Dr Manzur Ejaz If one reads Punjabi classical poetry, with no presumption of Sufism, it is just good poetry of a certain period that has withstood the test of time. I do not know anybody who would claim that just reading and singing of this poetry would bring social change One of our reputable progressive historians asserted in one of his recently published column that chanting Sufi songs cannot change the situation: one needs a modern theory or model to address contemporary problems. I agree with the main assertion but strongly disagree with the intent he has put forth in … Continue reading Sufi chants and revolutions

Muhammad Ismail Khan Although, in rhetoric, everyone is against terrorism, there has been a noted disagreement over what constitutes threats to a certain state and even to a certain institution. Thus, whenever there is a major attack, we hear state institutions blaming each other; within Pakistan, every major bomb blast is followed by accusing fingers pointed toward the interior ministry In a recent development reported by The New York Times and confirmed by the US officials, a top Taliban leader, in fact number two by influence, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been captured a few days ago. That a joint … Continue reading Coordination of trust

Munir Attaullah Unlike our Supreme Court that has given its own unique meaning to what the simple English word ‘consultation’ implies, I am a simple sort who, when our COAS talks of ‘strategic depth’ thinks only of our disastrous policy of old by that description By the time you read this column I will be in Beirut. With the news on the home front for some time now being nothing if not consistently dismal and depressing, I need to get away to saner pastures for a refreshing break. There is the dreadful return of mindless, effortless, and even mysterious carnage … Continue reading Of inevitable dips

Row brews over Moroccan alcohol law dawn The alcohol ban is firmly backed by the vocal opposition Justice and Development Party (PJD), which is aiming to be a political force in the country. — Photo by Reuters Sci-Tech Study toasts beer as being good for your bones Study toasts beer as being good for your bones RABAT: A row is brewing in Morocco over the sensitive issue of selling alcohol to Moroccan Muslims, which is banned by a law that is broken openly every day. A 1967 royal decree strictly forbids the sale or gift of alcoholic beverages to Muslims, … Continue reading Row brews over Moroccan alcohol law

By Mohammed Abbasi For six centuries the medieval knight dominated the battlefield and influenced the Western world greatly. The armored, mounted warrior, born in Middle Ages, revolutionized warfare and became the foundation of the new political structure known as feudalism. The Church put the medieval knight to the ultimate test-the First Crusade of 1095. The Church, which Christianized almost all of the knights, gave them a very high status in society, one that was sought after even by kings and princes. In the end, the legendary knights of the Middle Ages were lost in a world in which there was … Continue reading Samurai or Knight?

Thomas Weber and Robert J. Burrowes Contents 1. Introduction 2. Reasons for Nonviolence 3. Types of Nonviolence 4. What is Nonviolent Action? T1. Types of Nonviolence T2. The Major Dimensions 5. Nonviolent Action in Australia 6. Are Means Separate from Ends? 7. Ideological Nonviolence 8. Structural Analysis – Understanding Hidden Violence 9. The Dynamics of Nonviolence 10. Nonviolence and Human Unity 11. Conclusion A1. Further Reading Printer Friendly Version 1. Introduction “People try nonviolence for a week, and when it ‘doesn’t work’ they go back to violence, which hasn’t worked for centuries.” -Theodore Roszak In recent years there has been … Continue reading Nonviolence: An Introduction