From the category archives:

Society

State And Liberal Ideas

by Guest Post

In order to strengthen the liberal forces within both the communities, a larger responsibility falls on the state to create a conducive and non-intimidating environment where the liberals within all communities have equal opportunity and fair chance to compete and put across their views and ideas as well.

0 comments

Begin Holi with a Bismillah

by Kashif

History books are full of kings and their battles and we forget people who were not involved in warfare. Much is yet to be written about Sufis and their contribution to India.
Bulleh Shah is a famous Sufi who continues to be popular because of his poetry. Below, I present a poem written by him on [...]

0 comments

No Country For Women

by Guest Post

The fight for survival for the Indian female starts in the womb. If she is lucky to be born, she becomes ready meat for men of substance. Men like SPS Rathore, masculinity of whom is pampered in the cosy cot of political power.Why do we sacrifice mothers, daughters and sisters for fathers, sons and brothers?

3 comments

Folklore Sans Frontiers

by Raza Rumi

Six decades have passed since rivers of blood were unleashed by the tragic events of 1947, where an unnatural division of a territory was imposed by a cabal of self-obsessed politicians of all varieties and faiths, in cahoots with their imperial masters. It will take years, perhaps decades, but the dream for a visa-less, peacefully coexistent countries of South Asia will be realized. We will wait, but not give up

1 comment

Muslim Women Of Malabar

by Kashif

Malabar Muslim women may be dressed- traditional, modern, or religious- Mappila women cannot be ignored. Until recently, a section of ulama were opposed to women’s education but people’s attitude changed and now the same group of traditional ulama have set up an engineering college with a women’s hostel attached. Times have changed.

Interview: Nasr Abu Zayd On A Humanistic Reading Of The Islamic Tradition

by Yoginder Sikand

Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd is a well-known Egyptian Islamic scholar. Controversies about his academic work led to a court decision of apostasy and the denial of the appointment. A hisbah trial started against him Islamist groups and he was declared a heretic (Murtadd) by an Egyptian court.

1 comment

Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, 1935 – 2009

by Guest Post

Ansari was a rare intellectual and a great negotiator of theologico-political issues, combining the best traditions of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Iqbal and Mahatma Gandhi. He was a unique Muslim intellectual who spoke with reason and in a language understandable to non-Muslim jurists, secular intellectuals and rights activists, Muslim clerics and even international jihadis.

3 comments

Mewat Witnessing A Great Educational Revolution

by Yoginder Sikand

Despite its proximity to Delhi, Gurgaon and Jaipur, Mewat is one of the most impoverished regions in northern India. Lack of education in Meos was wide spread but now young Meos are striving for ‘modern’ education. Dozens of ‘modern’ schools run by Meos have mushroomed all over Mewat. Increasing number of girls are enrolling in these and in government-run schools and many ulema are on the forefront of promoting ‘modern’, in addition to religious education among the Meos.

The Annual Of Urdu Studies: Urdu Scholarship In English Language

by Kashif

The Annual of Urdu Studies (AUS) was started in 1980 by Prof. C. M. Naim of the University of Chicago, who published it from 1981 to 1990. Three years later, Prof. Memon at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, took over the responsibility of this journal. He has published this journal without a break since 1993. It is an annual publication and has so far published 24 issues. The journal is now facing difficulties and is in need of financial support to keep the publication going.

1 comment

Namaz At India Islamic Cultural Centre

by Kashif

India Islamic Cultural Center (IICC) takes your breath away with its beautiful dome, intricate calligraphy and delicate design. With the objective to “promote understanding among the people of different religion and help the promotion of the cause of national integration,” it has quickly become an important institution.

← Previous Entries