Western Parameters of Freedom of Expression: A Critique from Islamic Perspective

This study explores Western parameters and principles of freedom of expression from an Islamic perspective. Western thought advocates infinite freedom of speech but it also has some regulations, limits and restraints. Every Western human rights instrument and convention guarantee freedom of expression, but in fact, the excess of freedom is bringing the society to a harsh kind of clash and conflict. In simple words, freedom without sufficient legal and moral restrictions cannot be managed. It is also observed that without strict legal and moral boundaries, it cannot become fruitful for the state and society. Even the Western world, which is representative of maximum freedom of speech, also bounds freedom of expression with some parameters and restrictions. However, it is propagated that the Western laws provide outclass freedom of expression and speech. The actual situation is not as good as it is expressed, because on one hand, the international instruments provide freedom of speech and on the other, they limit it through certain laws. It means freedom of expression is not free of boundaries in the West also. In other words, it is only a mythology and controlled propaganda that the Western thought and civilization provides absolute and unlimited freedom of expression and press in their countries. Instead, Islamic teachings categorically agree to provide the right to freedom of expression but on the other hand, it binds them with some social, moral and legal boundaries to save the society from any kind of clash and conflict. It is perceived Western legal instruments limit freedom of expression with some legal boundaries and laws rather than ethics and morals. It is recommended on behalf of this study that the Western world also puts moral and religious boundaries on freedom of expression for its safety. An analytical & critical approach with qualitative research methodology is adopted in the study.

Inheritance Pattern of Achene Yield and Drought Stress Tolerance Related Traits in Sunflower

Sixty sunflower accessions were evaluated under Polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) mediated drought stress. Selected tolerant and sensitive accessions were crossed in Line ´ Tester fashion and resultant F1 along with their parents were evaluated for drought tolerance in field and PEG mediated drought in lab. Data were recorded on morphological and physiological parameters to estimate genetic variability, general and specific combining ability effects, heterosis manifestation, gene action, correlation and path analyses. Genetic variation among the entries under normal and drought stress treatments, indicated that this breeding material may be used for the development of drought tolerant types. Combining ability analysis exhibited variable direction and magnitude of general combining (GCA) effects among line and testers and specific combining ability effects (SCA) among crosses. The lines A-23, G-33 and 017583 and testers HA-133 and 017577 were best general combiners under normal and drought stress treatments. Results of SCA indicated that crosses G G-61 × 017577, A-79 × CM-621, A-48 × CM-621, 017592 × CM-621, 017592 × 017577, 017566 × HA-341, G-33 × CM-621, G-33 × HA-342, A-79 × HA-133, 017592 × HA-124, A-48 × HA-341, A-48 × HA-342, G-61 × CM-621, HBRS-1 × 017577, A-23 × CM-621, 017566 × HA-124 and A-75 × 017577 were best specific combiners. Crosses G-61 × HA-124 and A-48 × HA-341 had also mid parent, better parent and commercial heterosis for various traits under treatments. Additive type of gene action was observed for germination percentage, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% maturity, stem diameter and oil content while other traits showing non-additive gene action. Association of traits based on correlation and path analyses suggested that seedling fresh weight, dry weight and hundred achene weight might be used as criteria for selection of sunflower for drought tolerance and high achene yield.