A conversation with Ross Burns, author and former Australian ambassador to Syria, on the history of Damascus. Ross has penned several books on Syria, and is an expert in the history of monuments of Syria. This episode was recorded in Aug of 2022.

Join me and the renowned Persian historian Farshid Emami, as we discuss the importance of coffee to Persian royal society, common culture and its impact on architecture in Isfahan.

Join me and Mokhtar Alkhanshali (historian, community historian and coffee innovator) as we follow the roots of Coffee from Ethiopia, Yemen to Makkah and then Istanbul and Europe. Mokhtar shares the intimate history of Coffee in Islam and its uses for the praise of God, its near ban and then its spread into Europe and Asia. Notes: The Merchant Houses of Mocha - by Nancy Umm Monk of Mokha - by Dave Eggers

What is the Ghazal? Where did it start and to where did it travel? PersianPoetics (Sharghzadeh) and I discuss the beautiful structure of the Ghazal and its most famous poets from Attar, Mawlana Rumi, Hafez and Attar to Ghalib, Iqbal and modern poets. Follow Sharghzadeh on Instagram @persianpoetics

Episode 1: Join Omar Sheira and me for a walk through of the history of Cairo, from its foundations a thousand years ago to present time. We discuss the Fatimid, Ayyubid (and of course Saladin) and the mighty Mamluks, the giant Ottomans before ending in the French and British rule. These podcasts will continue as we travel across the world to other Islamic ancient capitals to explore the less known history and art.