-
ISIS – Isn’t Isn’t
The faulty logic of the ISIS Preface: Religion is the last resort of the scoundrel…as the saying goes…refers to the tendency of some unscrupulous people to twist religion to justify their own nefarious activity. Genghis Khan famously gave a “sermon” in Bukhara after sacking the city saying that Allah had sent him as a punishment…
-
Who decides on gender equality?
Gender inequality a product of culture, not religion: Study. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwuIXDvCA Let me begin with a disclaimer in the best modern tradition of writing that I accept that there’s gender discrimination and that women invariably get the short end of the stick. There is oppression of women, in Muslim societies as much as in others, all…
-
All hands on deck – it’s time to stand together
There is a tendency in reporting and speaking about things like the deplorable so-called cartoons of Charile Hebdo and other similar things and say that they are offensive to a certain group of people. I consider this an insult to my humanity and my sensibilities as a civilised, global citizen. Thankfully there are others who…
-
Udai Pareek, my mentor and friend
Udai Pareek – the most powerful thing I learnt from him was to give without asking for a return. And I have followed that principle all my life. Who else in this world writes a book full of tried and tested psychometric tests and gives it away? I first met Udai in 1983 when I…
-
Boycott or no boycott
We the people find ourselves today in a bind. On the one hand the media delivers to the doorstep of our conscience, images and news, all highly disturbing, heart wrenching and begging for us to do something, anything to make a difference. On the other hand the ordinary person is the last link in the…
-
The Birth of a Narrative
Mirza Yawar Baig Imam & Khateeb Mahmood Habib Masjid & Islamic Center, Hyderabad Looking at the headlines it appears that a story is being built – gradually one article at a time; linking one incident to another, using conjecture in the place of hard evidence – to create the new bogeyman – the Indian Muslim…
-
What is your legacy?
A leader is remembered not by what he or she possessed or consumed, not by how much power they had or whether they were charming or beautiful, but by the legacy they leave behind. This is what I want to talk to you about; leaving a legacy. I want to start by saying two things…
-
If tomorrow starts without me…
If tomorrow starts without me, then remember that great goals need great commitment. The SBA is a great goal. Ask yourself, ‘Do I have the commitment to make it happen?’ I know this sounds unkind but I ask you to bear with me and think dispassionately. The question in my mind with respect to the…
-
Difference of Opinion
A difference of opinion indicates interest and commitment. Not stupidity and ignorance. Only the interested and committed, disagree. _______________________________________________________________________________ We Muslims are perhaps a people who have the highest number of differences of opinion in the world, when it comes to understanding our religion. I am sure someone will disagree with this statement as well.…
-
Parenting – The Unexpected Task
Parenting for most couples is something that they are ill prepared for. Everyone acknowledges that to bring up children to be responsible citizens is a primary task but there is no formal instruction about how to do it. Parents are given the rare privilege of scripting whether their children will be winners or losers, but…