Pakistan: A transitional polity
Pakistan’s existentialist crisis is no longer a strictly Pakistani issue. Its potential repercussions have emerged as a cornerstone of global debates on regional stability…
Who’s afraid of Dara Shikoh’s ghost?
It is now a given that the Pakistani state is a playground for Islamism and extremism under various guises and forms. Since the passage…
Dark forces still potent year after Bhutto’s slaying
I was quoted in this piece posted below SAEED SHAH ISLAMABAD SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL, DECEMBER 27, 2008 A year after Benazir…
Struggle for the soul
– Ayeda Naqvi While it is tempting to give in to anger, it is more important to take a deep breath and remember that…
In City of Tolerance…
I was quoted in this NYT article on Lahore Still, Raza Rumi, a writer and blogger who takes great pride in his city, insisted…
Revelations of war crimes and moralizing idealism
By Charles Bogle (found here) The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism, by Ron Suskind. New…
Fascist Wilders should be ignored
“..calling it a film is to abuse both the English language and the legacy of cinema” Yesterday, a friend sent an internet link to…
Pakistan Suicide Bombings: The narratives of terror
An overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s population finds itself hostage to narratives of ‘terror’ that are either alien to its ethos or are constructed by…
Rethinking Islam and Hinduism
S Irfan Habib in New Delhi There has been a lot of noise about rethinking in Islam, particularly post September 11,2001. I feel it…
In Benazir’s death
It was in the dargah compound of Ajmer when our phones started buzzing with friends and relatives wanting to share grief on the loss…
Of ignorance and knowledge – thinking of Professor Aghajari
I am a child whose teacher is love. surely my master won’t let me grow to be a fool* I have been told that…
Save the Buddha Statues in Swat, Pakistan
It is disturbing that there is no writ of the government in Swat – otherwise a stunningly beautiful valley. Considering that the army is…
More on M F Husain – the great artist
I wrote about M F Husain’s persecution at the hands of extremists here. Parvaiz Alvi sent me images of his works that were most…
Pakistani Civil Society Confronts Extremism
Thousands marched in the blistering heat on the streets of Lahore; and similar demonstrations were held in Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar. Full entry here…
Surveys show that Pakistanis (and Muslims) reject ‘terrorism’
The Daily Times Pakistan has published a story on surveys carried out by various organizations. The results are quite revealing not least for Pakistan.…
Hijab and the truth behind it
Hindustan Times published this piece by Sadia Dehlvi yesterday. Two weeks ago, an Afghan woman carrying a baby in her arms and wearing a…
Islamophobia of Muslims
A sad day for Pakistan and progressive Islam. A close associate of Javaid Ghamidi– perhaps the best known Pakistani exponent of enlightened (I hate…
End of the Enlightenment
This is a 2005 piece published by NewScientist.com and authored by Debora Mackenzie is an interesting read. I have often wondered where the world…