The fire was horrific. One of Western Civilization’s iconic landmarks was consumed in flame. For Catholics, watching the raging inferno was particularly poignant as it came during Holy Week. But for all people of the Abrahamic traditions—Jews, only days before the beginning of Passover; and Muslims, less than three weeks before the start of the … Continue reading The Fire and the Fight
Gifts of the Season
In The Carol of the Drum, the little boy’s dilemma is juxtaposed to the glory of the hoped-for King of Israel. The aspiring young percussionist is too poor to honor the king with a suitable gift. What can he do? He plays his drum for the baby Jesus. He plays “his best for him” and … Continue reading Gifts of the Season
Pakistan Loses a Hero; I Lost a Friend
This week I received the tragic news of the death of Professor Hassan Murad, founder and chair of Pakistan's esteemed University of Management and Technology (UMT), in a fatal car accident as he returned from a conference at the Khunjrab border with China, the highest international border crossing in the world, where the roads are … Continue reading Pakistan Loses a Hero; I Lost a Friend
Tribute to Dr. Hasan Murad by Junaid Ahmad
A Tribute to Dr. Hasan Murad By Junaid Ahmad Director, Center for Global Dialogue Lahore, Pakistan A visionary has returned to his Creator, and I feel orphaned for a second time. Dr. Hasan Murad was like a father figure for me after my father, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, one of Dr. Murad's dearest friends, passed away … Continue reading Tribute to Dr. Hasan Murad by Junaid Ahmad
President Trump, America’s Steward
While watching the funerals this past week for both Aretha Franklin and John McCain, my thoughts turned to an often-overlooked role for Donald Trump: the President as America’s Steward. Stewardship is a central concept in faith communities. I first came to understand its significance in the mid-80’s when, for three years in a row, I … Continue reading President Trump, America’s Steward