New Age Islam: April 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

Nation States do not Need Ideologies to Exist

Columnist Yasser Latif Hamdani proves how an ideology is not needed for a nation or a state to develop on all front.

Ultimately, through observation, facts that are inconsistent with the reigning paradigm emerge. Slowly, one of the alternate paradigms triumphs over the competing paradigms for several possible reasons: its solution to the crisis is more elegant, and holds promise of future inquiry. Soon enough, a new crisis emerges and alternate paradigms are proposed. As science experiences a paradigm shift, presumptions are reset.

One of the greatest examples of this phenomenon is the Copernican Revolution, which changed the Earth's status as the center of universe. Before the Copernican Revolution, the Earth's status as the center of the universe was considered fundamental to everything from explanation of why the clouds move to why water pumps work. Faced with the new idea that it is in fact the Earth that revolves around the Sun, all fields of science had to gradually adapt to this new idea.

http://www.newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/nation-states-do-not-need-ideologies-to-exist/d/6953

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Is There too much God Talk in Politics? Interfaith Dialogue, NewAgeIslam.com

by Mike Ghouse

Mike Ghouse, thecolumnist explains how use of religion in everything political has brought itto the utmost upheaval.

Not now. Democrats, Republicans and independents all show a growing distaste for so much talk about religion. Democrats scored the highest, followed by independents and then Republicans.

There are exceptions. White and black evangelicals are more comfortable with religion being a big part of the political debate than most other traditions.

But this data represents a serious shift from the past. In 2001, for example, only 14 percent of independents thought there was too much talk about religion. Today, that number is 42 percent. (You can read more about historic trends in this link.)

http://newageislam.com/is-there-too-much-god-talk-in-politics?/interfaith-dialogue/d/6965

The Islamic Law of Inheritance

by A. Faizur Rahman

Columnist A. Faizur Rahman describes all the aspects of law of inheritance in Islam in the following words:

A study of the two main verses on the law of inheritance would reveal that the apparent disparity that exists between the percentage of shares assigned to men and women is because of the role they play in the social and family set up. Gender has nothing to with it. Let’s analyse the following verses.

The Islamic law of inheritance is yet another legislation which is subject of heated debates by the clergy and the laity alike. The law is too elaborate and intricate to be discussed in its entirety here. Therefore, the scope of this study is confined to those specific provisions that concern the apportionment of shares to women and to check if there is any inherent gender-bias in the allotments without going into the complexity of law itself.

http://newageislam.com/the-islamic-law-of-inheritance/islamic-sharia-laws/d/6964

Religious Violence: Fall of Godly Sanity

by Ayodeji Alabi

Columnist Ayodeji Alabi proves how all kinds of upheaval in the world is because of us forgetting God. He writes: Violence is the exertion of physical force against a perceived opponent, barrier or challenge, so as to kill, injure, weaken, overcome or abuse. It is the application and /or display of intense, turbulent or furious and often destructive action to achieve control and /or dominion in the event of perceived opposition, either real or imagined, against a desired goal or target. The intent of violence is, “to subdue or take by force, something” (either justifiably, legally or morally, or otherwise), which is in contention between two or more individuals or groups, including persons, communities, nations, associations, professions, government and religions, etc. Synonyms of ‘violence’ include force, coercion, compulsion, constraint, and duress. Closely related to these are fury, savagery, assault, attack, clash, onslaught, rampage, struggle, tumult, and uproar. The only antonym of all the above is ‘peace’, which only synonym is ‘non-violence.’ It is also instructive to state that the two, violence and peace, do not co-habit. Peace disappears where violence exists, and vice versa. Peace is good, while violence destroys. Being ‘good’ is a virtue which flows from the inside of a man through the infilling of the Spirit of God.

http://newageislam.com/religious-violence--fall-of-godly-sanity/spiritual-meditations/d/6963

Creating the Muslim Manchurian Candidate

by John Feffer

They occasionally traffic in outright fabrications: that he attended a radical madrasa in Indonesia as a child or that he put his hand on the Qur’an to be sworn in as president. An even more apocalyptic subset believes Obama to be nothing short of the anti-Christ. Indeed, these more orthodox faithful have carefully shifted the debate from Obama being Muslim to Obama acting Muslim. …

http://newageislam.com/creating-the-muslim-manchurian-candidate/islam-and-the-west/d/6961

औरतों के बारे में हर एक बहस में इस्लाम को न घसीटें

by फराह नाज़ ज़ाहिदी मोअज़्ज़म (अनु.- न्यु एज इस्लाम)

ये सिर्फ इस्लाम के बारे में नहीं है, बल्कि कोई भी धर्म या नैतिक नियम इसकी इजाज़त नहीं देगा कि मनुष्य पर अत्याचार किया जाए। इसलिए जहाँ इसकी कोई ज़रूरत नहीं है, अनावश्यक रूप से धर्म को नहीं लाना चाहिए। जहां जरूरत हो उसे सामने लाया जाना जरूरी है। मौजूदा बहस और सम्मान के नाम पर हत्या के खिलाफ सिंध विधानसभा में एक प्रस्ताव का पारित किया जाना कसास और दियत नियमों से संबंधित है।

http://newageislam.com/hindi-section/औरतों-के-बारे-में-हर-एक-बहस-में-इस्लाम-को-न-घसीटें/d/6959

خواتین کے متعلق ہر ایک بحث میں اسلام کو نہ گھسیٹیں

by فرح ناز زاہدی معظم (ترجمہ نیو ایج اسلام

تو پھر ایسا کیوں ہے کہ تقریبا ہر مضمون، بلاگ، دستاویزی فلم، کتاب یا اطلاعات کا کوئی بھی ٹکڑا جو ایک مظلوم عورت کی بات کرتا ہے ، اس میں اسلام کو لایا جاتا ہے اگرچہ یہ مکمل طور پر بغیر کسی سیاق و سباق کے ہو تب بھی؟ تاہم، ایسا لگتا ہے جیسے دقیانوسی دور میں رہ رہے ہیں اور جب میڈیا کی بات آتی ہے تو ہوشیار ہو جاتے ہیں (کتابت، صحافت، موسیقی یا فلم سازی)۔

http://newageislam.com/urdu-section/خواتین-کے-متعلق-ہر-ایک-بحث-میں-اسلام-کو-نہ-گھسیٹیں/d/6958

Islamophobia as a Political Ploy

Columnist Usman Ahmedani describes how Islamophobia is created and is being used a political ploy.

Irshad Manji's arguments 'perpetuate the tendency to think of Muslims as Muslims first and alone'. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I was reminded of this cartoon during Irshad Manji's recent talk at a Free Speech Debate event at Oxford University. Manji opposes all legal prohibitions on free speech, even to the point of permitting the publication of death threats against herself. While certainly idiosyncratic, this position is internally consistent, avoiding the hypocrisy that habitually bedevils attempts to ban certain types of free speech on the grounds of offence but not others. However, once we accept that the state should not play the role of censor, an absolutist defence of free speech as "life itself", as Salman Rushdie once put it, cannot tell us how to judge between individual instances of its exercise.

http://newageislam.com/islamophobia-as-a-political-ploy/muslims-and-islamophobia/d/6962

Mansur Hallaj: Willful Erosion of Self

by Fahad Faruqui

Columnist Fahad Faruqui describes life and death of Sufi Mansur Hallaj as: For some, Mansur al-Hallaj was a magician, a heretic and a lunatic, who publicly claimed to be one with the One and deserved to be executed for heresy. But to his sympathizers he was a Sufi saint, who was martyred almost 1,100 years ago, on March 26, 922, allegedly for his ecstatic utterance.

The legends surrounding Hallaj are many. Despite the 2,000 pages written by Louis Massignon, we still don't know much about him and there's no way to validate the claim that he ever uttered the words "ana'l-haqq" (I am the Truth), which many believe was the cause of his arrest, followed by nine-year long trial, leading to his public execution.

on � i h � �A| the Earth's status as the center of universe. Before the Copernican Revolution, the Earth's status as the center of the universe was considered fundamental to everything from explanation of why the clouds move to why water pumps work. Faced with the new idea that it is in fact the Earth that revolves around the Sun, all fields of science had to gradually adapt to this new idea.

http://newageislam.com/mansur-hallaj--willful-erosion-of-self/islamic-personalities/d/6957

Strengthening Muslim-Jewish Ties in the Face of Evil

by Marc Schneier and Shamsi Ali

Columnists Marc Schneier and Shamsi Ali advocate the importance of Muslim and Jewish strong ties. They writ: As a rabbi and an imam, we deeply mourn the tragic loss of innocent lives in the murderous terrorist attacks in France. We express our heartfelt sympathy and compassion for the bereaved.

Thousands of Muslims and Jews reacted to the savage killings of three children and a rabbi at a Jewish school in Toulouse and the earlier murders of three French soldiers, including two Muslims, by joining together in solidarity marches in communities throughout Paris.

One of the greatest examples of this phenomenon is the Copernican Revolution, which changed the Earth's status as the center of universe. Before the Copernican Revolution, the Earth's status as the center of the universe was considered fundamental to everything from explanation of why the clouds move to why water pumps work. Faced with the new idea that it is in fact the Earth that revolves around the Sun, all fields of science had to gradually adapt to this new idea.

http://newageislam.com/strengthening-muslim-jewish-ties-in-the-face-of-evil/interfaith-dialogue/d/6955

South Sudan: Islamic Constitution No Solution to Marginalization and Oppression in a Nation

by Jacob K. Lupai

The word Islam is commonly used with two related meanings. On the one hand it denotes a religion, a system of belief and worship and on the other hand, the civilization that grew up and flourished under the aegis of that religion. Islam as a religion is closer to the Judeo-Christian tradition than to any of the great religions of Asia such as Hinduism, Buddhism or Confucianism. Judaism and Islam share the belief in a divine law that regulates human activity including food and drink. …

http://newageislam.com/south-sudan--islamic-constitution-no-solution-to-marginalization-and-oppression-in-a-nation/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/6954

Nation States do not Need Ideologies to Exist

Columnist Yasser Latif Hamdani proves how an ideology is not needed for a nation or a state to develop on all front.

Ultimately, through observation, facts that are inconsistent with the reigning paradigm emerge. Slowly, one of the alternate paradigms triumphs over the competing paradigms for several possible reasons: its solution to the crisis is more elegant, and holds promise of future inquiry. Soon enough, a new crisis emerges and alternate paradigms are proposed. As science experiences a paradigm shift, presumptions are reset.

http://newageislam.com/nation-states-do-not-need-ideologies-to-exist/the-war-within-islam/d/6953

جدیدیت کی ایک مختصر تاریخ

by آکار پٹیل (ترجمہ نیو ایج اسلام

اگرچہ رومی یونانیوں کا احترام کرتے تھے، اور بہت سے رومی مئورخین نے یونانی زبان میں لکھا ہے، لیکن وہ خود علم کے مقابلے میں فتح حاصل کرنے میں زیادہ دلچسپی رکھتے تھے۔ روم کی تنزلی چوتھی صدی عیسوی میں عیسائیت کے نمودار ہونے سے قبل ہی شروع ہو گئ تھی، اور 7ویں صدی عیسوی میں اسلام کے ظہور کے وقت تک روم کا وجود ختم ہو گیا تھا۔ چرچ نے یو نانیوں کی طرح کائنات کی نو عیت پر آزادانہ طور پر غور و فکر کی اجازت نہیں دی۔

http://newageislam.com/urdu-section/جدیدیت-کی-ایک-مختصر-تاریخ/d/6950

आधुनिकता का संक्षिप्त इतिहास

by आकार पटेल (अनुवाद- न्यु एज इस्लाम)

उस ज़माने में एथेंस ने लोकतंत्र की भी खोज की, और ये पहली बार था कि जनता ने उन लोगों को चुना जो उस पर शासन करेगें। ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण बात ये है कि जनता ही तय करेगी कि कौन कानून की व्याख्या करेगा। उस ज़माने में जजो की एक टीम तैय्यार की गयी। अरस्तु जिन्होंने प्लेटो के नेतृत्व में पढ़ाई की थी, उन्होंने तर्क और वर्गीकरण की प्रणाली विकसित की और आधुनिक विज्ञान और जीव विज्ञान को स्थापित किया। उस ज़माने के ग्रीस में ब्रह्माण्ड विज्ञान, खगोल विज्ञान, और यहां तक कि परमाणु सिद्धांत दर्ज किए गए और उन पर शोध किया गया और उसे पढ़ाया भी गया।

http://newageislam.com/hindi-section/आधुनिकता-का-संक्षिप्त-इतिहास/d/6951

Muslims Approaches to Interfaith Dialogue: The Authentic and the Apologetic

by Dr. Adis Duderija, New Age Islam

New Age Islam columnist Dr. Adis Duderija authentically describes Muslims approach to interfaith dialogue. He writes: I would like to analyse the imam’s (who has a significant following and is seen as ‘progressive’ by many young people) speech in relation to the question of an authentic vs. apologetic approach to inter-faith dialogue. An authentic approach I define as one that deals with the reality of the complex nature ,diversity and at times mutually exclusive strands of what constitutes a religious tradition with the attendant issue of who has the power and authority to ‘canonise’ and interpret that very tradition. An approach which evaluates religious tradition holistically, contextually and in a historically sensitive manner An apologetic approach, on the other hand, strives to score an ideological point in most cases but importantly it is also a one dimensional approach and an understanding of the religious tradition based on selective utilisation of tradition that suppresses certain aspects of it and privileges others, an approach which is at best semi-contextualist and not attune to the historical circumstances in which the tradition unfolded.

http://newageislam.com/muslims-approaches-to-interfaith-dialogue--the-authentic-and-the-apologetic/interfaith-dialogue/d/6952

Arab Revolts Bring Islamist Regional Vision Closer to Being Realized

by Edmund Blair, Tom Perry

This article by Edmund Blair, Tom Perry talks of the result of Arab Spring and describes how Islamists have been able to take advantage of the situation. They write: The Muslim Brotherhood has quietly spread its influence far beyond Egypt in its 84-year history, but Arab revolts have opened broad new political horizons the group hopes will reflect its founder’s vision for the Arab and Islamic world.

“There is no doubt that Hassan al-Banna believed in Islamic unity and not just Arab unity. But with such a vision we must consider reality and what is possible,” said Mahmoud Ghozlan, a member of the Brotherhood’s executive bureau.

Interviewed at the group’s new headquarters in Cairo, he called such unity a “long-term objective,” but seemed alive to the possibilities thrown up by a ferment in which Islamists are driving mainstream politics across North Africa and beyond.

lear th� h s �A| �&{ so attacks on the institutions and symbols of the republic.

http://newageislam.com/arab-revolts-bring-islamist-regional-vision-closer-to-being-realized/islam-and-politics/d/6949

The Toulouse Shootings have United France in Grief

by Eve Gani

Columnist Eve Gani has described how French Jews and Muslims did come together to mourn in the aftermath of Toulouse killing in the following words:

French Jews and Muslims have come together to mourn, breaking easy links between their people and Israeli policies or Jihadism

We were in a state of shock that Monday, early in the morning, when we discovered that our children's lives had been snatched by a cold-hearted killer who had poured his hate and his bullets into the heart of a Jewish school.

Then the anguish came, with all the questions that followed about who the killer was and the possibility he might kill again. Given who the victims were – Muslims in Montauban, Jews in Toulouse – we realised very quickly there was a message of racist, anti-Semitic hate, but also, because of the two institutions that were hit, the army on the one hand, the school on the other, it was clear that these were also attacks on the institutions and symbols of the republic.

http://newageislam.com/the-toulouse-shootings-have-united-france-in-grief/interfaith-dialogue/d/6948

The Islamic Concept of God

by Nezar Hamze

This article by Nezar Hamze describes God’s Islamic concept in following lines:

The most frequent question I get asked by my fellow Americans is to explain how Muslims believe in God. They ask, who or what is Allah? Allah is the Arabic name of God, the same God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

The first and most important teaching of Islam is the oneness or uniqueness of God (Allah). This teaching is the first part of the first pillar of Islam and the first article of faith that Muslims must believe. Islam teaches a oneness of God that goes beyond the English term "one."

In the 112th chapter of the Quran, Surah Al-Iklhas, God explains to humanity how to believe in him. This chapter is so important that some narrations of the Prophet Mohammed say, if the Quran were to be divided into three sections, the meaning of Surah Al-Iklhas would represent 1/3 of the overall content of the Quran.

http://newageislam.com/the-islamic-concept-of-god/islam-and-spiritualism/d/6947

Not All Islam Is Radical Islam

by Noah Fitzgerel

Columnist Noah Fitzgerel discusses in detail to prove that Muslims can not be portrayed as radicals and writes: "The portrayal of Muslims as victims or heroes is at best partially accurate."

The article aimed to appeal to readers through the utilization of statistics that evinced the growing persecution of Christians in nations with populations which overwhelmingly adhere to Islam. I should establish that Ms. Ali's assertion of the rising persecution of Christians in Muslim nations is a real problem, and just as unfortunate as Ms. Ali stated. Fundamentally, the systematic persecution of a people is never acceptable. However, I believe that the end to which Ms. Ali attempted to use the statistics was inappropriate.

http://newageislam.com/not-all-islam-is-radical-islam/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/6946

NYPD Spying On College Students Is Counterproductive

by Alejandro J. Beutel and Haris Tarin

What we share is the experience of having shaped our American Muslim identity on a college campus through involvement with Muslim student organizations. Becoming involved in civic activism, we always saw our values as Americans and as Muslims in harmony with each other. The NYPD's surveillance of an entire community based on their faith -- with no evidence of criminal activity -- is a blow against democracy ….

http://newageislam.com/nypd-spying-on-college-students-is-counterproductive/islam-and-the-west/d/6945

मध्यकालीन इस्लामी क़ानून में मर्द और स्त्री के बीच संबंध

by डॉक्टर अदिस दुदरीजा (अनुवाद- न्यु एज इस्लाम)

"एक सच्ची मुसलमान बीवी की सबसे बड़ी नेकी अपने शौहर के प्रति उसकी वफ़ादारी है। उसका दिमाग, उसका दिल, उसकी नज़र, उसका शरीर सिर्फ शौहर के लिए है .... ये मुस्लिम बीवी को शोभा नहीं देता कि वो अपने शौहर के अलावा किसी दूसरे मर्द की तरफ नज़र उठाए ... यहां तक कि किसी मर्द पर एक नज़र डालना भी कुफ़्र और बेवफाई का अमल माना जाता है ... मन में किसी दूसरे मर्द का ध्यान करना भी इस्लाम में कुफ्र है, दूसरे मर्दों पर नजर डालना भी कुफ़्र है, दूसरे आदमियों से बात करना कुफ्र है। शौहरों के लिए कुफ्र और बेवफाई बदकारी करने तक ही सीमित नहीं है।"
http://newageislam.com/hindi-section/मध्यकालीन-इस्लामी-क़ानून-में-मर्द-और-स्त्री-के-बीच-संबंध/d/6943

قرون وسطہ کے اسلامی قانون میں مرد اور عورت کے درمیان تعلقات

by ڈاکٹر ادس ددریجا (ترجمہ نیو ایج اسلام

روایتی اسلامی قانون میں بڑی تعداد میں مخصوص صنفی حقوق، ذمہ داریوں، اور سرکاری / سیاسی قانون، تعلیمی، رسمی، قانونی شعبوں اور ذاتی طرز عمل کے متعلق معیار شامل ہیں۔ یہ مضمون انہیں پر روشنی ڈالنےکی کوشش کرے گا اور مختصراً مرد اور عورت کی جنسیت کی قرون وسطٰیفہم کی نو عیت کا جائزہ پیش کرے گا۔ اس میں آیات 4:34 اور 2:228 کی قرون وسطٰیاور جدید قرآنی تشریح کی مثالوں کو شامل کیا گیا ہےجو جنسوں کے درمیان اس صنفی درجہ وار تعلقات کو ظاہر کرتی ہیں اور روایتی مسلم فیملی لاء کے کچھ پہلوئوں کے تعلق سے اس کے مضمرات کا جائزہ لیتی ہیں۔

http://newageislam.com/Best-Articles.aspx?ID=&Page=2&Month=Mar%202012

America’s Iran-Israel Conundrum

by S. Nihal Singh

Columnist S. Nihal Singh descries America’s fight in Middle East nothing more than sheer madness. He writes:

To anyone outside America, starting a new war in the Greater Middle East region after defeats or near defeats in two wars would be sheer madness. But the manner in which the United States is discussing the prospect of a war against Iran in collusion with Israel, or singly by the latter, is a startling reminder of how Iran is part of domestic policy and the compulsions of electoral politics.

The conventional wisdom in America is that much as US President Barack Obama wants to avoid a third war in the region, he cannot but strike a macho pose because Israel has formidable advantages in compelling the White House to act as it desires.

http://newageislam.com/america%E2%80%99s-iran-israel-conundrum/islam-and-the-west/d/6941

Islamic Arabic Emirates of Bakistan Hatching Evil

by Nadeem F. Paracha

I’m sure some of you must be squirming and itching to ridicule me, but remember it was I who first suggested that the CIA was using fake polio vaccination campaigns in FATA to gather intelligence in the area, that Husain Haqqani was working against the interest of Pakistan and that man never walked on the moon. It was an elaborate hoax. …

http://newageislam.com/islamic-arabic-emirates-of-bakistan-hatching-evil/the-war-within-islam/d/6940

Islamism and Democracy are Inherently Incompatible with Each Other

by Shajahan Madampat

Columnist Shajahan Madampat writes about Islamism and democracy being inherently incompatible with each other. He writes:

DOES the emergence of Islamism, or political Islam, as a potentially transformative force in the Arab world augur well for democratic prospects in the region? Will Islamism graduate, under the compulsions of realpolitik, to become the Arab Muslim equivalent of Europe's Christian Democrats or use the electoral route to eventually try and establish a scripturally vindicated form of theocratic or theo-democratic tyranny?

The question assumes special significance now, as political developments over the past one year have confirmed that the fall of dictatorships in Arab countries is most likely to be followed by the rise of Islamists to power. Are the core beliefs and ideological fundamentals that the Islamists stand for compatible with even the elementary concepts of democracy?

http://newageislam.com/islamism-and-democracy-are-inherently-incompatible-with-each-other/islam-and-politics/d/6938

What Is Anti-Atheist Bigotry

by Austin Cline

Columnist Austin Cline writes about the bigotry spread far and wide in America against anti-atheism in following words:

The strength of anti-atheist bigotry in America is undeniable. But how exactly does this anti-atheist bigotry manifest? How do religious theists — Christians, primarily — express or act on their bigotry towards atheists? What does anti-atheist bigotry in America look like?

The most fundamental and serious expression of anti-atheist bigotry in America is to deny atheists' very humanity on some level. The worst form is to deny that atheists have any reason to be moral because morality requires gods and/or morality proves the existence of gods. This sort of hate-mongering feeds the perception that atheist can't be trusted, a frequently cited reason for discrimination against atheists.

/ � > ��x �a� ��x �a� e war that at times bordered on

hysteria.

http://newageislam.com/what-is-anti-atheist-bigotry/debate/d/6937

टुलूस या दो गंभीर त्रासदियों से क्या मिला?

by सैफ शाहीन, न्यु एज इस्लाम

इन दोनों में से किसी पर भी ये फर्क नहीं पड़ता कि वो लोग जिन्हें ये हत्या कर रहे थे ये वो लोग नहीं थे जिन्होंने "अपराध" किए थे और जिनसे वो बदला लेना चाहते थे। लेकिन जो महत्वपूर्ण था वो था बयान: "उन लोगों" ने "मेरे भाइयों" की हत्या की है इसलिए मैं उन "लोगों" को मारूंगा है। इस हत्या के आम पीड़ितों से विशेष रूप से ये स्पष्ट हैः बच्चे, जिनका इससे कोई लेना देना नहीं था। उसने इन लोगों को हत्या करने की मंशा की प्रेरणा दी।

http://newageislam.com/hindi-section/टुलूस-या-दो-गंभीर-त्रासदियों-से-क्या-मिला?/d/6935

Stand Up For Religious Freedom

by Sarah Posner

Columnist Sarah Posner proves how our liberty and our religious freedom granted by God is under threat. She evokes to stand up against the atrocities and be counted. She writes:

“Our liberty, our freedom of religion, inalienable, granted by God, and enshrined in our Constitution, is under attack,” Hagen added, parroting the talking points of the national effort by anti-contraception activists who staged 140 simultaneous rallies

across the country on Friday. Hagen, a waitress at Carrabba’s who told me she wasn’t particularly political before she learned of the Obama administration’s contraception coverage requirement in January, called the contraception benefit “coercion,” an “infringement of our conscience and our religious freedom," “indefensible,” and “unjustifiable before God.”

a � r c `�� a� e war that at times bordered on

hysteria.

http://newageislam.com/stand-up-for-religious-freedom/islam,-women-and-feminism/d/6936

Arab Spring Bleeds Deeper into Africa

by Derek Henry Flood

Columnist Derek Henry Flood researches to topic Arab Spring and how it bleeds

deeper into Africa in the following article.

"He is a black man! From Africa!" was how an exuberant Libyan rebel fighter described to Asia Times Online a purported Chadian national captured from pro-Gaddafi forces after the rebel victory in the immediate aftermath of the first battle of Brega on March 2, 2011.

Brega, a key oil terminal town west of Benghazi, was significant for not only being the first clear military victory for the rebels against regime forces who had begun to creep eastward toward the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, but also for more quietly being the place where rebel forces began to disseminate statements to journalists about the importance of sub-Saharan Africans in the war that at times bordered on

hysteria.

http://newageislam.com/arab-spring-bleeds-deeper-into-africa/islam-and-the-west/d/6934

Proposed Amendments to Marriage Laws do not Guarantee Full Women Rights

by Flavia Agnes

Columnist Flavia Agnes presents a deep study of marriage laws proposed in the parliament for amendment. She says it does not consider the rights of women in it. She writes:

The proposed amendments to marriage laws lack the detail to guarantee women their full due

The questions foremost in the minds of activists are — how will the provisions for quick divorces affect rural women for whom marriage symbolises social status and divorce spells doom and destitution? Also, what will be the guidelines for distributing property, when the concept is new and hitherto unknown to Indian family law jurisprudence? Will the inherent gender biases that predominate court

proceedings overshadow fair distribution? More importantly, if a husband, prior to filing the divorce petition transfers his property to his relatives or squanders away his wealth, what will be left for fair distribution at the time of divorce? Such trends are being adopted to defeat women’s claims to meagre maintenance. Will the new amendment provide further boost to such tendencies?

According to Flavia Agnes women rights have not been fully taken into consideration in the proposed marriage law.

http://newageislam.com/proposed-amendments-to-marriage-laws-do-not-guarantee-full-women-rights/islam,-women-and-feminism/d/6933

Through Islamic Schools, Mosques, and Indoctrination at Home Islamist Radicalism Passed on to Third Generation

by Barry Rubin

Columnist Barry Rubin says Islamic schools, mosques and indoctrination at home is the cause of radicalisation of Islam. He writes:

Radicalism is being passed on to the third generation through Islamic schools, mosques and indoctrination at home. In effect, France and other countries are turning themselves into permanently unstable bi-national states. That’s dangerous

The murders in Toulouse should be a wake-up call for France and all of Europe. True, the assaults on Jews and French soldiers were three individual terror attacks perpetrated supposedly by a single individual. The more information that emerges, however, the clearer it becomes that this terrorist was well connected to a bigger Al Qaeda network.

http://newageislam.com/through-islamic-schools,-mosques,-and-indoctrination-at-home-islamist-radicalism-passed-on-to-third-generation/radical-islamism-and-jihad/d/6932

Wahhabis, Deobandis, Tablighi Jamaat and Orthodox Outfits have been Turning the Valley into a Bastion of Puritanical Islam

by Riyaz Wani

Columnist Riyaz Wani gives detail of how Wahhabis, Deobandis and Tablighi Jamaat are poisoning the young minds in Kashmir. He writes:

Wahhabis. Deobandis. Tablighi Jamaat. Orthodox outfits have been turning the Valley into a bastion of puritanical Islam. But the Sufis are fighting back to regain their moorings.

A COLOURFUL procession stretched a mile long along the picturesque Dal Lake. A truck carrying preachers in green turbans was followed by thousands of faithfuls waving green flags. Some people were busy at makeshift kitchens on the roadside where tehri (turmeric-dyed rice), salt tea and kehwa were served to the devotees.

http://newageislam.com/wahhabis,-deobandis,-tablighi-jamaat-and-orthodox-outfits-have-been-turning-the-valley-into-a-bastion-of-puritanical-islam/the-war-within-islam/d/6931

ٹولوس یا دو شدید حادثوں سے کیا حاصل ہوا؟

by سیف شاہین، نیو ایج اسلام

یہ حیرت انگیز ہے کہ کس طرح تہذیبی تصادم کے دونوں اطراف کےلوگوں کی نفرت اور انتقام کی اس طرح کی کہانیاں ایک دوسرے کے عین یکسانیت کو سامنے لا رہی ہیں۔ رابرٹ بیلس اور محمد میراہ کے تمام نسلی اور مذہبی اختلافات کے باوجود انہیں ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ تبدیل کر سکتے ہیں، اورکسی سوال کے پوچھے جانے کی ضرورت نہیں ہے۔ ان کی سوچ ایک تھی، ان کی طرز زندگی یکساں تھی، ان دونوں نے ایک جیسا عمل کیا اوروہ بھی ایک جیسی ہی وجوہات کے لئے۔

http://newageislam.com/urdu-section/ٹولوس-یا-دو-شدید-حادثوں-سے-کیا-حاصل-ہوا؟/d/6928

Keeping Mum about the Punjabi Taliban

by Khaled Ahmed

Columnist Khaled Ahmed, while reviewing the book “Punjab Taliba” by Mujahid Hussain, writes:

The terrorists are angry at the book. Punjab government has now joined them. The terrorists are scary enough — because the author, who now lives abroad, was once attacked by them. Some years ago, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah denied that south Punjab was a haven of the Punjabi Taliban. South Punjab contains 13 districts with a population of 27 million: Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, DG Khan, Jhang, Khanewal, Layyah, Lodhran, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Vehari.

http://newageislam.com/keeping-mum-about-the-punjabi-taliban/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/6929

Nuclear Watchdog Chief Accused of Pro-western Bias Over Iran

Columnist Julian Borger explores the possibilities of nuclear watchdog being biased against Iran. He goes on to describe as under:

Former officials warn of parallels between IAEA approach to Iran and mistakes over Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear watchdog at the heart of the growing Iranian crisis, has been accused by several former senior officials of pro-western bias, over-reliance on unverified intelligence and of sidelining skeptics.

http://newageislam.com/nuclear-watchdog-chief-accused-of-pro-western-bias-over-iran/islam-and-the-west/d/6927

The ex-FBI Informant with a Change of Heart: There is no real Hunt, Its Fixed

The ex-FBI Informant with a Change of Heart: There is no real Hunt, Its Fixed

Columnist Paul Harris writes how FBI works to root out threats of radical Islamism. He writes:

Craig Monteilh describes how he pretended to be a radical Muslim in order to root out potential threats, shining a light on some of the bureau's more ethically murky practices

Craig Monteilh says he did not balk when his FBI handlers gave him the OK to have sex with the Muslim women his undercover operation was targeting. Nor, at the time, did he shy away from recording their pillow talk.

http://newageislam.com/the-ex-fbi-informant-with-a-change-of-heart--there-is-no-real-hunt,-its-fixed/islam-and-the-west/d/6926

Jihadist Shooter Merah Was No Lone Wolf

Jihadist Shooter Merah Was No Lone Wolf

Columnist Jytte Klausen presents the background of the Merah incident and brings forward the details in following words:

Mohamed Merah was practically a prince in violent extremist circles.

Mohamed Merah, the Frenchman who assassinated three French paratroopers of North African background and then launched a terrible attack on a Jewish school—murdering a teacher, his two young sons and an 8-year-old girl—claimed to act for al Qaeda. Skeptics have dismissed the claim, saying al Qaeda barely functions anymore. But Merah was no "lone wolf" and did indeed bear the imprint of al Qaeda.

Young and alienated, Merah had served two years in a juvenile prison for robbery.

Was he rejected by French society because of his Algerian background? "He

lawyer.

snapped," say friends. After prison, he was completely cut off from reality, said his
http://www.newageislam.com/muslims-and-islamophobia/jihadist-shooter-merah-was-no-lone-wolf/d/6925

Monday, April 2, 2012

Hindus Leaving Homeland Amid Security Fears

Hindus Leaving Homeland Amid Security Fears
Columnist Ali K Chishti describes the pathetic condition in which the minorities of Pakistan are living. For the fear of security they are fleeing their homeland. The author writes:
Having lived in Sindh for centuries, Hindus are migrating because of forced conversions, murders and abductions for ransom
Mohan Lal Harchandani, another Hindu leader, says his community has been living in Sindh for thousands of years. "Not only do we see Pakistan as our country, we work and pray for its prosperity," he said.
But the community is concerned about its security. Hindus were 16 percent of Pakistan's population in 1947, but have been reduced to 2 percent. In 1947, there were 428 functioning temples in the country. Now, there are only 26, according to Jamohan Kumar Arora from Rawalpindi. But the 3 million Hindus as per the 1998 census are still the largest religious minority in Pakistan. Most of them live in Karachi, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur regions of Sindh.

http://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/ali-k-chishti/hindus-leaving-homeland-amid-security-fears/d/6867

Banning of Basant the Most Damaging Degradation of Cultural Events

Banning of Basant the Most Damaging Degradation of Cultural Events

Columnist Hamid A Rashid describes the importance of pluralism through cultural integration in the society by celebration each other’s festivals. He writes:
Basant is significant for many reasons, not least that it is a centuries-old cultural tradition of Punjab that cuts across all lines of society, religion, caste and creed. In many ways, the universality of the festival makes it symbolic of the culture of tolerance and diversity that the subcontinent was once known for. The upkeep of this festival is particularly crucial for Pakistan and Lahore specifically. Consider: in a
society as polarised and fragmented as ours, the need to focus on events and issues that bind us together is not just important, it is an existential imperative. Since there is no counter-narrative either in the form of media outreach or social events to which the majority of the populace subscribes, the country remains mired in a cycle of conservatism with no credible cultural opposition. And while Basant has been banned ostensibly for security reasons, its banning will undoubtedly strengthen the lunatic fringe that considers the festival a Hindu/Un Islamic event and our culture as a mere extension of their version of Islam.

http://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/hamid-a-rashid/banning-of-basant-the-most-damaging-degradation-of-cultural-events/d/6859

The Teachings of Islam Encompass the Whole Life

The Teachings of Islam Encompass the Whole Life
The article, “The Teaching of Islam Encompass the whole life” is spiritual in nature and deals with the Islamic teachings which guide our lives. The article goes on as:
EVERY human being is connected with Allah spiritually. However, in this material world, we also get ourselves connected with other entities, such as parents, family, kin, community, society, country etc. The ethics of connectivity with others has deep spiritual roots in religion. Our day-to-day condition, happy or otherwise, is also subjected to the interaction with these relationships. Every entity or relationship with which we are connected entails certain rights and responsibilities. We are to fulfil these to maintain cordiality in relationships. The teachings of Islam encompass the whole life; they guide us first to fortify our spiritual bond with Allah. This is fundamental and at the core of Islam’s overall message.
http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-spiritualism/amin-valliani/the-teachings-of-islam-encompass-the-whole-life/d/6906

My Husband is My Father’s Age…

Columnist Ayesha Pervez has taken a very serious issue of girls getting married with the men of their father’s age. She writes, “A few weeks ago, I happened to witness the unfortunate crumbling and subsequent break-up of a close friend’s marriage. After hearing both sides of the story, I arrived to a conclusion regarding the main reason behind the failure: The husband was 20 years older than his wife.

Although common in an eastern society where arranged marriages are the norm, such large age-gaps (10 years and more) often have great drawbacks in a relationship as intimate as marriage. In our society, parents are in a rush to marry off their daughters before they hit the twenty-fifth birthday mark (or even earlier), and the foremost attribute they seek is financial stability, even if the candidate is a whole generation ahead in terms of age and experience.”

http://www.newageislam.com/islam,-women-and-feminism/ayesha-pervez/my-husband-is-my-father%E2%80%99s-age%E2%80%A6/d/6852

Modesty of Dress and Indian Culture

Modesty of Dress and Indian Culture
Columnist Suchi Govindarajan, while describing the importance of modesty in Indian culture through dresses, writes, “
The problem, sir/madam, is that revealing attire is being worn. Deep-neck and sleeveless tops, exposed legs — and these are just the middle-aged priests! Some priests are even (Shiva Shiva!) doing away with the upper garment. And I am told some temple managements even encourage this.
But this is the worst thing. They are doing this in front of ladies and Gods, with no shame at all. Just the other day, I saw a priest without upper garments making an offering to God (which itself is shameful) and then coming out just like that to give prasadam to the ladies. The whole sanctity of the ceremony is spoilt. Plus, what evils may result if they speak to the ladies like that.

http://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/suchi-govindarajan/modesty-of-dress-and-indian-culture/d/6853

Clothe Your Women with Kindness

Clothe Your Women with Kindness
Columnist Fahad Faruqui describes how kindness to the women in our household is the source of our progress both here and hereafter. He writes:
Every time I hear news of a man using physical force on his wife and children, I become furious. What is further infuriating is that as a man, to react the way I do is deemed strange. For some godforsaken reason it is widely accepted that it's a man's prerogative to correct women by force, especially if they are ungrateful (whatever that means) and if they don't obey the commands of their husbands.
Women who have been in such situations tell me that a wife can be beaten up for something as trivial as excessively salting food.

http://www.newageislam.com/islam,-women-and-feminism/fahad-faruqui/clothe-your-women-with-kindness/d/6845

The Ultimate, Sacred and Supreme Love

The Ultimate, Sacred and Supreme Love
Columnist Kashif Shahzada defines sacred and supreme love in the following words:
Did you know what the real measure of love is? Sacrifice. Yes, that is true! You can claim your love as much as you like, blow your own trumpet as loud as possible, but its real measure, its factual test occurs when you make or do not make a sacrifice for the beloved.
What is it that you are willing to sacrifice; willing to give up; and willing to forego for your love is what measures your commitment and devotion! The greater the sacrifice, the stronger the devotion Also, it is a prerogative of devotion that sacrifices should be made.

http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-spiritualism/kashif-shahzada/the-ultimate,-sacred-and-supreme-love/d/6846

Humyan Rights situation in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani Administrated Kashmir,

Humyan Rights situation in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani Administrated Kashmir,
Presentation by Dr Shabir Choudhr
This speech in UNHRC by Dr Shabir Choudhry brings forward human rights deteriorating situation in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in front of the world through this platform. He says:
Mr Chairman, friends and colleagues aslam o alaykam and good afternoon
Few days ago, in one informal meeting of some concerned citizens of former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir in Geneva, it was suggested that we should call Gilgit Baltistan as ‘Occupied Gilgit Baltistan’ and should call Azad Kashmir as ‘Pakistani Occupied Kashmir’ to explain illegal occupation of these areas by Pakistan and their disputed nature.

http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-human-rights/dr-shabir-choudhry/human-rights-situation-in-gilgit-baltistan-and-pakistani-administrated-kashmir,-presentation-by-dr-shabir-choudhry/d/6844

US Afghan Strategy In Tatters Following Massacre of 16 Civilians

US Afghan Strategy In Tatters Following Massacre of 16 Civilians
by Bill Van Auken
Bill Van Auken is an activist for the Socialist Equality Party
Karzai himself is in no hurry to see the US and NATO military presence draw to a close. He and his corrupt coterie know that his regime would never survive without the armed protection and funding provided by the US and the other imperialist powers. While there was no mention in the Taliban statement of the massacre in Kandahar, it may well see it as creating more favorable conditions for resisting the occupation. …
http://www.newageislam.com/islam-and-the-west/bill-van-auken/us-afghan-strategy-in-tatters-following-massacre-of-16-civilians/d/6866