Tonight we’re going to do something different - have an audio shayaari (poetry) night. 

Shayaari translates to 'poetry' in Urdu, and it is a long-standing tradition to recite poems and delight on the multitude of their meanings with friends and family.

So welcome, Friend/Family! Tonight's shayaari night is with Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan and India's premier philosopher and poet.

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Sir Muhammad Iqbal was an Islamic philosopher and poet. His poetry in Urdu is considered to be among the greatest of the 20th century, and his vision of a cultural and political ideal for the Muslims of British India is widely regarded as having animated the impulse for the Pakistan Movement.

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If you’re having a long drive, if you’re taking a rest between Taylor Swift to listen to someone talk in your ear, this one is for you.

The first poem is from Zirrar’s (@zirrar) book, the poetry of Iqbal, ‘Ghazi wa Gulistan” or “Ghazi and the Rose Garden”.

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Find us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/sufi.punk

Dear listeners,

Happy New Year!!!! New year, new episodes.

This episode is a new one for me.

It's a conversation with an old guest, Medina Tenour Whiteman, (Medina Tenour (@medinatenour) a world-renowned poet, author, and singer-songwriter. We take the example of Al-Andalus (modern day Southern Spain) and use it to understand what is happening in the world at large, and within ourselves.

Medina and I discuss King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the conquest and colonization of lands such as the subcontinent of India, Australia, and of course - Al-Andalus.

In the understanding of how innocent lives were prosecuted, we catch a deeper meaning about the 'why' on our reality today.

Why is being human so important? Why do we need to care about our own innate, SACROSANCT humanity, and what happens when we don't?

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Find SufiPunk on all platforms:

@sufi.punk (Instagram)

@sufipunk (Substack and Tiktok)

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Interested in being on the show? Please reach out to

[email protected]

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This episode is an unedited conversation between me and the renowned (mA) author of Secrets of Divine Love - A. Helwa.

I want to keep it unedited to make sure you FEEL the conversation as if it is with you.

We dove into profound themes of divine love, spirituality, and personal growth.

When you listen, you will explore the significance of self-surrender as a path to spiritual growth, the role of prayer as a conversation with the Divine, and how to find peace and purpose in a fast-paced world.

You will also touch upon recognizing the divine in everyday life, the journey of self-discovery, and the importance of authenticity and community in spiritual fulfillment.

Chapters:

Introduction to Divine Love

The Path of Self-Surrender

Prayer and Spiritual Growth

Finding Peace and Purpose

Spirituality in Everyday Life

Links:

Buy the book: https://secretsofdivinelove.com/

Follow A.Helwa: https://instagram.com/@a.helwa_

Follow SufiPunk: https://instagram.com/@sufi.punk

Welcome to The SufiPunk Show!

On today's episode, we are joined by Doha Hindi (@daleelfinance) and Kashif Osman (@kashtalkscash) to discuss three key concepts:

Tune in for an episode loaded with information that ranges from dinner table financial discussions, how to talk money with your partner, to political advantages of endowments and organizing within the Muslim community.

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SufiPunk is a media platform that explores our spirit's role in the world.

We invite spiritual pioneers to discuss our individual and collective paths.

Listen and join the conversation!

Welcome, welcome, to the imaginative world of Tales of Khayaal :)

Guys - I really enjoyed talking to Peter and Rehan, and I know you'll love the conversation we had.

Weaving together the imaginative, the spiritual, the Divine, and techno-scientific, Rehan Khan and Peter Gould have created a world replete with wisdom, glory, conflict, love, and inspiration.

It's the book we fantasy lovers wanted to read, growing up on Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

Finally, a novel and story inspired by ancient Muslim worlds, wrapped with the intention of bringing you closer to God.

The guests, Peter Gould and Rehan Khan, creators of 'Tales of Khayaal,' discuss their inspiration, intention, and process behind the creation of their fantasy world.

Peter is a heart-centered design expert, and Rehan Khan is an author and thought leader in AI. Together, they collaborate to emphasize a conversation that delves into the balance between technology and spirituality, with insights on how to maintain authenticity and purpose in creative endeavors.

This episode is fantastic for anyone wanting to dive into creative work, are seeking answers on their own spiritual path, or are curious about the latest historical fantasy fiction novel out there.

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Where to find them:

Rehan Khan - @rehankhanauthor

Peter Gould - @petergouldart

https://www.talesofkhayaal.com/

Audiobook Preview

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Instagram: @sufi.punk

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Apple Podcasts

A narrative. A mission. A martyr.

This episode is all about preserving the stories of those undergoing genocide in Gaza, Palestine.

It is about preserving the legacy of Dr. Refaat Alareer [9/23/79-12/6/23], and as a birthday gift to him.

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There is an old story of a native Canadian, who is living on their land when the French are occupying.

As they were approached audaciously by the conquerors, the Frenchman boldly exclaims: This is my land now!

To which the native simply replied: “If this is indeed your land, tell me your stories?”

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This past week, I’ve been knee-deep in trying to understand the life of Dr. Refaat Alareer. Alareer was born in Gaza City in 1979 during the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, which he said had negatively influenced every move and decision he made.

He was a man passionate about preserving the art of storytelling as a vehicle for change, and an act of liberation against the occupation of the Zionist regime.

In Nov 2023, he was martyred by an Israeli airstrike.

This podcast episode is about his life and the message that he dedicated his entire life in trying to uphold.

When you dive in with me, you’ll leave in awe at the power of the word, the grace with which, when applied - has the capacity to change the world.

Music: If I Must Die - Omar Kamal

Books:

Gaza Writes Back

Gaza Unsilenced

Youtube Channel: Link

Do you know those pieces of writing, that stay with you long after you read them?

That's how I found the guest of this week's podcast.

I was scrolling through Instagram, trying to avoid doom-and-gloom, and came across this post entitled "You are invited to witness the union of Delhi and Lahore".

It was like stepping into a dream - one where I needed to know the person who spun her dream words and made them reality.

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Aishwarya is a writer and freedom fighter dedicated to speaking her truth.

Currently a creative editor and engineer based in Kolkata, her work is deeply influenced by her rich cultural heritage and personal experiences, which she channels into creating spaces for community and connection.

Her journey is marked by a commitment to standing up for what is right, inspired by strong voices of women and resilience in her own family.

(Also, the recording has some feedback. Apologies asked for in advance :) )

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00:00 Personal Background and Cultural Identity

01:24 Aishwarya's Journey and Creative Process

03:12 Finding One's Voice and Overcoming Challenges

08:05 The Role of Literature and Personal Influences

12:15 Art as a Political Statement

18:26 The Intersection of Art and Activism

24:33 Fighting for Freedom and Justice

25:40 The Pressure to Stay Neutral

26:41 Understanding Politics and Its Impact

28:05 The Artistic Landscape of Kolkata

32:59 Creating a Community for Artists

34:58 The Importance of Art and Connection

37:42 Building Creative Communities

41:03 The Role of Social Media in Connection

43:19 The Essence of Sufi Punk

46:44 A Wedding Between Two Cities

48:49 A Poetic Recitation of "A Wedding Between Two Cities"

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Instagram: @sufi.punk

Substack: https://substack.com/@sufipunk

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1shrIZ3WsL1Zvlsuio83Z1

Email: [email protected]

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Aishwarya's Instagram: @aish_whereya_at

Growing up, my mother used to insist that my siblings and I remembered our heritage as Kashmiri’s. She would talk about how, although the land of Kashmir was ridden with conflict, it was arguably the most astonishingly stunning place in the world.

Scouring through pictures, and reminiscing on a time I still struggle to call mine, I agree with her. 

Kashmir is more than just a conflict zone, and its highly politicized portrayal strips it as being a true paradise on Earth. It’s a land of paradise, of people with mountainous spirit and of passionate struggle. However, it is also the most heavily militarized place in the world.

Today on the show, our guest is a truth-teller and a spiritual resistor, Dr. Hafsa Kanjwal. A daughter of the Kashmiri soil, she is the author of “Colonizing Kashmir: “ a compelling and provocative account of Indian state-building in Kashmir in the aftermath of the partition. 

Dr. Kanjwal works as an associate professor of South Asian History in the Department of History at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Before we start the interview, I want to invite you to find your grounding within. Finding grounding before listening is all about finding that deep-rooted intentionality within all of us, and opening up the doors to receptivity within our hearts. 

So as you tune into this space, I remind you all of the practice of sacred listening - understanding that this episode is not just an interview, but also an act of collective witnessing.

00:00 Kashmir: Personal and Political Connections

02:22 The Academic Journey: Challenging Narratives

04:54 The Impact of Article 370 Revocation

07:54 Colonizing Kashmir: Understanding Historical Context

10:21 The Princely State of Kashmir Before Partition

13:21 Diplomatic Maneuvers: Accession to India

16:48 Sheikh Abdullah: A Complicated Figure

19:30 Client Regimes and Political Dynamics

22:20 Heart Warfare: Dependency vs. Prosperity

24:17 Colonial Legacies and Counterinsurgency in Kashmir

27:46 Economic Policies and Self-Sufficiency in Kashmir

30:48 The Politics of Life and Dependency

32:51 Media Narratives and Propaganda

37:32 Voices from the Ground: Oral Histories

43:18 Surveillance and Repression in Kashmir

46:04 Hindu Nationalism and the Kashmir Conflict

51:43 Global Implications: Kashmir and Palestine

55:48 The Way Forward for Kashmir and the Diaspora

Episode Notes:

In this episode of SufiPunk, we talk about the ups and downs of relationships, gender roles, and finding balance between being independent and relying on others.

We explore how faith and tradition shape these roles, how society pressures us to be hyper-independent, and why keeping Allah at the center of our lives helps everything stay balanced.

We also touch on the importance of having supportive friendships and building relationships that help you grow. And don’t worry — there’s more to come in Part II!

More on Sara A:

Sara A., the founder of Unfiltered Faith Podcast, created this platform to foster a community where women can openly discuss controversial or overlooked topics. Her mission is to empower women to speak their truths and share their opinions unapologetically.

A recent graduate of New York University’s Global Affairs program, Sara is passionate about breaking stereotypes about Muslim women in the Western world. She hopes that through honest and thought-provoking conversations, the world will recognize the strength, resilience, and power of Muslim women. Outside of her work, Sara is a lover of cats, anime, and all things sweet.

Instagram: @sufi.punk

@unfilteredfaithpod

Music: I Am Alone - Diwan

Substack: Risala

Welcome back to the SufiPunk Podcast!

On today's episode, we have Medina Whiteman, a writer, poet, translator, and musician. She is the author of a collection of poetry, Love is a Traveler and We Are its Path, and Huma’s Travel Guide to Islamic Spain. She’s also the co-founder of Muslim Writer’s Salon, a preserver of the work of Daniel Abdul-Hayy Moore, and a lecturer on Sufism as a practice and a tradition. She lives near Granada, Spain, in a little town called Orgiva with her husband and three children.

We discuss spiritual ecology, the importance of presence, how to manage mental health and activism, writing as form of healing trauma, and so - so - much more!

The soundtracks in the beginning and end are recordings of private dhikrs.

For more information on podcasts and events, please visit our Instagram: @sufi.punk to connect! We'd love to meet with you :)

For all questions, email [email protected]

- Niwal Sheikh