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THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT [Magazine] …the power of independent thinking… Originally uploaded by kaaashif The subject line read :THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT [Magazine] …the power of independent thinking… then saw the cover of the magazine which shows Prof. Abdul Azis, the VC of AMU presenting to Rahul Gandhi who visited the campus recently. The headline of the magazine reads "Hope of Minorities- Rahul Gandhi" and just below that is ironically a quote from Syed Ahmed Khan against flattery. But leaders and inheritors of Aligarh Movement know only flattery and sycophancy. Which is why I don't this new magazine has any power of independent thinking rather it is an attempt to do chamchagiri of Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the rising "son."

Radiance: 17 Oct 2009 Matrimonial ads are part of any community magazine. Interestingly enough, Radiance does not have a permanent section for these ads, but occasionally people do put out box ads inviting marriage proposals. In this issue there are two boxed matrimonial ads. One ad is for two girls and the other ad for one girl. The interesting thing about these ads are that all three girls are in their 30s and highly qualified. One is a graduate and working in ETV Urdu, other one is MBA with a PG Diploma in Computer Applications and working in an MNC. Third one is MA and BEd and working as a teacher in a Delhi School. I don't think girls should get married when they are only in their teens but 30s are kind of late. But then again to get educated and get ahead in career, marriage has to wait. In both extreme situations we need to develop a balance where their is no social pressure on girls if they want to continue their education or employment after marriage.

Radiance: 4-10 Oct 2009 A letter by G. Hasnain Kaif and published in this issue of Radiance magazine lists 8 Muslim organization that opposed partition of India: Khudai Khidmatgar of Frontier Province Punjab Unionist Party National Conference of Kashmir GM Syed's party (though this doesn't appear to be correct as GM Syed supported Pakistan) Jamiatul Ulem Jamaat-e-Islami Majlis Ahrar Khaksar Movement.

Nation and the World: 1 Oct 2009 In an article about Maulana Azad's views on partition of India, they have used Tom Alter pic. Tom plays Maulana in a play that has been performed many times. To use a pic of the play and labeling it as Azad, is unforgivable for a muslim publication.

Urdu Science: October 2009 The cover story is on Genetically Modified Eggplant or BT Brinjal as it is known in India. I was expecting more about the science that will explain what it is and why it controversial but it is all about the approval process for its introduction in Indian fields and market. One interesting article is 'Science aur shairi" by Dr.Ubaidur Rahman. Writer makes the argument that Ghalib mentioned scientific principles that years later Einstein will discover. Regardless of the merit of the articles, here are some of Ghalib's ashaar: سبزہ و گل کہاں سے اے ہیں ابر کیا چیز ہے ہوا کیا اے اب آرزو ے شوق قیامت نہیں مجھ کو دنیا کے ہر اک ذرے میں سو حشر بپا ہیں

Media Scan: October 2009 In its editorial, Media Scan lists various natural disasters that had taken place during that time and said that instead of merely covering the disasters they will "dig out the possible reason behind the misfortunes..." The editorial ends by saying "Cruelty, lies, and hypocritical policies of human beings are the real reasons behind all this misfortune. The Creator of this universe has himself said that whatever the calamities take place, either in the sea or on the earth, 'are the handiwork of human beings.' This is a great editorial and I was expecting to read some interesting articles oh how government fail to prepare and plan for disasters. But alas, it appears that none of the articles are original or even relevant to the topic that editorial promised its readers. In fact, one of the cover story has no author or no attribution listed. There is one article on how rich American living in and around Washington DC are giving up pri...

Radiance Viewsweekly: 20-26 September 2009 Radiance special issue 'Religion and Civilization' deals with the issue of homosexuality. The editorial declares that homosexuality is nothing but a 'moral suicide' and called for 'an all out war.' There are number of articles on homosexuality but they really lack a coherent strategy in convincing the reader why homosexuality is bad for the society. Most of the writers quote quran and hadith as their arguments, which is fine, but there is nothing new here that one didn't know before. Interview of Jalalu Haq, an AMU professor and expert on Hinduism and Hindutva was really good. http://www.radianceweekly.com/index.php?issue_id=171

The news below was released by the Ministry of Culture, not sure what prompted this press release, but it is supposed to show that GOI cares about 1857 by telling us that how they are preserving our history of 1857 war by maintaining these three museums. Incidentally, I have visited all three museumes mentioned in this press release, although Lucknow museum visit was few years ago. So, I can say with some authority that all these museums are protecting the documents and artefacts left behind by the British. More than 60 years since India's independence but still we have made no effort to do our own research or make an effort to preserve the documents and aretefacts that can throw new lights on Indian version of the events. Now, ASI proudly tells us that it is propagating and maintaining the British story of 1857. It is not bad enough that we don't have a museum for the brave Indian soldiers of 1857 war now they rub the salt by saying that they are preserving British documen...

Radiance: 6-12 September 2009 Soroor Ahmed's article 'Drought of Ideas, Flood of Corruption Ruin Rural India' is pretty good. He should be ranked as one of the top notch columnist of India. Published in the wake of publication of Jaswant Singh's book on Jinnah, three articles are on the controversy over the book. Dr. S. Ausaf Saied Vasfi explains history and sangh view on this subject. Khan Yasir argues that there is nothing new in Jaswant's book. 'The Jinnah Jigsaw' written by Ausaf portrays Jinnah favorably. Showing him as frugal, weeping at the death of his wife, someone who loved Bombay dearly, and him being a brilliant lawyer. This makes me wonder whether is it true that a section of Indian Muslims do have a soft heart for Jinnah? I don't why any Muslim in India will like Jinnah. He is the person who divided the community in three nations and left Indian Muslims in a very bad position.

Surah Furqan: 63-75 1. They walk on earth with humility- in modern context it may mean having a smaller carbon foot print. 2. They say 'Salaam' to ignorants- do not waste time in useless debates. 3. Offer night prayers- spend time in tahajjud prayers. 4. Seek refuge from hell fire. 5. Moderate in spending- neither stingy nor extravagant. 6. Do no shirk- seek help only from Allah. 7. Are not murderers. 8. Do not do zina. 9. Give no false witness. 10. Pass by vain talks. 11. Contemplate over talk of their Lord. 12. Ask their Lord to make their spouses and children a source of comfort for them. 13. Ask to be made leader of the pious.