Sacred Footsteps - The Podcast

By Sacred Footsteps

Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality Places & Travel Islam

What's Sacred Footsteps - The Podcast about?

Sacred Footsteps is dedicated to travel, history and culture from a Muslim perspective. We talk to writers, historians, artists and others, about travel as a spiritual practice, and discuss aspects of Muslim culture and history that are often overlooked.

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Sacred Footsteps - The Podcast episodes:

05.09.2023
039 The Sacred Sites of Jordan
Zirrar talks to British-Jordanian photographer Bashar Tabbah, about the sacred sites of Jordan, including those associated with various Prophets and Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They also talk about the 'Blessed Tree' and the question regarding its authenticity.
01.11.2023
KHAYAL DIARIES: Cape Town's Circle of Saints
On the hills in and around Cape Town, you will find 300 year old Muslim graves belonging to notable individuals who arrived on the southern tip of the African continent in chains, as slaves or political prisoners of colonisers. They...
09.22.2022
037 Islam in Western Academia | John Esposito
Zirrar talks to Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown, John Esposito. They talk about the study of Islam in Western academia and the identity crisis faced by some Muslims in the West post 9/11. They also discuss the approach academics...
03.08.2022
036 Translating Rumi: A Conversation with Haleh Liza Gafori
Zirrar talks to translator, vocalist, poet, and educator Haleh Liza Gafori about her book GOLD, a new translation of Jalal al-Din Rumi's poetry. They discuss the Persian ghazal, a poetic form consisting of couplets, and explore why Rumi's appeal, eight...
11.29.2021
035 Islam in Australia: Makassan Traders, Afghan Cameleers & a Sufi Qadiri Connection
Zara talks to Dr Abu Bakr Sirajuddin Cook and Dr Rami Dawood about the history of Islam in Australia- beginning with the arrival of the Makassan traders, that pre-dates European settlement, to the Afghan Cameleers, who set up the first...
04.24.2021
034 How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe
Zara and Zirrar talk to author and Arabist Diana Darke about her most recent book Stealing From The Saracens: How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe. Diana explains how cultural exchanges between Europe and Islamic Syria shaped Gothic architecture, and why this...
03.31.2021
KHAYAL DIARIES | My Ancestral Past: Visiting the Gilanis in Iran
Sana Gillani visits the tombs of her ancestors: the parents of the influential scholar and saint, Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Gilani, in Iran.
02.26.2021
KHAYAL DIARIES | Divine Love & Sufi Poetry of Punjab
Abdullah Sattar explores the roots of Sufism in Punjab, which spread, in large part, through the words of poets that are still recited and resonate today.
01.30.2021
KHAYAL DIARIES | Lessons From Life on the Road
Alex Reynolds from lostwithpurpose shares her experiences/conclusions/insights from more than four years of full time travel.
12.30.2020
KHAYAL DIARIES | Reflections
The Sacred Footsteps core team share their reflections on the journeys, challenges and successes of a year that was...unusual.
11.28.2020
KHAYAL DIARIES | Adam's Peak: In Search of a Prophet
Sacred Footsteps presents, Khayal Diaries, a series of personal accounts, narratives and critical reflections on topics like Islamic history, culture and travel. Zara Choudhary revisits her journey to Adam’s Peak, a mountain in Sri Lanka visited by Muslims, Buddhists,...
07.23.2020
028 Travelling For Knowledge
Muazzam speaks to Saaleh Baseer and Momodou Taal about their respective journeys as students of knowledge- with Saaleh travelling from California to South Africa, and Momodou from Birmingham, England to Egypt. Both tell us about their respective experiences, motivations and...
07.03.2020
027 Qawwali
Omar, Yasmine and Shahroze discuss the history, evolution and spiritual significance of qawwali. Qawwali incorporates music, poetry and story-telling in to a celebration of Love. The singing of qawwali in Sufi shrines and mausoleums is a practice of samaa, a devotional...
06.26.2020
026 Models of Liberation in West Africa
Mustafa Briggs speaks to Professor Rudolph Ware, author of the 'Walking Quran', about models of liberation in West Africa. They talk about the West African approach towards power and religion, and consider the diverse response of the ulama to the...
05.29.2020
025 Which Rumi are you Reading?
Zara and Zirrar talk to poet Baraka Blue about the life, work and legacy of Jalal al-Din Rumi. Baraka tells us about the era in which he lived and how he came to be the great poet we know him...
04.16.2020
024 Travel as 'Mutual Unveiling' | Visiting the 'Wali Songo' Nine Saints of Indonesia
For our first ever crossover episode, Zara speaks to Imran Ali Malik, host of the American Submitter podcast. They discuss the concept of travel as a 'mutual unveiling' and share 'transformative' travel experiences. Imran talks about his time in Guinea...
04.07.2020
023 Islam in the Caucasus: Sufi Tariqahs, Imam Shamil and Resistance Through Dhikr
Muazzam is joined by Salahuddin Mazhary. Salahuddin tells us about the history of Islam in the Caucasus, with a focus on Chechnya and Dagestan. He talks about the Sufi tariqas in the region and the role dhikr played in resisting the...
03.29.2020
022 Searching for the Tomb of Imam Ghazali: The Personal Journey of a Lost Pilgrim
A few years ago, Zirrar, poet, photographer and key member of the Sacred Footsteps team, went on an incredible journey. Having already spent considerable time in Iran, he decided to set out alone, in search of the tomb of Imam...
03.22.2020
021 Travel is Political
Omar Rais and Zirrar speak to Alex Reynolds (Lost With Purpose) on how is travel political. They discuss the pressures of travel blogging while travelling in politically charged countries and the intentional and deliberate steps needed to challenge passive neutrality....
02.12.2020
020 'Knowing Yourself' Through Travel: Intention, Introspection & Courage
Zara and Muazzam speak to Mohammed Isaaq about 'finding' or 'knowing' yourself and ultimately, God, through travel. Isaaq explains how this desire has always been a reality for humans, and the ways in which it has evolved in the modern...
12.13.2019
019 DIASPORA VOICES | Brooklyn’s Tatar Muslims
Omar Rais speaks to Alyssa Ratkewitch, a third generation Tatar Muslim living in Brooklyn and the vice president of the board at the historic Brooklyn Mosque. Also joining the conversation is travel writer, journalist and broadcaster, Tharik Hussain who specialises...
10.27.2019
018 Saudi Arabia: New Tourist Visa, Courting Influencers & A Shift in Preserving Heritage?
Zara and Ali speak to travel writer Tharik Hussain about Lonely Planet's new Saudi Arabia guide book (which he authored) and the new Saudi tourist visa and its possible implications for travellers. They talk about historical sites in the country,...
10.07.2019
017 Conservation & Protection of Wildlife from a Muslim Perspective
Muazzam Mir speaks to fellow Kenyans, activist and founder of Halal Safaris, Samia Bwana and conservationist and Mandela Washington Fellow, Raabia Hawa, about the conservation of wildlife and the environment, specifically from a Muslim perspective. They talk about whether hunting...
09.05.2019
016 DIASPORA VOICES | Kashmir
Omar Rais and Muazzam Mir speak to Sana Saeed, Sanna Wani and Hassan Yassin about their experiences as part of the Kashmiri diaspora. They consider what being ‘Kashmiri’ means, and the multiple cultures and identities that it entails. At the time of...
08.10.2019
015 Hajj: Experiences Past & Present | Photography in Mecca
Zara and Ali are joined by Salim Bharwani and Maaria Lohiya to discuss their experiences of Hajj. They talk about whether or not pilgrims should be taking photos during Hajj, as well as the history of photography in the Haram...
08.02.2019
014 Islam in South Africa: Survival, Preservation & Revival
Yaseen Kippie talks to Zara about the history of Islam in South Africa. He tells us about the early community, made up of influential people exiled to the Cape by the Dutch. A story of survival and resistance, Yaseen tells...
06.30.2019
013 DIASPORA VOICES | Sudan
Omar Rais & Muazzam Mir speak to Thuraya Tarig, Mandour El Mahadi & Ehab Eltayeb, about their experiences growing up as part of the Sudanese diaspora. They discuss their individual experiences & memories of Sudan, their attempts to 'belong' &...
06.24.2019
012 Sacred Spaces | Arbaeen & Imam Husayn | Cycling to Hajj
Zara and Ali speak to Salim Bharwani winner of our Sacred Spaces competition about Arbaeen, one of the world's largest gatherings of people, and visiting the tomb of Imam Husayn. He explains its significance for Shias, as well as...
06.09.2019
011 The Kenyan Photographer Who Inspired Live Aid
In this special episode from Kenya, Muazzam Mir speaks to Salim Amin, son of the late Mohamed Amin, at his home in Nairobi, about his father's legacy & the remarkable achievements of his career as a photojournalist. They talk about...
04.30.2019
010 Lahore: Secrets of the Old City
Zara speaks to Shahroze Khan, a politics and history student and photographer, about the walled city of Lahore. Shahroze explains its history, from its somewhat contentious roots, steeped in Hindu mythology, to the heights of its splendour under the Mughals,...
03.30.2019
009 RECLAIM |Challenging Institutional Orientalism in Photography
Zara is joined by Sacred Footsteps' writers and photographers Afaq Ali and Omar Rais, and Chirag Wakaskar, a photographer based in Mumbai, India and creator of the @everydaymumbai project on Instagram. We discuss the response to our previous episode on...
02.25.2019
008 Islam in China: The Question of Sahaba Visiting China, The Uyghur People & Chinese Muslim Scholarship
During the so-called ‘Dark Ages’, the Islamic world was undergoing was period of cultural enlightenment; at the same time, another empire, further east, was also flourishing. Historian Hassam Munir tells Zara about the cultural exchange between the Muslim and Chinese...
01.16.2019
007 RECLAIM |Orientalism & Modern Travel Photography: ‘Othering’ in the Instagram Age
Zara and Yasmine talk to Afaq Ali and Zain Haider about the legacy of Edward Said and look at modern day travel photography through the lens of Orientalism. They discuss the ways in which ‘othering’ still takes place, and how...
12.31.2018
006 Islam in East Africa: Traders & Tariqahs on the Swahili Coast and the Tale of a Lost City
In episode six, Zara speaks to Muazzam Mir about the history of Islam in East Africa, particularly along the Swahili Coast. They talk about the role of travellers, traders and sufi tariqahs in the spread of Islam in the region,...
11.09.2018
005 Jamaica, Rasta-Muslims & the Importance of Meaningful Travel
In episode five, Zara speaks to Wafa Aouchiche, founder of Burgundy Roots, about their retreats in Jamaica. We talk about the Jamaican Muslim community and the ‘Ras-Mus’ (Rasta-Muslims), and the connections between the Caribbean & Algerian revolutionaries. We discuss the...
10.30.2018
004 Iran: Travelling as a Sunni in a Shia Country & Visting the Tomb of Imam Ghazali
In episode four, Yasmine and Zara speak to SF writer and photographer & founder of Zirrar Tours, Afaq Ali about his experience travelling expensively in Iran, particularly as a Sunni in a Shia country. He talks about his visit to...
09.30.2018
003 Islam in West Africa: Empires, Scholarship, Sufism & the Empowerment of Women
In episode three, Zara talks to Mustafa Briggs about the history of Islam in West Africa. They discuss the roots of Islam in the region, the intellectual achievements of Timbuktu and other centres of learning, sufism and the empowerment of...
08.30.2018
002 The Female Experience of the Rawdah & the Challenges Faced by Women
Zara speaks to one half of spoken word duo Poetic Pilgrimage, poet and playwright, Sukina Pilgrim about her experience of visiting the rawdah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Madina, and the challenges and joys that it...
07.26.2018
001 Spiritual Travel: the Story Behind SF, Islam in Vietnam & Visiting Murabit al-Hajj
In episode one, host Yasmine Ahmed-Lea speaks to co-host & founder of Sacred Footsteps, Zara Choudhary, about the concept of 'spiritual travel' & the story behind the website. They also discuss the recent passing of the esteemed Mauritanian scholar Murabit...

What's Sacred Footsteps - The Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Sacred Footsteps - The Podcast episodes:

039 The Sacred Sites of Jordan

KHAYAL DIARIES: Cape Town's Circle of Saints

037 Islam in Western Academia | John Esposito

036 Translating Rumi: A Conversation with Haleh Liza Gafori

035 Islam in Australia: Makassan Traders, Afghan Cameleers & a Sufi Qadiri Connection

034 How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe

KHAYAL DIARIES | My Ancestral Past: Visiting the Gilanis in Iran

KHAYAL DIARIES | Divine Love & Sufi Poetry of Punjab

KHAYAL DIARIES | Lessons From Life on the Road

KHAYAL DIARIES | Reflections

KHAYAL DIARIES | Adam's Peak: In Search of a Prophet

028 Travelling For Knowledge

027 Qawwali

026 Models of Liberation in West Africa

025 Which Rumi are you Reading?

024 Travel as 'Mutual Unveiling' | Visiting the 'Wali Songo' Nine Saints of Indonesia

023 Islam in the Caucasus: Sufi Tariqahs, Imam Shamil and Resistance Through Dhikr

022 Searching for the Tomb of Imam Ghazali: The Personal Journey of a Lost Pilgrim

021 Travel is Political

020 'Knowing Yourself' Through Travel: Intention, Introspection & Courage

019 DIASPORA VOICES | Brooklyn’s Tatar Muslims

018 Saudi Arabia: New Tourist Visa, Courting Influencers & A Shift in Preserving Heritage?

017 Conservation & Protection of Wildlife from a Muslim Perspective

016 DIASPORA VOICES | Kashmir

015 Hajj: Experiences Past & Present | Photography in Mecca

014 Islam in South Africa: Survival, Preservation & Revival

013 DIASPORA VOICES | Sudan

012 Sacred Spaces | Arbaeen & Imam Husayn | Cycling to Hajj

011 The Kenyan Photographer Who Inspired Live Aid

010 Lahore: Secrets of the Old City

009 RECLAIM |Challenging Institutional Orientalism in Photography

008 Islam in China: The Question of Sahaba Visiting China, The Uyghur People & Chinese Muslim Scholarship

007 RECLAIM |Orientalism & Modern Travel Photography: ‘Othering’ in the Instagram Age

006 Islam in East Africa: Traders & Tariqahs on the Swahili Coast and the Tale of a Lost City

005 Jamaica, Rasta-Muslims & the Importance of Meaningful Travel

004 Iran: Travelling as a Sunni in a Shia Country & Visting the Tomb of Imam Ghazali

003 Islam in West Africa: Empires, Scholarship, Sufism & the Empowerment of Women

002 The Female Experience of the Rawdah & the Challenges Faced by Women

001 Spiritual Travel: the Story Behind SF, Islam in Vietnam & Visiting Murabit al-Hajj

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