The Qur’an is esteemed by Muslims as God’s Word — literally. Yet many Americans are completely unfamiliar with the holy book, leading them to fear that Islam is a religion of hate and violent jihad. Michael Birkel, professor of religion at Earlham College, spent months on a conversational pilgrimage across North American to learn from numerous Muslim religious leaders and academics. He’ll give us a glimpse of their interpretations of the Qur’an.

Judi Hetrick is service leader.