Featured Posts
Palestine: Occupation and cultural eradication
Palestinians have had their existence threatened for over 70 years. Not only has their land been taken from them through a brutal occupation since 1948, but their culture and identity is constantly at risk of erasure from the pages of history.
Muhammad Iqbal: ‘Muslim Community Anthem’
Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), Urdu-Persian poet and philosopher believed in the concept of pan-Islamism. He believed that nationalism was a divisive force, and that Muslims were one people.
Malik Ambar: Ethiopian ruler in India who resisted might of Mughal Empire
Malik Ambar (1548 – 13 May 1626), was a military leader and prime minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India.
Born in present-day Ethiopia, Malik was brought to India as a slave, with Changiz Khan, the Prime Minister of Ahmadnagar.
The story of Lady Evelyn Cobbold: First British Woman to go to Hajj
The ‘Bird Summons’ by Leila Aboulela is about three Muslim women in Scotland who embark on a quest to visit the remote grave of a Scottish aristocrat, Lady Evelyn Cobbold, who converted to Islam in the nineteenth century. Lady Evelyn was born in 1867. She adopted the Muslim name ‘Zainab’ and is known as the first British woman to perform the hajj pilgrimage in 1933. She wrote a book about her experience, ‘Pilgrimage to Mecca’.
Review of ‘Travels with Nasrudin’ by Tahir Shah
I really enjoyed the travel stories all over the world, told with a constant connection to the lovable character from my childhood, Mullah Nasrudin. Nasrudin is said to have been a philosopher and wise man who lived in the 13th century Anatolia.
The Mosque of Cordoba
Indian Muslim Poet and Philosopher, Allama Iqbal visited ‘what was’ the Córdoba Mosque in 1931-32 (now a cathedral), and he was blown away by its magnificence. It evoked for him strong emotions as he saw it as a landmark of Islam.
Shashmaqam music: A shared culture for Muslims and Jews
Muslim and Jews from Central Asia, have long been part of a shared heritage of traditional Shashmaqam musical style. Together, they have created the most beautiful spiritual and uplifting music; the lyrics of which come from classical Sufi poetry of the revered mystics in this region.
Cultural expressions of Ramadan
Ramadan is only a few weeks away. Muslims across the world will be excitedly and somewhat nervously, starting preparations for the Holy Month.
Review of: The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah
I first heard about poet, Benjamin Zephaniah when I was a teenager, and was drawn to his activism, ethics and principles.
I recently read his autobiography ‘The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah’ and it gave me a much deeper insight into a most fascinating and inspiring life.
Resisting arrest: Palestinian dance troupe posing a threat to occupation
El Funoun, a long-established Palestinian dance troupe based in Ramallah, are using their traditional dance and music heritage to convey a strong message of resistance to Israeli occupation.
Kickass Muslim women throughout history: Celebrating International Women’s Day
In the lead up to international women’s day on 8 March, I want to celebrate kickass Muslim women throughout history.
Review of: ‘Inglorious Empire: what the British did to India’
I recently read Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Inglorious Empire’ about the impact of the British Raj on South Asia. A topic close to my heart, one because of the direct impact on my family, and two because I studied Indian history at university and wrote two dissertations on Indian partition.
‘Father of modern day surgery’ was an Andalusian Muslim
For centuries, Muslims have been at the helm of medicinal and scientific advancements. As a community, we are still making headway in these fields.
Women keeping alive ‘suzani’ tradition in Uzbekistan
Women in Uzbekistan are at the heart of reclaiming the nation’s deep-rooted cultural traditions and history, by simply using a needle and thread. Azizbek from Uzbek cultural heritage programme, ‘Little Silk Road’, is working with local women from the villages to revive an almost lost art form of traditional ‘suzani’ embroidery.
Female whirling dervishes reclaiming Afghanistan’s Sufi heritage
A female-led whirling dervish group based in Afghanistan, is reclaiming the country’s deep-rooted Sufi heritage.
Review of: "‘Beekeeper of Aleppo’
The Beekeeper of Aleppo centres around the story of Nuri, a beekeeper in Aleppo, Syria and his wife Afra, an artist. They live a nice, happy, settled life and then their world erupts into turmoil. War breaks out in Syria and they must make a decision to stay or risk their lives with smugglers and escape.
Review of: ‘I Am Malala’
Malala Yousufzai’s autobiography: ‘I Am Malala’ is a brilliant book that gives an insight into Malala’s life leading up to the horrific targeted attack where she was shot in the head by the Taliban, at the young age of 15 in 2002. Her price to pay for speaking up for her right to an education!
Interview with Jason Webster: Author of ‘Andalus’
It was an absolute pleasure to talk with Jason Webster (author and historian) about his book ‘Andalus’, and to ask him more about the history and impact of Moorish rule on Spain.
Review of: ‘From Shamanism to Sufism’
This book explores the history of women, Islam and culture in Central Asia. Central Asia is a land filled with an ancient culture and heritage. Islam came to these lands in the 8th century and it became the height of civilisation, learning and trade.
Review of ‘The Silk Roads’
‘The Silk Roads’ by Peter Frankopan was a timely read - especially with the assault on the White House by white suprematist Trump supporters on Wednesday. The book discusses how today’s world was shaped.
A female-led whirling dervish group based in Afghanistan, is reclaiming the country’s deep-rooted Sufi heritage.