Intikhab Amir Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahman is one of the few amongst the political leaders of Pakistan, who, in addition to the countrywide large public support, wields quite an influence across the borders. The Taliban movement inside Afghanistan, which is considered to be the creation of the madressahs run by Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahman’s faction of the Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), has restored his political importance within Pakistan. The amount of influence wielded by the JUI on the Taliban due to its capacity to raise battalions of fighters has given a new dimension to his politics. The Taliban phenomenon, overwhelmingly accepted in areas already influenced by … Continue reading Mullah Fazl ur Rahman – Taleban Mentor

 Gul says that Washington’s policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan have not borne fruit and that the US military will be ultimately defeated by the Taliban Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul was a military commander in the Pakistani Army in the 1980s, and served as the head of the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from 1987 to 1989. But Gul’s rise to fame came during the Pakistan-Saudi-US effort to keep funds and logistical support flowing to the Afghanistan mujahidin, who were eventually credited with defeating Soviet military and political forces. During the Bush administration, the US sought to put Gul on a … Continue reading Hamid Gul: Taliban is the future!?

Did Netanyahu authorize killing of Hamas commander in Dubai? During a meeting with Mossad chief Meir Dagan and members of the alleged hit squad, Mr. Netanyahu approved last month’s assassination of a Hamas commander in Dubai, reports the Sunday Times. While there has been much speculation that Israel’s spy agency carried out the hit, so far Israeli government officials have not confirmed their country’s involvement in the assassination. If Israel is officially held responsible for the operation, it could further inflame tensions both in and outside Israel, as there are increasing questions about whether Israel overstepped its bounds with this … Continue reading Did Netanyahu authorize killing of Hamas commander in Dubai?

Mohammed Al-Eissa told reporters on Saturday the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s “plan to develop the justice system.” The law would mark a major step for female lawyers in the Kingdom. Currently, women law graduates can work in government offices and in court offices, but cannot argue cases before court. Under the new law, women would be allowed to argue cases on child custody, divorce and other family-related issues. The proposed new law to be issued by the Ministry of Justice would also allow Saudi women … Continue reading New law will end male dominance in Saudi courts

If India is to take up the mantle of global leader status, it must remain open and welcoming, not closed and driven by fear and prejudice, writes Aijaz Zaka Syed* Just when you think the likes of the Shiv Sena Party couldn’t get any more disingenuous and meaner, they get worse. After all, for nearly five decades Sena has done nothing but spew sweetness and light and you would think it had squeezed the last drops of political mileage out of spreading all round cheer and goodness. This time around though, it seems Sena and its rabble- rousing chief, Bal Thackeray, … Continue reading India’s path to global power or Hindu Mullahs?

NEW YORK – Isn’t it clear by now that the U.S. and its allies are not likely to be able to wipe out Al Qaeda or ensure that we are not attacked again domestically? As the British acknowledged in July, the London attacks were just a matter of when, not if. To be sure, the terrorists can’t win this war, but neither can we. The most serious risk is that Al Qaeda will sooner or later be able to attack us with a biological or nuclear weapon, not merely the conventional bombs used in London and Madrid or the suicide … Continue reading Is Al Qaeda asking to negotiate?

NEW YORK: Sana Rahim was born in the cowboy country of southeastern Wyoming to Pakistani parents who had emigrated so her father could earn a doctorate. She speaks Urdu with her family, but cannot read or write the language. She recites prayers in Arabic, but does not know exactly what each word means. Now a 20-year-old junior at Northwestern University, she, like many other American-born Muslims, is most comfortable with sermons and lectures in English, although they cannot always find US mosques that offer them. “I don’t really get the time to study Arabic,” Rahim said. “With all the different … Continue reading Debate over English emerges in US mosques

NEW DELHI: Ajit Singh knows about the lies people tell. He has followed them through the littered, mildewed mazes of New Delhi’s middle class neighbourhoods. He has photographed them as they leave their lovers’ apartments. He hears them exaggerate their salaries and hide their illnesses. A thin man in an ill-fitting suit, Singh works out of a crowded office around the corner from a muffler shop. An incense stick burns behind his desk. A sign in slightly fractured English warns the staff: “Walls Has Ears And Eyes Too. BE ALERT.” Singh has spent years honing his skills: disguise, surveillance, misdirection. … Continue reading ‘Wedding detectives’ booming and snooping in India

By Nadeem Haque and Zeshan Shahbaz People of earth, your attention, please,”… This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council,”…”As you will no doubt be aware, the plans for development of the outlying regions of the galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is one of those scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your earth minutes. Thank you.” (From Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams) In academic circles, when the captivating question of the possible existence of intelligent extraterrestrial … Continue reading Extraterrestrials in Islam