A young Pakistani Muslim immigrant to Washington has built a platform for fellow immigrants to come together and do their part to promote peace and tolerance in Pakistan. Her biggest motivation is an unbreakable bond with the country she grew up calling home -- in spite of the systemic persecution her community has faced there for decades.
Author: Madiha Waris Qureshi
D.C. Area Residents Rally for Syrian Refugees Outside White House
November 21 WASHINGTON – A diverse group of students, families, and activists gathered for a peaceful protest in front of the White House this afternoon to call upon federal and local governments to let more Syrian refugees into the U.S. More than 100 rally participants carried signs welcoming refugees, and chanted against a recent announcement … Continue reading D.C. Area Residents Rally for Syrian Refugees Outside White House
Free Speech or Hatefest? The Online Comments Dilemma Continues
As news websites continue to combat vitriol in their comment sections, some look to alternative reader engagement techniques In 2013, Suzanne LaBarre was the online content director for Popular Science, also known as PopSci, a monthly American magazine about current science and technology. In September that year, LaBarre and her team, fed up with the toxicity in reader … Continue reading Free Speech or Hatefest? The Online Comments Dilemma Continues
In a coastal shanty town, tragedy and hope live side by side
Originally published in Dawn Lined with garbage and plastic waste, Machar Colony’s broken, narrow streets are enveloped by the smell of rotting fish. Young children and youth wander aimlessly. Basic amenities are scarce, unemployment persists and crime is rampant. In most households, men go out to fish while women and children help make ends meet … Continue reading In a coastal shanty town, tragedy and hope live side by side
Questioning the ‘ISIS Brand’ of Islam
Originally published on AltMuslim Some analysts insist ISIS is a natural and unavoidable product of Islam. They couldn't be more off-base. Since the alarming rise of the Islamic State, many political analysts and pundits across the world, especially in the West, have taken it upon themselves … Continue reading Questioning the ‘ISIS Brand’ of Islam
Are we really singing praises of Homeland for its “accuracy” now?
So today, I was happily reading through this ranking of the best DC insider shows by Foreign Policy, enjoying its many excellent smack-downs for shows supposedly based on the city. While slightly confused why Scandal got three out of ten points for accuracy (how is it any more credible than NCIS?) I finally reached Homeland. Clearly, the ranking expert … Continue reading Are we really singing praises of Homeland for its “accuracy” now?
The act of defiance that wasn’t
Since this past week, the global media has been furiously digging into the most non-controversial controversy of all times. Michelle Obama didn't cover her head while the Obamas paid their respects to Saudi Arabia's late dictator King Abdullah. Hold your horses, though: Obama wore a loose, long shirt with a jacket fully covering her arms … Continue reading The act of defiance that wasn’t
To rebuild a generation free from extremist idealogies, Pakistan must go back to the basics
I came across an excellent, and damning analysis published by the blog, The Brown Pundits, which explores the reasons why Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law continues to find blind support among its masses, and is so difficult to repeal. Even if the law itself is repealed, what of the pervasive ideology that is constantly fed by the religious elite … Continue reading To rebuild a generation free from extremist idealogies, Pakistan must go back to the basics
Getting Acquainted with Dr. King
It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day today in the United States. I admit I wasn't very familiar with the American civil rights movement until I watched the wonderful Selma over Christmas, and inspired, followed it up with voracious reading on MLK over the holidays. While growing up in Pakistan, my school education was not big on world history, least of all civil … Continue reading Getting Acquainted with Dr. King
Building schools to combat extremism in Pakistan
Originally published by The Guardian After Peshawar, Pakistan must not turn a blind eye to the connection between its ghost schools and the growth of radicalism in its most neglected regions Eight years ago, I briefly held what was perhaps the best job in Pakistan. I was the documenter of good news. You see, good news … Continue reading Building schools to combat extremism in Pakistan
Amar Bail 