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Join Dr Asad Tarsin as he expertly navigates through the essential concepts and timeless wisdom gleaned from over 20 reputable authorities in Islam. Being Muslim: A Practical Guide is meticulously crafted by Dr Tarsin, and gives practical and valuable insights, allowing you to grasp the essence of what it truly means to be Muslim. Whether you are embarking on your journey into Islam or seeking to...

Embark on a mesmerising journey through time and space with the electrifying debut novel from award-winning poet Joelle Taylor, The Night Alphabet . A dazzlingly bold and original work, The Night Alphabet is a deep investigation into human nature and violence against women and is a conversation not to be missed. A fierce, tender and highly uncomfortable study of power, agency and resilience, this...

Join us for a 360° view of a book’s journey from the manuscript phase to the hands of readers. Bringing together voices from the publishing world, we’ll talk through the process of finding an agent, submitting to publishers and the editing process – what to expect, what might be challenging and the role of an author throughout the process. Find out how to avoid the slush pile, the pros and cons of...

“Some brains, through no fault of their own, pack a bag, turn the lights off and run away to the seaside the moment they are meant to be doing homework, paying bills or not putting the cat in the fridge. These are ADHD brains and I have one.” You’ll know her from Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow . Much-loved comedian, Shaparak Khorsandi, shares her rollercoaster ride of a...

Join us for a captivating discussion as author, Jason Wright, teams up with Stephen Pritchard from the Blake Society to explore the transformative power of William Blake’s work in modern mental health and addiction recovery. Delve into Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job and discover how these poignant themes resonate with contemporary psychoanalysis and psychotherapy techniques. Wright maste...

In the hands of artists and poets, books have taken a radically different form since the advent of the artist’s book in Paris in the early 20th century. In this fascinating conversation, art historian, Dr Venetia Porter, curator of the Artists making books: poetry to politics exhibition, and academic and writer, Dr Atef Alshaer, discuss the exhibition’s accompanying publication, a stunning collect...

Join us as host, Muhammad Jalal, meets Ahmed Paul Keeler to recount his fascinating life journey, from an idyllic childhood in Windsor to navigating trauma in English boarding schools, embracing modern art and theatre, and ultimately to finding solace in Islam. As a teen, Keeler organised plays and later established the groundbreaking Signals Gallery, promoting kinetic art. His crowning achievemen...

Join us for a panel discussion on the rich heritage and contemporary resonance of Islamic art and architecture. The panel includes Dr Silke Ackermann, Director of the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford, and Dr Abdulrahman Azzam and Muhannad Shono, two of the curators of the forthcoming Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which is the first exhibition of its kind and offers a forum...

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion as we celebrate the enduring feminist legacy of Anne Brontë, a pioneering voice in Victorian literature, with Brontë scholar, Rose Gant, and Anne Brontë biographer, Samantha Ellis. Anne, often overshadowed by her sisters, Charlotte and Emily, challenged societal norms and championed women’s rights through her groundbreaking novels and poetry. From her por...

Join us for a thought-provoking panel event, showcasing the UK’s foremost cosy crime authors, including Katy Watson, JM Hall and Antony Johnston. These popular authors share a passionate love for their genre, and together will embark on a quest to decipher whether crime can ever truly be cosy. Dive into the realm of cosy mystery books, your perfect haven for lighthearted escapism. With the genre g...

Join this fascinating conversation, we explore the historical, cultural and religious significance of one of the world’s oldest and most contested cities, which is holy to the three major Abrahamic faiths. Jerusalem’s rich tapestry of history includes periods of conquest, conflict and coexistence, each leaving its mark on the city’s identity. From the ancient walls of the Old City to the revered s...

Join Professor Saeed Khan as he explores Orientalism as Said defined and described it and how it persists as a central component, explicitly or otherwise, in so many contemporary conversations. In 1978, Edward Said published Orientalism , which served as a critique of Western scholarship. Said argued persuasively that Western scholars viewed the rest of the world, and particularly the Middle East...

Join us for a compelling discussion on the ethics of documenting and reporting humanitarian crisis zones, exploring the fine line that journalists and filmmakers have to tread between help and harm. Addressing when to film and when not to, this event discusses the challenges of avoiding ‘misery porn’ and ensuring ethical, impactful storytelling while safeguarding those involved.

Join translator, Mahdi Lock, as he delves into Depression and Anxiety: The Causes and Treatment According to the Qur’an , promising an insightful exploration of these prevalent issues. Loch will illuminate often overlooked factors, highlighting the various causes of depression and anxiety, and uncover the importance of strengthening one’s connection for healing and empowerment. This event offers s...

Join us for a discussion about this book’s huge legacy and what George Orwell would think about the state of today’s world. Published in 1949, George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel, 1984 , is one of the most important books of the 20th century, still widely referenced today across politics and culture. Orwell modelled his authoritarian state in the novel on the Soviet Union in the era of Stalinis...

The UK’s favourite vicar, Kate Bottley, returned to Bradford to share some life lessons. She’s sat on a lot of sofas, drank a lot of tea, and garnered a lot of wisdom from the wonderful people she’s met along the way. Whether you’re contemplating the big questions of life and death, dealing with confidence, conflict, or loneliness, Bottley is here to help you feel less alone, and equip you with th...

Delve into the tumultuous origins and evolution of the Independent Labour Party, the working-class political movement born in Bradford in 1893. Through the captivating narratives of three central characters—passionate Fred Jowett, ruthless Philip Snowden and the unforgettable Victor Grayson—Brody weaves a tale of ambition, loyalty and betrayal.

Join SherAli Tareen and co-panelists for a thought-provoking exploration of a complex and sensitive topic. SherAli Tareen’s fascinating new book, Perilous Intimacies: Debating Hindu-Muslim Friendship after Empire , explores how leading South Asian Muslim thinkers imagined and contested the boundaries of Hindu-Muslim friendship from the mid-18th to the mid-20th centuries.

WritersMosaic and Colin Grant will be joined by three award-winning authors: Chitra Ramaswamy, Ingrid Persaud, and Nicholas Rankin. Discussing the idea of memory and writing.

Join us for a crucial conversation with Professor Paul Rogers, one of the most forward-thinking analysts of our time, as he discusses his latest book, A Crowded, Glowering World: Paths to a Sustainable and Secure Future . This talk will explore the interconnected challenges we currently face and deliver crucial insights into understanding this global ‘polycrisis’. A respected authority on conflict...

In this heritage talk, you will explore how Britain’s textile industry is being reinvented for the 21st century. Using photographs taken over the past 120 years, Tim Smith will show how the innovative spirit that once powered the textile industry remains alive and well. Wool and cotton fuelled the first industrial revolution and, today, a vast array of fibres is driving a new revolution. Discover...

We’ve brought together Lauren Beukes, author of bestselling novel, The Shining Girls , whose work straddles the speculative and literary, and celebrated crime author John Connolly, best known for his PI Charlie Parker series, to share their best tips and tricks to convey authenticity in storytelling. Conveying a strong sense of place is vital for a reader to know where they are, when they are, wha...

Join local author, Charlotte Bradman, as she shares her remarkable story of breaking free from a turbulent past, mounting debts and the monotony of the nine-to-five grind, to embrace a simpler way of life in her beloved campervan. The Happy Nomad is Bradman’s newly released debut, a journey of self-discovery and liberation. Through laughter, tears and moments of profound insight, she learns to che...

A unique conversation as the Blake Society’s Stephen Pritchard and poet, John Siddique, explore the similarities between two hugely influential writers and artists: William Blake and Kahlil Gibran. Both Blake and Gibran were poets and artists who dabbled in prophetic vision. Their readings of the Bible, their rebellion against Church corruption, and their sociopolitical visions were very similar....

In May 1904, the Great Exhibition in Lister Park showcased Bradford businesses, art and culture, and featured a standout exhibit: the Somali Village. Within this village, 60 Somali individuals, including men, women, and children, resided in a walled compound for six months. In this fascinating event, Fozia Bora tells the stories of some of these Villagers – often polyglot cosmopolitans, and Bradfo...