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Author and journalist.
Author of
Islamic Pakistan: Illusions & Reality;
Islam in the Post-Cold War Era;
Islam & Modernism;
Islam & Muslims in the Post-9/11 America.
Currently working as free lance journalist.
Executive Editor of American Muslim Perspective: www.amperspective.com
Friday, May 6, 2011 Osama Bin Laden Episode and Pakistan's Dispirited Mercenary Army
Four days after the Abbottabad episode, Pakistan's dispirited mercenary army, in a terse statement, called Thursday for cuts in the number of U.S. military personnel in the country to protest the US operation in Abbottabad that "killed Osama bin Laden." The army also threatened to cut cooperation with Washington if the U.S. stages more unilateral raids on its territory.
Friday, April 15, 2011 Beggers can't be choosers: US resumes Drone attacks in Pakistan as CIA turns down ISI plea to halt controversial strikes (2 comments)
After a brief lull, US has resumed Drone attacks in Pakistan. At least eight people were killed Wednesday in two US drone strikes at Angoor Adda in South Waziristan Agency. The attack came just one day after a Washington meeting between CIA Director Leon Panetta and Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the chief of Inter-Services Intelligence agency, who called for an end to the strikes that have caused deep anger.
Monday, April 4, 2011 Blackwater and RAW trying to stir sectarian riots in Pakistan (1 comments)
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, a leading religious political party, has accused the Blackwater and Indian intelligence agency RAW for Sunday's bomb blasts at the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sarwar in DG Khan which claimed at least 49 lives and left scores wounded. In a press statement, the JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan, said the enemy agencies were out to spark sectarian riots in the country to harm the national unity.
Thursday, March 31, 2011 Bahrain hiring Pakistani ex-soldiers to suppress uprising (1 comments)
While the world attention is focused on the US-led NATO invasion of Libya, the ruler of the tiny Persian Gulf state of Bahrain -- headquarters of the 5th US fleet - is brutally suppressing month-long Shiite majority protest with the help of Saudi invasion forces and recruiting Pakistani ex-soldiers.
Monday, March 21, 2011 Has US accepted the Sharia principle by securing Raymond Davis' freedom under a controversial Diyat law?
Not unexpectedly, a Pakistani court last Wednesday (March 16) released the CIA contractor Raymond Davis, the killer of two ISI agents in Lahore on January 27. The US secured his release under a controversial Diyat law under which 18 relatives of the two victims, Faizan and Faheem were paid $2.352 million as blood money. The release of Raymond Davis, through a hush hush, court proceeding left many questions unanswered.
Monday, March 7, 2011 Fearing spill over of Bahrain riots Saudis release Shiite cleric
Amid mounting unrest in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Shiite majority province and elsewhere in the kingdom, the Saudi authorities Sunday released a prominent Shiite cleric, Sheikh Tawfiq Al-Amer, who was detained on 27 February after a call for a constitutional monarchy.
Monday, February 21, 2011 Bahrain riots alarm oil-rich Persian Gulf states with restive Shiite minorities
The tension between the Sunni rulers and the Shiite majority of Bahrain runs deep, as it does throughout the Arab Middle East. Bahrain riots have broader regional implications since Saudi Arabia has a significant Shiite minority in its eastern, oil-producing districts.
Thursday, February 17, 2011 Debate Over Raymond Davis Release Touches Off Suicide, Protests in Pakistan (1 comments)
Under intensive US pressure to release of the American national Raymond Davis who admits killing two Pakistanis in self-defense, US client government in Pakistan has called an all-party conference to discuss the issue.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 What next for Egypt after Mubarak? (1 comments)
A new chapter in the history of the Middle East opened on February 11, 2011 when 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak ended in the face of unprecedented mass uprising against his brutal pro-US regime. The collapse in Egypt took just 18 days of bold protest, inspired by the overthrow of Tunisia's long-standing strongman, President Zein Al Abidin, just weeks before.
Saturday, February 12, 2011 US aid to Pakistan linked to Raymond Davis' release (3 comments)
After intensive diplomatic pressure failed to secure release of American citizen, Raymond Davis, - who says he killed two young motorcycle riders in self-defense -- Washington has now threatened to cut financial aid to its client government in Islamabad. Three members of the House of Representatives drove home the point to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani last week.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Unfolding drama of Raymond Davis
The US-client government of President Asif Ali Zardari is resisting the US pressure to release US citizen Raymond Davis who told a court on Friday that he killed two Pakistani motorcycle riders last Thursday in self-defense in the crowded Mazang area of Lahore, the second largest town of Pakistan.
Friday, January 28, 2011 US official guns down two motorcyclists in Pakistan (3 comments)
Lahore, the second largest city of Pakistan, was scene of anti-America demonstrations Thursday after Raymond David, a US Consulate official, shot at and killed two young motorcyclists while another motorcyclist was run over by his colleagues riding another car, according Pakistan media reports.
Saturday, January 15, 2011 Swami Aseemanand exposes Hindu terrorism (1 comments)
A jailed leader of India's extremist Hindu organization "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS)" Jatin Chattenjee alias "Swami Assemanand" has confessed that he and several RSS activists have a direct role in several terror attacks on Muslims across India during the last three years as well as terrorist attacks BLAMED on Muslims.
Monday, January 10, 2011 Gabby Giffords -" A victim of the politics of hate
"I know nothing about the man who shot Gabby, and what was going through his mind when he did this. But I will tell you this - if he shot Gabby out of hatred, then it wasn't Gabby he was shooting, but rather some cartoon version of her, drawn by her political opposition," these words of Alan Grayson, Democratic Congressman from Florida, perhaps best describe the motives behind the assassination of Congresswoman Giffords.
Sunday, December 26, 2010 2010 another hard year for American Muslims (1 comments)
American Muslims were hoping that the anti-Islam and anti-Muslim bigotry movements will be rolled back with time. However, no such end is coming in the near future, particularly, with the Republicans taking control of the House of Representative. Alarmingly, Rep. Peter King, incoming Republican chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, has announced a witch hunt targeting the Muslim community.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 The Politics of the Nobel Peace Prize (4 comments)
Alfred Nobel said the Peace Prize should be awarded to an individual who had contributed to "fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." This, unfortunately, has not always been the case. The selection of individuals for the Nobel Peace Prize in recent years defeats the will of Alfred Nobel.
Thursday, December 2, 2010 Wikileaks reports seen a plot to harm Muslim countries ties (5 comments)
Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan's National Assembly has termed the release of Wikileaks reports as a conspiracy to harm relations among the Muslim countries. "Wikileaks' aim behind the release of the reports is just to disturb the relations between the Muslim countries" noted all the members of the NA committee at a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Monday, November 29, 2010 Judge bars certification of Oklahoma anti-Islam constitutional amendment (5 comments)
In a strongly-worded ruling a federal judge in Oklahoma Monday granted an injunction that bars certification of an anti-Islam state ballot measure (SQ 755) passed in the November 2 election.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Judge extends ban on Oklahoma anti-Islam amendment
A federal judge in Oklahoma has extended a restraining order barring certification of an anti-Islam state ballot measure (SQ 755) passed in the November 2 election.
Monday, November 8, 2010 Judge blocks Oklahoma anti-Islam constitutional amendment (1 comments)
A federal judge in Oklahoma has temporarily blocked an anti-Islam state ballot measure (officially known as SQ 755) that would have amended that state's constitution to forbid judges from considering Islamic principles (Shariah) or international law when making a ruling.
Friday, November 5, 2010 Oklahoma's anti-Islam ballot measure challenged as un-constitutional
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Thursday filed a lawsuit at the US District Court of Oklahoma saying that an anti-Islam (Sharia ban) state ballot measure passed in Tuesday's election violates the U.S. Constitution.
Friday, October 29, 2010 The root cause of suicide terrorism is occupation: New study
New research provides strong evidence that suicide terrorism such as that of 9/11 is particularly sensitive to foreign military occupation, and not Islamic fundamentalism or any ideology. Although this pattern began to emerge in the 1980s and 1990s, a wealth of new data presents a powerful picture.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan extend war into Pakistan (1 comments)
With three cross border attacks into Pakistani territory the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan have apparently extended Afghan-war into Pakistan.
Sunday, September 26, 2010 Dr. Aafia Siddiqui sentenced to 86 years in prison for trying to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan
Not unexpectedly, the 86 years jail sentence against Dr. Afia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist once dubbed by the US media as Al-Qaeda Lady, triggered outrage across the country with protesters taking to the streets in many places. It was 10 p.m. in Pakistan when US District Court in Manhattan by Judge Richard M. Berman announced the judgment but protesters were up in arms in several cities of the country.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 American Muslims nine years after 9/11 (6 comments)
The seven-million strong American Muslim community, under siege since the ghastly tragedy of 9/11, is challenged in recent months with a growing anti-Islam and anti-Muslim bigotry sparked by the opposition to the planned Park51 project popularly known as the Ground Zero Mosque in Manhattan, New York. The inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the project has stirred hatred toward the Muslims in America.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Who is behind the abduction and torture of Pakistani journalist?
Pakistan, where disappearance and torture of people is not uncommon, a prominent journalist was tortured and humiliated after abduction by unidentified men from the capital, Islamabad, on Saturday, September 4. Umar Cheema, a reporter with The News International in Islamabad and the 2008 Daniel Pearl Fellow at The New York Times, was picked up by some unknown men in police uniforms.
Friday, September 3, 2010 Two episodes of "Flying While Muslim"
"Flying while Arab or Muslim" has joined the profiling lexicon alongside "driving while Arab or Muslim," "driving while Black" and "driving while brown" since 9/11. In a charged atmosphere - fomented by the inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the New York Mosque project by anti-Islam and anti-Muslim bigots as well as Rightwing ranters - two embarrassing incidents of "Flying While Muslim" happened this week.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 Pakistan's flood disaster and "war on terror'
In a paradoxical move while reportedly denying permission to the use of US-controlled Shahbaz air force base in southern Sindh province for flood relief operation, the Department of State has established the Pakistan Relief Fund. The establishment of the fund was announced on August 19, in a video statement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This Fund is in addition to $150 million help announced earlier.
Monday, August 9, 2010 President Zardari of Pakistan is pelted with shoes at the UK rally
Taking cue from the Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who threw both of his shoes at the then President George Bush to protest against the US invasion and occupation of his country, Shamim Khan from Azad Kashmir hurled both of his shoes at Pakistan's unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari who was addressing a community gathering in Brimingham, UK on Saturday.
Friday, May 28, 2010 US-Muslim relations one year after Obama's Cairo speech
From the moment President Barrack Obama, a powerful orator, took office, he seemed eager to change the tenor of America's relationship with Muslims worldwide. On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama delivered a speech in Cairo that elicited a near euphoric response from most officials and editorial writers across the Muslim World.
Thursday, May 6, 2010 Botched New York car-bombing: American Muslims fear backlash
In the wake of an arrest of a Pakistani American, Faisal Shahzad, as the suspect behind the failed Times Square bombing plot, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has assured the Muslim community that any backlash against them will not be tolerated.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 Arizona Immigration law legalizes racial profiling (3 comments)
American Arab and Muslim civil rights advocacy groups have joined other organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and the South Asian Network, in condemning the signing of Arizona Senate State Bill 1070 into law by Governor Jan Brewer.
Sunday, April 18, 2010 Atrocities of Pakistan's Mercenary Army: 71 Civilians Massacred in Air Strike
More than 70 civilians were killed and scores injured in an air raid on April 10 by the Pakistani jet fighters in the tribal region along Pakistan's northern border with Afghanistan. According to eyewitness accounts, a bomb was dropped on a house in the remote village of Sara Walla in the Khyber tribal agency. The fighter jets returned as villagers tried to dig out people from the rubble two hours later.
Monday, March 8, 2010 Alarming rise in the number of anti-government, anti-immigrant extremist groups (12 comments)
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has reported an alarming rise in the number of American anti-government militia and anti-immigrant groups, which have remained largely dormant since their heyday in the mid-1990s.
Sunday, March 7, 2010 "Lies the Government Told You" by Judge Andrew Napolitano (3 comments)
"Lies the Government Told You" is the latest book of Judge Napolitano, a professed libertarian and former Judge of New Jersey Superior Court (1987 to 1995). He believes that the government is simply not to be trusted. It is interested more in acquiring more power than in actually serving the public. Simply, the government is not your friend. This is his fourth book which amplifies this theme.
Monday, March 1, 2010 Reinforcing prejudice, stereotyping (1 comments)
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets used props portraying stereotypically-dressed Muslim men in a February 20 exercise held just two blocks from a mosque used by students at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. The practice highlights a disturbing Islamophobic trend demonizing Islam and equating Muslims with 'the enemy.'
Sunday, February 7, 2010 "Al-Qaeda Lady' Dr. Aafia not charged with links to Al Qaeda but convicted of trying to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan (1 comments)
A jury in New York has found Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist once dubbed by the US media as Al-Qaeda Lady, guilty of attempted murder charges on all seven counts listed in the complaint against her. She was tried on charges of trying to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan when she was arrested in the town of Ghazni with notes indicating plans to attack the Statue of Liberty and other New York landmarks.
Friday, February 5, 2010 America's silent war in Pakistan unmasked
Three US Marines were killed and another two injured in a suicide attack in Dir, northern Pakistan on Wednesday. The Americans, disguised in traditional Pakistani dress, were traveling with Pakistani military officers to attend the inauguration of a girl school. To many Pakistanis the most shocking aspect of the bombing the question was: What were the American soldiers doing in a volatile corner of the NWFP?
Friday, January 22, 2010 Pakistan Supreme Court seeks repatriation of President Zardari's millions stashed abroad
Citing the examples of Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos and Nigerian President Sani Abacha, Pakistan Supreme Court suggested Tuesday that President Asif Ali Zardari's ill-gotten money stashed in Switzerland and elsewhere should be brought back to Pakistan.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 "Viceroy" Holbrooke furious with Pakistani parliamentarians on US drone attacks (1 comments)
The US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, met in Lahore last Friday with a number of Pakistani parliamentarians as US drone missiles were attacking targets in North Waziristan killing at least 11 people. Holbrooke was furious when parliamentarians demanded that the drone attacks should be stopped as they were causing massive civilian casualties and creating bad image for the United States.
Saturday, January 9, 2010 The issue of 10,000 disappeared persons haunts Pakistan government
Rocking the unpopular US-client government of President Asif Ali Zardari, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has reopened the cases of thousands of missing or disappeared persons during General Musharraf's regime.
Monday, January 4, 2010 Devastating the Innocent: Salvador option fomenting civil war in Pakistan
It was a bloody beginning of year 2010 in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). More than one hundred people were killed and another 22 injured in a car bomb attack on the packed volleyball ground in Laki Marwat.
Sunday, December 27, 2009 2009: Another hard year for American Muslims (2 comments)
President Obama's good gestures and public policy measures have little positive impact on the restoration of civil rights of American Muslims curtailed since 9/11. The year 2009 brought no positive change to alleviate the plight of the seven-million strong American Muslim community which remains victim of guilt by association.
Saturday, December 26, 2009 The first anniversary of Gaza massacre
December 27th marks the first anniversary of Israeli assault on the besieged Gaza that left over 1,440 Palestinians dead, of whom 313 were children and 116 women. In the Israeli assault, called Operation Cast Lead, another 5,380 Palestinians were injured.
Saturday, December 19, 2009 Plight of the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh
December 16 marks the 38th anniversary of the breakup of Pakistan when the Eastern wing of the country emerged as Bangladesh after an India-backed secessionist movement. The occasion calls for highlighting the plight of about 250,000 so-called Biharis or stranded Pakistanis still languishing in unsanitary camps in Bangladesh.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 The Politics of Minaret (1 comments)
The seven-million strong American Muslim community has received the ban on Minarets in Switzerland with alarm and dismay. The referendum is seen as part of a recent disturbing trend in Europe to restrict the religious freedom and self-expression of religious and ethnic minorities, notably of Muslims.
Friday, December 4, 2009 The 500 most influential Muslims of the world?
The Amman, Jordan-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in collaboration with the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Georgetown University, Washington DC, has issued a list of 500 most influential Muslims in the world.
Saturday, November 7, 2009 Fort Hood Mass Homicide: American Muslims react with grief & fear of backlash (4 comments)
The seven-million strong American Muslim community has reacted, with grief and fear of backlash, at the shooting at Fort Hood in Texas by Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. All major Arab and Muslim organizations were swift in unequivocally condemning this heinous incident which claimed the lives of 13 people and injured scores other.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Pakistan is swiftly drifting towards an all out civil war (1 comments)
Pakistan's mercenary army has launched the long-awaited US-financed offensive in South Waziristan. Two army divisions, supported by an array of jet fighters and helicopter gunships, began a long expected offensive in the South Waziristan tribal agency on October 19. With at least 30,000 combat troops, plus thousands of logistical personnel, it is the largest military operation on either side of the Pak-Afghan border.
Sunday, October 25, 2009 Jundullah Attack on Iranian Revolutionary Guards: The Pakistan Connection
Pakistan's leading English newspaper Dawn has indicated that Oct. 15 suicide attack in the Iranian border town of Pishin that killed 42 people, including six commanders of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, may be in retaliation of Pakistan Army's current operation in South Waziristan.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Beggars can't be choosers: US rejects demand to change capitulating terms for $7.5 billion aid to Pakistan
Brushing aside concerns about the Kerry-Logar legislation as misinterpretation, Washington has rejected Pakistan's popular demand to bring any change to the capitulating conditions attached to $7.5 billion aid to the beleaguered nation. President Barack Obama signed the controversial legislation - the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 - on Thursday without fanfare.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Capitulating Terms of the $4.5 Billion US aid to Pakistan (1 comments)
Major political parties of Pakistan have bitterly criticized the capitulating conditions attached to the $4.5 billion US aid to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar Bill passed by the Congress on September 4, 2009. Pakistan Muslim League, a leading political party, described the conditionalities similar to the notorious Pakistan-specific Pressler's amendment that was used as an arms twisting tool by the US administration.
Thursday, September 24, 2009 Unfolding drama of Iraq-ill-famed Blackwater operation in Pakistan (3 comments)
Amid persistent reports by media, political leaders and intelligence agencies, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has denied the presence of Iraq-ill-famed Blackwater (now renamed as Xe Services) in Pakistan. However, circumstantial evidence belies the tall claim of the Interior Minister.
Thursday, September 10, 2009 American Muslims eight years after 9/11 (1 comments)
Eight years after 9/11, Muslims in America remained at the receiving end with assault on their civil rights and their faith. Muslims are the prime targets of the post 9/11 reconfiguration of American laws, policies, and priorities which have not been changed under the Obama administration. Defending civil rights remains the single most important challenge before the seven million-strong American Muslim community.
Friday, August 28, 2009 Teaching hate to school children (3 comments)
On August 24, a 10-year-old girl was sent home on her first day back to school in Gainesville, Florida, for wearing a shirt with the words 'Islam Is Of The Devil' printed on it. Who was this teen age girl. She was Faith Sapp, daughter of Wayne Sapp, pastor of the controversial church, the Dove World Outreach Center, in northwest Gainesville.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Pakistan Supreme Court’s Anti-Musharraf Verdict Shields President Zardari
On July 31, 2009, the Supreme Court shielded the incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari under the so called principle of the welfare of the people. In a well crafted unanimous verdict, the 14-judges full bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday (July 31, 2009) declared illegal the emergency imposed in November 2007 by the then President General Parvez Musharraf but failed to invalidate 37 Ordinances issued by him.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Well crafted speech with little substance for the Muslims
Obama's Cairo speech was well crafted and rich with good gestures. Its tone was striking. It was very carefully worded, non-committal and lacking substance. But the much hyped speech did not amount to a breakaway from American policies that have created the deep divide between the United States and the Muslim World since 9/11. Vague and flowery rhetoric was used as an adjustment of the language to cloak the US policy.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Swat operation is fomenting separatism in FATA
In a virtual replay of the 1971 assault on civilian population in what was then the East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Pakistani army has launched a brutal operation in Sawat and other areas in Northern Pakistan.
Saturday, March 21, 2009 Congressman Wolf's attempt to silence a leading American Muslim civil advocacy group (3 comments)
In an apparent attempt to silence a leading American Muslim civil rights advocacy group the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) - Republican Congressman Frank Wolf from Virginia has expressed deep disappointment at the FBI's "insufficient response" to his letter that apparently sought negative information based on smears against CAIR by Muslim-bashers like Steven Emerson.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 An African-American Elected as CAIR Chairman
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), nation's leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, on March 3, 2009 elected an African-American as its new board chairman. North Carolina State Senator, Larry Shaw replaces Dr. Parvez Ahmed, an Indian-American and a professor of the University of North Florida, who was elected CAIR chairman in May 2005.
Monday, March 2, 2009 Bigotry at the Capitol Hill: US lawmaker hosts anti-Islamic Dutch lawmaker (3 comments)
Continuing the Islamophobic policies of the Republican Party, Republican Senator Jon Kyl Thursday (2/26/2009) hosted screening of an anti-Islam film 'Fitna' at the Capitol building and invited anti-Islam far-right Dutch lawmaker, Geert Wilders, as his guest.
Friday, February 20, 2009 UCLA Professor Claims Finding Bin Laden's Hideout in Pakistan (3 comments)
Osama Bin Laden is hiding in one of three big compounds in the town of Parachinar along Pak-Afghan border, claims Thomas W. Gillespie, a US professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Friday, February 13, 2009 Obama ducks question on Israel's nuclear capability but expresses concern over Iran's nuclear program (1 comments)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres said in July 1998 that Israel "built a nuclear option, not in order to have a Hiroshima but an Oslo." However, at his first White House press conference, President Barrack Obama avoided to answer when he was asked: "Do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?"
Thursday, January 29, 2009 Will Obama Policies Bring Real Change for the Muslims? (4 comments)
In a bid to repair relations with the Muslim world that were damaged under the Bush administration, President Barack Obama told the Muslim world Tuesday that "Americans are not your enemy."In an interview with Al-Arabiya TV channel, Obama said: "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy - we sometimes make mistakes - we have not been perfect."
Sunday, January 18, 2009 Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 19 marks the Martin Luther King Day to celebrate the life and contributions of a great social peacemaker and iconic civil rights leader. This year the MLK Day has special significance. It falls on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration as the first African-American President of the United States.
Monday, January 12, 2009 Massacre of Palestinians in Gaza rages with Israeli land assault
The year 2009 began for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza with an all out air, land and sea assault from the Israeli armed forces. With the overt support of the Bush administration, meaningful silence of President-elect Barack Obama, and complicity of the US client Arab regimes, Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza continues for the 10th day today (January 5, 2009).
Friday, January 2, 2009 2008: Another Difficult Year for American Muslims (2 comments)
Rightist columnist Cal Thomas urges ban on building new mosques in America and
a Muslim woman in Georgia sent to jail for not removing head scarf (hijab). These episodes of bigotry, Islamophobia and discrimination of the month of December symbolize the dilemma of American Muslims in 2008 like the previous years since 9/11.Bigotry and Islamophobia reached its climax during the 2008 presidential election campaign.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza: President Bush's departing gift to Palestinians (2 comments)
As the US-supplied Israeli F-16 warplanes and Apache helicopters dropped Saturday (December 27) over 100 bombs on dozens of locations in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip killing more than 200 persons, the Bush administration was one of the first to offer its support for Israel's attacks by blaming the victims for the massacre.
Friday, December 5, 2008 Arab Americans Continue to Face Discrimination: Report (1 comments)
Arab Americans continue to face higher rates of employment discrimination in both the public and private sectors and continuing challenges associated with government watch lists and immigration enforcement, according to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) "Report on Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Arab Americans."
Friday, November 28, 2008 Redrawing the map of Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan (1 comments)
The Global Trends 2025 report says the future of Pakistan is a wildcard in considering the trajectory of neighboring Afghanistan. The release of the study last week coincided with a report in the New York Times that a redrawn map of South Asia has been making the rounds among Pakistani elites, showing their country truncated.
Sunday, November 23, 2008 US expands military operations in Pakistan
In a rude shock to Pakistanis, the US has escalated military operations inside Pakistan with a missile attack on a house in Janikhel, Bannu district, 70 kilimeters from the border tribal region. At least four persons were reported killed and three others injured as a result of the attack.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Why Pakistanis not amused by Obama's 'change'?
The Baluchistan Provincial Assembly Friday denounced the latest attacks on tribal territories. Tellingly, speakers dubbed the missile attacks as international terrorism violating the borders of an independent state.
Thursday, November 6, 2008 American Muslims celebrate Obama's victory (4 comments)
A New York African-American Muslim teenager says he was beaten on election night by four white men furious that Barack Obama was elected as the nation's next President. The incident best symbolizes the dilemma of seven-million strong American Muslim community that apparently voted en masse for Obama with a conviction that the impending change would fully restore their civil rights.
Saturday, November 1, 2008 Why American Muslims are poised to vote en masse for Obama? (2 comments)
American Muslim voters are poised to vote en masse for Barak Obama, the Democratic Presidential candidate on Tuesday. The question is why the Muslims are leaning towards Obama and the answer is not difficult they have been victims of anti-Muslim policies of Bush administration since 9/11. Muslims are optimistic that a sweeping change promised by Obama will alleviate their plight and guilt by association sufferings.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 Playing Al-Anbar roulette in FATA (2 comments)
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was once part of the battleground on which the 'Great Game' of imperial domination between the British Empire and Tsarist Russia was played out in the 19th century. More than a century later, the tribal territory along Pakistan-Afghanistan border is again part of the war in the New Great Game.
Saturday, October 11, 2008 Bigotry trickles down to local elections
With a desperate Republican campaign playing fear-mongering card to prop up John McCain, the bigotry and Islamophobia is filtering down to local politics. A Muslim candidate, Todd Gallinger, for Irvine City Council (California) has reported receiving a phoned death threat after being smeared by a council member's Islamophobic remarks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008 CAIR study 2008: American Muslims remain target of civil rights abuse
While the eyes of ordinary Americans were focused on the Capitol Hill to helplessly watch the unfolding drama of what many called "the Great Robbery at the Wall Street," the Council on American-Islamic Relations' (CAIR), a prominent national advocacy group published Wednesday its annual study on the civil rights violations of the seven-million strong American-Muslim Community.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 FEC urged to probe Anti-Muslim DVDs sent to swing states (1 comments)
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, Tuesday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) over the distribution of an anti-Muslim film to 28 million homes in presidential election swing states through mail and bundled in newspaper deliveries to voters in swing states.
Saturday, September 13, 2008 Why the US image declined in the Muslim World? (6 comments)
Seven years after 9/11, hostility towards the US remains at shocking levels in the Muslim world where the US has followed a double standard policy. Its relationship with the Muslim nations has been based on a kind of hegemony which had taken shape in the Cold War era and continued in the post-Cold War period.
Thursday, September 11, 2008 American Muslims Seven Years after 9/11
Seven years after 9/11, Muslims in America remained at the receiving end with assault on their civil rights and their faith in the name of "war on terror." Muslims are the prime targets of the post 9/11 reconfiguration of American laws, policies, and priorities.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 American Muslim community mourns the death of W. D. Mohammed
American Muslim community mourns the death of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad who will be remembered as a person who brought the Nation of Islam carefully and consistently into mainstream Islam that rejected racial and ethnic divisions.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Little hope for Pakistanis under President Zardari (1 comments)
In less than one year, 160 million helpless people of Pakistan watched the second melodrama of a "presidential election." On September 6, Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party was indirectly elected as the 12th President of Pakistan. Like the last presidential election when General Parvez Musharraf was re-elected, Zardari's victory by a wide margin was a foregone conclusion.
Friday, September 5, 2008 Islamophobia at the RNC convention (4 comments)
Seven-million strong American Muslim-community was dismayed at the Islamophobic rhetoric at the Republican Party Convention that ended in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 4, 2008. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in their speeches made bigoted remarks that equated Islam with terrorism.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Dr. Sami Al-Arian is freed on bail
American Muslim civil rights groups have welcomed the release on bail of Dr. Sami Al-Arian, a Palestinian political activist and former professor of the University of South Florida. Dr. Al-Arain had been in federal custody for more than five years and was released in Virginia today after Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agreed with his attorneys that to hold him was a violation of his constitutional rights.
Monday, August 11, 2008 The plight of prisoner No. 650 (Dr. Afia Siddiqui)
After intensive civil rights groups pressure and angry protests in Pakistan, the US authorities have formally acknowledged arresting Dr. Afia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, five years after her mysterious disappearance in Karachi with her three teen age kids.
Thursday, July 17, 2008 Al-Arian granted bail but remains in prison
At a bail hearing at Alexandria, Virginia, Judge Leonie Brinkema has ordered a prominent Palestinian activist, Dr. Sami Al-Arian, released but he remained in prison since the judge refused to block immigration authorities from detaining Al-Arian as a prelude to his deportation.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Fear mongering in the name of satire (6 comments)
Depicting Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as militants and terrorist sympathizers "feeds into the terrible rise in anti-Muslim sentiment" during this election season.
Monday, July 7, 2008 Suicide bombers return to Islamabad
A suicide bomb attack in the heart of Islamabad killed 19 people, including 15 policemen, Sunday. The attack came minutes after the end of the Red Mosque Martyr Conference held to commemorate the first anniversary of a bloody military operation against the militants in the mosque and adjoining madrasa, Jamia Hafsa, killing dozens of student girls and boys.
Saturday, July 5, 2008 "Holding Muslims at Arm's Length" (2 comments)
Politics is not about honesty or principled stand but it is the art of possible.
Friday, July 4, 2008 American Muslims alarmed at the new profiling policy (3 comments)
American Muslim community is alarmed at the proposed Justice Department policy change that would allow the FBI to investigate Americans without evidence of wrongdoing, relying instead on a terrorist profile that could single out Muslims and Arabs.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Pakistan's paramilitary forces launch operation in FATA
Pakistan's paramilitary forces Friday launched an operation in the Khyber Agency to clear the supply route for the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan. The operation comes only two days after the government authorized Chief of Army Staff, General General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, to launch fresh military operations in tribal areas.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 Dr. Sami al-Arian indicted on contempt charges
Palestinian activist and a former professor of South Florida University, Dr. Sami al-Arian, has been indicted on June 25, 2008, in Alexandria, Virginia on two counts of criminal contempt for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Pew surveys and the politics of demography
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life today released the second report of the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey on June 23, 2008 which again uses its 2007 flawed report about the population of Muslims in America.
Saturday, June 21, 2008 From embedded journalists to embedded media Generals
Two months after the revelation that the Pentagon used retired military officers to sell Iraq war, corporate media continues its criminal silence over the issue.
Thursday, June 12, 2008 Abandon peace talks with militants: US retched up pressure on Pakistan
A fresh massive US air strike in Pakistan's tribal region, killing 27 people including 13 soldiers, has again heightened tensions between the US and Pakistan where it is being seen as an example of US aggressive tactics to pressurize Islamabad to abandon its current peace negotiations with the militants.
Sunday, June 8, 2008 US double standards on talks with Taliban
In the face of its backing of Afghanistan for holding talks with the Taliban to put an end to their resistance, the Bush Administration's reservations about Pakistan's efforts to conclude peace deals with tribesmen presents a clear example of US double standards while dealing with the same issue.
