UNPACKING THE BLASPHEMY LAWS OF PAKISTAN
Introduction Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have been used to perpetrate legitimised violence, executed in the name of religion. These laws have been used particularly…
The sanctuary
Nizamuddin’s shrine and the dergah complex is a source of comfort. Each time I have been there, I have felt uncanny sense of comfort…
A personal God?
Found this post on a web-list: The “Creator” (according to a saying of the Prophet) says: “I AM for you, what you think of…
Use of Religion in Politics Interview With Murtaza Solangi
Murtaza Solangi and Tanzeela Mazhar discuss how political parties in Pakistan have often resorted to the use of religion in politics…
حضرت عمر بن خطاب نے کہا تھا کہ اگر دریا کے کنارے کو کتا بھی مرا تو اس کا ذمہ دار میں ہوں گا
حضرت عمر بن خطاب نے کہا تھا کہ اگر دریا کے کنارے کو کتا بھی مرا تو اس کا ذمہ دار میں ہوں گا…
One size may not fit all
Excerpts from my statement: Raza Rumi, Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, says the government has much to do when it…
Blasphemy Divide: Insults to Religion Remain a Capital Crime in Muslim Lands
Excerpt of My statements: The issue of blasphemy is about the political insecurity of the Muslims, and about the Muslim public reaction to the…
The Rise of Religious Intolerance in Pakistan: Implications for Democratic Development and Human Rights
My talk at the National Endowment for Democracy on religious intolerance in Pakistan. In early November 2014, a mob in Kasur, Pakistan burned a…
Raza Rumi says other Muslim countries have adopted birth control
Raza Rumi’s opinion on increasing population rates in Pakistan. He illustrates how Muslim countries across the globe have been promoting birth control measures.…
Ramzan – A month of Piety
Contributed by Sadia Dehlvi As children we aimed our eyes at the horizon trying to spot the small sliver and once the Ramzan moon…
Developments around Taseer killing disturb liberal Pakistanis
Islamabad, Jan 5 The emergence of Facebook pages eulogising the assassin of Governor Salmaan Taseer and praise from Islamic clerics for the killer have…
Lahore – a nightmare that is still not over
Updated: my quotes in Tehran Times Today’s events in Lahore have shaken the entire country. The zealots and the bigots aside, an ordinary Pakistani…
Pak Nobel laureate’s Ahmedi status hurdle for documentary
I was quoted in this story – a slight spin but an important point nevertheless.. Two young Pakistanis are battling all odds to make…
The closed minds that deny a civilisation’s glories – where I was quoted
I was most pleased to read this piece by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown entitled The closed minds that deny a civilisation’s glories. I would like to…
Pseudo-Messianic Movements in Contemporary Muslim South Asia
This new book by Yoginder Sikand has been published by Global Media Publications in 2008. Messianic hopes and expectations are common to almost all…
Carlos Latuff’s artwork on Gaza
Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff creates artworks that call on the world to condemn Israeli brutalities in Gaza. Carlos Latuff’s statement: I’d like to beg…
Symbolism And Allegory In Qur’aan
The Message of the Quran Translated and Explained by Muhammad Asad (Formerly Leopold Weiss) When studying the Quran, one frequently encounters what may be…
Christian Fundamentalism, the Global Crusade and Muslims
Yoginder Sikand, the Indian analyst sent me this well written expose on problem that we all confront – of coping with fundamentalism. Now let…
Happy Diwali – on light and triumph
Indians and Hindus in Pakistan are celebrating Diwali today – I wish them a very happy Diwali. There will be fireworks and festivities signifying…
Imam Hussain: The Beloved of the Beloved
By Syed Salman Chishty Shah Ast Hussain Among the Belivers are Men ,who delivered their promise to Allah (Ayah 23/ Surah Al-Ahzab) On the…