Part 1 | Part 2 Mostly taken from No Good Men Among the Living by Anand Gopal. This is part 1 explaining the context of the Soviet invasion and its resulting civil war which led to the rise of the Taliban, coming up in pt 2. In the 1950s a wave of reforms swept Afghanistan … Continue reading From the Soviets to the Civil War: A Brief History of Afghanistan, pt 1
Category: General
The Hypocrisy Behind Islamophobia
"Islam is violent" says the American soldier shooting an innocent Iraqi child. [13]"Islam is unjust" says the Colombian working on an American-owned coffee plantation for petty wages. [4]"Islam is evil" says the Han Chinese who's ancestors fought the British in 2 opium wars."Islam spread by the sword" says the Portuguese conquistador giving natives a choice … Continue reading The Hypocrisy Behind Islamophobia
Quatrain 2: Dawn’s Left Hand
Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the SkyI heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,"Awake, my LIttle ones, and fill the CupBefore Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry."Rubaiyah 2 - Omar Khayyam Glossary Dawn's left hand: Dawn of early wisdom, the first yearning to solve the mystery of life.A voice: Intuition of the soul.Tavern: Sanctum of … Continue reading Quatrain 2: Dawn’s Left Hand
Palestine in 1922 – Muhammad Asad’s Observations
The following is an excerpt from one of my favorite books, The Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad. (Amazon) (Free PDF 1) (Free PDF 2) I often sat on the stone balustrade below the Jaffa Gate and watched the throng of people going into or coming out of the Old City. Here they rubbed against … Continue reading Palestine in 1922 – Muhammad Asad’s Observations
Quatrain 1: Awake!
Note: You may want to read the full post, then go back and read the poem at least one more time... Awake! For Morning in the Bowl of NightHas flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:And Lo! the Hunter of the East has caughtThe Sultan's Turret in a Noose of LightRubaiyah 1 - … Continue reading Quatrain 1: Awake!
Halaqa 