Like all children I had taken my father for granted. Now that I had lost him, I felt an emptiness that could never be filled. But I did not let myself cry, believing as a Muslim that tears pull a spirit earthward and won't let it be free.

Through democracy we can address the basic needs of the people, involve them as participants in planning and restore the authority of the government.

I was brought up to believe that human beings are good, which is why it shocks me to the core when I see human beings behaving badly.

The next few months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for social justice.

We learned at an early age that it was men's interpretation of our religion that restricted women's opportunities, not our religion itself. Islam in fact had been quite progressive toward women from its inception.

The best hijab is in the eyes of the beholder.

It's never easy dealing with terrorists, but it must be done through a mixture of political, economic and administrative means.