Most of the criticism on the Single National Curriculum relates to the Islamic Studies syllabi. There is paranoia about it being “bloated” and “overzealous.” This concern stems from the idea that religion and its education is invariably regressive and degenerate. Given our long and morbid history of the political abuse of religion, sectarianism and violence, […]
The case for a secular state
In a country plagued by violence in the name of religion and sect, secularism as a pillar of statehood comes to be seen as an ideal system. The typical response by the religious elements to this eulogisation of secularism in Muslim societies is to warn their followers that secularism is equivalent to unbelief and a […]
The case for a secular state
In a country plagued by violence in the name of religion and sect, secularism as a pillar of statehood comes to be seen as an ideal system. The typical response by the religious elements to this eulogisation of secularism in Muslim societies is to warn their followers that secularism is equivalent to unbelief and a […]
The murder of human empathy
Following the reprehensible attack on Christian homes in Lahore, a spine-chilling image of an arsonist cheering over the burning flames went viral. One wonders how human beings can become capable of such naked, audacious sadism that seeks justification in a faith that decrees ‘Whosoever harms a non Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I shall […]
The murder of human empathy
Following the reprehensible attack on Christian homes in Lahore, a spine-chilling image of an arsonist cheering over the burning flames went viral. One wonders how human beings can become capable of such naked, audacious sadism that seeks justification in a faith that decrees ‘Whosoever harms a non Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I shall […]
The pressure to look right
In her article “The Balancing Act of Being Female”, Lisa Wade talks of how as a woman one has to conform to expectations of behaviour in varying situations, how it is a daily battle to play up to the demands an oversexed society puts on women. From dress to demeanour, all is sized up and […]
An instructive absurdity
Much has been written about the ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ in Islamabad on the Ides of January. I would not dignify it with comment on the agenda, the proceedings, the success or the lack of it. But I am interested in examining how it could have happened, with the support of the many thousands who […]
Sharias lost soul
Sharia has become one of the most spine-chilling, sensational words in the contemporary lexicon. In the UK, with its sizeable Muslim population, fear of sharia is palpable in alarmist articles about “creeping sharia” and concern over the proliferation of halal meat or veils. Often the fear is irrational, used by xenophobes, racists and supremacists who […]
A clash of frenetic happiness
While the ‘happy British Muslims’ video should not have in itself elicited a response more than fleeting, bemused scepticism, it was impossible to get over it and move on, given the two million Youtube views, the reams of commentary and discussion it generated. The short clip apparently became the biggest issue in the issue-ridden Muslim […]
In the heart of darkness
The rising death toll, the blood and the gore hurt but the searing and tearing hurt like a thorn lodged in the very heart. These monstrosities are committed in the name of the faith of Islam, a faith that declares the sanctity of innocent life to be greater than the sanctity of the Ka’abah itself. […]