Death of Hope: Israel-Palestine” by Ali Azam is an introspective examination of the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine, underpinned by themes of human suffering and resilience. Through thoughtful analysis, Azam delves into the psychological, political, and social dimensions that perpetuate the conflict and impact those involved.
Muslims in the West are being perceived as ‘others’ and a barrier to modernity. The effects of this in recent years have accelerated populism with the right-wing uprising, as well as paralyzed the scope of Muslim polity and their due state stakeholding. This resulted in the marginalization and de-enfranchisement of Muslim communities. This book explores the epistemological significance of the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, “I was not sent except to perfect the noble traits”. To address the issue of ‘otherness’ and being a barrier to modernity, this book demonstrate that Islam poses no threat or incompatibility with the West, instead, it can provide tolerance and understanding, towards strengthening both humanity and faith. It can enable Muslim communities to exert influence, inform policymaking, and impact the broader societies positively. The book also argues that the jurisprudential interpretations have obscured the very message of moral reasoning that is the underlying substratum hidden in this Hadith. Furthermore, it constructs a conceptual overview of human rights, freedom, and liberalism from an Islamic perspective to demonstrate how Islam is indeed intrinsically a faith that promises frameworks for harmonious coexistence in a free society.
A prominent Pakistani industrialist, his two sons and driver are gunned down in broad daylight. In another world thousands of miles away, Danyal is heading home on the Gatwick Victoria Express after a year-long internship with a US senator. He is stunned to see a leading actor sitting unnoticed opposite him but plucks up the courage to say he’s a big fan. The star is more interested in Danyal and seems fascinated to know what it feels like being a Muslim living in a world where anything goes and where the Muslim faith is at odds with itself. He asks for Danyal’s advice as he prepares for a visit to recce a new film in Pakistan. The glamour of the film world mixes uncomfortably with politics and religion. It is a conversation which will ultimately cost lives.
