, you can say at home—and vice versa.” Emphasis on public engagement: speaking clearly, making complex ideas accessible "Radio became a gift—people want complex ideas made simple and meaningful." Remaining hopeful despite the culture of outrage and cynicism Young people’s resilience and persistent hopefulness Hospitality as a fundamental ethic for creating trust and belonging Struggle as a normative, transformative experience that shapes flourishing "Thriving is not just freedom—it’s centering, writing, speaking, and deep human connection." The importance of relationships in thriving and flourishing “Most of us realize—relationships are the hardest, but the most rewarding.” Redefining gratitude: avoiding transactional gratitude, cultivating authentic gratefulness Struggle cultivates introspection, resilience, creativity, and a deeper moral life Pam King’s Key Takeaways I can’t be moral on my own. But my decisions are my own. In the end, living with integrity means living with virtue. Personal and public flourishing are deeply connected to our lives of faith and spirituality; and all ...
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