Opinion

The opinions expressed in this section are solely those of the author.

Trump vs Muslim American Woman & The First Amendment

Much has been written, said, & tweeted (mostly by Trump himself), about Trump’s Anti-American rhetoric. Yes, I said Anti-American! Rose Hamid is an American & is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution to peaceably assemble; the Constitution doesn’t say that she couldn’t do it at a Trump Rally! The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom …

Germany’s potential Burqa Ban: Muslim Journalist reacts

The controversy over the Burkini Ban that has gripped France for the past few months now appears to be spilling over to Germany. The ‘Burkini” a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women was originally banned by the French town of Cannes during the annual film festival. Cannes Mayor said the Burkini represents the forces France is fighting, and that it may create some unruly incidents on the town’s beaches. So far three Mediterranean towns – Cannes, Villeneuve-Loubet and Sisco on …

The 5 Forgotten Children of Conflict

A video of 5-year-old Syrian boy who was injured in an airstrike in Syria has gone viral after the dazed look on the boy’s face shook the world. The video shows 5-year-old Omar Daqneesh being pulled out of the rubble into an ambulance where he sits emotionless and tries to clean the blood off his face. This picture of Omar is not the first one to show the ugly face of present day conflicts which have reignited the debate about …

What we should keep in mind while celebrating Pakistan Day

“May the nation, the country, and the state, Shine in glory everlasting! Blessed be the goal of our ambition. The Flag of the Crescent and Star Leads the way to progress and perfection…,” These are just a few lines from Pakistan’s beautiful national anthem, which will be on the lips of many on August 14th, Pakistan’s Independence Day. With awe inspiring lyrics, poetic rhythm, and powerful imagery it never fails to captivate the hearts of many Pakistanis. However, there are …

One by one….spares none…!

Sindh province of Pakistan is known to be the land of Sufis and Saints. Its overall texture is tolerance blended with hospitality and perseverance. It’s deep and remote areas may be far behind educationally but they have advanced in levels of human virtues, something which is deeply rooted in their culture. The province has been the hub of political activism and which gave birth to Pakistan’s infamous PPP or Pakistan People’s Party. Until a few years back, its secular persona …

Am I not Australian enough ?

I like to think that I’m just as Australian as the kids that I went to school with, as the teachers that gave me my education and as the students I share my lecture theatres with. I come from a different country, so I guess it sounds strange to call myself an Australian. My skin is different to yours, the way I talk isn’t exactly how you do, I speak a different language at home and the biggest of distinctions, …

Rabwah – No, it’s not safe

‘No, it’s not safe,’ my mother used to tell me when I asked to join her as she taught the Holy Qur’an to small children in remote areas of Rabwah, Pakistan. I wondered what exactly was not safe. Innocently, I believed it was just an excuse so she would not have to take me with her. One particular evening I begged my mother to take me with her, and she finally submitted to my request. I recall sitting in a …

Fact Check: Biggest Charity Fraud in Panama Papers

‘Kill Ahmadis’ Hate Group alleges financial misconduct by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.  An anti-Ahmadi activist with links to the extremist Khatme Nabuwat group recently wrote a libelous article alleging financial misconduct on the part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The allegations are so absurd, they do not merit a response. But for the benefit of those who are unaware of the community and how it works, here is a brief point-by-point response to the allegations. 1) Author belongs to Khatme Nabuwat Hate Group: First …

How Bhutto used Gestapo style FSF to silence his political opponents

This story is of my father Rashid-Ud Din and the Federal Security Force (FSF). The FSF was a Gestapo style security force created by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto back in 1972. Bhutto was the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which he founded in 1967. He served as the 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and then served as the 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977. The story begins in June 1973, when FSF recruiters started hiring people all over …

Pakistan: A Paradoxical Divinity

The 4 January 2016 marked five years since the Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed by a member of his own security detail in a popular market in Pakistan’s capital city. His self-confessed assassin, 26-year-old Mumtaz Qadri, told interrogators he had killed the governor for his calls to reform Pakistan’s blasphemy law and for his support of the Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who was accused of — and ultimately sentenced to death for — blaspheming the Prophet Muhammed. Mr Qadri …

Three and a half Ahmadis and a Shia

My family moved to Lahore in early 1970s. We rented the lower portion of a house in what was still called Kirshan Nagar, despite being renamed Islampura, probably after the 1965 war. It was an old style house with an open central courtyard. There were two front rooms both having an opening onto the street. The owners lived in the upper portion but they purposefully kept one of those front rooms. They would hold a weekly religious gathering in that …

A guide to growing up Ahmadi in Pakistan

Welcome, to the beautiful land of the pure. Here, we are blessed with four wondrous seasons and the geographical features are aplenty. This is a land hard won through the sacrifices of many and now, you too, are a part of this nation of the free. There is only one small hitch. You are Ahmadi, and life will be slightly more difficult for you than it is for the rest of the citizens of this country.