Join Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi, one of the best-known and most respected community leaders and academics in the Bay Area, California, as he guides us on a journey of spiritual enlightenment through the profound contributions of two remarkable poets, Rumi and Iqbal.

At the age of five, Mojadedi began to memorise poems by Rumi and other great poets. His love of poetry continued to grow and eventually developed into a passion and calling that would allow him to teach regular classes on Rumi throughout California, the US, UK, Canada,Australia, Malaysia, Germany and even as far as Konya, Turkey, where Mawlana Rumi is laid to rest.

Despite emerging in vastly different historical contexts, both Rumi and Iqbal transcended their respective challenges by embracing the concept of Divine Love. Discover how their messages revolve around two central themes: self-discovery as a pathway to realising one’s true potential, and the importance of connecting with God through this journey of introspection.

Join us for our annual Free Word Lecture, which aims to uphold the ethos of free speech with a focus on the power and politics of words.

Continuing the legacy of the Free Word Centre, an international centre for literature, literacy and free expression, this annual event creates a platform for writers to spark stimulating conversations and challenge our assumptions about the world.

Following in the footsteps of previous speakers Ben Okri and Rana Ayyub, this year’s lecture promises to be another unmissable event exploring the transformative and democratising power of words and the importance of freedom of expression.

On the 175th anniversary of the death of Anne Brontë, we are joined by authors and Brontë experts, Adelle Hay and Nick Holland, to explore her life, legacy, and her debut novel, Agnes Grey.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century England, this poignant novel follows the experiences of Agnes, a governess, as she navigates the complexities of love, morality, and social class, which is argued to mirror Anne’s own life.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the Brontës or new to their literary legacy, this event promises to be a captivating journey into the heart and mind of Anne Brontë and her timeless masterpiece, Agnes Grey.

What is fact when the leaders of your country deny it? Disinformation is the new weapon in the political warfare that dominates the headlines, and social media has enabled it to spread like wildfire. Are we heading towards a world of mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours within society? Are we unwittingly experiencing the end of liberal democracy, and what are the alternatives?

Political scientist Anne Norton, in her new book Wild Democracy, questions the principles of liberalism and modern democracies and calls for a more anarchic, more courageous democracy to avoid the drift towards authoritarianism. But would this place too much power in the hands of the people?

Join Anne Norton, Myriam François, and Saeed Khan for a fascinating discussion about the current state of democracy in the modern world, how we can navigate a world where the ‘truth’ is not all that it seems, and what future alternative systems could look like.

Discover the essential writings of the late scholar, Martin Lings, curated by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi.

This collection brings together some of the most remarkable chapters from Lings’ extensive body of work, including his insights into the perennial philosophy, and writings on Islam and Sufism.

Delve into Lings’ reflections on the spiritual dimensions within Shakespeare’s mature plays, such as Hamlet, as well as his exploration of Qur’anic calligraphy and illumination, and celebrated translations of Sufi mystical poetry classics.

Dr Shah-Kazemi, who was not only Lings’ neighbour but also his student and friend for over 16 years, will guide us through select passages from the book, focusing particularly on the mystical depths found within Hamlet.

Join Bradford’s own Sairish Hussain as she returns to the festival for a special event on her latest novel, Hidden Fires, in-conversation with Yousra Samir.

Set during Ramadan 2017, the story weaves a poignant narrative between Yusuf, haunted by a nightmarish past, and his granddaughter, Rubi, who confronts the cultural clash of their lives when she moves to London.

As Rubi uncovers deeply buried secrets, they both grapple with painful memories that challenge their perceptions and forge a new bond. From the acclaimed author shortlisted for the Costa Prize, HiddenFires is a gripping exploration of grief, loss and the enduring power of family ties against the backdrop of significant historical events.

Don’t miss this powerful discussion that delves into the complexities of personal and collective history.

You’ve been published, you’ve made a splash (or a sprinkle) and your first book is out in the world. Now what? Whether you’re grappling with motivation, facing inspiration hurdles, or doubting your next steps, this event is designed to guide emerging authors through the complex post-publication landscape.

Join us for an insightful session with Saeida Rouass, acclaimed author of Eighteen Days of Spring in Winter, and Kasim Ali, renowned for his work, Good Intentions. They will share their personal experiences and practical advice on building a sustainable writing career, overcoming common obstacles, and managing author-agent-publisher dynamics effectively.

This discussion will equip you with the tools to maintain your creative momentum and navigate the intricacies of the literary world. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from those who have walked the path and transformed challenges into stepping stones for success.

Jared Shurin, award-winning anthologist and editor of The Big Book of Cyberpunk, is joined by two of the book’s contributing writers, Lauren Beukes and EJ Swift.

Cyberpunk fiction offers space for imaginative storytelling to discuss and even predict the future. Since the 1980s, the genre has posited questions and scenarios that examine virtual reality, cybernetics and AI, and their effect upon ordinary lives, communities and culture – realities we are now facing today.

Join us for a lively discussion about the role speculative fiction can play as we reimagine the world around us and how cyberpunk can help us shape the world of tomorrow.