A woman in many women- and children and men- was reported to be rushing back and forth in panic of the gunfire chasing her. A woman- another woman- was seen from her balcony with a portrait of General Al-Sisi; watching, observing, comprehending, and smiling. A grimly smile. This is not fantasy. This is not a scene from […]
My home, my country is 66 years old today. Come August and we start gearing up to celebrate Pakistan’s birthday, if we can call it that. The emotional patriot that I am, the whole “green” thing works for me. It is my time to re-visit the qaumi taraanaas (patriotic songs) and hoist a flag on my roof […]
Pakistan- a word I’ve been hearing since my first day but every single time I hear it and interpret it, the familiar sense of belonging and feeling of love is rejuvenated. I’ve heard it under muffled voices as my grandparents would narrate their childhood stories; we would squeeze beside them under the blankets and awe […]
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. Allah only forbids you, […]
For me, he is the emblem of heroism, of wisdom, of passion, of love of Allah. He accepted Islam as ten year old child, when very few were willing to risk their lives. He grew up, literally, in the house of Allah’s beloved (Salallaho Alaihi Wasalam -SAW). He resembled Rasool Ullah (SAW) in mannerism and […]
What happens when events recur so often that we become accustomed to them? They end up becoming a part of our lives and we learn to live with them. Pakistan came into existence because it was seen as the sole solution to safeguard the rights of the minority i.e. Muslims. However, the very basis of the creation of […]
“The month of Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran was revealed; a guide for the people, the most authoritative of all guidance and a criteria to discern right from wrong”. (Al Baqarah:185) As Muslims around the world celebrate the arrival of Ramadhan – the month of compassion, reflection and forgiveness – they […]
“Truth never damages a cause that is just” ~ Ghandhi “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” ~ Martin Luthor King Today is a throbbing day for democracy, rule of law, legitimacy, truth, factuality, principle and any other word that fits into the same category. An elected head of the state, with a victory […]
STOP! Hands up! Halt! Pass through the full body scanner, motor bikes, pillion riding and cellular services are banned. Do not dare take your mobile phone, camera, or any other electronic device for the matter, inside the building/office and hand it over to the guard (don’t forget; they have no liability in case of damage […]
Change is one of the most popular themes in contemporary Pakistan. But what exactly do we mean by ‘change’, and even more importantly, why do we need it so badly? This is something that we should all learn to question. When we demand something, we should be conscious of what it is exactly. This question […]
