Five myths about the partition of British India – and what really happened

August 21, 2022August 21, 2022 Mohammed Abbasi

Navtej K Purewal, SOAS, University of London and Eleanor Newbigin, SOAS, University of London This August marks 75 years since the partition of the Indian subcontinent. British withdrawal from the region prompted the creation of two new states, India and Pakistan. The process of transferring power grossly simplified diverse societies to make it seem like dividing social groups and drawing new borders was logical and even possible. This decision unleashed one of the biggest human migrations of the 20th century when more than ten million people fled across borders seeking safe refuge. Anniversaries can be a critical moment to pause … Continue reading Five myths about the partition of British India – and what really happened

Oppressive rulers fuel misconceptions of Islam

March 9, 2014 Mohammed Abbasi

By Hossein Askari Non-Muslims, possibly even a number of Muslims as well, see Islam as a religion that has bred oppressive rule, intolerance, underdevelopment, corruption, and inequity with opulence alongside poverty. While this broad depiction would appear to apply to most Muslim countries, it has little to do with Islamic teachings of the Koran (the indisputable guide for all Muslims) and the generally accepted interpretations of Koranic teachings offered by the Prophet Mohammad. The dismal state of most Muslim countries is, in our opinion, the result of oppressive and unjust rule that has preempted effective institutions and governance. There is … Continue reading Oppressive rulers fuel misconceptions of Islam