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In episode four, Yasmine and Zara speak to Sacred Footsteps’ writer and photographer, and founder of Zirrar Tours, Ali about his experience travelling extensively in Iran, particularly as a Sunni.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE
- Diversity of Iran – different regions
- Iranian-Pakistani border and cultural overlap
- The Persian poets – Rumi, Hafez, Iqbal
- Tombs and shrines of Iran, including Imam Reza in Masshad.
- Visiting the tomb of Imam Ghazali – outward journey, inward experience
- Persia’s history as a Sunni region – Iran before Shism
- Some backlash to SF’s Iran coverage
- The negative perception of Iran among both Muslims and non-Muslims
- Experience as a Sunni traveller in a Shia country
- Persian contribution to Islamic civilisation
- Praying as a Sunni in Shia mosques
- Visiting the Armenian Christian community in Isfahan
- Jewish communities of Iran
- Sacred Footsteps’ ‘Heart of Persia’ Iran tour
Links Mentioned in Episode
- ‘Searching for the Tomb of Imam Ghazali: The Personal Journey of a Lost Pilgrim’ by Afaq Ali
- Afaq Ali’s Iran Stories
- Zirrar Tours
- Dick Davis’ translation of Hafez
You can find Afaq Ali on Instagram.
