Are classes run by imams for young offenders the best means to tackle Islamic extremism and prevent prisons becoming ‘universities of terror Rowenna Davis The Guardian, Wednesday 6 January 2010 Imam Abdul Dayan conducts one of his twice-weekly sessions with prisoners at Aylesbury young offender institution. Photograph: Graham Turner The prisoners pad onto the mosque’s blue carpet in their socks. Before them, the grey-bearded Imam Abdul Dayan sits cross-legged on the floor. He waits until his pupils – 10 male prisoners at Aylesbury young offender institution (YOI), Buckinghamshire – are seated quietly, then he begins: “Islam is your guiding force. … Continue reading Islamic prisoners’ path to inner peace

Tayyab Siddiqui Trade relations with India have been a subject of contention and controversy for long. Popular opinion in Pakistan dictates that these relations be rejected until the Kashmir issue is settled. Others hold the view that trade and commerce have their own dynamics and may not be held hostage to political differences. The controversy has been raging for decades. India, besides bilateral efforts, has also used the SAARC platform to secure bilateral trade and transit rights through Pakistan to have access to Afghanistan and the land-locked Central Asian states. The political situation in Afghanistan, involvement of US and other … Continue reading Trade with India

Iqbal Haider In the most gloomy atmosphere around us in Pakistan, we had no reason to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The morning of Jan 1, 2010, however, gave us a pleasant surprise when we read that the editors of the Jang group in Pakistan and of the Times of India group have taken a bold initiative to join hands for promotion of peace, economic prosperity, education and health much needed by the one-and-half-billion people of our two countries. This was not the only good news on Jan 1. The civil society in Pakistan, realising the importance of peace had also … Continue reading Joint venture for peace

Mohammad Jamil The Indian Army is now revising its five-year-old doctrine to effectively meet the challenges of war with China and Pakistan, deal with asymmetric and fourth-generation warfare, and enhance strategic reach and joint operations with the IAF and Navy The future of Asia, as an engine of growth for the rest of the world or the region marred with war and threats of war, depends on the leaderships of the countries of the region. When army generals start issuing policy statements and do not watch their words, the consequences could be disastrous. The unveiling of the ‘two-front’ strategy by … Continue reading Will General Kapoors war last 96 hours?

Syed Talat Hussain Militants are now making a deliberate and strong effort to break the momentum of public opinion. They are escalating the cost for the public. They are showing them that the political and military support available to them is no longer ineffective Slowly but steadily, militancy is creeping back into vengeful life. Militants are replacing their loss of sanctuary, the equivalent of a proper state, in Malakand Division and the entire stretch of the tribal belt, with hit-and-run terrorism. These new tactics are deadly. Worse, these can also resurrect the legend that the Taliban are a force that … Continue reading People are the battlespace as Mullahs grow ever more desperate

By Shazad Ali Wednesday, 06 Jan, 2010 The world light-welterweight champion wants to fight in Pakistan to promote the sport in his country of origin.–File photo by AP Sport Four barge into finals to keep Pakistan hopes alive Four barge into finals to keep Pakistan hopes alive KARACHI: British boxing sensation reigning world light-welterweight champion Amir Khan says he will help Pakistan boxing and may fight in the country of his origin. ‘I will help out Pakistan boxing in any way I can. I also want to play in Pakistan to promote boxing in this country,’ Amir told reporters on … Continue reading British boxing sensation Amir Khan arrives in Pakistan

By Kamran Shafi Tuesday, 05 Jan, 2010 Anjem Choudary, center, is a member of the pro-Islamic group ‘Islam4UK’. –Photo by Reuters There was the usual and quite absurd story on the Internet the other day, one that amply demonstrates the in-your-face attitudes of those who would use ‘militant’ Islam to further their own political agendas in foreign countries. However, before we go there let us face the fact that these people, in the main economic refugees and asylum seekers from other lands, use the host (western, of course) countries’ democratic freedoms, and the protection extended to them by their adopted … Continue reading Doing it to ourselves – Uncontrolled Mullahism brings problems for UK Muslims