Featured Posts
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.
Review of ‘The Stationery Shop of Tehran’
This was one of my last books of 2020...The Stationery Shop of Tehran, written by Marjan Kamali is a cute love story between Roya and Bahman (teenagers) who meet in a quaint stationery shop in Tehran in the 1950s. The shop stocks classical books as well such as Rumi - Roya’s favourite. She’s a bookworm and Bahman, a political activist. He is described as “the boy who would change the world”. They fall in love among the bookshelves. But sadly things don’t work out to plan.
Review of ‘The Last Muslim’ - by Lesley Hazleton
I just finished Lesley Hazleton’s book ‘The First Muslim’ - about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this book so I wanted to try it for myself.
Review of ‘The Last Mughal’
The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple is based around the fall of Bahadur Shah II (Zafar) - the last Mughal emperor. It details events leading up the Indian Uprising of 1857 and its aftermath. An event that sealed the fate of Mughal rule in India, and led to the end of Indo-Muslim civilisation in India.
Review of: ‘Forty Rules of Love’
The Forty Rules of Love by Turkish writer, Elif Shafaq, is a really heart-warming story. Elif Shafaq is one my favourite authors. I think she's a vey accomplished writer. She puts a lot of social conscience themes into what she is writing.
A female-led whirling dervish group based in Afghanistan, is reclaiming the country’s deep-rooted Sufi heritage.