Farish A Noor

Despite Malaysia's new-found status as a 'moderate Muslim state' by none other than the neo-con establishment of Washington, things have not really changed here.

Coming at a time when the image and standing of the United States is at its lowest ebb, the tsunami tragedy was ironically a boon for some.

Islamic hardliners who refuse to acknowledge the multifarious nature of Muslim society, only discredit the good name of the religion.

Yayha Mujahid, spokesman for the Jamaat-ul Dawa, civilian front for the jihadi militia Lashkar-e Taiba, reveals how the organisation is dealing with intense pressure from the US and Pakistan.

The life of a wandering academic can be a lonely one. I have found myself passing long hours in awkward silence, staring at interviewees who can only offer an embarrassed smile in return, the difference in language proving to be a gulf too wide to cross.

'Most of these innocent students did not know what they were getting into, until it was too late,' says Ahmed Rashid.

How did it come to this? Why are the madrasahs of Pakistan being targeted? Why are these students being victimised? And who, in the final analysis, are the ones who are really responsible?

This satirical piece is dedicated to the memory of the founding fathers of Asean, whose noble dreams of building an Asean of, by and for the people of Asean we have betrayed so shamelessly.

Balancing the competing demands of objectivity, ethics and the particularities of the here-and-now - this is the real moral dilemma of the contemporary scholar living in the age of the 'War against Terror'.

As the war against terror is waged, there are daily dramas that are acted out before the penetrating gaze of the wandering scholar today.

Is Thailand looking for a external scapegoat to blame for the nation's own internal problems?

Kerana sikap kerajaan negara-negara Asean menutup mata telinga dan membiarkan pergolakan berterusan di Selatan Thailand, maka bumi Patani kini dibasahi darah mereka yang tidak berdosa.

American politics has become an Orwellian game of propaganda and fear, Americans need to wake up to this if there is ever to be any significant change in their nation and the wider world.

One year on, the government under Prime Minister Abdullah is at the race to show who can be the most moderate among all.

Like ostriches, Asean governments buried their heads in the sand not wanting to interfere in their neighbours' affairs. Now they must bear the burden of shame and negative responsibility for the massacre.

Like ostriches, Asean governments buried their heads in the sand not wanting to interfere in their neighbours' affairs. Now they must bear the burden of shame and negative responsibility for the massacre.

PAS ought to be congratulated for finally celebrating Islam with its universal appeal, with its Masjid Cina initiative.

While the new president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been welcomed by the West, local civil society is not so enthusiastic about his military record.

Islam Progresif patut mengkritik struktur-struktur ekonomi dan politik yang merupakan kekufuran sebenar zaman ini, dan bukan membuang masa atas soalan ada-tidaknya jin dan hantu.

Dalam Islam hanya ada satu ummat iaitu ummat manusia yang sama dan setaraf. Menentang, mengkritik dan menghapuskan sikap prejudis perkauman beginilah yang patut dijadikan suatu dari matlamat gerakan Islam progresif dewasa ini.

translation Can the progressive Islamic ideals once championed by Haji Agus Salim be instrumental in addressing issues of inequality confronting modern global society?

Dr Noor takes a break from writing about progressive Islam to deal with an epidemic of communal hysteria and bigotry in Kuala Lumpur...

translation The progressive Islamic movement should use radicalism as an expression of opposition to social injustices rather than allowing the term to embody negative connotations prescribed by the west.

Dialogue is all well and good, but only if the leaders of the Muslim world are prepared to raise the real and difficult issues facing the world today.