Riza Aslan is an Iranian-American writer, scholar, and religious commentator known for his work on religion and culture. He was born on May 5, 1972, in Tehran, Iran, and moved to the United States with his family after the Iranian Revolution. Aslan holds a Ph.D. in sociology of religion from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has authored several books, including the best-selling Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. In addition to his writing, Aslan is a frequent public speaker and has appeared on various media platforms to discuss topics related to Islam, Christianity, and religious extremism. He is also known for his work as a television producer and has contributed to programs that explore the intersection of faith and contemporary issues.