Old Age, Closeness, and Distance Shariq AliValueversity A parable often attributed to Confucius is narrated in this way.Its historical accuracy may be uncertain, but the wisdom within it feels strikingly true even today. An elderly man named Li Wei once… Read More »Old Age, Closeness, and Distance

Ghalib and Sir Syed: A Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity Shariq AliValueversity Nineteenth-century India stood at a peculiar crossroads. On one side lay the weight of a glorious past, and on the other, the search for new pathways into the… Read More »Ghalib and Sir Syed: A Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity

Tolerance and Religious Freedom — The Unique Governance Model of Persia Shariq AliValueversity When we think of ancient empires, images of power, conquest, and oppression usually come to mind. However, ancient Iran—particularly the Achaemenid Empire—offers a strikingly different example. It… Read More »Tolerance and Religious Freedom — The Unique Governance Model of Persia

Jafar Panahi — A Filmmaker, or a Story Himself Shariq AliValueversity President Trump has already threatened to erase Iranian civilization. In response, Iranian citizens, in large numbers, are pouring into the streets of Tehran, moving in waves to protect power… Read More »Jafar Panahi — A Filmmaker, or a Story Himself

An Unforgettable Evening and the Journey to the Moon Shariq AliValueversity I still remember that evening… I was about nine years old and had gone to Jamshoro to spend my holidays at my aunt’s house. As soon as I finished… Read More »An Unforgettable Evening and the Journey to the Moon