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A Pakistani-American scholar’s new book on the life and achievements of Caliph Ali
“I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate.” This saying is attributed to the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings upon him). It not only immortalizes Ali but also captures his defining characteristic. Ali...July 24, 2021 775 0 -
An Andalusian philosopher who can help foster peace between Jews and Muslims
There are, perhaps, few figures in Jewish history who can match the stature of the celebrated Rabbi Maimonides. For the Jews the inscription on his tombstone in Tiberius, Israel, describes his extraordinary status: “From Moses to...February 13, 2021 1564 0 -
Poem of the week: “What is it that I seek?”
A force of such might it sets me free A light so bright it blinds me I heard it in the voice of the nightingale I know it was in the hearts of the wise I...December 5, 2020 1463 1 -
An enquiry into Nietzsche’s concept of Superman and Iqbal’s illustration of Perfect Man
When Friedrich Nietzsche ran to stop the brutal owner of a horse from thrashing it mercilessly in Turin, Italy, and threw his arms around the animal crying, “I understand your pain,” it gave us an extraordinary insight...November 9, 2020 5836 0 -
Why Napoleon provides Macron the way to bridge-building with French Muslims
As I write these lines, it appears that Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has declared war on Islam after the tragic and unacceptable beheading of Samuel Paty, the French teacher. As a teacher myself, I...October 30, 2020 1191 0 -
The India-Pakistan Conundrum
The modern Indian writer commenting on affairs between India and Pakistan has an acute dilemma: every time he or she is objective about Pakistan, his compatriots tend to see him as soft on the enemy and...October 27, 2020 553 0 -
First Love – A poem on connection with Cambridge University
First Love It was love at first sight —and it was true with the breathless passion that the years could not dim and like a faithful lover I have returned again and again Half a century...October 3, 2020 2790 1 -
Remembering Swami Agnivesh – A champion of humanity
There are few more inspiring Christian houses of worship than the great cathedral at Canterbury in the UK. It is of course associated with the killing of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Saint Thomas Becket, and his...September 18, 2020 616 0 -
Why an Andalusian novel on human bonding with Nature is relevant to COVID times
The story of Hayy ibn Yaqdhan is as unlikely as is its impact on the world centuries after it was written. The twelfth century novel was written by Abu Bakr Ibn Tufail, advisor to the ruler in Marrakesh,...August 25, 2020 797 0 -
Remembering the Wali of Swat
Wali of Swat with Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Wali’s palace in Saidu Sharif, 1961 The Wali of Swat was the stuff of legend. Edward Lear wrote a nonsense rhyme about his...June 24, 2020 3443 2
