Category Archives: News & Analysis

News & Analysis Section

A film on the contribution of Indian Muslims

A film produced by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. part 1: Part 2: Part 3:

Posted in Culture & Heritage, India | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Scent in an Islamic Garden

‘Scent is the food of the soul, and the soul is the vehicle of the faculties of man.’ –Hadith attributed to the Prophet of Islam One has heard of literary history, social history, to some extent even economic history culled … Continue reading

Posted in Culture & Heritage, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

In praise of paan

dekhna ai “Zauq” honge aaj phir laakhoN ke khooN phir jamaaya us ne laal-e-lab pe laakha paan kaa — Zauq Paan is almost as old as India itself. Ameer Khusro in his book “ijaaz-e-khusravi” gives some qualities of paan. 1. … Continue reading

Posted in Culture & Heritage, India, Society | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Wali Gujarati: Father of Urdu poetry

Wali Gujarati [1667-1707] is considered father of Urdu poetry. While we all know the respect Ghalib paid to Meer few of us know what Meer Taqi Meer said about Wali: Khugar nahin kuch yun hi hum Rekhta-goi kay Mashooq jo … Continue reading

Posted in Culture & Heritage, Remembering Gujarat | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Patriotic Music in India and the Muslim Contribution

AS we celebrate our 63rd Republic Day, let’s take a look at some Muslim contribution to patriotic songs in India over the years. The list is not exhaustive and considers only the more popular ones. 1 ‘Watan ki raah mein … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Asrar-ul-Haq Majaz – A Journey of Love, Hope and Nationalism

THE year was 1935. The union hall of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was brimming with students and the atmosphere was electric. A young man in sherwani stands up. He runs his hand through his long locks, and recites his poem … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Women In Islam

Sadia Dehlvi’s interview on ETV Urdu Continue reading

Posted in India, Islam | 1 Comment

A Journey to the Heart of Islam

Mecca is one place that every Muslim is supposed to visit once in a life. I was lucky enough to go for Umrah, early this year. Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Who am I?

I was born and brought up in and around Patna. And hence, the earliest encounters I had was with people living in this ancient land. It is, like any other city in India, an immensely diverse place. The resolution of … Continue reading

Posted in Culture & Heritage, India, Islam, Society | 7 Comments

Ramadan series: Ummah

On day 6 of Ramadan, I decided to go the local masjid for iftar to feel the community. Outside the annual Hajj, American masaajid are the best place to feel the diversity of the ummah. Iftar was simple with milk … Continue reading

Posted in Society, World | Tagged , , | 3 Comments