Cricket, Mohammed Amir & All the Fixins’ – Shaheryar Mirza

For many of us who grew up in Pakistan, our childhoods were filled with memories of cricket blaring on the television, children playing the sport on the street, even the Howzat popsicles Wall’s promoted in conjunction with major sporting matches. Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis are all icons, not just in the cricketing [...]

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The Bright Spots Amid the Gray

Pakistan hasn’t had a lot to be positive about lately. Last summer, millions were displaced from their homes due to military operations against the Pakistani Taliban in northwest Pakistan. This year, about 12 million are affected by the flood disaster, with authorities estimating that reconstruction will take up to three years after the rains subside. [...]

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America, the Islamophobic?

On Tuesday night, a NYC cab driver was stabbed several times by Michael Enright, a reportedly “intoxicated” passenger. Enright allegedly stabbed Ahmed H. Sharif after Enright asked him whether or not he was Muslim. According to USA Today, In a statement Wednesday the from New York Taxi Workers Alliance, Sharif warned his fellow cabbies. “Right [...]

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The WTF List of the Week

TGIF! Here is my round-up of events/developments this week that really had me screeching, “WTF” [What the eff], mainly at my computer screen, television, or to no one in particular: WTF #1: What is up with the U.S.’s unhealthy obsession with President Obama’s religion?! I just don’t understand. Remember when he had to distance himself [...]

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The Pakistan Floods & the Spaces in Between

If you follow the international news (or at least read this blog somewhat regularly), then you are well aware of the increasingly dire situation in Pakistan. Over 20 million Pakistanis have been affected by weeks of flooding, as the rains continue to displace families from their homes, fan dangers of cholera outbreaks, and destroy livelihoods. [...]

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Is it Possible to Have a Rational Discussion about the Ground Zero Mosque?

Not when people in the anti-GZM (Ground Zero Mosque) camp are likening the people behind the community center to Nazis. Oh yeah. I’m talking about former House speaker Newt Gingrich. According to the Washington Post, Nazis don’t have the right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust museum in Washington,” Gingrich insisted, speaking [...]

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The Relief4Pakistan Campaign

Today, news agencies report that Sindh province is currently bracing for a second round of heavy floods, and authorities warn “it could be as big as the first wave, which displaced millions and destroyed thousands of homes.” According to Al Jazeera English, “Authorities said waters have unexpectedly begun to rise at the Kotri barrage along the Indus [...]

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#PAKISTANHULK SMASH!

On most days, I use Twitter to find interesting insight about the news or Pakistan. Today, though, many Pakistani Twitter users found a far more “patriotic” use of our time. Fitting, really, since August 14th (Pakistan Independence Day) is fast approaching. Allow me introduce you to the PAKISTAN HULK. Or, #PAKISTANHULK. He is angry. He [...]

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Zardari, Shoes & Floods

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal released an op-ed by President Asif Ali Zardari defending his Europe tour, a trip that garnered tremendous criticism and even resulted in shoes being lobbed in his direction. Yes, shoes. Nice throwback to Bush in Iraq in 2008, don’t you think? In the article “written” by Zardari, he noted, [...]

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Bilawal and the PPP Throne

Anger continues to rise against President Asif Ali Zardari, as critics lambast the leader for jetting off on a Europe tour while the country faces devastating floods and violence. After his meeting with British PM David Cameron [who made some very controversial remarks against Pakistan last week], Zardari told reporters, Storms will come and storms [...]

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