Featured Posts
Ghalib: ‘The Greatest Urdu Poet of all Time
Beloved Urdu poet Mirza Beg Asadullah Khan - more popularly known as Ghalib was born in 1797 in Agra. He had central Asian heritage - his family hailing from Samarkand. He lived during the East India Company’s control of India and also witnessed the dissolution of the Mughal Empire and the establishment of the British Raj.
From Bhai to Akhi: The intersection of Bengali and Arabic in East London and impact on identity
I read with interest the findings from Dr Fatima Rajina’s scholarly article for the ‘Journal of Muslims in Europe’ about British Muslims identifying more with their faith than their ‘ethnic’ and cultural identities.
An Inclusive Guide to Ramadan
In order to create an inclusive and equitable workplace, an understanding of Ramadan is key to supporting our colleagues through the fasting period. It is also essential to understand how best to support and include our partners, customers and stakeholders during this fasting month.
Review of Leadership of Muhammad by Joel Hayward
Professor Joel Hayward’s dynamic book ‘The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction’ gives an excellent insight into the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a leader based on historical evidence.
Review of Superior: The Return of Race Science
Why is racism such a deep rooted and lingering issue in our society even though race is not a tangible thing but a social construct? This book by Angela Saini explains in detail about the history of scientific racism - a movement that used science to justify a person’s place in society.
Black Muslims in America before Malcolm X
The presence of Black Muslims in America is popular opinion is inextricably linked to the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X; however Michael Gomez’s book ‘Black Crescent’ corrects that presumption and details the long history of Islam in the Americas.
The Birth of Muslim Hip Hop
It was a great pleasure to interview the legends of UK Muslim Hip Hop - Mecca2Medina. Rakin Fetuga and Ishmael Lea South are founding members of this groundbreaking Hip Hop group which was formed in 1996.
Jinnah: The Sole Spokesman review
“How did a Pakistan come about which fitted the interests of most Muslims so poorly?“ This is the question posed by acclaimed historian, Ayesha Jalal. In her book the ‘Sole Spokesman’, Jalal explores the role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah - the architect of Pakistan and the country’s first Governor-General.
Roots of Black Muslims in America
In his lecture and book ‘Deeper Roots’, Abdul Hakim Quick talks about the long-standing presence of African Muslims in the Americas. He highlights sources which show a Muslim presence even before the transatlantic slave trade.
Pakistan Day 23 March: The History
Today on 23 March, we celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the historically significant Lahore Resolution or Pakistan Resolution that affirmed the concept of Pakistan for India’s Muslims.
Review: The New Age of Empire
The New Age of Empire by Kehinde Andrews is a powerful book highlighting “How racism and colonialism still rule the world.”
Hali’s Musaddas: Lamenting the fall of the Muslim world
Altaf Hussain Hali’s poetic genius, Musaddas or “the ebb and flow of Islam,” was written in 1879 and tells the story of the Muslim community’s decline in 19th century India and Hali’s premonition of an even bigger collapse to come, which he felt that Muslims were totally unaware of.
John Barnes: ‘The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism’ Book Review
In John Barnes recent book, ‘The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism’ he unapologetically gives his thoughts and beliefs about the causes, effects and solutions for racism in society. Barnes’ book is part-autobiography and part-strategy on dealing with racism at a deeper and more conscious level.
‘Turks, Moors and Englishmen in the Age of Discovery’ Book Review
Professor Nabil Matar’s enlightening book ‘Turks, Moors and Englishmen in the Age of Discovery’ challenges Islamophobic narratives of Muslims in the 16th to 19th centuries, as well as negative perceptions of native Americans.
Spanish Muslim woman with central role in Tudor history
Catalina Motril, most likely a Muslim woman from Spain was thought to be the only witness to Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur’s marriage consummation (15th century). Catalina was part of Queen Catherine of Aragon’s entourage - she came from from Granada Spain when it was still a Muslim emirate.
The Story of Pakistan: 75 Years of Independence
Whether the partition of India was the right or wrong thing to do is a debate that still sparks much polarised opinions and emotion. For some it was a catastrophic moment that divided India; for others, it was the only option for Muslims to keep their faith and way of life.
Aurangzeb: Islamophobic hate figure
Despite Aurangzeb’s leadership qualities and military prowess (he was first Indian ruler to bring the whole of the subcontinent under centralised control), he is vilified for being a Muslim ‘fundamentalist’, anti-Hindu and an all-round unlikable person. In ‘The Anarchy’, William Dalrymple describes Aurangzeb as being an “unusually cold, ruthless and unpleasant character.” Renowned historian, Audrey Truschke in her book, ‘Aurangzeb: The Life and Legacy of India’s Most Controversial King’ turns this narrative on its head and writes about a man of moral character, piety and justice; despite his many flaws.
‘The Tiger of Mysore’: Decolonising the life of Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore in South India (1751-1799) was a powerful, advanced and wealthy Muslim ruler, and the last strong challenger of British rule in India. He was referred to by the Brits as the ‘Tiger of Mysore.’ In Kate Brittlebank’s book, ‘Tiger: The Life of Tipu Sultan,’ she describes Tipu as “the last bulwark against British imperial desires.”
The Story of Eid Al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is a major Muslim festival that marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims able to do so are asked to do Hajj at least once in their lifetime (if they are able to), and 2 million people do so each year.
Lost Islamic Histories: Book review
Lost Islamic Histories by Firas Alkhateeb gives a simple holistic overview of the history of Islamic empires from the Prophet Muhammad’s time until the twentieth century.
A female-led whirling dervish group based in Afghanistan, is reclaiming the country’s deep-rooted Sufi heritage.