Islamic History Podcast

British officials in India are not too pleased by Kitchener's proposal to create an Arab Caliph. They know what he doesn't know; most Arab rulers either don't care about the Caliph or don't want one ruling over them. Meanwhile, Sharif Hussein ibn Ali has his hands full. He has to outmaneuver several adversaries including the Young Turks, Arab nationalists, and the growing threat to the east under Abdul Aziz ibn Saud.

The British are looking for Muslim allies to help them fight against the Ottomans. Some prominent Arabs within the Empire are alienated by the nationalism of the Young Turks. Hussein ibn Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, might be the perfect ally for the British. Perhaps he'd be willing to let the British help him become the new Caliph of the Arabs?

A bonus episode from our Seerah podcast. In this episode, we discuss the conversion of Adi ibn Hatim.

In the second and final part of this series, we'll discuss some of the major contributors to the spread of Islam among African-Americans. These will include Muhammed Ezeldine, Sheikh Daoud Faisal, and Wallace Mohammed.

A look at some of the African Muslims brought to the United States at Slaves. We discover the origins of the American slave trade and what some Muslim Africans were able to do to overcome their demeaning circumstances. Become a patron of the show by visiting Patreon.com/IslamicHistory. Show notes available at IslamicHistoryPodcast.com/BHM19

Lord Kitchener is the British Secretary of War, but he'd much rather be in Egypt. He and his British counterparts in the Middle East believe they understand their Arab and Muslim subjects. This false assumption starts Kitchener on a dark path. Meanwhile, the French have their eyes on Syria. They're concerned British ambitions might lead them to take this prize the French believe is rightfully theirs.

Most of the Ottoman government opposes getting involved in the European war. But there are three members of the Young Turks, known as the "The Three Pashas" are intent on driving the Empire into the war. Leading the charge, is the Ottoman Minister of War, Enver Pasha. With the early German victories, Enver is convinced now is the time for the Ottomans to join the fight.

As the prospects of war begin to develop across Europe, the Ottoman Empire finds itself in a difficult situation. Their strategic location gives them a decided advantage. However, their economic and military weakness means they will need protection.

In the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire is known as the "Sick man of Europe." It is big but weak. The other European powers assume they'll eventually have to take over much of the empire's lands. The Committee for Unity and Progress hopes to salvage the dignity of the Empire. They see the warning signs and know the Empire's days are numbered if things don't change.

The Shah of Iran is unknowingly planting the seeds of rebellion. His secret police stifle political dissent. He's dismissive of the religious community. He ignorant the effects of his economic policies.  Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khomeini is in exile but slowly building his base and sharpening his message. Despite his advanced age, he's confident the people of Iran want more than the Shah's empty materialism.

Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi became the Shah of Iran at twenty-two years of age. He would go from a powerless figurehead to one of the most powerful monarchs in the region. However, the Shah was brought down by an obscure Shiite scholar name Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In this episode, we'll start to discover the history behind the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar (formerly Burma) are one of the most persecuted people's on the globe. They are not wanted in Burma nor in any other country. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya live as refugees in Bangladesh and other countries.

As the Mali Empire declines, another is on the rise. In the forgotten city of Gao, the Sunni Dynasty emerges to make the Songhay Empire the dominant force in West Africa. This is done by two very different men. Sunni Ali is a brutal conqueror who strikes fear in the people he conquers. The other is Askia Muhammad, a former slave who rises to become the hope of the Songhay Empire.

In this episode, we're going to explore the origins of the Empire of Mali. We'll also take a look at two of its most popular rulers: Sundiata and Mansa Musa. Sundiata is mostly known through the Epic of Sundiata. While Mansa Musa is mostly known because of his famous Hajj pilgrimage.

The first in a series to look at the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. In this episode, we will introduce the series and take an in-depth look at the city-state of Gao and the rise and fall of the Ghana Empire. We'll also discuss one of the more complicated and difficult topics in Islam: African Slavery.