Ummah In Focus: Istanbul

My newest documentary features Istanbul, a city that has captured the Muslim imagination for centuries, and continues to be a powerhouse of the Ummah today. I traveled there during election week, witnessing firsthand the fervor that surrounds politics in this city, and also spoke with Western Muslims who moved there to see what life is like for Muslims seeking to do the "hijrah" to a Muslim land.

Istanbul can be a confusing city, where you'll find old and new, orthodox and secular, and both European and Asian influences. I grapple with these seemingly opposite qualities as I travel through the city, meeting locals and transplants, to uncover the full picture of this dynamic city.

00:00 Introduction
01:22 Turkey's History
02:55 Fatih District with Imam Nihal Khan
12:52 Uskudar with Abu Ayyub
20:09 Istanbul's Sights and Smells
24:43 Modanisa and the Modest Fashion Industry
28:24 The Election Results and Voter Perspectives
38:31 Conclusion

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