Post by Middle East Broadcasting Networks

Welcome to Founding Encounters, a new MBN series about the lesser known stories of the relationship between the Middle East and America in its earliest years. To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our series will take you through the harbors of Morocco, the narrow bazaars of Tunis, the tobacco fields of Virginia, the naval battles in the distant seas, and much more. These experiences shaped the newly-formed nation’s perception of the Middle East and its people, and as you’ll see from this first episode – on Jefferson’s Quran – the region also helped shaped the new nation coming to life in 1776 in ways that aren’t fully appreciated. Today the Middle East is itself in the midst of a historic transformation, with the U.S. playing an inordinately large role. History helps give us some important perspective. Founding Encounters Hosted by award-winning author Roya Hakakian, this eight-part series will begin with the story of President Thomas Jefferson and the Quran he bought as a young law student, and will continue with the account of America’s first alliance: its partnership with Morocco, who recognized the country in 1777, before anyone else. We will highlight the lives of several notable individuals of Middle Eastern origin who made indelible contributions to their people and ours. Listen to the first episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcast Article: https://lnkd.in/eMG589Ai YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eQ-A_j48 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eP9Xk725 Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eNSkPGQd