This Being Human
This Being Human
This Being Human is a podcast by the Aga Khan Museum and TVO. In every episode, host Abdul-Rehman Malik interviews an insightful guest about Muslim art, culture, history and society. You’ll hear fascinating explorations of everything from prayer and pilgrimage to politics and pop culture, love and education, feminism, film, sports, music, and so much more. Through deep, thoughtful conversations, t…Social links:
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Beyond Boundaries with Pakistani Artist Yousuf Bashir Qureshi
In this episode, we sit down with Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, known to many as YBQ, a visionary artist whose work blends music, culture, and storytelling to craft a truly global sound. From his roots to his rise, YBQ shares his journey of artistic discovery, the influences that shaped his music, and the…
41:15
Hisham Matar on Friendship and Writing from the Margins
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hisham Matar joins This Being Human to discuss his latest novel, My Friends. He reflects on themes of friendship, exile, and the complexities of writing from the margins. Matar shares how his work explores life's central question: How might we live? Through meditations…
36:25
Krista Tippett on Wisdom, Love, and the Art of Deep Listening 20
In this episode of This Being Human, host Abdul-Rehman Malik sits down with Krista Tippett, the celebrated creator of On Being. Known for her gift of drawing out insights from some of the world's most profound thinkers, Krista reflects on her journey through wisdom, love, and radical listening. She…
42:48
Stories That Shape Us: Saima Hussain on Libraries, Identity, and Heritage
In this episode, we sit down with writer, editor, and librarian Saima Hussain. From her book The Arab World Thought of It: Inventions, Innovations and Amazing Facts, to the anthology The Muslimah Who Fell to Earth, Saima's work uncovers the forgotten contributions and personal stories of Muslim c…
33:50
Finding Joy and Connection in Storytelling with Marguerite Richards
In this episode, we sit down with Marguerite Richards, editor of The Ordinary Chaos of Being Human, an anthology of personal stories from around the world. Marguerite opens up about her love for helping writers bring their visions to life, the intimate relationship between editor and author, and th…
35:29
The Legacy of Qawwali with Bilal Chishty
Join us as we journey into the heart of Qawwali with Bilal Chishty, a descendent of the great Chishti Sufi lineage and a musician devoted to preserving this sacred art form. In this episode, Bilal shares his stories of learning under Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, reflects on the history of Qawwali, …
40:46
Gardens of the Soul: Emma Clark on the Sacred Art of Islamic Gardens
In this episode of This Being Human we sit down with Emma Clark, an expert in Islamic garden design, to explore her journey from a childhood surrounded by English gardens to her spiritual awakening through Islamic art and Sufism. Emma reflects on her time at the Royal College of Art, where she stud…
27:08
Art Fazil's Revival of the Folk Music of Nusantara
Join us for a captivating conversation with Art Fazil, as we explore his journey through the rich cultural tapestry of Nusantara. Celebrating 30 years of his self-titled debut album, Art shares insights into his timeless music, the influence of Malay folk traditions, and his unique blend of global …
32:16
Kazem Abdullah: Conducting Change in Classical Music
In this episode, we delve into the life and career of Kazem Abdullah, exploring his path from a clarinetist to a prominent conductor. We will discuss his notable achievements, including his tenure as Generalmusikdirektor in Aachen, Germany, and his pioneering work in bringing contemporary and diver…
33:00
Nasir Sirikhan’s Philosophy of Dance
Nasir Sirikhan and Abdul-Rehman Malik discuss Nasir's viral wedding dance video and the joy and connection it brought to millions of viewers. They talk about the origins of QuickStyle and how Nasir, Suleiman, and Bilal met and formed their dance crew. Nasir shares the emotional journey of performin…
34:16