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Silence is culpable
If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. ~ George Orwell India has changed. I hate to say it, but that is the truth. It is no longer the nation I grew up in. The question is, ‘Do we want to continue to…
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Strategic advice to Indians in South Africa
In 2005, I wrote an article titled, ‘State of the Nation’, after a trip to South Africa at the invitation of the Jamiat ul Ulama where I met and addressed hundreds (perhaps over a thousand or more in total) of Ulama, businessmen, scholars, teachers and parents in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. I also…
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State of the Nation – South Africa (Indian Muslims) in 2005
At the request of the General Secretary of the Jamiat ul Ulama, South Africa, I am writing this note with the following objectives: 1 . To present my assessment (SWOT Analysis) of the Muslims in Gauteng 2 . To present some solutions and courses of action I would like to state that whatever I say…
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Musings from my twilight
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” -Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius was a stoic and a man of great wisdom; very unusual in a ruler. So, I present my musings to you as something from my perspective and not “The Truth”. As I reflect…
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Indian Muslims, Looking ahead
If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: never lie to yourself. ~ Paulo Coelho
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Madrassa education in India – what needs to change
The purpose of this article is to help the graduates of Madaaris (Ulama) to become relevant in modern society and to be able to provide positive leadership to their congregations. I have tried to define the situation with Madrassa Education in India as I understand it and to propose a solution to the deficiencies and…
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Dealing with a political problem called ISIS
This is truly one of the saddest pictures that I have ever seen. You can see how she is holding back her tears. What have we adults done to our children? I defend Islam. Not those who call themselves Muslim but go against Islam. ISIS is a political problem. Not a religious one. So trying…
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Interpreting Reality
Where and how do I begin? To speak from the heart, yet not reveal the grief, confusion and anxiety that it is filled with. Grief at the rapidly deteriorating situation all over the world where human life seems to have lost all value. Confusion as to why this sudden (or is it sudden at all?)…
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What does it take to lead a Muslim organisation?
This is a follow up to my earlier post..Don’t lie to yourself..which focuses on the reality of the leadership of Muslim organisations. I’ve enumerated here what I consider critical criteria for leadership success. Recommend you read my book: Hiring Winners.Criteria for leadership: (Clear evidence must be sought for each of these)1. Adherence to Fardh and…
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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…