Description
The Zirrar Reading Club
Next Book: Hadji Murad by Leo Tolstoy (Starting 8th Oct 2026 – 6PM UK time)
Tolstoy’s Hadji Murad is a short novel set during the nineteenth-century Russian conquest of the Caucasus, centred on the Avar warrior Hadji Murad, who breaks with *Imam Shamil and seeks protection from the Russians, only to find himself caught between rival powers and ultimately betrayed. Through his story, Tolstoy depicts the courage, dignity and tragedy of the Muslim peoples resisting Russian expansion, while also showing the divisions and political pressures within the resistance itself. Shamil therefore remains an important presence in the background: he was the central leader of the Caucasian Muslim resistance, and Hadji Murad’s conflict with him reveals how the struggle against Russia was not simply a straightforward contest between two sides, but was shaped by loyalty, power, honour and competing visions of leadership.
/ *Imam Shamil (1797–1871) was a Dagestani Muslim scholar, Sufi leader and military commander who led the Caucasian resistance against Russian expansion for nearly three decades. He united large parts of Dagestan and Chechnya under an Islamic imamate, combining religious authority with guerrilla warfare, until he was captured by the Russians in 1859.
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A monthly reading circle dedicated to exploring works of Islamic civilisation, poetry and literature, history, and the modern condition. Together, we engage with books that have shaped the Muslim intellectual tradition, alongside works that help us better understand the challenges and questions of the present world.
Each month centres on one carefully chosen book, read slowly and attentively, with guided discussion and reflection throughout. The Reading Club will cover texts from the Persian, Urdu and English traditions.
What the month looks like
- One carefully selected book explored each month in depth
- An opening session introducing the author, historical context, and central themes
- Private reading at your own pace throughout the month
- 3-4 live sessions (2 hours each) to reflect on key sections and ideas
- Reading guidance and reflection prompts shared in a private community space
- Access to session recordings for those unable to attend live
- eBook provided
Why Join?
The Zirrar Reading Club is designed for those who wish to learn from and reflect on the works of authors from the rich Islamic and Western traditions. By joining, you will become part of a growing community of readers from across the world. Our aim is to cultivate the habits of reading and careful thinking, while encouraging creative change. We will read works ranging from Islamic literature, poetry and philosophy to anti-colonialism, social theory and the humanities.
