Latest in: Books
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Understanding the Pakthuns through their own words
Some years ago while working on an academic project with Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, I noticed a small book on the shelf. I began leafing through it...September 25, 2020 1100 0 -
Her resplendent face
Posing nude for a Zahoor painting was a privilege, an event for any woman. For a complete portrait is a reflection of the heart’s innermost emotions, pain and wisdom interpreted onto the rough surface of the...September 21, 2020 1729 0 -
A book of Pakhtun proverbs with English translation reveals lively Pakhtunkhwa culture
Proverbs are not just about wisdom and lessons drawn from the experiences of people. They are much more than just witty sayings. They represent the culture and ethos of a people, community, and nation. That is...September 16, 2020 1182 0 -
The Barking Crow – A Short Story
I was dying of thirst and rain had been banished from the skies. The clouds were intoxicated elephants waving their trunks at me, their shapes transforming into a vortex of steam. I longed to ascend and...September 5, 2020 2335 0 -
The Battle for Pakistan and the US Relations
“In 2008,” Shuja Nawaz writes in the preface to his recently published book, The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighborhood, “I began working on the event that led to The Battle...June 13, 2020 1208 1 -
A scholar’s journey into Europe leads to clarion call for coexistence
Scholars around the globe responded to the death of 3000 Americans in the 9/11 attacks differently. A surfeit of essays, books, films, documentaries—all aimed at understanding the reasons behind the rage—accumulated. In this context, one remembers...May 9, 2020 1331 0 -
A book with alternative reflection on jihad attempts to find spiritual meaning
The idea of jihad essentially describes the quest or endeavor to reach one’s full potential, whether it is within one’s own spirituality, community service or becoming a more amicable and virtuous peer, family member or friend....May 7, 2020 764 0 -
The Eternal in The Ephemeral
When I joined Professor Akbar Ahmed of American University in Washington DC last semester break, he gave me the magnificent illustrated book of his friend Professor Akmal Hussain, Dean IT University, Lahore. He enquired whether I...January 2, 2020 1219 0 -
Pakistani novelist, critical of Israeli policies, questions the basis for literary prize withdrawal
Acclaimed novelist Kamila Shamsie has a question for the jury of Nelly Sachs Prize for literature which this month picked her as the winner of the award and just a fortnight later rescinded it – for...September 19, 2019 862 0 -
My Persian Paradox taught me how sharing stories helps create empathy, peace
The pain we carry from the past and don’t have time to think about will eventually come out and hit us. All this time, it has been sitting there waiting for an opportunity to talk and...August 19, 2019 1841 0
