Podcast Summary: The Clash Of The Turbans – Imam Tawhidi Exposes Islamic Extremism, Iran’s Regime & War On The West

PBD Podcast | Ep. 706 – December 23, 2025
Host: Patrick Bet-David
Guest: Imam Muhammad Tawhidi

Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This dynamic episode of the PBD Podcast features Imam Muhammad Tawhidi, known as the “Imam of Peace,” in an unfiltered discussion about the dangers of Islamic extremism, the inner workings of Iran’s regime, the distinction between Islam and Islamism, and policy considerations for the West as it grapples with immigration and radicalization. Tawhidi shares first-hand insights from his upbringing and seminary experiences in Iran, clarifies misconceptions about Islam, and calls for a vocal movement within the faith against extremist hijacking.

Table of Contents

1. Imam Tawhidi’s Background and Perspective (02:00–04:13)
2. Extremism vs. Mainstream Islam: Defining the Problem (04:13–09:49)
3. Muslim Brotherhood’s Influence & Political Infiltration (09:49–12:48)
4. Population, Percentage, and Policy: Understanding Extremists (12:48–18:17)
5. Immigration and Security: Lessons from the Gulf States (18:17–25:52)
6. Iran’s Regime: Inside the Cult of Power (25:52–39:14)
7. Tawhidi’s Seminary Experience & Turning Point (31:07–39:14)
8. The Indoctrination Pipeline & Extremist Brainwashing (36:00–41:56)
9. Contrasting Iran, UAE, and the Role of Religion in Society (44:33–46:22)
10. Apostasy, Social Media Influencers, and Reform (105:51–110:04)
11. The Muslim Brotherhood: Structure and Threat (110:58–112:53)
12. Quotes & Key Insights
13. Notable Moments & Timestamps
14. Final Thoughts: Clash of the Turbans & Path Forward (116:33–126:51)

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1. Imam Tawhidi’s Background and Perspective (02:00–04:13)

• Third-generation Imam, born in the holy city of Qom, Iran
• Ordained cleric, educated in Qom; lived in Australia and North America
• Self-described as an “orthodox Shia Muslim”—not a reformist of theology, but a believer in societal reform
• Distinguishes his approach as maintaining God’s intended religion rather than man-made alterations

Quote:
“I am an orthodox Shia Muslim... I believe in reform of societies. Reform that does not involve change of religion. So I want religion to remain what God revealed it as and not man-made.” — Imam Tawhidi (02:22)

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2. Extremism vs. Mainstream Islam: Defining the Problem (04:13–09:49)

• Emphasizes the difference between Islam (faith) and Islamism (political ideology)
• Explains that organizations like Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Hamas originated from the Muslim Brotherhood—not reflective of wider Islam
• Challenges attempts to assign percentages to extremists within Islam, highlighting complexities and regional distinctions

Quote:
“There is no percentage that I can give you because we're not talking about the same issue. We're talking about a group of people who have hijacked a religion.” — Imam Tawhidi (04:13)

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3. Muslim Brotherhood’s Influence & Political Infiltration (09:49–12:48)

• CAIR (Council on American–Islamic Relations) described as a “Muslim mafia”; involved in legal battles in the U.S.
• Obama administration criticized for bringing Muslim Brotherhood figures into the White House and making them symbolic representatives of American Islam

Quote:
“They have their own mosques. They have their own centers...like a ghetto. So they're very isolated. But Obama brought to them and made them the face of the Muslim community in America.” — Imam Tawhidi (09:51)

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4. Population, Percentage, and Policy: Understanding Extremists (12:48–18:17)

• Patrick proposes the challenge of filtering extremists from peaceful Muslim immigrants in Western countries
• Tawhidi refrains from guessing extremist percentages, instead urging focus on where "decisions are made" in the Muslim world: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain—nations currently moving toward peace and coexistence

Quote:
“If the decision makers are heading in a certain direction, that should be able to answer ... the future of the religion if it is being led by Abu Dhabi, the Abraham Accords, the Abrahamic family house, that narrative and total rejection of the Muslim Brotherhood.” — Imam Tawhidi (14:02)

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5. Immigration and Security: Lessons from the Gulf States (18:17–25:52)

• Stresses sovereignty and security as top priorities in immigration policy
• Praises Gulf state vetting systems—“zero tolerance” for extremists, immediate deportation for those promoting jihadi ideology
• Criticizes Western politicians’ short-term mindsets and lack of follow-through on security issues

Quote:
“American immigration policy needs to be looked at through a security lens, not a political lens... There are zero terrorist extremists in Abu Dhabi. That is why there is no one blowing himself up in Riyadh, in Jeddah.” — Imam Tawhidi (18:17)

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6. Iran’s Regime: Inside the Cult of Power (25:52–39:14)

• Describes Iran’s government as a theocratic “cult” of clerics using Islam as a tool for absolute power
• Khamenei is portrayed as “the Persian Pharaoh”—ruling above all through the concept of “guardianship of the jurist”
• Elections in Iran denounced as fraudulent; Khamenei’s authority trumps all

Quote:
“Khamenei is the Persian pharaoh. Khamenei is a king, not a man of God… There is no government. It's a cult. A cult of clerics that govern Iran in the Name of God.” — Imam Tawhidi (26:01)

• Personal anecdote: experienced the Khomeinist seminary system; eventually left due to censorship and realization of regime corruption

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7. Tawhidi’s Seminary Experience & Turning Point (31:07–39:14)

• Attended the Al Mustafa International University in Qom, which is controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, not an ordinary religious school
• Describes indoctrination and how foreign students are groomed to spread “revolutionary Islam” globally

Quote:
“I should say, Patrick, one of the best decisions I made in my life, as I always say, was withdrawing from that university.” — Imam Tawhidi (33:45)

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8. The Indoctrination Pipeline & Extremist Brainwashing (36:00–41:56)

• Explains how foreign clerical students, especially Westerners, are targeted, isolated, and brainwashed
• Tawhidi’s own classmates now run extremist marches in the West
• Clearly distinguishes theological learning from political seduction and militarization

Quote:
“My classmates are ... clerics who are now running the Al Quds march, which is the pro IRGC Hezbollah march ... running them in New York and in Toronto. They were my classmates. We studied together.” — Imam Tawhidi (37:39)

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9. Contrasting Iran, UAE, and the Role of Religion in Society (44:33–46:22)

• Iran: clerics control all sectors, resulting in dysfunction
• UAE: religion is respected but not conflated with governance or technical fields; experts run institutions
• Applauds Sheikh Zayed of the UAE as the ideal Muslim leader promoting coexistence and peace

Quote:
“Iran went down ... destruction because it is run by mullahs. It's not run by experts.” — Imam Tawhidi (44:33)

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10. Apostasy, Social Media Influencers, and Reform (105:51–110:04)

• Clarifies that, in his interpretation, leaving Islam (apostasy) is not a capital crime and people are “free to leave”
• Critiques social media preachers for shallow understanding and lack of theological grounding
• Encourages scholars to engage publicly, not just leave discourse to loud, extremist voices

Quote:
“There is no law that is agreed upon that says [apostates] need to be killed.” — Imam Tawhidi (105:54)

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11. The Muslim Brotherhood: Structure and Threat (110:58–112:53)

• Presents research mapping the Brotherhood’s history, strategy, and global ambitions
• Designates the Brotherhood as a “cancer” infiltrating Western society

Quote:
“This is the cancer that has infiltrated America. ... This is their path to a caliphate, the Muslim Brotherhood, cancer. And they need to be called out.” — Imam Tawhidi (110:58)

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12. Quotes & Key Insights

On Khamenei and Iran:

• “Khomeini is the Persian Hitler. That's exactly how you need to look at them.” (00:00, 52:13)
• “Khamenei is the Shia Osama bin Laden.” (51:23)
• “Religion is not here to rule by the sword. Religion is a source of spirituality...” (23:16)

On Extremism and Islamic Leadership:

• “Osama bin Laden… was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Al Qaeda came from the Muslim Brotherhood. ISIS came from the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas is the paramilitary wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.” (00:18)
• “There needs to be presence online, on TV of imams who reject the Muslim Brotherhood, say Osama bin Laden does not represent us.” (117:06)

On Western Policy:

• “American immigration policy needs to be looked at through a security lens, not a political lens.” (18:17)
• “The truth is worth it, Patrick. The truth is worth it. It's worth losing friends over it.” (114:41)

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13. Notable Moments & Timestamps

• 00:00–04:13: Tawhidi’s stance on Khomeini and Iran’s criminal regime
• 04:13–07:07: Defining “Islamism” vs. “Islam”; dangers of generalizing Muslim populations
• 08:17–09:51: Community breakdown: peaceful Muslims vs. political Islamists
• 12:48–14:06: Decision centers in Islam (Riyadh, Mecca, UAE) and the shift toward coexistence
• 18:17–23:06: Security-focused immigration: lessons from the Gulf
• 25:52–26:53: Iran’s false democracy and Khamenei’s unchecked power
• 31:07–33:45: Life at Al Mustafa University; indoctrination and controlled environments
• 41:56–46:22: Spiritual manipulation in Iran vs. expertise-focused society in the UAE
• 62:28–64:35: Difference between the mainstream Quran and Muslim Brotherhood interpretation
• 71:08–76:15: Controversies around Aisha’s age; rejecting extremist readings
• 105:51–106:01: Apostasy and freedom to leave Islam
• 110:58–112:53: The Muslim Brotherhood, its caliphate project, and Western infiltration
• 116:33–118:19: Final plea for a “clash of the turbans”—a debate within Islam against radical voices

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14. Final Thoughts: Clash of the Turbans & Path Forward (116:33–126:51)

• Imam Tawhidi urges a robust, public theological debate among Muslims—especially in English—to unmask and defeat extremist narratives
• Emphasizes the need for true scholars and spiritual leaders to reclaim Islam from those “who have hijacked it”
• Expresses pride and responsibility as a descendant of the early companions of Prophet Muhammad, stressing that extremists—not reformers like him—should be the ones to leave the faith

Quote:
“There needs to be the clash of the turbans. Turbans need to start clashing. Not physically, verbally...There needs to be presence...of imams who reject the Muslim Brotherhood, say Osama bin Laden does not represent us.” — Imam Tawhidi (117:06)

Summary for Non-Listeners

This powerful episode offers a rare insider’s critique of both Islamic extremism and Western misunderstanding. Tawhidi deconstructs how the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran’s regime manipulate religion for power, calls for tough, security-driven immigration vetting, and insists the solution is for authentic, peace-oriented Muslim leaders to reclaim public discourse. He argues that the future of Islam is already charted by decision-makers in the Gulf—toward coexistence, not conquest—and that only by shining a bright light on internal differences will extremism be defeated. The conversation is direct, nuanced, and lays out actionable guidance for policy, community leadership, and interfaith understanding.

Notable Quotes

• “The truth is worth it... It's worth losing friends over it. It's worth being controversial over it.” (114:41)
• “Khamenei is the Persian Pharaoh.” (26:01)
• “I am a Muslim… but that doesn’t mean accepting what is wrong in the name of my religion.” (various)
• “Religion is not here to rule by the sword. Religion is a source of spirituality...” (23:16)

Find Imam Tawhidi at @ImamofPeace