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Stephen Shashoua: Artists of the World, Unite

Stephen Shashoua: Artists of the World, Unite. We need to demonstrate – in word and deed – how much social capital we can unlock when everyone contributes and communal boundaries are no longer an issue. I believe that to do this we need to create a culture that encourages collaboration and participation in the civic space, where all communities are encouraged to bring their own talents and perspectives to the table.

Outrageous!

A Muslim teacher in a public school in Ohio kept a Qur’an on his desk and refused to remove it after repeated requests. As a form of discipline he branded a student with a star and crescent moon. I can’t believe that this isn’t generating more outrage. It’s a clear violation of church and state separation, he’s sounds unbalanced, and it’s clearly the result of a faith that demands a public declaration of itself and imposition on others. Oh, wait, sorry, it was a Christian, with a Bible, and he branded a cross. Nothing to see here. Perfectly normal and…

Navroz Mubarak 2007

Yes, it is a hybrid date format. But the holiday is now hybrid. Little bit of Zoroastrianism, little bit of Iranian nationalism, little bit of Islam, little bit of 21st century style globalization. Here is a good, short history of contemporary Navroz. Just a clarification, the Ismailis don’t recognize Navroz as Hazrat Ali’s birthday, we recognize Yawm-e Ali as a separate holiday. Navroz is also a marker of the solar new year for most Ismailis. The Fatimids marked a celebration of the holiday as well in the 11th century. (see Ritual, Politics and the City in Fatimid Cairo). Here’s the…