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.

Yaseen Kippie talks to Zara about the history of Islam in South Africa. He tells us about the early community, made up of influential people exiled to the Cape by the Dutch. A story of survival and resistance, Yaseen tells us about 'the revivers', individuals who ensured the preservation of Islam in South Africa. 

Omar Rais & Muazzam Mir speak to Thuraya Tarig, Mandour El Mahadi & Ehab Eltayeb, about their experiences growing up as part of the Sudanese diaspora. They discuss their individual experiences & memories of Sudan, their attempts to 'belong' & stay connected to 'home' while navigating two identities. They tell us about the role of the diaspora in supporting Sudan & how the ongoing revolution is changing the perception of the diaspora within Sudan itself. 

Zara and Ali speak to Salim Bharwani winner of our Sacred Spaces competition about Arbaeen, one of the world's largest gatherings of people, and visiting the tomb of Imam Husayn. He explains its significance for Shias, as well as the profound effect it has had on him personally.  Later, Muazzam speaks to Muhammad Zahir, one of the cyclists from the Pedal to Hajj team, who are cycling from Kenya to Mecca for Hajj, to raise money for the education of children in Nairobi. 

In this special episode from Kenya, Muazzam Mir speaks to Salim Amin, son of the late Mohamed Amin, at his home in Nairobi, about his father's legacy & the remarkable achievements of his career as a photojournalist. They talk about his work on the Ethiopian famine, that raised awareness and an outpouring of charity across the world, eventually leading to the Live Aid concerts. They also discuss the ethics of photojournalism, and the ways in which the profession has changed in the...

Zara speaks to Shahroze Khan about the walled city of Lahore. Shahroze explains its history from its roots, steeped in Hindu mythology, to the heights of its splendour under the Mughals, followed by its period as capital of the Sikh Empire. He discusses the politicisation of history after Partition & the creation of Pakistan & talks about his favourite monuments in the Old City. We talk about whether enough is being done to preserve the Old City, & the controversy surrounding the...

Zara is joined by Sacred Footsteps' writers and photographers Afaq Ali and Omar Rais, and Chirag Wakaskar, a photographer based in Mumbai, India and creator of the @everydaymumbai project on Instagram. We discuss the response to our previous episode on Orientalism in travel photography, and Ali tells us about the 'Rooftop campaign' that demands National Geographic apologise for endorsing a 'racist and dehumanising' photo. Chirag talks about the problematic nature of 'Steve McCurry's India'...

Historian Hassam Munir tells Zara about the cultural exchange between the Muslim and Chinese worlds. He talks about the history of Islam in China, explaining how and when it first reached the region and whether or not a Companion of the Prophet (pbuh) ever visited China. He also tells us about the Uyghur people and their history, as well as the influence of prominent Chinese Muslim scholars and the scholarship they produced.

Zara and Yasmine talk to Afaq 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.

In episode six, Zara speaks to Muazzam Mir about the history of Islam in East Africa, particularly along the Swahili Coast. They talk about the role of travellers, traders and sufi tariqahs in the spread of Islam in the region, as well as noteworthy scholars. Muazzam refutes the colonialist idea that Africa was a land of darkness before the arrival of European powers, and tells us about the lost city of Gedi, a once sophisticated civilisation built by Muslims, that was abandoned in mysterious...

In episode five, Zara speaks to Wafa Aouchiche, founder of Burgundy Roots, about their retreats in Jamaica. We talk about the Jamaican Muslim community & the ‘Ras-Mus’ (Rasta-Muslims), and the connections between the Caribbean & Algerian revolutionaries.   We discuss the negative impact of foreign-owned island resorts & some of the problems Jamaica faces; the importance of meaningful travel, & whether Muslim travellers are compromising on experience of the sake of halal...

In episode four, Yasmine and Zara speak to SF writer and photographer & founder of Zirrar Tours, Afaq Ali about his experience travelling expensively in Iran, particularly as a Sunni in a Shia country. He talks about his visit to the tomb of Imam Ghazali, the Armenian Christian quarter of Isfahan, and the Jewish communities of Iran.

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'.

Zara speaks to poet and playwright Sukina Pilgrim about her experience of visiting the rawdah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Madina & the challenges and joys that it entailed.  They also discuss the experience of notable women in history when visiting Madina & the difficulties women face today visiting the blessed rawdah. Sukina tells us about her trip to Cairo following Madina, to visit the female family members of the Prophet (pbuh) buried in the city, & how this was a...

In episode one, host Yasmine Ahmed-Lea speaks to co-host and founder of Sacred Footsteps, Zara Choudhary, about the concept of 'spiritual travel' and the story behind the website. They also discuss the recent passing of the esteemed Mauritanian scholar Murabit al-Hajj. All of the links to the articles mentioned can be found in the shownotes here: https://www.sacredfootsteps.org/2018/07/26/001-spiritual-travel/