Another feature of the Arab conquest of Sindh is that in spite of the occupation and remaining a part of the Caliphate for 150 years, the Arabic language could not become the lingua franca. This is quite contrary to the other regions which came under the Arab control such as North Africa where the local languages were eliminated and Arabic became the predominant language of the people. Why did this not happen in Sindh? -- Dr Mubarak Ali

Apart from their love for architecture, the Emperor Shahjahan and the Director General (DG) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have another thing in common: their residence at the Red Fort.

Inside the colonial buildings at the 17th Century World Heritage Site, the ASI DG Gautam Sengupta and senior officials have found two-bedroom sets. The Mughal building of Naubat Khana has been turned into an office.

Besides the Red Fort, the ASI has guesthouses at Purana Quila, Safdarjung’s Tomb and even in Fatehpur Sikri — to name a few. -- Sweta Dutta

By Farooq Argali

The new, revolutionary social contract that Islam gave to Arabia in the 7th century, and which Hussain salvaged, remains the ideal for Muslims to pursue around the world today. Though Muslims may largely continue to be ruled by autocratic regimes, their value system has not been obscured; bogus referendum and votes aside, no one, since the time of Yazid, has managed to get public endorsement of his autocratic rule.

A tyranny, in the form of the erstwhile Taliban rule in Afghanistan, may last awhile, but it must do so without the backing of the people. Closer home, ask the people of Swat who were subjected to repression and coercion by the Pakistani militants until last year, and they will tell you how blessed they feel having seen the back of their tormentors. Tyranny is called tyranny because it goes against the will of those on whom it is imposed; it cannot be justified under any pretext, garb or excuse — be it religious, secular or ideological. -- Murtaza Razvi

By Farooq Argali

By Farooq Argali

By Dr. Hamidullah Siddiqui

Shivaji’s confidential secretary was Maulana Haider Ali and the chief of his cannon division was Ibrahim Gardi. Rustom-e-Jamaan was his bodyguard.

As a matter of fact, Shivaji is popular amongst people, not because he was anti Muslim or worshipper of Cows and Brahmins, but because he reduced the taxation on the poor peasants. Shivaji adopted humane policy in all the aspects of his administration, which did not base itself on the religion. In the recruitment of his soldiers and officers for army and navy, religion was no criterion and more than one third of his army consisted of Muslims. The supreme command of his navy was with Siddi Sambal, and Muslim Siddis were in navy in large numbers. Interestingly his major battles were fought against the Rajput army lead by Raja Jaisingh, who was in the administration of Aurangzeb. When Shivaji was detained at Agra forte, of the two men on whom he relied for his eventual escape, one was a Muslim called Madari Mehtar. -- Ram Puniyani

Ideologues whose aim is to uncritically glorify the Muslims in history at the expense of other groups remain in control of the mosque pulpits. Through the fog of deliberate misrepresentation they create an illusion of the unity of the Muslim fraternity or ummah. Reconciliation of Qur’an’s charter of universalism with Muslim claims to be a distinct people or “the best nation” is a serious undertaking, which needs fresh insights. Remaining adherent to outmoded approaches and ways of thinking cannot accomplish it. This is the responsibility of the present generation of educated Muslims and cannot be left to the preachers in the mosque pulpits. -- Dr. Nazir Khaja

 By Adil Siddiqui

Why I love Imam Hussain

Yesterday was ‘Chehlum’, the fortieth day after the observance of Muharram, an event that is closer to my heart even more than Eid. I have been born and brought up in a family that has a great affinity with Imam Hussain and his cause. It has some sort of emotional attachment or appeal for all Muslims. The martyrdom of Imam Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib is a true example of non-violent resistance against a dictator or a tyrant or an unjust system where the poor are getting poorer day by day. -- Syed Hassan Kasim, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Hazrat Zainab (SA), Messenger of the Karbala Revolution 

The noble lady of Islam Hazrat Zainab (SA), the magnanimous daughter of Imam Ali (AS) safeguarded the holy region by conveying the message of the martyrs of Karbala through her fervent speeches, which served to awaken Muslims throughout the world.

Maulana Nadeem-ul-Wajidee critiques Arif Mohammad Khan’s “fallacious” arguments on Yazid’s succession and Karbala

 Maulana Nadeem-ul-Wajidee analyzes the "fallacious" arguments of former union minister Arif Mohammad Khan regarding the occurrence of Karbala, bringing the Sahaba-e-Karam (companions of the Prophet) into disrepute with reference to Yazid’s succession. He argues that a respect for all Sahaba-e-Karam is an essential part of Islamic faith. According to the Maulana the Sahaba could do no wrong and all their decisions have to be respected by all Muslims. He says that Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan’s arguments against the succession of Yazid are just a rehash of Maulana Maududi’s comments on the subject.

Abu ‘Ammar’s History of Karbala being published below is bound to prove controversial. New Age Islam has no interest in intensifying sectarian conflicts. But we have decided to publish this on this occasion of remembering and mourning for the greatest and the most universally admired and respected martyr Islam has produced so that people belonging to all sects can see how difficult it is to trust any narrative, no matter how fervently we have been brainwashed from our childhood into believing them. It is imperative we understand that if we cannot arrive at the truth of today’s events happening in front of live television cameras, how well nigh impossible it is to know and understand fully the events and the dynamics of what propelled those events 1400 years ago. The best way out therefore is to close our controversial books and narratives and at least understand that there is room for doubt in all the narratives given to us by the historians of that age. We Muslims should be living in the 21^st and not in the 6th century A D. Let us realise that it is neither possible nor necessary to do so. Islam’s universality has to be seen both in terms of place and time. It is possible to be good Muslims and be attuned to the contemporary era and its mores. – Sultan Shahin, editor, New Age Islam

The distinctiveness of Indian Muslims is asserting itself again. Over the past few months, Muslim theologians distanced themselves from what has come to be branded "Islamist terror" in the media followed by an organised expression of unqualified disapproval by as many as 6,000 ulema from around the country gathered in Hyderabad specifically for the purpose. This highlights the distinctiveness of Indian Muslims which has evolved through centuries of Indian history. There is probably no other instance of the ulema rising up in protest against terrorism on this scale anywhere else in the world. And in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, ordinary as well as elite Muslims also gave public vent to their outrage, says renowned historian Harbans Mukhia.

Take what the Europeans came to call the "Arab numerals" which replaced the cumbersome Roman numerals. The Arabs call them Hindsa (Indian numerals) giving credit where it is due... 

The long list of Sanskrit manuscripts that were translated into Arabic and catalogued in detail by Arab historian Ibn Nadeem in his classic Fehrist (Bibliographical index) is an of acknowledgement of the contribution that Indian sciences made in building the Golden Age of Islam. Scholar-politician Arif Mohammed Khan explains.