Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
- Complete program: youtu.be/VS31Uf-jgPQ
- More Ustadh Ali Ataie: mcceastbay.org/ataie
- Dr. Ataie's book "In Defense of Islam: Confronting the Christians with their own Scripture by Ali Ataie (2004)": mcceastbay.org/ataie-1
- Dr. Ataie's book "Finding Muhammad in the New Testament - An Orthodox Muslim’s Interpretive Methodological Approach to the Christian Scriptures (Dr. Ali Ataie Thesis (2011): mcceastbay.org/ataie-2
- Dr. Ataie's book "Authenticating the Johannine Injil - Muslim 'Polemirenic' Interpretive Approaches to the Gospel of John (2016)": mcceastbay.org/ataie-3
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative Theology, and Comparative Literature. At Zaytuna College, Dr. Ataie has taught Arabic, Creedal Theology, Comparative Theology, Sciences of the Quran, Introduction to the Qur’an, and Seminal Ancient Texts.
For All New Muslim Women & Men (regardless of when you took your Shahadah): The Being Muslim Bookclub is dedicated to empowering converts and beginning Muslims to live Islam in a practical, sustainable way. This week, we are joined guest speaker Dr. Ali Ataie
Each month, we delve into one chapter to gain clarity on how to live and practice Islam, exploring the foundational elements of what Muslims believe.
This eight-month book club with Ustadh Omar Naisan is for all reverts, regardless of when you took your Shahadah. It is invaluable to those new to their journey in Islam and those returning to faith.
- Watch past recordings of "Being Muslim Bookclub": mcceastbay.org/being-muslim
- More Sidi Omer Naisan: mcceastbay.org/omar
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative Theology, and Comparative Literature. At Zaytuna College, Dr. Ataie has taught Arabic, Creedal Theology, Comparative Theology, Sciences of the Quran, Introduction to the Qur’an, and Seminal Ancient Texts. He received his BS in accounting from Cal Poly State University in 2000. In 2011, he received his MA in Biblical Studies from Pacific School of Religion, and in 2016, his PhD in Cultural and Historical Studies in Religion from the Graduate Theological Union. Dr. Ataie’s PhD thesis, titled “Authenticating the Johannine Injil: Muslim ‘Polemirenic’ Interpretive Approaches to the Gospel of John,” is a faith-based hermeneutic of the Gospel of John in which the entire text is authenticated as being the true Gospel of Jesus Christ mentioned in the Qur’an. Dr. Ataie is a native Persian speaker. He can read and write Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek.
MCC's new Muslim Coordinator, Blanca Vizcarra, facilitates these monthly meetings. She can be reached at blanca@mcceastbay.org or 301-675-6264.
Recommended but not required getting the book “Being Muslim: A Practical Guide”: https://a.co/d/30W2yXM)
The Being Muslim book club provides attendees with practical knowledge they can apply in their daily lives. Whether you are new to the religion or want to freshen up on the basics, the material is designed to deepen your connection to the most essential aspects of Islam through a holistic integration of the three branches of the religion: true beliefs (imān), good conduct (islām), and beauty of character (iḥsān).
We will cover a broad array of subjects, including core theology, purification and prayer, the path of spiritual refinement, a survey of the life of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, an introduction to the Qur’an, how to live an ethical, Islam-centered lifestyle, and more. New Muslims of all backgrounds and ages are welcome.
About the Facilitator
Ustadh Omar Naisan is a Ph.D. student in the Historical & Cultural Studies of Religion program at the Graduate Theological Union. He holds a Master of Arts in New Testament from the Graduate Theological Union. His published MA thesis is titled “Decrypting the Son of Man Problem: An Inquiry into the Dominant Approaches to the Son of Man Problem and its Conspicuous Application in Mark 8:27-31.” His interests include comparative theology, philology in religious corpora, and historical-critical studies of religious canons.
- More Ustadh Omar: mcceastbay.org/omar
This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
- Complete program: youtu.be/VS31Uf-jgPQ
- More Ustadh Ali Ataie: mcceastbay.org/ataie
- Dr. Ataie's book "In Defense of Islam: Confronting the Christians with their own Scripture by Ali Ataie (2004)": mcceastbay.org/ataie-1
- Dr. Ataie's book "Finding Muhammad in the New Testament - An Orthodox Muslim’s Interpretive Methodological Approach to the Christian Scriptures (Dr. Ali Ataie Thesis (2011): mcceastbay.org/ataie-2
- Dr. Ataie's book "Authenticating the Johannine Injil - Muslim 'Polemirenic' Interpretive Approaches to the Gospel of John (2016)": mcceastbay.org/ataie-3
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative Theology, and Comparative Literature. At Zaytuna College, Dr. Ataie has taught Arabic, Creedal Theology, Comparative Theology, Sciences of the Quran, Introduction to the Qur’an, and Seminal Ancient Texts.
For All New Muslim Women & Men (regardless of when you took your Shahadah): The Being Muslim Bookclub is dedicated to empowering converts and beginning Muslims to live Islam in a practical, sustainable way. This week, we are joined guest speaker Dr. Ali Ataie
Each month, we delve into one chapter to gain clarity on how to live and practice Islam, exploring the foundational elements of what Muslims believe.
This eight-month book club with Ustadh Omar Naisan is for all reverts, regardless of when you took your Shahadah. It is invaluable to those new to their journey in Islam and those returning to faith.
- Watch past recordings of "Being Muslim Bookclub": mcceastbay.org/being-muslim
- More Sidi Omer Naisan: mcceastbay.org/omar
Dr. Ali Ataie is a scholar of biblical hermeneutics with field specialties in Sacred Languages, Comparative Theology, and Comparative Literature. At Zaytuna College, Dr. Ataie has taught Arabic, Creedal Theology, Comparative Theology, Sciences of the Quran, Introduction to the Qur’an, and Seminal Ancient Texts. He received his BS in accounting from Cal Poly State University in 2000. In 2011, he received his MA in Biblical Studies from Pacific School of Religion, and in 2016, his PhD in Cultural and Historical Studies in Religion from the Graduate Theological Union. Dr. Ataie’s PhD thesis, titled “Authenticating the Johannine Injil: Muslim ‘Polemirenic’ Interpretive Approaches to the Gospel of John,” is a faith-based hermeneutic of the Gospel of John in which the entire text is authenticated as being the true Gospel of Jesus Christ mentioned in the Qur’an. Dr. Ataie is a native Persian speaker. He can read and write Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek.
MCC's new Muslim Coordinator, Blanca Vizcarra, facilitates these monthly meetings. She can be reached at blanca@mcceastbay.org or 301-675-6264.
Recommended but not required getting the book “Being Muslim: A Practical Guide”: https://a.co/d/30W2yXM)
The Being Muslim book club provides attendees with practical knowledge they can apply in their daily lives. Whether you are new to the religion or want to freshen up on the basics, the material is designed to deepen your connection to the most essential aspects of Islam through a holistic integration of the three branches of the religion: true beliefs (imān), good conduct (islām), and beauty of character (iḥsān).
We will cover a broad array of subjects, including core theology, purification and prayer, the path of spiritual refinement, a survey of the life of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, an introduction to the Qur’an, how to live an ethical, Islam-centered lifestyle, and more. New Muslims of all backgrounds and ages are welcome.
About the Facilitator
Ustadh Omar Naisan is a Ph.D. student in the Historical & Cultural Studies of Religion program at the Graduate Theological Union. He holds a Master of Arts in New Testament from the Graduate Theological Union. His published MA thesis is titled “Decrypting the Son of Man Problem: An Inquiry into the Dominant Approaches to the Son of Man Problem and its Conspicuous Application in Mark 8:27-31.” His interests include comparative theology, philology in religious corpora, and historical-critical studies of religious canons.
- More Ustadh Omar: mcceastbay.org/omar
This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
