How exactly did Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-Century Persian mystic, become one of the most popular poets in the modern English-speaking world? Coleman Barks played a major role. Barks' free verse interpretations of Rumi have at times been the top-selling poetry books in America. Now 86 years old, Barks joins AR to talk about how he was given a mission to bring Rumi's words to the masses, which turned into a lifelong pursuit. He also talks about how his interest lately has shifted from Rumi to Rumi's teacher, Shams Tabrizi.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

In this episode, Coleman reads from Soul Fury: Rumi and Shams Tabriz on Friendship

If you’re looking for somewhere to start with Coleman’s work, we recommend The Essential Rumi and Delicious Laughter.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

The Museum wishes to thank The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation for their generous support of This Being Human.

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Abbas Rattani is the co-founder of MIPSTERZ, an arts collective that has been a vital part of the conversation around Muslim identity in contemporary, urban America. He talks about what it means to be a Muslim hipster, the group's first viral video, and their recent work in Muslim Futurism.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

Watch the collective’s Somewhere In America video: https://www.mipsterz.com/somewhere

See some pieces from ALHAMDU, their exhibit on Muslim Futurism: https://www.mipsterz.com/alhamdu

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman. 

The Museum wishes to thank The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation for their generous support of This Being Human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Najwa Zebian is a bestselling writer of poetry and inspirational books, including Mind Platter and Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul. She also shares simple, yet profound words of wisdom with her 1.3 million Instagram followers.

She speaks with raw honesty about how writing saved her from aimlessness, about her struggles immigrating to Canada as a teenager, and about where she finds the words that tell so many people what they need to hear at the right moment.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

You can learn more about Najwa’s work on her website: https://najwazebian.com/

And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najwazebian/

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to: agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

The Museum wishes to thank The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation for their generous support of This Being Human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Being Human is coming back with more conversations from incredible people all over the world whose life, ideas and art are shaped by Muslim culture. Take a sneak peek at what we have waiting for you in Season 3.

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Ali Hassan is a stand-up comic, actor, and host of both Canada Reads and the CBC Radio show Laugh Out Loud. He talks about Canadian fame, being forced by his children to face difficult questions about his identity, and why he came to think of himself as a "cultural Muslim."

His memoir is called Is There Bacon In Heaven?

This episode was originally broadcast in July, 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

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Malak Mattar was born and raised in the Gaza Strip. She started to paint as a teenager while taking shelter from an attack on her city. Before long, her paintings were being sold and exhibited around the world. She talks about her drive to document life in Gaza, access to art in Palestine, and how leaving her home country affected her work and perspective.

This episode was originally broadcast in October, 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

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Farah Alibay often sounds more like a philosopher than an engineer. She works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she helps operate the Perseverance Rover, which searches for evidence of ancient life on Mars. She talks about how her job has changed her views of Earth, her rise through a male-dominated field, and why she thinks the prospect of extraterrestrial life raises major questions around how we understand humanity.

This episode was originally broadcast in March, 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

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Leah V made her name as a Black, Muslim, plus-size model. She has worked on major campaigns for companies like Dove and Fitbit, while also being outspoken around issues she sees in the industry. Now, she's also a sci-fi author. She recently released her debut novel, The Union, a dystopian thriller that turns contemporary notions around race and body size upside down. She talks to AR about her love of scifi, her inspiring career, and about having difficult conversations.

Host: Abdul-Rehman Malik

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

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Shanaaz Majiet was a promising young student on the verge of highschool graduation, when she was accidentally shot by a friend. The incident left her in a wheelchair. Throughout a difficult recovery, she pushed forward, determined to return to her goals.

She has since become a leading voice for the rights of people with disabilities in South Africa, as well as a leader in broader issues of policy and local government. In this episode, she talks about making change, falling in love, and finding a path when life doesn't go how you expect.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

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Artist and filmmaker Mariam Ghani joined AR in 2021 to talk about her movie "What We Left Unfinished," which explores Afghanistan's film industry during the Soviet Era. She also discusses "Index of the Disappeared," a long-running project focusing on people who went missing during the U.S.'s War on Terror, and a pre-COVID movie she made about pandemics.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.