Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan
Great Lives
BBC
4.2 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 28 December 2021
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan was an Indian muslim princess who became an under-cover agent for the ‘SOE’ – Churchill’s Special Operational Executive. She’s one of only a handful of women in the second world war awarded The George Cross, the highest civilian decoration in the UK.
Noor's story will take us from Moscow to London, then Paris. There will be Sufism interwoven with Indian classical music and tales of sultans and maharajas. Her life championed by actor, writer and director Priyanga Burford, known for roles in ‘Innocent’ and ‘Silent Witness’ and the comedy series ‘The Thick of It’. She’s also had a brush with espionage herself, appearing as a scientist in the James Bond blockbuster ‘No Time to Die’.
Having discovered Noor whilst searching for inspiration for her own writing, Priyanga became fascinated by a woman who defied expectations and demonstrated immense courage and bravery. Discussion features guest expert Sufiya Ahmed, author of 'My Story: Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan'.
Presented by Matthew Parris Produced by Nicola Humphries
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, let me ask you, sir. |
| 0:03.8 | Have you heard George's podcast? |
| 0:06.1 | Me and Ben Brick are back with a blast. |
| 0:08.1 | This time with stories from Africa's past, not too distant, unsolved mysteries, unsung |
| 0:13.8 | heroes from untold histories. |
| 0:15.8 | I'm trying to make sense of the present day, join me on this journey by pressing play. |
| 0:23.8 | Have you heard George's podcast, Chapter 4? |
| 0:27.2 | Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:30.3 | Today's Great Life is going to take us on quite a journey. |
| 0:33.7 | From Moscow to London, then Paris via the mysteries of Suphism into woven with Indian classical |
| 0:40.3 | music and tales of sultans and Maharajas, there will be espionage, bravery and bond. |
| 0:47.4 | James Bond. |
| 0:49.0 | Today's Great Life is Naurun Nisa Inayad Khan, an Indian Muslim princess who became an undercover |
| 0:55.6 | agent for the SOE Churchill's Special Operations Executive. |
| 1:00.8 | She's one of only a handful of women in the Second World War to be awarded the George |
| 1:05.4 | Cross, the highest civilian decoration in the United Kingdom. |
| 1:10.3 | Naur is championed today by our guest actor and writer Priyanka Burford, whose television |
| 1:16.9 | credits include the drama series Innocent, Silent Witness and Comedy Series The Thick |
| 1:22.4 | of It. |
| 1:23.7 | You recently had a brush with espionage yourself appearing in the latest 007 film No Time |
| 1:30.0 | to Die. |
| 1:31.0 | I'm jealous. |
... |
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