Tahir Shah

Tahir Shah
Tahir Shah
	Tahir Shah in 2013
Born	16 November 1966(age 57); London,England, United Kingdom
Occupation	Writer, documentary maker
Subject	Travel, exploration, Arab World, cross-cultural studies
Children	2
Relatives	Shah family
Website
	tahirshah

Tahir Shah(Persian:طاهر شاه,Gujarati:તાહિર શાહ;néSayyid Tahir al-Hashimi(Arabic: سيد طاهر الهاشمي); born 16 November 1966) is a British author, journalist and documentary maker ofAfghan-Indiandescent.

Family

Tahir Shah was born into thesaadatofPaghman,an ancient and respected family hailing from Afghanistan.^[1]Bestowed with further lands and ancestral titles by theBritish Rajduring theGreat Game,a number of Shah's more recent ancestors were born in the principality ofSardhana,in northernIndia– which they ruled asNawabs.^[2]

His mother, Cynthia Kabraji,^[3]was ofZoroastrian Parsidescent and his father was theIndian Sufiteacher and writerIdries Shah.Both his grandfathers were respected literary figures in their own right:Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah^[4]on his father's side, and the Indian poetFredoon Kabraji,^[5]on his mother's side. His elder sister is the documentary filmmakerSaira Shah,^[6]and his twin sister is the authorSafia Nafisa Shah.Numerous other members of Shah's family have been successful authors, including his auntAmina Shah,and his Scottish grandmotherElizabeth Louise MacKenzie.

Shah is descended from the Afghan warlord and statesmanJan Fishan Khan.In 1995 Shah married the India-born graphic designer, Rachana Shah^{[citation needed]}(née Devidayal^[3]), with whom he has two children – Ariane Shah^[7]and Timur Shah.^[8]The marriage ended in 2017, although the two remain close friends.

Childhood

Shah was born in London and brought up largely in the county of Kent, where his family lived at Langton House,^[9]a Georgian mansion in the village ofLangton GreennearRoyal Tunbridge Wells.The property had been owned previously by the family ofRobert, Lord Baden-Powell,^[10]founder of theBoy Scout Movement.Shah has described how, as a child, he played in the woods which are said to have first interested Baden-Powell in the outdoors.^[9]

Shah's father, the writer and thinker Idries Shah, surrounded himself with a diverse coterie of people, most of whom were interested in his published work. They included Nobel LaureateDoris Lessing,poetRobert Graves,American novelistsJ. D. Salinger^[11]andLisa Alther,psychologistRobert E. Ornstein,^[12]as well as the pioneer of radar"Coppy" Laws,the garden designerRussell Page,^[13]and the actorWalter Gotell.Shah maintains that much of his education derived from spending time with such a varied group of people.

His first appearance on television was in the 1972 BBC documentary about his father,Dream Walkers: One Pair of Eyes,^[14]^[15]in which Shah, his sisters, and their friends, are seen listening to Idries Shah tell the tale ofThe Lion Who Saw Himself in the Water.

Shah has described how his Latin tutor appeared at the front door "white as a sheet",^[9]at having spotted the renowned classicist Robert Graves digging a ditch at the front of Langton House; and how Doris Lessing encouraged him to read folktales and, later, encouraged his enthusiasm for travel.

During his childhood, Shah and his sisters would be taken to Morocco for extended periods, where his grandfather lived until his death in November 1969.^[16]Described in his bookThe Caliph's House,the journeys introduced Shah to "a realm straight out ofThe Arabian Nights."^[17]

Education

Tahir Shah attendedRose Hill Preparatory Schoolin Tunbridge Wells, Kent – where Lord Baden Powell had also been a student.^[18]He has described the school as "a throwback to the Victorian age – sadistic and brutal in the extreme."^[19]At 13, he was sent toBryanston School,^[9]near Blandford Forum, Dorset. He has written about his inability to keep up, as a result of "profounddyslexia".

Aged 17, Shah learnt to fly in Florida, and graduated with anFAA Private Pilot's Licence.^[19]He attended university in San Diego, London and Nairobi – where he studied African dictatorships at theUnited States International University.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts inInternational Relationsin 1987.^[19]

Shah has detailed how his parents planned to steer him towards the diplomatic service, assuming he would not have the ability to be a writer. Accordingly, he was "groomed for the world of diplomacy."^[9]

He has described how his father strove to teach his children through stories.^[20]These included the escapades ofNasrudin,the wise fool of Sufi folklore, as well as tales ofAntar and Abla,and the epic treasury that formsThe Thousand and One Nights.^[20]During their childhood, Shah and his sisters were encouraged to solve problems for themselves. When they wanted money to buy chocolate, their father showed them how to gather seeds from the garden, and sell them from an old pram in the village.^[20]

From an early age, Shah would be given work by his father including "conducting research, as well as editing and writing texts." His first publication,The Middle East Bedside Bookwas a collaboration between them.

Writing

Tahir Shah is a prolific author of books, documentaries, book introductions, peer reviewed academic articles, and book reviews. Shah's first published book wasCultural Research,written for the London-basedInstitute for Cultural Research.One of his more notable works isTrail of Feathers,an account of his trip through Peru, Machu Picchu, the Incas and Cusco. Another book,In Search of King Solomon's Mines,searching for undiscovered mines known only in folklore. Other books likeIn Arabian NightsandTravels with Myselfare mostly about the author's journeys through exotic locations. His first traditional travelogue was in 1995 withBeyond the Devil's Teeth,covering a trip through Africa, India and much of Latin America.

Shah has written book reviews forThe Washington Post,The Guardian,The Spectator,andThe Literary Review.As well as writing and film making, Shah writes screen material and co-wroteJourney to Mecca,^[21]anIMAXfilm charting the first journey made byIbn BattutatoMeccafor the Hajj, in 1325. In addition, he reviews for a selection of other media on both sides of the Atlantic, and writes pieces for the radio, such asThe Journey,^[22]which was read onBBC Radio 3.

In the years before he turned his hand primarily to book writing, Shah wrote a large number of seriousreportage-type magazine features, highlighting the lives of the voiceless in society, especially those of women. These included pieces about women onDeath Row,widows who cleared mines inCambodia,the trapped lives ofbonded labourersin India, and the women-only police stations in Brazil, known as "Delegacia da Mulher"(Woman's Police Station). He continues to write journalistic pieces, especially aimed at drawing attention to causes he believes deserve public attention.^[23]^[24]^[25]^[26]^[27]^[28]

After having published a number of books with traditional publishers, Shah made the move to self publishing in 2011 with his print-on-demand bookTravels With Myself,which was published using Lulu. He later took his self publishing efforts a step further in 2012 with the release ofTimbuctooand again in 2013 withScorpion Soup,two limited edition hardcovers that were designed by his wife Rachana.

Documentaries

Shah has presented several documentaries, all of which have followed the quest theme, which have appeared on National Geographic TV, The History Channel, Channel 4, & Channel 5:The Search for King Solomon's Mines,House of the Tiger King,andSearch for the Lost Treasure of Afghanistan.

Influences

Shah regards family friendDoris Lessingas a key influence, as well as his auntAmina Shah.Shah himself has written about his fascination with the works ofBruce Chatwin,especially his bookThe Songlines,^[29]as well as with a range of the classic nineteenth century explorers, such asSamuel White Baker,Heinrich BarthandSir Richard Burton.He had a close friendship withWilfred Thesiger,whom he considered a mentor and a source of inspiration.^[30]

Shah's fatherIdries Shahand English poetRobert Graveswere close friends and confidants Tahir Shah and his sister were mentioned in correspondence between and Graves andSpike Milliganhad a correspondence.^[31]

Literary style

Shah's style is one of simple prose and overwhelming humour. He has said that his style of using short blocks of text, with a concluding denouement was influenced byIron & Silkby Mark Salzman,^[32]which he first read in 1988; and that he writes with the intention to educate and inform his readers, while at the same time amusing them.^[33]^[34]In this capacity, one could liken Shah's work to the literary devise employed in several books by his father, Idries Shah,^[35]who used the wise fool MullaNasrudinto illustrate deeper ideas in human understanding.

Shah avoids "self-congratulatory" literary festivals, although he had appeared as a speaker at a number of them in the past – including at Hay-on-Wye,^[36]Wigtown,^[37]Shute, Oxford, Deià,^[38]Gibraltar,^[39] and Vilnius.^[40]He writes on a rigid schedule, keeping to a daily target. At any one time he has ‘between 25 and 25 writing projects in development’. Shah's earlier books fell into the travel literature genre, with more recent work being regarded as straight fiction. Most of Shah's work blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction, and Shah himself condemns ‘the way Occidental society draws a rigid line in the sand between one and the other. He champions authors such asBruce ChatwinandRory Macleanwho have walked a line between the two.

Political involvement

Imprisonment in Pakistan

In July 2005 (a week after the7 July London bombings) Shah and two colleagues from Caravan Film in London were arrested inPeshawarin Pakistan'sKhyber Pakhtunkhwaand held without charge insolitary confinementin a torture prison. Much of the time they were handcuffed, stripped virtually naked, and blindfolded. After sixteen days of interrogations in a "fully equipped torture room," Shah and his colleagues were released. The Pakistani government agreed that they had done nothing wrong. Tahir Shah gave an interview which was screened on British TV'sChannel 4News, and published an article in the BritishSunday Timesabout the ordeal. Shah has publicly maintained his affection for Pakistan, despite the rough treatment he and his film crew received at the hands of the Pakistani secret services. The illegal custody earned Shah and his film crew a mention in theUnited States Department of State's 2005 report onPakistan's human rights practices.^[41]The news story came back into the spotlight in July 2008, when a BritishMPclaimed that the British government had 'outsourced' the torture of British citizens to Pakistani security agencies.^[42]^[43]^[44]

East-West bridge

Tahir Shah is also a champion of what he calls "the East-West Bridge".^[45]In the aftermath of theSeptember 11 attacksin the United States in 2001, Tahir Shah began to devote a great deal of time and energy into establishing and promoting a "cultural bridge" made up by those who, like him, are both from the East and from the West.^[46]One example of this work is the Qantara Foundation (from "qantara" meaning "bridge" in Arabic). He has spoken and written on the idea that people such as he have a responsibility to "show the East to the West, and the West to the East," highlighting the common cultural heritage of the two, and working towards a common goal.^[46]Shah's greatest interest within the east–west theme is probably the subject of the legacy ofscience in medieval Islam,and its role in creating a foundation for theRenaissance.He has lectured publicly on the subject and believes strongly in the importance of drawing attention to thepolymathpoet-scientists from theGolden Age of Islam.^[47]

Personal life

In 2003 Shah moved to Morocco with his wife Rachana and his two infant children from a small apartment in London'sEast End,and relocating to a mansion called "Dar Khalifa",^[48]said by locals to be haunted byJinn,"set squarely in the middle of a Casablanca shantytown." The adventure formed the basis for Shah's bookThe Caliph's House(2006). Shah has written widely aboutCasablanca,which he has resided in,^[49]^[50]andMorocco,^[51]and is regarded as an expert on both, as well as on India,^[52]and a number of other destinations.

Works

Travels

Journey Through Namibia,Camerapix, 1994,ISBN 978-1-874041-23-8
Spectrum Guide to Jordan,Spectrum Guides, 1994,ISBN 978-0-86190-397-9
Beyond the Devil's Teeth,Octagon Press, 1995,ISBN 978-1-85799-980-8
Sorcerer's Apprentice,Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1998,ISBN 978-0-14-028571-0
Trail of Feathers,Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2001,ISBN 978-0-297-64592-4
In Search of King Solomon's Mines,John Murray, 2002,ISBN 978-0-7195-6324-9
House of the Tiger King,John Murray, 2004,ISBN 978-0-7195-6611-0
The Caliph's House,Doubleday, 2006,ISBN 978-0-385-60807-7
In Arabian Nights,Bantam, 2008,ISBN 9780553805239
Travels With Myself: Collected Work,Mosaique, 2011,ISBN 978-1-4478-0582-3

Novels

Timbuctoo,Secretum Mundi, 2012,ISBN 978-0-9572429-0-6
Eye Spy,Secretum Mundi, 2013,ISBN 978-1-291-59817-9
Casablanca Blues,Secretum Mundi, 2013,ISBN 978-1-291-53013-1
Paris Syndrome,Secretum Mundi, 2014,ISBN 978-1-291-73643-4
Hannibal Fogg and the Supreme Secret of Man,Secretum Mundi, 2018,ISBN 978-1-912383-21-4
Jinn Hunter: Book One — The Prism,Secretum Mundi, 2019,ISBN 978-1-912383-28-3
Godman,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-53-5
Jinn Hunter: Book Two — The Jinnslayer,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-60-3
Midas,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-57-3
Jinn Hunter: Book Three — The Perplexity,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-61-0

Humour

Travels With Nasrudin,Secretum Mundi, 2019,ISBN 978-1-912383-32-0
The Misadventures of the Mystifying Nasrudin,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-78-8
The Peregrinations of the Perple xing Nasrudin,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-79-5
The Voyages and Vicissitudes of Nasrudin,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-80-1
Nasrudin in the Land of Fools,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-51-2

Teaching stories

Scorpion Soup,Secretum Mundi, 2013,ISBN 978-0-9572429-1-3
The Man who Found Himself,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-55-9
The Arabian Nights Adventures,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-62-7
Caravanserai Stories: Ghoul Brothers,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-84-9
Caravanserai Stories: Hourglass,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-85-6
Caravanserai Stories: Imaginist,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-86-3
Caravanserai Stories: Jinnlore,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-87-0
Caravanserai Stories: Jinn's Treasure,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-88-7
Caravanserai Stories: Mellified Man,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-89-4
Caravanserai Stories: Skeleton Island,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-90-0
Caravanserai Stories: Wellspring,Secretum Mundi, 2021, Limited edition,ISBN 978-1-912383-91-7
The Caravanserai Stories (combined),Secretum Mundi, 2021, Paperback,ISBN 978-1-912383-93-1
Daydreams of an Octopus,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-01-7
When the Sun Forgot to Rise,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-22-2
Tales Told to a Melon,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-52-9
Double Six,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-98-7
The Jinn Files,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-99-4
A Treasury of Tales,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-88-8
King of the Jinns,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-89-5
Mouse House,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-90-1
On Backgammon Time,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-91-8
The Cap of Invisibility,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-92-5
The Destiny Ring,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-93-2
The Forgotten Game,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-94-9
The Hoopoe's Flight,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-95-6
The Paradise Tree,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-96-3
The Wondrous Seed,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-97-0
Liquid Time,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-33-1
Cat Dog, Dog Cat,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-34-8
Dream Soup,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-19-5
The Monkey Puzzle Club,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-24-9
The Pharaoh Code,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-23-2
The Problem Exchange,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-22-5
An Unexpected Gift,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-21-8
Princess Pickle's Laugh,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-35-5
QWERTY,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-14-0
Renaissance,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-15-7
The Kingdom of Blink,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-17-1
The Man with the Tiger's Head,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-16-4
The Wisdom of Celestine,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-18-8
The Shop That Sold Truth,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-13-3
The Most Foolish of Men,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-12-6
The Fish's Dream,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-10-2
The Man Whose Arms Grew Branches,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-11-9
The Clockmaker Who Travelled Though Time,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-09-6
The Tale of the Rusty Nail,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-07-2
The Unicorn’s Tear,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-08-9
The Singing Serpents,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-06-5
The Princess of Zilzilam,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-05-8
Capilongo,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-04-1
Mittle-Mittle,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-03-4
Frogland,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-02-7
Cat, Mouse,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-01-0
Changing the World,Secretum Mundi, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915876-00-3

Anthologies

The Anthologies: Africa,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-36-8
The Anthologies: Childhood,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-38-2
The Anthologies: Ceremony,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-37-5
The Anthologies: City,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-39-9
The Anthologies: Danger,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-40-5
The Anthologies: East,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-41-2
The Anthologies: Expedition,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-42-9
The Anthologies: Frontier,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-43-6
The Anthologies: Hinterland,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-44-3
The Anthologies: India,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-45-0
The Anthologies: Jungle,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-46-7
The Anthologies: Morocco,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-47-4
The Anthologies: People,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-48-1
The Anthologies: Quest,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-49-8
The Anthologies: South,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-50-4
The Anthologies: Taboo,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-35-1
The Clockmaker's Box,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-54-2
Congress With a Crocodile(editor), Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-69-6
A Son of a Son, Volume I(editor), Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-81-8
A Son of a Son, Volume II(editor), Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-82-5
Tahir Shah Fiction Reader,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-77-1
Tahir Shah Travel Reader,Secretum Mundi, 2021,ISBN 978-1-912383-76-4
The Anthologies: Jinns,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-73-4
The Anthologies: Magic,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-74-1
The Anthologies: Teaching Stories,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-76-5
The Anthologies: Nasrudin,Secretum Mundi, 2022,ISBN 978-1-914960-75-8

Screenplays

Journey to Mecca,c.2008
Timbuctoo: Screenplay,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-58-0
Casablanca Blues: The Screenplay,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-59-7

On writing

The Reason to Write,Secretum Mundi, 2020,ISBN 978-1-912383-52-8
Fiction I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-52-2
Travel I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-61-4
Historical Fiction I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-62-1
Teaching Stories I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-44-7
Fantasy I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-45-4
Comprehensive I Workbook,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-45-4

Journalism

Travels With Myself: Collected Work,Mosaique, 2011,ISBN 978-1-4478-0582-3

Research

The Middle East Bedside Book,Octagon Press, 1991,ISBN 978-0-86304-060-3
Cultural Research,(editor) for the London-basedInstitute for Cultural Research,1993,ISBN 978-0-86304-064-1
Three Essays,Secretum Mundi, 2013,ISBN 978-1-291-47127-4

As editor

Tale of a Lantern & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-03-0
The Elephant & The Tortoise & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-04-7
The Monkey’s Fiddle & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-05-4
Ghost of the Violet Well & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-06-1
Many Wise Fools & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-07-8
The Frog Prince & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-08-5
The Three Lemons & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-09-2
The Twelve-Headed Griffin & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation,ISBN 978-1-915311-10-8
The Antelope Boy & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-11-5
The Purple Sapphire & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-12-2
Why the Fish Laughed & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-23-8
Two Cats & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-24-5
Three Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-25-2
The Twilight of the Gods & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-26-9
The Son of Seven Queens & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-27-6
The Moon Maiden & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-28-3
The Metamorphosis & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-29-0
The Celestial Sisters & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-30-6
Tales From The Arabian Nights I,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-31-3
East of the Sun, West of the Moon & Other Stories,The Scheherazade Foundation, 2023,ISBN 978-1-915311-32-0
Idries Shah Centenary Volume One,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-46-1
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Two,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-47-8
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Three,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-48-5
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Four,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-49-2
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Five,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-50-8
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Six,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-58-4
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Seven,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-59-1
Idries Shah Centenary Volume Eight,Secretum Mundi, 2024,ISBN 978-1-915876-60-7

As a contributor

Revue des Deux Mondes,2002,ISBN 978-2710324980
With Remarkable Muslims,Eland Books, 2006,ISBN 978-0907871644
The Seventy Great Journeys in History,Thames & Hudson, 2006,ISBN 978-0500251294
Modern Explorers,Thames & Hudson, 2013,ISBN 978-0500296325
The Lonely Planet Travel Anthology,Lonely Planet, 2016,ISBN 978-1786571960
Our Morocco,privately published, 2020,ISBN 979-8575846093
Tales From the Life of Bruce Wannell,Sickle Moon, 2020,ISBN 978-1900209250

Introductions

Legends of the Fire Spirits,I. B. Tauris, 2014,ISBN 978-1780769042
Marrakech: The Red City,Eland Books, 2004,ISBN 978-0907871996
Home,Quadrille Publishing, 2006,ISBN 978-1844003389
The Cafe Clock Cookbook,33-Books, 2010,ISBN 978-0956660008
Seven League Boots,Tauris Parke, 2012,ISBN 978-0755617579
The Flying Carpet,Tauris Parke, 2011,ISBN 978-0857720771
The Glorious Adventure,Tauris Parke, 2012,ISBN 978-1838601843
A Moroccan Journey,International Publishing House, 2009,ISBN 978-0981469867
Louis Vuitton: Morocco,Louis Vuitton, 2017,ISBN 9782369831310

Interviews

Shah, Tahir (1 July 2007)."Travel Writer: Tahir Shah".Vaggablogging(Audio podcast). Interviewed by Rolf Potts.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (4 October 2012)."Wigtown Book Festival 2012: Tahir Shah: 'Publishers have lost the plot'".The Daily Telegraph(Web page). Interviewed by Daisy Bowie-Sell.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (2014)."Tahir".Jazmine Russell(Web page). Interviewed by Jazmine Russell.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (12 December 2014)."Playing Godman".Snap Judgement(Audio podcast). Interviewed by Glynn Washington.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (3 March 2019)."In Conversation with Tahir Shah".Robert Twigger(Audio podcast). Interviewed by Robert Twigger.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (13 December 2020)."Widemindedness: Tahir Shah".Widemindedness(Web page). Interviewed by Victoria Ball.Retrieved13 April2023.

Ambreen, Nida (2021)."In Conversation with Tahir Shah".English Studies in Southern Africa(Print).26(2–3): 67–70.doi:10.1080/18125441.2022.2124442.S2CID 253217042.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (29 April 2021)."Online Talk – Tahir Shah".World Storytelling Cafe(Web page with video). Interviewed by Staff.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (6 July 2021)."Bridging Cultures Through Story".Story Dojo(Video). Interviewed by Mary Alice MacArthur.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (20 September 2021)."Meet EBC: Interview With Tahir shah The Scheherazade Foundation".Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation(Video). Interviewed by Tefera Ghedamu.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (8 December 2021)."Susitikimas su rašytoju Tahiru Shahu ir knygos 'Mago mokinys' pristatymas".Tyto alba (Lithuanian)(Video).Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (28 January 2022)."TNN January Book Club 'The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca' with author Tahir Shah".The Nomadic Network(Video). Interviewed by Staff.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (13 June 2022)."Interview with author Tahir Shah".Cassandra Goad(Web page). Interviewed by Cassandra Goad.Retrieved13 April2023.

Shah, Tahir (13 July 2022)."Tahir Shah - The Intrepid Writer's Journey".Follow Your Blisters(Audio podcast). Interviewed by Will Gethin.Retrieved13 April2023.

"Finding the Caliph's House | Tahir Shah".Via YouTube(Video). Afrika. 3 May 2023.Retrieved11 June2024.

Articles

Webster, Jason(24 February 2023)."In search of the white house of Casablanca".Financial Times.Archivedfrom the original on 24 February 2023.Retrieved24 February2023.

Radio and TV

Bedi, Nikki(Presenter) (2006).Tahir Shah, Casablanca(Video)(Television broadcast). Casablanca:Desi DNA.Retrieved23 September2022.

Tahir Shah (30 April 2011).The Mosque at the End of the World(Audio)(Radio broadcast). Marrakech:BBC Radio 3.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2019.Retrieved11 June2024.

References

^Zada, John (28 February 2017)."A Beacon of Sanity in Our Age of Polarity: On Contemporary Sufism and the Works of Idries Shah".Los Angeles Review Of Books.Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2023.Retrieved28 February2017.
^Staff."Idries Shah (Author)".City Of Oxford School Association.Retrieved28 February2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
^^a ^bStaff."Shah, Tahir 1966".encyclopedia.Retrieved15 March2019.
^Staff."Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah - Making Britain".The Open University.Archivedfrom the original on 1 November 2023.
^Staff."Fredoon Kabraji | Making Britain".Making Britain.The Open University.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2020.Retrieved13 December2020.
^Saira Shah(2007).The Storyteller's Daughter.Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.ISBN 9780307429407.Archivedfrom the original on 3 April 2023.Retrieved18 December2007.
^"Tahir Shah is interviewed by Ariane Shah".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved30 March2012.
^"Timur Shah Interviews Author Tahir Shah on Writing and Travel".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved4 November2014.
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eTwigger, Robert."In Conversation With Tahir Shah".Robert Twigger.Archivedfrom the original on 18 April 2023.Retrieved3 March2019.
^Churchill, Penny (22 July 2017)."Lord Baden-Powell's childhood home up for sale, with cricket pitch and nuclear bunker".Country Life.Archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2023.Retrieved22 July2017.
^Webster, Jason(23 October 2014)."Sufism: 'a natural antidote to fanaticism'".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 24 November 2015.Retrieved4 April2023.
^Westerlund, David, ed. (2004).Sufism in Europe and North America.New York, NY: RoutledgeCurzon. pp.53.ISBN 0-415-32591-9.
^Russell Page: the most famous garden designer no one's ever heard of Archived21 September 2018 at theWayback MachineinTelegraph(21 March 2015)
^One Pair of Eyes: Dreamwalkers (1970)Archived17 April 2019 at theWayback Machine(10 September 2013)
^"One Pair of Eyes: Dreamwalkers".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved6 July2018.
^Shah, Tahir (16 October 2012)."My Grandfather in Tangier".National Geographic.Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2017.Retrieved16 October2012.
^Denning, Greg."Tahir Shah".World School Academy.Archived fromthe originalon 26 October 2016.Retrieved27 September2016.
^Robert Baden-Powell(2015).Paddle Your Own Canoe or Tip for Boys.Read Books Ltd.ISBN 9781473394902.Archivedfrom the original on 3 April 2023.Retrieved24 June2015.
^^a ^b ^cKasem, Abu."Tahir Shah, a Rara Avis".Abukasem.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2021.Retrieved4 March2019.
^^a ^b ^cTahir Shah (2009).In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams.Bantam Books.ISBN 9780553384437.in arabian nights tahir.
^Staff."Journey to Mecca".Cosmic Picture.Archivedfrom the original on 19 September 2017.Retrieved23 September2008.On IMDBmain details Archived7 February 2009 at theWayback Machine,there is explicit co-writer credit to Tahir Shah.
^"Stopover Stories – The Journey".locatetv. Archived fromthe originalon 17 July 2011.Retrieved24 September2008.
^"Trouble in Timbuktu inNewsweek(3 September 2012) ".The Daily Beast.Archivedfrom the original on 9 September 2012.Retrieved10 September2012.
^Across the Continents Archived23 March 2013 at theWayback MachineinProspect(18 July 2012)
^Beijing's lost streets Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(1 July 2012)
^Travel writers' favourite tiny and unusual airports Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(8 June 2012)
^Tafraoute: Morocco's Berber heartland Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(25 May 2012)
^Ifrane, Morocco's winter idyll Archived31 August 2012 at theWayback MachineinThe National(24 November 2011)
^Staff (4 December 2007)."No particular place to go".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2012.Retrieved23 September2008.
^Shah, Tahir (1995).Beyond the devil's teeth: journeys in Gondwanaland.London: Octagon.ISBN 0-86304-029-2.OCLC 32746074.
^Scudamore, Pauline (1991).Dear Robert, Dear Spike.Alan Sutton Publishing, Ltd. p. 60.ISBN 0-86299-648-1.
^"Tahir Shah, a Rara Avis".Abukasem.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2021.Retrieved4 March2019.
^Staff."Sorcerer's Apprentice Review".Kirkus Reviews.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2019.Retrieved5 October2012.
^Kat (28 March 2010)."Tahir Shah".Reflections.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved5 October2012.
^Staff."In Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah".The Bookbag.Archivedfrom the original on 5 April 2012.Retrieved5 October2012.
^"Tahir Shah - Hay Festival".Hay Festival.29 May 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2019.Retrieved29 May2008.
^"Wigtownn Book Festival 2012: Tahir Shah:'Publishers have lost the plot'".Telegraph.co.uk.4 October 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2012.Retrieved4 October2012.
^"Deià organizes a literary festival such as Welsh Hay and Wye".Vilaweb.Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2017.Retrieved8 September2004.
^"The Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival".Issuu.2 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 1 March 2023.Retrieved2 January2014.
^"Author's book signing with Tahir Shah in Vilnius".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved23 February2013.
^"Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2005 – Pakistan".United States Department of State.Archivedfrom the original on 20 September 2008.Retrieved24 September2008.
^Cobain, Ian (15 July 2008)."Torture: MPs call for inquiry into MI5 role. New allegations that abuse of Britons was outsourced to Pakistani agencies".The Guardian.London.Archivedfrom the original on 2 September 2013.Retrieved24 September2008.
^Staff (15 July 2008)."MPs urge probe into torture claim".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 18 February 2016.Retrieved24 September2008.
^Staff (15 July 2008)."MPs demand torture investigation".Whitehall & Westminster World Civil Service Network.Retrieved24 September2008.^{[permanent dead link]}
^Staff."Destination... anywhere".New Zealand Times.Retrieved24 September2008.^{[dead link]}
^^a ^bStaff (30 January 2010)."Harmony: East and West, Tahir Shah".Caravan Festival of the Arts. Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2012.Retrieved11 October2011.
^Staff (4 October 2008)."Lectures – Autumn 2008: The House of Wisdom, Tahir Shah".The Institute for Cultural Research.Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2012.Retrieved11 October2011.
^"Dar Khalifa: 5 minute tour of Tahir Shah's home".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved11 June2011.
^"Casablanca writ large".TheGuardian.24 July 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 23 March 2019.Retrieved23 March2019.
^Shah, Tahir (22 August 2016)."A Local's Guide to Casablanca".National Geographic.Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2016.Retrieved22 August2016.
^"Tahir Shah - Morocco Travel Blog".Archivedfrom the original on 1 April 2019.Retrieved16 March2019.
^Shah, Tahir (23 November 2018)."Know before you go: India".National Geographic.Retrieved23 November2018.

External links

Media related toTahir Shahat Wikimedia Commons

Official website

[BLARB-1] Zada, John (28 February 2017)."A Beacon of Sanity in Our Age of Polarity: On Contemporary Sufism and the Works of Idries Shah".Los Angeles Review Of Books.Archivedfrom the original on 7 September 2023.Retrieved28 February2017.

[COSA-2] Staff."Idries Shah (Author)".City Of Oxford School Association.Retrieved28 February2017.^{[permanent dead link]}

[Encyclopedia-3] Staff."Shah, Tahir 1966".encyclopedia.Retrieved15 March2019.

[Opn-4] Staff."Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah - Making Britain".The Open University.Archivedfrom the original on 1 November 2023.

[Making_Britain_Fredoon_Kabraji-5] Staff."Fredoon Kabraji | Making Britain".Making Britain.The Open University.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2020.Retrieved13 December2020.

[Book-6] Saira Shah(2007).The Storyteller's Daughter.Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.ISBN 9780307429407.Archivedfrom the original on 3 April 2023.Retrieved18 December2007.

[7] "Tahir Shah is interviewed by Ariane Shah".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved30 March2012.

[8] "Timur Shah Interviews Author Tahir Shah on Writing and Travel".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved4 November2014.

[Twigger-9] Twigger, Robert."In Conversation With Tahir Shah".Robert Twigger.Archivedfrom the original on 18 April 2023.Retrieved3 March2019.

[country_life-10] Churchill, Penny (22 July 2017)."Lord Baden-Powell's childhood home up for sale, with cricket pitch and nuclear bunker".Country Life.Archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2023.Retrieved22 July2017.

[11] Webster, Jason(23 October 2014)."Sufism: 'a natural antidote to fanaticism'".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 24 November 2015.Retrieved4 April2023.

[Westerlund53-12] Westerlund, David, ed. (2004).Sufism in Europe and North America.New York, NY: RoutledgeCurzon. pp.53.ISBN 0-415-32591-9.

[13] Russell Page: the most famous garden designer no one's ever heard of Archived21 September 2018 at theWayback MachineinTelegraph(21 March 2015)

[14] One Pair of Eyes: Dreamwalkers (1970)Archived17 April 2019 at theWayback Machine(10 September 2013)

[15] "One Pair of Eyes: Dreamwalkers".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved6 July2018.

[NGTravel-16] Shah, Tahir (16 October 2012)."My Grandfather in Tangier".National Geographic.Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2017.Retrieved16 October2012.

[WSAcad-17] Denning, Greg."Tahir Shah".World School Academy.Archived fromthe originalon 26 October 2016.Retrieved27 September2016.

[RbtBook-18] Robert Baden-Powell(2015).Paddle Your Own Canoe or Tip for Boys.Read Books Ltd.ISBN 9781473394902.Archivedfrom the original on 3 April 2023.Retrieved24 June2015.

[AbKsm-19] Kasem, Abu."Tahir Shah, a Rara Avis".Abukasem.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2021.Retrieved4 March2019.

[ThBook-20] Tahir Shah (2009).In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams.Bantam Books.ISBN 9780553384437.in arabian nights tahir.

[21] Staff."Journey to Mecca".Cosmic Picture.Archivedfrom the original on 19 September 2017.Retrieved23 September2008.On IMDBmain details Archived7 February 2009 at theWayback Machine,there is explicit co-writer credit to Tahir Shah.

[22] "Stopover Stories – The Journey".locatetv. Archived fromthe originalon 17 July 2011.Retrieved24 September2008.

[23] "Trouble in Timbuktu inNewsweek(3 September 2012) ".The Daily Beast.Archivedfrom the original on 9 September 2012.Retrieved10 September2012.

[24] Across the Continents Archived23 March 2013 at theWayback MachineinProspect(18 July 2012)

[25] Beijing's lost streets Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(1 July 2012)

[26] Travel writers' favourite tiny and unusual airports Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(8 June 2012)

[27] Tafraoute: Morocco's Berber heartland Archived20 August 2017 at theWayback MachineinThe Guardian(25 May 2012)

[28] Ifrane, Morocco's winter idyll Archived31 August 2012 at theWayback MachineinThe National(24 November 2011)

[29] Staff (4 December 2007)."No particular place to go".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2012.Retrieved23 September2008.

[30] Shah, Tahir (1995).Beyond the devil's teeth: journeys in Gondwanaland.London: Octagon.ISBN 0-86304-029-2.OCLC 32746074.

[spike-31] Scudamore, Pauline (1991).Dear Robert, Dear Spike.Alan Sutton Publishing, Ltd. p. 60.ISBN 0-86299-648-1.

[32] "Tahir Shah, a Rara Avis".Abukasem.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2021.Retrieved4 March2019.

[KirkusSA-33] Staff."Sorcerer's Apprentice Review".Kirkus Reviews.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2019.Retrieved5 October2012.

[Kat-34] Kat (28 March 2010)."Tahir Shah".Reflections.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved5 October2012.

[Bookbag-35] Staff."In Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah".The Bookbag.Archivedfrom the original on 5 April 2012.Retrieved5 October2012.

[36] "Tahir Shah - Hay Festival".Hay Festival.29 May 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2019.Retrieved29 May2008.

[37] "Wigtownn Book Festival 2012: Tahir Shah:'Publishers have lost the plot'".Telegraph.co.uk.4 October 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2012.Retrieved4 October2012.

[38] "Deià organizes a literary festival such as Welsh Hay and Wye".Vilaweb.Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2017.Retrieved8 September2004.

[39] "The Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival".Issuu.2 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 1 March 2023.Retrieved2 January2014.

[40] "Author's book signing with Tahir Shah in Vilnius".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved23 February2013.

[41] "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2005 – Pakistan".United States Department of State.Archivedfrom the original on 20 September 2008.Retrieved24 September2008.

[42] Cobain, Ian (15 July 2008)."Torture: MPs call for inquiry into MI5 role. New allegations that abuse of Britons was outsourced to Pakistani agencies".The Guardian.London.Archivedfrom the original on 2 September 2013.Retrieved24 September2008.

[43] Staff (15 July 2008)."MPs urge probe into torture claim".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 18 February 2016.Retrieved24 September2008.

[44] Staff (15 July 2008)."MPs demand torture investigation".Whitehall & Westminster World Civil Service Network.Retrieved24 September2008.^{[permanent dead link]}

[45] Staff."Destination... anywhere".New Zealand Times.Retrieved24 September2008.^{[dead link]}

[CaravanFestival-46] Staff (30 January 2010)."Harmony: East and West, Tahir Shah".Caravan Festival of the Arts. Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2012.Retrieved11 October2011.

[ICRHouseOfWisdom-47] Staff (4 October 2008)."Lectures – Autumn 2008: The House of Wisdom, Tahir Shah".The Institute for Cultural Research.Archived fromthe originalon 14 April 2012.Retrieved11 October2011.

[48] "Dar Khalifa: 5 minute tour of Tahir Shah's home".Youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2021.Retrieved11 June2011.

[49] "Casablanca writ large".TheGuardian.24 July 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 23 March 2019.Retrieved23 March2019.

[NGCasa-50] Shah, Tahir (22 August 2016)."A Local's Guide to Casablanca".National Geographic.Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2016.Retrieved22 August2016.

[51] "Tahir Shah - Morocco Travel Blog".Archivedfrom the original on 1 April 2019.Retrieved16 March2019.

[NGInd-52] Shah, Tahir (23 November 2018)."Know before you go: India".National Geographic.Retrieved23 November2018.

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v t e Shah family
1st generation	Muhammed Shah (Jan-Fishan Khan)
2nd generation	not applicable
3rd generation	not applicable
4th generation	Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah[m.Saira Elizabeth Luiza Shah]
5th generation	Amina Shah Omar Ali-Shah Idries Shah Nawab Mirza Aqil Hussain Barlas Lt Gen Zameerud-din Shah Naseeruddin Shah[m.Ratna Pathak Shah] Syed Kamal Aquila Barlas (Dr. Aquila Berlas Kiani) Akram Shah
6th generation	Arif Ali-Shah Saira Shah Tahir Shah Safia Shah Owais Shah Mohommed Ali Shah Imaad Shah Vivaan Shah
7th generation	Omar Ali-Shah (second) Sofía Cecilia Ali-Shah

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat
National	Germany United States France BnF data Czech Republic Netherlands Norway Latvia Korea Poland Israel
Other	IdRef