Book Review: Pakistan- A Personal History by Imran Khan

This very book written by Imran Khan is a mix of Pakistan’s history and his own autobiography. Khan takes a start from his childhood at Zaman Park. Moving on he covers his days at Oxford, his cricket life, establishment of Shaukat Khanum hospital and his entry into politics.

The author relates about his close connection with his mother. Her practice of Islam had strong Sufi influences which later in life was adopted by Imran. Furthermore Imran states that at Aitchison College boys caught speaking in Urdu were fined. The author views British to have exploited India. He quotes GDP of India in 1700s as 25 percent of world economy. Imran believes that British colonialism has had adverse effects on the society in Pakistan. He severely criticizes the elite in Pakistani politics.

Imran’s spiritual mentor Mian Bashir closely guided him in spiritual matters. In addition to that Imran considers Allama Iqbal as his inspiration and philosophical guide. Despite being good friends with Benazir Bhutto at Oxford, Imran disagreed with her on issues. Imran quotes her as acting “royal”. Imran also criticizes her father as he failed to deliver because of his feudal mindset. Moreover the author mentions about the bomb blast at Shaukat Khanum and also critiques the establishment for engineering past elections in the country.

Further in the book Khan discusses the rule of Pervez Musharraf, American pressure on Zardari for initiating operation in Bajaur and the rise of Taliban in Swat valley.

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Book Review: Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran

I read this book in late 2012 or early 2013 at Ewing Hall. I borrowed it from a friend. Sand and Foam is one the books of Gibran written about impulse of man’s heart and mind. The themes which he addresses in the book include travel, nirvana, faith, secrecy, traits of humans, children, knowledge, youth, dissent, greed and indifference.

At one point he says: “If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. Furthermore he states: “You cannot have youth and the knowledge of it at the same time; for the youth is too busy living to know, and the knowledge is too busy seeking itself to live”.

On equality Gibran is of the following view: “Should you sit upon a cloud you would not see the boundary line between one country and another, not the boundary stone between a farm and a farm. It is a pity you cannot sit upon a cloud.

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Book Review: My Khyber Marriage by Morag Murray Abdullah

My Khyber Marriage brings out the experience of a Scotswoman who marries a pathan chieftain’s son. Morag meets Abdullah in Britain. Before marrying him she converts to Islam. Abdullah is the son of a tribal chieftain on the Indian Frontier.

 The first chapter starts with the very first meeting of Morag and Abdullah. Initially Morag’s father is apprehensive about her marriage to an easterner, but later he agrees to the proposal. Despite caution from friends and family Morag marries the easterner. Syed Abdullah takes his wife to his tribal country in the East where a marriage ceremony takes place. Before the marriage, his wife takes a bath in ass’s milk for beautification. Some of the observations of the writer stress that all highland folks around the world believe in luck and many of the blood feuds trace their origin to water issues.

Furthermore the author describes her life inside the fort and the roles assigned to each gender. Adding on to that the writer discusses various legends of the area. One of such legends is known as the white lady’s hill. One day Morag flees from the fort and travels to the white lady on the hill. She takes this risk to prevent a bloody fight. Later her husband discovers this and thanks God for her safety, as she might have got killed by gunfire.

Moreover the author mentions about the time when the women defended the fort resisting an attack. At another instance she describes her journey into the snake valley. This adventure is triggered by the frequent mention of snake valley in different local stories. Morag helps in her sister-in-law’s marriage. Furthermore Morag explains the strict moral codes of the tribal society and the limited choices available to women.

Later Morag and her husband travel to India. They are invited by an Indian Raja. Moray and her family leave for India. She writes a separate chapter on her journey through ninety-nine tunnels. Their visits to Simla and Dehli are also highlighted in later part of the book. In her final chapter Moray compares East and West. On hearing about her mother’s illness, she travels to Scotland along with her daughter Margaret. There she compares her life in the Freeland and that in Scotland. Morag intends to go back home in the Freeland where life is simple and the honor one one’s clan comes before anything else.

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