Tharik Hussain

Hussain was born in Sylhet District, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh, and grew up in Tower Hamlets, London, England.

From 1990 to 1995, Hussain attended Raine's Foundation School. From 1997 to 1999, studied A level English Language, Economics, Law at Newham Sixth Form College. In 2004, he graduated with a 2:1 bachelor's degree in Media and Cultural Studies with Journalism from Middlesex University. In 2005, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Lecturer of Further Education and Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills at the University of Greenwich. In 2011, he completed a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, University of London.

Hussain has been uncovering some of Europe's forgotten Islamic history for nearly two decades.

From January 2001 to July 2002, Hussain was a journalist at Eastern Eye. From July 2002 to September 2003, he was chief editor of Stepney Voice. From October to June 2006, he was a copyeditor at Saudi Gazette. Since April 2014, he has been a freelance journalist, travel writer, broadcaster, photographer and Muslim travel consultant. Since January 2016, he has been a destination guide writer at Lonely Planet. Since February 2017, he has been a travel writer at Arab News.

In 2015, Hussain recorded a documentary America's Mosques, a story of integration which tells the journey of how Islam came to America for the BBC World Service. During his travels, Hussain spent time with the American-Bangladeshi community. The BBC World Service has commissioned Hussain for a follow up in the wake of the Donald Trump presidency.

In 2015, he drove across the Balkans on a summer road trip with his family, exploring the rich Islamic history of nations such as Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania in search of the region's forgotten Muslim heritage. Hussain is now working on his first book to turn those adventures into a book about the journey.

In July 2016, he launched and launch London's first European Muslim Heritage Exhibition named Don't Forget About Us; a Journey Through Europe's Muslim Heritage at the London Muslim Centre in London.

Hussain has finished working on the first-ever Hajj Guide for Lonely Planet.

From 2005 to 2006, Hussain was also an English teacher at Global International School. From 2006 to 2007, he was a further education lecturer and teacher of sociology at Bishop Challoner School. From 2007 to 2013, he was a curriculum leader of media studies at The Sydney Russell School, and head of community arts development since 2007.

In June 2016, Hussain's documentary America's Mosques won an award for the World's Best Religious Program at the New York Festivals (NYFF) Radio Programs Awards. In November 2016, it was shortlisted for the Radio Creative Feature Award at the Association for International Broadcasters Awards.

Hussain lives in Highams Park, London, England, and has two children.