Islamic History Podcast

The Three A’s Of Pakistan

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was born on August 14, 1947, with the partition of British India. This partition divided the former British colony into two nations, India and Pakistan. There is a saying in Pakistan that the country is run by the Three A’s: Allah, the army and America. In this episode, we will explore the role each of these factors have had in the development and history of Pakistan. Show notes available at IslamicHistoryPodcast.com/Pakistan. Support the Islamic History Podcast by visiting Patreon.com/IslamicHistory.

The Shah And The Ayatollah Part II

The Iranian Revolution - Part 2: The Fire Ignites
Welcome back to the Islamic History Podcast, and to the dramatic conclusion of our two-part series on one of the 20th century's most pivotal and misunderstood events: the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
In Part 1, we explored the deep roots of discontent, tracing Iran's complex history from ancient empires to the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, the secularizing reforms of the Shah, the influence of foreign powers, and the simmering resentment among various segments of Iranian society. We left off with a seemingly secure Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, at the helm of a rapidly modernizing nation fueled by oil wealth, confident in his vision for a Westernized, powerful Iran.
Now, in Part 2, we pick up the story in early 1978, a moment when the Shah, by all outward appearances, should have felt most unassailable. Oil prices were high, his military was formidable, and he enjoyed strong backing from Western allies, particularly the United States. Yet beneath this veneer of stability, a revolutionary storm was brewing, fueled by a potent mix of economic grievances, social alienation, political repression, and the powerful, unifying voice of a charismatic exiled cleric: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
This episode plunges into the tumultuous year that irrevocates changed Iran and reshaped the geopolitical landscape. We’ll meticulously trace the escalating protests – from university campuses to bustling bazaars, from clerical centers to working-class neighborhoods. Discover how seemingly small acts of defiance snowballed into massive demonstrations, each met with increasingly brutal, yet ultimately ineffective, responses from the Shah's regime. We’ll analyze the critical missteps of the Pahlavi government, the pivotal role of religious networks in mobilizing the masses, and the gradual erosion of loyalty within the very institutions designed to protect the monarchy.
Experience the unraveling of an empire: the strikes that crippled the economy, the defection of disillusioned soldiers, and the growing isolation of a ruler who could no longer connect with his people. Follow the Shah's desperate attempts to quell the unrest, his ultimate agonizing decision to leave Iran in January 1979, and the power vacuum he left behind.
The climax of our story arrives with the electrifying return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile on February 1, 1979. Witness the unprecedented outpouring of support, the millions who flocked to greet him, and the swift, decisive maneuvers that consolidated his power. We’ll explore the chaotic yet determined formation of a provisional government, the swift collapse of the last vestiges of monarchical rule, and the overwhelming popular mandate for a new order. The episode culminates with the establishment of the Islamic Republic, marking not just a change in leadership, but a fundamental transformation of Iran’s political, social, and religious identity.
Join us as we navigate the final, explosive months of a revolution that defied expectations and continues to resonate deeply in the 21st century.
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The Shah And The Ayatollah Part I

Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi became the Shah of Iran at twenty-two years of age. He would go from a powerless figurehead to one of the most powerful monarchs in the region. However, the Shah was brought down by an obscure Shiite scholar name Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In this episode, we'll start to discover the history behind the 1979 Iranian Revolution. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at:  http://islamiclearningmaterials.com/Iran1 Here's some of what you'll find:  The transcript for this episode Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page:

Burma And The Rohingya

The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar (formerly Burma) are one of the most persecuted people's on the globe. They are not wanted in Burma nor in any other country. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya live as refugees in Bangladesh and other countries. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Burma Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript for this episode Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page:

The Songhai Empire: Sunni Ali And Askia Muhammad

This is the third and final episode on the series about Islam in West Africa. As the Mali Empire declines, another is on the rise. In the forgotten city of Gao, the Sunni Dynasty emerges to make the Songhay Empire the dominant force in West Africa. This is done by two very different men. Sunni Ali is a brutal conqueror who strikes fear in the people he conquers. The other is Askia Muhammad, a former slave who rises to become the hope of the Songhay Empire. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Noes page. The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Askia. Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript of this episode Social media links to follow the podcast Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon (great stuff awaits you if you do) Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Askia

The Mali Empire: Sundiata And Mansa Musa

This is the second episode in our series on Islam in West Africa. In this episode, we're going to explore the origins of the Empire of Mali. We'll also take a look at two of its most popular rulers: Sundiata and Mansa Musa. Sundiata is mostly known through the Epic of Sundiata. While Mansa Musa is mostly known because of his famous Hajj pilgrimage. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.  The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Mali Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript of this episode Social media links to follow the podcast Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon (great stuff awaits you if you do) Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Mali

Gao And Ghana

The first in a series to look at the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. In this episode, we will introduce the series and take an in-depth look at the city-state of Gao and the rise and fall of the Ghana Empire. We'll also discuss one of the more complicated and difficult topics in Islam: African Slavery. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ghana Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript of this episode Social media links to follow the podcast Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ghana  

Yemen And The Houthis Part II

With Sana'a under Houthi control, the beleaguered Yemeni government calls out for help. They request military intervention from the GCC nations. Saudi Arabia leads a charge to remove the Houthis from the capital and restore President Hadi to power. But the Houthis have not gotten this far by accident. They are on a mission, and they are determined to see it through. In this episode, we'll see the repercussions of the Saudi-led air campaign against the Houthis. We'll get a peek at the international community use Yemen, President Hadi, and the Houthis like pieces in a chess game. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen2 Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript of this episode Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen2

Yemen And The Houthis Part I

In September 2014, the Houthis captured the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. A few months later, Saudi Arabia launched a campaign to remove the Houthis and reinstall President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to power. The Saudi-led coalition has pummeled Yemen with airstrikes, leading to thousands of deaths. Many people blame Saudi Arabia for the high death toll in Yemen, but what role did the Houthis play? Who are the Houthis in the first place? And how did they rise to power in Yemen? This episode explores the history of Yemen and how it came to be a nation torn into many pieces.  After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript of this episode Follow the podcast on social media Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen

The Slander Against Aisha

Aisha, the Prophet's wife, is the victim of salacious gossip and rumors. With no one else to help her, she realizes she can only rely on Allah. Meanwhile, Prophet Muhammad must work hard to keep his small community together. Even though the leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, will do everything to make him fail. After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ifk Here's some of what you'll find: The transcript for this episode Download of my recent Khutbah, Family and Faith Links to other related resources You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following: Give a monthly pledge on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes Share with your friends and family You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ifk