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explore words discover worlds

explore words discover worlds

by Bradford Literature Festival

Books Documentary

Season 4

The Heavenly Shadhili Wisdom

Composed in the 13th century, The Heavenly Shādhilī Wisdom is a collection of concise yet profound sayings and teachings from the renowned Moroccan saint, Imam Abū al-Ḥasan al-Shādhilī. These timeless insights have long served as guiding lights for seekers of truth across generations and cultures. In this special session, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi presents his new English translation of this spiritual masterpiece, offering reflections on the enduring legacy of Imam Abū al-Ḥasan and its relevance in the modern world. With both scholarly precision and spiritual depth, this event will explore how these teachings speak to the contemporary search for meaning, balance, and inner stillness.

Bradford, Food & Writing: A Taste from Home

Join writer Shahnaz Ahsan, food writer Radhika Howarth, and publisher Habiba Desai for a heartfelt conversation about food, memory, and storytelling rooted in Bradford’s South Asian community. In The Jackfruit Chronicles, Ahsan weaves family recipes with personal and historical narratives to explore British-Bangladeshi identity. Desai, co-founder of Fox & Windmill, shares insights from Tales from the Kitchen, a moving collection of food essays by British South Asian writers. Howarth brings her perspective as a food writer and culinary educator, reflecting on the sensory power of food in shaping cultural identity and belonging. As part of The Big Tasty Read event series, they discuss how food writing can preserve heritage, challenge stereotypes, and connect generations – particularly in Bradford, where culture and cuisine are inseparably linked.

The Future of Gardening

What does the future of gardening look like in an era of climate crisis, urban inequality, and shifting notions of land and community? Inspired by Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, a landmark British Library exhibition and the accompanying Gardens of the Future book, this dynamic panel brings together growers, writers, artists and activists to explore gardening as a tool for resistance, healing and transformation. From diasporic garden traditions to rewilding movements and community allotments, the conversation will explore how gardens challenge inequality, spark joy and cultivate new ways of living. Rooted in both history and lived experience, this is a celebration of gardening as radical, restorative practice. Co-produced by the British Library.

Introduction to Greco-Islamic Herbal Medicine

Led by Shaykh Atabek Shukurov, this session explores the foundational principles of Greco-Islamic herbal medicine, drawing on the legacy of figures such as Plato, Galen, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Nafis. Rooted in the classical text Urjoozah by Ibn Sina, the discussion covers key concepts including the elements, humors, organs, and the natural balance essential to health. Attendees will gain insight into how herbs impact the body, with applications in both preventative care and treatment.

Writing the North

What does it mean to write from – and about – the North? Join authors Marcia Hutchinson and Liz Mistry for a conversation exploring Northern identity, representation, and storytelling rooted in place. From crime fiction to memoir, their work brings the voices, landscapes, and complexities of the North to life, challenging stereotypes and championing diverse perspectives. Together, they’ll discuss how geography shapes narrative, the publishing industry’s Southern bias, and why Northern stories matter now more than ever. Whether you’re a reader, writer, or proud Northerner, this event offers an illuminating journey through the literary landscapes of the North.

Muslim Women in Media

Join writers and journalists Shahed Ezaydi, Samia Rahman, Remona Aly and Sabbiyah Pervez for a vital conversation exploring the experiences of Muslim women in the media today. From newsroom representation to public perception, the panel will discuss how Muslim women navigate an industry often shaped by bias, underrepresentation, and sensationalism. Drawing on their work across journalism, publishing, and broadcasting, they will reflect on the challenges they’ve faced, the stories they want to tell, and the importance of creating space for authentic voices. This empowering event highlights the need for greater visibility, nuance, and inclusion in the media landscape.

Surveillance States

In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of security and surveillance, this compelling discussion brings together two leading voices at the heart of the debate. Dr Hassan Ugail, a renowned AI and biometrics expert whose groundbreaking work has been used in high-profile criminal investigations, offers deep insight into the power and potential of facial recognition technology. Joining him is Jake Hurfurt from Big Brother Watch, a prominent civil liberties campaigner who has led national efforts to expose the unchecked use of facial recognition by police and government agencies. Together, they will explore the complex balance between public safety and personal privacy, questioning where we draw the line in a world of increasing digital oversight. Expect an eye-opening conversation filled with real-world examples, frontline research, and urgent ethical questions.

The Four Imams

Join author Zimarina Sarwar to explore her latest book, The Four Imams, a profound examination of the lives and legacies of the four most revered Islamic scholars. It is known that Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad made contributions that have shaped Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship for centuries. Through her compelling narrative style, Sarwar will bring to life the personal journeys, intellectual achievements, and spiritual wisdom of these eminent figures, offering both historical context and real-world applications of their teachings.

The Poetry of Resistance: Faiz, Neruda, Darwish, and Qabbani

This powerful session explores poetry as an act of resistance and a voice for the voiceless. At its heart are four towering literary figures: Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Pablo Neruda, Mahmoud Darwish, and Nizar Qabbani, whose words transcended borders and became rallying cries for justice, dignity, and freedom. Faiz and Neruda were known friends and fellow travellers in the international struggle for peace and justice. Darwish and Faiz were also dear friends and shared a poetic kinship. Qabbani paralleled Faiz in his fusion of love and politics, turning verse into a form of protest. Despite writing in different languages of Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic, these poets are bound by a common ethos: that poetry can confront power, nurture memory, and awaken hope. Their legacies speak across borders and generations, inviting us to consider how language and resistance remain intertwined.

Memoirs of Food: Angela Hui & Candice Chung

Join authors Angela Hui (Takeaway) and Candice Chung (Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You) for a conversation exploring the deep ties between food, memory, and identity. Hui reflects on growing up in a Chinese takeaway in rural Wales, while Chung explores reconnecting with her estranged parents through shared meals. Both memoirs reveal how food becomes a powerful language of love, heritage, and belonging—especially in families shaped by migration and silence. This event offers a moving exploration of how what we eat, cook, and share can tell the stories we struggle to say aloud.

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