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Kashmir Story –
It has been an enigmatic story that of birth with a bang and death with a whimper. In our state political organizations wither away much before they realize their political objectives but irrespective of their melting down political sentiments that these organizations articulate survives… The melting starts as and when the political organizations fail to synchronize their political stand with that of the popular political sentiment. My belief is grounded in the seventy-one year political history of the state. The cause for the phenomenon of wilting and dying of political organizations in the state engaging my attention has been recent political postures and statements by one of the premier political organization. For the past nineteen years, the organization has been on scene. Its history has not been different from other political … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take
Dr. Iqbal: The Best Articulated Muslim Response
Iqbal continues be the protagonist- not in a work of fiction but in the complex contemporary South Asian story. He in fact through his thoughts and ideas rewrote the history and changed geography of the Sub-Continent. ‘Iqbal’, Dr. Muhammad Suhyel Umar in his preface to a compilation of papers by eminent international scholars titled “Muhammad Iqbal a Contemporary”, very aptly writes, “Iqbal is the best articulated Muslim response to totalizing claims of Modernity that the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take
Kashmir Peoples Narrative- And Leader’s Diversionary Mindset
By Z.G.Muhammad The rhythm and vivacity of a nation lies embedded in its narratives. Many posers bother me. What is a narrative? If Kashmir has its own narrative, what is that? More particularly these questions stare into our faces whenever there is a debate over attempts made to change Kashmir narratives. Narrative as rightly said by Yehudith Auerbach a scholar on Middle East crisis, ‘is a story about events that took place in history or are taking place in the present. These are concrete stories about dramatic events in the recent history or distant past of a nation. These stories are centered on a national heroes who have legendary spiritual or physical powers, embody the ethos of the people and its national identity, and provides it with a source of national pride … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take
13 July 1931 : And Butler Changed Destiny of Slave Nation
And A Butler Change Destiny of A Slave Nation Z. G .Muhammad Some moments are important than epochs in the histories of nations. So holds valid about July 13, 1931, in the history of Kashmir- the day when people of Kashmir scripted their history with scarlet blood. It was not the first day when people laid their lives for just cause- history of Kashmir after 1819 is replete with incidents when ruthless alien rulers brutally murdered … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Featured, Kashmir-Talk, Point of view
Edward Said’s Writings and Kashmir
Some years back in my column Punchline published in Greater Kashmir on Monday’s , when I wrote there is no Edward Said on our side to tell our tale with all its objectivity to the world it hurt ego of some “intellectual” friends. Sitting on higher pedestals, floating on the crests of authority they believed that I was belittling their standing as “intellectual Jupiter’s”. The intention was never to demolish the castles of make-believe but … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take, Kashmir-Talk
India and Pakistan- Again on brink?
India is no more a bête noire in Pakistan. Elite in Islamabad and Karachi no more count it as an ‘enemy country’ instead they look upon it not only as a role model for democracy and development but also as neighbor to be ‘trusted’. Now ‘India votary club’ in the neighboring country is not just confined to journalists like Najam Sethi and activists like Asma Jahangir and Beena Sarwar only but if opinion pages in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Editor's Take
Our Spirtual Legacy- Hameedah Nayeem
The heart-rending and soul-stirring incident of the devastating fire of Dastageer Sahib mosque, the Shrine dedicated to Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, shocked and outraged the entire state both Muslims and non Muslims alike. This is yet another deep psychological blow that our collective consciousness has received in the past two decades of military rule which has wreaked havoc with the living symbols of our history, religion, culture, the sereneness of our environment , forests and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Kashmir-Talk