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 al-Hajj.
In episode two 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 entailed.
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 women through scholarship that can be seen throughout West African history. Mustafa also tells us about his upcoming lecture series 'Beyond Bilal'.
In episode four, Yasmine and Zara speak to Sacred Footsteps' writer and photographer, and founder of Zirrar Tours, Zirrar about his experience travelling extensively in Iran, particularly as a Sunni.
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.
In episode six, Zara talks to Muazzam Mir about the history of Islam in East Africa. They talk about the history of Muslims in the region, which goes back to the time of the Prophet (saw) himself. Muazzam explains how Islam spread, beginning with the Swahili coast, and the role of traders, travellers, and sufi tariqahs in the process.
In episode seven, Zara and Yasmine talk to 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 well regarded photographers, intuitions and publications are still promoting that narrative. They also examine questions of identity and consent; and ‘self-Orientalisation’ among poc photographers and communities.
Zara is joined by Sacred Footsteps' writers and photographers Ali and Omar Rais, and Chirag Wakaskar, a photographer based in Mumbai, India and creator of the @everydaymumbai project on Instagram.
Zara speaks to Shahroze Khan, 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, followed by its brief period as capital of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century.
Omar Rais and Muazzam Mir speak to Thuraya Tarig, Mandour El Mahadi and Ehab Eltayeb, about their experiences growing up as part of the Sudanese diaspora. They discuss their individual experiences and memories of Sudan, their attempts to 'belong' & stay connected to 'home', and navigating two identities. They tell us about the role of the diaspora in supporting Sudan and how the ongoing revolution is changing the perception of the diaspora within Sudan itself.
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 al-Sharif. They discuss how modes of travel for pilgrims have changed over the centuries, and the benefits of reading pilgrim travel accounts from the past.
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 recording, Kashmir had been under a media and communications blackout, imposed by India, for several weeks, following the revocation of Article 370.