Dr Mohammad Taqi Ajmal Khattak provided the modern theoretical basis for the idea of Greater Pashtunistan. Well-versed in the Marxist-Leninist theory — prevalent and ascendant at the time — Ajmal Khattak deployed it to strengthen the case for the right of self-determination for the Pashtuns “To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them” — Charles de Montesquieu. Ajmal Khattak was a true polymath — a poet, journalist, broadcaster, linguist, scholar and a politician However, despite all his patrician qualities this Renaissance man was a plebeian at heart. Despite his capability to — and opportunities available … Continue reading Ajmal Khattak: the revolutionary dervish?

Voltaire Such is the feebleness of humanity, such is its perversity, that doubtless it is better for it to be subject to all possible superstitions, as long as they are not murderous, than to live without religion. Man always needs a rein, and even if it might be ridiculous to sacrifice to fauns, or sylvans or naiads, it is much more reasonable and more useful to venerate these fantastic images of the Divine than to sink into atheism. An atheist who is rational, violent, and powerful, would be as great a pestilence as a blood-mad, superstitious man. When men do … Continue reading People and superstition

Learning How to be Reconciled to Disagree Sheikh Salman al-Oadah I deliberately chose to discuss the topic of “reconciliation” rather than the topic of “compromise”, since I do not want to speak about a process of mitigating disagreement. There are cases – both in religious matters and worldly affairs – where the continued existence of disagreement is unavoidable, or even something healthy and essential. In a number of situations, if disagreements did not exist, people would lose out on a lot of things that are good and beneficial. Allah, in His wisdom, gave us our various languages, colors, and so … Continue reading Learning How to be Reconciled to Disagree – Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

Most people would agree that adopting violence to propagate a political agenda is radical and warrants punishment. However, American public discourse has reinvigorated the misuse of the term ‘radical’ to label both criminal activity and unpopular political dissent. By Sahar Aziz, No rose-colored glasses here Washington, DC The recent discovery of attempted terrorist plots by Muslims in America has prompted overreaching accusations of radicalization of an entire religious group. As a consequence, pressure is mounting on American Muslim leaders to actively engage in elusively defined counter radicalization. But rather than spend limited resources on programs that assume collective guilt, efforts … Continue reading Another red scare – Is Green the New Red?

Remembering Aasiya Zubair A year on from the tragic death of Aasiya Zubair, American Muslims have mobilised to confront domestic violence Wajahat Ali guardian.co.uk Last year the tragic beheading of Aasiya Zubair jolted a dormant Muslim American community to finally acknowledge and proactively confront the hidden scourge of domestic violence in its midst. On 12 February 2009, Aasiya Zubair, a Muslim Pakistani American MBA student and co-founder of Bridges TV, was murdered by her estranged husband, Muhammad Hassan, after she officially filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order against him. Hassan’s previous two wives left him due to domestic … Continue reading American Muslims have mobilised to confront domestic violence