Interview30 Sep 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComMaulvis and Madrasas, Terrorism and the Taliban in Pakistan – Part 2 Maulana Zahid ur-Rashidi is a leading Pakistani Deobandi scholar. He teaches at the Madrasa Anwar ul-Uloom and the Madrasa Nusrat ul-Ulum in Gujranwala, and the edits the influential Urdu Al-Shariah magazine, one of the few journals brought out by Pakistani ulema groups that seriously discusses issues of vital contemporary concern. He is a senior leader of the Jamiat-i Ulama-i Islam Pakistan, a leading Pakistani Deobandi political party. For several years he served as assistant to Mufti Mahmud, top leader of this party. He is a prolific writer, and has regular columns in leading Pakistani Urdu newspapers. In this interview...

Islam and Politics30 Sep 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComQura’n fountain- head of democracy Terming democracy against the Qura’n and calling it ‘kufr’ (paganism) is oversimplification of Islam as some misguided extremists do. There’s no reason to justify everything that comes out of the mouth of any self-appointed custodian of religion, who plays with the emotions of the common people in backward areas. One has to differentiate the Islamic concept of democracy from the Western type of democracy being practised by the so-called politicians in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan since Independence. The noble Qura’n is a book of wisdom and guidance to mankind in all spheres of life—-social, economic and political—-and, above all, a source of principals of democracy and justice to the...

Debate30 Sep 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComChange of government-for what ? In a country with a bleak future, the black coat’s ‘revolution’ — or should we call it ‘coup’? — might throw away President Zardari’s immunity and push the government to write to the Swiss courts. The impatient establishment of Pakistan is once again pushing the country towards a change of government. Various configurations and plans are being debated in power circles. A broad consensus among the political parties, that no change should be brought in through extra-constitutional means, makes the job of removing the government by the establishment more difficult and complicated. The basic questions from the people’s point of view that need to be asked are:...

Islamic World News30 Sep 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComHC partitions disputed Ayodhya site; 2 parts to Hindus, 1 part to Muslims Both sides to appeal in Supreme Court Verdict has paved way for grand Ram temple: Bhagwat Lord Ram owes his fame to Wahid in Sangam city Aamir dons role of ambassador Ahmadinejad aide calls for more women’s rights Forget Kashmir, worry about your own survival: Krishna to Pak Ayodhya verdict: call to maintain calm Students flock to schools in Kashmir 125 years after first Babri verdict, it's judgment time again 'Kashmir doesn't belong to India or Pak' Dubai to open the world's highest restaurant in January Adequate security in place, says Chidambaram Israel deports Jewish boat activists Indonesian lawmaker...