Islamic Ideology30 Nov 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComDrones: American And Pakistani Pakistan has many more drones than America. These are mullah-trained and mass-produced in madrassas and militant training camps. Their handlers are in Waziristan, not in Nevada. Like their aerial counterparts, they do not ask why they must kill. However, their targets lie among their own people, not in some distant country. Collateral damage does not matter….. Not all Pakistanis are angry at aerial drone strikes. According to Farhat Taj, a Pushto speaking female researcher at the University of Oslo who makes frequent trips to FATA, most tribals actually welcome the drone attacks. She says these victims of Taliban brutality do so out of helplessness and...

Islamic Ideology30 Nov 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComPakistan: The use and abuse of blasphemy The masochistic urge to swiftly bring the accused to justice without any process whatsoever has manifest itself in recent years in its crudest form. Blasphemy accused and alleged thieves and robbers — including in one harrowing case in September, two teenaged boys in Sialkot — have been beaten to death by a raging mad crowd; others have been burnt alive in Karachi. In certain cases the police too were part of such gross miscarriages of justice, yet few heads rolled. In a country where Islamist terrorists strike with impunity on a daily basis against their Muslim targets, such as Sufi saints’ shrines and mosques, and US drones rain down bombs, often killing innocent people, a certain amount...

Debate30 Nov 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComChurch teaching against artificial contraception: Pope Benedict deviates from the missionary position Others, including prelates in Africa, have said condom use is worth considering when one partner in a marriage is HIV positive. Benedict did not address such cases in his interview, and he reaffirmed church teaching against artificial contraception. But he said, “There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralisation, a first assumption of responsibility.” Asked if that meant that the church wasn’t opposed in principle to condoms, the Pope replied: The church “of course does not...

Islam and Spiritualism30 Nov 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComUnder the sufi spell While unfolding the vibrant love story of Heer and Ranjha, the book also engages the reader in Dara Shikoh’s secular journey and his desire to understand and follow both Hinduism and the Islam faith. Besides this, there are articles on Guru Nanak and Beas. Waris Shah the famous Sufi poet who immortalises Heer Ranjha in verse displayed a lyrical quality that reached the masses. Desolate with the massacre of the partition Poet Amrita Pritam’s plaint to Waris Shah is recorded. While artist Manjit Bawa’s love for Sufism is reflected in his paintings, the universal love and light of Baba Farid is beautifully portrayed in the book. -- Divya KapoorPhoto: Muzaffar...

Islamic World News30 Nov 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComSaudi King Abdullah proposed planting chips in Gitmo prisoners upon release 'Af govt releasing top Taliban men for cash' Pakistani sues US for drone death of son & bro, seeks $500m Arrest warrant for WikiLeaks chief as chaos spreads Plot to blow up Pakistani PM's rally foiled Asma Jahangir assails LHC’s Aasia order Balochistan governor escapes bomb attack Six killed in suicide attack in Bannu Pak court bars Zardari from pardoning blasphemy accused woman Car bomb kills three, injures 22 in Iraq Nine Afghan guards kidnapped in Kabul province Sherry submits bill for amending blasphemy laws Israel says Arabs agree on Iran threat N-tangle : Washington mulling military options against...