Being well read is like diving open-eyed into the ocean. We are shown a world of wonder, of shuddering power, of infinite beauty, of cruel contrast, of great depth, of breathtaking colour – and many surprises. The ocean is no longer an expanse of water. So who would not want to dive?

Shafiq Morton is an award-winning photo-journalist and radio presenter. Recipient of two Vodacom awards, he received the 2012 AWQAF award for contribution to community media. Author of three books, Imtiaz Sooliman and the Gift of the Givers, Notebooks from Makkah and Madinah and Surfing behind the Wall, My Palestinian Journey, Morton was voted amongst the 500 most influential Muslims in the world in the media category by the Royal Islamic Strategic Centre in Jordan.