Qurratulain Hyder is dead!
I have been upset the entire day. Perhaps it does not matter in the larger scheme of things. But this is a sad, sad…
Darlymple on India and Pakistan
William Darlymple’s article published in the Guardian is an insightful piece that attempts to be unbiased and reflects on some pertinent issues that afflict…
Islam forbids terrorism
Excerpts from here: Sentence of death is allowed only through the process of justice, but even then, forgiveness is better. Nor take life –…
On Half truths – Guest Post by Ali Eteraz
Today, Jahane Rumi is publishing a guest post by Ali Eteraz who is well known in the blogopshere. Eteraz is a gifted, fiery writer…
60 “Best” Books from India
To celebrate the Indian Independence day, Hindustan Times has published a rather interesting list of 60 best books from India. From the list, my…
Nazmain Chand – Poems for 15th August
Happy Independence day to the Indian friends and readers! Today’s post comprises a few poems that may capture several moods and facets of the…
60 Years of Independence – some links
Found these great links on the internet: Freedom at Midnight by VK Joshi Bombay Stock Exchange – Epitomizing India’s Growth by Nayanima Basu Raising…
Healing the wounds of Partition ..
I read this interesting, albeit a little contentious, piece by Ravinder Kaur that examined the impact of partition on settling the communal question. The…
Du’aa (Prayer) on the Independence Day
This moving poem by Faiz was written forty years ago and still sounds so fresh and relevant… Du’aa (Prayer) — A nazm for Pakistan’s…
Becoming Pakistani
A fine piece of writing at Opendemocracy: As a small child, Maruf Khwajas life was transformed by the carving of his mother country into…
‘Gandhi, My Father’ – humanising heroes
It is an interesting coincidence that the new Bollywood film, Gandhi – My Father has been released days before the subcontinent celebrates sixty years…
Breaking the taboo – ancient manuscripts come to light
Shahzada Irfan has written this piece on the discovery of a hidden treasure at the Punjab University. Ancient Sanskrit manuscripts have finally come under…
A place unsown…
Another profund Rumination – The Absolute Being works in nonexistence – what but nonexistence is the workshop of the Maker of existence? Does anyone…
Einstein on Religion and Science
Came across this brilliant quote from Einstein: In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up…
Swedish film icon Bergman dies at 89
From daily DAWN: STOCKHOLM, July 30: Legendary Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, who influenced a generation of film-makers with his often stark works on…
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sings Bulleh Shah
I had earlier posted a video of Abida Parveen singing Bulleh Shah. While that is an all time favourite, the global voice of Nusrat…
Tum bilkul hum jaisey nikley – Fahmida Riaz
Guest Post by Raza Rumi After reading some of the recent posts and comments on the communal politics and the [ab]use of religion, I…
Ideology of intolerance
Sadia Dehlvi forwarded her insightful article that rightly argues how the fringe (notably the Wahabite sect) in Islam has distorted the faith of learning…
Window 2×2 without a View
A powerful poem by HUR on the recent events in Islamabad.. Window 2×2 without a View A low 2×2 window, painted dark green. on…
Ajmer – my scuttled travel plans
Ajmer Shareef is a spiritual centre-point in South Asia. It is not just another Muslim Saint’s dergah but represents the glorious tradition of inclusiveness…