“Assalam-o-alaikum wa rehmat-allah,”Assalam-o-alaikum wa rehmat-allah,” recited the Maulana. The congregation ended, and the worshipers started praying, uttering an Amen with every wish the Maulana made. People were praying for their health, wealth and their worldly and non-worldly affairs. Amidst the conversation between the Almighty and His believers, stood a man, in the middle of the…
Category: Arts & Culture
IQBAL: Enduring Voyage
A few years ago, November 9 for me was a public holiday in remembrance of a man who helped build Pakistan but Jinnah understood him and became Quaid e Azam. ‘Muffakir-e-Pakistan’ has the power to transform you completely. “Maqsood-e-hunar soz-e-hayat-e-abdi hai Ye ik nafas ya do nafas, misl-e-sharar kia” -Iqbal (The real aim of any…
Another Heart
Quench my thirst for a single glimpse of its being. For what engulfs me is the dance of wounds and slathering blood. Moan that sing song of life into my cold ears for I am the slogan of demise. And I am the zenith of emotion and I am the shedder of light on the…
My Hero
Throughout our adolescence, we’re commonly questioned by our peers and elders about who we aspire to be. In most cases, it’s an indirect way of asking, who our hero is and who we want to be like when we’re older. Some of us have it clear-cut decided: with answers that it’s their parent(s), grandparent(s), some…
Lahore Literary Festival – Feb ’16
By Tayiba Ahmed On the 20th of Feb, Lahore Literary Festival was held in Avari Hotel. Due to a failure of security clearance, the shift of location as well as the cut down of the duration from three to two days was a disappointment. However, despite this shortcoming – the festival was a huge success….
Ethereal
A sunny evening beside the sea shore; crashing waves create a flow of mellifluous sounds so in sync, that they would put the sweetest of melodies to shame. The sun shines with gentle warmth and the wind caresses your body as you stroll around the sea side without a care in the world. Children licking…
The theme park
I sighed to myself as I reversed the car out of my driveway. “Maham, huh”, I muttered as I looked at the somewhat familiar face on the picture with an address scribbled underneath it. I remembered this woman. We had gone to the same college and had been part of the same batch. We had…