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Amana Begam

Amana Begam

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Modi’s praise for Sufism has made both his critics and supporters uneasy

PM Modi described the Jahan-e-Khusrau annual Sufi music festival, which honoured Amir Khusrau, as carrying the “fragrance of the soil of Hindustan”.

friday 20

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Amana Begam

If you have money, borders are just a formality—Trump shows only rich can have American Dream

Illegal immigration has always been a talking point, but things are shifting even for those taking the legal route to study, work, or settle abroad.

28.02.2025 30

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Amana Begam

Rekha Gupta isn’t just a box ticked. It’s BJP’s bigger gameplan

One thing is clear – every political party wants to wear the badge of women empowerment. Except, a woman in power doesn’t automatically mean...

21.02.2025 9

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Amana Begam

Moral panic over Ranveer Allahbadia comes from India’s family hierarchy

For many Indian parents, the possibility of their child being exposed to something poses a threat potent enough to justify silencing voices—rather...

14.02.2025 6

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Amana Begam

Trump’s Gaza idea sounds like a real estate deal. It’s more about bravado and bargaining

Trump’s claim that Gazans do not wish to return falls apart in the face of reality. The Kashmiri Pandits I have interacted with carry the pain of...

07.02.2025 10

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Amana Begam

Maha Kumbh Mela is about India, not just Hindus. Don’t dismiss it as outdated

While the politicisation of the Kumbh Mela is something one can understand, what really catches my attention is the criticism it faces from modern...

31.01.2025 20

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Amana Begam

KK Muhammed’s restored temples promote social harmony. Must it be called atonement?

The real problem lies in the widespread urge to take pride in the conquests of ancient rulers. Pasmanda Muslims must acknowledge that they have no...

24.01.2025 30

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Amana Begam

Dear L&T chairman, are the poor stuck in poverty because they don’t work 90-hour weeks?

For children whose parents’ income falls in the bottom 20 per cent, the odds of climbing to the highest income quintile are a dismal three per cent.

17.01.2025 30

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Amana Begam

Trudeau’s fall shows there’s no place for lazy, knee-jerk liberal politics in the West anymore

Politics built on superficial gestures of inclusivity is losing its appeal in a world that demands tangible results and authentic leadership.

10.01.2025 8

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Amana Begam

Mohan Bhagwat’s speech isn’t working on Hindu fundamentalist mobs on the ground

If Bhagwat’s call for inclusivity is genuine, he must act decisively against disruptive elements within his own ideological ecosystem.

03.01.2025 4

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Amana Begam

Rich Indians can’t complain about taxes—move abroad all you want, but you must give back

Shortly after reports of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s decision to settle in London, a start-up founder’s viral social media post suggested that...

27.12.2024 10

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Amana Begam

Christmas isn’t Trump’s battlefield of politics. It’s an answer to religious divisions

As a minority both in India and England, I find the evolution of Christmas into a truly inclusive celebration both heartening and thought-provoking.

20.12.2024 3

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Amana Begam

India’s gender equality reforms are incomplete. Atul Subhash suicide exposes the divide

The ongoing online rhetoric over Atul Subhash's suicide is deepening distrust between men and women instead of offering a nuanced understanding of...

13.12.2024 10

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Amana Begam

Bangladesh must not become East Pakistan

Bangladesh govt chief Yunus called the country’s anti-Hindu attacks politically motivated. Not only does this reflect a lack of statesmanship, it...

06.12.2024 4

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Amana Begam

Sambhal mosque row: Is fixing historical injustices becoming a constant source of conflict?

It is now up to the sensible, moderate voices to rise above this divisive rhetoric and walk a path of truth and reconciliation, one that seeks...

29.11.2024 6

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Amana Begam

Sajjad Nomani’s boycott call crosses a dangerous line, threatens freedom of Muslim voters

It is sad to see that those who identify as liberal-progressive in India often do not hesitate to make opportunistic coalitions or take support...

22.11.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Albania’s Muslim Vatican will show Islam isn’t monolithic. An inspiration for other religions

What is more interesting is that two words — ‘Islamic’ and ‘State’ — put together evoke alarm rather than optimism. However, the Albanian proposal...

15.11.2024 2

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Amana Begam

I am shocked Indian ‘liberals’ aren’t supporting Iranian woman Ahoo Daryaei protesting hijab

There is the fight against authoritarianism, and then there are 'liberal' Muslim women who ar supposed to be allies. Sadly, diluting the debate...

08.11.2024 4

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Amana Begam

Pakistan is playing a dangerous sectarian game. Anti-Shia extremism is gaining ground

Iran aims to transcend sectarian divides. This approach could put pressure on Pakistan’s long-held goal of being seen as a leader for Muslim...

01.11.2024 3

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Amana Begam

‘Jigra’ captures modern India’s confusion: Why chase morality if you can thrive without it?

Morality in India is not a personal and self-constructed concept. It is something that is frequently influenced by what society teaches us, what is...

25.10.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Blame game never helps. Bahraich violence shows it’s time Hindus, Muslims bridge the divide

Social media users seem more focussed on assigning blame to one side or the other during communal clashes rather than seeking common ground.

18.10.2024 9

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Amana Begam

Zakir Naiks shouldn’t be the only ones interpreting Islam. Make way for feminist views

Islamic scholars are expected to engage in question-and-answer sessions and debates, but Naik’s behaviour is typical of the way some maulvis react...

11.10.2024 7

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Amana Begam

Indian Muslim leaders must drop Hezbollah solidarity. Put country before Muslimness

The India Islamic Cultural Centre found it appropriate to honour a leader of Hezbollah—which is officially designated as a terrorist organisation...

04.10.2024 10

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Amana Begam

Taliban makes women unsafe everywhere. ‘Not as bad as in Afghanistan’ is now a dangerous tool

One important lesson that can be drawn from Meryl Streep’s speech is that a powerful woman in the West can use her influence for the cause of...

27.09.2024 4

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Amana Begam

Khamenei trivialising Gaza suffering by comparing it to India. He must look in his own backyard

There is no doubt that Khamenei can score political points with certain Muslim communities in the short term through such misleading tweets, a game...

20.09.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Reality behind Shimla mosque protest Indians ignore—Hindu fears over ‘changing demography’

Arguments that the Hindu community's concerns are unfounded or born out of ignorance do not change the fact that these fears exist on the ground....

13.09.2024 10

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Amana Begam

Cow vigilantes & blasphemy killers are alike. Both justify violence for a ‘higher purpose’

While Muslims are the main targets for violence by cow vigilantes, the harsh reality is that anyone can be killed.

06.09.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Assam doesn’t have a ‘Miya’-Muslim problem. Himanta Sarma’s generalisation fuels trouble

When members of a community are perceived as outsiders, a tragic incident like rape can easily reignite unresolved tensions between groups,...

30.08.2024 2

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Amana Begam

Women should demand accountability from Mamata Banerjee. The buck stops with her

Women cannot rely solely on the outrage sparked by the Kolkata rape and murder case. A long-term solution is needed to bring systematic change.

23.08.2024 1

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Amana Begam

Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh show deep hatred. India must provide refuge

Every act of oppression has its own root cause and deserves to be discussed on its merit. There is an undeniable underlying hatred toward the...

16.08.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Waqf Bill 2024 finally recognises ‘minority’ doesn’t mean Muslim, Sunni, male

The key change here is that the State will have more say in the regulation of waqf boards and even allow non-Muslim CEOs to be appointed by the...

09.08.2024 3

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Amana Begam

Increasing Muslim participation in UPSC a complex reality. It’s both encouraging & worrying

We shouldn't feel the need to go to such lengths to ensure fairness. UPSC pursuit must be driven by better reasons, not by fear of exclusion,...

02.08.2024 10

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Amana Begam

Displaying eatery owners’ names doesn’t protect Kanwariyas’ sentiments. It’s discrimination

If the intention was to facilitate devotees, a legitimate concern, UP and Uttarakhand police could have simply asked eateries to display whether...

26.07.2024 4

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Amana Begam