Behind every fortune there is a crime, Balzac said long ago; similarly, behind every company, any society, every sort of organization operates at an international level, there is a history of hidden figures whose contributions are blotted out or distorted to insignificance in the narrative that is told to the laymen of countries so that the talk in the streets does not encompass the realities and toils, sacrifices and hardships, pains and sufferings lived by these hidden figures. NSA's early…

As the tales of our ancestors dictate, when a nation has corrupted itself beyond initial recognition and strayed from His law, God sends a prophet with glad tidings amongst their midst, most usually from within the belly of the beast. Moses (AS) was reared in the palace of the Pharaoh. The Chief Officer of the king in Egypt adopted Yusuf (AS). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) hailed from the Mecca of idle worship (quite literally) at a time in history considered by…

Every social movement has a father; every epoch in history belongs to people; Selma, a pivotal film that encapsulates the essence of the civil rights movement, has both. This film is not for the faint of heart. It systematically unravels many touching and difficult-to-deal-with themes. Among which are racism, politics, activism, perseverance, and injustice. Many a scene will leave a hollow feeling in the back of your throat, for you may feel uncomfortable and outraged when the luminary Director, Ava…

Spotlight is one of the most devastating pictures of the century. Prior to viewing this movie, the scandals of the Catholic Church had lurked absently in my cultural consciousness. I did not think much of the series of events that formed the narrative we all know: that is, that certain priests have been known to harass certain children. Frankly, I did not think there was much to think of. But once the credits started rolling, I found myself winded, almost…