The War within Islam30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComPakistan's National Interest: The Strategic Depth Thesis Those trying to reinvent the strategic depth thesis by claiming that Pakistan has ‘legitimate’ interests in Afghanistan should also try to define these interests. ... And the second more serious issue is the perception that a Pakistani civilian government lacks the support of the country’s establishment and something like Kargil may take place once a process starts. The Pakistan Army may of course have its own reasons. It is widely perceived that our army per chance or choice is India-centric. Many think that once there is genuine peace between the two nations, the army may lose the justification for its existence. Frankly,...

Islam and Human Rights30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComA Call For Democracy And Human Rights In The Arab States On Oct. 22-23, a group of Arab intellectuals, politicians, and civil society advocates convened a Conference on the Future of Democracy and Human Rights in the Arab World in Casablanca. Citing the “dramatic and alarming backsliding of political reforms in the Arab world,” they issued a remarkable, frank and courageousappeal to the Arab nations. The “Casablanca Call for Democracy and Human Rights” represents a powerful consensus among disparate political groups that democracy must be the foundation for social and political justice in the region. As such, it represents a signal event for Arab democrats and for friends of democracy around the world. -- Shanker Blog, A Voice...

Islamic Ideology30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComSupport for Islamism is increasing Revolutionary Islamism entails the two distinct denominations of Islam in West Asia. The US’s attempt to win over this attitude is flawed because it undermines the fact that such radical views are backed by structural and communal issues.... Why do people support Hamas and Hizbullah? Obviously, one reason is that they fight Israel (a country with which Jordan is at peace, by the way) but sympathy for the revolutionary Islamist aspect of Hamas and Hizbullah must be a huge factor here. Indeed, there is not necessarily any conflict between these two aspects. The Islamists are considered to be better fighters than the nationalists, while making war...

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComIn Yemen, al-Qaeda is a low priority More than 50 per cent of Yemen's children are malnourished, rivalling war zones like Sudan's Darfur and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. That's just one of many worrying statistics in Yemen. Nearly half the population lives below the poverty line of $2 a day and doesn't have access to proper sanitation. Less than a tenth of the roads are paved. Water is running out. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes by conflict, flooding into cities. The government is riddled with corruption, has little control outside the capital, and its main source of income — oil — could run dry in a decade. As a result, al-Qaeda is far down on a long list of worries for most Yemenis. Donor nations...

Spiritual Meditations30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComNature of relationship between God and man The fact of the matter is that each and everything in this world belongs to Almighty Allah. He is the real owner of all. As such, man’s life and riches, which are part of this world, also belongs to Him, because it is He who created them and it is He who has assigned them to each man for his use. Looking at the problem from this angle, the question of any sale or purchase does not arise at all. Almighty God is the real owner, there is no question of His purchasing what is already His. Man is not their real owner; he has no title. But there is one thing that has been conferred on man, and which now belongs fully to him, and that is his...

Islamic World News30 Dec 2010, NewAgeIslam.ComSunny Muslims upset over controversial TV serial in Iran At least 20 suspected militants killed in Kurram At least 10 civilians dead in Afghanistan blast: NATO Swami Agnivesh should apologise, Demand Muslims Obama's overture to the Muslim world: Is Bangladesh left out? NIA links SIMI to Lashkar-e-Taiba 'Mumbai-style' massacre plot foiled in Denmark RSS and SIMI a threat to the security of the country: Amanatullah Khan Blasphemy law: religious parties strike tomorrow Alcoholism booms in 'dry' Pakistan, as does addiction counselling Majlis-e-Ahrar Islam pays tribute to the martyrs of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Sonia the target of Vishwa Hindu Parishad First Muslim selected in Australian Cricket...