Muslim Footprints

S2 Ep11: Music from Muslim Lands

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 lege

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?  Ar

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 Uni

S2 Ep 8: The Story of Islam in Russia

We’re onto our second episode of the year - looking at the story of Islam in Russia! Flying us through the history is Dr Danielle Ross, a specialist of Islamic and Russia

S2 Ep 7: The World, According to Ibn Khaldun

Happy new year, friends, and welcome to our first episode of 2025! We are continuing Season Two with Ibn Khaldun, a medieval historian who was fascinated by the way socie

S2 Ep 6: The Ismailis, From Origins To Modern Times with Dr Farhad Daftary (Part 2)

Hello and welcome to the second episode of our two-part series on The Ismailis, which features Dr Farhad Daftary, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Ismaili Studies. T

S2 Ep 5: The Ismailis, From Origins To Modern Times with Dr Farhad Daftary (Part 1)

Hello again and welcome to our two-part series on The Ismailis, which features Dr Farhad Daftary, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Ismaili Studies.   The Ismailis,

S2 Ep 4: Al Maqrizi, Egypt's Most Famous Historian with Nasser Rabbat

Maqrizi, Egypt’s most famous historian   Hello again and welcome to our fourth episode of Muslim Footprints Season 2! It’s on Al Maqrizi, the most influential historian

S2 Ep 3: Al Kindi, The Father of Arab Philosophy with Peter Adamson

Al Kindi, The Father of Arab Philosophy   Great to see you for our third episode, which features Peter Adamson, Professor of Philosophy at the LMU in Munich and at King

S2 Ep 2: Seeing Religion: Islam and the Devotional Object with Richard McGregor

It’s great to see you again and we hope you enjoyed the start of Season 2!   Our second episode features Richard McGregor, Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of t

S2 Ep 1: Tales from Muslim Lands with Professor David Damrosch

Our first episode features David Damrosch, Ernest Bernbaum Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University and Director of Harvard’s Institute for World Literat

Ep 10: Being an ambassador of the faith, with Souleymane Bachir Diagne

For our final episode of this season we are delighted to welcome Professor Soulaymane Bachir Diagne, who teaches at Columbia University, and is one of the world's most di

Ep 9: The 500-year history of Islam in America, with Dr Sylviane Diouf and Dr Hussein Rashid

Our latest episode tells the story of how Islam arrived in America, possibly as early as the 1400s on ships from Europe and West Africa.  We have two guests on this epis

Ep 8: Muslim Spain with Professor Brian Catlos

Muslims governed for almost a thousand years in the Iberian Peninsula, with Arabo-Islamic culture leading the way in science and art, philosophy and theology. It’s a peri

Ep 7: The treasures of ginans with Professor Ali Asani

Ismailis from South Asia find their origins in Gujarat, Sindh and Punjab. Their ancestors belonged to various castes such as the Lohana and Bhatia communities, who found

Ep 6: Sound and meaning in the Qur’an with Professor Michael Sells

The early suras of the Qur’an are the short, hymnic passages associated with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him and his progeny). They revea

Bonus episode: Illuminating history through poetry, imagery, and stories

Welcome to a bonus episode of Muslim Footprints! This week, we’re reflecting back on the stories we’ve covered so far in our journey, and sharing additional insights fro

Ep 5: Muslim Sicily’s hidden treasures with Professors Bill Granara and Nicola Carpentieri

Muslims governed Sicily for about 200 years starting around 830 CE. A thousand years later, the influence of Muslim civilization remains. You can find it in the language,

Ep 4: The Fatimids: Founders of Cairo, with Dr Shainool Jiwa

The Fatimids were an Ismaili dynasty that reigned over a diverse religious and ethnic population for about 200 years, emerging from the vibrant 10th century world of the

Ep 3: The spirituality of Imam Ali with Dr Reza Shah Kazemi

Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib is one of the most important spiritual and intellectual authorities in Islam after the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He was the son-in-law and cousin