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Counter Narrative | A Culture that Silences Men or Men with a Culture Silenced?
An article, appearing in Kashmir Observer, laments Kashmiri men’s silence as a cultural flaw, failing to realize that this very critique is shaped by Western therapeutic individualism. It sees emotional restraint not as a form of self-discipline (a classical virtue) but as repressive pathology. This betrays its underlying ideological commitments—secular humanism, psychologism, and gender-neutral egalitarianism—which define the human being as a bundle of expressive needs rather than a moral actor bound by higher purpose. But traditional Kashmiri culture, steeped in religion and spirituality, never denied emotional reality. It simply ordered emotions hierarchically: grief in prayer, pain in sabr, joy in shukr. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) wept, yes—but in balance, in…
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Pop Culture Mysticism
“Popular culture” is a term we use for the broad spectrum of practices, beliefs, objects, and phenomena that are prevalent in society at a given time, particularly in Western culture since the mid-20th century. It encompasses the most immediate and contemporary aspects of our lives, often disseminated through mass media and driven by the interests, preferences, and trends of the general population. Pop culture (modern fast paced life has to have a shorter version of “popular”) is dynamic, reflecting the changing tastes, innovations, and societal norms of the day. Pop culture is marked by its accessibility to a wide audience. It includes music, television, movies, fashion, technology, and more, offering…
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Q & A: Difficult to be Good Consistently
Question Assalam alaikum Sull Kaak. Can you please make a video on how to stay motivated on the right path when everything and everyone is dragging us down. It took me a lot of effort to recover my faith. Seeing the people and mess around I get suicidal. I ask myself why should I be the only person who has to bear the brunt of honesty, sensibility and patience. Everyone else seems to take advantage of whatever I have learnt from you. At times I feel I am a the verge of collapse and I fear becoming someone I don’t want to be. The question is how should we keep…
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All About Ramadan | Islam | Kashmiri Traditions | Sage’s Vault
Ramzaan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and prayer. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink, and other physical needs. It is customary for Muslims to have a pre-dawn meal called “suhoor” before beginning their daily fast. The fast is broken at sunset with dates and water, in accordance with the Sunnahh, which is the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the start and end of Ramadan vary each year. The month of Ramzaan is…
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What Can a Single Man Do | Sull Diyan Gallan
An average person asks this question often and returns pale and thin thinking he is insignificant. The wickedness outside has forced the good ones to doubt their own strength. This helps the bad, the world isn’t a bad place because of their presence but because of the absence of the good from public discourse. Rise! And Proclaim!
Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment
