Ramadan Mubarak

The Smithsonian Magazine has a feature on Pakistani Sufis, including one figure I am doing a lot of research on. It unfortunately still suffers from a bit of Orientalizing and exoticizing tendencies, but for a description of what happens, it’s pretty good. The “whys” are a bit shakier. Check out the photo gallery too. Pakistan, Sufism, qalandar

These girls are daughters of a friend of mine. They’ve been taking part in this event for several years, and I make it a point to support them every time. I think it’s an important endeavor in its own right, and a great way to help children live the ethic of service and giving. Please support them if you can. —— My name is Aliya-Nur. I am 8 years old. My sister’s name is Shazia’Ayn and she is 6. May is a busy month for us. It is the World Partnership Walk month. My sister and I have been helping…

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, “what’s the difference between a Moslem/Muhammadan and a Klingon?” It’s not really. While in the popular imagination, I’m sure there is a great deal of similarity between the warlike, aggressive, territorial patriarchal Klingon culture and how Muslims are perceived, there really is more difference. Take for example the great warrior phrase associated with Klingons, “today is a good to die.” If you listen to one of the Sabri Brothers’ Qawwali albums, you’d know that Muslims actually believe “today is a good day to cry.” At least that’s how I’d translate the…