Seminar, 3 March 2016 Some widespread beliefs of our times are being questioned here, such as the notion that we are living in an age of spiritual decline. In this paper it is argued that it was no coincidence that between 1887 and 1946, the Indian Muslim community collectively adopted three successive goals and achieved […]
The emergence of a ‘new human being’ Read More »
I got an opportunity to deliver a talk at the University of Warwick on November 9, 2015. It was later repeated at St. Edmond’s Hall, Oxford, on November 15. The title was ‘Introducing Iqbal’. Since then I have received a request to upload the transcript. I offer here the gist of my presentation. As a
‘Introducing Iqbal’ at Warwick and Oxford Read More »
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text] “How would you describe the ‘vital principles’ of Pakistan?” The British journalist and mystery writer Beverley Nichols asked the Quaid-i-Azam during his famous interview in 1943. “In five words,” the Quaid
The shortest history of the Pakistan Movement Read More »
In August 1588, the Spanish Armada invaded England with a fleet of 130 ships. It is generally believed now that its defeat was indecisive in strategic terms but became a great propaganda victory for England. The Latin inscription on the commemorative medal is usually translated as ‘God blew with His wind and they were scattered.’
Parallels in history Read More »
Just a day before the commencement of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 1965 War, a headline was circulated in the Pakistani media that the country did not win the war but lost it. The line appeared in the press report of a lecture by Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi delivered in the University of Karachi
Rejoinder to Dr. S. Akber Zaidi Read More »
And when God said to the angels: ‘I am going to make a Viceroy on the earth,’ they said: ‘Are You creating one who spills blood and disturbs the peace of the earth, and we glorify You and sing Your praises?’ God answered, ‘I know what you do not know.’ He taught Adam the names
The Creation Story Read More »
‘Iqbal: His Life and Our Times fulfils the need for a simple and reliable introduction to the life and work of this unmatched genius, highlighting the practical relevance of his ideas for those who wish to consider them for implementation.’ This write-up from the renowned poet and scholar Iftikhar Arif and M. Suheyl Umar, former
Iftikhar Arif and M. Suheyl Umar on ‘Iqbal: His Life and Our Times’ Read More »
References to Psycho Mansion and Rana Palace in an article in Dawn
Ibn-e-Safi makes a resounding return Read More »
The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 25, 2012 “This is our misfortune: we are giving birth to a society where courage has come to be understood as being a bully, and the nobility of character is seen as cowardice. Today, a blood-dripping gandasa has become the icon of our culture and civilisation, instead of the
The Sohni Dharti school of thought Read More »
The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 18, 2012 A secret agent in a white car chases two motorcyclists in a crowded bazaar and shoots them dead. A Land Cruiser, in a bid to scoop up the agent, speeds on the wrong side of the road and accidentally runs over another motorcyclist. The rescue attempt fails,
Thank you for not smoking, Mr Bond Read More »