Pakistan's Anti-Minority and Misogynist Education Policy Behind Religious Extremism and Crimes Against Women in the Country Exposed at Side Event in 58th Session of UNHRC

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 28 March 2025 1. The Constitution of Pakistan forbids its citizens from taking part in the religious occasions of others. 2.19 per cent of children, mainly girls, remain out of schools. 3. Single National Curriculum promotes intolerance and religious extremism. 4. Clerics are authorised to censor educational content. 5. Recitation of the Quran was mandated during school assembly. … Dr. Willy Fautré, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), a non-governmental organisation in special status with ECOSOC, criticised the national education policy of Pakistan and pointed out its flaws, which resulted in intolerance, religious extremism and creating an atmosphere of hatred against other religions. In a written statement submitted to the Human Rights...

Mohanlal's Prayers For Mammootty

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 28 March 2025 Malayalam superstar Mohanlal offering prayers for his friend Mammootty at Sabarimala has sparked a row after a receipt of the visit went viral on social media. The leaked receipt, which carries Mammootty's birth name, Muhammed Kutty, led to a section of people questioning whether it was right to offer prayers at a Hindu temple for Mammootty, considering his Islamic faith. After the receipt did the rounds on social media, a section of people criticised Mohanlal's gesture for his friend. A row erupted when journalist and political analyst, O Abdullah, demanded Mohanlal's apology to the Muslim community. In an audio note, he mentioned that if Mammootty had requested Mohanlal to offer prayers at Sabarimala, then 'it is a great crime' against his...

Noori Mian: The Visionary Entrepreneur Who Industrialised Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 27 March 2025 Noori Mian, a visionary entrepreneur from Bihar, revolutionised eastern Uttar Pradesh by establishing sugar mills and Nooriganj Bazar, boosting the local economy and promoting social welfare through education and philanthropy. Main points: 1. Noori Mian established sugar mills in Bhatni, boosting the region's economy. 2. He founded Nooriganj Bazar, fostering trade and commerce. 3. His ventures created mass-level jobs for farmers and labourers. 4. His family built a Musafir Khana and a girls' school. 5. His contributions shaped the socio-economic landscape of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. — Introduction In the history of India's industry, Noori Mian is a name that shines as a symbol of visionary entrepreneurship and social...

Shimla School Cancels ‘Eid’ Plans After Hindutva Threats

By Syed Ali Mujtaba, New Age Islam 28 March 2025 A private school in Shimla has cancelled its planned Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations after threats from a Hindutva group. An organization called ‘Dev Bhoomi Sangarsh Samiti’ warned to "gherao" the school and take legal action against the school if the decision to celebrate Eid festival was not withdrawn. Some other religious outfits and commoners also expressed concern on social media. The Auckland House School authority said they organized the celebration to help young students appreciate India's cultural diversity. They had invited students to wear traditional attire and bring festive food as part of a cultural learning experience, similar to its celebrations for Holi, Diwali, and Christmas. The English-medium school issued the directions...

Respect for Opposing Ideologies in India: A Religious Perspective

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 27 March 2025 The Importance of Mutual Respect in a Diverse Society India’s rich religious diversity necessitates mutual respect for opposing ideologies to maintain harmony and progress. Islam teaches coexistence through Qur’anic principles and the life of Muṣṭafā ﷺ, while Hinduism emphasizes Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family). Christianity promotes love and understanding, as seen in Jesus Christ’s teachings, while Sikhism upholds unity and equality through Guru Nanak’s message. Buddhism and Jainism advocate Ahimsa (non-violence) and Anekantavada (multiple perspectives). History offers examples of peaceful coexistence, such as the interfaith interactions of Sufis and Bhakti poets. Religious leaders play a key role in fostering peace, though modern...

Fareed Zakaria on Democracy and Judiciary

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 27 March 2025 Nowadays, I'm reading Fareed Zakaria's views on Democracy, Judiciary and Political Systems. While he doesn't criticise Indian democracy and his views are generic, being India-born and a Muslim to boot, his apercus must be taken seriously when democracy in India stands on shaky ground. He provides fresh perspectives. Fareed says, "Democracy is not simply a political system, but a way of life, a culture." He contends that democracy is not confined to governance, but extends to encompass a way of life and a culture. Zakaria suggests that democratic principles go beyond the act of voting and involve a wider set of values, norms, and practices that shape the social fabric of a society. Democracy is not just about the pursuit of electoral power, but...

Fate of Rakhine Capital Hangs In the Balance

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 27 March 2025 India’s eastern neighbour Myanmar (also known as Burma or Brahmadesh) is facing a chaotic situation for the last several months as the poverty stricken country of around 55 million population has been experiencing a civil war. The Land of Golden Pagodas witnesses relentless armed conflicts between the military rulers and armed groups where the common Burmese nationals have also taken guns on their hands to liberate the Buddhist majority nation from a group of military dictators, led by senior general Min Aung Hlaing (functioned as de-facto President of Myanmar), who seized power four years back after ousting a democratically elected government in Naypyitaw. The western province of Myanmar has now turned into a full scale battle ground, where...

Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd’s Linguistic and Contextualist Approach to Revelation and the Qur’an

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 26 March 2025 In the realm of Qur’anic studies, few scholars have dared to challenge traditional paradigms as profoundly as Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. His ground-breaking linguistic approach to revelation repositions the Qur'an not merely as a divine text but as a complex interplay of language, culture, and historical context. By highlighting the Qur’an’s communicative nature, Abu Zayd invites readers to reconsider the notions of prophecy and revelation, highlighting the human element in the articulation of divine messages. His work transcends the boundaries of metaphysical interpretations, offering a fresh perspective that situates the sacred text within the rich tapestry of pre-Islamic Arab society and contemporary literary theory. (Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd/From...

A Simple Review of Islam and Modernism by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 26 March 2025 Islam and Modern Advancements – How Islam encourages progress while maintaining religious integrity Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani’s Islam and Modernism explores whether Islam and modern life can coexist, arguing that progress should align with religious teachings. He highlights how past Muslims embraced beneficial advancements while warning against blindly adopting Western ideologies like secularism. The book is strong in its historical examples, scholarly references, and balanced approach but tends to view modernity mainly as a Western concept, lacks engagement with reformist scholars, and takes a defensive tone. Despite these limitations, it remains a valuable resource for Muslims seeking to navigate modern challenges while preserving their faith. …. Mufti...

Is Immortality A Bane Or Boon For Mankind?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 March 2025 A visionary who predicted the internet and smartphones is now making an even bolder claim about the future of humanity. Revolutionary technologies could soon make immortality a reality. In a bold new prediction, Ray Kurzweil, the futurist who foresaw the rise of the internet and the iPhone, believes immortality could be just a few years away. As technology continues to advance rapidly, Kurzweil envisions a future where humans transcend biological limits and overcome aging, pushing human life expectancy far beyond its current boundaries. Kurzweil’s idea of immortality is not simply about living longer; it involves transcending biological limits entirely, with technology merging human biology and artificial intelligence. Yuval Noah Harari also...

What is the Inherent Problem of Political Islam? Response to Criticisms

By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam 25 March 2025 I am pleased that my two-part article has generated such vigorous debate, and I deeply appreciate the thoughtful engagement—especially from respected voices like Brother Rasheed Sahib. In response to the key critiques raised, I will address and clarify my terminology, methodology, and philosophical stance. While I stand by the core arguments of my piece, I do concur with many of Brother Rasheed’s observations, particularly regarding how Islamophobia is exacerbated by Western hegemony. • Why did I use the term Islamist instead of Islamic? My Response: The term Islamic is a broad, neutral adjective that refers to anything related to Islam—its religion, culture, civilization, and traditions. It applies to concepts like Islamic art...

Yunus’s Explanation of The Concluding Remark Of His Recent Review With Chat.Gpt On The Dire Need For Upgrading The Madrassa Education

By Muhammad Yunus, New Age Islam (Co-author (Jointly with Ashfaque Ullah Syed), Essential Message of Islam, Amana Publications, USA, 2009) 25 March 2025 The chat appearing as his article dated March 18 concluded with the following remark: “In sum, it is indeed possible to broaden the scope and curriculum of madrassa education by outstanding for many centuries broadening the horizons of Hadith to embrace all positive universal fields of knowledge as was the case in early Islam unless the custodians of madrassa education wore blinkers on their eyes or there was a conspiracy from any quarter to keep the Muslims backward on the turf of civilization.” This outburst is triggered by the continued resistance of the custodians of madrassa curriculum to modernize – that is, bring secular...

Hazrat Shaikh Nuruddin: Bridging Mysticism and Social Ethics in Medieval Kashmir

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 25 March 2025 A 14th-century mystic, Hazrat Shaikh Nuruddin synthesized Saivite and Islamic traditions, evolving from ascetic introspection to social reform. His poetry and ethics shaped Kashmir’s Muslim identity, bridging spirituality with humanitarian values, leaving an indelible mark on its cultural and religious ethos. Main points: Orphanhood and poverty instilled empathy for marginalized communities, shaping his ethical vision. Withdrawal blended Saivite philosophy (self-realization) with Sufi introspection, seeking divine unity. Transitioned from reclusion to promoting justice, universalism, and communal welfare. Harmonized Kashmir’s Islamic and Saivite traditions, fostering a pluralistic spiritual identity. Poetry and teachings remain cornerstones...

Striving to Promote Democracy: Values of Constitution

By Ram Puniyani for New Age Islam 25 March 2025 The V Dem observations about India as reported in The Hindu points out “Noting that almost all components of democracy were getting worse in more countries than they were getting better, the report singled out freedom of expression, clean elections, and freedom of association/civil society as the three worst affected components in autocratising countries.” It aptly summarizes the ground reality in India. To cap it all India is seeing the worst treatment to its minorities. The RSS-BJP combine have lately resorted to using Hindu Festivals/Congregations as yet another tool to intimidate the minorities. This was amply witnessed in the pattern of Ram Navami Celebrations, the Holi celebrations and the Kumbh congregation. This rising pattern of...