


Justice is an important concept in Islam. It is also often touted at the global level but regrettably, there is little justice in the world. The rich and powerful exploit the poor and weak. There is no system whereby people can seek redress for injustices inflicted on them.
Surat al-Kahf, the 18th surah in the noble Qur’an, has attracted unusual amount of commentary. Its three main narratives – concerning the People of the Cave, Moses and the mysterious servant of God, and the travels of Dhul-Qarnayn – are somewhat enigmatic and seem to demand interpretation.
Brute force is not the answer to every problem even if the temptation to use force has gained currency in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Peshawar school massacre. Lessons must be learned from the past in order not to repeat them.
On September 19, the opening day of the UN General Assembly session in New York, Iranian president MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD gave a speech that was applauded around the world. Here we reprint the full text of that speech.
From that day when Muhammad (PBUH) left Mecca after thirteen years of anguish and continuous struggle and went to Medina, he knew that the period of weakness and concealment of Islam had ended and that he must, with the help of his loyal and valiant followers, lay the foundation of a civilisation with the glory of an Islamic organization, and construct the basis of his political regime in the way which God desired.
As the days and years go by, our certainty and assurance of Allah’s promise and His words increase. In the varying ayaat of the Qur’an reference is made to those who are opposed to the presence of Allah in reality- these types are to be found almost everywhere. In the verses of the Qur’an, Allah (Whose wisdom is overwhelming and Whose Will is overpowering), on several occasions highlights the confusion of those who have made their lives an arena of activity opposed to Gods presence. We were standing here 13 years ago- in those circumstances, the world was another place; there has been many changes that have occurred since that time. In that world of 13 years ago there was a superpower in what they conveniently described as a superpower world; there was a Soviet Union and a United States. In the climate of that world there were tendencies to believe that there was some type of genuine clash of ideologies and policies between one or the other.