Defender of the Flag: In Memory of Alia Ansari

This past Tuesday, Muslims celebrated ‘Id al-Fitr, one of Islam’s two great festivals. For me, it was a beautiful day that began with a truly warm and vibrant ‘Id gathering at the Zaytuna Institute. God afforded me a wonderful opportunity to see friends who had been “missing in action,” to meet enthusiastic new converts to [...]

From C. Biddulph, Afghan Poetry Of The 17th Century: Being Selections from the Poems of Khushal Khan Khattak (London, 1890)

As I look on I am amazed
At this worlds denizens,
Just seeing what these dogs will do
To satisfy the flesh.
 
Such dealing as are brought about,
Men being what they are,
Satan himself could not devise,
Still less consider fair.
 
They place before them the Koran,
They read aloud from it,
But of their actions not a one
Conforms with the Koran.
 
In which direction [...]