Two years ago as I left the pulpit, I wrote this reflection for the NY Times on what being a synagogue Rabbi for over a quarter century had taught me: For over a quarter century now, I have listened to people’s stories, sat by their bedsides as life slipped away, buried their

An Ahmadi man was arrested and a case registered against him for distributing biryani. “The growing extremism in our society may one day bring us to a point where even offering someone a glass of water becomes a crime”.

Seem like an amazing book! For all lawyers and intellectually curious South Asians. And especially Muslims I wish there some way I could get it in Pakistan

The social and political history of all Indian peoples - caste Hindus, Indian Buddhists, Indian Christians included- is embedded in the history of the Islamic civilization. Like a glorious chapter in a great book!

Coming to Upper Chitral this week! Would love to connect with any friends there

"Where liberalism insists on absolute formal equality, dignity explodes the narrow boundaries of this formal equality... Exactly alike in dignity, men and women are nevertheless created unalike." thepublicdiscourse.com/2015/06/14753/

Chitral Valley

Lawari Tunnel

Unlike most royal palaces which have been turned into Museums, the Chitral palace has a lot of warmth and character. Perhaps because the royal family maintains it directly and also occasionally uses it.

As Pakistanis, we are heirs of the British Indian Empire. The good and bad parts, both. This is written down in legal documents and enshrined in architecture. Those who live in denial of their historical selves can never create wholesome things and lives.

Markhors in Chitral. Such majestic creatures. One could spend hours watching them.

Self-hating Brazilians, and self-hating folks from all over the world. If you put them all together in one place, what kind of a country will you make? An epitome of compassion and humility?

Is the Indian family system dead? A friend (let's call him 'X') recently lost his father. He's been living in the US for the last 15 years while his father lived alone in Jaipur - his mother passed away 3 years back. Few days earlier, I received a frantic call from him at 3 AM

WhatsApp groups and online petitions create the illusion of activism. But they don't create change. There can be no activism without sacrifice - of economic and social opportunities, sometimes lives too. It's ok, we aren't all built to be warriors. But let's not be pretentious.

Important point. South Asian Muslims cannot afford to simply regurgitate the anti-colonial narrative developed by Congress leadership. The castigation of all things foreign - rulers, traders and saints - doesn't work for us. Think about it.

انصاف کا المیہ: کل اے سی نے محض دو جملوں میں چھ ریڑھی بانوں کو ریڑھی لگانے پہ سات دن قید کی سزا سُنائی جن میں دو اٹھارہ سال سے کم عمر بچے ہیں۔ آج میں نے سیشن جج کے سامنے اپیل کی تو جج نے کہا کہ فیصلے کا مصدقہ نقل کے کر آو حالانکہ میں نے مصدقہ نقل نہ ہونے کی درخواست بھی دی تھی 1/2

🔴 A humble request to the authorities: Some officers’ family members film and upload videos of Soldiers/Guards saluting them at check posts, funded by taxpayers’ money. Later share the videos on Social Media accounts like Tiktok etc. Such acts are disrespectful to the dignity of

200 Afghan families forced to live in a park under open skies in Islamabad. Amongst them pregnant women and children. Sahera a 9 month pregnant woman spoke with tears, “if my baby is born in this situation, what will happen to me and my child?” Surely the govt can step in to