Founding Encounters

Founding Encounters is a podcast 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, this show will focus on unexpected and overlooked details of the founding years, taking listeners 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 formed America’s initial understanding of the Middle East. 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