DRC: an alternate source for conflict resolution? on January 11, 2018The formation of conflicts over rights, resources, faiths, gender, and responsibilities are natural and have been happening since time immemorial. Conflicts are natural and at no point we can totally do away with them. Human history has recorded three modes of conflict resolution, dispute resolution by violence or the use of forced dispute resolution by […]
Mingling of sexes on campus on January 4, 2018I was shocked to find out about the notification from the Bacha Khan University administration which prohibited male and female students from interacting with one another. I was disappointed that an institution named after a person who often spoke on gender equality had taken such a regressive step. Shortly afterwards, a friend shared similar notifications […]
Stereotypical portrayal of women in media on January 3, 2018In the last few decades, women have contributed a great deal in the fields of education, sports, politics etc, but gender stereotypes are just as strong as they were decades ago even in the most developed countries. A variety of stereotypes keep circulating and echoing around us when it comes to women in our society. […]
Imams as public servants on December 28, 2017Dr Anwar Dabour, Professor of Shari’ah at the Faculty of Law, Cairo University, has stated that there is nothing wrong with the imam who delivers the khutbah (sermon) in a Mosque obtaining a salary from either the Mosque board or from the government. Those imams should be supported by the states where they live in […]
The need to revive Urdu on December 21, 2017Soon after the inception of Pakistan Urdu was declared the national language of the newly born state. The 1965 constitution declared in article 214 in 19 62 it was article 215. In 1973 constitution in its article 251. It states (1) The national language of Pakistan is Urdu and arrangements shall be made for its […]
Essence of Islamic teachings missing on December 5, 2017Religious education is considered important in all religions as It is thought to be a must for character building, purity of soul and a successful survival in the society. The sacred teaching of course starts from home as per religion of the family. There are various occasions in life when your religious beliefs support you, […]
Empathy for victims of traumatic incidents on November 27, 2017Dera Ismael Khan incident where an orphan girl was forcibly paraded naked by a group of men with weapons has been under discussion in media for the past few days. Before the situation could settle down, a renowned social worker visited the victim’s house and appeared before the media after symathising with her family. While […]
Madaris — are they really promoting intolerance? on November 20, 2017Madaris in Pakistan have a long history. Even before partition, they had a significant role of the religious seminaries in building a separate identity of the Muslims in the Subcontinent. Darul Uloom Deoband and Sindh Madrassatul Islam are among the most prominent madaris which had an active role during the Pakistan movement, although they did […]
Let religion be a connector on November 4, 2017Religion is a candle inside a multicolored lantern. Everyone looks through a particular colour, but the candle is always there. (Mohammad Naquib) The word religion originates from a Latin word ‘religare’ which means to bind. Looking at the top ten religions of the world, Shintoism is at number ten Jainism, Confucianism, Bahaism, Judism, Sikhism, Buddhism, […]
Co-education? Can it solve some problems? on October 22, 2017I recently saw a notification from a well known University in Taxila last week which surprised me. The notification gave directives to students regarding conduct on campus, particularly regarding mixing of men and women. Male students have been prohibited from sitting in areas reserved for women in classrooms. Another notification gave guidelines to women regarding […]