Ganimor Press

19/10/2025

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

Available via Amazon - £9.99

18/10/2025

LAUNCHING SOON...

Montgomery’s Measure uncovers the life and legacy of John Wilson ‘J.W.’ Montgomery (1834–1911), a Victorian lyricist, antiquarian, and public servant whose contributions to Irish poetry and poor law administration have long gone overlooked. Born in County Cavan and later settled in Downpatrick, Montgomery spent decades working within the workhouse system – an institution rooted in centuries of social reform. Yet beyond the ledger and labour, he cultivated a rich inner life, publishing six volumes of poetry and prose, corresponding with literary figures of his day, and raising a family whose descendants would include composer Alicia Adélaïde Needham and biochemist Dr. Joseph Needham.
This biography, assembled from newspaper archives, family documents, and marginalia found in a rare edition of Montgomery’s Fireside Lyrics, offers the most complete portrait to date of a man once hailed as ‘The Sweet Bard of Bailieborough’ – though perhaps more rightly remembered as Downpatrick’s own. With 32 of his poems included throughout, Montgomery’s Measure seeks not only to restore his name to the historical record, but to honour the sentiment expressed by fellow poet David Herbison: ‘’Tis for your songs and songs alone, I wish you to be better known.’

14/10/2025

Daughter of J.W. Montgomery, the focus of a new biography coming soon - Montgomery's Measure - The Life and work of J.W. Montgomery: Sweet Bard of Bailieborough.

Alicia Adelaide Needham (née Montgomery), born in 1863 in County Meath, Ireland, was a prolific composer and a pioneering figure in Irish music and cultural life. Though her birthplace was Oldcastle, she spent much of her childhood in Downpatrick, Lecale, where her parents held significant roles in the local workhouse - her father, John Wilson Montgomery, served as Master, and her mother Mary (née Argue) as Matron. This environment, steeped in the realities of social care and public service, likely influenced her later humanitarian efforts and deep sense of Irish identity. Her father was also known as an antiquarian and poet, dubbed the 'Bard of Bailieborough,' which may have nurtured Alicia’s early artistic inclinations.

Educated at Victoria College in Londonderry and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Alicia Needham developed into a skilled pianist and composer. Her career flourished after her marriage to Dr. Joseph Needham in 1892, who actively supported her musical ambitions. She became known for her Irish ballads and lullabies, winning multiple awards at the Feis Ceoil and gaining recognition with works like 'An Irish Lullaby' and 'Husheen.' Her achievements were groundbreaking: she was the first woman to conduct at the Royal Albert Hall and the first female president of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Despite personal challenges, including an unhappy marriage, she published hundreds of compositions and remained a passionate advocate for Irish culture throughout her life.

04/09/2025

Thanks to Colourful Heritage for the feature in their latest newsletter, highlighting 'The Muslim Rabbie Burns'.

Now available for just £9.99 via Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muslim-Rabbie-Burns-Remarkable-Parkinson/dp/B0FPBGGV2W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4OSDLMXMF1II&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2sz9fJPPtrspEzlac70MnUiPiMBCP6syWelI6D9V6cbGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.tP7bT3Cm-YiGZbzRCQhFDy6qCJ_-zcB86DmDJbu0iuc&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+muslim+rabbie+burns&qid=1756982836&sprefix=the+muslim+rabbie+burns%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1

02/09/2025

A new second edition, printed in monotone, is now available for just £9.99.
Get your copy directly from Amazon today via this link: https://amzn.eu/d/dpGG53q

Discover the life and legacy of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson in this new biography, the first in over a century.
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.

18/07/2025

** AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON **

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

16/01/2025

Grateful thanks to Salaam for this review of The Muslim Rabbie Burns...

Author: Philip S. BlairPublisher: Kindle Direct PublishingFormat: Paper backPages: 113Source: available from Amazon Kilwinning is a town in North Ayrshire to the…

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

11/01/2025

Thanks to My Poetic Side for a further write-up of my new biography of John Parkinson.

Today’s poetry new round up takes a look at the Muslim Rabbie Burns, the 2025 Peter Porter Poetry Prize and the Burns inspired pub menu.

11/01/2025

Thank you to the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald for the write-up on the Parkinson biography.

Story of Kilwinning author and poet who converted to Islam and became known as the Muslim Rabbie Burns, is told in a new biography.

07/01/2025

We are super excited to share about the release of a new book 📕 - 'The Muslim Rabbie Burns: The Remarkable Life of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson' in Jan 2025 written by his long distant cousin Philip K Blair. He was investigating the family tree and came across Yehya Parkinson who converted to Islam and was intrigued by his Irish and Scottish roots. Therefore decided to write in more detail about him after being inspired.

Colourful Heritage provided some vital pictures/info wrt to John ‘Yehya’ Parkinsons grave, burial site and books he wrote. We are grateful that we have been both credited & acknowledged in this book.

See the overview section at the end where Colourful Heritage Founder Dr Omar Shaikh has provided a review of this book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muslim-Rabbie-Burns-Remarkable-Parkinson/dp/B0DS1DXQ8C

Pls share with friends and anyone that may be interested in this history. Thank you!
Convert Muslim Foundation
Edinburgh Central Mosque

05/01/2025