SUFI / PUNK

Niwal Sheikh

SUFI/PUNK is a medium to have soul-deep conversations with the world. these conversations will change your worldview, help you walk the path of life, and separate truth from the noise. as SufiPunks, we aim to connect to God past all the cultural baggage and rules. tune in and stay forever - we're building a community out here Sufi = ancient spirit, guided, rooted, Divine Punk = goofy, counter-culture, radically authentic, adventurous

  1. talk to the writers of a sufi fantasy book on the end of the world - w/ Rehan Khan and Peter Gould

    10/14/2025

    talk to the writers of a sufi fantasy book on the end of the world - w/ Rehan Khan and Peter Gould

    Welcome, welcome, to the imaginative world of Tales of Khayaal :) Guys - I really enjoyed talking to Peter and Rehan, and I know you'll love the conversation we had. Weaving together the imaginative, the spiritual, the Divine, and techno-scientific, Rehan Khan and Peter Gould have created a world replete with wisdom, glory, conflict, love, and inspiration. It's the book we fantasy lovers wanted to read, growing up on Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Finally, a novel and story inspired by ancient Muslim worlds, wrapped with the intention of bringing you closer to God. The guests, Peter Gould and Rehan Khan, creators of 'Tales of Khayaal,' discuss their inspiration, intention, and process behind the creation of their fantasy world. Peter is a heart-centered design expert, and Rehan Khan is an author and thought leader in AI. Together, they collaborate to emphasize a conversation that delves into the balance between technology and spirituality, with insights on how to maintain authenticity and purpose in creative endeavors. This episode is fantastic for anyone wanting to dive into creative work, are seeking answers on their own spiritual path, or are curious about the latest historical fantasy fiction novel out there. ---- Where to find them: Rehan Khan - @rehankhanauthor Peter Gould - @petergouldart https://www.talesofkhayaal.com/ Audiobook Preview ------ Instagram: @sufi.punk Substack Apple Podcasts

    1 hr
  2. 09/03/2025

    how do you express the art inside of you? learn how with poet Aishwarya Roy

    Do you know those pieces of writing, that stay with you long after you read them? That's how I found the guest of this week's podcast. I was scrolling through Instagram, trying to avoid doom-and-gloom, and came across this post entitled "You are invited to witness the union of Delhi and Lahore". It was like stepping into a dream - one where I needed to know the person who spun her dream words and made them reality. ---- Aishwarya is a writer and freedom fighter dedicated to speaking her truth. Currently a creative editor and engineer based in Kolkata, her work is deeply influenced by her rich cultural heritage and personal experiences, which she channels into creating spaces for community and connection. Her journey is marked by a commitment to standing up for what is right, inspired by strong voices of women and resilience in her own family. (Also, the recording has some feedback. Apologies asked for in advance :) ) ---- 00:00 Personal Background and Cultural Identity 01:24 Aishwarya's Journey and Creative Process 03:12 Finding One's Voice and Overcoming Challenges 08:05 The Role of Literature and Personal Influences 12:15 Art as a Political Statement 18:26 The Intersection of Art and Activism 24:33 Fighting for Freedom and Justice 25:40 The Pressure to Stay Neutral 26:41 Understanding Politics and Its Impact 28:05 The Artistic Landscape of Kolkata 32:59 Creating a Community for Artists 34:58 The Importance of Art and Connection 37:42 Building Creative Communities 41:03 The Role of Social Media in Connection 43:19 The Essence of Sufi Punk 46:44 A Wedding Between Two Cities 48:49 A Poetic Recitation of "A Wedding Between Two Cities" ---- Instagram: @sufi.punk Substack: https://substack.com/@sufipunk Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1shrIZ3WsL1Zvlsuio83Z1 Email: host@sufipunk.co ---- Aishwarya's Instagram: @aish_whereya_at

    54 min
  3. 06/10/2025

    the spirit of Kashmir will be decolonized in our lifetimes - an interview with Dr. Hafsa Kanjwal

    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

    1h 5m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

SUFI/PUNK is a medium to have soul-deep conversations with the world. these conversations will change your worldview, help you walk the path of life, and separate truth from the noise. as SufiPunks, we aim to connect to God past all the cultural baggage and rules. tune in and stay forever - we're building a community out here Sufi = ancient spirit, guided, rooted, Divine Punk = goofy, counter-culture, radically authentic, adventurous