Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience

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ABOUT THE BOOK
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Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience makes a case for keeping ancient emblems of faith alive and for pluralism in a land of irony that has been home to multiple ancient faiths, yet stands besieged by unpalatable extremism. It aspires to enshrine the ideal of liberty. By framing an all-inclusive piety, this book sets out to ignite a discourse and the collective conscience of a nation numbed into silence, fear or the false conviction of supremacy of a singular religion; to institutionalise the fundamental right of will.

Elaborately embellished with evocative photography of antiquated and exquisite Hindu shrines, opulent rituals and festivals and regional populace, the chronicle has extensive research and exceptional pilgrimage sites—Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave Temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Shivala Mandir, to name a few. While vivid introductions and sweeping images present the landscape and the social fabric of a territory, the redolence of celebrations spread passion and fervour. A special section introduces the extraordinary Fakira, last of the human hands behind idols in Pakistan.Humanity is cast as the oldest of creeds and the reason for faiths. Therefore, devotion cannot be reserved for a sole Call to Prayer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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REEMAABBASI was the recipient of the Gender in Journalism Award 2003 from UNESCO for the most gender sensitive reportage. A journalist for almost 19 years, she began with culture and lifestyle at The News International, moved on to crime and socio-political writing with The Herald Magazineand then became an editorial writer at Dawn. At present, she is a columnist with The Daily Mail, Mail Today and an independent contributor with Dawnand The Indian Express. In the last decade, Reema’s writings have maintained a rabid focus on the values of secularism. With this book, she aims to stir a discourse that dispels intolerance towards any faith and shuns the concept of religious power. She attended herborneSchool for Girls in England and St. Joseph’s College in Karachi, Pakistan. Her other passions include music, reading, writing and research, cinema, travel, art, poetry, and yoga.

MADIHA AIJAZ studied at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) in Karachi, Pakistan and at Parsons in New York City. In 2007, she was awarded the Fulbright scholarship for photography. Her work has been exhibited in Pakistan, the United States and South Africa. In 2011, her short story ‘Swimming Pool’ was adapted for radio by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. She currently teaches photography at IVS.