Monthly Archives: March 2007

My Friend,

Muslims are indeed “being demonised and some would say de-humanised”, as are Americans.

America is being demonized because of the utter stupidity of our current leadership. Who knows what further havoc they can wreak in the next two years?

Unfortunately, our current leaders do reflect the ignorance of the American public. It was so obvious that Bush was unread and knew nothing of the world, yet we elected him.

Muslims are demonized due to the horrid deeds of a few. Few bother to remember the Light that Muslims have cast upon this world. Few remember that, when the West was in its Dark Ages, the Muslim world was the only Light on this planet.

About 2% of America is Muslim. That does help us see the other side of the story a little. Furthermore, polls show that over 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with Bush.

I do think that Bush has damages America’s image in the world for the next scores of years. Likewise, I think the Muslim image is damaged.

There is no winner. Both have already lost.

Mike in Chicago.

Faraz: thanks for the comment. I visited your blog and left a comment. Am not sure if you saw it?

Mike: You have raised so many issues. The fractured identity remark was made in the global sense – the way Muslims are being demonised and some would say de-humanised. Your knowledge of South Asian history is impressive.

The warmth of people and the magic of old Dhaka overwhelms you. Having said that, Dhaka is bursting on the seams with a gushing sea of humanity, unregulated construction and traffic jams defining the urban ethos. Read article here >>

The Buddhist art of Gandhara influenced Indian art and sensibilities and also that of the entire Buddhist world. Full entry here >>

went through few of your posts, i am impressed, i like your balanced view and unbiased analysis on a wide range of subjects, I like both the content and the presentation.

please feel free to visit my blog: http://farazy.blogspot.com/

From Rumi: Hidden Music, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2001

Translated by Azima Melita Kolin and Maryam Mafi

Yesterday, devotees were lighting lamps at the shrine of Mian Mir in Lahore to commemorate the saint’s 383rd Urs (death anniversary). Full article here >>

I only wish that I could visit the Tate Modern in London to experience the sheer beauty of Amrita Shergil‘s work. She lived a full life and like many gifted people died at the age 28. Such a dazzling life… Full article here >>

For Indians unfamiliar with Urdu or Persian literature Bedil presents a bit of a paradox: he was born in Patna (died in Delhi) but he is among the world’s greatest Persian poets, and the most loved poet of Afghanistan and Tajikistan’s but unknown in India.

Full entry here >>

“Writer Arundhati Roy said in an interview last week that at least India’s growing middle class was reared on a diet of radical consumerism and aggressive greed.

Full entry here >>

One of my favourite verses of the Quran is Surah Al Azhab which makes it  clear that spiritual blessings are intended for both righteous men and women who are equal in the eyes of God.

Full entry here >>

Each time one visits Karachi the sprawling metropolis seems more run down. Crumbling infrastructure, notwithstanding the recent improvements, and a sense of neglect are apparent to any visitor.

Full entry here >>

Someone sent me these lines that pay a befitting tribute to Bob Woolmer, the dedicated coach of Pakistan’s cricket team who died last week.

Full entry here >>

The Australian poet Peter Nicholson who also writes for 3 Quarks Daily alerted me to his enchanting poem on W. H. Auden titled Asking Auden.

Poem entry here >>

Nearly eight years ago, this image of General Musharraf made headlines..

Full entry here >>