December 25th is a public holiday, but it is in the memory of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the country, not for the celebrations of Christmas. Pakistan has a population over 180 million people and there are around 20 millions Christians. Although there is no census in the country for many yea

Let the voices of justice, peace, and respect for law enforcement be heard. People around the world have seen the iron man protecting a Christian minor girl Rimsha (accused of burning holy papers of Islamic verses that focused international attention on Pakistan’s unsympathetic blasphemy laws) up to

Prominent Pakistani Asma Jehangir once said that the government of Pakistan should brought the listed war criminals of the 1971 war time to the path of justice for their war crime, couple of years ago in her last visit to Dhaka. When we are celebrating our 43rd years of victory of our freedom some q

Traditionally, Christmas is the time to think of Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger. While the birth of Christ is a special and miraculous event, it isn't the primary focus. The central truth of the Christmas story is this: the Child of Christmas is God.
God in a Manger
Christmas story is not abou

When news of the school massacre in Pakistan’s Peshawar first surfaced as breaking news, it appeared exaggerated and unreal. One’s mind is sometimes incapable of believing or rather rejects immediately recognizing that these are facts and that someone has really decided it’s time to collectively mur

Russia, day in and day out, criticizes West (especially USA) for many things which allegedly disturb the global order & peace and many times rightly so. But Russia should realize that USA also takes lead in resolving global problems whereas Russia hardly does so. Rather in many cases as in Syria [in

Last Sunday (December 14), Boko Haram’s terrorist attack resulted in death more than 32 and kidnapping of 185 people, in northeast Nigeria.
Two days later, (December 16), national security forces killed a self-styled Muslim cleric who had taken people hostage at a café in Sydney, Australia.
The sa

We had just finished our routine meeting in our office and were sitting in reporting room. My colleague Nasir Kazmi told me that Chief Justice Supreme Court Justice Nasirul Mulk will be hearing the Kot Radha Kishan case today. During our discussion I received a text message from BBC producer Wietske

If his news conference of December 18, 2014 is any indication then President Putin, in addition to economic & financial problems, is still not understanding the problem of Southeast Ukraine as explained below:-
(1)- The economic & financial problems which Russia is facing (mainly due to fall in pe

I am forced to share about my grief and painful heart after seeing innocent children dead bodies and bitterly crying mothers for their beloved. In the whole world mother’s heart are full of pain and crying with grief after seeing this brutal attack on the little children of school that are going to

Few weeks ago, I wrote an article with a title “Ready or Not they are Coming” which was published by many blogs. In that write up it is mentioned that how ISIS is making their roots in Pakistani society; it was really an alarming situation for religious minorities as well as the modern Muslims.
Bu

"It is not only about preventing new births of thalassemic infants; about chelation, about blood transfusion and about availability of services needed; but also about preventing complications related to Thalassaemia. We cannot take half baked measures. Because if the patient dies prematurely, it wil

After writing the story of the recent Christian victims; British Pakistani Christian Association –BPCA asked me to visit them to provide some counseling, advice and prayer. It was a courtesy call which brought following facts.
I started my journey on Thursday morning at 6:30 am from Islamabad t

The moderate Syrian rebel groups are caught between a rock and a hard place, pilloried by radical factions for taking Western weapons but failing to get enough of them (or quickly enough) to become serious players. Moderate groups also suffer from poor morale and a lack of resources which is leading

I wish my friends my best wishes for the New Year, although it is not easy to celebrate the emergence of 2015 in the true spirit of peace because of the obvious clash of two cultures. It is a time to reflect for a meaningful dawn to save the citizens of the global village from further torture in the

Sub:- (i)- Putin also, like cold war Russian leaders, doesn't know how to use Indian friendship (ii)- Putin’s confused policy on Crimea / Ukraine will further cause unnecessary bloodshed of Russian speaking Ukrainians (iii)- Putin doesn't understand that without addressing Ukraine crises Russia wou

Takfiri Islamists keep on butchering in Kenya and Nigeria and clearly central forces in Nigeria can’t contain Boko Haram. Kenya currently isn’t on the level of daily massacres like in Nigeria but it is abundantly clear that Salafists and Takfiris seek to spread chaos in this nation. Therefore, Chris

A new report by Corporate Accountability International uncovers how the World Bank uses ponzi-style marketing tactics to sell privatization projects around the globe that it is also positioned to profit from. "Water privatization has been a disaster,” said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee and na

Well nothing! In fact it is the most correct approach to deal with the global TB crisis of epidemic proportions. In 2013, TB killed 1.5 million people out of the estimated 9.0 million people who developed it. Many social, economic and structural barriers drive the TB epidemic in high TB burden count

In my last article ‘An introduction of Deobandi sect and its branches’ I wrote the names of different branches of Deobandis (Ahl-e-sunnat- wal-jamat) and their activities. In its response a person named as Akbar A. Chaudhry of QeRN academy asserted that my article was completely wrong and requested

According to news reports, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has beheaded 1500 persons during the past 5 months, and a couple and their three children were beheaded and their 14 year old daughter was taken to some unknown destination just because they refused to give their 14 year old daughter

Russian President Putin who will be visiting India on December 11, 2014, has been invited to address a joint session of Parliament. This unusual / sudden (there was no hint of it even up-to G-20 meeting) invitation by India to Putin to address Parliament, is mainly due to backdrop of likely Russo -

Christians around the world are all set to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas with religious zeal in the midst of the echoing of church bells that announce the birth of our Lord Christ Jesus. But slum dwellers of the capital will remain endure without water, Gas and Electricity during the fr

The Islamic Republic of Iran is entering a very dangerous period because the changing reality of the Middle East is increasing in its hatred towards the Shia. Of course, blatant anti-Shia policies and mass discrimination is nothing new but clearly Gulf feudal kingdoms like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are

Consider these statistics: Globally, 370,000 million children are married every day. By 2020, an additional 142 million girls will be married before their 18th birthday. 6 million adolescent pregnancies occur in South Asia-- 90% of them inside marriage. Further, 34% of all unsafe abortions in the As

Sub:- (i)- Shame that Christian countries are dominating-world-power still Christians suffer as minorities in many countries (ii)- Christianity will come increasingly under attack in ‘Sangh Parivar’ dominated governments (iii)- Like any other PM and CM, Modi is also helpless before ‘Sangh Parivar’ (

There is something very high schoolish and unsophisticated about the barbs and threats being traded between Pakistan and India, where fully grown men given the responsibility to manage nations shout at one another like two boys in a park squabbling over some Barbie Doll standing on the sidelines, wh

The new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani seems to have taken a different approach to Afghanistan foreign policy. The challenge is to maintain a balance in ties with all regional and international players. Since becoming Afghanistan's President at the end of September, Ghani has visited Saudi Arabia, Ch

The NATO withdrawal next month will leave Afghanistan more vulnerable to insurgency, which is gaining ground in Afghan countryside. Moreover this withdrawal will also create a power vacuum which other regional countries like- China, India, and Iran wants to fill by their own respective influence. W

The latest massacre by al-Shabaab (al-Shabab) in Kenya highlights the entire danger to East Africa and this reality is trickling down to Central Africa. This threat applies to Takfiri Islamists that are inspired by Gulf version of militant Islam. Therefore, East African nations and some Central Afri

14th Nov. 2014, Rahim Yar Khan: These views were expressed by Yunis Khushi Advocate, President Asian Institute of Peace & Development Studies in a seminar was organized by Children Welfare Society and Asian Institute of Peace & Development Studies Rahim Yar Khan at Abbasia Town Rahim Yar Khan. The

According to news reports, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has beheaded 1500 persons during the past 5 months, and a couple and their three children were beheaded and their 14 year old daughter was taken to some unknown destination just because they refused to give their 14 year old daughter

On 4 November, 2014, I was informed by Qaiser Younas, a Court Clerk of LEAD, who was staying with his aunt at her home very next to Chak No.59, a charged Muslim mob about 1500 gathered from surrounding five villages after hearing the announcement from different Mosques’ loudspeakers and the mob atta

Despite great strides made in TB care and control over the last few years, the latest data shows that 1/3 of all TB cases are still either not detected or not reported to public health systems. These are people who either seek treatment in the private sector and are not notified to the National TB p

Sub:- (i)- Even regime change in Russia wouldn't solve Ukraine crises
(ii)- After huge bloodshed in Donetsk & Luhansk region, even returning Crimea is now no option for Russia (iii) More sanctions against Russia by West will also not solve problem (iv)- Russia can not afford to tolerate further bl

Sub:- (i)- India with PM Modi (under influence of Sangh Parivar) bound (if USA is not careful) to exploit Obama’s visit to further the cause of Hindu communalism (ii)- The message of Obama’s 2012 UN speech regarding freedom of expression has not reached India (iii)- India still harass & persecute pe

President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu of NATO Turkey are continuing to call for direct military intervention against Syria alongside funding proxies on the ground to an even higher degree. These two political leaders have peddled anti-Syria rhetoric since outside nations meddled into the in

In order to commit blasphemy in Pakistan, it is necessary to be from a religion other than Islam. In this case, a common Muslim is a self-appointed law enforcer and can be designated as a temporary judge who can decide whether the heinous crime been committed or not. A contract based temporary force

National spirit is above all to unite all religions, sects and denominations of minorities on the one platform for the betterment of Pakistan for the peace of world. Pakistan has so many sects of religion and the minorities of different denominations. If all people will keep difference of their own

Almost every believer of every Faith feels that we are currently going through the End-Time ie the Last Days before the Promised Deliverance. Through my research in the eschatology of Abrahamic Faiths, I learnt that the first persuasive and convincing sign of the End-Time and of Messiah’s awaited Co

In Joseph Colony over 160 Christian homes were destroyed and those arrested were quickly released on bail with no further progress reported on their trail. The sole Christian charged, Sawan Masih and was given the death sentence in a rare display of speed justice. More than 300 Christian families re

In her opening address at the Asia Pacific Civil Society Forum on Beijing+20, being held in Bangkok, Kate Lappin, Regional Coordinator, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) mentioned that, "Migration into exploitative work is continually on the rise, living wages and decent work

On November 04, a Christian married couple, who tried to get released from their bondage labor agreement at a brick kiln was beaten, stripped and tossed them into the burning kiln oven. At a factual level, there was a protest against a Christian couple in different cities of the country. Due to som

Sub:- (i)- Baghdadi / ISIS survives or not, at-least Muslims world-over should support Islamic currency (ii)- How come Caliphate guided by Shura Council committing war crimes (iii)- Muslims world-over should also demand that ‘Caliphate - Shura - Council’ should assimilate in Sharia the modern concep

The recent brutal murder of Christian couple Shama and Shahzad Masih because of a blasphemy accusation against them has come at a time when the world was already condemning and expressing its concern over Aasia Bibi’s death sentence.
The latest incident of the couple being burnt alive has alarmed t

The Middle East is currently the arena for a cross-border sectarian war. The weakening or collapse of repressive regimes has unleashed a fierce war for succession between rival populations, with Shia and Sunni Arabs the main protagonists. This process is playing itself not only in Iraq and Syria but

Almost twenty years ago, the Beijing Declaration and Platform For Action (BPFA) was adopted by consensus by 189 countries during the Fourth World Conference on Women, in Beijing. Although not a binding treaty, it calls for strong commitments on the part of the governments and other institutions to f

Being true Pakistani Christian, I would like to share my pain and burden for Pakistan’s sovereignty, prosperity, peace and restoration from the terrorists that is under jeopardy of different politic parties for personal’ power and politics for personal benefits than country’s sovereignty. Pakistan i

Once again, Kashmir is a living proof that it is not going to compromise, far less abandon, its demand for Azaadi (freedom) which is its birthright and for which it has paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent. Compared to t

Sub:- (i)- How can GenVKS be unconcerned about Military’s bashing in media over AFSPA in J&K and N-E (ii)- If military / AFSPA is in J&K and N-E then why civil administration of elected governments are over there (iii)- If military deployed then AFSPA has to be there to protect them (iv)- Problem in

The foundation of Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) was laid on August 28, 2004 with a dream to make Pakistan a state where people will not be judged by their faiths but by the content of equality. Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all citizens

Please wake up my dear Christians – we are not less than 30 million (3 crore), a week has passed away after the most atrocious, horrible, terrible and awful death of this young Christian couple. Still it’s not too late – we should go on strike and do processions in front of every government office f

The bonded labor in Pakistan is a disease and the kiln work is a modern slavery. The kiln work is considered Christian's work because the majority of the kiln workers are Christian. The work of sweepers is also rated for Christians and it is advertised in all Government departments that the sweeper’

Today, A Christian nation of Pakistan and all over world is in a great grief after hearing the news about Christian’s alive burning “the story of Shama bibi and shahzad Masih’s” a laborer of Brick kiln by the extremists in the “Rada Kishn village”, district Kasur, Pakistan. All of them are sharing t

In Pakistan the notorious "Blasphemy Law" is a two edged sword hanging continuously hanging over the heads of Christians living in Pakistan.
In yet another sad and brutal incident taking place on Tuesday, a young Christian couple father of three and expecting another were burnt alive in the south o

ISLAMABAD: November 5, 2014. (By Shamim Masih) Rawalpindi city was seized for three days due to the Moharam riots in October, 2013. Roads were blocked, mobile service was off and the residents faced short fall off their household items. Sunni Muslims wanted to dictate the other faiths of the country

The tobacco industry has a history of using international trade agreements to force open new markets in low and middle income countries, greatly increasing tobacco use and the consequent death/disease it causes. Tobacco companies are also challenging measures to reduce tobacco use as violations of t

Sub:- (i)- Sunday Wagah border blast has awakened Pak to reality (ii)- Pak leading media’s apprehension about takeover of AF-PAK by ISIS, should be taken seriously (iii)- After US withdrawal from Afghanistan ISIS activities bound to increase in AF - PAK (iv)- ISIS may try to grab Afghanistan, half o

Sub:- (i)- As a leader of free world USA faces greatest challenge in India, the largest secular democracy that too in Asia (ii)- USA should ensure that freedom of expression of Imam (being browbeaten by India), is protected (ii)- Nawaz comes or not Bukhari has every right to invite him and not Modi

Lahore High Court – LHC judges have saved their skin and confirmed the death sentence of Asiya Bibi. Unfortunately, in high profile case of Asiya Bibi, the radical groups are also tracking her case and their presences in the court have shown that they were willing to keep Asiya’s death sentence conf

Questions
Why church is facing deficit? Why Christian leadership is not performing the duty to save souls? Why sons of light are in the darkness of flesh world? Why new generations of Pakistani Christian are on the edge of destruction morally, spiritually and economically even almost dead walking?

"Foundation of HIV prevention is infact HIV testing" said Dr Anthony Fauci of National Institutes of Health at the opening plenary (via video link) of the HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P). But mobilizing people to go for voluntary and repeated counselling and testing for HIV has indeed been a ch

It is time to act and no time to waste. That is the urgent message of the report "The Looming Co-epidemic of TB-Diabetes: A Call to Action" launched jointly by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) at the opening day of the

As HIV prevention needs and contexts vary, it is important to expand the range of effective prevention options that people can use. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said in a video link at the first-ever international conference on all HIV-related biomedical prevention research, that “No single method of pre

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines on testing, treating and managing latent TB infection (LTBI) in individuals with high risk of developing the disease. These guidelines were launched today at the Global TB Symposium just before the start of the 45th Union

Takfiri Islamists that turn to the sword are committing untold barbarity in countless nations. Indeed, it is difficult to pin down if Takfiri Islamists are more inhumane in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, or in Nigeria. After all, the Taliban is known to have stoned people to death whil

There is a direct and irreconcilable conflict of interest between tobacco industry and public health policy. This conflict of interest is also enshrined in the preamble of the Article 5.3 of the global tobacco treaty (formally called WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control). The WHO Director-Gen

Sometimes we forget that a new millennium is running on and in 2014 nobody is unknown to anyone in this global village. Particularly people of this SAARC region are very much aware of each other’s socio-economic scenarios and conflicts.
Few months ago when Hameed Mir of geo channel was shot & sev

If you want to view the real mirror of ISIS (IS – Islamic State) then look no further than the religious apartheid state of Saudi Arabia. After all, this nation supports systematic anti non-Muslim and anti-Shia legislation. Indeed, not one Buddhist temple, Hindu temple or Christian church is tolerat

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream / I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been / To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen / They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed.... --lyrics by Jimmy Page fro

With a new Afghan president on the scene, there is an opportunity to inject new momentum into the fight against narcotics, but first of all the past mistakes must be recognized and addressed. The share of opium in the Afghan economy had increased during the time of soviet occupation drastically and

I went to attend marriage, everything was looking good, we were sitting on table of banquet hall, there were three seats empty on round table, but there came one man who was drunk, he asked that there two men who needs seat on table, these three of them were drivers who had drunk wine, they came wit

In May 2014, the World Health Assembly approved the WHO's new post-2015 global TB strategy and targets for tuberculosis, which aims to achieve the targets for 2035-- 95% decline in TB deaths and 90% decline in TB incidence rate compared with 2015--less than 10 TB cases per 100, 000 population, and t

LAHORE: October 20, 2014. (PCP) On October 16, 2014, Christian mother of five Asia Bibi, had had her blasphemy appeal hearing dismissed. A Special Bench of Lahore High Court, decided to uphold her existing blasphemy sentence, meaning Asia will remain on a death sentence and now she has right of sec

Wake up Call – Great Grief – History preview
History tells, Pakistan came into existence in 1947, what we have found? Lost? Where is our destiny? Where we are standing on ground? Where we are going? Are we doing justice with ourselves to give vote to justified leader? Do we give vote who understa

This the first time ever when global tobacco treaty negotiations are taking place in Russian Federation. While sharing an internal tobacco industry document that is now in public domain, Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said: “One record shows that there was

Allies of tobacco industry had tried to persuade government delegations before the global tobacco treaty negotiations began in Moscow earlier this week. But governments who have ratified the global tobacco treaty voted for public health and not corporate interests. Dr Margaret Chan, Director General

Although the crime of blasphemy is punishable by law in a majority of Muslim countries, Pakistan is the only country that has made headlines because of its increasing misuse of this law against religious minorities
Recently, Irish Minister Aodhan O Riordain told the Irish parliament to announce a

It is so sad to write on topic of “Nationalism or Racialism” after watching and analyzing bitter killing aspect of life to Pakistani Christian, we are faithful and good citizen of Pakistan. Before Pakistan’s existence, Christian voted for the establishment of Pakistan. How Pakistani Christian was ex

President Bashar al-Assad warned the world that by allowing Gulf petrodollars, Turkey and the murky role of several Western governments to embolden sectarianism and terrorism, that this reality would come to haunt the region and much further afield. Nations like America, France and the United Kingdo

Pakistani government is trying to give the impression to the world that Christians are safe in Pakistan instead of giving them equal rights. Present govt has totally failed to protect minorities. Christians are living under the fear of blasphemy law as a hanging sword upon their neck. Christians and

Indoor air quality concerns more than just the fumes and smoke in the house. Dampness and mould pose health risks too, especially for people living with asthma. Researchers warn that people's living habits and the new energy efficient technology used to revamp old houses might actually give indoor d

It is heard since August, 2011 that a National Commission will be established for the protection of the rights of the minorities in Pakistan to promote interfaith harmony among different sects. But nothing is seen in practical. Now we heard the echo to establishment of the Minority Rights Commission

This is fact that politics and religion are two separate things. "Religion does not have any concern with state affairs". This is the principle on which almost all the countries have framed their constitutions which is one of the reasons of their success and prosperity. Such countries where religion

On the morning of September 1, 2004, all seemed normal in Beslan in North Ossetia. This part of the Russian Federation was basically a backwater when it came to international news. However, sadly this would soon change because of the actions of Islamist terrorists that mainly emanated from Chechnya

President Obama of America is not only fooling himself, he is trying to fool the entire world. After all, Obama states America will train more sectarian and terrorist forces in the most feudal society on this planet, Saudi Arabia. Similarly, America is allied with the nations that enabled ISIS (Isla

Climate change seems to be the new food for thought for world leaders to chew upon. Recently 122 heads of state gathered in New York City for the UN Climate Summit, organised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, aimed to mobilize action to prevent looming climate disasters and garner political will

It has been over a month now and despite all the obstacles - natural and man-made – PTI (Tehreek-e-Insaf) and PAT’s (Pakistan Awami Tehreek) protests continue in the capital’s red zone area. There is still no sign of these sit-ins ending any time soon as Imran Khan’s demand for the prime minister’s

Just to remind that the work which CLAAS doing is the commitment with the God to provide assistance to the persecuted, needy and poor Christians in Pakistan. We are honestly doing our job and CLAAS means to help persecuted without hesitation, to give assistance without expectation and to love commun

The noblest professional of all-to heal fellow human beings- is certainly witnessing its worst decay. Dr Peter Gotzsche, Director, Nordic Cochrane Centre and Professor in University of Copenhagen, said to Citizen News Service (CNS): "There is a lot that needs to change in healthcare. It is one of th

It was sunny morning when I reached in Lahore on 22nd September, 2013; I received the phone call from my friend, he told that All Saints Church Peshawar is under the attack. As soon as I switched on the TV there was breaking news saying there was two suicide attackers struck at the end of the servic

"We develop medicines and other therapies which are based on very good research, but then we offer those therapies often in ways that are untested and have never been evaluated. So there is a natural progression from making sure that our treatments are evidence-based, to the next phase of ensuring t

Commendable progress has been made in the South Asian region to advance evidence-based healthcare and let evidence inform policy and programmes at different levels. But there have been roadblocks too that are slowing down the progress. Citizen News Service (CNS) spoke with Dr Prathap Tharyan, Direct

After reading the heading if u think that I'm going to tell u the story of that great Hollywood film then I'm sorry, but would tell u the real facts & that is even more than any hot filmy script. All of us know that recently (for the last couple of months) a conflict question has arisen in our era.

Whenever natural disasters and humanitarian crises occur, enormous amount of resources are spent on relief and aid services, albeit without knowing whether they will do more good than harm. At a pre-conference symposium organized by Evidence Aid, before 22nd Cochrane Colloquium opens in Hyderabad, I

London: September 22, 2014. (PCP) On September 22 Pakistani Christians throughout the world marked the first anniversary of the suicide bombing at All Saints Church in Peshawar. They held special prayers and remembered those who were martyred in this horrific attack. One hundred and nineteen faithfu

Well, any right-minded person would say NO. But the global, as well as the local media, has castigated India for not ratifying the Protocol of Amendment for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations in Geneva in July 2014, and for linking it to

For management of disasters and humanitarian crises, doing something is not enough—but doing the right thing at the right time is. Decision-makers need to know which intervention, actions and strategies would work, which would not work, which remain unproven and which no matter how well-meaning mig

Genital tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major causes of tubal infertility. Some studies show that only two per cent of women with genital TB have live births. Genital TB is usually asymptomatic so needs higher degree of clinical suspicion so that accurate and confirmed diagnosis of TB can be made an

3rd September has not only in American history but also in the modern civilized world has its own significant interest to preach human values, liberty & democracy for the sake of mankind. We all know that this day in the year 1776 of American freedom struggle, has almost reached their final destiny

An eminent Goan celebrates his 100th birth anniversary this September 17. Lambert Mascarenhas edited in Mumbai the Goan Tribune, a fortnightly dedicated to the cause of Goan Liberation. During a visit to Goa he was arrested and jailed by the colonial Government. He was then expelled from Goa. After

President Obama of the United States must be employing many spin-doctors because his policy against tackling the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS – now Islamic State IS) is farcical from start to finish. Indeed, it appears that Obama is utilizing the barbarity of ISIS in order to start another

Abused by her own family in childhood, Bela (name changed) was sold by a relative and trafficked to India. She eventually came out of her harrowing ordeal, turned her life around and became a peer counsellor and educator with Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN). She was supported for 5 years

Sitting on the top roof of the four stories building in the capital, a man roared that if you uttered a single word from your mouth I will send you directly into the hell. There were four people from three different faiths, Sunni, Shia and a Christian. It can happen only in Pakistan that Sunni Musli

Women are part of human body. If one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. There is no peace in personal life as well as in the life of a nation if any part would suffer. Democracy has brought a new light for repressed classes, but sorrowfully it has not kept its promise for a promised

India took a historic step for control and management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) when the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister of Government of India, Dr Harsh Vardhan formally launched the first-ever nationwide anti-TB drug resistance survey (2014-2015) on 6th September 2014 i

Below is final chapter of the first part of Dr. Stephen Gill,s latest novel The Chhattisgarh. It has more about the theory of detachment, more about the Vedas, the more about the mythology of 5 thousand years old Dandakarnya, the more about Kalpna and more about the central character Reghu and his r

Power vacuum looms for Afghanistan as UN delays date for result of presidential elections to mid-September despite Karzai's plans to leave office next week. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who came to power after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban in 2001, has set Tuesday as the deadline

Christians had the largest education and health system in Pakistan at the time of partition until the civil dictator Z A Bhutto nationalized their institutions. Now you can see the incredulous hypocrisy of Pakistan’s school system especially as it affects religious minorities and worse, the girls of

According to a recent brief published by the USCIRF (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom), the overall climate for religious freedom continues to deteriorate, violence against Christians has risen substantially in recent months, and more than 120 Christians have died in the last year

The first estimates of the global burden of TB in children given by the WHO in 2012, suggested that there might be 530,000 children suffering from it. Subsequently there has been an uptake in the research in this field. A recent mathematical modelling study on the burden of childhood TB in 22 high-b

Muslims everywhere continue to protest to show solidarity with Gazans on religious grounds. Recently British foreign minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi resigned from her ministerial post, in protest of the government’s policies related to Gaza and she is being praised by her Muslim fellows especially b

The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad continues to fight bravely against sectarian and terrorist forces that are sponsored by outside nations. After several years of a brutal conflict sponsored by Gulf and NATO powers it is clear that the destabilization of Syria is leading to the colla

NATO Powers and Gulf nations have sponsored the destabilization of Syria from the earliest period and the consequences of such a brutal and barbaric policy is clear for all to see. The Alawites are being taken to the sword in Syria; Christians are being cleansed and forcibly converted to Islam in bo

It is ironic that Hezbollah (Hizbullah) in Lebanon under His Eminence, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, is more concerned about the plight of Christians and other religious minorities, rather than the so-called democratic West. Indeed, it is abundantly clear that America, France and the United Kingdom are f

The Shia Muslim population is persecuted in nations like Bahrain, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, and in other nations throughout the mainly Muslim world. However, recent events in Egypt and Turkey are setting off alarm bells because despite being small minorities in both nations, it is

The ferocious fighting in the northeastern town Arsal on the Lebanese-Syrian border has resulted in dozens of soldiers killed from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and forcing thousands of refugees fleeing towards Syrian border as refugees started believing that Syria is more secured than Lebanon. T

Philadelphia: August 8, 2014. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have urged government of Canada to support Allama Tahir Ul Qadri on his campaign to revival of true democracy in Pakistan.
Dr. Bhatti condemns appeal of Punjab Government in a letter to revoke cit

We know that nearly one third of the 35 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) have tuberculosis (TB), and 13% of 8.6 million new TB cases every year are HIV positive. Also 1 in 5 HIV associated deaths are due to TB. Moreover PLHIV are 21-34 times more likely to develop active TB disease than person

Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is mobilizing governments and other partners to achieve new set of targets, referred to as, 90:90:90 by 2020, but with current set of tools, approaches, funding commitments, and challenge that HIV poses to the world, the goal seems certainly a bold

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire in the Gaza Strip which is already broken. There was a proposal that Israeli and Palestinian delegations will travel to Cairo, at the invitation of Egypt, to attempt to reach a “durable” ceasefire. Israel has made it clear that it is unlikely to pu

Sehrish Ishfaq, 5, poor Pakistani Christian girl was drowned in the seasonal drainage; during the first moon soon rain in the federal capital. She found dead, the voice reiterated itself. How this could be possible? I shook my head in disbelief while speaking on the mobile phone. In state of disbeli

According to a joint UN report entitled “HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons and other closed settings: a comprehensive package of interventions,” at least 30 million men, women and children globally go through prison systems each year, and the prevalence of HIV, STIs, hepatitis B and C an

Despite overall progress in HIV prevention, rates of HIV infection among key affected populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people remain alarmingly high. For example, recent data indicates that MSM are up to 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population

Stigma related to HIV not only blocks access to existing services for key affected populations but also increases risk of HIV acquisition manifold. When self-stigma or shame seeps in, it pushes people into depression, aggression, self-harm, addictions or even suicide. HIV-related stigma and discrimi

The Constitution of Pakistan 1973 guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens of Pakistan but Pakistani textbooks are promoting the culture of discrimination, intolerance and biases through letting down the religious minorities and especially Christianity and Christians, Hindu religion and Hindus

If the government is just doing this for the sake of implementing the order to avoid any conflict, it is a waste of time and money, and politicians should stop fooling our minorities
When the ex-Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan, Tassaduq Husain Jillani, ordered the constitution of a Council for Mino

“We must focus upon individual human beings rather than on individual diseases of TB and HIV. A person centric approach is bound to work together than a disease centric approach,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at a high level WHO consultatio

Australia has taken a lead in supporting public health in India over the years. With XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) being held in Melbourne, Citizen News Service (CNS) interviewed Bernard Philip, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to India. "The conference is providing an opportunit

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease and spreads through the air. When people with pulmonary TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air and a person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. On the other hand, HIV/AIDS is a viral disease that

Pope Benedict XVI just after taking over the Papacy reminded the Christians by saying, “You have before you the task of seeking new ways to announce Christ in situations of rapid and often profound transformation, and of emphasizing the missionary character of all pastoral activity." It has to be pl

For believers of God, religious faith has a paramount influence on their lives. At XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in the inter-faith session the message was loud and clear from different religious leaders: homophobia is a choice, not homosexuality; and religious scriptures teach us to

Two years after launching a first of its kind Combination Drug Study for TB treatment in 2010, the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) raised hopes of a novel drug regimen to treat both forms of TB—drug sensitive (DS) and multi drug resistant (MDR) TB, at the XX International AIDS

Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a sovereign country in South Asia with a population exceeding 180 million people, came into being as a result of the Pakistan movement led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is the second most populous Muslim majority country and has the second largest Shia population in the wo

Foreword
Cast system of Hindus, Sikh, Barahman and Sodar had been walking from decades even after existence of Pakistan. All nations and religions had been living in sub – continent. This is vivid difference between discrimination of religion from History of sub- continent that forms future of rel

The Shia Muslim population is persecuted in nations like Bahrain, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, and in other nations throughout the mainly Muslim world. However, recent events in Egypt and Turkey are setting off alarm bells because despite being small minorities in both nations, it is

I am little one, too little & an unwanted or unborn child. You can say me a foetus also but I have a full brain and other parts of my body. My mother condemned me and a doctor threw me away in a special dustbin. I was suffocating but soon I was used to the environment. Both of them considered me

I along with many others have been desperately looking for someone who could conscientiously lead the Pakistani Christians with conviction, determination and above all love and care. In my most recent article, I mentioned that we are not demanding for an ideal situation but there should be a balance

The retirement of Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani will see him remembered for his meritorious service in upholding the rule of law and dispensation of justice. These were the sentiments expressed by the new chief justice of Pakistan, Nasir ul Mulk, during a full court reference held in Islama

Disability is the result of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, intellectual, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. In other words, permanent impairment is called disability, which cannot be cured with any medicine. The disability can occur at any age either at

Tobacco use is anyways harmful for all, but it is especially hazardous for people living with diabetes and those suffering from or at risk of tuberculosis (TB). For the former it acts as an hindrance in their control of blood sugar and in case of the latter their ability to transmit the disease can

We learnt the story from The Bible, when Abram heard that his brother (Lot) was taken captive, He brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14: 14-16 (KJV)
14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captiv

Al Qaeda affiliates and various Takfiri terrorist groups have been emboldened by the Obama administration in America alongside the usual culprits throughout the Gulf and NATO. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and other brave politicians in America are aghast by the bizarre policies being implemented in the

The government of Nigeria appears to be at a loss about the threat of Boko Haram because time after time the armed forces of Nigeria appear to be overstretched. This reality was once more witnessed in the last few days because many Christians were slayed by Takfiri Sunni fanatics and Christian churc

Both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic diseases involving airflow obstruction and are consequences of gene environment interaction. COPD includes progressive respiratory diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is characterized by decreased airflow over ti

The situation of minorities in Pakistan has been rapidly deteriorating for the last several years, and European and American heads of state have not only expressed their concern in the media, but have directly addressed Pakistani governments.
It is believed that because of pressure from MPs, the ch

An optimum amount of oxygen is essential for the functioning and survival of all body tissues and even a few minutes deprivation can prove fatal. When saturation level of oxygen in the body falls due to some respiratory illness or injury then we need to replenish it artificially to maintain an optim

The first democratic transfer of power in Afghanistan is facing a crisis, with one of the candidates threatening to reject the result of the by-election ballot count, citing widespread fraud. The second run off saw the major voter tournout. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) estimates that se

The Universal Declaration of Human rights Article 18 stated as: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religi

Social evil is one of the most brutal and biggest curses to any nation which plays the vital role in the destruction of the society in any country or state. Pakistan is amongst one of those countries which are facing various disparaging social evils which have affected the law and order situation in

“Role of minorities in Pakistan” has become the part of the Pakistani textbooks by the constant efforts of Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) in chapter 8 ‘Population, Society and Culture of Pakistan’ in the subject of Pakistan Studies (Compulsory) for grade 10, Edition March 2013, Pub

The WHO recognizes that the ‘silent epidemic’ of viral hepatitis affects a large part of the world’s population causing over 1.4 million deaths every year, yet remains largely unknown or ignored. It is estimated that 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and more t

Role of minorities in the creation of Pakistan included in the textbooks of Pakistan on the demand of Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA). Professor Anjum James Paul, Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) has expressed satisfaction on the inclusion of the role of min

Islamic jihadists struck Mpeketoni in Kenya and then began to slaughter Christians and non-Somali nationals according to local reports. Of course, in the hate inspired world of radical Sunni Takfiris then slaughtering is second nature. Indeed, recent images in Iraq testify to this just like the coun

Islamic jihadists struck Mpeketoni in Kenya and then began to slaughter Christians and non-Somali nationals according to local reports. Of course, in the hate inspired world of radical Sunni Takfiris then slaughtering is second nature. Indeed, recent images in Iraq testify to this just like the coun

An estimated 65% of the world’s population lives in countries where obesity leads to more deaths than underweight. In 2012, over 40 million children under the age of five were considered overweight or obese, 30 million of who were living in developing countries. Around 3.4 million adults die each ye

The spike in attacks against Christian’s community makes Pakistan one of the most world’s dangerous counties for religious minorities. Pastor Hanook David and his family were assaulted by some extremists in the mid night.
According to the details, a Christian priest, David and his family were slee

The Federal Budget 2014-15 seems attempting to hoodwink the perennially poor strata of the economy through the gadget of promised financial reliefs which are concomitantly undercut by other economic hazards implicit in the budget-gadget. Ironically, the aggregation of indirect taxes and other inflat

President Obama and other leaders in France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, should all be held accountable for the re-destabilization of Iraq alongside the destabilization of Libya and Syria. Indeed, the shock waves can be felt in Egypt, Lebanon, Mali, Tunisia, and much further

The inauguration of the newly elected President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on June 8 bodes well for the emergence of an independent state. Egypt must no longer be beholden to America’s foreign policy objectives, nor to implementing Camp David to the maximum. Instead, the newly elected El-Sisi m

Overall new HIV infection rates have dipped by 26% in Asia and the Pacific region since 2001, but not for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people (source: UNAIDS Asia Pacific report, November 2013). According to estimates, between 15% and 25% MSM of this region

A Catholic Nun has proved that the gifts and talents are not just to use for self gain but to evangelize the world too. On 5th June 2014 the history of the Catholic Church had a new chapter added with the stunning victory of Sister Cristina Scuccia, a 25 year old Nun belonging to the Ursuline Sister

On April 24, 1915 the Turkish genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians began very simply, without pomp and circumstance. "We have made a clean sweep of the Armenians and Assyrians of Azerbaijan." Those were the words of Djevdet Bey, the governor of Van Province in Ottoman Turkey, who on April 24,

First of all, I would like to read one verse from New Testament for all Christian who have no knowledge of His holy about divorce.
Hebrews 13:4 (KJV) “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Christianity need to emphases on this verse

(All the characters of KALPNA LEAVES RAIPUR are products of the author's imagination. Resemblance to any person or place is coincidental)
CHHATTISGARH SERIES. KALPNA LEAVES RAIPUR is the ninth chapter in The Chhattisgarh Series to challenge the theories of detachment and reincarnation, which have

Earlier I posted that healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate themselves. The key to an honest and accurate evaluation know the basis of our self-worth - our identity. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards o

Pakistan is and remains a major shareholder of blasphemy. The country is characterized by a total ban on anything that is possible. How big or small the occasion is, rightly or wrongly, blasphemous content always ranks in my beloved Pakistan. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is offended so a crowd on its

Pakistan has arguably has become the worst place on Earth for Christian while there are others like Sudan, North Korea, Afghanistan, Bhutan etc. other nations persecute believers, but in Pakistan the entire country has spent generations forming a world view that values the torturing of those that cl

May 26, 2014 was a historic day in Indian politics. On this day the fifteenth Prime Minister of India was sworn in. Pakistan’s Prime Minister personally attended the ceremony. Later, there was also a meeting between the two prime ministers. This event holds out great hopes for many people, for they

The local council and EU elections are over in the UK, and all three main parties seem concerned about the results, while UKIP (UK independence party) has claimed victory in both elections. Dozens of Pakistanis have won local council seats, while three Pakistanis have won European Parliament seats t

The threat matrix for Pakistan religious minorities has changed radically now after the Pakistan Muslim League (N) came in power. There was numerous blasphemy cases registered in the Punjab province during the rule PML-N regime in the past and the same practice was on. A Christian family including c

The Asia and the Pacific region contains some of the world’s most powerful economies and the 21st Century is often touted to belong to this region. Yet the region is home to 66% of the world’s poorest poor. Denouncing such stark disparities, the 1st plenary session at the 2nd Asia Pacific Feminist F

Grassroots women of the Asia Pacific region have borne the brunt of the unrelenting global desire for increased consumption and accumulation of wealth by a tiny minority. Their aspirations and livelihoods are regularly trampled upon in this new Asian century, prompting thousands of women to be at th

With nearly 35% of India’s adult population (age 15+) consuming some form of tobacco, there are around 275 million people in the country smoking and/or chewing this poison, and an estimated 1 million dying every year from tobacco related diseases. Moreover 27% of the youth (age group 13-15 years) ar

The Quid – E – Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah” is the great founder of country named Pakistan. We look to name of our country “Pakistan” that is made through votes of Christian and Muslim. Pak is in Urdu translation that means in English translation Holy. The Quid – E – Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said that

Tobacco related illness kills nearly 6 million people each year, accounting for 1 in 10 of all deaths globally. More than 5.4 million of these deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600,000 are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. In fact tobacco is a risk fact

Responding to the American engineers’ claim of possibility of tampering with Indian Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the BBC correspondent asked India’s Deputy Election Commissioner, Alok Shukla, about the possibility of hacking EVM, he said, ‘even getting hold of machines to tamper with would be ve

Heading into this month’s presidential elections set for May 26 and 27, Egyptians discuss the candidate most likely to win at the polls. Retired Field Marshal, Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi -- favored by pro-democracy freedom-fighters because of his split from the former Morsi regime to carry out the will of

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2014,
John 14: 1-14
THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
Last week I was given a book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, a testimony of devout young Muslim medical doctor Nabeel Qureshi who encounters Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life. While he is a Muslim seeking Jesus he w

Recently during a court hearing of the suo motu case of the bomb blast in a Peshawar church last year, where at least 85 Christians were killed, and more than 100 were injured, Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani remarked that according to the Pakistan Penal Code’s (PPC) Article 295 “

I know before reading this article you must be thinking that again he will criticize his own nation and country. No my dear Sir/Madam, I am not a critic and I have no right to criticize or to judge anyone. I am a faithful patriot and with a passion of patriotism but only for the ordinary, middle and

The recent assassination of lawyer and prominent human rights defender, Rashid Rehman Khan, has once again shaken many, especially those who believe in humanity and human rights, not only in Pakistan, but I hear the resonance of condemnation reverberating throughout the world.
Khan was representin

The international community needs to stand up to the brutal reality of Islamic Sharia Law because this legal code is neo-medieval and based on apartheid logic. In Sudan the reality of Islamic Sharia law is clear for all to see because a female Muslim faces being hanged for merely marrying a Christia

The charities are operated for many different purposes but all of them have the common desire to do the best for their beneficiaries. To achieve this one point agenda, it is vital for the people who run such organizations to keep asking the questions: "What have we achieved?" and "how can we improve

Pakistan has become “a more and more dangerous country” for religious minorities. These were the words of the HRCP’s (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan) Secretary General, Mr I A Rehman, at the launch of the commission’s annual report.
Mr Rehman is highly respected and known for his integrity no

In a recent article I wrote that most of the people campaigning for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) come from different social strata but are united by a common desire to seek honest politics. On reading the article a friend asked me if I believed that everyone in AAP was honest and everyone in Bharatiya Jan

During my recent visit to Thailand I observed the deplorable situation of Christian refugees. These Pakistani Christians were forced into exodus from Pakistan after being victimized by “Blasphemy Law”, “Forced Conversions” and accusations of preaching amongst the “Non-Believers” in order to convert

For about two months I was in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh campaigning for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Alok Agarwal. Irrespective of what the result in Khandwa will be it appears that almost everywhere Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will make substantial gains, Congress will suffer a lot, and AAP may

Cervical cancer, a preventable cancer, continues to be the second most common cancer among women globally. Scientists and researchers from around the world brainstormed in sessions on cervical cancer management and control at the International Conference on "Emerging Frontiers and Challenges in Mana

Child labour is endemic in Afghanistan, despite vaguely written laws that prohibit children younger than 14 from working full time. The regulations, adopted in 2007 and last revised in 2012, allow those 14 and older to serve as apprentices and those 15 to 18 to perform "light work." They prohibit ch

This is the sub theme of this year’s (2014) World Asthma Day (WAD), which was first celebrated in 1998 in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona. It is an annual event aimed at improving asthma awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, control and is organized by the Gl

Translational research is scientific research that helps to make findings from basic science useful for improving human health and well-being. It is basically a three steps process: (i) doing laboratory research on a medical issue like cause of a medical condition or a specific treatment (ii) studyi

Pakistan came into being in 1947 under the leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Jinnah had repeatedly promised equality of citizenship, but this promise was not kept by his successors. Pakistan became an Islamic Republic in 1956, making Islam the source of legislation and cornerstone of the national i

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, are known to be primarily transmitted through sexual route which has created a major impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. They are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasitic microorganisms that are transmitted through sexual activit

According to UNAIDS Report 2013, an estimated 260,000 children below 18 years were newly infected with HIV in 2012 in low and middle income countries. While the first paediatric HIV case in India was recorded in 1987, in 2012 out of the 2,100,000 people living with HIV in India, 200,000 were childre

Rambabu is a dalit activist working for the empowerment of marginalized section of the population in rural Hardoi. He feels for the first time in any elections that people are being divided on communal lines. His religious identity is in conflict with this caste identity and is beginning to create p

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, are known to be primarily transmitted through sexual route which has created a major impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Although some of the STIs are curable but others still do not have any effective preventive or therapeutics

In the context of movement against the Kudankulum nuclear power plant the PM had himself directly accused the movement of receiving foreign funds implying thereby that there were some foreign powers who were not interested in seeing development in India and therefore sponsored anti-development movem

The April 21 marks 76th death anniversary of Allama Mohammed Iqbal, an embodiment of a synthetic triplet: poet, philosopher, and a mystique. The figure has largely been misunderstood in the hands of partiality with respect to agglomeration of his three chief characteristics, or over-emphasis on the

From Christ Church, La Crosse, Wisconsin I wish you a glorious joyous Easter. I am sharing with you my Easter Day sermon. Salaam!
Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3: 1-4, John 20: 1-18
Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead?
This is a title of an article by Jay Parini published on G

Stephen Gill, a celebrated poet and fiction writer, has been invited to be the keynote speaker by a university of Pakistan on multiculturalism and peace at their international conference. He will read also a chapter from his novel The Coexistence, which is a blueprint to live and let live. Belo

The rights of women and girls, including freedom from child marriage and domestic violence, have generated emotionally charged debates in Afghanistan over the past decade. Such debates often focus on personal opinions and experiences, or on the varied interpretations of religious teachings on marria

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
To take up the cross means to identify with Christ; sharing in his rejection, shame, suffering, and death. When I’ve traveled to Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria and Sudan to visit and wo

Christian vocation is a call to become part of an ongoing process of establishing the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus Christ. We cannot claim to be part of the Kingdom of God if we do not work whole heartedly for the progress of the Kingdom in and through our lives. If the seeds of the Kingdom are

Takfiri Islamists that turn to the sword are committing untold barbarity in countless nations. Indeed, it is difficult to pin down if Takfiri Islamists are more inhumane in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, or in Nigeria. After all, the Taliban is known to have stoned people to death whil

Forced conversion to Islam of Christian and Hindu girls continues to rise in Pakistan. A recent report launched by the MSP (Movement for Solidarity and Peace) revealed that 1,000 Christian and Hindu girls, aged between 12 and 25, are forced to convert to Islam every year. It is estimated that Christ

Religious persecution is not the only reason which compels Pakistanis to seek asylum elsewhere. Many a time, Pakistanis are forced to flee from their country because of their affiliation or lack of the same thoughts. I always wonder was the country made only for single Muslim school of thought, who

Now is the time for Bilawal to take the minorities into confidence and share their grievances, as their lives, honour and properties are not safe in Pakistan, despite living in a country where these things are guaranteed by Islam. They have no future in Pakistan because of ongoing persecution
On t

On the heels of the World Bank's 2014 spring meetings, an international coalition of water rights groups from India and the United States issued a stern call for the institution to end its destructive promotion of water privatization under the guise of development. After a week of meetings, includin

A new research done by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), at the University of Washington, indicates that globally the total development assistance for health (DAH) hit an all-time high of $31.3 billion in 2013 (a year-over-year increase of 3.9%), although funding priorities shi

Pre ART: 1986 to 31st March 2004: “You have AIDS,” a counselor said to me in 1997. I don't remember the exact date, but suddenly everything went blank. The counselor had spoken to me for more than 20 minutes, but I just remembered his one sentence: “You have AIDS.” Only one thing came to my mind: ev

Israel and the Palestinians angrily accused each other of undermining United States led peace efforts in the region. Palestinians said they took retaliatory step in response to Israel's failure to fulfil its pledge to free some two dozen Palestinian prisoners. Israel said it first wanted a Palestini

Turkey is a dangerous shadow under the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan. This notably applies to the intrigues being played out in Syria by Turkey and how Erdogan sides with the Muslim Brotherhood throughout a vast region. Indeed, Erdogan naturally flirts between Islamist and nationalist sentime

On March 27, additional session judge Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza sentenced Sawan Masih to death and fined him Rs.200,000 Pak rupees in the same prison courtroom he has been confined in since March last year.
He was found guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) under blasphemy law 295-C.
Alt

At the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19: 4-6

Turkey is entering a very dangerous period because at the helm of power resides an individual that twists the knife against perceived enemies. Indeed, the fact that around 45% of the electorate endorsed the Justice and Development Party (AKP), despite so many scandals involving Prime Minister Erdoga

As Afghans prepare to choose their next President in the coming election their confidence and enthusiasm in the country's electoral process is increasing day by day. Despite escalating violence and a constant threat by the Taliban. Afghanistan is set to hold historical elections this week. Although

“We have always known that alongside scaling up diagnostic and treatment services, engaging communities is vital for the success of disease control efforts. This is especially the case for tuberculosis (TB) – an ancient disease surrounded by stigma, discrimination, and misconceptions. The Knowledge-

If you want to visit a nation state that supports apartheid law to the absolute, then welcome to Saudi Arabia. Yes, in the land of Saudi Arabia not one single Buddhist temple, Christian church, Hindu temple, and other non-Muslim faiths, are tolerated. However, while America, France, the United Kingd

Tuberculosis (TB) care and control does not end with an accurate and confirmed diagnosis, but that is a good start point. It needs to be followed with initiating standard and effective anti-TB treatment (without delay), supporting the person with TB to adhere to the treatment regimen and get cured.

Armenian Christians are once more fleeing from the aggression of Turkey and not surprisingly the Western nations sprouting international law at the Russian Federation are deadly silent. Indeed, NATO Turkey is allowed to occupy Northern Cyprus, cleanse Orthodox Christianity and to create Turkish sett

One day Inayat was praying on the roof of the house, offering his prayers and he thought to himself that there had not been an answer yet to all the prayers he had offered to God and he did not know where God was to hear his prayers and he could not reconcile himself to going on praying to the God w

Data suggests up to 40-50 per cent of tuberculosis (TB) patients are likely to be accessing healthcare services in private sector. A study done in Lucknow by Dr Rajendra Prasad, former Professor and Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU) showed 44 different prescriptions

Rinku was really sad that day. Nani, his grand-mother, had not had even a wink of sleep the night before. Normally, she would be up and about at 4 in the morning. After having a bath and saying her prayers, she would sweep the hut and cook rice porridge for Rinku and herself. But that morning, Nani

A major focus of this World TB Day is the 3 million TB cases that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates are “missed” each year - that is, cases that go undetected, undiagnosed and untreated. Clearly, this must change if global TB control is to be achieved. “The Forum of International Respira

Teaching the Karen tribal people is such a privilege. We taught in their villages, churches, Bible School and in the Thom Hin Refugee Camp. Serving in the refugee camp with no electricity, running water and pit toilets is always eye opening. Those living there are happy, not complaining but rathe

Statements by scholars dating back to the 3rd century Hirji have claimed that the following verse, which has become known as “the verse of the sword,” has abrogated, i.e. annulled, many Qur’anic verses:
When the Inviolable Months have passed away, kill the polytheists wherever you find them. Seize

Whether it is mobile phone service or vacation travel, good businesses know that success depends on providing a complete and customer-centric solution. Should patients with tuberculosis not be offered a complete solution that is patient-centred? After all, millions are affected and a large market at

The Global Diabetic Foot Conference (DFcon 2014) concluded earlier this week in Los Angeles US. Citizen News Service (CNS) had an opportunity to interact with one of the key faculties and experts on Indian approach to saving the limb for people who are living with diabetes. Dr Ajith Kumar Varma is a

The first half of the 20th century was a very sensitive period in the history of the Indian subcontinent. It was a time when people began dreaming of an ideal society—being fed on romantic dreams and utopian schemes. Propagandists presented these fanciful ideas and visions through their writings and

What a coincidence that on the day the Governor of Punjab, Mohammad Sarwar, is assuring the world, and in particular the Sikh community, that religious minorities are free to worship according their beliefs, at the churches, Temples, Gurdwaras and other places of religious worship in Pakistan, a Hin

After three years, Asia’s children would be hoping to see her mother at home as her case was fixed for hearing before a division bench. Asia Bibi’s appeal was taken up at the Lahore High Court - LHC praying that the conviction for blasphemy was inconsistent with the evidence. The court may reduce he

There is no doubt that the ulema exercise considerable influence on Muslim society, although to claim, as some do, that Muslims are in the complete grip of the ulema is far from correct. Yet, it is true that no major change can take place in Muslim society by ignoring the ulema and their significanc

The government of India’s notification which came into effect on 1st March 2014 aims to arrest irrational sale and use of anti-tuberculosis drugs (and other 45 third and fourth generation antibiotics). “The Union Health Ministry has notified amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940, in which a

Is there a cure for HIV? The success stories of Timothy Brown and the two Boston patients, who rid themselves of the HIV cells through bone marrow transplants, led to hopes that a cure had finally been found. This was further boosted by the fact that the transplants received by them were diametrical

Most often peace is taken to mean a period of time, when there is no war or fighting. No wonder then that most peace workers spring into action when there is threat of a war breaking out, or when it has already started.
But this is a very limited concept of peace. In fact, peace is very comprehensi

Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah popularly known as Hamas, the longtime frontrunner in the internal jockeying of organizations fighting Israel is in its struggling days, while the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is gaining strength day by day. In recent years Hamas had a calming effect on the popu

My name is Lekshmi Bhai. I belong to a Brahmin Hindu family in India. My parent’s practiced me in idol worship. My family is well to do and so I do not experience poverty and suffering. My parents loved me so much, so everything I wanted them was given to me without any difficulties.
When I was stu

These days, fatwas are much-talked about in the media. Some recent fatwas have provided the ulema (Islamic scholars) and Islamic institutions much negative media attention, winning them the opprobrium of many.
The institution of fatwas is a very sensitive one. It is said that ulema are deputies of

European Union powers and America are currently lambasting the Russian Federation over actions taken in Crimea while people are dying daily in Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, Syria – and other nations – based on the destabilization policies of major Gulf and Western powers (Pakistan destabilized itsel

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki of Iraq denounces Qatar and Saudi Arabia for supporting terrorism and sectarianism against Iraq. Maliki made it abundantly clear that Qatar and Saudi Arabia are involved in the destabilization of Iraq based on Gulf petrodollars, their geopolitical ambitions, sectarian fac

The Quran stresses religious tolerance, this being an important Islamic principle. Religious tolerance necessarily means that people should be not be coerced into following a particular religion. This is entirely in consonance with Islam. The Quran (2:256) insists ‘There shall be no compulsion in re

I apologize for missing out on the celebrations of Women's Day this year as I was too engrossed with changing nappies of my 10 month old adorable granddaughter in London, despite her part time nanny - who is a graduate, and charges a frightful £10 an hour - that is over INR 1000 (the going rate for

The word ‘jihad’ is a broad term that connotes making strenuous efforts for a certain purpose. Jihad is not limited to engaging war with external enemies. Nor does it always have that connotation. For war against one’s enemies the Quran uses another word—qital—which is an exceptional form of jihad.

Raju came back from school very excited. In History class that day he had learnt about miracles that are mentioned in various religious scriptures. Such happenings were brought about by God, sometimes through the agency of noble people such as prophets.
That evening, Raju told his father about what

Religious minorities are widely viewed as beleaguered or under attack since Z. A. Bhutto’s regime. Even then Pakistani Christians follow his ideology. At the time of partition in 1947, around 23 percent population was comprised of non-Muslims citizens. Today, the proportion of non-Muslims has declin

Two thirds of countries globally now have laws against domestic violence with several significant transformations in legal frameworks in Asia and the Pacific. This significant shift over the last decade has not only led 15 countries in East Asia and the Pacific to enact domestic violence laws but si

Kalpna in Raipur by Stephen Gill is an engaging and thought-provoking short fiction about love between a woman professor from India and an Indian Diaspora in Canada. One believes in love and another in the theory of detachment. The result of these two views is the base of the 8th chapter under the

Before we proceed into the subject matter, let’s have a look at these two nefarious instances of ruthless killing of Sufi ideologues and Ulema at the hands of extremist goons:
(1) Mufti Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi (May God be please with him) was a Sufi-minded Pakistani Islamic cleric noted for his modera

Islam is the religion of nature. It is also the answer to man’s inner quest. It aims at establishing the right relationship between the Creator and His creatures and at maintaining this relationship on a firm basis.
An important aspect of this relationship between the Creator and human beings rela

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) issued a directive on Christians to abide by Islamic concepts of dhimmitude or face death. Of course, Christians under the Syrian government and leadership of President Bashar al-Assad are free to worship freely, join the armed forces and participate t

In northeast Nigeria the barbaric Islamist Boko Haram slaughtered many teenage boys based on their lust for killing. Currently it is known that 29 teenage boys were brutally murdered by Boko Haram but some sources state that 42 individuals perished in the latest attack by this Islamist terrorist org

Nearly 25% of people with diabetes face diabetic foot related complications in their lifetime. “People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also call

Recent interventions by America, France and the United Kingdom equates to Christian persecution and enormous instability. This reality would appear to be a constant Western policy because the same scenario keeps on happening. Of course, in terms of numbers then Muslims have been killed in vast numbe

One of the biggest problems that independent India was beset with was that following the Partition, social interaction between Hindus and Muslims, something that had carried on for centuries before, was suddenly almost completely snapped. This made it virtually impossible for members of these two co

The leader of the Pakistan Movement, Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, appeared to be a secular person. But he spearheaded the Pakistan movement by using Islam as a slogan. In 1946, just prior to the Partition, a 10-member delegation from the British Parliament visited India. A member of this delegation, Mr.

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, is one of the most powerful individuals within the entire Middle East despite his power base being firmly entrenched in the Levant. Indeed, the continuing evolution of Hezbollah under Nasrallah highlights the firm reality that this political move

"Life is always a good. This is an intuition or rather, a fact of experience, whose deepest reason (man) is called to understand it" (John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 25-III-1995).
We usually say that life is a gift from God, something that we have neither requested nor deserved and God with his be

Targeting religious minorities in Pakistan will remain a sore spot in the Asia. Pakistan, 96 percent Muslim is one of the most hostile nations for religious minorities. All religious minorities in Pakistan, not just Christians face discriminatory laws, forced conversions, and bombs and shootings aim

My father, the late Fariduddin Khan, was a large landlord. He passed away in 1929. He was very popular, not just among the local Muslims, but also among Hindus, so much so that people would come to him to have their disputes resolved. Both parties would accept his verdict without any argument. In ou

Satyendra Nath Bose (1894-1974) was an Indian physicist who specialized in mathematical physics. He is best known for his work on quantum mechanics. One of his stories from student life has a great lesson for us. While doing M.Sc. at the Calcutta’s Presidency College, he once performed so well in a

My name is Sapru. I am having 45 years of age. I was born and brought up in Kerala State in India. I was an ethist and became a strong communist. Though I was born in a nominal christian family, but I never believed in Jesus or christian religion. And slowly I became an addict of alcohol. I was a ca

In a short period of time the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has shaken up India’s political landscape by offering an honest alternative to the mainstream national parties, specifically the Congress and the BJP. This article is an attempt to understand AAP’s credibility on certain crucial dimensions, namely

After the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti in 2011, Dr. Paul Bhatti accepted a political role in the government, knowing that he was not a politician. I believe he had some concern for minorities in Pakistan that is why he left Europe to continue the work which was left undone by the sad demise of his broth

A Resolution of the Goa Legislative Assembly and a Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister last year seek special status for Goa under article 371 of the Constitution of India. This special status is sought on two grounds. As a result of large scale purchase of land by persons from outside Goa, i

In a world where people of different faiths and ideologies interact closely with each other, dialogue is a very important imperative. Islam lays great stress on dialogue. The Qur'an requires us to invite people towards the path of our Lord intelligently, and if there is a debate, it should be conduc

If you ever get a chance to spend a night in a common Christian family living in slum areas. And if you can picture the issues they face in their daily life. And the most important; is to remember the sufferings, if you ever get a chance to become in power at any level. I am particularly talking abo

Bangladesh is under threat because of dangerous internal forces that persistently try to crush religious minorities and to dismantle the secular state. Jamaat-e-Islami is a continuing cancer that threatens society directly along with sinister political forces that manipulate Islamists for personal g

Turkey under Prime Minister Erdogan, alias “The Great Leader Erdogan,” is moving the nation into the orbit of Central Asia whereby leaders dictate from high. The corruption scandal just like numerous serious issues are all being dealt with by manipulation and abusing power mechanisms in order to usu

A major purpose of what is called ‘interfaith’ or ‘inter-religious’ dialogue (or, more properly, dialogue between members of different religious communities) is for dialogue partners to understand and learn from each other. What, then, should be the scope of such dialogue? Should it focus on trying

There is much talk about inter-religious dialogue these days. Inter-religious dialogue is, of course, to be welcomed. But we need to be clear on some very basic issues. One of the most important of these is: What exactly should be the basis of this sort of dialogue?
I believe that the basis of al

With the growth of extremism in Pakistan, the minorities of Pakistan and particularly the Christians have become constant target at the hands of misconceived and uneducated extremist masses, who take it their religious duty to inflict the weaker religious communities of Pakistan.
Over the past year

Negotiators representing Pakistani Taliban insurgents said that there could be no peace until Pakistan embraces Islamic Sharia Law and US-led forces withdraw completely from the neighboring Afghanistan. Sami ul Haq, founder of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the head of the TTP’s three man talks team, said

I am Pastor Paul S. Nair. I was born in a Hindu Nair family in Kerala in India. My name was Sundaresan Nair. We had three temples for my family. I was doing poojas (form of worship by prostrating before idols and offering flowers and fruits as sacrifice) to the Hindu deities and worshipped many Go

(CHHATTISGARH SERIES: KALPNA AGREES FOR RAIPUR is the seventh short fiction in the Chhattisgarh Series by Stephen Gill. It is about love between an Indian married woman and an Indo/Canadian writer. One believes in love and another in detachment. The result forms the base of the chapters on Kalpna,

Jordan needs to reevaluate its foreign policy with America because issues related to Israel, Palestine, Syria and the Muslim Brotherhood are all problematic. The current elites in the Obama administration are intent on imposing their “colonial mindsets” by dictating to others. Therefore, Jordan shou

Iran is an anomaly because while Ayatollah Hossein-Kazamani Boroujerdi languishes in prison for holding his Shia beliefs, the theocratic leadership in this nation doesn’t mind trading with anti-Shia nation states. At the same time, the Shia community suffers enormous persecution in nations like Bahr

The straightforward fact is, when I am writing these lines; I find no hope provision of justice and protection to marginalized portion of the society. I am representative of the most vulnerable community of the country, largely dealt under Islamic militancy. Until 2006, rape in Pakistan was a crime

The first person to own a car in my hometown, Azamgarh, was Raja Harish Chand. I am talking about 70 years ago! The next family to buy a car was ours. It was an old Ford. The arrival of the car represented major scientific development, but its arrival in our lives did not engender in me any sort of

‘Tobacco is one of the leading killers in the world’; ‘smoking is harmful for our health’; ‘smoking can cause lung cancer, heart disease’… We have heard it all before. We also know how once someone gets into the habit of smoking it is very difficult, if not impossible for him/her to quit due to the

Having been born in 1925, I have personally witnessed almost a whole century of the history of the Indian subcontinent. The last 100 years was a period of momentous developments for this part of the world. This period saw the emergence of many ‘towering’ personalities, but in terms of helping the pe

“The Great Leader Erdogan” now resembles the late Chairman Mao Zedong because he dictates from high. At least Mao had the excuse of ruling a one-party-state because of the enormous traumas that engulfed China. However, modern day Turkey is going in the wrong direction because “The Great Leader Erdog

Dialogue between people of different faiths is a pressing necessity. Yet, relatively few dialogue initiatives have been launched by Muslims. This is because Muslims, generally speaking, don’t believe in building bridges with non-Muslims in religious matters. They believe in converting them. And ther

Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi appears likely to run for the presidency given the perilous situation in Egypt. It is easy for skeptics to drum up the Hosni Mubarak era but what can the same skeptics says about Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Syria? In all the above, with the exception of

The most astonishing thing about the recent talks wasn’t what happened in Geneva but what happened outside of the talks. Once more, the maverick Obama administration was at its estranged best. This applies to America starting once more to fund sectarian and terrorist forces while talks were underway

The intrigues of major NATO and Gulf powers have collectively helped al-Qaeda affiliates and a plethora of Sunni Islamist terrorist movements to spread from Iraq to Libya. Indeed, nations like Mali and Tunisia have been dragged into the intrigues of outside nations that only have short-term objectiv

Once again Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law is in the limelight after a Briton, Mohammad Asghar, has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges.
His tenant, with whom he was having a dispute, brought the charges against him alleging that he had claimed to be Islam’s prophet in Rawalpindi.

What is the purpose of interfaith dialogue? It is generally accepted that the purpose of interfaith dialogue is to establish harmony among religious groups. This kind of interfaith dialogue has been going on since long, may be several hundred years. But, according to my experience, all these exercis

The present decade is synonymous to a sunflower with its dark center reflecting a profuse cloud of myths about cancer and the bright periphery emancipating its complete treatment. The myths about cancer go parallel to the fact that it is now completely treatable. The days are long gone when cancer w

The focus of this year's World Cancer Day (4 February 2014) is on Target 5 of the World Cancer Declaration: Reduce stigma and dispel myths about cancer, under the tagline 'Debunk the myths' (the 4 myths of-- we do not need to talk about cancer; there are no symptoms of cancer; there is nothing I can

World Cancer Day: 4th February
Despite alarming cancer rates globally, with worst impact in low- and middle-income countries, one is forced to ponder if we really believe in 'cancer prevention is better than cure'. Cancer treatment is challenging and expensive, with very worrying 5-year survival ra

The recent news that two MLAs of the Goa Legislative Assembly had registered their birth at the Civil Registration Office in Lisbon created a major controversy in this State. Goa was liberated from colonial rule on December 19, 1961. Subsequently, the Goa, Daman and Diu (Citizenship) Order, 1962 bes

He’s done it again! Just yesterday, I got an email message from Swami-ji. It reads as follows:
Blessed Atman,
Your loving email has been received.
Noted what you write about the suffering of Mother Nasreen [name changed]. A sum of Rs 5000/- is being sent today to your address, which you may pass

India is a multi-religious society. It is imperative that harmony be maintained in a multi-religious society like India in which people have to live with differences. Now, difference is not simply a part of religion. In fact, it is an essential part of nature. It is a part of God’s creation plan its

Inter-religious or inter-community dialogue is a pressing imperative today. I have had the good fortune of having been able to engage in such dialogue initiatives, although in a limited way. When I was doing my PhD in Lampeter, from the University of Wales (1990-1994), I used to talk to my Christian

Christians in in the village of Waga Chakawa woke up on Sunday morning (January 26) in Nigeria and prepared for a day of worship. However, a day of rejoicing turned into another Islamist hell because Boko Haram members were waiting to start their usual slaughter. Boko Haram, like all militant Islami

Society, in general, is witnessing ‘a quantum leap in violence,’ in the form of hatred, confrontation, enmity, conflict and civil strife. One of the main reasons for this is that people are increasingly reacting to differences and problems around them based on the culture of violence and confrontati

The recently concluded 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (7th APCRSHR) in Manila saw some interesting discussions on protecting and advancing Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity (SOGI) rights and improving their access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

We are living in an age of information – the age of the knowledge explosion. Today, everyone wants to know more and more about everything, including religion. The result is that, today, on the subject of religion, people are far better informed than ever before.
At the same time, we are living in a

‘Smoke healthy, smoke Lite-joy-- A better alternative'; ‘Health e-cigarettes—Smoke and Quit Whenever'; 'Vapours- benefits of e-cigarettes'; 'Green-Smart-Living - easiest and most affordable way to start living a smoke-free life'... These are just a few of the several online advertisements one comes

TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) has courageously carried out new string of attacks on security forces in Bannu and Rawalpindi. The attacks come after a couple of months of relative calm as the Taliban regrouped following the death of leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone strike in November. A drone al

If you reside in Israel or Saudi Arabia and you happen to be a NATO member like Turkey, then it appears that you don’t have to currently worry about Al-Nusra (Al-Nusrah). After all, this al-Qaeda affiliated group only hates the Alawites, Christians, secularists and Sunni Muslims opposed to their Tak

At the time of Christmas 2013, Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, when he was congratulating Christian for Christmas day ,on his twitter account wrote that" I want to see Christian prime minister in Pakistan in my life time. It is his wish to see Christian prime minister in Pakistan.
This statement is ver

People are generally not content with what they have. Instead, they run after what they do not have. Because of this mentality, everyone is leading a life that is rife with discontent. Someone who appears to be very fortunate, someone whom others envy, is actually as discontented as those who envy h

Worldwide, a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes, taking the annual toll to 275,000. The disease is preventable, and yet the second largest killer of women in low and middle income countries, with most women dying in the prime of life. According to the Cervical Cancer Global Crisis Card

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan is extremely dismayed by the behavior of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission. Kiir is hinting that the UN is providing safe havens for rebels inside UN camps. The UN denies this but Kiir is adamant that the UN is behaving like “a parallel government” base

What is man’s greatest longing? It is to lead a life full of happiness. This is the greatest dream that people have dreamt in every age. Every person lives with this dream. But everyone dies without this dream of his being fulfilled. All philosophies and ideologies, all human efforts, revolve round

- In India, 17 percent of female sex workers reported starting to sell sex under the age of 15 years.
- In Maldives and Papua New Guinea, the median age reported among female sex workers ranged from 17-19 years (across surveyed sites), as compared to a range of 22-24 years of age in sites in Cambod

Millions of women and around the world are still unable to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Over 1 million people contract a sexually transmitted infection every day, half of whom are young people - mostly women. In fact women are 5 times more likely to get STIs than m

Miss. Vaishnavi, 22 years old Hindu Brahmin (hindu priestly family) girl, who was suffering from heavy bleeding since last three years.
She consulted a Gynecologist. Doctor advised her for ultrasonography. She has done ultrasonography and doctor said that according ultrasonography there are severa

The theme of the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (7th APCRSHR), which opened in Manila on 21st January, 2014, is: Examining achievements, good practices, lessons learned and challenges: towards a strategic positioning of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.

The Quran repeatedly tells us to remember God. This is what is known as Zikrullah. One should remember God as often as one can. There may be some distractions in which you are engaged or some work in which your mind is focused, but even these may also lead, in an indirect manner, to the remembrance

It is worth recalling that this week is a normal week in the ravages of a chaotic world unleashed by powerful Gulf and Western powers. Turkey and Pakistan are equally responsible in several nations. Therefore, the same destabilizing forces have no reason to talk about peace, justice, freedom, prospe

Before 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (7th APCRSHR) opens in Manila later this week, Citizen News Service (CNS) spoke with Dr Amita Pandey on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges in India.
Dr Pandey said: The progress in SRHR and gen

It must have happened to you, as it continues to happen to me. You tell yourself when you get out of bed in the morning, ‘I’m going to be good today. I’m not going to react to any provocation. I’ll keep my cool. I’ll maintain my patience. I won’t back-bite anyone. I won’t gossip today. I’m going to

Recently one Christian Minister of Punjab Govt. (Pakistan) was highly disgraced by Chief Minister. And he was so wounded up by this act and resigned from the ministry. But has he thought for one second that his reaction could be fruitful in the future or just wanted to be a spectacle for some days.

Gulf nations and powerful NATO powers alongside a major media war against Syria have all failed to either gain public sympathy at home, and in overthrowing the government of Syria. The “kitchen sink” of so-called Western democratic nations and feudal monarchs in the Gulf comprises of supporting al-Q

These days ‘human rights’ are a much-talked about subject. In addition to human rights, there are a great many human responsibilities. But these are not talked-about much today, including in the media, ‘social activist’ and NGO quarters, and even in government circles.
‘Human rights activism’ appe

One common characteristic among extremists from all religions is their belief in one true “path” while condemning and despising all others. Regardless of their claim that they “hate the sin not the sinner,” this attitude would most likely affect how they interact with people who hold different belie

The grand ambitions of Recep Tayyip Erdogan are unraveling in many directions because the Prime Minister of Turkey is suffering from many internal convulsions which are rocking this nation. Several years ago it appeared that Erdogan could continue to abuse many excesses based on the strength of the

General Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi hinted strongly that he would run for the presidency of Egypt providing it is the“request of the people.” Of course, El-Sisi is in the driving seat for many Egyptians because vast numbers look at the situation in Iraq, Libya and Syria – and know full well that chaos to a

President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon made a shocking announcement whereby he made a Faustian deal with Saudi Arabia. Of course, given the fact that Saudi Arabia relies wholeheartedly on Western technology then France will obtain many military contracts. Therefore, two nations that are destabilizing

The events of the War of Independence (Bangladesh Liberation War) in Bangladesh in 1971 remain all too vivid for untold numbers of people from this nation. This is based on one of the worse crimes of the twentieth century and this says something given the Armenian/Assyrian/Greek Genocide of 1915; t

What the world needs today — perhaps more than anything else — is an acceptable formula for the attainment of religious harmony. This being currently one of the most important topics under discussion, I shall attempt to present here, in brief, the Islamic viewpoint.
Let us begin with a verse of th

Season of goodwill: If Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Isa (Jesus), a prophet respected and revered in Islam, is it so wrong to wish a blessed day for those who celebrate it?
DURING the days before Christmas last year, I wished my friends who were celebrating it "Merry Christmas" in mu

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10: 34-43, Matthew 3: 13-17
This Sunday is known as the Baptism of our Lord. The celebration of the baptism of the Lord is traditionally a time to contemplate both Jesus’ baptism and our own. We know from the gospel story that John had become a pretty successful ev

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) a penniless and unschooled orphan remains godly for might forty years, whereby he is persistently pious, righteous, honest, fair and impeccable. Ultimately, pioneers in inscribing the first ever charter of human rights, unchains the ‘chained men’ from slavery and from the pr

New Delhi-based Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is among India’s most well-known religious scholars. He is one of the leading advocates, at the global level, of inter-community understanding and peaceful relations between people of different faiths. Author of some 200 books on various issues related to Isla

I dwell in Pakistan as well as my forefathers experienced willingly thought we would stay right here. Our forefathers get led in the development of the nation. But now it has become hard to live in accord because since (Talibanization) mulish Islamic team ended up lording it over in the country they

At last, the day you were so dreading has dawned! The Class 12 exams start today. Your performance in the exams will play a crucial role in shaping the rest of your life, or so you are made to believe. If you get good marks, you can take admission in a ‘good college’ to study Science and become a do

In the ancient past, when political decline set in among the Jews, some of them thought that they could regain their political power by waging war. At that time, according to the Bible, the Prophet Jeremiah said to them:
Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones, for you

Rehabilitating communal violence survivors is State's responsibility, was echoed by the members of Socialist Party (India) in their procession and demonstration in UP state capital of Lucknow on 8th January 2014. Since permission was not granted to Socialist Party (India) to hold the demonstration a

This is Mr. Ulahannan and his wife Mary. They were just nominal Christians in the Catholic Church in India. They have three daughters and all are married and live in different homes.
Though they are Catholic Church members, they lived as worldly people. Whatever functions they held at home as marr

In a field, besides the crops that the farmer has sown, there are also numerous weeds that grow on their own. They cause damage to the crops, by consuming water and manure, and in this way not allowing the crops to grow fully.
If a farmer allows the weeds to grow as they like, they will ruin his cr

As we begin 2014, it's worth reflecting on where we stand in our fight against al-Qaida and global terrorism. Throughout 2012 and much of 2013, the Obama administration has toed the line that al-Qaida is on the path to defeat and with it, the terrorism is no longer the threat it once was. Nothing co

Sadasivam, 35 years old was a fanatic Hindu in India, doing poojas (form of worship by prostrating before idols and offering flowers and fruits as sacrifice) to the Hindu deities and worshipped many gods and goddesses. He was also a voluntary worker of anti-Christian movements.
Once an evangelist o

Some weeks ago, someone sent me a list of questions by email, seeking my responses to them. Some of these questions had to do with the manner in which many Muslims relate to people of other faiths. Among these questions was the following:
“Last Friday, I went to a mosque for the Friday prayer. The