The obvious answer that alludes the scholar who asks, “Why must we condemn actions we’re not responsible for?” is not to assuage the demands of a hostile press or opportunistic politicians, but to offer unambiguous guidance to the kind of folk drawn towards extremism from amongst ourselves. That’s the role of people with influence.
Our wise sages circulating “truths” ought to know the difference between “confirmed” and “alleged”. Nothing has been “confirmed”. Multiple sources have “alleged”. There is a clear difference. In times of crisis, objectivity flies out of the window. Bearing false witness becomes fair game. Defence of the self justifies any means possible. And we wonder how …
The war on the civil rights movement rages on, even if it means discrediting the deceased. Those with a vested interest in division will never allow peace to flourish. An oppressed people must never celebrate its victories; it must forever be reminded of its place.
Some of us never knew this man or his impact on the world until this past week when he passed away. Clearly he touched many, crossed the boundaries of faith and reminded others of a higher calling, of a greater cause. Pastors, imams, rabbis, priests, politicians and ordinary folk may not line up to pay …
I am always fascinated by the communal and collective reactions when a well known person passes away, because it shines light on the development of other histories. It is well worth detaching yourself from the moment, standing back and studying the story telling that follows. There are the biographies of those who knew the departed …
Sometimes it is necessary to temper hero worship with realism, but timing is everything. How quickly and uncritically we accept new orthodoxies and the latest mythology in the age of viral group think.
Today’s ecstatic eulogies clearly show how our past heroes transformed from wise sages into more-than-men when they passed away, whereupon they were immortalised by optimistic mythology and pious tradition. How easily man becomes divine.
Tis the season when charities walk the difficult tightrope between serving others in the name of religion and using religion to achieve their goals. A subtle difference, but the source of increasing unease as the busiest month for fundraising gets underway.
It’s always wonderful to see what a highly racialised, identity-focussed community I belong to, which allows another Muslim to launch into an expletive-filled tirade against me for no other reason than they have presumed me to be a non-Muslim commenting on a Muslim issue. Still, it could be worse; in some countries I would have …
Stuck in the moment of his own despair, he carelessly says to another no longer stuck in their own moment of despair, “You have absolutely no idea what we’re going through”, absolutely oblivious to the fact that they know exactly what they are going through. The one who complains that others judge unfairly judges unfairly …
Some people seem to have forgotten that we have what is called the science of hadith precisely because there were problems with hadith. It was an attempt to separate truth from falsehood. It’s tragic that all of this has been forgotten, such that whenever anyone attempts to evaluate hadith in this day and age, there …
More and more I withdraw from many of the people of knowledge, and seek refuge from the ever present arrogance that seems to pervade their public discourse. Too often it is vulgar and obtuse. Their companions seem to be a clique unto themselves; the rest of us must just look on unamused as they insult …
So the tables have turned. As I approach my fifth decade — the hallowed middle age — I find myself in the role of those unwilling advisers I castigated in my youth for their answers to questions of belief and doubt. From my mid-teens to early twenties I would demand guidance from my elders, be …
I wonder if the public would be so optimistic about these glorious mega-projects if they were mindful of the long-term costs. The Eurasia Tunnel, for example, is being paid for with a $1.3 billion financing package on a build-operate-transfer agreement, that will not see handover until 2043. The argument is that these infrastructural projects will help …
Not sure how I feel about charities spending thousands to have adverts on hundreds of busses to encourage us to donate thousands. Spose it is same logic as paying professional fundraisers thousands to get us to donate more. Must make sound financial sense to charities involved. But still: it always grates.
