Qatar 2022: Football, Politics and Cultural Production

Rushda N. and Aisha Hasan As Lionel Messi walks up to the podium to claim the one major footballing award that has eluded him so far, the roar of the crowd reaches a crescendo. The moment marks the culmination of a stellar career for the world’s greatest footballer, and the crystallisation of Qatar’s cultural and sporting ambitions. Moments earlier, Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, … Continue reading Qatar 2022: Football, Politics and Cultural Production

A Meditation on Death in Istanbul

Xiwen Yang This short piece has its origin in my grandmother’s passing, who lived her whole life in a small town in south-western China and left for another realm in 2019, may Allah forgive her. Throughout my childhood, she protected my spirit, stirred my imagination, and cheered for my pursuits. I miss her, night and day. Her departure weighs on my heart and forces me … Continue reading A Meditation on Death in Istanbul

Makkah: The Commodification of a City

Aisha Hasan Home to the most sacred mosque on Earth, the city of Makkah holds a special place in the hearts of all Muslims. Throughout Islamic history it has a held a nostalgia, not only as the beloved homeland of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but also as home to the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. For centuries, pilgrims have flocked to Makkah during the Hajj season, … Continue reading Makkah: The Commodification of a City

Seeking Islamic community in urban modernity

Fadilah Salawu To simplify the Islamic worldview is to analyse a multi-layered, interconnected sphere, with tawheed, the Oneness of Allah ﷻ , as the nucleus. As we actualise our purpose and responsibilities as khulafa’ (vicegerents) on earth, the various levels form expanding layers. Once the greatness of the personal project of every Muslim and the Islamic religion as a whole is comprehended, the importance of … Continue reading Seeking Islamic community in urban modernity