Ghost Of Sykes-Picot Fuelling Terrorism In Middle East: Political Solutions Preface Ideological Battle Against Terrorism

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 28 September 2024 To Address The Rise Of Islamic Terrorism In The Middle East, We Must Understand The Historical And Geopolitical Forces That Have Shaped The Region, Particularly The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement Major Points: 1. This secret pact, signed between Britain and France during World War I, divided much of the Arab world into spheres of influence. 2. The boundaries created by Sykes-Picot, which ignored ethnic, religious, and cultural distinctions, have had lasting repercussions, contributing to instability and, in some ways, facilitating the rise of extremism and terrorism. 3. To address the problem of terrorism, it is essential to confront the underlying causes of instability in the Middle East, including the legacy of colonialism,...

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Muslim Feminist Voices

By Sabat Khan, New Age Islam 28 September 2024 Muslim Feminists That Utilize Social Media To Dispel Prejudices And Promote Gender Equality Like Khadija Gbla (Activist Against Female Genital Mutilation) And Amani Al-Khatahtbeh (Muslim girl) Main Points: 1. Social media gives underrepresented voices—Muslim women in particular—a big platform to express their uniqueness, confronts sexism, and engages in public conversation. 2. Social media provides Muslim feminists with a platform for activism and support, but it also puts them at risk for abuse, harassment, and trolling. 3. The central thesis challenges Western perceptions of Muslim women as well as patriarchal readings of Islamic literature to emphasize gender equality inside Islam. ------ “Space”...

Addressing Assam’s Changing Demography

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 28 September 2024 The changing demography of Assam in northeast India deserves a wide and pragmatic discussion. Since the days of historic Assam Agitation (1979 to 1985), the issue remains in the hearts of indigenous population in the far eastern region. The mass movement, even though failed to fulfil the original demand to deport all illegal migrants raised by the agitating students and common people, successfully alerted the original inhabitants of the region about the looming threat over their future generation. The unique agitation specifically made them aware of a challenging time to protect their heritage in their own land. After a half-hearted accord that agreed to provide Indian citizenship to millions of East Pakistan/Bangladesh nationals and...

Hazrat Shah Mohsin Danapuri : Celebrating Bihar's Legacy of Sufism and Poetry

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 27 September 2024 The Article Highlights Hazrat Shah Mohsin Danapuri, A Significant Sufi Leader And Poet From Bihar, Whose Spiritual Teachings And Literary Works Continue To Inspire And Influence The Community Main Points- 1. Hazrat Shah Mohsin Danapuri, born as Khurshid Hasnain in 1881, was educated in Islamic theology and Sufi philosophy, influenced by his scholar father. 2. Appointed Sajjada Nashin in 1909, he guided his community in spiritual practices and emphasized ethical conduct. 3. His poetry, including "Kulliyat-e-Mohsin" and "Burhan-ul-Aashiqeen," blends Sufi mysticism with cultural themes. 4. He founded Ikhwan-ul-Safa in 1927, promoting literary events like Mushairas to celebrate poetry and foster community. 5. Mohsin’s...

The Meaning of An-Al-Haq (I Am the Truth): The Story of Mansur Al-Hallaj and His Persecution by Islamic Orthodoxy

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 26 September 2024 Mansur Al-Hallaj, A Sufi Mystic, declared "An-Al-Haq" ("I Am the Truth"), Symbolizing Spiritual Union with God. Though Revered by Sufis, His Statement Led To Persecution By Islamic Orthodoxy, Resulting In His Execution For Heresy Main Points 1. Mansur Al-Hallaj proclaimed "An-al-Haq," which means "I am the Truth" or "I am God." 2. His declaration sparked theological debates, challenging Islamic monotheism. 3. Sufis interpret the phrase as spiritual union with the Divine, not self-deification. 4. Orthodox scholars, particularly Hanbalis, viewed his views as heretical. 5. Al-Hallaj was executed in 922 CE, but his teachings left a lasting impact on Sufism. ------ Mansur al-Hajjaj/ Photo: https://barakainstitute.org/ ...

A Refutation of Blasphemous Sunni Theology of Predestination

By T.O. Shanavas, New Age Islam 26 September 2024 The concept of an all-powerful God includes possessing complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, and understanding, capable of perceiving all things, both past and present. This does not necessarily mean that this ability is constantly in use, but rather that it is available to be exercised. In the Qur’an, there is a concept of voluntary restraint, where God allows for the existence of free will in His creatures. This idea is reflected in the verse: "And had your Lord willed, whoever is on the earth would have believed, all of them entirely. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?"(Qur’an 10:99). According to these verses, God chooses not to exercise His absolute power to make everyone a believer, nor...

Shimla Is Under the Grip of Islamophobia: A Resident Activist, Dimple Oberoi Vahali

By Syed Ali Mujtaba, New Age Islam 26 September 2024 Muslims in Himachal Pradesh particularly in Shimla are presently being intimidated by the frenzied demand for demolishing the alleged illegal part of the mosque in Sanjauli. The Muslim community is also being blamed for migrating to the hill state for their livelihood purposes. The journalist had an online interview with activist Dimple Oberoi Vahali, a resident of Shimla and a social activist working for the rights of the minority community. Here is the Q&A that could illuminate the current situation in Shimla and Himachal Pradesh. Q- How is the current situation in Shimla about Sanjauli Mosque row? A- The present situation is extremely worrisome and disturbing. I am deeply aggrieved by the gravity of circumstances built...

Dare Disturb the Universe!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 September 2024 It's said that often a pithy aphorism can drive home the point in the best possible manner just like T S Eliot's famous quote, "Do I dare disturb the universe? " September 26 is the birth anniversary of T S Eliot, the great American poet, essayist and Nobel laureate. ------ T S Eliot's quote, "Do I dare disturb the universe?" encapsulates the fear and uncertainty that often hold individuals back from taking risks and challenging societal norms. It raises the fundamental question of whether one should dare to disrupt the order of things, to question the status quo, and to pursue their own ambitions. In this statement, Eliot challenges readers to consider the consequences of their actions and to confront their own inhibitions. By daring...

Is Quietist Salafism Non-Violent and Apolitical? The Ideological Danger Less Appreciated and Scrutinized

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 25 September 2024 On The Surface, Quietist Salafism Appears Non-Violent and Apolitical, But Its Potential to Contribute to Radicalization Has Been Scrutinized in Recent Years Main Points: 1. Quietist Salafism, also referred to as "purist Salafism," is an interpretation of Islam that emphasizes strict adherence to the Quran and Sunna while discouraging political activism and engagement with secular or non-Islamic governments. 2. While quietist Salafism advocates for political disengagement, the other two branches of Salafism—political and jihadi—take more active stances toward politics and statecraft. 3. Quietist Salafism’s potential to promote radicalization lies in its combination of ideological rigidity, doctrinal exclusivism, and passive...

Could The Quran Have Described the Cosmos in A Better Way?

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 25 September 2024 Ghulam Mohiyuddin sb disdainfully said, “The seven heavens are just figments of the imagination of the 7th-century man. They do not represent the seven planets or the seven "visible" galaxies.” He has even managed to get the simple facts wrong. There was no concept of galaxies until the 20th Century, and even today, there aren’t seven visible galaxies. Only About Four Other Galaxies Are Visible To The Naked Eye: • One from the northern hemisphere (Andromeda). • Four from the southern hemisphere (Andromeda, LMC, SMC, and possibly Triangulum). However, conditions must be extremely good for some of these to be seen clearly without any optical aid. These appear as fuzzy objects in telescopes and were classified as nebulae...

Bangladesh: Transition from A Developing Democracy to A Lawless Mobocracy Instigated by Islamic Fundamentalists

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 25 September 2024 Painful Transition of Bangladesh from A Developing Economy to A Lawless Mobocracy Main Points: 1. People of Bangladesh have demonstrated signs of mass hysteria. 2. The police is conspicuous by its absence. 3. Religious extremism and intolerance is at its peak. 4. Lawlessness prevails across Bangladesh. ----- (File Photo) ----- After the 5 August coup in Bangladesh, the anti-Hasina lobby had termed it as the second independence of Bangladesh and a new pro-US and anti-India government was instituted at the behest of the US with the promise that the Yunus-led government will build a new Bangladesh. The US lobby had circulated the narrative that Hasina and India were at the root of all problems of Bangladesh. But that Bangladesh...

Mufti Aslam Razvi: Shaping Islamic Education and Sufi Thought in Bihar

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 25 September 2024 Razvi Authored Several Significant Works, Including Aslamul Hawashi and Fatwa Barkat-e-Noori, Enriching Islamic Literature and Providing Essential Resources for Scholars Main Points: 1. Mufti Aslam Razvi began his studies in local Maktabs before advancing to esteemed institutions like Madrasa Chashma-e-Faiz and Darul Uloom Roorkee, where he honed his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and theology. 2. He taught at Madrasah Mazhar-e-Islam in Bareilly, becoming an influential educator known for his deep knowledge of Hadith and Fiqh. 3. As Imam of Sufi Masjid Bareilly, he played a vital role in the community, promoting Sufi principles of love and unity through his sermons. 4. He established Madrasah Jamia Qadiriyya...

Who's A Fanatic?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 25 September 2024 I've often experienced how people easily take umbrage at certain words and call the user a prejudiced person with a hidden agenda or an ulterior motive. Let me cite one such loaded and connotational word: Fanatic. Most of us know its popular and in-vogue connotation only in the context of religious matters and issues like, ' a person who has very extreme beliefs that may lead them to behave in unreasonable or violent ways.' A religious fanatic is a common word in our everyday parlance and conversations. But the word 'fanatic' also has a different shade that has nothing to do with any faith. A fanatic is also a person who's extremely interested in something to a degree that some find unreasonable. For example, a fitness/film fanatic. The...

Multiple Heavens in Different Religious Texts

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 24 September 2024 What is found in the Quran and validated by science will be found in other religious scriptures and traditions as well because: 41:43. Nothing is said to you (Muhammad) that was not said to the apostles before you. In my article, Using ChatGPT To Confirm the Meaning of “Seven Heavens”, I have discussed the topic of multiple Heavens in the Quran and their meaning and explained why they mean galaxies. We could not see more than one “heaven” until we discovered galaxies in the early 20th century. Therefore, the people had a problem understanding what the “seven heavens” meant and invented their meanings. Let us look at how they made sense of it. 1. Ancient Mesopotamian Religion • The Mesopotamians believed in a multi-layered...

A Sinister Attempt to Strip Urdu of Its Script

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 24 September 2024 The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) ‘s decision to provide question papers solely in English or Hindi has put students of Urdu medium schools in a difficult position. This decision impacts Urdu medium schools across India including Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) where students have traditionally been instructed in Urdu. Now, these students are being compelled to choose between English or Hindi while filling out their admission forms, which creates a challenge for those more proficient in Urdu. According to a report in The Telegraph, CBSE directed that question papers for classes 10 and 12 be printed only in English or Hindi, emphasizing that answer sheets written in any language other than these two, without...