Islamic History Podcast

With Sharif Hussein losing British support, Abdul Aziz ibn Saud prepares to invade the Hijaz. This will lead to the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Rise of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Birth of the Republic of Turkey is one of the most transformative periods in modern history. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish people faced total partition under the Treaty of Sèvres. This episode explores how Mustafa Kemal led a desperate resistance during the Turkish War of Independence, successfully driving out Allied forces from Anatolia. We dive deep into the brutal Greco-Turkish War, from the shocking death of King Alexander to the decisive Turkish victory at the Sakarya River. You will also learn about the Chanak Crisis, a tense standoff with Great Britain that nearly sparked a global conflict and ultimately led to the downfall of British Prime Minister Lloyd George. The story concludes with the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, which secured Turkey’s sovereignty and initiated a massive population exchange. Finally, we examine the radical Secularization of Turkey, where Atatürk dismantled centuries-old institutions like the Caliphate to create a modern, Western-facing republic.

This episode explores the parallel struggles for independence and state-building in Egypt and the Najd as the Ottoman Empire’s grip on the region began to slip. We trace the rise of modern Egypt through the ambitious reforms of Muhammad Ali Pasha and Ismail the Magnificent, whose vision for a European-style state led to the landmark construction of the Suez Canal. However, this progress came at a cost, as mounting debts triggered a British occupation and ignited the fierce 1919 Revolution led by Saad Zaghloul. Simultaneously, we journey into the heart of Arabia to witness the restoration of the Saudi state. Follow Abdulaziz ibn Saud’s daring recapture of Riyadh and his innovative use of the Ikhwan—religiously motivated tribal settlers—to consolidate power and expand the Kingdom of the Najd. From the streets of Cairo to the deserts of the Empty Quarter, this is the story of how the modern Middle East was forged.

The British-led installation of the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq and Transjordan served as a desperate attempt to stabilize a region reeling from the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Following the chaos of World War I, the Geopolitics of Transjordan and Iraq became a central puzzle for the British Empire as they navigated the conflicting interests of France and Zionist ambitions. In this episode, we dive into the Cairo Conference of 1921, where Winston Churchill and his advisors—including T.E. Lawrence—crafted a plan to satisfy Hashemite Ambitions while maintaining colonial control. We explore the "manufactured" election of King Faisal and the simultaneous Rise of the Saudi State under Ibn Saud, whose puritanical movement threatened the very Hashemite leaders Britain sought to protect. Finally, we examine the Colonial King-Making Process, a period of intense diplomacy that defined the modern borders of the Middle East and set the stage for decades of conflict.

The story of the Resistance and Transformation of the Post-Ottoman Levant and Anatolia is a gripping tale of broken promises and revolutionary fire. In the wake of World War I, the people of the Middle East found themselves at a crossroads between newfound identity and European colonial ambitions. This episode explores the Etymological and Historical Identity of Syria, tracing the roots of $Bilad \; al-Sham$ and the borders that defined a region. We delve into the Betrayal of Arab Independence, where Prince Faisal’s dreams of a sovereign kingdom clashed with the cold reality of the Sykes-Picot agreement. Meanwhile, in the north, we witness the Rise of Turkish Nationalist Resistance as Mustafa Kemal Pasha defies both the Allies and the Sultan to forge a new path for Turkey. Through the lens of Diplomatic Maneuvering and Colonial Mandates, we examine how the San Remo Conference and the Treaty of Sèvres redesigned the map. Finally, we recount the tragic Military Conflict and the Fall of the Arab Kingdom, leading to the exile of Faisal and the birth of the modern mandate system. Join us as we uncover the events that shaped the modern borders of the Middle East.

The partition and military occupation of Ottoman territories by Allied powers following World War I set the stage for a century of conflict that defines the region to this day. In this episode, we explore how the British and French betrayal of the Arab Revolt led to the fracturing of the Middle East, leaving leaders like Sharif Hussein with broken promises and divided lands. We delve into the chaotic British occupation of Iraq, where colonial administrators struggled to stitch together the disparate Ottoman provinces of Basra, Baghdad, and Mosul into a single state, ignoring deep religious and ethnic divides. Meanwhile, in the north, the Allied invasion of Anatolia pushes the Turkish people to the brink. As Greek, French, and Italian armies carve up the peninsula, we witness the spark of the Turkish National Resistance under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a movement that would fight against impossible odds for survival.

Welcome to Season 6 of the Islamic History Podcast. In this season, we will discuss 100 years of Middle Eastern history after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.  We will begin with the aftermath of the World War I and end with the election of Donald Trump. Looking for bonus material?  Become a member at Islamic History Exclusive.

Hassam Munir calls himself the “brofessor of Islamic History”, because his goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the general public in the field of Islamic history. Born in Pakistan, he has lived in Toronto, Canada for the past 20 years. He completed a BA in History and Communication Studies from York University in 2017, and is now pursuing an MA in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern History from the University of Toronto, 2020. Hassam is also Public Relations Manager and a research fellow at the Yaqeen Institute of Islamic Research. In October 2017, he was recognized by Heritage Toronto as an ‘Emerging Historian’ in the city. He has a broad range of experience in the fields of journalism and public history. Click here to read Br. Hassam's personal blog. Click here to read Br. Hassam's work with Yaqeen Institute.

Final analysis of Season 5 and what to expect for Season 6.

Part 27 of a series on the partition of the Ottoman Empire mostly focusing on their role in WWI. In this episode, we discuss the end of the war, the peace treaties, and the final partitioning of the Ottoman Empire.