By Ayesha Siddiqa Some devious elements are tinkering with Jinnah’s person and his narrative: Ayesha Siddiqa.—File photo Some time ago, I had a chance to read veteran columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee’s article ‘Bring back Jinnah’s Pakistan’ in which he talked about the founding father’s liberal vision for the country. Mr Cowasjee’s argument was that the state envisioned by Mohammad Ali Jinnah would have been governed by a different set of social norms than the one in place today. I would like to inform the respectable writer that while he is searching for Jinnah’s Pakistan, we might be threatened with the eventuality of … Continue reading Pakistan’s Jinnah and Pakistan’s Mullah

Fathima Bary Needs to Read Her Bible; Final Word on Islam and Apostasy An emotional Fathima Rifqa Bary–whose personal writings reaveal that she wants to be a modern day prophet–said of her parents: “My parents are Muslim…I don’t know if you know about honor killing…They have to kill me…Because if they love Allah more than me, they have to do it. It’s in the Quran. And you can, like, give them knowledge about it [gestures to someone off camera, who says something unintelligible].” It seems that Fathima’s understanding of the Quran comes from whomever she pointed to, whom I can … Continue reading A Word on Islam and Apostasy

The former president has hinted at a return to Pakistani politics. Worryingly, it could be more than just a pipe dream Mustafa Qadri guardian.co.uk Pervez Musharraf at his farewell ceremony in 2008. Photograph: Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images At no point do world leaders look more diminished than after leaving office, and Pakistan’s former president and military dictator Pervez Musharraf is no exception. So when he addressed a London audience this week, it was perhaps ironic that much of what he said was a reminder that little has changed in the way the west relates to the “AfPak” region. It was all … Continue reading A Musharraf comeback?

Gay activists attack Ugandan preacher’s porn slideshow Pastor’s explicit stunt condemned as ‘twisted homophobic propaganda’ Xan Rice in Nairobi guardian.co.uk A Ugandan pastor who screened same-sex pornography in a church to try to bolster support for proposed anti-homosexuality legislation has been condemned by gay rights groups. Martin Ssempa, one of the main backers of a bill that would impose the death penalty for some offenders, aired the explicit slideshow to several hundred people during a church service in Kampala yesterday. Explaining his decision to display the images, the evangelical preacher said it was necessary to educate people “about what homosexuals … Continue reading Christian Extremist shows Gay porn in church!

As locals in West Yorkshire win their battle to reinstate the name of Tickle Cock Bridge, we list the rudest place names in the country. telegraph Twatt in Shetland Photo: Wikipedia 1. Cocks, Cornwall 2. Minge Lane, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, England 3. Bell End, Worcestershire, England 4. Twatt, Shetland (note, there is another Twatt in Orkney) 5. Sandy Balls, a long-established holiday centre in New Forest, Hampshire, England with a name dating back to Henry VIII 6. Fingringhoe, Essex, England 7. Back Passage, City of London, an alleyway in the EC1 postal district 8. Shitterton, Dorset, England 9. Slag Lane, Merseyside, … Continue reading Britain’s rudest place names

A Victorian landmark has been recognised by its traditional risqué name after locals were offended by a council’s politically correct alternative. By Paul Stokes telegraph Wakefield district council will install a replacement plaque bearing the words Tickle Cock Photo: WAKEFIELD COUNCIL The railway underpass has been known as Tickle Cock bridge to generations of courting couples in Castleford, West Yorkshire. But it proved a source of embarrassment for civic leaders before a regeneration scheme which was filmed as part of a Channel 4 television series. In an attempt to spare blushes, a council official suggested it was called Tittle Cott … Continue reading Tickle Cock Bridge returned to original name after row

Curry houses blighted by exploding tandoors Health and Safety officers have issued a warning to the curry houses of Birmingham after a spate of injuries caused by exploding tandoori ovens. telegraph A plate of Chicken Tikka Masala Photo: GETTY A plate of Chicken Tikka Masala Photo: GETTY A number of restaurant workers have been severely burned because the modern gas tandoors, used to cook chicken tikka and nan bread, were not properly maintained. Birmingham City Council inspectors also found that at many establishments kitchen staff routinely light the ovens by throwing in burning serviettes, rather than using an ignition system. … Continue reading Are terrorists exploding tandoori ovens in Birmingham?