religion
How religion plays into corporate culture and office politics.
Trump's big defeat! Iran has accepted everything in the name of ceasefire, attacks on Gulf countries continue
Special Report: Investigative Journalist Malik Sarfaraz Hussain Awan: The Strait of Hormuz is not yet fully open. Iran has agreed to open the Strait conditionally under the two-week ceasefire agreement. So far, only a few Iraqi and Asian ships have been allowed to pass, while the Strait is not yet fully open for international shipping, especially ships of the United States and its allies. Iran's clear stance is that ships will have to contact Iranian forces and be allowed to pass in a controlled manner. Oil prices are still at high levels, although there has been some reduction after the announcement of the ceasefire. A two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States, Iran and Israel has been reached with the mediation of Pakistan. Iran claims that it has accepted all 10 of its key demands, including lifting sanctions on the IRGC, free oil trade and non-interference in the region. President Trump has called it a “double-sided ceasefire” and said that more talks will take place in two weeks. However, within hours of the ceasefire, confirmed reports of new attacks emerged. An Iranian missile and drone attack on the United Arab Emirates’ Habshan gas complex triggered air defenses. Three major power plants and water desalination plants in Kuwait were attacked, with confirmed damage. Multiple missile alerts were also issued in Bahrain. The Lavan Island oil refinery in Iran was attacked, which Iran claims was carried out by Israel or the US. Israel has continued its attacks in Lebanon and has clearly stated that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon. Despite this delicate situation, the Pakistani media is making a big fuss about the ceasefire, calling it a “historic success of Pakistan’s mediation.” Many major news channels and anchors have declared it a diplomatic victory for Pakistan and have created an atmosphere of celebration in their programs. However, the fact is that despite the ceasefire, military and air operations are continuing. Iranian attacks on Gulf countries and Israeli bombing in Lebanon are proof that the ceasefire exists only on paper, there is no peace on the ground. This joy of the Pakistani media is blind to the fact that tensions in the region are still very high and a single spark can turn the entire region into a fireball. This situation reflects that the countries claiming to mediate, including Pakistan, are actually celebrating only a superficial success while the real problems are yet to be resolved. Iran has declared the ceasefire as its victory because it has accepted its main demands, while the US and Israel are calling it a temporary pause. Meanwhile, the Gulf countries are under intense pressure. Their economy depends on oil and the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused them severe economic losses. The hype being made by the Pakistani media over the success of the mediation is, on the one hand, highlighting the diplomatic efforts of the government, but on the other hand, it is turning a blind eye to reality. The attacks on the Gulf countries within a few hours of the ceasefire are clear evidence that peace is still far away. If the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened and the attacks continue, this ceasefire will prove to be only a temporary respite. At present, the situation in the region is extremely complex and unpredictable. On the one hand, Iran is claiming victory, while on the other hand, the US and Israel are calling it a temporary strategy. It is the responsibility of the Pakistani media not only to celebrate but also to present the truth to the public. The success of the mediation will be considered real only when the Strait of Hormuz is fully opened, all military operations stop and permanent peace is established in the region. The current situation is that despite the ceasefire, military and air operations continue, the Strait of Hormuz is partially opening and the region is still at risk of a large-scale conflict. The current euphoria of the Pakistani media may soon collide with the harshness of reality.
By Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awanabout 2 hours ago in Journal
Donald Trump's arrogance has been crushed? The real truth behind Iran's victory and Israel's forced ceasefire?
Special Report: Investigative Journalist Malik Sarfaraz Hussain Awan Resident Editor: Daily First Times, Islamabad: A miracle has occurred on the horizon of global politics that has sent shockwaves through halls from Washington to Tel Aviv, and Iran, which has been grinding under the mill of economic sanctions and military threats for decades, has finally forced the president of the world's only superpower, Donald Trump, to his knees. This announcement is a clear announcement of a new world order where no one will have a monopoly anymore because Donald Trump, who came with loud claims of destroying Iran in his second term as president, has finally crashed into Tehran’s iron wall and shattered. Reliable sources are confirming that Trump has accepted all 10 basic conditions of Iran without question, including complete freedom of oil trade, lifting of sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and firm guarantees of non-interference in the Middle East by the United States, which is being called the biggest defeat of Trump’s political life and a great victory of Iran’s unparalleled perseverance.
By Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awanabout 17 hours ago in Journal
Trump's abuse, threats and obscenity: Have the global media and mediators now become only the protectors of Israel's interests?
Special Investigation Report: Malik Sarfaraz Hussain Awan, Investigative Journalist, Social Guardian, Humanitarian, Resident Editor Daily First Times Islamabad The United Nations Security Council has once again failed to issue conventional and limited statements. While the countries that have emerged as mediators around the world are also busy trying to persuade Iran to surrender instead of putting clear pressure on US President Donald Trump’s illegal policies, obscenities, abuses and threats by calling them false and wrong.
By Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awanabout 20 hours ago in Journal
What Makes a Film Feel Real? Inside the Approach of Andreas Szakacs Productions
What makes a film feel real? Not just visually—but emotionally, physically, and psychologically. In an industry often driven by spectacle, where visual effects and scale dominate the screen, some filmmakers are moving in a different direction. They are choosing authenticity over illusion, building stories that feel lived-in rather than manufactured. Among the production companies working within this space is Andreas Szakacs Productions—a London-based independent company focused on realism, human experience, and location-driven storytelling.
By Andreas szakacs2 days ago in Journal
What Serving Communities Has Taught Me. AI-Generated.
I often stop and think about how grateful I am as I go through my week. I move between Clearview Jewish Center in Whitestone, Kehillas Mevaser Tov in East Brunswick, and the nursing homes where I serve as chaplain. This life of service brings me a lot of joy.
By Daniel Sayani3 days ago in Journal
Trump's abuse and insults: A confession of the shameful helplessness of the American superpower in the face of Iran
Special Analysis — Journalist Malik Sarfaraz Hussain Awan: Trump's abuse and vulgar language are making his helplessness and political failure very clear. It is an established fact that when someone has no strength anywhere and fails to control his opponent, he resorts to abuse and insults. Donald Trump has now become a psychopath and this growing disease of his is not only seriously damaging the American state identity but has also led to disrespect for the presidency of the superpower. If we look in the mirror of history, the heads of the great states of the world have always represented the dignity and moral highness of their nation through their language, tone and style of speech. But when the president of a world power publicly resorts to abuse, threats, and vulgar language, it is a clear admission of his political, moral, and diplomatic defeat. Trump's statement about "sending Iran to hell" is not only an insult to religious sentiments, but it also reveals his deep disappointment and frustration. He has failed to subdue a nation that has bravely fought severe economic sanctions, pressure, and hardships for the past several decades. The traditional and limited response of the international organization, the United Nations, to the humanitarian actions of the Trump administration has proven the complete helplessness of this organization. This organization has now fallen below the global level and become the protector of the interests of only a few powerful countries. International laws are enforced only on weak and poor countries, while whenever any concrete action is attempted to be taken against serious crimes against human rights, the United States immediately thwarts it through its veto power. This illegal war imposed by the United States and Israel has now entered a very dangerous phase. The Middle East could turn into a fireball at any moment. The silence of the international community over Israel’s flagrant violation and blatant disregard for international law is clear evidence that the entire region is standing on a powder keg and a spark can ignite the entire region. Other countries in the region also seem to be busy trying to convince Iran to surrender to Trump in the name of limited and safe diplomacy. They are unable to put any pressure on the US President and Israeli interests. This regional hypocrisy is actually the result of fear, weakness and self-interest, where instead of stopping aggression, the oppressed are being advised to bow down. At the same time, Amnesty International and other international human rights organizations also seem to be limited to traditional condemnation. When children are separated from their parents in war zones, hospitals are bombed, and civilians are targeted, the limited and ineffective actions of these organizations cast a big question mark on their existence. By claiming to push Iran to hell in his threats, Trump is as if considering himself the master of heaven and hell. However, followers of all religions know very well who is the real master of heaven and hell and who will make the final decision on the future of mankind. This president, who claims to be a god in subdued words, today holds the most important position in America, whose abusive and indecent statements are creating intense hatred and anger all over the world. America has now become a former superpower that has lost its moral superiority and is now trying unsuccessfully to control the world only through economic terrorism, sanctions, and pressure. Depriving ordinary citizens of medicine, food, and basic necessities is a serious crime against humanity. The American people and the world should get rid of a mentally ill and semi-crazy person like President Trump and take practical steps to promote true humanitarian compassion, justice, and peace on a global scale. If this is not done, his policies will have extremely dangerous and worrying consequences. Because of Trump, many countries in the world are under severe economic pressure, where people are burning in the flames of war on one hand and dying from lack of basic necessities on the other. This destruction is not limited to humans alone, but due to Trump's war and economic measures, animals, birds, trees, water sources, forests, and the entire global ecosystem are also being subjected to silent massacre. The lust for wars has put the entire ecosystem of the earth in grave danger. If the whole world still remains limited to political statements and traditional condemnation and fails to put real pressure on Trump, the dream of world peace will be shattered forever.
By Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awan3 days ago in Journal
A Day in Kathmandu: Stories, Temples & Quiet Moments. AI-Generated.
I didn’t think much before booking the Kathmandu city tour. It was late, I was scrolling through Google, half distracted, and just picked something without overthinking it. No expectations. Just a free day and a random decision.
By Places Nepal8 days ago in Journal
Donald Trump's Adventures and the Contradiction of the Gulf Policy: A Poison for World Peace and Economy
Special Report: Journalist Malik Sarfaraz Hussain Awan, The illegal and adventurous policies of President Donald Trump and his administration have brought the entire world to the brink of destruction at this time, where an unnecessary tension has been launched against Iran to fulfill regional political desires, which has no moral or legal justification in international law, while on the other hand, the claims and agreements that the US administration and Donald Trump have been making for years in the name of defending the Middle East and especially the Gulf countries have proven to be completely ineffective in the current situation because the US seems to be failing to protect its forces and military installations in the Gulf region. Rather, the presence of Donald Trump's administration and US forces in the region has put the security of these countries in even more serious danger. This is why now many important countries of the world, including NATO, which are They consider military intervention illegal and harmful to the global economy. They have clearly refused to support President Trump, as a result of which the US leadership has been subjected to diplomatic isolation on a global level. According to today's documented and ground facts, direct air strikes have been carried out on Iranian defense installations, which has been confirmed by international satellite imagery and local authorities. In response to these attacks, US military bases in the Gulf region have been targeted, which has made the weakness of the defense system there clear. At the same time, the Yemeni Ansarullah leadership has confirmed attacks on the US fleet in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which has made global maritime trade routes completely uncertain. All these facts have proven that Donald Trump's economic and defense strategy has paralyzed the global supply chain and plunged the entire world into an economic crisis where oil prices have spiraled out of control and international trade protection has been eliminated. According to statistics, crude oil prices in the global market have Oil prices have exceeded $120 per barrel, which has triggered a new wave of global inflation. Furthermore, President Trump's contradictory statements, sometimes claiming military superiority and sometimes suddenly demanding negotiations, have made it clear that Washington does not have a solid or credible defense plan for the region, but rather that his policies are limited to political interests. The current situation on the ground is that the insurance and shipping costs of commercial ships have increased by 300 percent, which is entirely due to the failed foreign policy of President Trump's team, which preferred the use of force over diplomacy. Russia and China have also issued emergency alerts after these attacks, which is proof that the Trump administration's actions have brought world powers closer to direct conflict. Reports of the failure of the US defense system are currently circulating in the world media, which negate all the claims that President Trump has made for years regarding the security of the Middle East. This crisis is actually a result of Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the global nuclear deal and continued economic sanctions, which have now taken the form of a regular regional conflict. This report is based purely on the geopolitical facts and technical intelligence currently available in global forums and proves that the entire root of the current crisis is rooted in the illegal decisions of the Trump administration, which have become an open challenge to world peace.
By Malik Sarfraz Hussain Awan11 days ago in Journal
How I converted to Islam. Content Warning.
A lot of people have different reason to choose why they change religions from that which they were raised. Some disagree with their beliefs. Some just want to explore and have found something more fulfilling. For some people things take a darker turn.
By Danielle Mosley23 days ago in Journal
Deserts of Silence: Bangladeshi Women Trapped in Libya’s Torture Market
By Tuhin Sarwar | March 14, 2026 The arid deserts of Libya and the vast, restless Mediterranean conceal a world of horror where Bangladeshi women are treated as mere commodities. Dreams of Europe fade under the weight of exploitation, with 14-year-old girls facing systematic gang rape, and desperate women forced to trade their bodies for a single glass of clean water. This normalized “business model” of sexual slavery has persisted, unchecked, over the last five years, leaving thousands of lives scarred and countless graves unmarked.
By Tuhin Sarwar26 days ago in Journal
