The day I’m killed
Dr Az a fearless and sensitive soul – sent me this poem via email. Travel TicketsThe day I’m killed,my killer, rifling through my pockets,will…
‘You turned out to be just like us’ –
By Pakistani poet Fahmida Riaz. The inimitable Fahmida Riaz, who is a favourite of mine, was disappointed during her stay in India (during the…
Aaj Kay Mouzu – Behjat Gilani, Urdu VOA
Was at the Urdu VOA program Aaj Kay Mouzu with Behjat Gilani, spoke about Israel-Palestine issue.…
Countless walls that divide the hearts – by Majeed Amjad
I had written about Majeed Amjad, a forgotten but outstanding Urdu poet of twentieth century. Today, a friend tagged me (on facebook) with another…
Pakistani journalist shares why his work led to an attempt on his life
I was recently interviewed by Al Jazeera TV – here is a video clip: Raza Rumi describes the state of the media in Pakistan,…
Reviews on Delhi by Heart
Fiction writer Intizar Hussain (DAWN) “In his exuberance, Rumi started writing without planning beforehand, knowing not how his narrative will end. The narrative, however,…
A wonderful review of my book by Rana Safvi
Here’s a lovely review written by Rana Safvi over at her blog “Dilli jo aik shahar tha aalam mai intikhaab rahtay thay hee jahaan…
A book with a view
Delhi by Heart in NYC, originally uploaded by Jahane Rumi. A friend of mine – KS – was most kind to have purchased my…
Afghanistan: no cooperation, no stability
This is a shorter version of a brief which was prepared for Pakistani Senate’s standing committee on Defence. Also published here. Full report here…
Karbala and the Imam Husayn in Persian and Indo-Muslim literature – Schimmel
Thanks to a friend on Twitter I rediscovered this essay by the great Annemarie Schimmel which I had read in the pre-internet times. The…
The killings of Shias is a rude wake-up call for the saner elements in our state and society
My piece published today in TNS “The joke is that those who raise the slogan of Islam in the loudest voices have nothing to…
Destruction of Lahore’s Walled City is rampant as restoration efforts remain sketchy
One of my three reports published earlier this year in Herald’s annual issue on heritage Lahore fabled Walled City is now a grand metaphor…
Independent policy research is direly needed
My interview published in the Business Recorder, Pakistan: Raza Ahmed, popularly known by his pen name, Raza Rumi, is a policy adviser and development…
A season of quotes
Never a dull moment. And, increasing requests for quotes, opinions and reactions. Sometimes I wonder if it makes a difference? I am putting some…
Marta Franceschini: H Nizamuddin Auliya’s devotee
This message cheered me up. Amazing that some of us have never met yet there is a bond we share – the calm space…
What the heart is like – a poem by Miroslav Holub
Today, my friend Khalid Mir told me rather casually that he had been reading poems by Miroslav Holub. I had heard his name; and…
A poem by Eunice de Souza
Through a Twitter discussion with Rohit Chopra (an Indian academic based in the US), Eunice deSouza re-emerged in my cluttered mind. DeSouza taught a…
Photo of the Day: Sufis and Soothsayers in Pakistan
By  Shreeya Sinha Source: http://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/photo-day-sufis-and-soothsayers-pakistan…
Taj Mahal – a poem by Sahir Ludhianvi (reposted)
Today is Sahir Ludhianvi’s death anniversary. Am reposting this poem for the readers. Sahir Ludhianvi’s immortal poem Taj Mahal has always fascinated me. It…