Articles by Ghaffar Hussain

Ghaffar Hussain is a writer, consultant and commentator on Cultural and Identity related issues as well as Middle Eastern and South Asian politics

Will the Middle East end up missing 'U.S. imperialism'?

U.S. energy self-sufficiency will have far-reaching political and geo-strategic ramifications for the Middle East. Will the bad old days of 'U.S. imperialism' then be missed?
by Ghaffar Hussain - 6 June 2013
EDL invited in for tea and biscuits at York mosque

When Muhammad el-Gomati, a lecturer at York University, heard that the EDL was planning to protest outside his local mosque last Sunday, he decided to take the initiative
by Ghaffar Hussain - 28 May 2013
What we know about the brutal Woolwich attack

There's plenty we don't know about yesterday's attack and the circumstances surrounding it. Here's what we do know
by Ghaffar Hussain - 23 May 2013
Pakistan: Real change or plus ça change?

Good news is rarely reported from Pakistan - but, over this past weekend, the country did reach a milestone
by Ghaffar Hussain - 14 May 2013
Election season in Pakistan

That Pakistan is having successive elections is a good a thing. But, regardless of the outcome of the forthcoming election, not much will change there as far as the key issues go
by Ghaffar Hussain - 30 April 2013
Major Canadian terror plot thwarted

Canadian authorities have reported that a major al-Qaeda-backed terror plot has been foiled in that country
by Ghaffar Hussain - 23 April 2013
The Boston bombings: The Chechen connection

The exact journey of the Boston bombers towards terrorism will remain the subject of speculation for a while yet. But what can we conclude thus far?
by Ghaffar Hussain - 22 April 2013
No such thing as society

The words “there is no such thing a society” do not, as some claim, refer to a kind of selfish individualism in which fellow citizens and the collective good are ignored
by Ghaffar Hussain - 17 April 2013
After the Arab Spring: Algeria's standing in a new world

Algeria has the potential to emerge from the Arab Spring as a regional power. This may be good news for western states, but it's bad new for Arab revolutionaries
by Ghaffar Hussain - 25 March 2013
The systematic obliteration of Islam's cultural heritage

It's a sad reality that we can expect most Muslims to continue focusing on cartoons and YouTube videos whilst Islam's cultural heritage is systemically wiped out
by Ghaffar Hussain - 22 March 2013
Muslim mob burns Christian homes in Pakistan

Until Pakistan's politicians are prepared to speak out against the country's outmoded blasphemy laws, it will continue its slow descent back to the middle ages
by Ghaffar Hussain - 11 March 2013
Now and then: Mogadishu, Tehran, and Kabul

Pictures can tell a 1000 words. Here are three to show just how recent the phenomenon of extremism is in the Middle East
by Ghaffar Hussain - 27 February 2013
Atheists face increased discrimination around the world

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is being confronted with a detailed report highlighting the widespread discrimination and prejudice faced by atheists around the world
by Ghaffar Hussain - 26 February 2013
Lessons from the recent Birmingham terrorist plot

Britain, with it's culture of free-speech and anti-establishment activism, is a fertile breeding ground for extremism. It will remain so until we develop a sense of national cohesion
by Ghaffar Hussain - 22 February 2013
The collapse of Al-Jazeera's credibility

“Before the beginning of the Arab Spring, we were a voice for change...a platform for critics and political activists throughout the region. Now, Al-Jazeera has become a propaganda broadcaster.”
by Ghaffar Hussain - 18 February 2013