In this inspiring episode of our podcast, Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani sits down with the legendary Raza Aly Hiridjee, Chairman of Group Axian and a patriarch of the global Khoja fraternity. From humble beginnings in Madagascar to becoming a trailblazing business leader and philanthropist, Raza Aly shares his remarkable journey of transforming family businesses into national powerhouses across sectors like telecommunications, energy, banking, and education. With a deep-rooted commitment to community upliftment, he reflects on decades of social investment, including building schools, supporting healthcare, and preserving Khoja heritage worldwide. This rare conversation offers a powerful insight into the values, vision, and legacy of one of the most respected figures in the Khoja and African business landscape.

What’s it like to chase your dreams without sight? Meet Naqi Haider — a man who proves that nothing is impossible. Born blind, Naqi has faced countless challenges in areas many of us take for granted — education, mobility, and day-to-day independence. But he’s never let that hold him back. In fact, he’s turned every obstacle into a stepping stone toward success. In this powerful and inspiring story, Naqi shares how he refused to let go of his dreams — and why you shouldn’t either. His message is simple: if he can do it, so can you. For him, the word “impossible” doesn’t exist.

At just 18, Ahmed al-Khateeb was sentenced to prison for a crime that would shape the rest of his life. In this gripping podcast, we discuss his journey from a teenager to a young man hardened by the brutal realities of the criminal justice system. But even behind bars, Ahmed finds hope and redemption through unexpected mentorship, his relentless desire for change, and the support of a community that never gave up on him.

Drug use and abuse remains a very real problem in many parts of the world. Last year, the estimated number of illegal drug users worldwide was around 296 million. Furthermore, among these users, 39.5 million could be considered “problem drug users” or categorized as having a drug use disorder. If you are suffering from any form of substance abuse or addiction, arrange a private consultation with Sayed Ammar via the link below: https://www.sayedammar.com/consultation

The fire which destroyed Grenfell Tower in June 2017 was one of the UK's worst modern disasters. Just before 01:00 on 14 June, fire broke out in the kitchen of a fourth floor flat at the 23 storey tower block in North Kensington, West London. Within minutes, the fire had raced up the exterior of the building and then spread to all four sides. By 03:00, most of the upper floors were well alight. Seventy-two people died.

Abbasali Merali emigrated from Mombasa, Kenya at the age of 14. An economics graduate with a background in investment banking, social care, real estate and sports activism, he has recently stepped into British politics. He is the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow West in the upcoming general elections in the UK. He is an elected Councillor in Three Rivers District Council. He has been an active community worker serving in leadership capacity and volunteered through charities including supporting people living with dementia. He has sat on the Board of British Tennis and also organizes multi-generational sporting festivals promoting sports as a force for social good!

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer has specialized in the medical care of seniors in South Florida for nearly 30 years. He believes that he and his patients are partners in achieving optimal health and that most people have the capacity to live long healthy lives with vitality and vigour. He is one of the most dynamic and engaging speakers on senior health. His humour, friendly advice and candour will enlighten you to a healthier and happier life. Born in Africa, Dr. Jaffer & his wife Fauzia grew up acutely aware of poverty and helplessness. Because they were blessed with successful careers in South Florida, they knew that their mission in life would involve giving back to the needy. Since 2001, the power couple has been solidifying their legacy around the world by way of the Mohsin and Fauzia Jaffer Foundation. Over the last 25 years, they’ve supported projects that uplifted humanity and improved the lives of people around the world. Each project has focused on the goal of empowering humanity in one way or another – from female economic upliftment in impoverished countries to helping Miami’s Homeless via Miami Rescue. The list of projects they’ve initiated and/or partnered with could be used to define the true meaning of Philanthropy.

SHIA STUDIES IN THE ACADEMIC WORLD | The SAN Podcast #12 ———————————————————————— Christopher Clohessy is a South African Catholic priest who holds a BST from the Pontifical Urbanianum University in Rome, and a PhD from the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI), also in Rome. Two of his recent Gorgias Press publications, Fâṭima, Daughter of Muhammad and Half of My Heart, led to his being named the "Distinguished Scholar of Shia Studies" in the Islamic Republic of Iran's 28th World Book Awards (2020). He is at present a resident faculty member of PISAI, lecturing there in Shīʿī Islamic studies, Qurʾān and Islamic Ethics, and is visiting lecturer at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, where he lectures in Fundamental Theology, Ecclesiology and Mariology. His latest book, Angels Hastening:The Karbalāʾ Dreams ,was published by Gorgias Press in November 2021. Sajjad Rizvi is associate professor of Islamic intellectual history and director of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, where he is also involved in the Centre for the Study of Islam. His research interests include the intellectual history of the Safavid-Mughal period, as well as Qur'anic exegesis and textual hermeneutics. Rizvi did post-graduate work at the Institute of Ismaili Studies and previously taught at the University of Bristol. His publications include The Spirit and the Letter: Approaches to the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qurʾan (2016, ed. with Annabel Keeler), Mulla Sadra and the Later Islamic Philosophical Tradition (2010), An Anthology of Qurʾanic Commentaries Volume I: On the Nature of the Divine (2008, ed. with Feras Hamza and Farhana Mayer), and Mulla Sadra Shirazi: His Life, Works and Sources for Safavid Philosophy (2007). Rizvi received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Oxford and his Ph.D. from Cambridge. ——————————————————————— Subscribe now to Sayed Ammar’s official online platform, consisting of bespoke courses, exclusive content, brand new podcasts & more! https://www.sayedammar.com

To wrap up 2023, we have an in-depth, special discussion with esteemed guests, Sheikh Nuru Mohammed & Sheikh Mohammed Al-Hilli in our Karbala Roundtable on the important topic of parenting.