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Luqman initially trained in the sciences of Islam and the languages (Arabic, Persian and Urdu) and cultures of the Middle East and the Indian Sub-continent in the traditional Muslim seminaries of the West and East covering both the Sunni and Shi'i schools. He then spent a decade working as a linguist, writer and translator for various publishing houses in both the USA and the UK before serving as programmes manager for a London-based humanitarian NGO where he raised funds for and implemented aid projects for Iraqi refugees in the Middle East.
In 1997, Luqman co-founded Khayaal, the first professional theatre company of its kind offering audiences a fascinating experience of classic Muslim world culture through contemporary art forms. He adapted, co-directed and produced Khayaal’s award-winning debut production, Conference of the Birds, in 1998 which was described by Time Out as ‘a pleasure’ and ‘a refreshing burst of visual creativity’. He went on to pioneer the theatrical interpretation of the tales of Jalaluddin Rumi and Fariduddin Attar producing numerous theatrical shorts including Four Mystics and a Merchant, Bad Beard Day, Between the Devil & Me and Tattoos in Qazvin. In 2004, he broadened the scope of his work adapting traditional tales from right across the Muslim world in Tales from Muslim Lands which included Peony Garden on Nanshan Mountain, Bling Bling Blind, Incey Witty Spider and Man Take Thy Flight. The production launched at Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition before touring and was described by The Morning Star as ‘a refreshing reminder of our common humanity in the stifling climate of the divisive, fundamentalist war on terror’ and as having done ‘a great job of refuting the destructive "clash of civilisations" thesis’.
Throughout Luqman's tenure at the head of Khayaal, the organisation has brought together Muslim and Jewish artists as well as those of other faiths to develop and present its work on stage and in film, building bridges of understanding amongst performers and audiences alike.
Luqman’s latest works are Sun & Wind, a spiritual reflection on extremism that explores the impact of a suicide bombing on a widow and child, and Hearts & Minds, a theatre-in-education play for young people exploring issues of identity, citizenship and extremism. He is currently working on a play exploring the intersection of British and Muslim cultures through the shared heritage of coffee and coffeehouses.
Luqman and his work have been covered by The Guardian, The Times, Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, The Morning Star, Time Out, BBC Radio 4, BBC Sunday Programme, Channel 4, NPR, The Muslim News, The Muslim Weekly, Al-Aalam, Kayhan, Zameen, The Samosa, Emel, etc. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and a member of the Concordia Forum.
Luqman is a second generation African American Muslim originally from Washington DC but has lived most of his life in the UK. He is passionate about jazz, basketball, travel, literature and art in its widest sense.
