In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   A Pakistani Christian woman, Aasiya (better known as Asia Bibi), was convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court, receiving a sentence of death by hanging in 2010. In June 2009, Asia Bibi was involved in an argument with a group of women with whom she had been harvesting berries after the other women objected to a non-Muslim touching the bowl in which she fetched water. She was subsequently accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him, a charge she has denied; she was arrested and imprisoned. … Continue reading #AsiaBibi: O Muslims ‘Beware the Supplication of the Oppressed’

The following quotes are from Geoffroi de Charny, a famous 14th century French knight who wrote A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry:   “Be tender and humble among friends.” “Tender mercy and assistance toward those who need assistance.” “Be generous in giving where the gift will be best used.” “Love and serve your friends.” “Plan your enterprises cautiously… carry them out boldly.” “No one should fall into despair from cowardice nor be too confident.” “Dread vile cowardice more than death.” “Take care not to be so greedy as to take what belongs to others without good cause.” “Do not be … Continue reading A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry

by William J. ASTORE (TomDispatch) As America enters the 18th year of its war in Afghanistan and its 16th in Iraq, the war on terror continues in Yemen, Syria, and parts of Africa, including Libya, Niger, and Somalia. Meanwhile, the Trump administration threatens yet more war, this time with Iran. (And given these last years, just how do you imagine that’s likely to turn out?) Honestly, isn’t it time Americans gave a little more thought to why their leaders persist in waging losing wars across significant parts of the planet?  So consider the rest of this piece my attempt to do just that. Let’s face it: profits and … Continue reading Why American Leaders Persist in Waging Losing Wars

The Books of Masters Sun and Wu still remain the most celebrated works on war in the literature of China. While the chariot has gone, and weapons have changed, these ancient masters have held their own, since they deal chiefly with the fundamental principles of war, with the influence of politics and human nature on military operations; and they show in a most striking way how unchanging these principles are. At the time of the Masters – China was a conglomerate of principalities in continual ferment. Personal ambition and intrigue, and not the wishes of the people, were the main … Continue reading THE SAYINGS OF WU TZU (MASTER WU) BOOK & MILITARY QUOTES

The Hagakure Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.  There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be … Continue reading My take on ‘Hagakure: Book of the Samurai’

Pacifists are like sheep who believe that wolves are vegetarians. Yves Montand Continue reading Pacifists are like sheep who believe that wolves are vegetarians. – Yves Montand

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How do I use Sun Tzu & Guerrilla War In Winning An Election? Well erm… asking a British Muslim about that a few metres away from the British Prime Minister with armed police listening nearby was not the right place… Naturally there is a time and place for such discussions and of course I did not go into detail about things especially with overseas diplomats hovering close. The day previous: The Workshop Before starting on the path of politics the politician needs to understand if he (or she) going to remain a politician or if he wishes to be a … Continue reading Sun Tzu Workshops – Labour & Conservative Conferences

“Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy” – Master Sun It’s a Proverb When Master Sun said “Know yourself, know your enemy, and you shall win a hundred battles without loss,” he was quoting a common phrase at that time – a proverb. Sun Tzu didn’t invent, that phrase – his role was to combine the phrases and ideas into his book The Art of War. This quote was in wide use in military circles of the day as it is today for a reason. Thanks to Master Sun it has became popular around the world and has a deeper meaning to it especially … Continue reading Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy – Meaning.