Blood Brothers

In this very special milestone 50th episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain had the great honour of hosting their father Haji Mohammed Taru Miah. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #TaruMiah​ #Life​ The guest describes his earliest memories of coming to the UK in 1966 at the age of 9, and the racism he experienced growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. The hosts explore their father's deep passion for rugby, and the sacrifices he made to support family members in Bangladesh over pursuing a professional rugby career. Topics of discussion also include Taru's long history of community work and political activism, as well as the challenges of parenting troublesome and rebellious sons.

In this much-anticipated episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain speak with the veteran British rapper Pak-Man. #PakMan​ #Identity​ #BloodBrothersPodcast​ The British Pakistani rapper recounts childhood memories while growing up in south-west London. The hosts also discuss racism and how much importance should be given to Islam in forming our identity. Topics of discussion also include the limitations of material happiness, the prospects of Pak-Man starting a family, and the long-term financial sustainability of rapping.

In this episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain hosts life coach and influencer LaYinka Sanni. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #LaYinkaSanni​ #Muslimwomen​ The self-transformation expert from south London explains the spiritual and psychological layers of her work with mainly Muslim women. LaYinka and Dilly address the topic of Muslim women in the public space and male insecurities surrounding marital intimacy and emotional engagement. Topics of discussion also include childhood the different 'languages of love', parenting styles and the Black Muslim Festival in light of anti-Blackness in non-Black Muslim communities.

In this hilarious episode of the Blood Brothers podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain speak with influencer and YouTuber Ikramul Hoque aka 'Iksy'. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #Iksy​ #Bangladesh​ Iksy explains how his unconventional career choice was received by family and his local community in east London, and whether people engage with him seriously. The hosts and guest reminisce family visits to their motherland, Bangladesh, and the importance of Bangladeshis in the west preserving their culture and heritage. Topics of discussion also include religion in comedy and whether Bangladeshi culture will ever become mainstream in the British media.

In this in-depth episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with the up-and-coming Speaker's Corner debater Bro Hajji. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #BroHajji​ #NajdiDawah​ Bro Hajji explains how his journey to the online dawah sphere started from a random visit to London's iconic Hyde Park in the summer 2018. The Birmingham YouTuber also describes how his very public feud with fellow-Speaker's Corner debater 'Shamsi' began, and how it quickly developed into a one-man battle against 'Salafi' groups and figures who are blindly loyal to the Saudi ruling monarchy and other oppressive regimes in the Muslim world. The bulk of the podcast is spent on discussing the various legal nuances and maxims within Sunni Islamic jurisprudence when it comes to obeying rulers and rebelling. Dilly and Bro Hajji also discuss the birth and evolution of the Najdi reformist movement led by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and the house of Al-Saud in the late eighteenth century.

In this episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with the esteemed scholar Shaykh Dr Haitham al=Haddad from the Islamic Council of Europe. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #ShaykhHaithamalHaddad​ #dawah​ In this very up-close episode, Shaykh Haitham gives some candid advice to celebrity Muslim figures who have a significant following online and the common pitfalls of fame and public praise. The Shaykh also discusses an ongoing problem in most of the major Islamic seminaries and institutions across the Muslim-majority world in their incompetency in political and secular matters. Dilly and Shaykh Haitham briefly discuss the establishment of the Khilafah in the Muslim world in light of the main revivalist movements that emerged in the early twentieth century after the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with Imam Shakeel Begg of Lewisham Islamic Centre. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #ImamShakeelBegg​ #MuslimRappers​ The south London imam explains how the societal glorification of sex, drugs and violence has been amplified by social media and its direct correlation with the spiritual disease of uncontrollable whims and desires. The bulk of the podcast is on giving sincere advice to drug dealers, gangsters and rappers who identify as Muslims, but know what they are doing is haram - Imam Shakeel provides some positive and empowering reminders from the Quran and Sunnah to move towards Islamic reformation. Topics of discussion also include the importance of repentance, the role of parents who ignore or tolerate their children’s wrongdoings, and the responsibility of Islamic scholars and activists in engaging Muslim drug dealers and rappers.

In this exclusive episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with the esteemed American academic and political thinker Professor Noam Chomsky. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #NoamChomsky​ #Caliphate​ The celebrated commentator and historian explains the colonial roots of the modern nation state, and the human cost of the West's economic prosperity in comparison to countries in the developing world and Global South. Professor Chomsky describes how the U.S. utilises both secular dictators and "radical Islamic" groups and monarchies to advance its imperial hegemony in the Middle East and North Africa. Topics of discussion also include the desire for a Caliphate in the Muslim-majority world and how such an Islamic polity polity could emerge and manifest in today's world.

In this no holds barred podcast, Dilly and Aki Hussain speak with upcoming and controversial British rapper Frenzo Harami. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #FrenzoHarami​ #HaramLife​ Frenzo describes growing up in east London, a life of crime and his many encounters with the police. Going to prison at the age of 17, the British Pakistani rapper explains what led him back to prison eight times, including a sentence for dealing class A drugs. Topics of discussion also include Frenzo's Islamic references in his songs, raising awareness about the plight of oppressed Muslims, and the controversies surrounding his unfiltered and profane lyrics.

In this episode of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with BBC Asian Network DJ and fellow Bedfordian Noreen Khan. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #NoreenKhan​ #BBC​ Noreen discusses her memories growing up in Bedford, as well as her journey into the world of broadcast radio after deciding not to go university and running a successful beauty boutique. Topics of discussion also include Muslim representation in the British mainstream media and why the Turkish historical drama series Dirilis Ertugrul was such a huge hit in Pakistan. DISCLAIMER: THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THE GUESTS DO NOT REPRESENT THAT OF THE HOST, 5PILLARS OR THE MAD MAMLUKS.