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Discover the forgotten histories of Muslim servicemen and women who fought for Britain in Great Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution , an illustrated talk and panel with Nizam Uddin OBE featuring renowned military portrait artist Arabella Dorman and special guests. Featuring a screening of the powerful short film from the Great Faith project and a moving exhibition of portraits by Arabella...

Following the landmark Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, our panellists return to reflect on what it revealed — and what comes next. Join Dr Abdulrahman Azzam and Remona Ally as they explore the living legacy of Islamic art and architecture, its global influence, and its power to connect past and present. From philosophy to form, tradition to innovation, they’ll discuss how Islamic aesthetics conti...

What does the radical poetry and art of William Blake say about the promises and failures of the American Dream? Join art historian and political columnist, Stephen F. Eisenman, and Blake scholar, Jason Whittaker, for a provocative exploration of Blake’s revolutionary vision, its surprising relevance to American ideals of freedom, and its actual practices of power. Drawing on Blake’s fierce critiq...

Join acclaimed food writer Fiona Dunlop and scholar Daniel L. Newman for a sensory journey through the rich culinary heritage of al-Andalus. Dunlop’s Andaluz explores the lasting influence of Moorish cuisine in southern Spain, featuring ingredients like saffron and almonds rooted in Arab and Berber traditions. Newman’s translation of The Exile’s Cookbook offers rare insight into medieval food cult...

Interested in a career in publishing? Join Bloomsbury as they invite Harper North and Wonderful for an insightful session on how to break into the industry. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from professionals at top publishing houses and a recruitment expert. Gain insights into the diverse career paths within publishing, from editorial to marketing, and discover what employers are lo...

What happens when feminism excludes the very women it claims to liberate? In this powerful conversation, Minna Salami ( Can Feminism Be African? ) and Shahed Ezaydi ( The Othered Woman ) explore the erasures, assumptions, and possibilities at the heart of global feminist discourse.   Drawing on African political philosophy, lived experience, and intersectional critique, they unpack how feminism ca...

To mark Sandala’s publication of the late Dr. Thomas Cleary’s translation of the Qur’an , Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, joins us to reflect on Cleary’s brilliant rendering of God’s Final Testament. Cleary’s translation – remarkable for its clarity and precision – presents the Qur’an as a living text, inviting both Muslim and non-Muslim readers into its ethical and contemplative...

250 years since her birth, step into the world of one of English literature’s most beloved authors, Jane Austen. Her wit, social critique, and unforgettable characters have captivated readers for over two centuries, but who was the woman behind Pride and Prejudice , Sense and Sensibility , and Emma ? Join Caroline Sanderson, Helena Kelly, and Lizzie Dunford as they explore Austen’s life, legacy, a...

Join historians, Iain Macgregor and Sinclair McKay, for an insightful discussion on the aftermath of World War Two, and how its impact still governs global affairs today. Drawing on decades of research, they explore the enduring legacies of the Second World War and how its outcomes continue to shape international politics, diplomacy, and conflicts. From shifting alliances to the rise of new powers...

More than a decade of war has reshaped Syria and the wider region. With Bashar al-Assad no longer in power and a fragile transitional government now in place under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country stands at a historic turning point.  This panel brings together leading experts to explore what the future holds for Syria: from rebuilding institutions and seeking justice to managing sectarian te...

In July 1995, over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were murdered in Srebrenica — the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. This event explores how genocide unfolded in the heart of Europe, the silence that enabled it, and the urgent need to remember. Through testimony, history, and reflection, we examine the legacy of Srebrenica: from international failure and justice effor...

With war in the Middle East, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and a new Labour government in the UK, 2025 has brought dramatic political shifts. These come alongside rising climate urgency, widening global inequality, and disruptive advances in AI and biotechnology. In this timely talk, Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, explores the key trends shaping our world....

The 7/7 attacks were a defining moment in modern British history — shaping public policy, media narratives, and how communities experience the state. Two decades on, the effects are still unfolding. In this event, we will discuss how counterterrorism laws and surveillance reshaped civil liberties, the impact on British Muslim identity, trust, and belonging, and how the framing of 7/7 continues to...

Join two exciting voices in speculative fiction, M. H. Ayinde and Marve Anson, as they delve into the craft of worldbuilding – from creating magic systems and futuristic technology to developing languages and rich cultural traditions. Chaired by writer and journalist, Sarah Shaffi, this conversation explores how authors shape vivid fictional worlds that captivate readers and reflect real-world com...

Why did our grandmothers stir turmeric into hot milk at bedtime? Why did they eat with their hands, or instinctively pair yoghurt with rice on a hot day? In this rich and reflective talk, culinary storyteller and author Radhika Howarth explores the intuitive food wisdom passed down through generations – and what it still has to teach us today. Drawing on her background in food and nutrition, Radhi...

Sudan is facing one of the world’s most devastating — and least reported — crises. Since April 2023, brutal conflict between rival military factions has torn the country apart, displacing millions and unleashing a humanitarian catastrophe.  In this urgent and illuminating panel, we explore the roots of the conflict, the toll on civilians, and the silence surrounding Sudan’s collapse. What led to t...

What does freedom of expression mean in 2025? From hate speech and identity politics to digital censorship and protest bans, the boundaries of free speech are more contested than ever. This timely event explores the forces shaping public debate today: the line between speech and harm, the influence of tech platforms, and how power and privilege shape who gets heard.  Join our panel as they ask: Ar...

Professor Paul Rogers returns to lead a panel of expert commentators in our annual current affairs event, offering a 360-degree view of the most urgent issues shaping the world in 2025. From ongoing conflict and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, to escalating tensions in the Red Sea and South China Sea, and the global impact of Trump’s return to office, this year’s conversation couldn’t be more ti...

Islamophobia isn’t just a slur or a spike in hate crime — it’s a system. From counterterrorism policy and surveillance to media narratives and foreign wars, Muslims are routinely positioned as threats. This panel examines how Islamophobia is being mobilised today in the UK and across the globe. Who gains from it, and how is it being challenged? What does it take to confront it at its roots — not j...

Shaykh Dr Ahmed Saad Al-Azhari joins us to launch Parables from the Qur’an , the much-anticipated follow-up to Contemplating the Qur’an . This talk offers a unique opportunity to delve into the thematic depth and metaphorical beauty of the Qur’an , drawing on classical scholarship and contemporary insight. While Contemplating the Qur’an provides a concise, accessible commentary across the thirty p...

The war in Ukraine has reshaped Europe — and the ripple effects are still unfolding. With Russia on the offensive, the far right gaining ground, and Trump’s return to the global stage, Europe faces urgent questions about its identity, unity, and future. Will the continent stand firm as a force for democracy and stability, or splinter under pressure? What role can Europe play in a world increasingl...

What happens when myth and magic collide with history? In this spellbinding event, authors Shubnum Khan ( The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years ) and Genevieve Cogman ( Damned ) explore the power of fantasy to reshape the past and reimagine the present. From an ancient djinn stirring in a ruined South African mansion to a vampiric plot unravelling in revolutionary England, both writers use the supernatu...

Join historian and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple and Samia Rahman for an illuminating discussion on his debut book, Shattered Lands . Drawing from extensive archival research and multilingual oral histories, Dalrymple examines five pivotal partitions, including those of India, Burma, and Palestine, that dismantled the British Indian Empire and reshaped modern Asia. Through personal narratives and politi...

Across the West, far right movements are gaining ground — not just at the margins, but in the mainstream. From fiery rhetoric to policy influence, they’re reshaping the way we talk about identity, belonging, and power. What’s fuelling this rise, and why now?  Join us for a timely and urgent discussion as our experts explore the deeper forces at play — from economic anxiety and online radicalisatio...

Join historian and author, Manu S. Pillai and Saeed Khan, for an illuminating talk on his latest book, Gods, Guns and Missionaries . Drawing on rich historical research, Pillai explores the complex interplay of religion, colonial power, and armed conflict in shaping the Indian subcontinent’s past. Through compelling narratives, he reveals how faith, force, and imperial ambition intertwined to infl...