The jarring report on over 2000 unmarked mass graves in Indian Held Kashmir[1] that came to light last month failed to elicit a response from the United Nations. When pressed for comments, Secretary General Ban Ki Moon apologized that he had ‘no comments for now.’[2] This is not just the UN lacking teeth; it is the UN being reduced to virtual dysfunction_ that is, irrelevance to global context altogether. With emboldened contraventions of its Charter by the most powerful states of...

 Recently the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission released a report 'Inquiry Report of Unmarked Graves in North Kashmir' wherein the SHRC has confirmed presence of 21,56 unidentified bodies at 38 sites in north Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora, Handwara and Kupwara districts. The investigation was conducted by an 11-member SIT under the supervision of an SSP from the investigative wing of the SHRC, for over 3 years. For long there have been accusations by civil rights groups...

Srinagar: Nearly five years ago, in the congested Kalashpora locality, here, in the Old City, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, then in his teens left his house in a rush. His neighbours, who were clandestinely watching a quarrel between Bhat family and their son-in-law, saw him leave while the altercation was ensuing. The minute arm of the clock had not turned half when policemen entered the household. They were looking for Riyaz.“On the morning of April 25, 2007, Riyaz left home after we had a...

Don’t worry, this is not a religious sermon. I am neither an Imam, nor a priest of any kind. Although fasting in the month of Ramadan is a spiritual act for Muslims, it may offer valuable lessons that are beneficial to all humanity, and provide some insight into human nature.

To abstain from consuming food and drink, and sexual intercourse, is to break from the usual routine. Observing this annual fasting gives the hard working organs in the body a bit of a rest, allowing them to...

In this night (27th of Ramadan), the Holy Quran was sent down from LOH-E-MEHFOOZ (the Preserved Tablet) to the earth. Messenger of ALLAH (Blessings of Allah and peace be on him) told us to search for Shab-e-Qadr in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten days of Ramzan. So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan could be Shab-e-Qadr.

Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that Rasool Allah peace be upon him said, "Look for Lailat-Ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of...

There are two conditions for Zakat to be obligatory on the wealth. Being in possession of Nisab i.e. possessing property in excess of a minimum exemption limit. On completion of one Lunar year on the wealth. According to Hanafi if a person possess wealth equal to or in surplus of Nisab in the beginning and at the end of the lunar year, (even though in between the year, the wealth was less than the Nisab), Zakat is obligatory, but if at the end of the lunar year if the wealth is...

Though the entire month of Ramadhan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status reflected in the recommendations and practices of the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa Sallam, and his companions. I will focus here on three major practices of the Prophet, Salla Allahu alaihi wa Sallam, and his companions during these days.

1. Praying in the last ten nights of Ramadhan.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from ‘Aishah that during the last ten days of...

Fasting (Sawm) carries a two-fold meaning - two seemingly opposing definitions combined into a single word. And sawm, as described in the Qur'an and the hadith, simultaneously fulfils both of these definitions. The primary meaning is to hold back, to refrain from, to abstain - the further meaning is to rise beyond, to move past former limits.

The month of Ramadan is a time in which we hold our bodily compulsions and instincts under strict control, together with our thoughts and our mental...