Zaytuna College, First Muslim College In U.S., Opens In California // Brooklyn native Faatimah Knight chose Zaytuna College, which aims to be the nation’s first accredited four-year Islamic university, because college “has to bring me more than book smarts.” By Joanna Corman Religion News Service BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) Faatimah Knight’s college decision came down to eight schools where she would have majored in English, or Zaytuna College, where she could study Islamic classical teachings in an environment that embraces all aspects of her Muslim faith. The Brooklyn native is part of the inaugural class of what Zaytuna’s founders hope will … Continue reading Zaytuna College, First Muslim College In U.S

VIEW: Institutional radicalisation of public schools —Ali K Chishti There are millions of ‘non-state actors’ whose handlers could prod them into doing anything by evoking emotions through misquoting Quranic verses “Hindu pundits were jealous of Al-Beruni” (Social Studies, Class VIII, Punjab Textbook Board, page 82). Another textbook reads, “The Hindus who had always been opportunists” (Social Studies, Class VI, Punjab Textbook Board, page 141). Still another reads, “The Hindus had always been an enemy of Islam.” (Urdu, Class V, Punjab Textbook Board, page 108). An e-mail I got from a Pakistani Hindu friend asked me what did they do to … Continue reading Pakistanis – emotional biological robots?

WASHINGTON DIARY: Lack of common societal goals —Dr Manzur Ejaz Religious indoctrination did nothing except ruin the national identity and a collective consciousness to address societal problems. Now, Pakistanis pretend to be more religious but when it comes to self-interest they cling to the most primitive of identities Instead of being a melting pot, Pakistani society is more like a sieve through which unity and tolerance travel before reaching the people. India, despite having competent institutions, has struggled to become a melting pot as well. As Pakistan’s sieve filters out nationalism and unity, what reaches the public is a schizophrenic … Continue reading Pakistan is not beyond repair

COMMENT: A mysterious affair — II —Munir Attaullah Was it all a vivid dream? This is most unsettling because, I must confess, something similar has happened before with me. Like the time one night when I thought I had solved Fermat’s last theorem, only to discover the next morning that my scribbled notes were nonsense How selfish can we be? The country is grappling with a disaster and here am I in Morocco, trying to work out who has stolen the blueprint of my latest brilliant idea, potentially worth billions. Had I even an ounce of brotherly feeling I would … Continue reading How selfish can we be?

Brendan Nyhan Political scientist and media critic huffington post Last week, a Pew Research Center poll was released that showed an increase in the proportion of Americans who falsely believe President Obama is a Muslim. The conversation since then has largely focused on the failings of the public. Slate’s Jack Shafer, for instance, said adherents of the Muslim myth are “imagining things” and pointed to a poll finding that “18 percent of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth”: Don’t these people read newspapers or watch TV? As a matter of fact, many do. According to the poll, 60 … Continue reading 1 in 5 Americans thinks the Earth is Flat?

Ferrari 458 plagued by mysterious jinx With its sleek lines and mesmerising performance the Ferrari 458 has been described as one of motoring’s all time greats. By Martin Evans telegraph.co.uk A burnt out Ferrari 458 in Costa Mesa, California, USA Photo: SWNS Ferarri investigating a number of fires involving the 458 A burnt out Ferrari 458 in Switzerland Photo: SWNS A crashed Ferrari 458 in Pardubice, Czech Republic Photo: SWNS A burning Ferrari 458 in Paris Photo: SWNS Officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September the latest addition to the Italian manufacturer’s stable of supercars has become the … Continue reading Ferrari 458 jinxed!

Rare 1950s Jaguar for sale – having done just 500 miles A rare 1950s Jaguar sports car with just 500 miles on the clock is to be sold after being painstakingly reconstructed from parts packed away in boxes. By Andrew Hough telegraph.co.uk Jaguar XK150 Sports has just 553 miles on the clock Photo: PICTURE IT NOW The Jaguar XK150 Sports is expected to raise more than £250,000 after a rebuild in Harworth, near Doncaster The car was bought brand new in the USA by American John Dolce in 1959, and it was one of only 724 of the cars sold … Continue reading Jaguar XK150

Amazon Kindle review: the e-reader for the mass market It’s smaller, faster and cheaper than its predecessor. The Kindle is ready for the mainstream, writes Matt Warman By Matt Warman, Consumer Technology Editor telegraph.co.uk Amazon’s new Kindle is slimmer and cheaper than previous models. Amazon’s new Kindle is the first ebook reader that has a credible chance of cracking the mass market. Smaller, cheaper, faster and better connected than its predecessor, the new Kindle is to the old what the paperback is to the hardback, and on Friday it’s finally officially available in the UK. Prices start at an affordable … Continue reading Kindle