In the vast, intricate panorama of existence, Islamic theology posits a hierarchy of being where the human person is not merely a biological accident, but the centrepiece of a divine design. This unique and elevated position is often summarised by Muslim scholars in the profound phrase Ashraf al-Makhluqat, the noblest of all creations. This honour […]
Hind Rajab’s Haunting Voice
On January 29, 2024, Hind Rajab’s voice reached us for the last time. Fragile, terrified, innocent. The first time I heard her speak, something inside me changed. I could not go on with my daily life as my conscience felt heavy. Her voice has confronted our collective failure to respond to her heart-shattering supplications. We […]
Kashmir – Valley of Tears
What is going on in Kashmir is not normal. As the sun rises over the picturesque landscape of the region, it is easy to believe that all is well. Beneath this scenic beauty, however, lies a harsh and unsettling reality marked by military occupation, the oppression of an entire population, and the pervasive expression of […]
Male Allyship – About Time
I find myself at a crossroads of introspection and social consciousness when reflecting upon the theme of men as allies in women’s empowerment. As a woman who has traversed varied cultural landscapes and professional corridors, I am acutely aware that meaningful progress demands more than rhetorical support and women-centred initiatives. Gender inequality is a persistent […]
Older, Wiser, Stronger!
There goes a quotation by Abigail Van Buren, “Wisdom does not automatically come with old age. Nothing does except wrinkles. It is true that some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place.” It is obvious that not all old people are wise. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin […]
Embracing Ageing
First, let me share some good news. Despite wars, economic upheavals and climate changes, global life expectancy has increased markedly over the past 70 years, from 45.7 years in 1950 to 72.6 years in 2019. Even with the drop caused by COVID-19, we are still outliving our parents and grandparents by a significant margin. Today, […]
Mr Jinnah, the Fashion Icon
The youngest Indian lawyer to leave Lincoln’s Inn, Muhammad Ali Jinnah was truly a masterpiece; a polished, put-together man. While there have been plenty of world leaders throughout history who have dressed in a relatively shabby manner, others are among the most well-dressed men in the history of the public sphere, and a great deal […]
United Nations at 80! (Part I)
The United Nations (UN), created in 1945, had the goal of actively maintaining peace within the international community. In the wake of World War II, the world was ready for calm, and there was widespread motivation to create peace as a joint community. However, the world of international politics today is even more complex, thus […]
The Power of Small Talk
Whether you love it or dread it, small talk is woven into the fabric of everyday life. From elevator chats to pre-meeting pleasantries, it plays a quiet but crucial role in helping us navigate the social world. But why does small talk matter, and why do so many people find it excruciatingly hard? As it […]
Work-Life Integration
Work-life integration (WLI) is an approach that blends personal and professional needs, rather than treating them as separate entities with distinct time and space. The goal of work-life integration is to find areas of compromise and synergy, reaching fulfilment for both work life and personal life. Work-life integration fosters a sense of synergy between professional […]