Who is Hussain son of Ali? Why do we need to know about him? Why is it important to know about the Battle of Karbala? Why is it important to know about it today? These are just a few of the questions that this short booklet intends to answer. It shows how Hussain is a significant historical figure not only for Muslims but for all people because he took a stand for truth, justice, and human dignity. This slim volume should be a welcome addition to the libraries of both Muslims and non-Muslims. It sheds light on the horrific events we see playing out in the world today as a consequence of events that took place in the vaults of Islamic history from the time of its formative early years in the Arabian peninsula.
There has never been an America without Muslims--so begins Amir Hussain, one of the most important scholars and teachers of Islam in America. Hussain, who is himself an American Muslim, contends that Muslims played an essential role in the creation and cultivation of the United States. Memories of 9/11 and the rise of global terrorism fuel concerns about American Muslims. The fear of American Muslims in part stems from the stereotype that all followers of Islam are violent extremists who want to overturn the American way of life. Inherent to this stereotype is the popular misconception that Islam is a new religion to America. In Muslims and the Making of America Hussain directly addresses both of these stereotypes. Far from undermining America, Islam and American Muslims have been, and continue to be, important threads in the fabric of American life. Hussain chronicles the history of Islam in America to underscore the valuable cultural influence of Muslims on American life. He then rivets attention on music, sports, and culture as key areas in which Muslims have shaped and transformed American identity. America, Hussain concludes, would not exist as it does today without the essential contributions made by its Muslim citizens. --J. Ryan Parker "The Midwest Book Review"
Listen to any news broadcast today and the message comes through loud and clear: Islam is a religion of violence and behind every Muslim there lurks a potential terrorist. Islam is a threat to values of the Christian West. They are like oil and water. Clearly, they don't mix. Oil & Water: Two Faiths One God confronts these popular perceptions head-on. With keen insight and gentle understanding, it explores the differences between Christianity and Islam, as well as the many things these two enduring faith traditions hold in common - including, first and foremost, their belief in and desire to be faithful to the one, true God; their shared roots and scripture (from the Jewish faith); and the spiritual values of peace and social justice. Written for Christians by Muslim world-religions scholar Amir Hussain, the book is divided into two parts. Part 1, provides an overview of the Islamic faith and of the lives of Muslims in North America today. Chapters focus on the place and identity of Muslims in society, as well as on the importance and role of Muhammad, the Qur'an, and basic beliefs and practices (The Five Pillars of Islam). Having provided a foundation for understanding, the book moves on, in Part 2, to explore key points for dialogue today, including issues of violence and jihad, the roles of women and men, and the mystical tradition within Islam. The final two chapters look at interfaith dialogue and the practical aspects of being good "neighbours." In all of this, the book invites the reader to a place of reconciliation, to a place where the truth and value of each of these great faith traditions can be recognized and honoured by the other. In the end, the metaphor of oil and water is an interesting one for the reality of conflict and the hope for reconciliation between Islam and Christianity today.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE PORTICO PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS LONGLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS’ CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD WINNER OF CALIBRE AUDIO’S ‘HIDDEN GEM’ AWARD ________
Tabla virtuoso, composer and percussionist Zakir Hussain is an international music phenomenon. The eldest son of the legendary Ustad Allarakha, Zakir gave his first public concert at the age of seven and was immediately hailed a child prodigy. In later years, his masterful dexterity and creative genius led to his becoming one of the most sought-after accompanists to the very best of Hindustani classical musicians and dancers. Zakir Hussain is equally recognized as one of the foremost contemporary jazz and world music percussionists; he has performed at innumerable concerts both as a solo artist and with renowned jazz musicians on the grand stages of the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to Madison Square Garden. With John McLaughlin, L. Shankar and T.H. Vinayakram, Zakir Hussain created music history with the band Shakti. He has acted in James Ivory's Heat and Dust and Sai Paranjpye's Saaz, and scored music for directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci (Little Buddha), Aparna Sen (Mr. & Mrs. Iyer) and Ismail Merchant (In Custody, The Mystic Masseur); he has also played the tabla for countless 1960s Hindi film soundtracks. In an in-depth conversation with Zakir Hussain, Nasreen Munni Kabir takes the readers through the story of his life: how he was deemed an 'unlucky' child; the early years of growing up in Mahim; his training from age four with his extraordinary father; and his experiences and memories working with a host of legendary musicians, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Vilayat Khan. A born storyteller, Zakir speaks with humour and humility of his understanding of music, his relationship with his students, his dedication and love for the tabla, and the way he negotiates life as an acclaimed celebrity living in both America and India. Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music is a brilliant introduction to the life and times of a huge music star, a revered role model and a visionary world musician.
“Ed Husain has become one of the most vital Muslim voices in the world. The House of Islam could very well be his magnum opus.” -Reza Aslan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Zealot “This should be compulsory reading.” -Peter Frankopan, author of the international bestseller The Silk Roads Today, Islam is to many in the West an alien force, with Muslims held in suspicion. Failure to grasp the inner workings of religion and geopolitics has haunted American foreign policy for decades and has been decisive in the new administration's controversial orders. The intricacies and shadings must be understood by the West not only to build a stronger, more harmonious relationship between the two cultures, but also for greater accuracy in predictions as to how current crises, such as the growth of ISIS, will develop and from where the next might emerge. The House of Islam addresses key questions and points of disconnection. What are the roots of the conflict between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims that is engulfing Pakistan and the Middle East? Does the Koran encourage the killing of infidels? The book thoughtfully explores the events and issues that have come from and contributed to the broadening gulf between Islam and the West, from the United States' overthrow of Iran's first democratically elected leader to the emergence of ISIS, from the declaration of a fatwa on Salman Rushdie to the attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo. Authoritative and engaging, Ed Husain leads us clearly and carefully through the nuances of Islam and its people, taking us back to basics to contend that the Muslim world need not be a stranger to the West, nor our enemy, but our peaceable allies.
Kashmir remains one of the world's most militarized areas of dispute, having been in the grips of an armed insurgency against India since the late 1980s. In existing scholarship, ideas of territoriality, state sovereignty, and national security have dominated the discourses on the Kashmir conflict. This book, in contrast, places Kashmir and Kashmiris at the center of historical debate and investigates a broad range of sources to illuminate a century of political players and social structures on both sides of divided Kashmir and in the wider Kashmiri diaspora. In the process, it broadens the contours of Kashmir's postcolonial and resistance history, complicates the meaning of Kashmiri identity, and reveals Kashmiris' myriad imaginings of freedom. It asserts that 'Kashmir' has emerged as a political imaginary in postcolonial era, a vision that grounds Kashmiris in their negotiations for rights not only in India and Pakistan, but also in global political spaces.
The Sea and the Hills Elegantly written and suffused with optimism... --Blueink Review, Colorado, USA The Sea and the Hills: The Life of Hussain Najadi, is more than just a memoir of a man with a talent for high fi nance. It is, as the cover notes, a story of oil, politics and justice, and it is the latter that makes the book a good and worthwhile read. -- Mark G. McLaughlin, Clarion Review, USA Ultimately vindicated, the author (Hussain Najadi) reflects upon the ways that fate, determination and the support of loved ones infl uenced his life. He later defi nes success from a signifi cantly altered perspective as he continues to pursue the original quest of building bridges among nations, cultures, and civilisations in order to create a more equitable world in which everyone is able to share the fruits of our global resources. --Kirkus Indie, Texas, USA As a friend for more than 30 years, from the day I met him in Kuala Lumpur, Im extremely pleased that Hussain has told his story. It is fascinating in itself, but it is also worth reading for the lessons it contains. The most obvious is that intellectual curiosity, combined with an open mind and relentless drive, can go a long way towards compensating for the lack of formal education. Readers will fi nd others as well. --Barry Wain, Singapore, Author, former Managing Editor, Wall Street Journal Asia. ...its a fi ne piece of literature, a master piece I should say, true life experience of the up & down, the different culture across the many continents brought down generation after generation, the vision of the past live the present culture, oppression, colonialism, powerful sheikh, fair play, the power that be of the day say it all, it is a very motivational piece of literature to read. -- Albert Cheong ys - Malaysia A brilliant and inspirational story from a charismatic fi gure! A fascinating story not only from a historical point of view, the rise of the Arab and Asian world, but touching from a human perspective, the story of a man who is never defeated and goes ahead despite of the adversities of his personal and his countrys history...this autobiography is a masterpiece, its characters are beautifully portrayed, the story is superbly told ... --Elena of Italy (also shown on Amazons review page) Hussain Najadi is no stranger to hardships, and his autobiography, The Sea and the Hills, showcases his extraordinary life. From being ejected from his home country Bahrain for plotting against British colonial rule, to his golden triangle- Western technology, management, and know-how, Asian natural resources, and Arab capital- he has had successes and triumphs at every turn. The book tells the story of his rapid rise to success and his reign as the leader in wholesale and corporate banking in Southeast Asia. Matthew Bryant, Bohlsen Group, Indiana, USA
Veteran Pakistani journalist and commentator Zahid Hussain explores Pakistan's complex political power web and the consequences of Musharraf's decision to support America's drive against jihadism, which essentially took Pakistan to war with itself. Conducting exclusive interviews with key players and grassroots radicals, Hussain pinpoints the origin of the jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the long-standing and often denied links between militants and Pakistani authorities, the weaknesses of successive elected governments, and the challenges to Musharraf's authority posed by politico-religious, sectarian, and civil society elements within the country. The jihadi madrassas of Pakistan are incubators of the most feared terrorists in the world. Although the country's "war on terror" has so far been a stage show, a very real battle is looming, the outcome of which will have grave implications for the future security of the world.
When we study the history of the Holy Household of the Messenger of God (s) we find that they stood with absolute devotion and determination in protection of God's message. They stood against any attempt to misrepresent the teachings of the Holy Quran and the tradition of the Holy Prophet (s).The members of this Holy Household devoted themselves to the protection of this divine message. They dedicated themselves to the promotion of its true teachings. They sacrificed everything they had, even their own lives, in pursuit of this mission. The stance of Imam Hussain (a) is the clearest example of the Holy Household's great sacrifices. He gave everything he had, including his own life, for the sake of reforming the nation of his grandfather and correcting the path of the nation after its deviance. In this book, we will study some of the characteristics and achievements of this great man and his movement.We will look at Imam Hussain's (a) life and death. We will study the stance that he took and how the remainder of the Holy Household (a) contributed to that stance. We will examine the great triumph that his stance achieved despite the tragedy.
