Author: Mohammed Abbasi

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Is Britain ruled by Islamic Shariah?

Mohammed Abbasi

Is English law related to Muslim law? By Mukul Devichand   In London’s historic “Inns of Court”, barristers practise law in the shadow of the distinctive medieval Temple Church. But does English law really owe a debt to Muslim law? For some scholars, a historical connection to Islam is a “missing link” that explains why English common law is so different from classical Roman legal systems that hold sway across much of the rest of Europe. It’s a controversial idea. Common law has inspired legal systems across the world. What’s more, calls for the UK to accommodate Islamic Sharia law … Continue reading Is Britain ruled by Islamic Shariah?

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The Mullah & The Muslim

Mohammed Abbasi

Sharia versus secularism? Sharia to these two extremes is what the Taliban propose: beheadings, harsh punishments, closing up of women behind closed doors and a rebellion against reason and rationality. Secularism to both these groups is a complete and total negation of religion. Maulana Abdul Aziz represents that very vocal section of our extreme right-wing, which thinks that everyone who disagrees with them is a kafir (infidel) and an enemy of Islam. There is another vocal section even smaller in number that feels that anyone who disagrees with their militant ‘anti-religion-ism’ is automatically an Islamist.   To the former, sharia … Continue reading The Mullah & The Muslim

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the world’s largest hybrid aircraft

Mohammed Abbasi

      The HAV304 or ‘Airlander’ is 300ft (91m) long, 113ft (34m) wide and 85ft (26m) high The largest aircraft ever seen was launched today, as its British creators promised they could deliver up to 1,000 more and transform how the world responds to international disasters. Sitting in the only “shed” in the country big enough to accommodate it – one of the two Cardington Hangers that dominate the Bedfordshire landscape – the 302ft (92m) Airlander is part plane, airship and helicopter. It can stay in the air for up to three weeks unmanned and is capable of touching … Continue reading Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the world’s largest hybrid aircraft

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The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Mohammed Abbasi

For the second time in a generation, Afghanistan and its neighbours are facing the potential collapse of the Afghan state, and the consequences of this collapse for the region. When this occurred in 1992, the result was violent chaos, ethnic massacre, and the restoration of a form of state order by the Taliban – thereby ushering in the new chapter in Afghanistan’s tragedy that began in September 2001.  This time round, it is highly unlikely that the Taliban will be able to storm into power in Kabul – but at present, it seems equally unlikely that the Taliban and the … Continue reading The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

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Pakistan strains Iran’s patience

Mohammed Abbasi

  On February 6, five border guards in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan were abducted by the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl (the Army of Justice). This seemingly new group is most likely a renamed and repackaged version of the Jund ul-Allah (The Army of God) terror group, operating from Pakistani territory. Before tensions over the abduction of the border guards subsided, the Iranian Consulate in Peshawar in Pakistan’s northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked by a suicide bomber.  Terrorist activities against Iran, conducted by groups operating from Pakistan and to some extent Afghanistan, are nothing new. In 2009, … Continue reading Pakistan strains Iran’s patience

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Dealing with paradoxes

Mohammed Abbasi

Who decided on the policy to allow foreign terrorists entry, shelter and sustenance ? Can any country doing so expect sympathy and funds from abroad, calling itself a victim of terrorism ? These are hard questions which should not be ducked by any country in similar circumstances. The Nation may be confused but the World is not and sees clearly a linear path and direction — from 1948 till date. Dealing with paradoxes. Continue reading Dealing with paradoxes

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US adopts Israeli demand on Iran’s missiles

Mohammed Abbasi

By Gareth Porter  WASHINGTON – The Barack Obama administration’s insistence that Iran discuss its ballistic missile program in the negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear agreement brings its position into line with that of Israel and senators who introduced legislation drafted by the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC aimed at torpedoing the negotiations.  But the history of the issue suggests that the Obama administration knows that Iran will not accept the demand and that it is not necessary to a final agreement guaranteeing that Iran’s nuclear program is not used for a weapon.  White House spokesman Jay Carney highlighted the new US demand … Continue reading US adopts Israeli demand on Iran’s missiles

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Careful what you wish for in Ukraine

Mohammed Abbasi

By Spengler  Western governments are jubilant over the fall of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, a Russian ally. They may be underestimating Vladimir Putin: Russia has the option to hasten Ukraine’s slide into chaos and wait until the hapless European Union acquiesces to – if not begs for – Russian intervention.  That leaves the West with a limited number of choices. The first is to do nothing and watch the country spiral into chaos, with Russia as the eventual beneficiary. The second is to dig deep into its pockets and find US$20 billion or more to buy near-term popularity for a pro-Western … Continue reading Careful what you wish for in Ukraine

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Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

Mohammed Abbasi

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a neologism for a perceptual phenomenon characterized as a distinct, pleasurable tingling sensation in the head, scalp, back, or peripheral regions of the body in response to visual, auditory, olfactory, and/or cognitive stimuli. The nature and classification of the ASMR phenomenon is controversial. Tom Stafford, a professor at the University of Sheffield, says, “It might well be a real thing, but it’s inherently difficult to research.” Origins of the term in popular culture Online discussions by groups such as the Society of Sensationalists formed in 2008 on Yahoo! and The Unnamed Feeling blog created in 2010 by Andrew MacMuiris aimed to provide a community for … Continue reading Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response

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Taliban to grow in strength by 2017

Mohammed Abbasi

The Taliban and other militant groups will have the upper hand in Afghanistan by 2017 even if the United States maintains a small military presence in the country, says a new US intelligence report. Known as the National Intelligence Estimate, the report includes input from all 16 American intelligence agencies and is prepared for US policymakers and lawmakers. In another report also released this year, the US intelligence community predicted that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba would continue to be the most multifaceted and problematic of the Pakistani militant groups. “The group has the long-term potential to evolve into a permanent and even Hamas/Hezbullah-like presence … Continue reading Taliban to grow in strength by 2017