An opportunity to deep-dive into Islam and Muslim civilisations, history and spirituality through the ages, accompanied by some of the best experts and academics in their field.
Join us as we discover how Muslim societies and individuals have lived, thought about, and expressed their faith in their own ways as a pathway to the divine. We explore the far-flung lands that Muslims have lived in, the traditions – scientific, artistic, religious and cultural – they’ve contributed to, and the revelation itself, the Qur’an.
Our guests have devoted their professional lives to producing robust scholarship about the rich heritage of Islam. Our mission is to bring that knowledge to our listeners – Muslim and non-Muslim alike – so as to better understand the world and address some of the biggest questions about life and meaning.
This podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Islam and its contributions to the world.
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Embark on a sonic journey through centuries of melody, tradition, and cross-cultural fusion! In this episode, we dive into the soundscapes of Muslim lands, featuring legendary musician Jordi Savall, renowned for reviving medieval and early music, and Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme.
Discover how medieval music evolved through Islamic empires, where improvisation was an art form and cultural exchange thrived along trade routes. Jordi shares insights into his lifelong quest to resurrect forgotten harmonies, while Fairouz illuminates the AKMP’s groundbreaking work in preserving endangered musical heritage - from empowering local artists to bridging ancient traditions with modern innovation.
How did political upheaval nearly silence Central Asia’s musical legacy? What role does education play in reviving these traditions today? And why is improvisation a universal language of resilience? From the Sufi rhythms of Samarkand to the Andalusian echoes of Córdoba, this episode celebrates music as a living archive of history, identity, and human connection.
19 May 2025
S2 Ep 10: Islam and the Indian Ocean
For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been a vast crossroads of cultures, goods, and ideas - but what role did Islam play in weaving this intricate web of connections?
Arab, Berber, Persian and Indian merchants spread Islam from the seventh century onwards across the vast geographic areas of the Sahara and the Indian Ocean. Muslims in turn fostered diasporas, built architectural marvels, and circulated ideas, from the spice routes of Gujarat to the Swahili coast of Zanzibar. This episode unravels the “longue durée” of Islam’s influence, tracing how faith, trade, and culture transformed global interactions and local identities across continents.
Join Walid Ghali and Farouk Topan from the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, and Daren Ray, from Brigham Young University as we challenge conventional narratives and spotlight the centrality of Muslim cultures in understanding the Indian Ocean’s interconnected past - and its enduring legacy today.
5 May 2025
S2 Ep 9: Muslims and the Making of Modern Europe
When we think about modern Europe, we tend to think about Muslims as newcomers to the continent. Professor Emily Greble, chair of the history department at Vanderbilt University, turns the tables on this assumption.
This episode looks at the Muslim communities that were living in southeastern Europe from the 1880s to the 1940s, as the imperial world collapsed and a new Europe made up of nation states emerged. More than a million Ottoman Muslims became citizens of new European states: indigenous men, women and children; merchants, peasants, and landowners; muftis and preachers; teachers and students; believers and non-believers from seaside port towns on the shores of the Adriatic to mountainous villages in the Balkans.
Join us as we talk about how Muslim histories are European histories and how Muslims helped shape modern states and societies, laws, and the European project.
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YouTube views
34,234
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
52 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
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Quality
57
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
51
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