Monthly Archives: April 2016

Academic achievement and human dignity

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Most migrants from Asia and Africa attribute the West’s success to their mineral wealth (Australia and Canada), colonial exploitation (England and France) or imperialism (USA).  Some mention “national unity” or “good/sincere leadership”.  Many reject even the notion of western superiority, … Continue reading →

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To Myanmar on a mission

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

I was very fearful, for we would be in very choppy waters, only a few kilometres from where the river meets the sea, and neither my brother nor I could swim. Besides, we could be caught by border guards on … Continue reading →

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The Teknaf base that never was

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

It was a very dark and scary night.  A heavy downpour soon drowned out the cacophony of noises from insects and birds and left us wet, cold and confused.  Armed only with a few pickaxes, spades and kitchen knives, our … Continue reading →

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Sikdar, Samiullah and Sarbahara – II

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Highly charismatic, intelligent and persuasive, Sikdar was bold and resolute. His disarming smile concealed a personality capable of ruthlessness in the pursuit of his goal. Which is why some who knew Sikdar very well think that had he succeeded in … Continue reading →

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Sikdar, Samiullah and Sarbahara – I

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Fortunately, Samiullah Azmi did not live long enough to see his beloved party fall to such depths and his comrades turn on one another with such brutality. He left the party – and this world – before paranoia and personality … Continue reading →

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Ostentatious piety: all ritual, nil spiritual

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Note from author: The following two columns were first published in 2007 in the Daily Times.  I reproduce them here because some readers of my recent columns have accused me of not criticizing Muslims. In any case, I think the … Continue reading →

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Short but extraordinary life of Samiullah Azmi

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Razi Azmi

For the 21 years that she lived after Samiullah’s reported death in a hail of bullets in 1971, this most loving of mothers refused to believe that her son was dead. She would pray to Allah on his behalf every … Continue reading →

Posted in Reminiscences | 10 Comments