Before the Aga Khan Museum became a landmark in Toronto, it started with a letter about light. In this episode of This Being Human , host Mai Habib sits down with principal architect Gary Kamemoto, who led the Museum’s design alongside the late Fumihiko Maki. He shares how that single idea—light—shaped everything, from the building’s geometry and materials to the way you move through the space. Along the way, you get a closer look at the thinking behind the Aga Khan Museum’s architecture, and ho...
Apr 28, 2026•32 min•Season 5Ep. 1
New host. New format. Now on video. Welcome to the relaunch of This Being Human , the Aga Khan Museum’s podcast about Muslim art, global cultures and how we’re all connected. This season, new host Mai Habib talks with inspiring artists, writers, designers, and creators from across the Muslim world and beyond. Subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss a single video episode. The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human . Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Apr 21, 2026•1 min
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 profound themes of identity, belonging, and transformation that echo through his work. Whether you're a fan of his genre-bending soundscapes or curious about how art can bridge cultural divides, this ...
Dec 17, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 21
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 on cities, memory, and the human condition, he offers a tender and profound view of what it means to connect with others. To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey. If you enj...
Dec 03, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 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 shares what it means to pursue understanding in a time when we are overloaded with information, and how her approach to conversations invites us to open up to life's mystery and grace. Krista also sha...
Nov 19, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 19
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 cultures. She shares her journey from Pakistan to Canada, her reflections on the power of storytelling, and how libraries serve as spaces for connection, learning, and equality. Saima also discusses the i...
Nov 05, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 18
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 the power of memoir in understanding our shared humanity. We also explore themes of identity, home, and connection across cultures. Listen in for an inspiring conversation about storytelling and the huma...
Oct 22, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 17
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, and discusses the delicate balance between maintaining tradition and embracing modernity. We explore the profound spiritual power of Sufi music and Bilal’s mission to keep this timeless tradition alive...
Oct 08, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 16
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 studied under the renowned Keith Critchlow, who introduced her to the beauty and meaning within Islamic art. She discusses how Sufism became her path to Islam, how it transformed her understanding of beaut...
Sep 24, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 15
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 sounds. Dive into the history of Nusantara, the significance of traditional songs like "Rasa Sayang," and the impact of spirituality on Art's work. This episode offers a deep dive into Art's role as a ...
Sep 10, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 14
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 diverse repertoires to traditional concert halls. Kazem's work with American operas and his efforts to expand the American repertoire will be highlighted, showcasing his dedication to both classical and mod...
Aug 27, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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 performing and the camaraderie among the group. They also discuss the influence of hip-hop and their love for music in their dance style. Nasir Sirikhan, a member of the dance crew Quick Style, discusses his ba...
Aug 09, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode we sit down with renowned contemporary artist Faig Ahmed, celebrated for his revolutionary approach to traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Faig’s work transcends cultural and artistic boundaries, creating a unique dialogue between the ancient and the modern. We delve into his artistic journey, exploring the inspirations and creative processes behind his avant-garde masterpieces. Faig shares how he deconstructs and reimagines centuries-old patterns, blending historical craftsm...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of This Being Human, Abdul-Rehman Malik sits down with Aanchal Malhotra, author and oral historian, to explore the emotional legacies of the partition of India and Pakistan. Aanchal shares personal stories, insights from her books "Remnants of Separation, In the Language of Remembering, and The Book of Everlasting Things, and reflects on the importance of documenting personal histories. Join us as we delve into the human side of history and its impact on our present and future. T...
Jul 16, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode of "This Being Human," we sit down with Deeyah Khan, an acclaimed filmmaker and activist renowned for her transformative documentaries. Deeyah shares her remarkable journey from being a music artist to becoming a powerful voice against extremism through film. Growing up as a Norwegian of Pakistani descent, she faced significant cultural and racial challenges that shaped her worldview and ignited her passion for storytelling. Deeyah recounts her transition from music to filmmaking...
Jul 02, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode of This Being Human we sit down with dina Amin, an innovative stop motion artist from Cairo, Egypt. dina shares her unique journey from studying Industrial Design in Malaysia to creating her acclaimed Instagram series, 'Tinker Friday.' Through 'Tinker Friday,' she combines her design expertise with animation to reveal the hidden intricacies of everyday objects, shedding light on consumerism in a captivating and educational way. We delve into the foundation of dina's Tinker Studio...
Jun 18, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode we delve into the artistic universe of Refik Anadol, a Turkish-American new media artist renowned for his innovative use of data-driven machine learning algorithms in art. From his early days in Istanbul to his advanced studies and creative endeavors in Los Angeles, we explore the formative experiences that shaped his pioneering approach to digital art. Refik discusses his groundbreaking projects like "Machine Hallucination" and "Virtual Depictions," revealing how he transforms a...
Jun 04, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 7
On this episode of This Being Human, we speak with Alia Syed, a British experimental filmmaker whose work has been shown all around the art world for the last 25 years. Born in 1964 in Swansea to a Welsh mother and Indian father, Alia uses her film cameras to meditate on issues of subjectivity and narrative, identity and memory. Her films have been shown at numerous institutions around the world including BBC Arts Online, the Museum of Modern Art, New York ; Museo National Centro de Arte Reina S...
May 21, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Saks Afridi is an artist who refers to his work as ,scfi-fi sufism., His pieces include prayer rugs depicting UFOs, visual art that blends images of circuitry with classic Islamic design, and an extensive, multi-disciplinary project based on a mythological world that he calls Space Mosque. Saks talks about blending the spiritual with the speculative, why the idea of prayer factors into so much of his work, and how his day job in advertising informs his art practice. To fill out our listener surv...
May 07, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this episode of This Being Human we delve deep into the profound significance of poetry in modernity through the lens of renowned poet and artist, Amir Sulaiman. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Amir's poetic journey has traversed continents, resonating with audiences globally. From his exploration of existential inquiries to the unraveling of universal themes such as love, spirituality, and human connection, Amir's verse serves as a sacred mirror reflecting the complexities of the human sou...
Apr 23, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Kiran Ahluwalia is a true innovator-her songs blend the music of India with influences from Mali and western blues, rock, R&B and jazz to create a sound unlike any other artist. Over the last two decades, Kiran has studied under masters of classical Indian music and collaborated with iconic North African artists, most notably the iconic desert blues group Tinariwen. On this episode, she talks about her new single, Pancake, her decision to leave her career in Canada to study music in India, a...
Apr 09, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Meet Jude Chehab, the rising-star filmmaker whose debut documentary “Q” is making waves in the industry! Named one of Vogue Magazine’s top documentaries of 2023, “Q” paints a mesmerizing portrait of her mother’s relationship to an all-female religious group in Lebanon. It has won multiple awards including Best New Documentary Director at the Tribeca Film Festival, a Cinema Eye Honor, and earned Jude her spot on DOCNYC’s ’40 under 40′ list. This week on the podcast, Jude tells us how she learned ...
Mar 26, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Haroon Siddiqui has had many titles. Reporter, columnist, editor... the list goes on. He can now add author to his resume with the release of his memoir "My Name is Not Harry". It's a profound reflection on his career, Canadian values, his immigrant superpowers and the role he believes luck, or perhaps divine destiny, has played in his incredible life. To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey . If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/...
Mar 12, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 1
A new season of This Being Human is almost here! We'll be back soon with more fascinating conversations with amazing people whose lives, ideas, and art have been shaped by Muslim culture. The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 11, 2024•3 min
Sandra Saenz joins us to talk about the art of makeup, navigating the world of beauty as a Mexican Muslim, and her first video art exhibition. She is the first Mexican hijabi makeup artist to secure agency representation in the USA. Her work has been featured in magazines and advertisements worldwide for Sephora. She's currently a Global Brand Ambassador for KVD Beauty. To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey . If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to ...
Jan 16, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Photographer Hassan Hajjaj has an iconic style that blends elements of pop art, hip hop culture and North African fashion. It spans series like Kesh Angels, which depicts biker women in Marakesh, as well as celebrity photoshoots and album art. He joins AR to talk about developing his unique style, his initial reluctance to call himself an artist, and how he's seen the photography world change for the next generation. See more of Hassan Hajjaj's work here: https://www.193gallery.com/artists/84-ha...
Jan 02, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Egyptian artist Wael Shawky explores the connections between history and myth. His work includes installations and sculpture, as well as films like Cabaret Crusades and I Am Hymns of the New Temple, which use marionettes to revisit big moments in history from a new perspective. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman . The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human, and The Hilary and Galen Wes...
Dec 19, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Shezad Dawood is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends stories, reality and symbolism to engage with big questions about humanity, and explore alternative futures. He speaks about his latest project, Night in the Garden of Love, an immersive experience that uses virtual reality to bring visitors into a fantastical world. It's based on a science fiction novella of the same name by the late musician and polymath Yusef Lateef. Shezad talks about Lateef's unique view of the world, collaborati...
Dec 05, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Marina Tabassum is a Bangladeshi architect whose work includes Bangladesh's underground Museum of Independence and the award-winning Bait Ur Rouf mosque. She talks about working with local materials, the rich landscape of Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka, and how architects should embrace social responsibility, as with her $200 houses for displaced Bangladeshis. Marina Tabassum is the founder of Marina Tabassum Architects and the academic director of the Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landsc...
Nov 21, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Kameelah Janan Rasheed is an artist whose work focuses on Black knowledge production, re-shaping history, and unlearning the things we think we know. Her projects, spanning photography, installations, text, sound, and more, have been shown around the globe and earned her a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship. She joins us to talk about resisting easy definitions, finding new ways to think about the marks that we leave on the world, and her lifelong engagement with emerging technologies. If you enjoyed th...
Nov 07, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 16
