WORLDS LOCAL

The connection between Oman and Kerala stretches back more than a millennium, rooted in Indian Ocean maritime trade. Omani sailors and merchants regularly sailed to Kerala’s Malabar Coast, especially ports like Muziris, exchanging spices—most notably pepper—for dates, horses, and textiles. These early contacts fostered deep cultural ties and helped introduce Islam to Kerala peacefully through traders and scholars such as Malik ibn Dinar. Over centuries, this relationship shaped coastal trade networks, religious life, and Kerala’s long-standing connections with the Arab world, making it one of the oldest continuous links in Indian Ocean history.

The historical connection between Turkey and Kerala spans over 500 years, rooted in Indian Ocean trade and shared religious and political ties. During the era of the Ottoman Empire, Kerala’s Malabar Coast maintained strong links with the wider Islamic world, including Anatolia. Kerala rulers and Muslim traders sought support from the Ottomans against Portuguese expansion in the Indian Ocean. Ottoman Caliphs were respected as leaders of the Muslim world, and their influence reached Kerala through diplomacy, trade, and religious networks. This connection is reflected in historical records, local traditions, and Kerala’s long-standing engagement with the Turkish-Ottoman world.

The historic link between Morocco and Kerala dates back over 700 years through Indian Ocean trade and travel. Arab and North African merchants regularly visited Kerala’s Malabar Coast, exchanging spices like pepper for gold, textiles, and ideas. This connection is famously recorded by Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan explorer who visited Kerala in the 14th century and described its ports, rulers, and vibrant Muslim communities. These interactions helped shape Kerala’s multicultural society, strengthening ties in trade, culture, and Islamic scholarship long before modern diplomacy.

In this Dubai episode, I sit with Salman Imdad, a YouTuber based in Jeddah known for his travel vlogs and honest creator journey.

After hours of off-camera talks, we finally pressed record — and the insights on monetization, story views, affiliate marketing, and creator struggles were too good not to share.

If you're a creator, entrepreneur, or curious about the digital world, this conversation will open your eyes.

Guest: @SalmanImdad

Host: @worldslocal

He was called a “Talibro” by Piers Morgan, accused of glorifying Afghanistan yet his videos continue to go viral for showing the other side of a country most of the world only knows through war headlines. Interestingly, while the viral Piers Morgan interview featured Arab and Harry, Yosaf was not part of it in the end despite being at the center of the discussion. In this conversation, Yosaf @PocoLocoLive joins @worldslocal to share what life in Afghanistan truly looks like today from technology and education to tourism, economy, and faith. With India & Afghanistan relations 2025 back in global headlines after the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to India, this episode brings a rare ground-level perspective : UNFILTERED, DIRECT and DEEPLY HUMAN.

In Episode 23, I sit down with Faris Al-Hammadi, known for his bold and unapologetic approach to Islam and modern challenges.

We cover the most pressing conversations Muslims are facing today:

Boycott vs Build – Faris’s view on the Muslim economy

Misconceptions about Jihad and propaganda like “Love Jihad”

Scholars vs Influencers – why many scholars stay offline

Polygamy, women’s rights, and justice in marriage

Islamic finance, debt, and crypto

Reflections on family, faith, and the future of Islam

This episode is raw, relevant, and practical and not a lecture, but a candid conversation for Muslims navigating today’s world.

Imagine living on the 47th floor of the Burj Khalifa ,the tallest tower in the world. That’s where we sat down with Mr. Salim Moopan, founder & chairman of Moopans Group, for this rare and inspiring conversation.

n this powerful conversation, I speak with Shezad Nawab MBE — a Deaf entrepreneur, global consultant, and speaker — who runs businesses worldwide using six sign languages.

We explore:

How Deaf people think, dream, and communicate

Misconceptions about sign language

Interpreter challenges in business and travel

Sign language across Middle Eastern countries

Project : “In the Prophet’s Steps” , a Saudi Arabian project focused on recreating the historic route of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ‘s migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. This project involves restoring several historical landmarks along a 470-kilometer route, offering visitors, historical and spiritual experiences

#Saudi Arabia