Is This the Muslim Lord of the Rings? | Peter Gould

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What would a Muslim world of fantasy look like? Tolkien gave us Middle-earth. C.S. Lewis gave us Narnia. Could Islamic storytelling create fictional worlds that capture the imagination of a generation?

Peter Gould joins Muhammad Jalal on The Thinking Muslim to discuss **Tales of Khayal**, a fantasy universe he co-created with author Rehan Khan, inspired by Islamic spirituality and the rich heritage of Muslim civilisation. With a novel series and plans for animation and a video game, the project explores how faith can shape the stories young Muslims grow up with.

Recorded in Istanbul, this conversation examines the Islamic understanding of imagination, or *khayal*, and its relationship to the heart. Gould shares how embracing Islam changed his approach to design, and how Islamic art and architecture continue to inform his work.

They discuss the concerns parents have about gaming and screen time, alongside the possibilities for immersive storytelling that encourages remembrance of Allah. Gould explains how Tales of Khayal draws on sacred knowledge and the history of colonialism, weaving questions about power and technological change into an adventure story.

The episode also explores why some Muslim professionals put aside their artistic ambitions, how they can return to creative work, and what artificial intelligence could mean for the future of design. Gould offers practical advice for anyone hoping to begin writing or rediscover their creativity.

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