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

Hey guys!

Jummah Mubarak and welcome to Ep. 2 of Sounds of Salat - a series where we explore deeper and more consistent ways of connection with the Divine and ourselves.

In this episode, I talk about the word 'bardaasht', an Urdu word that can be loosely translated as "resilience in the face of adversity".

I talk about how in our societies, I've noticed that we haven't struck the right balance of toleration/intolerance, and I ask questions like: how do we decide what to tolerate within a community?

Hint hint: maybe don't use genocide as an opportunity to become a tour guide of the vulnerable. Just my two cents.

Love you as always!

Instagram: @sufi.punk

Music by Shah Lalloo: http://soundcloud.com/lightontheshore

Hello, salaam, and Ramadan Mubarak!

It's been a while since we last spoke - and I want to say, I missed you :)

Here at SufiPunk, we've been at work getting ready to witness Ramadan. In the wake of the brutal terrors in Gaza and Rafah, it's been a spiritual struggle, for sure.

This episode introduces our newest initiative for this month called "Sounds of Salat", or "Sounds of Deep, Consistent Connection".

For the Muslim, Salat is more than just prayer, it's consistent connection with the Divine.

In that vein, we started a series dedicated towards mini-episodes that explore how to consistently connect with Allah and with ourselves.. especially as the opportunity for spiritual connection is at an all time high in this holy month.

Ready to begin? Today we're talking about intentions!

As always, please follow us @sufi.punk on instagram for more information.

Today's music is by Shah Lalloo - you can find more of his work at http://soundcloud.com/lightontheshore

Dive into the heart of storytelling and spirituality in our latest interview with Abdul Rahman Latif, the visionary author behind 'Vultures in the House of Silence', which has been quoted as "The Witcher meets Avatar the Last Airbender in Medieval Baghdad".

Sounds cool just by the description, in my opinion.

We explore how Latif's novel intertwines with the rich tapestry of Prophetic traditions, and offers a lens on applying these teachings in our lives.

But this conversation isn't just about a book; it's a journey through the transformative power of faith-based storytelling, reflecting SufiPunk's commitment to radical authenticity and spiritual depth.

The book will be out on Jan 29, 2024 - go get a copy!

This episode was recorded on Oct 30th, 2023

Follow AR Latif on Instagram: @arlatifauthor

Follow SufiPunk: @sufi.punk

Wanna get involved with our community? Reach out!

Happy New Year! How was your first week of 2024? We have 51 left :)

It's 2024, and we have a glaring choice to make in November.

Biden, or whoever Biden is running against?

If you're upset about how the administration has treated the occupation overseas, you should definitely take a listen. In this episode I interview the incredible Nida Allam, who currently serves as Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

We discuss everything from her Congressional campaign in 2022, building the democratic bench, and the upcoming election.

I can't promise solid answers to your questions - I can probably promise more questions (sorry) - but this conversation is something that we need to start having in every household.

Have you ever felt heartbroken over something you knew you should've seen coming? Today's episode dives into the intricate world of delusions, or 'delulu' - because I'm right there with ya.

We'll explore how delusions, often seen as distortions of reality, can actually reflect deeper truths about our society and individual psyche.

Through the lens of SufiPunk's values of truth, authenticity, and spirituality, we'll discuss how understanding delusion can lead to greater mindfulness and healing. We'll also weave in perspectives from Islam and anti-colonial thought.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of delusion, seeking to transform understanding into a path for personal and collective justice and innovation.

Follow us on Instagram: @sufi.punk

Music: Ishq Aap Bhe Awalla by Meesha Shafi

Published under Creative Commons ©