Growing up, my mother used to insist that my siblings and I remembered our heritage as Kashmiri’s. She would talk about how, although the land of Kashmir was ridden with conflict, it was arguably the most astonishingly stunning place in the world.

Scouring through pictures, and reminiscing on a time I still struggle to call mine, I agree with her.

Kashmir is more than just a conflict zone, and its highly politicized portrayal strips it as being a true paradise on Earth. It’s a land of paradise, of people with mountainous spirit and of passionate struggle. However, it is also the most heavily militarized place in the world.

Today on the show, our guest is a truth-teller and a spiritual resistor, Dr. Hafsa Kanjwal. A daughter of the Kashmiri soil, she is the author of “Colonizing Kashmir: “ a compelling and provocative account of Indian state-building in Kashmir in the aftermath of the partition.

Dr. Kanjwal works as an associate professor of South Asian History in the Department of History at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Before we start the interview, I want to invite you to find your grounding within. Finding grounding before listening is all about finding that deep-rooted intentionality within all of us, and opening up the doors to receptivity within our hearts.

So as you tune into this space, I remind you all of the practice of sacred listening - understanding that this episode is not just an interview, but also an act of collective witnessing.

00:00 Kashmir: Personal and Political Connections

02:22 The Academic Journey: Challenging Narratives

04:54 The Impact of Article 370 Revocation

07:54 Colonizing Kashmir: Understanding Historical Context

10:21 The Princely State of Kashmir Before Partition

13:21 Diplomatic Maneuvers: Accession to India

16:48 Sheikh Abdullah: A Complicated Figure

19:30 Client Regimes and Political Dynamics

22:20 Heart Warfare: Dependency vs. Prosperity

24:17 Colonial Legacies and Counterinsurgency in Kashmir

27:46 Economic Policies and Self-Sufficiency in Kashmir

30:48 The Politics of Life and Dependency

32:51 Media Narratives and Propaganda

37:32 Voices from the Ground: Oral Histories

43:18 Surveillance and Repression in Kashmir

46:04 Hindu Nationalism and the Kashmir Conflict

51:43 Global Implications: Kashmir and Palestine

55:48 The Way Forward for Kashmir and the Diaspora

Episode Notes:

In this episode of SufiPunk, we talk about the ups and downs of relationships, gender roles, and finding balance between being independent and relying on others.

We explore how faith and tradition shape these roles, how society pressures us to be hyper-independent, and why keeping Allah at the center of our lives helps everything stay balanced.

We also touch on the importance of having supportive friendships and building relationships that help you grow. And don’t worry — there’s more to come in Part II!

More on Sara A:

Sara A., the founder of Unfiltered Faith Podcast, created this platform to foster a community where women can openly discuss controversial or overlooked topics. Her mission is to empower women to speak their truths and share their opinions unapologetically.

A recent graduate of New York University’s Global Affairs program, Sara is passionate about breaking stereotypes about Muslim women in the Western world. She hopes that through honest and thought-provoking conversations, the world will recognize the strength, resilience, and power of Muslim women. Outside of her work, Sara is a lover of cats, anime, and all things sweet.

Instagram: @sufi.punk

@unfilteredfaithpod

Music: I Am Alone - Diwan

Substack: Risala

Welcome back to the SufiPunk Podcast!

On today's episode, we have Medina Whiteman, a writer, poet, translator, and musician. She is the author of a collection of poetry, Love is a Traveler and We Are its Path, and Huma’s Travel Guide to Islamic Spain. She’s also the co-founder of Muslim Writer’s Salon, a preserver of the work of Daniel Abdul-Hayy Moore, and a lecturer on Sufism as a practice and a tradition. She lives near Granada, Spain, in a little town called Orgiva with her husband and three children.

We discuss spiritual ecology, the importance of presence, how to manage mental health and activism, writing as form of healing trauma, and so - so - much more!

The soundtracks in the beginning and end are recordings of private dhikrs.

For more information on podcasts and events, please visit our Instagram: @sufi.punk to connect! We'd love to meet with you :)

For all questions, email host@sufipunk.co

- Niwal Sheikh