My quest to find Mr Right online
For the last couple of years my mother has been asking me the same questions: “Have you met someone?” “When will you start looking?” “Are you getting older each day or younger? (Umer ja rahe hai k aa rahe hai?)” The worst is when she tells me that if I don’t find someone for myself, she will do it for me. An image of Mr Kohli from Bride and Prejudice pops into my head after this declaration (shudder). You might think that I am talking about the biggest issue in Pakistan. But no, this is not about Memogate or about Zardari. This issue is ...
Read Full Post
Why cry foul?
We, the Pakistanis are a strange bunch. Any ill that befouls any Muslim, or so called Muslim anywhere in the world, suddenly becomes a national cause. The most recent in the sporting world is from the boxing arena, where Britain’s Amir Khan fought Lamont Peterson of the US for the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association light-welterweight world titles. Amir Khan lost and Lamont won, so why such a big fuss here in Pakistan? Why is there so much media hype about racism? Why are Amir’s fans stating that ‘rightful victory’ was ...
Read Full Post
Oscars dominated by politics and cliches
The Oscar nominations were announced early on the morning of January 26th. The list of nominees almost always includes overrated films, which the Academy proudly hand out in little envelopes, while viewers complain about them. When The Social Network got the nod for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, it was an outrage. It’s exactly how I felt the year Slumdog Millionaire walked away with eight Oscars; disbelief, a sense of ‘are they joking?’ and then finally, resignation. After all, it is the Oscars, and we know it is about politics. This was as close to a golden year as the Academy could ...
Read Full Post
Pakistani ‘sex gangs’ who don’t prey on British girls
Allegations that Pakistani men acquire sexual perversions as a result of their sexually oppressive cultures, by many commentators, including David Aaronovitch, former Labour MP Ann Cryer, and now Jack Straw—and coverage of these views by more-than-delighted right wing publications like the Telegraph, the Daily Mail and The Sun—is fast becoming an accepted universal truth. The increasingly frenzy follows a half-baked investigation by British newspaper The Times, which ostensibly concludes that Asian British men are specifically targeting white girls between the ages of 12 to 16 for “street grooming” and sexual exploitation. Following this, prominent Labour politician Jack Straw warned that British Pakistani men regard white ...
Read Full Post
The debate within British Islam
There is something happening within the UK, a debate of deep urgency. In the west, in a post9-11 climate, European and American Muslims have been thinking deeply about their faith. There has been a new generation of Muslim activists and intellectuals across the “theological spectrum.” However, Muslims are not just passively acting in their countries within the mainstream; intellectual life, public debate and discussion are growing and budding within Muslim communities. In the US, the popular Muslim scholar, dubbed by The Guardian as the most influential Muslim scholar in the west, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, has opened his own seminary of ...
Read Full Post
The science of spot fixing
Pakistani cricketers, Indian bookies and British media have all played their role to make sure spot/match-fixing continues smoothly. All three have certain things in common. They are all unpredictable, influential and very professional. The issue of spot/match-fixing has been key in the downfall of numerous cricketers from all over the world. Hansie Cronje, Azharuddin, Ajay Sharma, Ajay Jadeja, Salim Malik, Maurice Odumbe, Mark Waugh, Shane Warne, and many others have suffered due to this evil. So why does match-fixing happen? It is based on the basic ‘cause and effect’ theory. But I like introduce the ‘catalyst’ to this theory in order ...
Read Full Post
Heera Mandi: Scarlet secrets of Lahore
There is a bazaar in Taxali Gate called Heera Mandi. A few decades ago this place was famous for dancing and music. People used to go here for a visual and musical treat. Beautiful girls (kanjiries) used to sit in stall shaped balconies, called kothas, and ply their trade, the oldest profession in the world. The place was perhaps even more famous for singing and dancing. However, slowly the aesthetic pursuit became less arty and more tarty. The area became the centre of prostitution in Lahore. Most people have the misconception that the Diamond Market got its because of the beautiful girls who worked ...
Read Full PostAn iron gate to a city of dreams
Let me be your guide to the walled city. I will walk with you to the narrow lanes of Lohari Gate through Lahore, the city I was born in. When I was a child I used to read the history of this ancient city. I have read countless stories about invasions and renovations on its historic soil. My imagination ran wild, inspired by tales my grandparents would tell me. When I was a 10-years-old boy I would have visions of the what the walled city must have been like. Walking towards the gate, we are surrounded by the Lahori bazaar. You can see outstanding ancient architecture, wooden balconies, beautiful carving on doors ...
Read Full Post
The final battle of Afghanistan: Not yet
Let us forget for a moment what happened with the imperialist forces in the past centuries of their adventurous planned invasions in this region, and their outcomes. The longest war has apparently come to its much awaited conclusion as expected. Until today, 70 per cent of Afghanistan is still under the control of the militants who are ethically, morally, and religiously motivated to defend themselves from invaders, while only 29 districts are under the Karzai government, which is also not 100 per cent secure. For the Afghans it is not the first time that they are brutally kicking out the ...
Read Full Post1-9 of 9
