Muslim Archipelago

Merryl Wyn Davies unravels the paradox that is Malaysia and Indonesia, Ziauddin Sardar reads the history of Kuala Lumpur  from the window of his apartment, Carool Kersten engages with a string of Indonesian intellectuals, Nazry Bahrawi reads some classic Southeast Asian texts, Ahmad Fuad Rahmat dissects a Malaysian demigod, Andre Vltchek thinks Indonesian Islam is anything but ‘tolerant’ and ‘moderate’, Shanon Shah dabbles with Malay magic, Rossie Indira laments the loss of classical Indonesian music, Jo Kukathas weeps at the emergence of religious intolerance in Malaysia, Linda Christanty ponders the genealogy of her (Muslim) name, and Vinay Lal questions Malaysia’s claims to be a genuinely pluralistic society.

Also in this issue: Iftikhar Salahuddin visits the Dome of the Rock, Hassan Mahamdallie is bowled over by a new biography of Malcolm X, Mohammad Moussa laughs at Christopher Hitchens, Samia Rahman watches ‘Argo’, a short story by Nabeela M. Rehman, three poems by Marilyn Hacker and Top Ten Malaysian Obsessions

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In this issue

  • The Old City of Jerusalem, including the Dome of the Rock and various church steeples, seen through coils of razor wire, illustrating the Holy Land's history of division and conflict.
    Travel

    The Dome of the Rock

    Early on a Friday morning, we enter the Muslim quarter of old Jerusalem through Damascus Gate. Arab owned shops are opening languidly. Some display…

    Iftikhar Salahuddin
  • Culture

    Top Ten Malaysian Obsessions

    ‘Malaysia, truly Asia’, declares the advertisement for the Malaysian airline. We could also add that racially diverse and multi-religious Malaysia is…

  • Mohammad Natsir
    Issue 07 Muslim Archipelago

    Muslim Intellectuals in Indonesia

    Indonesia is increasingly identified as an upcoming global powerhouse ready to join the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), but too…

    Carool Kersten
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