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Iqbal Akhtar

Iqbal Akhtar

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The sacred cloth at the center of the Hajj pilgrimage

As millions gather for Hajj, they will circle the Kaaba, which is draped in the black cloth known as the kiswah – a sacred object shaped by...

25.05.2026 7

The Conversation

Iqbal Akhtar

Zohran Mamdani’s last name reflects centuries of intercontinental trade, migration and cultural exchange

Mamdanis belong to the Khoja community, who were categorized by the British in the early 19th century as “Hindoo Mussalman” because their...

14.07.2025 30

The Conversation

Iqbal Akhtar