The PBD Podcast recently expressed alarm that UCLA students are converting to Islam, praying to God, and wearing hijabs — as if Americans freely choosing to worship their Creator is somehow a threat. Former Baptist and Catholic minister Sheikh Michael Smith, who accepted Islam over 20 years ago, joins the show to dismantle the fear-mongering narrative that “Islam is taking over the world” and share why he actually felt closer to Jesus after becoming Muslim than he ever did as a Christian.
Closer to Jesus Through Islam
Sheikh Michael Smith’s testimony challenges everything the mainstream narrative pushes about Islam and Christianity being at odds. After converting to Islam, he dove deep into Islamic scholarship, studying Quran exegesis, the Sunnah, and Islamic law. His remarkable conclusion is one shared by countless converts: Islam honors Jesus (peace be upon him) as one of the mightiest prophets of God, and understanding his true message through the Quran brought a closeness to Jesus that the Trinity doctrine never could. All the prophets from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them) taught the same core message — worship the One Creator alone.
After I converted to Islam, I felt closer to Jesus than when I was a Christian. Islam doesn’t have a global domination agenda — Islam wants to allow people to see the truth.
The PBD Podcast’s Fear of Islam Exposed
- The “Islam is taking over the world” narrative is centuries-old orientalism repackaged for modern audiences to make Islam the monster
- Students at UCLA and universities across America are choosing Islam freely after researching it themselves — this terrifies those who profit from ignorance
- The PBD Podcast is losing a significant Muslim demographic by platforming anti-Islam rhetoric instead of honest dialogue
- A dangerous new bill threatening free speech around religious expression should concern every American who values the Constitution
Moral Integrity Over Sponsorship Deals
Sheikh Michael Smith reminds us that one day every person will stand before God and be questioned about everything they said and did. Speaking the truth may not be advantageous for sponsors or social media metrics, but the prophetic model demands connecting with people honestly. In an age of increasing polarization, Muslims must lead by example — reading, learning, growing, and inviting others to pick up the Quran and judge for themselves rather than relying on pundits who have never opened the book they claim to criticize.
At the end of the day, we’re all going to stand before God and be questioned about what we did. Sometimes speaking the truth is not going to be advantageous to your sponsors, but that is what integrity demands.
