Aamir - A Film Review

Most of the film is shot in the rough, mean streets of Mumbai and captures the cold, indifferent character of the city and its people.

Local Liberal Dribble

I think it's time we start addressing irrationally-charged matters like religious fanaticism as a psychological issue rather than an intellectual or an ideological one.

The 'One God' Religions of Revelation

The success of the `One God’ idea was its ability to use fear to empower the professional priests enabling them to command the absolute obedience of their followers.

Restoring the Civil Rights of Ahmadis

The persecution of Ahmadis even under the present mangled constitution is patently unconstitutional.

Were Buddhists and Jains Persecuted in Ancient India?

Many genuinely believe that Hinduism had always been a tolerant religion that assimilated other peoples and ideas without bloody conflict.

Confessions of a Religious Fundamentalist

I just want you to understand that never mind the beautiful facades of different ISMS, at the base of it all we are all religious and all fundamentalists.

The Power of Faith

Religion has become a weekend thing, where offering Friday prayers means immunity from everything that is required of a Muslim.

The Vicious Circle of Violence

The birthday of The Prophet Muhammad is a good time to remember that he was a man of peace. But the intoxicating violence now makes it difficult to go back to the origins.

Of Sin and Crime

I was fervidly persuaded that day by my neighbour molvi sahib to attend this Jum’a congregation in a madrassah near the city centre.

What is Hinduism? A Personal View

There is no word in the Indian native languages for Religion, or its Arabic equivalent, Madhab. It is commonly and erroneously translated as “Dharma�.

Fundamentalism and Violence

Human beings are conditioned by their families and communities and violent cultures produce violent people.

Search for Origins of Mahayana Buddhism

The land of Pakistan is blessed with one of the most important treasures of the world, the glorious civilization of Buddhism flourishing in the North Western areas of Pakistan.

Can Religious Leaders Redeem the Future of the World?

138 prominent Muslim scholars have written an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI calling for religious harmony between Christians and the Muslims.

Bernard Lewis and the Neocon view of Islam

Lewis has had such a profound influence that according to the Wall Street Journal, “the Lewis doctrine, in effect, had become US policy�.

The Ramadan Ordinance

In 1981, the Ramadan Ordinance was issued by President of Pakistan Zia ul Haq, whereby eating, drinking and smoking in public during fasting hours in the month of Ramadan was declared unlawful.

Mother Teresa’s Moment of Truth

Soon afterwards the doubts and skepticism, not about her missionary work but her faith, began to assail her mind and lasted until her death.

The Paradox Cult

The hypocrisy with which the cult leaders lure and seduce; poor and illiterate parents and their children alike, under the banner of Islamic teachings.

Anatomy of Revenge

Evil things are never committed with such enthusiasm, pride and joy as when they are done out of revenge and especially if they are done in the name of religion.

Does Islam, in fact, Encourage Paedophilia?

Sexual attraction to postpubescent teens has existed in every culture throughout history.

Demystification of the Other

A spiritual journey to places of worship--mosque, church and synagogue

The Madness of Crowds

When mention was made of his (Jerry Falwell's) intolerance or his blaming certain segments of society for national tragedies, his defenders would point to the Bible and say that Jerry was only saying what the book says.

Raiwind IX

During a talk show hosted by former Pakistani cricket captain, Rameez Raja, Inzimam-ul-Haq suggested that along with the usual cricket training, cricketers should also be given “deeni taleem” (religious education).

God, Religion and Spirituality

Doubters of the world Unite

Muharram 10: ’Ashura: Commemorating Imam Hussain- The Prince of Martyrs

A translation of a section from Jami’s Shawâhid al Nabuwwah

Reclaiming the Middle Ground

No matter how we try to dissociate ourselves from our Muslim identity, it comes back to us in unexpected ways.

Swearing-in Ceremony with Hand on the Bible?

American civilization is not the Christian civilization. America’s constitution is secular which does not discriminate among religions and states upfront, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public tru

Mohammad Yousuf: A tribute

I would like to say a sentence or two about the Pakistani who broke Sir Viv Richard’s long standing record for most runs in a calendar year, as many of you might already know that man is Mohammad Yosuf.

Which Islam?

Although many of us despise the western style secularism, western science and philosophy, western democracy, and modernity, we do not have any reasonable and pragmatic substitutes for them. The result is an intellectual schism.

Wahabism in Centers of Learning

Where open discussions on social and religious issues were the norm, one sees a sudden aversion to any difference in opinion. It is fast becoming taboo to question the judgement of any mullah lest one wish to bring upon oneself a violent reprisal.

Veil for vendetta

If countries and society can (and should!) heap scorn at swastika-wearing neo-Nazis, so should they at people trying to make religious statements with hijabs and crosses, especially at schools.

Animal Language

Now they are about to issue ‘fatwa’ against me. They suspect that I have changed my religion. But this is wrong. I have only stopped eating meat.

My Ramadan

This year before Ramadan I thought to myself – “at last after four years Ramadan back home!” Interestingly enough, last year I had Pakistan to miss, but this year I am terribly missing Ramadan in college.

Nature and Natural Disasters

Today, astronomers can predict eclipses with high precision for thousands of years. One day we will be able to do the same for earthquakes. Such an understanding will only come when we stop seeking supernatural explanations for natural phenomenon.

Infallibility No guard Against Stupidity

I’m not sure what is more vexing, the fact that the pope said what he did, or the calim that he didn’t mean to cause offense.

Mullahs: Dulha Bhais of the World

The flames of hatred are easy to fan and difficult to extinguish. When the flames are stoked by religious fervor, they are even more dangerous.

Has Hinduism had the Longest Tradition of Continuous Religion?

Hinduism, as generally practiced in India today, is very different to the forms of religion of earlier times. In the beginning, as in all religions, this tradition was oral but put to writing from about the time of Christ.

For the Heck of It

The critics and analysts have been trying to figure out what is common in existentialism and Bush’s faith as a re-born Christian. The main character in the novel, Meursault, shot and killed an Arab. The magistrate who was examining him was a true Ch

Baptism of Jesus Christ

Baptism before Jesus Christ was a simple act of immersion in the waters of River Jordan. Jesus was baptized in this way but an element of divine intervention was introduced in it asserting parting of the heaven, a dove descending from heaven and declaring

Holier than thou?

The Infidel

He was really adamant on getting rid of the Americans. So I decided to help him out with his problem.

Why Shankar Failed?

It is time now for you to experience the proximity of God.

God in Vedas and Upanishads

Indian philosophical thought can be generally divided in two divergent currents. One having its source in the Vedas and the other independent of it.

Miracles Can Happen

Pakistan has seen the worst type of bankruptcy and then raised its foreign reserves to 12 billion dollars. What do you call this? Isn’t this less than a miracle?

The Problem Of Pain In European History

The system demanded faith, and the credulous agrarian populace gladly obliged. Thus the dream of an elusive otherworldly paradise justified flagrant slaughters and gross injustice, in return providing hope to the common peasant wistfully anticipating Grac

When Spring Arrives - Celebrating Navroz

It is believed by some that it was the day of Navroz when Hazrat Adam was bestowed with the soul. It was the day of Navroz when Hazrat Abrahim destroyed the idols. It was the day of Navroz when Hazrat Noah’s Ark got rescued

An Ode to Euthanasia

The Muslim ummah is a myth. The myriad nature of Islamic and Muslim political thought defies such a myopic conceptualization due to the multitude of variances

Is there a God???

ever wondered how did the concept of God came from???

To Hold Up the Floor

How gently you knock when your blood
courses underneath, can you teach me that?

Church Lures Gujarat Tribals to Christ

Poverty is forcing the tribal community to embrace Christianity

That’s me in the Corner Losing My Religion

The talk about modernizing Islam has been going on for centuries.

Arabs, Jains, Mammon and Osama

There were two kinds of immigrants who washed up on the west coast of the sub continent.

Losing My Religion

When my son, aged 6, shortly after 9/11, comes to me and gingerly asks me – Mama, am I a Muslim? I am stumped. And immediately begin telling him he is ¾ Hindu and ¼ Muslim. That’s once again, my own insecurity about the world we live in.

Idolizing the Koran

When Muslims dare to understand not just the Koran but the Torah and the Bible they will most certainly regain what they seem to have lost and cannot attain. May we all attain our heavens!

The Aftergod

Lucifer, kneeling in front of God: And it will be done, my Lord. Detonates a massive anti-matter bomb: And away we go. God speed.

The Barbarians Within The Gates!

The time for half measures is over and there is no more room left to retreat before the creeping evil of religion in Pakistan.

Hajj in contemporary times

Hajj is a tremendous show of untapped, unexploited and raw strength, which, if intelligently channelled can yield tremendous benefits to Muslim Ummah.

The world of the Wise Lord

The other ancient philosophy emanated from Zoroastrianism which explained that a man’s life is a struggle between the good and the evil. Its monotheistic concept included a satan, a messiah, death, resurrection, day of judgment, heaven and hell.

America’s Moral Compass

The Western social contract is far more tolerant and fair than the Islamic social contract rooted in 7th century notions of intolerance.

What is Islamization of Science?

If science developed by Muslim scientists is to be called Islamic science, sure, it can be created if the Muslim scientists concentrate and produce some original work in scienc. But this sort of symbolization is apocryphal...

What Does It Mean to be a Muslim in a Secular Country?

The younger generation that is born and bred in the western secular countries is exposed to much broader influences ...

Religion in Politics

Contrary to popular belief that Pakistan was created to make an Islamic society, I have attempted to show that religion and politics are a dangerous mix particularly in the case of Pakistan.

Hey JC, won’t you smile for me?

Are we ready to believe that Jesus was not of virgin birth, he did not die on the Cross, he got married and was the father of three? As a woman, I find the idea of a male prophet who is vulnerable quite tantalising.

Bishop Spong’s Critique of the Traditional Christianity

Apropos of crucifixion of God together with Jesus Christ, Spong (9) remarked, “..any god who can be killed ought to be killed.”....

Our Minds Our Existance

If our existance is solely dependent on our ability to use our minds, and be able to reap the benefits or suffer the consequences, then, why is God there, at all?

The Troubled History of Jews

Historically, whichever society had welcomed the Jews to live in peace with it, it had gained not only in terms of scholarship and knowledge but also in terms of commerce, trade and wealth creation. So could the Middle East.

Deep Roots of Religious Orthodoxy

...The Church resisted the change in its geocentric belief due to Galileo’s efforts but the Christian religion accepted Galileo’s view nonetheless and the Pope formalized its recognition after more than three hundreds of poignant silence.....

Questioning the Hadeeth

Questioning the Hadeeth: The hadeeth restrict a lot of our actions, thoughts and put a cloud over the whole spirit of religion. The solution is to analyze this science. How reliable are the hadeeth?

Religiosity is the Death of Religion

Rituals, penances, processions and offerings packaged as joyous distractions cost much less than the effort of understanding and practicing the moral, social and philosophical tenets of any religion.

Stout!

They say God is the wisest. But why do this God appeal to the most exploitative and the most stupid, and the most sadistic, and the most idiotic.

Feudals and Us

From the time of King Akbar onward, mostly lower castes were converted to Islam in the second phase while tribal based conversions were mostly to Sikhism. The conversion to Islam based on tribal basis made it the majority religion in the region now compri

Understanding Sanatana Dharma

Dharma is the process for aligning one’s body, mind and soul with the nature in search of the Ultimate Truth or Reality to find salvation in life.

The Corrupted Daughter

What makes us corrupt? I sometimes wonder whether it is related to the awareness of having nothing or all. She was searching for someone within herself, someone who was there, yet missing or hiding.

A Song for the Lord of the Hills

But this time, the priest insisted on full disclosure of the names of the beneficiaries of the archanai! 'Abdul and Salma,' my friend said and then added their parents’ names as well, fearful that the priest might take umbrage.

The Kumbh Mela of the South

The next morning, I am woken up by the muezzin’s call to prayer from a nearby mosque. Shortly thereafter, the Someshwar Temple starts some recorded chant on its loudspeakers.

Alliance of Religious Leaders

World Youth Peace Summit Asia-Pacific was held on February 29, 2004 in Thailand where young people appeared with genuine commitment to work for the cause of peace in the region.

Quantitative Science in Evolution of Humanity

Through the evolution of natural science how successful we have been and to analyze the possible factors that serve as impediments in the improvement of the human condition.

Who is a Muslim?

...there were two qualifications: that you believe in one God and that you believe Muhammad was a prophet...

Conversion Confusion

Naila’s wedding is as old as Uzma’s younger son…running into six…and she is still issueless. Initially, the delay was intentional…the family is not sure if it is so anymore.

Can Science Survive?

It rains because God wills it, And God has created the sun to provide heat and daylight...

Religion without Science is Blind

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind -- Albert Einstein

Primetime Pope and the Maverick Mother

Can we pull up the Pope for human frailties...and what was Mother Teresa doing in a paddy field?

The Children of Abraham Share a Unique Heritage

A few people in Lodi, California led by Randy Rosa’ decided that instead of honoring separately a figure that all three of them revere, their reverence should instead be converted and used as a tool for creating inter-religious peace and community h

Conflict of Science with Theocracy

Although all the various governments in the Muslim countries are not constitutionally theocratic in structure, all of them do indeed have constitutional provisions forbidding divergence from the fundamental beliefs based on religious tradition and the Hol

The Curse of Mullah

The bill declared the wearing of shirts and trousers as “Un-Islamic” (and hence un-constitutional), and called for a strict ban on shirts and trousers in all schools and colleges of the province

The Defence College Experience

We also touched, perhaps superficially, on other national issues ranging from ‘economy’ to ‘national planning’ and had begun to have a false feeling of ‘knowing it all’.

Bari Imam’s Republic of Peeristan

Before, this disease was limited to the illiterate population of Pakistan, but now it’s becoming more of a fashion for literate and well-known people to be seeing some Pir or Sufi. It’s the latest new trend.

The Conversion Chiaroscuro

Didi became a Hindu. Long before the RSS and the Pope got into a tiff about conversions. At that time it meant nothing to me.

Yesterday and Tomorrow in India Today

Here was, then, the India of yesterday: poor, hungry, mired in poverty, highly dependent upon the vagaries of weather and yet full of life with colour, dance and music.

Trembling Camera Flare on a Column Within a Column

women who end up in this exclusive club-like section

Women in Religious Scriptures

Gender relationships in religious frame-work

The Tyson Who Didn't Fight Lewis

Why were you insulting Hinduism in there?

The New Jews

In this world, where Muslims are the new Jews, where Pakistanis are terrorists, visa cheaters and total bastards, What am I?

Travels through America - Deep Thoughts

Finally, it was one sight that took my heart and left a lasting impression on me of the beauty and simple innocence of a human being...

Documentarians Hope to Enlighten Americans about Prophet

the program provides a more balanced explanation of Muhammad's prophetic message of justice and mercy

Closet

obviously there are thousands of Khurram out there with their conflicting mind sitting in the darkness of the closet looking for the light

The Kal Aaj Aur Kal of Secularism

There is a generation growing distant from religion, and yet engagingly indulgent of it. Not so much as a pathway to salvation as much as a familiar lane of the past.

I am Ashamed and I Apologize

these people were not Hindus, for this is not what Hinduism teaches

Confessions of a BJP Supporter

Why was the philosophy of the Sangh Parivar attractive to so many urban middle class Hindus?

The Aga Khani

Since the Aga Khani does not fit a stereotype the believer cannot be recognised

Visit to Krishna-Janam-Bhoomi

My first visit to Mathura-Vrindavan

We, The Muslim Americans

We envisioned a happy co-existence

Forced Marriages in the UK

Parents don’t listen to what their children want

The Forgotten Children of God

Beneath the four main castes is a fifth group, the Scheduled Caste

Shadows of Hate

those who survive, will never be the same anymore

Little White Pills

Warning (Mature Content ) - He said goodbye to Rahul and his misery.

The Meaning of Pakistan

Metaphysical Politics of Pakistan

Marital Rape

A man can’t rape his wife

Headache and Heartburn

I did not want to witness the hell breaking loose as the young Pakistanis started dancing

Facts O-level and facts low level

the matric textbook reads like a badly done PR job by a government spokesman

The day I got circumcised

a purple bank note (50 rupees!!) if I go through the operation like a man. . .

Oi, Kinniyaan Memaan Keetiyan Ne.

It’s a clean slate,
The Paki’s had his fun,

Mecca or Mohenjodaro?

A living religion is more eloquent than a dead civilization

Songs of love and devotion

All religions came from the same Source

What is lacking inside...

Become a servant, that thou mayest be free.

Revolution in the Westerlies

The prodigious son of a devout nation, Karachi sleeps late into the night.

Of Boylove and Boylovers

We (even in the oh-so-liberal West) live in a more conformist society that we are led to believe

Lies of the Western ‘Science of Islam’

Mass killing in the name of the state is legitimate and justified; sporadic acts of violence in the name of religion (read: Islam) are illicit and immoral

Pagans and Competitive Conversions

On conversions and reverse conversions

His Decision

A short story about a gay man.

Fire Alarm

As religious fundamentalists turn movie critics, what’s next for women?

Religion and Current Social Practices - A dichotomy

Do fatherless boys grow up into dangerous men?

The Bride Burning

Mankind will not stand by and witness our burning:  Mankind will not immolate truth.

Is Science a Religion?

A case can be made that faith is one of the world’s great evils.

Is Islam Undemocratic?

Reconciling modernity and tradition.

The Impossible Fundamentalism of Doubt

What has been lost in the furor over the Fatwa, however, is the immorality of Rushdie’s gospel of doubt.

A Wedding with the Divine

let us, oh Khusro, return home now, the dark dusk settles...

A Day with an Orthodox Rabbi

Hebrew for God willing also sounds like insha’allah.

Blasphemy

One helpless Bishop with a gun in his hand...

Intolerance in Official Practice

Why is it necessary to condemn someone’s personal beliefs in a place as irrelevant as the passport form?

Disowning Altruism

Is any feeling for the interests and good of others compatible with the world-view forced on you by the 2-year entry program at Goldman Sachs

Can People be Forced to Accept Islam? A Qur’anic Perspective

Does man have the freedom to believe or disbelieve the message of Allah? Who are the people who force others to their way of thinking? Answers to these and other questions, from a Qur’anic perspective.

The Good, the Bad and the Anxiety

Can’t we make choices about how to lead our lives without someone out there thinking that we are breaking a religious or cultural law? Who decides what these laws are anyway?

Selective Islam in Pakistan

I feel there are certain western countries with far more Islamic traits than us, especially in the way they protect the rights of their citizens.

Science and Religion

It is generally believed that science is anti-religion and that science and religion battle against each other for the minds of men. Is this correct?

Salam, Science and Secularism

...I have chosen to talk not about Salam’s brilliant successes but, instead, his most spectacular failure ...

Why didn’t the Scientific Revolution happen in Islam?  

Every great civilization writes its own history, selectively extracts data from the past, and then proves to its satisfaction that its greatness has no peer or rival.

Love Means Never Having to Say You Are An Infidel!

Can you be a Muslim and marry a Jew? A closer look at inter-religious marriages.

Islamic Calendar Development for North America

In the third and last article of our series on moon sighting, the author discusses the history and motivation for lunar calendar development.

Moon Sighting and the Islamic Calendar

The second article in our series on moon sighting. A discussion of the Islamic and scientific principles of an Islamic Calendar based on the moon.

A Reply to ’Should We Still Have a Lunar Calendar?’

The lunar orbit’s periodicity can, in a sense, be sabotaged by natural events...

Should We Still have a Lunar Calendar?

A thousand years ago, with primitive scientific tools at our disposal, periodicity in the lunar or solar phenomena was state of the art. Today, using the lunar orbital motion as a clock does not seem justifiable.