Shafey Kidwai

The writer is a professor of mass communication at Aligarh Muslim University

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More From Shafey Kidwai

The cover of Yadon Ka Jashan is the autobiography of celebrated Urdu poet Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi Sahar, alongside its English translation

Yadon Ka Jashan: The forgotten Urdu memoir modern India needs to readSubscriber Only

April 15,2026 18:31:52 PM

Published in Urdu four decades ago, Yadon Ka Jashan, Sahar's memoir of Partition, poetry, and bureaucratic life has finally found its English readers

Wed, Apr 29, 2026

dohas of Rahim: Rahim's role as a protagonist of syncretism and a secular worldview is reflected in his collection of over 700 Dohas.

How the timeless ‘dohas’ of Rahim — the 16th-century Mughal-general-turned-poet — speak to modern IndiaSubscriber Only

December 18,2025 20:45:38 PM

This anthology resurrects the 16th-century Mughal noble Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, celebrating his timeless poetry, a syncretic vision that transcends its age to speak directly to the modern soul.

Fri, Jan 02, 2026

Madrastul Uloom: The AMU’s precursor counts Manto, Khwaja Abbas, Javed Akhtar, Lala Amarnath among its alumniSubscriber Only

May 23,2025 15:35:11 PM

Founded on May 24, 1875, by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Madrastul Uloom marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

Fri, May 23, 2025

How Sir Syed reconciled faith with reasonSubscriber Only

March 26,2025 18:43:49 PM

Living in a period of tumultuous transition, Sir Syed tried to resolve conflicts by standing on the side of reason. On his 127th death anniversary, observed on March 27, let’s explore how this progressive thinker sought to reconcile faith with reason while advocating for modern education.

Thu, Mar 27, 2025

Beyond scrolling, texting and postingSubscriber Only

February 18,2025 19:25:01 PM

While social media has emerged as a game-changer, its allure is intertwined with serious pitfalls, evident in the recent controversy over Allahbadia's alleged obscene comments. But can legacy media step in to restore meaningful dialogue and critical thinking?

Thu, Feb 20, 2025

Media literacy: Going beyond what meets the eyeSubscriber Only

November 18,2024 18:49:24 PM

The unchecked proliferation of information poses threats to the well-being of open and plural societies by fostering mistrust, amplifying polarisation, and perpetuating intolerance. How does media literacy help address these challenges?

Fri, Nov 22, 2024

Sir Syed’s views on women’s education were at odds with his reformist position

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s 125th birth anniversary: His record on women’s rightsSubscriber Only

October 17,2023 05:50:07 AM

He was, perhaps, the first Muslim traveller to admire the freedom enjoyed by women in large parts of Europe. Sir Syed was convinced that the rejection of women’s education by Muslims played a big role in the decline of the community.

Tue, Oct 17, 2023

An Urdu novel shows us the mirror – we punish the innocence out of our childrenSubscriber Only

June 21,2023 11:12:44 AM

Mohsin Khan's 'Allah Miyan Ka Karkhana' is a moving depiction of childhood miseries that lays bare the truth of disproportionate criminalisation and arbitrary punishment.

Wed, Jun 21, 2023

In good faith: Why remission of sentences of Anand Mohan Singh and Bilkis Bano convicts is ethically wrongSubscriber Only

May 11,2023 07:10:27 AM

The blatant misuse of the Constitution's humanitarian remission provision in recent times subverts the intentions of our founding fathers. The two recent acts of clemency have benefited convicts who have hurt the marginalised

Thu, May 11, 2023

When the movement for a separate homeland was looked up with reverent awe, the Aligarh Muslim University stood against the myopic attempt and still stands for free inquiry, large-hearted tolerance and scientific temper.

AMU, beyond the anti-India slanderSubscriber Only

April 03,2023 07:18:38 AM

When the movement for a separate homeland was looked up with reverent awe, the Aligarh Muslim University stood against the myopic attempt and still stands for free inquiry, large-hearted tolerance and scientific temper

Mon, Apr 03, 2023

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Maulana Azad show how to deal with hurt religious sentimentsSubscriber Only

July 06,2022 18:39:18 PM

Shafey Kidwai writes: Their judicious views on blasphemy are invested with the potential to solve the vexed issue

Thu, Jul 07, 2022

The Urdu press must do more for liberal valuesSubscriber Only

April 22,2022 04:40:52 AM

Shafey Kidwai writes: With their frequent engagements with emotive issues and support for pseudo religiosity, Urdu newspapers strive to live up to the glorious past of being passionate organs for rebellion and dissent, despite their dwindling readership and precarious financial fortunes.

Fri, Apr 22, 2022

Reserved for incompetenceSubscriber Only

August 21,2004 00:00:00 AM

Every decision aimed at salvaging the fortunes of the Indian Muslims is usually dubbed as an ‘‘act of appeasement’’ by t...

Sat, Aug 21, 2004