News for 'sufi'

Jaipur literature fest: The grandest till date

Jaipur literature fest: The grandest till date

Rediff.com16 Jan 2014

In the seventh edition of Jaipur Literature Festival, not only there would be writers to discuss topics ranging from economics to food, politics to fiction and everything else in between but there would be a smartphone app for new age art and literature lovers while 240 speakers will comprises writers of 20 languages.

RS okays extension of Prez Rule in J&K, Shah attacks Nehru again

RS okays extension of Prez Rule in J&K, Shah attacks Nehru again

Rediff.com1 Jul 2019

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government has no other option but to extend President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir as the Election Commission wants to hold assembly elections in the state by the end of 2019.

Mapped: Countries most affected by terrorism

Mapped: Countries most affected by terrorism

Rediff.com28 Nov 2017

The Global Terrorism Index 2017 released by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last 17 years in covering the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2016. According to the report, this is the second consecutive year, deaths from terrorism declined. Over the two years there was a decrease of 22 per cent compared to the peak of terror activity in 2014. Terrorism deaths have fallen significantly in Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. However, Islamic State defied this positive trend with over 9,000 deaths, primarily in Iraq and increased activity in OECD countries.

A flight to Pakistan: Old world charm in a modernising State

A flight to Pakistan: Old world charm in a modernising State

Rediff.com22 Feb 2016

'The Pakistan government, we were told, has a plan to renovate several Hindu temples and Buddhist sites, which over the years have fallen into disrepair. The aim is to create a pilgrimage circuit to attract visitors from all over the subcontinent.'

'Diversity is our pride,' Modi tells British Indians at Wembley

'Diversity is our pride,' Modi tells British Indians at Wembley

Rediff.com14 Nov 2015

Facing attacks back home over the issue of intolerance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India's diversity was the country's "strength and pride" and underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence.

'Definitely he's touched by God'

'Definitely he's touched by God'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2019

A lot of people only associate him with his music. And, obviously, he's a great musician. But Rahman, above all else, is a living example of spiritual equilibrium and intrinsic human goodness. A fascinating excerpt from Krishna Trilok's Notes Of A Dream: The Authorized Biography Of A R Rahman.

Music Review: OUATIM Dobara has some good tunes

Music Review: OUATIM Dobara has some good tunes

Rediff.com22 Jul 2013

Pritam's music in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara are good enough to be played on loop.

'As long as you are not deforming the music, it is fine'

'As long as you are not deforming the music, it is fine'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2017

An increasing number of young classical musicians are dabbling in fusion music, discovers Aditi Divekar.

In Gujarat, Rajputs hold massive protest against 'Padmavati'

In Gujarat, Rajputs hold massive protest against 'Padmavati'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2017

While over one lakh members of the community converged at a massive gathering at Gandhinagar, thousands took part in the protest march in Surat to raise their demand of staying the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Bollywood film 'Padmavati'.

Trump has already won the war of ideas

Trump has already won the war of ideas

Rediff.com7 Mar 2017

Donald Trump has forced the sophisticated to reveal their real selves, which are as vicious as that of any status quoist in the world, says T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

Travel calendar: Places to visit in March

Travel calendar: Places to visit in March

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

From Mathura to Udaipur, we tell you the places to head to this month.

Pak targets Lashkar, Jaish with 'intelligence-based ops'

Pak targets Lashkar, Jaish with 'intelligence-based ops'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2017

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad launched to fight terrorism across country.

Malda decoded: What really happened?

Malda decoded: What really happened?

Rediff.com19 Jan 2016

India's Muslims need to assert their educational and economic upliftment and political empowerment rather than be provoked by communal remarks, says Mohammad Sajjad, reflecting on the Malda riot.

PM Modi holds talks with Uzbek Prez; discusses terror, Afghanistan

PM Modi holds talks with Uzbek Prez; discusses terror, Afghanistan

Rediff.com6 Jul 2015

Terrorism and Afghanistan were the focus points of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on his first visit to Central Asia.

ISIS's rise gives a boost to Wahhabism in India

ISIS's rise gives a boost to Wahhabism in India

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

According to an IB report, preachers of the extreme Wahhabism form of Islam are trying to take over madrasas and masjids, which is a cause of deep concern, says Vicky Nanjappa

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

Rediff.com26 Feb 2019

'The Pakistani military has encouraged and supported terrorist organisations, especially in Kashmir, as a means of waging proxy war against the Indian military and the country's superior economic resources.' 'The evidence is irrefutable with the recent killing of 46 paramilitary troops being just the latest example.'

When Mohan Bhagwat became a hardliner

When Mohan Bhagwat became a hardliner

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

'RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was on the Hindu extremists' hit-list. In June 2008, this information was made public. Prior to that, you should hear Bhagwat's speeches and listen to his 'liberal' statements.' 'After he was informed that he was on their hit-list, he became a hardliner. He was not like that before.'

Why the Dalai Lama Matters

Why the Dalai Lama Matters

Rediff.com1 Apr 2018

'The Tibetan movement will never turn violent during the Dalai Lama's life-time.'

'I'm a bit Muslim because I'm a real Hindu'

'I'm a bit Muslim because I'm a real Hindu'

Rediff.com11 Sep 2017

'Nobody is killing you in Kerala because you are Hindu unlike in North India where Muslims have been killed only because they are Muslims and were carrying some meat.'

Looking back at Shyam Benegal's mesmerising Mandi

Looking back at Shyam Benegal's mesmerising Mandi

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

Even after three decades, Mandi proves its lasting relevance and powerful impact on cinephile memory by inviting comparisons to Vidya Balan's Begum Jaan.

Mufti Sahab was an embodiment of fragrant Kashmiriyat

Mufti Sahab was an embodiment of fragrant Kashmiriyat

Rediff.com7 Jan 2016

'What made him so adored even among those who didn't agree with him? It was his sincerity and a clear heart that throbbed for Indian unity which won him admiration across the faults of the political divide,' says Tarun Vijay, MP.

Ajmer blast accused: Shinde, Digvijay asked me to implicate RSS

Ajmer blast accused: Shinde, Digvijay asked me to implicate RSS

Rediff.com27 Sep 2013

The investigation in the Ajmer dargah blast case has taken several twits and turns after one of the accused Bhavesh Patel alleged that National Investigation Agency was allowed to probe him inside the Alwar central jail illegally.

BJP indulging in 'zeher ki kheti' and instigating violence: Sonia

BJP indulging in 'zeher ki kheti' and instigating violence: Sonia

Rediff.com1 Feb 2014

Attacking Bharatiya Janata Party and its PM candidate Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on accused them of indulging in divisive politics by "sowing seeds of poison" (zeher ki kheti) and instigating violence.

'India is such a fantastic country'

'India is such a fantastic country'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2015

'I was brought up in a Brahmin Hindu family. I was brought up in places where the majority was Muslim, in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. There was a mosque next to my house, but I never saw communal tension.' 'I am not worried. This country's religious roots are very strong. They know how to take care of themselves.'

Pakistani cleric issues new 24-hour deadline for Sharif to resign

Pakistani cleric issues new 24-hour deadline for Sharif to resign

Rediff.com30 Aug 2014

Amid Pakistan Army's mediation efforts, protesters have stepped up pressure on the embattled government with cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri setting yet another deadline of 24 hours for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to quit.

'Homegrown Islamists may be trying to link up with Islamic State'

'Homegrown Islamists may be trying to link up with Islamic State'

Rediff.com10 Jul 2016

"Our initial investigation suggests both the attacks were carried out by homegrown Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh," said the home minister.

PM inaugurates India's longest road tunnel

PM inaugurates India's longest road tunnel

Rediff.com2 Apr 2017

The tunnel, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches, will reduce the journey time by two hours and provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar.

Thank you George for the good times!

Thank you George for the good times!

Rediff.com27 Dec 2016

'I swayed my arms in the air with strangers when George Michael sang Careless Whispers' 'I was in heaven.'

The 'odd' man who opted out of the race for big job

The 'odd' man who opted out of the race for big job

Rediff.com27 Jun 2014

Gopal Subramanium would have been a plus to the apex bench, aver many, who point to his record and speak for his integrity

Bollywood's Top 10 Qawwalis!

Bollywood's Top 10 Qawwalis!

Rediff.com14 Jul 2015

Bhar Do Jholi Meri is Salman's favourite song. Here's looking at other smashing qawwalis through time.

The mystery of how the Islamic State makes its millions

The mystery of how the Islamic State makes its millions

Rediff.com28 Nov 2015

Not with standing the Western nations' zeal to wage a war against the group, unless its source of funding is known and curbed, its rampage will likely continue.

Talat Aziz's genius elevates Majaz

Talat Aziz's genius elevates Majaz

Rediff.com23 Jan 2017

Majaz, based on the life of Asraul Haq Majaz, the John Keats of Urdu poetry, marks Talat Aziz's debut as a composer in Hindi cinema. The film could have been an excellent biopic had it stuck to the poet's poetic self rather than his unfulfilled love, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Modi cleans Assi Ghat, nominates UP CM, 8 others for Swachh Bharat

Modi cleans Assi Ghat, nominates UP CM, 8 others for Swachh Bharat

Rediff.com8 Nov 2014

On the second day of his trip to Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked up a spade and took part in a Swachh Bharat drive at Assi Ghat on the banks of river Ganga.

'Let Bhansali go to Pakistan to release Padmavati'

'Let Bhansali go to Pakistan to release Padmavati'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2017

'In the name of creativity, Bhansali fudges India's history.' 'Bajirao was such a great warrior, but he was shown as a lover boy by Bhansali.'

Should the US mediate in the India-Pakistan dispute?

Should the US mediate in the India-Pakistan dispute?

Rediff.com18 Apr 2017

Any settlement with Pakistan won't last unless it comes with big power guarantees, says Shekhar Gupta.

Pak crisis deepens, Qadri issues 48-hour deadline to govt

Pak crisis deepens, Qadri issues 48-hour deadline to govt

Rediff.com25 Aug 2014

Pakistan's political crisis deepened on Monday with cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri giving a fresh 48-hour ultimatum to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down after a former top election commission official backed protesters' allegations of rigging in last year's polls.

'Dalit vote will divide in 2019'

'Dalit vote will divide in 2019'

Rediff.com5 Mar 2018

'Modi is the first BJP leader to try to include Dalits in its fold.' 'But the rank and file of his party is backward and want to bash up Muslims and Dalits whenever they have a chance.'

Amid war of words, Omar says Modi lacks courage to come to Kashmir

Amid war of words, Omar says Modi lacks courage to come to Kashmir

Rediff.com28 Apr 2014

Narendra Modi and the father-son duo of Farooq and Omar Abdullah were on Monday engaged in bitter sparring, with the Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate alleging that the biggest blow to secularism in the country was delivered in Kashmir from where Kashmiri Pandits were forced out due to their religion.

How babus battle over holidays

How babus battle over holidays

Rediff.com11 Apr 2015

Indian officialdom enjoys well over a week of Sundays every month

'Khushwant Singh was the best friend one could have'

'Khushwant Singh was the best friend one could have'

Rediff.com24 Mar 2014

'I had once gone to Kashmir with him and his wife. He would talk to the boatmen, the watchmen, at the dargahs he would ask so many questions. He always had a notebook and would write down everything... He was an intellectual and he was fun. He loved people, loved life and had the spirit of enquiry. He used to advise me, "When you write - inform, provoke, abuse".' Sadia Dehlvi on her 30-year-old friendship with Khushwant Singh.