Urdu Section17 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComDemolish Kafir/ Mushrik/ Munafiq-manufacturing factories, says Sultan Shahin, defending New Age Islam against Talibani onslaught….As a community we are more reactionary and obscurantist than positive and progressive. We live in fear and denial. There is nothing wrong with us Muslims; it’s all the result of Jewish conspiracy, Hindu conspiracy, Western imperialist conspiracy, etc. etc. We love living in the past, in the land of pointlessness. So our discussions too are not so much about issues of today as about the bygone past. We revel in discussing ad infinitum the dirty politics of seventh century Arabia and taking sides with one or the other party. We have no present and no plans for the future. As...

Current affairs25 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComEnhancing ties with IndonesiaExperts would agree that Indonesia is yet to realise its full potential, quite like India. As large democracies committed to inclusive development, they are natural partners. Their closer engagement can enable them to play a role suitable to their size on the world stage. This basic realisation, combined with lasting links of history, culture and shared philosophy of `unity in diversity,' drives the bilateral relationship.In due course, President Sukarno and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru undertook a renewal of relations, infusing them with `the Spirit of Bandung'. Mrs Indira Gandhi retained special affection for Indonesians. I witnessed Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on...

Islam and Pluralism25 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComThe Muslim as BJP supporter in GujaratReligious symbolism became a shield for these Muslims to protect their identities against the threat of rising, rabid Hindutva. Compromise seemed impossible even in the exchange of economic development. So when Congress workers told this writer recently that Muslims were paid by the BJP to support it in the civic elections, it was paradoxical, even if the claim were true. People generally refuse to involve themselves in cost-benefit calculations and reach a self-serving decision on issues of a sacred nature when given material incentives in exchange. Assuming some Muslims did accept money from the BJP in exchange of support, does it mean they are no longer...

Current affairs25 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComArab unrest propels Tehran as Riyadh's influence declinesSaudi Arabia, an American ally and a Sunni nation that jousts with Shiite Iran for regional influence, has been shaken. King Abdullah on February 23 signalled his concern by announcing a $10 billion increase in welfare spending to help young people, buy homes and open businesses, a gesture seen as trying to head off the kind of unrest that fuelled protests around the region. “Iraq and Lebanon are now in Iran's sphere of influence with groups that have been supported by the hard-liners for decades,” said Muhammad Sahimi, an Iran expert in Los Angeles who frequently writes about Iranian politics. “Iran is a major player in Afghanistan. Any regime...

Spiritual Meditations25 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComLove and CompassionThe Prophet taught to love the One God, emphasising that the path leading to Him consists of kindness, compassion and moderation. He taught that women be respected, and according a high status to mothers, he declared, “Paradise lies beneath the feet of the Mothers”. Laying emphasis on purification the heart he said, “Surely in the breasts of humanity is a lump of flesh, if sound, then the whole body is sound, and if corrupt, then the whole body is corrupt. Is it not the heart?”The essence of Sufism stems from the belief that the universe was created from Noor-e-Muhammadi, Light of Muhammad, and from this pre-existent light, Allah took a handful to build the universe.For mystics,...

Islamic World News25 Feb 2011, NewAgeIslam.ComGun battles rage in Libya10 Nato tankers torched; 4 dead in PeshawarLibya: desperate Col Gaddafi offers protesters concessions as British rescue continuesBritain to seize Gaddafi's London assets: ReportRebels close in, Gaddafi strikes backThree activists killed in wave of violence in KarachiUS missiles kill six in NWALibya revolt could reveal fate of missing Lebanon imamForeign journalists work for al Qaeda, says LibyaIndian employees in Libya are safe, say companiesPakistan’s intelligence ready to split with CIANOC for Pak actors and singers must for visiting IndiaUS arrests Saudi bomb plotterJEDDAH: Patience does not mean we’re weak, say women suffering in silenceHas Syria built a secret nuclear...