Public Engagement
I believe academic knowledge should not stay within the “ivory tower” of academia; it should reach society directly. I regularly share my research with wider audiences through interviews, podcasts, and public conversations. My work on contemporary Muslim communities and thought, intra-Muslim minorities, digital religion, Progressive Islam, Islamic feminism, and religious authority has informed media outlets, research institutions, and community platforms exploring how Muslims engage with faith, gender, and history today. Below is a selection of my expert contributions and media appearances.
Expert Media Contributions
August 2026: Interviewed by The Economist regarding the impact of social media on contemporary Islamic practice, religious authority, and youth engagement with Islam, drawing on expertise developed through my doctoral research on digital religion and Progressive Islam.
April 2026: The Fetzer Institute interviewed me for the case study "Ani Zonneveld and the Moral Work of Muslims for Progressive Values", drawing on expert insights from my doctoral research on Progressive Islam, Islamic feminism, and contemporary Muslim communities.
Media Interviews
August 2026: “Truth about Islamic Empire” on the Historyun YouTube Channel
In this interview, I discuss Arab and Muslim empires and examine how colonial mindsets shaped during the proto-Islamic era still influence Muslim attitudes and self-understanding today.
June 2025: “Caliphate of Women: Islamic Feminism 101” on the Historyun YouTube Channel
In this interview, I discuss the role and position of women in Muslim society, including how marriage and divorce are treated in Islamic law, the five different divorces a Muslim woman can initiate and the contributions of female scholars throughout Islamic history.
April 2025: “The Rise of Feminism in Islam” · Voice of Islam Radio
In this radio interview, I discuss Progressive Feminist Islam and the debates shaping Muslim communities today. The conversation was broadcast on Voice of Islam, a London-based radio station serving the Ahmadi community.
January 2023 “Why Do People Leave Islam?” · Central London Humanists, CLH Talks
In this “Good Faith Conversation” with Imtiaz Shams, co-founder of Faith to Faithless, I discuss why some Muslims leave Islam, why many do not leave publicly, and what makes leaving so difficult. The conversation also touches on science and evolution, human rights and equality, and what “choice” and freedom mean for those who leave.