Free Word Lecture with Misan Harriman | Bradford Literature Festival 2026

Ousama Iyad Alshurafa offers a way of reading life itself, treating the dunya as something encrypted that can be decoded once you find the right key. His central insight is that this world is built on perception: it constantly tests whether a person trusts what they see in front of them or what God has revealed beneath the surface.  Most people, he argues, live captive to appearances, believing that money solves the problem, that medicine brings the cure, that other people hold the answers, when, in reality, these are only means, lifeless without their Source. Drawing on Quranic teaching and the stories of the prophets, Alshurafa shows how to reorder one’s inner life so that the heart turns first to God in every moment of need, hardship or fear, while still taking the practical steps the world requires.  The result is a grounded philosophy for managing life: set the compass of the heart before acting, look beyond the means without abandoning them and recognise that the difficulties we face are often invitations to return rather than punishments. Lived this way, he suggests, belief steadies, actions improve and the conditions of one’s life begin to fall into place.www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk

Twenty-five years after September 11, this conversation examines how a single moment reshaped global politics, security, foreign policy and public life across the world.  Saeed Khan, Professor Paul Rogers, Ebrahim Rasool, Shahed Amanullah, and Rim-Sarah Alouane discuss will explore the lasting impact of the War on Terror, the expansion of surveillance and security states, the transformation of public discourse around Islam and identity, and the geopolitical consequences of intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq.  www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk

Returning to Bradford Literature Festival following the formal elevation of the Palestinian mission in London to embassy status, Ambassador Husam Zomlot joins us for a major conversation on Palestine, diplomacy and the shifting political landscape of the Middle East. As Head of the Palestinian Embassy to the United Kingdom and one of the most prominent Palestinian diplomatic voices internationally, Zomlot reflects on questions of statehood, identity, international law and the human realities of conflict and displacement. Spanning history, politics and personal experience, the discussion explores the evolving global response to Palestine and the enduring search for justice, dignity and peace in one of the world’s most contested regions. 

In a world shaped by filters, comparison and constant pressure, how do we learn to truly value ourselves? Mental health advocate and content creator Ro Mitchell joins us for an honest and empowering conversation about self-worth in the digital age.  Drawing on her personal recovery journey, Ro explores how social media influences confidence, identity and wellbeing, while sharing practical tools to challenge negative self-talk and build healthier habits with compassion rather than shame.  This interactive session includes a participative Q&A, offering space to reflect, ask questions and leave with actionable strategies for developing a kinder, more confident relationship with yourself and your inner voice.www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk

Photographer, filmmaker and cultural commentator Misan Harriman is one of the defining visual storytellers of our time. From documenting historic moments of protest and social change to creating some of the most widely recognised images of the past decade, his work has explored the relationship between visibility, dignity and human connection. In this special Free Word Lecture, Harriman reflects on the power of stories, images and testimony to shape how societies see themselves and remember their histories. Exploring questions of representation, public memory and the responsibility of bearing witness, he considers what it means to tell human stories in an age saturated with images, information and competing narratives. Presented in partnership with Free Word.

Step into the strange and shadowy world of the British Library’s acclaimed Tales of the Weird series, which has brought new life to Britain’s rich tradition of gothic, folkloric, and uncanny storytelling. From haunted houses to forgotten monsters, these stories speak to something deep in the national imagination. Join Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen, Ghost Stories) and Tales of the Weird editors, gothic scholar John Miller and folklorist Elizabeth Dearnley as they explore why eerie tales continue to resonate. Chaired by travel writer Nick Jubber, this panel celebrates the enduring power of the weird – on the page, on the stage, and in the shadows. Co-produced by the British Library.

Marking the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth, Professor Michael Fitzgerald offers a fresh perspective on the artist, not just as a Renaissance Master, but as a profoundly complex and possibly neurodivergent individual. Renowned for ‘David’ and the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo also showed traits such as obsessive focus, emotional intensity, and social withdrawal, leading some scholars to suggest links to autism or OCD. Blending art history with psychological insight, this talk invites us to consider how Michelangelo’s inner world may have fuelled his creative brilliance and enduring legacy.

Join renowned environmental researcher, Mike Berners-Lee, for a compelling presentation on his latest book, A Climate of Truth. In this session, Berners-Lee will unpack the latest scientific insights on climate change, providing a clear-eyed look at the truth behind the crisis. Drawing on years of research, he will challenge common myths and offer practical solutions for individuals, businesses, and governments. This event is an essential opportunity to engage with one of the leading voices in climate science and gain a deeper understanding of the actions needed to address the climate emergency.

Composed in the 13th century, The Heavenly Shādhilī Wisdom is a collection of concise yet profound sayings and teachings from the renowned Moroccan saint, Imam Abū al-Ḥasan al-Shādhilī. These timeless insights have long served as guiding lights for seekers of truth across generations and cultures. In this special session, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi presents his new English translation of this spiritual masterpiece, offering reflections on the enduring legacy of Imam Abū al-Ḥasan and its relevance in the modern world. With both scholarly precision and spiritual depth, this event will explore how these teachings speak to the contemporary search for meaning, balance, and inner stillness.

Join writer Shahnaz Ahsan, food writer Radhika Howarth, and publisher Habiba Desai for a heartfelt conversation about food, memory, and storytelling rooted in Bradford’s South Asian community. In The Jackfruit Chronicles, Ahsan weaves family recipes with personal and historical narratives to explore British-Bangladeshi identity. Desai, co-founder of Fox & Windmill, shares insights from Tales from the Kitchen, a moving collection of food essays by British South Asian writers. Howarth brings her perspective as a food writer and culinary educator, reflecting on the sensory power of food in shaping cultural identity and belonging. As part of The Big Tasty Read event series, they discuss how food writing can preserve heritage, challenge stereotypes, and connect generations – particularly in Bradford, where culture and cuisine are inseparably linked.