DEVELOPMENT: Threat of rural discontent —Syed Mohammad Ali The Pakistani government and our international donors continue to shy away from dealing with the problem of unequal land ownership. It makes strategic sense for militant extremists in Pakistan to exploit deep resentment among landless tenants toward wealthy landlords, to engineer a class revolt The inability of our rulers to provide basic levels of services to citizens across Pakistan has justifiably provoked a widespread sense of disillusionment and despondency. Besides the human suffering caused by this repeated failure to ensure public welfare, the ongoing conflict with militant extremists has created a dangerous … Continue reading How Mullahs take advantage

VIEW: A beginning of sorts —Ishtiaq Ahmed The totalitarian nature of the dogmatic shariah has thus far served as the most efficacious means to obstruct the development of modern values among Muslims On June 30, 2010 I completed my three-year stint as a visiting research professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. Earlier I had applied for early retirement as professor of political science at Stockholm University. It was granted from February 2010 when I attained the age of 63. The idea was to return to Stockholm where I have lived most of my life … Continue reading The totalitarian nature of the dogmatic shariah

Pakistan president will ‘put David Cameron straight’ over terror claims Asif Ali Zardari will demand more support at Chequers meeting and warn against using India as a platform for accusations Simon Tisdall and Patrick Wintour guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 August 2010 20.32 BST Article history Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari will be doing some plain talking when he meets David Cameron, according to Pakistani officials. Photograph: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty ImagesThe row over David Cameron‘s claim that Pakistan is exporting terrorism threatened to escalate tonight as a senior Pakistani official revealed President Asif Ali Zardari planned to “put him straight” when he meets … Continue reading What No Bitch Fight? Zardari and Cameron

Mongolian neo-Nazis: Anti-Chinese sentiment fuels rise of ultra-nationalism Alarm sounds over rise of extreme groups such as Tsagaan Khass who respect Hitler and reject foreign influence Tania Branigan in Ulan Bator guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 August 2010 16.13 BST Article history Mongolian neo-Nazi group the Tsagaan Khas (‘White Swastika’) salute on the streets of the capital Ulan Bator Photograph: Dan Chung for the GuardianTheir right hands rise to black-clad chests and flash out in salute to their nation: “Sieg heil!” They praise Hitler’s devotion to ethnic purity. But with their high cheekbones, dark eyes and brown skin, they are hardly the … Continue reading Mongolian neo-Nazis

New survey prompts Muslim organisation to call for education as four-fifths have ‘less than very little knowledge’ about faith Haroon Siddique guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 August 2010 11.48 BST Article history Two Muslim men greet each other outside Whitechapel Mosque in east London. Photograph: Felix Clay for the GuardianThree-quarters of non-Muslims believe Islam has provided a negative contribution to British society, according to a new poll, which has prompted calls for Muslims to help improve the perception of their faith. The study for the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) also found that 63% of people surveyed did not disagree with … Continue reading Three-quarters of non-Muslims believe Islam negative for Britain

Mistaking David Cameron for Kaiser Wilhelm? By Jawed Naqvi dawn.com Supporters of Shabab-e-Milli, a youth wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, shout slogans and burn an effigy of British Prime Minister David Cameron during a protest in Karachi July 31, 2010. Pakistan’s spy chief has called off a trip to Britain in protest at Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks on its militant ties, as Islamabad is hit by a barrage of criticism of its alleged links to terror groups. – Reuters Photo Why is everyone so excessively miffed with David Cameron? He came to India and said a few terse things … Continue reading David Cameron – leave him be?

// Hamza Yusuf : Note : The Following Have Been Removed Due To Copyright Issues : Thinking Anew The Stations of Gratitude War and Peace Dawah How to Speak to Others of Different Faiths The Seventeen Benefits of Tribulation UK Tour Series – Religion, Violence and the Modern World Clarity Amidst Confusion Part1 Part2 Ramadan advice (11-02) Understanding Jihad in Islam Thought for the day! Part1 Part2 Sample of The Burda Part1 Part2 Part3 Part4 Zaytuna Institute Personal Interview BBC’S Question Time-War On Terror Interview-Road to Submission Allah is With Those Who Submit(11-14-03) Path of Peace! What are we doing … Continue reading Islamic MP3 Links – Various Speakers (from Nadeem Downloads)

VIEW: Lessons from Bangladesh —Yasser Latif Hamdani The poison of General Zia’s bigotry has spread like a cancer in Pakistan’s body politic. Had he not emerged on the scene, it is possible that Pakistan would have taken the regular course of a confessional state to a modern, inclusive and democratic state Bravo. Bangladesh has done it. It has successfully reversed the cynical Islamisation of its local General Zia. Not only is one fortified by their action that a Muslim majority nation state is capable of rolling back the Islamist project but as a Pakistani I am glad that at least … Continue reading Bangladesh shows how to deal with Mullahism