When I used to wear the hijab as a young Muslim woman, I thought it was pretty cool. I felt protected, modest and feminine. I no longer do so, as I have become a Christian and have seen with greater clarity the negative side of Muslim attitudes towards women. That`s why I am surprised to learn that

The General Assembly in its resolution of ten principles recommends observing a day every year to promote the welfare of the children all over the world. The resolution was adopted on November 20, 1959. Observation of the day varies from nation to nation. The Government of Canada designates 20th of

Pakistan today stands on the brink of anarchy. Government security forces seem to be helpless against the resurgent Taliban and extremist elements in Waziristan and parts of the Northwest Frontier.
Suicide attacks have spread even to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Their number has increased from about

Hardly anyone would disagree that the state of the Arab nation leaves much to be desired, and that our Arab societies continue to stagnate. Our discourse and inspiration for the desired Arab renaissance remain merely rhetorical. What, then, is the missing element?
Let us recall that the first Arab

President Pervez Musharraf is in a very difficult situation.
This is a gross understatement in the unfavourable conditions that the embattled leader now sees himself facing. Consider the manner in which the army chief and president, a delicate subject to begin with, wakes up, scanning the morning n

The Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) hosted the International Khilafah Conference last month. Since this event, Indonesian mass media has been discussing the pros and cons of implementing a caliphate system in Indonesia, which involves the formal application of shari`a (Islamic law) as the legal code f

One of the surmises that is being proliferated by most of the Muslim vocal clergy is their prolonged misconception. They believe firmly that they alone as a community have the exclusive right to rule. What is the logic for this fallacy? Simply because they assume they are better Muslims than the oth

Scripture Reference:
Psalm 139:13-16 (New Living Translation)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelousâ€"how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was

Should Pakistan finally take the final, all-important diplomatic step?
Should the country sign on to become part of such an exclusive ‘club’ in which secretive details that indeed surface from within its domain by decision and policymakers bear the threat of a subpoena or grand jury te

As Pakistanis celebrate sixty years of independence, the country finds itself embroiled in yet another seemingly intractable political crisis. The state, founded by one of the Indian subcontinent`s most brilliant lawyers, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has spent more than half of its life under military rule.

In 1947, the Indian subcontinent was divided into three parts: India, East Pakistan, and West Pakistan. This division resulted in one of the bloodiest massacres the two nations have ever seen. Muslims and non-Muslims slit each other’s throats with anger and hate. The streets of many cities in

In the sea of family members waiting for loved ones to arrive at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore Pakistan, I see a familiar face that I have known for over five months only thru pictures, email and phone calls. Pastor Shamshad holding his son Abraham, along with his wife and brothe

Songs Before Shrine -2007
Stephen Gill
Authorpress, New Delhi-India
Pages 114 +xxii; ISBN: 81-7273-384-4

Stephen Gill is a multiple award-winning poet. His poetry is well-known in North America, India and Pakistan, and translated into other languages.
Reading Stephen’s Preface for Son

It was shocking that three MLAs of Ittahidul Muslimin in Hyderabad gatecrashed into the book release function of her book Lajjai translated into Telugu on 9th August and tried to beat up Taslima and shouted slogans using unbecoming words, even using abusing language. And all this in the name of Isla

In traversing a 60-year history, amid the flag-raising ceremonies held across the republic celebrating the independence day of Pakistan, it is especially important in understanding how this country, on the first full day of Yom-e-Istiqlal, is positioned in its current state.
2008 will mark a pivota