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"This Being Human" podcasts launched at Aga Khan Museum

As the pandemic crests anew in many parts of the world, the timing of the Aga Khan Museum’s new podcasts, entitled This Being Human, could be prescient. Hosted by Canadian-born and London-based Abdul-Rehman Malik, the podcasts showcase leading Muslim voices shaping the world today.
“The launch of This Being Human could not be timelier,” confirms Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis, Interim Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. “It tells remarkable stories about remarkable people whose diverse cultures and contributions, as well as their spirituality, are often misunderstood, misrepresented, or indeed ignored altogether. It is our hope that This Being Human will succeed in opening listeners’ minds to their wide-ranging contributions, creativity, and humanity in our globalised world today.”
In the podcasts, Mr Malik will interview people like Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, the Emirati columnist and researcher and the Founder of Barjeel Art Foundation; two-time Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; and author and New York Times contributing op-ed writer Wajahat Ali. “This Being Human is about having conversations that matter with extraordinary people who are shaping the world we live in,” says Mr Malik.
Each 20-to-40-minute episode boasts expert storytelling and offers a deep dive into the lives, ideas, and contributions of the featured guest. Relevant contemporary soundscapes, news clips, and music are woven into the interviews. Toronto’s Antica Productions, one of North America’s largest independent podcast studios, is producing the podcasts.
Even the name of the podcast series offers a nod to the Aga Khan Museum’s mission -- to highlight Muslim contributions to world heritage. The title of the podcast is from “The Guest House", a poem by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. “Rumi’s poem encapsulates the goals and the spirit of this project perfectly,” Dr Al-Khamis says. “With This Being Human, as with all our public programmes, we aim to spark curiosity, connection, and an openness to people and experiences that may be new to us. “
This Being Human will be accessible for free on the Museum’s website and wherever podcasts are available. The first season features conversations with guests including:
• WAJAHAT ALI – The New York Times contributing op-ed writer, CNN contributor, author, and playwright
• SHARMEEN OBAID-CHINOY – Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and human-rights activist
Future episodes will feature:
• SULTAN SOOUD AL QASSEMI – United Arab Emirates-based commentator and founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation
• CRAIG CONSIDINE – Rice University sociologist, interfaith advocate, and author of The Prophet of Love: A Catholic’s Note on Prophet Muhammad
• OMID SAFI – Duke University professor of Islamic Studies and founder of Illuminated Courses, a spiritually focused series of educational videos and tours
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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