2011 - A Review

The turn of the years in the Gregorian calender has always been a traditional time for reflection and the making of idealistic pledges and resolutions. This group introspection is the natural conclusion of the midwinter solstice that sees the vast majority of the British public unrepentantly gorging themselves on the richest of British cuisine, in the stifling confines of overheated double glazed houses, surrounded by frenzied children in a ferment of sugared up delirium.

For the Love of Allah

Written by Rafiq Ali

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said that "He who loves Allah should love me and he who loves me should love my Sahabah (Companions) and he who loves my Companions should love the Quran and he who loves the Quran should love the Masajid (Mosques)..." (Al-Qurtubi fi Tafsirihi wa Ibn Adi fi al-Kamil li al-Du'afa).

Will the Real Evil Empire Please Step Forward?

Written by Karima Hamdan

It has changed lives, uplifted individuals, touched just about every person in the western world in just a few short decades. Some may say that it is best known for its more controversial aspects: the ubiquitous black clad figure, its face hidden; the people driven to war by this ideology; as for its charms: the universality of its call, its deep sense of justice, its call to a better way.

I am, of course, referring to Star Wars.

Sheep Led by Wolves

Written by Karima Hamdan

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them"

The implicit tragedy of young men sent out to war, who fought, died and were buried, often under skies much bluer than their own is well appreciated. They are lionised in poetry, literature and more recently in film. They were famously described as lions led by donkeys. They are often characterised as the uncomplaining, valiant youth who stoically gritted their teeth and went to war in order to protect our liberty and freedoms.

Palestinians Gain Full Membership of UNESCO

Written by Wazir Uddin

It is presumed in almost all international forums that the US will act as a mouthpiece for Israeli sentiments, even if by doing so it directly contradicts America's own national interests and legitimacy. This was extensively argued by leading American academics Mearsheimer and Walt in their book entitled "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy" in 2007.

The New Religion of Globalised Greed Part 3: Making a Killing on the Stock Market

Written by Karima Hamdan

There is a certain type of politeness that is deeply ingrained in our British psyche. In fact, labelling it as "politeness" is being polite in itself. One could more accurately say "linguistically duplicitous", or "factually profligate", or "lacking in verisimilitude" or, indeed, "lying". It is most often heard in eulogies and obituaries when we hear and read phrases like "he was the life and soul of the party" when we actually mean he was a wine-soaked drunk or "not the marrying type", which is code for homosexual. "She was generous with her affections" would translate into "she was a promiscuous Jezebel" and "she didn't suffer fools gladly" in reality would mean a curmudgeonly old grouch who would make Victor Meldrew seem like a ray of sunshine.

9/11 and the Art of Distraction

Written by Ahmad Ashiqilahi

As my local newspaper dropped through the letter box, I was struck by the different colours that presented themselves – was this a new entrant to the local newspaper offering? On closer inspection, it became clear that this was the same local newspaper but the cover pages were dedicated to a full spread advertisement. Flicking through the "newspaper" it was difficult to find a single page which was not selling a product or service.