Category Archives: Religion

The Iran hostage crisis, the Stasi and why the past cannot be left behind

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Samira Ahmed

I ate my first Passover Seder meal recently, as a guest of Rabbi Jonathan Romain at his synagogue. I had had the ingredients and their symbolic meaning on the seder table memorized since that sheet Miss Thick gave me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Germany, History, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Transience: Clocks, Voyager & Potsdamer Platz

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Samira Ahmed

My programme for this week’s Something Understood on BBC Radio 4 is about transience: the fact that all things must pass. It begins in the clock room of the British Museum, where time is made physical by its embodiment in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Germany, History, Radio, Religion, Science | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

BBC statement on the decision to pull BBC3’s Free Speech debate on gay Muslims.

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Samira Ahmed

The following statement was provided for Newswatch today about the decision to postpone a debate on homosexuality and Islam on BBC3’s Free Speech programme this week. You can watch Newswatch on Newschannel at 845pm tonight or BBC1 at 745am tomorrow. It’ll be on … Continue reading →

Posted in journalism, Media, Religion, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Wilderness Years: From Rapunzel to Travolta and General Zod

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Samira Ahmed

A blind prince wanders through a Biblical-looking stony desert. The strange coda to Rapunzel is often forgotten, but it’s what I remember most about reading the Ladybird storybook as a child. And it’s where I chose to start today’s Something Understood … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Politics, Radio, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Don’t be cynical about news, by a cynical news hack

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Samira Ahmed

  Last night I went on Newsnight to debate whether news is bad for us and what would make it better with Alain de Botton and ex hack turned spin doctor now writer, Alastair Campbell. You can watch the discussion … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, journalism, Media, Religion, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

An embroidered insult to Hitler: A story about hand made things

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Samira Ahmed

My Something Understood for BBC Radio 4 this weekend is all about hand made things. You can listen to a clip of here. And the whole programme here. As well meeting a carpenter  who makes fossil-inspired objects about of ancient … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Design, Germany, History, Radio, Religion, Uncategorized, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

An Adventure in History and Time

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Samira Ahmed

I sometimes write and present Something Understood, BBC Radio 4’s wonderful space for reflection and ideas around spirituality and belief. When I suggested writing one on Keeping The Past Alive I was thinking about Brandyn Shaw, who’s been fascinated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, France, History, Media, Radio, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Why you need to look at Acid Survivors

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Samira Ahmed

  I’m doing the Radio 4 Appeal this weekend for the Acid Survivors’ Trust. It’s the only organisation dedicated to ending acid violence and is focussed on helping women and girls who’ve been attacked. The chances are you already know about acid violence. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Education, journalism, Media, Radio, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Malala, Muslim women and “misery” memoirs

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Samira Ahmed

Oct 10th 2014 update: This was originally posted ahead of an Asia House panel discussion about women, freedom and the Islamic world, when the multimillion pound book deal of Malala Yousafzai was announced. It seems just as relevant since her … Continue reading →

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The secret elite club of ex-Virgin Marys

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Samira Ahmed

“I was always the sort of child who got picked on to DO things, you know?” recalls Julie Christie’s Darling, in the 1965 film, as we see her as a 6 year old Mary in the school nativity play. (watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Culture, Religion, Theatre, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments