More than 1.6 billion people identify as Muslim; that is almost a quarter of the world’s population. Though the majority of this 1.6 billion are to be found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Muslim populations in Europe and America are on the rise. Yet there is little understanding in the West of the nuances of the world’s second largest religion and its many sects, schools, and branches.

In her new book, ‘Islam: A New Historical Introduction’, Professor Carole Hillenbrand sketches out these differences and the history that brought Islam to where it is today. In 2005 Carole became the first non-Muslim recipient of the King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies, cementing her status as a leading figure in this field, especially here in Europe.

Susan talks with Carole about her new book and the history of Islam. What is the difference between Sunni and Shia? Where does Sufism fit in? Is the image of Islam as religion based on laws and rules an accurate one? And why is it important that we in the West learn more about this religion?

In the second part of the show Susan talks with Scottish novelist and non-fiction author Andrew O’Hagan about his latest work, ‘The Illuminations’. This focus of this novel is Anne Quirk, a forgotten documentary photographer who is struggling to hold onto her past as her memory slips away in her final years. Her grandson, Luke, contrasts this need to remember with a desire to forget.

A captain serving in Afghanistan, Luke’s story is a harsh relief to that of his grandmother. His is a world of rough banter and battle forged brotherhood where memory is all too often a burden and enemy. These parallel tales paint very different pictures of life and the importance of remembering and forgetting.

Join Susan this Sunday as she journeys into the realm of memory with Andrew O’Hagan. What was it like researching for this book? How did it affect him? And what has a life in letters been like?