Exploring the rich multicultural history of Devon.

Tim Niblock Interview

Posted on

19th March 2021

Posted by

Cosmic

Posted in

Exeter Community Stories

Professor Tim Niblock set up Exeter University’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies. Before that, he worked in Sudan for eight years, and married a Sudanese Coptic Christian. He has lived in Exeter since 1978, and has a unique perspective on Exeter’s Arab and Muslim populations.

He was interviewed by Nazima Khan and Ghee Bowman on 14th January 2013. There are three extracts here  – listen to an extract by clicking on the play button. Read the summary transcript here.

Extract 1

Tim talks about coming to Exeter in 1978, and the Muslim population here then.

Extract 2

Racism against Arabs in Exeter in the  1980s. Tim tells a story of meeting a member of the public who’d written to the Express & Echo after Tim had been interviewed.

Extract 3

As well as Joseph Pitts, there were other folk from Devon in North Africa during the 17th century.