Tradition and Modernity within Islamic Civilization

Colonialism has impacted on Islamic Law as well as Islamic civilization. Islam has a dissonant relationship with modernity in that it agrees with central aspects of this epochal phenomenon and parts ways with others. The compatibility issues were raised by the Muslim thinkers. Many Muslim scholars have contributed to give an original understanding of message of Islam detached from sectarian influences. Traditions are considered to be the vehicle for the transference of factors to modernity with a strong role in determining power and culture of a civilization. Thus, they pave the way for the power tools of a civilization. The theories of Muslim scholars from Asia and Egypt are discussed to elaborate the Muslim understanding of facing the challenges of modernity. The contemporary scholars’ views are also added with an analysis of their observation on compatibility of Islam with modern era challenges and the criticism on it due to their modernity conception.

Pakistan - Afghanistan Relations 2001-2003 Challenges and Options

This study is a critical analysis of the Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. A variety of problems are hindering the cordial relations of the two states. The commonalities are many but the differences are strong and rapprochement seems difficult. The study depicts that both the states are apprehensive of each other. Mainly the non acceptance of international border i.e. Durand Line, irredentist territorial claims and Pashtunistan issues by Afghanistan and the perceived so called policy of strategic depth by Pakistan are the impediment. In the last forty years Afghanistan has faced civil war and foreign intervention. Since then Pakistan finds itself at the forefront of the efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan, as a "frontline state". In 1970s and 1980s it opposed the U.S.S.R. invasion and since 2001 it has supported the U.S. invasion, ditching the Taliban regime. The presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan has affected Pakistan's sovereignty due to drone and border attacks. Pakistan wants to safeguard its legitimate interests i.e. peaceful, stable and friendly Afghanistan. At the same time it wants that Afghanistan may not be used by any regional country against the interests of Pakistan. In Afghanistan different ethnicities are apprehensive of each other and combine together against the Pashtuns dominance of the past. All the other ethnicities strived hard to find a place in the Afghan state and are adamant to preserve their restored identities. The study focuses on the effects of U.S. drawdown of forces, signing of Bilateral Security Agreement and Status Of Forces Agreement on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. It has given new impetus to peace efforts. However, the Taliban insurgency has been deadliest in 2014 with peace nowhere. The efforts of U.S. and the regional states to ensure peace have been evaluated. The study explains the phenomenon of mistrust and hostile relations of the two states in realist perspective. Geostrategic and geo-economics reasons make it necessary for both states to have cordial relations. A peaceful settlement is interest of people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and the region, the alternative is a scary civil war.