islamicate

Nice piece on Tajikistan

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I've been there. In any event, here's a nice blog piece on learning in Tajikistan.

Building Islam in Detroit

See it here. Thanks to Ghost Dog for the link.

Pakistan

I am not sure if readers are aware of the on-going flap in Pakistan regarding the role of Education Review Boards. If not, let me fill you in briefly. The MMA, a coalition of really ugly mullahs, clerics, and outlaws are protesting the goverments recognition of the Aga Khan University Examination Board as one of the Boards that administer tests for graduating students. The protest have gotten serious and the calls for violence escalating. In the midst of Pakistans increasing intolerance, I came across articles by Irfan Husain, a Pakistani commentary who writes in The Dawn. Mr. Husain is a voice of reason in a seriously fractured society. I think his articles are worth reading. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Heart of the Matter
Winds of Change?
Liberalism and Tolerance
Facing up to Reality
In the Eyes of the West

Tangent: Macs, Sci-Fi, a Beautiful Eulogy

Once, I say, I am a huge fan of Apple Computers and the Mac OS. I'm also a Sci-Fi guy; not über-geek, but a fan. So I'm also really looking forward to the release of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's no secret that Douglas Adams was a fan of the Mac as well. One of Adams' friends has written a beautiful piece about Adams. You should read it. It not only brings together some of my interests, but it's a good piece of writing.

Who are these people?

Anybody heard of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council? I haven't. Most Muslim Ugandans I know haven't. Thankfully, The Revealer caught them out as a being truly stupid. This is good news because now I know why my friends think their smart - they know stupider people :). (BTW, what they are being stupid about is what they claim has to do with “Islam.”)

You say Salafi, I say Wahhabi...

Its been a long hard winter. I realised that unless you take a winter break, this place is bleak. A Red Sox title only warms you up so far. Some interesting things are taking place in the Middle East which have me reading the papers more carefully. I am not convinced that the assasination of Hariri was planned by Assad. Don't get me wrong, I think the Syrians are knee deep in mire on this one. I think this was a Syrian security operation designed to put pressure on Assad. This is a Syrian internal conflict being played out in Lebanon. Consider this, the Syrian secret police and army now has to move back to Syria after years of squeezing Lebanon and controlling the drug trade through the Bakaa Valley. The generals are rich and greedy. They now have a smaller pie to carve up and are competing with entrenched interests in Damascus for the same spoils. The pressure is mounting in the Levant.

Christopher Hitchens, usually a good writer, but over the past two years has shown questionable judgement writes in Slate from the annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum, sponsored by the Saban Center of the Brookings Institution and the Foreign Ministry of Qatar. The Forum, sounded interesting and I hope that they publish the papers. "The Doha Forum seeks to serve as both a convening body and a catalyst for positive action. Therefore, its focus is not on dialogue for dialogue's sake, but on developing actionable programs for government, civil society, and the private sector."

Also in Slate, Robert Wright reviews Thomas Friedman's new book The World Is Flat. Wright offers a positive view of globalisation, one that I share. Consumerism is the final stage of human development. Welcome to the world of strip malls and retail plazas. For instance, Dubai is living the the American dream - cheap gas, big cars, artificial environments, and plastic consumer goods made in China. The UAE has arrived where everyone else is trying so hard to get to. Consumerism is not a bad thing, if people have a stake in political stability for the sake of economic prosperity, the Rule of Law will take hold. And from an American point of view, how can we drop bombs on people in Nike shoes and Gap jeans? Viva Dubai! Read Friedmans article in the NYTimes from April 13 entitled The Calm Before the Storm?

Haneef James Oliver tries hard to dispel the common held belief that Wahhabis are not nice people and that they are simply misunderstood. Warning. Do not approach the Salafis! Its actually too bad, because all of my anti-Saudi ramblings are now for nothing. Perhaps there are some Hanafis out there who want to pick a fight?

For more laughs check out this Pakistani travel agencies website FAQ on Islam. It really is true, Muslims respect women. From the FAQ: "The hijab is designed to prevent women from being molested.  It brings peace to society and prevents mischief." Molested by whom? Good Muslim brothers? No way. Here is good piece and a Saudi take on the treatment of women in the Arab News. Interesting website on Internet filtering in Saudi by the OpenNet Initiative.

Malcolm

Perhaps the greatest American Muslim thinker of the 20th century was Malcolm X. Even when he was with the NOI, his speeches that did not attempt to define himself negatively - i.e. against others - were brilliant. After his Hajj experience, what he offered American Muslims resonates today. His letters were almost lost, but thankfully, they were saved.

Yet more reasons not to like Bernard Lewis

Read from my referrer here. This man is an Ottomanist who has become the most vocal interpreter of modern, Arab Islam in the US right now. It boggles the mind that he is considered an expert on the topics for which he is consulted - topics that affect whether or not we go to war. Even his medieval Arab history has been attacked as being slip shod and polemical.

found, but not lost - jihad against studpidity

Read elf on the matter. (yes, it's old, hence the title of the post). Maybe we should make that our tag line “jihading against idiocy with a dunce cap on the head.”

Inspiring

Read this article about a man who is fighting for freedom for the killer of his son. I don't know if I would have that strength in me to forgive. This is forgiveness is not of the tongue or the mind, but of the heart. Azim Khamisa is also open that it was his faith that lead him through the dark time. More details on the foundation website.