Muslim Footprints
Muslim Footprints is a podcast that explores Islamic history, civilisation, and spirituality through in-depth conversations with academics and experts. Each episode examines how Muslim societies and individuals have lived, thought about, and expressed their faith, as well as their contributions to science, art, religion, and culture. The show also delves into the Qur'an and the diverse traditions of Muslims across different lands and eras.
Episodes
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 legendary musician Jordi Savall, renowned for reviving medieval and early music, and Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme.
Please note the first 26 minutes of this episode is in French. English subtitles are a
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 circu
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 s
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 Russian-Soviet history at the State University of Utah.
Russia is home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, with a rich and complex history that stretches back over a thousand years. We start with its early introduction in
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 societies function. Telling us his story is Professor Gabriel Martinez-Gros, one of France’s most renowned experts of Islam.
The episode explores Ibn Khaldun’s life and the context in which he wrote. It also examines the cyclical nat
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. This episode continues the history of the community, from the collapse of the Fatimid Empire - the only time Ismailis led a state - all the way to the present day.
One topic that dominates this episode is the legends about the c
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, a branch of Shi’i Islam, emerged in 765 during the formative period of Islam. Today, the community spans more than 30 countries, embodying a global presence with rich cultural and intellectual contributions.
Dr Daftary provides i
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 of Egypt before modern times. That’s all the way from the Pharaohs, through to the 15th century! Telling us his story is Professor Nasser Rabbat, head of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Art and Architecture at MIT.
So, why shou
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's College London.
The way the story of philosophy has been presented is that it started with the ancient Greeks, and then you had the Renaissance, followed by the Enlightenment and then all the way to today. Professor Adamson is
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 the Department of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University. The episode focuses on his work around material objects in islam.
We explore the significance of objects in Islamic religious practices, including a study of the Mahmal
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 Literature. The episode focuses on his work, “Around the World in 80 books”.
Entitled Tales from Muslim Lands, Professor Damrosch takes us through examples of key works from three regions - the Middle East, where he gives examples of S
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 distinguished philosophers.
Professor Diagne guides us through his autobiography, "Le Fagot de Ma Memoire." Le fagot is a bundle of twigs. In Francophone Africa it refers to the wood that’s used to make a fire. Here, Professor Diag
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 episode. One is Sylviane Diouf, a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University. She has written of the role that Islam played in the lives of African Muslims enslaved in the Americas. Our othe
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 period known for its cosmopolitanism – where Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived and worked together in peaceful coexistence.
The history of al-Andalus is not one of foreign occupation. It is not an anomaly, nor is it an exception. It
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 themselves drawn to the teachings of Muslim saints, known as pirs or sayyids.
According to community tradition, Ismaili pirs were sent from Persia by the Imams – or spiritual leaders – to spread knowledge of who the Ismaili Imams
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 reveal many of the central values of Islam: generosity, kindness, prayer, and good deeds – in other words, a vision of a just and meaningful life. They also often refer to nature - the moon, sun, and stars; the sky and sea; night and d
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 from our guests. From the founders of the faith to empire builders, from Islam’s spiritual underpinnings to its enduring contributions to culture, we've covered a lot of ground - let's dive in and hear more!
As always, thanks for list
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, in local place names, and even in its cakes and sweets!
If you visit Sicily you also still see Muslim influence in its built environment – churches with domes and Arabic inscriptions, irrigation systems still in operation. And of
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 Mediterranean. At its height, the Fatimid Empire stretched across the length of the southern Mediterranean and down the Red Sea coast – what we know as Algeria today all the way to the Levant, and along the west coast of Arabia –
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 of the Prophet, the fourth of the four ‘rightly guided caliphs’ who led the nascent Muslim community, and the first Shi’i spiritual leader, or Imam.
Considering his importance in the elaboration of intellectual, ethical, spiritual
Ep 2: The life and message of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with Dr Stephen Burge
Prophets serve as intermediaries between the human and divine worlds. For Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) represents the last of the monotheistic prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus. In his own lifetime, Prophet Muhammad overcame opposition and brought reforms, establishing a thriving community of believers which would become a major world civilisation.
O
Ep 1: Nasir Khusraw’s travels and spirituality with Dr Alice Hunsberger
Nasir Khusraw’s turning point could be described as a midlife crisis. He was a senior bureaucrat in Central Asia, enjoying a life of travel and socialising. But a more urgent current ran under the delights of the world, namely his aching desire to have some purpose, some answer to the question of why all this exists. A powerful dream shocked him out of his ‘forty years’ sleep’, and he became convi
Muslim Footprints - trailer
We're delighted to announce the launch of our brand new podcast, Muslim Footprints! 🎙️ 🎉
Join us on a captivating journey as we explore the rich heritage, remarkable stories, and diverse experiences of the Muslim community. Get ready to deep dive into engaging discussions and inspiring tales that celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Muslims to our world. 🌍
Look out for our first episode -
Recommended
Pod Save America
Dateline NBC
صداستان: ساعتی با موسیقی
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Exposing Workplace Bullying
Everyday AI Made Simple - AI For Everyday Tasks
FemTech Focus
Not Too Sensitive - Empowering Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) To Own Their Sensitivity
Mother Daughter Relationship Show
Skin Deep MDs with Dr. Mamina Turegano, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Jenny Liu
girl talk 🎧🫧
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
