Articles Archives | Page 25 of 51

Irans Mashhad named cultural capital of Muslim world

January 24, 2017 Editor

The holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran has been officially introduced as the “cultural capital of the Muslim world” for the Asia region for 2017. In 2011, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), which is associated with the Organization of Islamic Conference, launched the initiative for three cities to be named each year as such capitals throughout the countries in Asia, the Arab region, and the African region, which house considerable Muslim populations. On Tuesday, Mashhad was awarded the title by Deputy Director General of the ISESCO…

The Barefoot Doctor of Kashmir

January 13, 2017 Editor

Long before the advent of the modern day home health services, a young man in a remote village in Kashmir would go door to door to administer first aid, vaccinations and other immunizations to his community. Ghulam Nabi Bhat (Siraj), now 72 years old, has spent his entire life serving the needs of the town Anantnag, Kashmir. Born in a modest family in the village of Sarnal, Ghulam Nabi grew up in the vicinity of John Bishop Memorial hospital a hospital established during the time of the British rule –…

Moses in Kashmir, Jesus in Rozabal

December 24, 2016 Editor

Researchers suggest that Jesus came to Rozabal and some believe that Moses is interred in the shrine of Hazrat Bibi Arifa Deep in the mountains of the North Kashmir district of Bandipora, near an old tree, lies a Jewish grave that dates back to the pre-Islamic period. It lies inside the shrine complex of Hazrat Bibi Arifa, a lady saint locally known as ‘Ded Mouj’. Hundreds of devotees would visit the remote hilly village of Butho, till militancy took over the region two-and-a-half decades ago. A section of Jews believes…

Universality of Human Rights: Myth or Reality

December 9, 2016 Editor

Universality of Human Rights: Myth or Reality By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Article 5, Universal Declaration of Human Rights The statement of Mr. Ban Ki-moon – UN Secretary General deserves an appreciation who wants to console people by saying: “On Human Rights Day, let us recommit to guaranteeing the fundamental freedoms and protecting the human rights of all.” The 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on its 68th anniversary needs to be…

The Simla Agreement: Help or Hindrance

December 3, 2016 Editor

The Simla Agreement: Help or Hindrance Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai The mass uprising of the people of Kashmir against Indian military occupation has evoked two reactions from the Government of India. One is extreme repression and the second is the threat of war. On September 24, 2016, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India made a formal statement with full authority: “Pakistan’s ‘awam’ (people), I want to say to you, India is ready to fight you.” He added, “We will isolate you. I will work for that.” The world…

The 2016 unrest will be remembered for many ills

December 3, 2016 Editor

Disability Day and Pellets Kashmir must observe the World Disability Day and reason for celebrating the day is simple Safina Nabi It was just another routine day and I was home when my phone rang around 10 in the evening. It was my cousin who lives in Delhi. When I answered the phone call I heard a different voice. It was my younger cousin brother who had arrived from Srinagar. Upon hearing his voice I couldn’t resist and went to meet him. When I entered the room I saw marks…

Kashmiri Flags: A Historical Overview

November 11, 2016 Editor

The history of Kashmir goes as far back as 3000 BC. Identified primarily with religion during most of the ancient history, Kashmir was a Hindu country except during 12th century BC to 6th Century AD when it remained the centre of Buddhism. The first known flag of Kashmir appears from 560 AD to 1320 AD which is known as Buddhist and Hindu era.The sun smiles at the centre and its rays spread the light all over in this era of Kashmir history. The most illustrious period of this era was…

Kashmir must look beyond hartals, but how?

November 7, 2016 Editor

Figures reveal that the state loses around Rs 130 crore everyday during any strike or curfew Junaid Kathju As a cub reporter, out of sheer curiosity, I once asked ageing Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, what have we achieved by observing hartal for so many years? Frail yet unrelenting, he replied, if you have a better option, please tell me. I was dumbstruck. On October 16, 2016, the current unrest in Kashmir registered the longest ever continuous hartal of 100 days, to once again remind people in the power…

Calendar-ising Kashmir

October 23, 2016 Editor

This week-by-week validity is making us invalid AJAZ UL HAQUE Every new protest calendar looks like a `recharge pack’ fed to us before the old one expires. Every seven days our validity as occupation-resisting people is renewed. And here we are – into the fourth month of this back-to-back scheme of calendars. Once again we are experiencing a `calendar-isation’ of our existence as a nation. We are riding a racehorse – a wild racehorse. We don’t control it, it controls us. Our hands don’t hold the reins and our feet…

The land of Kashmir is with us but the people of Kashmir are not with us: Santosh Bhartiya to Modi

October 23, 2016 Editor

Dearest Modiji: This is the truth about Kashmir The land of Kashmir is with us but the people of Kashmir are not with us Santosh Bhartiya I just returned from Jammu Kashmir. I was there for four days; hence I thought to make you aware of the real situation in Kashmir. As a matter of fact, getting the reply of letters by PMO is not in culture these days as per your colleagues, but even then I take a chance to write this letter to you, not wishing your reply…