Courtesy New Statesman – Pakistan Special The “villain” of Partition    “Jinnah Street in Chicago?!” I had every reason to be incredulous. Chicago was, after all, that most American of cities. But my Pakistani friends were right. Not only was there a Jinnah Street in the Devon area of the city, but the number of men and women wearing the traditional shalwar-kameez, the shops selling saris and sweetmeats, and the kebab houses made me feel as if I … Read entire article »

From the New York Times A few days ago, I stood atop a 30-foot-high levee in Pakistan’s south Punjab, looking out as the waters from the greatest Indus River flood in memory flowed past, through orchards, swirling around a village on higher ground half a mile out. Twenty miles wide, the flood was almost dreamlike, the speeding water, as it streamed through the upper branches of trees, carrying along bits of brightly colored plastic and clumps of grass. … Read entire article »

By YLH From Dawn today: Mr Haris, on the other hand, argued that the Constitution of Pakistan, like other constitutions, had its own basic structure and unique personality and that parliament did not enjoy unfettered powers to bring any kind of amendment. According to him, the salient features as developed by courts were federalism, a parliamentary form of government blended with Islamic provisions, fundamental rights and independence of the judiciary. “And the force that binds and holds all the salient features together is that sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah,” he said. Khwaja Haris said the salient features were the four pillars which were holding up the entire edifice of the Constitution. Weakening any one of them would endanger the entire edifice, he said, adding that all the four salient features had been derived from … Read entire article »

Diplomat, film-maker, anthropologist and playwright Dr. Akbar S Ahmed continues to inspire many in his brave journey to prove to the world that Islamic values are universal and completely compatible with modernity, democracy, pluralism and liberalism.   This – as one can imagine- makes him an equally attractive target for both Islamo-fascists and Islamophobes.    For the world to heal the wounds of the last 10 years,   Dr Ahmed must succeed. I was especially touched by this remarkable article in the Washington Post.  -YLH Courtesy Washington Post By C. Naseer Ahmad Professor Akbar Ahmed’s remarkable book “Journey Into America- The Challenge of Islam” inspired my recent journey across America. Through his books, documentaries, lectures and other events, Professor Ahmed takes his students, friends and followers on many interesting journeys. Actually, I met the author at the Corner … Read entire article »