OpinionAsia Commentaries Feed

Darul Uloom Deoband: Stemming the Radical Islamist Tide in India

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:36:48 +0800

"But you keep telling us what Islam isn’t. You need to tell us what it is and show us how its positive interpretations are being promoted in your schools and mosques.” Friedman might begin with a look at Darul Uloom Deoband, an influential Muslim seminary situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.

India dithers as Afghan crisis grows

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:58:58 +0800

Although India has denied news reports that it is winding up its humanitarian and infrastructure-building activities in Afghanistan following the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist attacks on Indian citizens in Kabul, it may eventually come to that coterminous with the US/ NATO withdrawal from that country in the middle of next year.

Taking the Decisive Step against Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:14:00 +0800

Supporters of the blasphemy law follow the particular logic that mainstream Muslims are threatened by non-conformist interpretations of Islam and that the law was vital to forestall “anarchic activities” by local Muslims. This view is often shared by government officials who see more at stake when it comes to issues involving Islam as compared to other religions.

No Signs of Reconciliation in Sri Lanka

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:23:19 +0800

To begin the process of national reconciliation and instill functioning democratic institutions, the Sri Lankan government needs to address the legitimate grievances at the root of the ethnic conflict. Unfortunately the President seems more content to lash out at his enemies than to foster national unity.

Singapore's Godly Impulses

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:51:13 +0800

In secular Singapore over the past few weeks, a crisis of faith has enraptured an entire nation. All eyes were transfixed on the tribulations of Pastor Rony Tan, a Christian preacher who had destabilised the state’s much-valued principle of religious harmony and repented.

Obama "gives face" but China not impressed

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:19:53 +0800

China should abandon its hard-line policy toward Tibet and instead work to attract Tibetan exiles to return to their homeland. It must begin by stopping the ridiculous caricature of the Dalai Lama as a terrorist and a separatist. Castigating the Dalai Lama, who continues to enjoy the respect, indeed the reverence, of most Tibetans will simply perpetuate Chinese policy failures.

Will Indonesia have a non-Javanese President?

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:28:46 +0800

On the other hand, this demographic reality will necessitate the emergence of more non-Javanese national leaders. Will Indonesians have non-Javanese presidents in future? From a demographic point of view, the likelihood of Indonesia being led by one will be pretty high after 2020.

Beyond Thaksin's Assets: The Rise of the Reds

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:53:40 +0800

The challenge for the government now, as it has been for Thailand’s powers-that-be since the coup, is to eliminate Thaksin for his corruption and abuses of power while accommodating his red columns for their grievances, demands and expectations. Thailand will not see peace until such accommodation take place.

Thailand's Army within an Army

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:21:56 +0800

On 26 February 2010, the Thai Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on whether to seize the frozen assets of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Some political analysts predict that his fortune would be confiscated as the court appears to have been pressured to do so by Thaksin’s rivals, especially those in the current Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

US and China may move to cap military spending

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:17:41 +0800

Reading the mass media, it looks as if the US and China are on a collision course. The Google episode and the sale of US weapons to Taiwan convey the impression of two superpowers staring each other down. The two powers may, however, soon be forced into each other’s arms by the dismal outlook for US public finance and potential social unrest in China.