Several years after the local bodies submitted detailed status reports to the Supreme Court, the demand for heritage city status still eludes Agra.The Agra Development Authority (ADA) engaged the Delhi School of Architecture and Town Planning .
by Maniza Naqvi
Hassan Abbas’s book, “The Prophet’s Heir: The Life of Ali ibn Abi Talib,” provides an excellent basis for much research, reflection and conversations.
For many of us this poetic verse feels as though it were a statement of fact:
Ghalib Nadeem e dost sey ati hey bo e dost
Mashgul e Haq hon bandagee-ey boo Turab mein
From the fragrance of the divine friend comes the scent of the friend I am immersed in search of Truth in my devotion to Ali.
Who are these friends and what is that scent? The Message of Islam is revealed onto the Prophet Mohammad at age 40. Alongside Mohammad is his unwavering constant dearest companion one of the first to accept Islam and born in the Kaaba, his 9 year old kid cousin Ali ibn Talib whose mother and father raised Mohammad as their own child, long before Ali was born. For Mohammad, peace be upon him, Ali is the loyal adoring kid brother, the protege, and in age difference the son. The Prophet chooses Ali, as his example of