12/01/2025
Discover the life and legacy of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson in new biography, the first in over a century.
With a foreword by renowned Islamic scholar Yahya Birt, Research Director at the Ayaan Institute, London, prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary journey of John Yehya Parkinson, a man whose life and work bridged cultures, continents, and communities. Written by a distant cousin, Philip S. Blair, this new biography, printed in full colour and spanning 111 pages, is set to offer readers an intimate look at the life of the Scottish Muslim-convert poet and writer.
John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson (1874-1918) was a Scottish Muslim poet and writer, born in Kilwinning, Scotland, but of Irish parentage. He is renowned for his literary contributions that blend his Scottish heritage with his adopted Islamic faith. His works often reflected his deep engagement with spirituality, philosophy, and the human condition. Parkinson's life journey was marked by a dedication to self-education, an adventurous sojourn in Burma, and profound connections to his ancestral roots in Ireland, particularly the area around Downpatrick. While he achieved some fame within national and some international Muslim literary circles, Parkinson has been largely forgotten until a recent revival of his work, which saw several of his poems set to music and him being referred to as the Muslim Robert Burns, the more famous Ayrshire poet.
Interest for Diverse Audiences: This biography will be of particular interest to Muslims in the UK, offering insights into a notable figure who seamlessly blended his faith with his artistic expression. Additionally, poetry enthusiasts and those fascinated by the history of Lecale will find this book to be an invaluable resource, providing a rich blend of cultural, literary, and historical narratives.
Praise for ‘The Muslim Rabbie Burns’:
“This book is a significant first: a complete biography of Britain’s earliest major Muslim poet, amply and ably backed up with original research.”
Abdal Hakim Murad, Founder of the Cambridge Muslim College
“Blair’s study breaks new ground in uncovering more about Parkinson’s roots in Northern Ireland… It opens up new perspectives on an unjustly neglected British Muslim pioneer and spiritual grandfather of the country’s growing convert population.”
Yahya Birt, Research Director, Ayaan Institute
“A timely book celebrating the life and achievements of our near forgotten Scottish Muslim convert trailblazer/forefather, John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson. His story as a talented Scottish poet whose intertwined life as a Muslim with cosmopolitan values and his Ayrshire identity along with his ancestral Irish roots is elaborately explored in this book. The life of Yehya beautifully highlights why he converted and his links to other notable Muslim converts in Britain, the Muslims in South East Asia and the early connection of Islam to Scotland in the Victorian era.”
Dr Omar Shaikh, Founder, Colourful Heritage
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