From the category archives:

Culture & Heritage

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

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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.

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.

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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.

Happy Holi Everyone!

by Mohib Ahmad

Wishing a happy Holi to all the readers. Enjoy it with a beautiful poem that places the Prophet in a very distinct Indian cultural mileu written by Hazrat Shah Niaz. Abida Parveen has rendered it amazingly well in the album Raqs-e-Bismil.

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Maulana Azad – The Architect Of India’s Freedom

by Firoz Bakht Ahmed

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad is, by any reckoning, a major figure in twentieth-century Indian History. He truly represents the legacy of the composite Islamic tradition of India

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To which religion plants belong

by Dr. Amina Ather

For some reason a few plants have come to denote a particular religion. Plants like Neem and Tulsi have a medicinal quality which should go beyond any such classification

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Ghalib: Ode to Benaras

by Raza Rumi

It is sad that our ancestors, not in a very distant past, were much more respectful of other religions. Mirza Ghalib at his time wrote glowingly about Benaras during a visit to the Hindu holy city.

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Mehrauli Bomb Blast And Phool Walon Ki Sair

by Kaleem Kawaja

Recent bomb blast in Mehrauli killed three innocent Indians and injured over a dozen. Mehrauli hosts “Phoolwalon Ki Sair”, a historical event with its roots in communal harmony.

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When The Believers Faced Jerusalem

by Rupa Abdi

An ancient Masjid in Gujarat, perhaps the oldest in the country, lies in ruins today.

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