Book Review - My Feudal lord

Book Review

My Feudal lord

 BY Sadia Wali

I found an inner strength to fight for myself. It was clear that nobody else would.” ― Tehmina Durrani, My Feudal Lord

         A shiver runs down my spine as I begin to read this heart-wrenching story of Tehmina Durrani- the daughter of former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan and Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines, S.U. Durrani  and wife of Ghulam Mustafa Khar. Tehmina stout-heartedly described her abusive and traumatic marriage to Mustafa Khar. With inner strength and valor, she endured the hypocritical and tortuous behaviour  of her chauvinist husband.

     Ghulam Mustafa Khar renowned politician destroyed lives of Tehmina and five other innocent women .It was Tehmina who presented to the world the vulnerable position of women in Pakistani society and how they suffer in silence. The autobiography as Tehmina says has broken the taboos for women facing uncomplaining hardships .As I believe we educated women needs to be socially and ethically aware of our rights. We are living in a male- dominated society where it is not easy to speak up against men’s atrocious behaviour nor women have any support to raise their voice against injustice done to them.

        Divorce or taking Khula is considered a taboo in our masculine society and culture. Women are not encouraged to take up such bold initiatives, they remain subdued and complaint due to social pressures. Women who attempt to fight up for their rights have to face challenging situations such as feeling insecure, losing self-confidence, self- identity and self- esteem. As how Tehmina made seven to eight attempts to get rid of this wild man, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, being a mother of five children weakened her every time.She continued to suffer painful emotional turmoil.

As she said, “I knew that I could not leave him. I had entered into a controversial marriage and I had to strive to keep it intact.” He promised to be good husband. I grasp desperately at these signs of his approval. My goal was to keep him in his mood.”

         

        Women who have read the autobiography opined that it was the wrong decision of Tehmina to leave her first husband Anees and marry Mustafa who attracted her with his glamorous political affluences. But my opinion is slightly different; I personally believe that women have social, legal and religious rights to choose the partner she likes whether it is her first marriage or second marriage. If she is unhappy and unsatisfied, she has every right to opt for better decision in life. If men can opt for four marriages why not women? Second thing women want a loving compatible life partner, they do not want to live a life with a barbarian. The brutish attitude of men is never condemned by society and families. Women take the risk of trusting a man who betrays her soul by his foul play, unethical behavior, language and manipulative acts of love-making, thinking women as ‘sexual object’.  Tehmina ‘s tormenting  story portrays  the story of an ordinary woman  who yearns  to live a perfect respectable marriage life.

          Mustafa was portrayed as a mentally sick person, he physically and sexually assaulted Tehamina many times.She became pregnant due to his violent  physical behaviour. As she declared herself as ‘Sexual object.”

        I would like to quote some horrifying physical assaults of Mustafa. Tehmina accompanied her mother   to a dinner, she was ordered by Mustafa to reach home by 10.30 pm. As she got late, she had to suffer terrible consequences. She was locked in a tortuous chamber, he tore her sari to shreds and beat her savagely.  When she became pregnant the first time, she faced the worst fury of Khar.As Tehmina related, “He hit me on my face, he clutched at me and pulled me from the bed. He threw me to the floor. My forehead crashed against the corner of the bedside table and I screamed in horror as blood gushed into my eye.”

          After facing continuous physical assaults, Tehmina understood the dual personality of Mustafa. He manipulated her by being violent and then displaying civility by showing compassion and forgiveness.

               The latter part of the book focused on Mustafa’s exile and Tehmina with her strength of character coped with all the political challenges, personal and social relationships. During exile, Mustafa developed good relations with Tehmina’s family. However, Tehmina suspected Mustafa and her youngest sister Adila developed illicit relations. This emotional agony developed hysteria. Tehmina also tried to commit suicide by taking tranquillizers. According to her, “The constant making and breaking had  taken its toll on me. The cracks could not be papered over with words.”

         The best part of the book I like when Tehmina gained spiritual strength to transform herself from a subdued house wife to a strong woman. Instead of remaining a silent spectator she became reactive. Once Mustafa in anger snapped a jug from bathroom and tried to hit her head .   Instantaneously, she slammed the door and locked him inside.She strongly spoke, “If you can only understand once and for all that  Iam not here to take your nonsense, I’ll let you out.” 

         Another incident I would liketo quote is Tehmina was working in kitchen when Mustafa insisted to go out. As he said I’ll break every bone in your body, the very next moment Tehmina grabbed the pot from the stove and threw at him. She ferociously screamed, “I know there is a sick insane animal outside. Do you really expect me to come out and hand myself over.”

         Despite gaining spiritual strength, the decision of taking divorce from Mustafa was a hard decision. Once she made effort to leave Mustafa and lived in a hotel arranged by her brother Asim. But Mustafa tricked her by asking permission to meet children and kidnapped them. Children were sent to Pakistan, they lived with Mustafa’s family in the village of Kot Addu. By kidnapping children, Mustafa tried to blackmail Tehmina to come back to him. Facing continuous threats from Mustafa and unsupportive attitude of her family, Tehmina was compelled to go back to Mustafa.

           Her goal was to win her children. She had no emotional attachment with Mustafa, yet she played a pivotal role in political campaigns for Mustafa. She also made efforts to release him from exile. She was declared as ‘Lioness’ by party members, the woman who fought a rentless and successful battle to free her husband.

         The last part of the book explicates the real struggle of Tehmina after breaking up from Mustafa. In her words, “I pleaded that I did not have strength to cope with further betrayal, abuse and begged for mercy. “There was no end to her tears; finally she decided to take’ Khula’.  Once she told Mustafa, “You stripped me of everything. But from today, you can never say that Tehmina is your wife. You lost me in the bargain.”

After Khula Tehmina felt as “A great burden lifted from my shoulders. I was no longer Tehmina Khar.”

           She was freed from Mustafa’s tyranny. However, social pressures and emotional insecurity kept her low- spirited and despondent. The identity of Mrs. Mustafa Khar no longer exists, her friends and social groups to whom she was associated declined to help her. “I have to start a new.” Was there a new Tehmina Durrani inside me, older and sadder but also wiser.” She pondered. Being single, divorce or widow, a Pakistani woman cannot easily survive in a male- dominated society. Tehmina like other helpless women suffered great ordeals in bringing up her children. During adversity, her sisters Zarmina and Minoo supported her.

        The book is great inspiration for every woman who is compelled to suffer in silence. The strength and determination of Tehmina is commendable. Through her bold piece of work, she aimed at raising awareness in women to speak up for their rights. Ending her book she writes, “Muslim women must learn to raise their voices against injustice.It is Jehad to represent the silent majority who are suffering in silence.”  

      While reading the heard hearted incidents in the book, I felt inner strength and firmness. According to my personal view, men need women and women need men. They should not be abused, maligned and treated with contempt. Their self- respect and self- esteem is essential to build or break their personality. It is high time, we women need to stand and ask for our rightful place in society. We should not need act as silent spectators, we have our own identity, individuality and value which needs to be recognized.   We need to live boldly and build up our decision power. Trial and error is the road to success. Unless we take risks in life, we never know which path is better. Trust in Allah He has great plans for us.

        I read beautiful lines in the book, ‘The confident Woman’ by Joyce Meyer and I quote, “You are a woman! God loves you, you are equal with men, and you have a destiny. It is high time someone realizes who you really are!. Value your inner self, your beauty, innocence and purity. God has given women a special place of honour in society.”

        Hence, women need to be unconditionally loved and respected by society as a whole.

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Understanding the Nikhanama

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http://hellopakistanmag.com/hello-pakistan/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-launches-fifth-animated-short-film-aagahi-titled-talaq-khula-divorce/

Understanding the Nikhanama

By Sadia Wali

In matters of civilized behaviour women have the same rights over men as men have over women” — Al Quran (2:228). Women are equal to men in common responsibilities and in receiving rewards. On his authority from Ibn 'Abbas, women are acknowledged as an independent personality, in possession of human qualities and worthy of spiritual aspirations.  Women are neither inferior to nor deviant from that of their male counterparts.  Islamic law emphasizes the contractual nature of marriage; the Muslim women are protected in the nikahnama in the matter of matrimonial life. 

The nikahnama is a social contract between the groom and bride and under contract both the parties have to follow the terms and conditions of the contract. It is important to know the legalities regarding a marriage contract that is a ‘Nikahnama’.

While watching the three – minute short film by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, “Know Your Nikahnama”, I realized the significance of Nikahnama in the matter of matrimonial life. Consequently, through my blog I have made effort to provide essential knowledge and understanding about the nikahnama which girls need to know before signing it. As mostly girls including me regret not having read this legal document thoroughly before signing it as we suffered the consequences later.

The videos highlighted important information that the bride should know before she signs this legal document and discussed the rights pertaining to Mehr, the right of divorce (Talaq) and the process of divorce/ khula.

A sound knowledge of the Nikahnama can actually help the couple understand expectations and their duties towards one another. It is especially important for the bride to align each detail with her partner in order to safeguard her position in the marriage. However, it is a great tragedy that women are put in the dark about the terms and conditions of the Nikah contract as mostly women sign this important document without reading it.

Nikahnama is an official requirement under the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961. Once signed, it needs to be registered with the local Union Council's Registrar under the same law. Under Shariah Law, a verbal nikah is just as good as a written one  provided the formalities pertaining to witnesses are fulfilled. The state law requires the Nikahnama provided under the law to be signed and registered. The Nikahnama is filled by the nikah registrar or qazi who takes an oath of  nikah .Since they don’t have sufficient knowledge, they don’t bother to explain to the parents of the bride or the bridegroom.

My blog highlights essential aspects of the nikah form. As you begin to read these clauses, you will analyze there is completed protection of the women in all matrimonial matters especially the columns No.13 to 22 are totally in the favor of the women which are about the dower, dowry articles, maintenance, banning on the second marriage and as well the delegated powers of the divorce. Generally these columns are left blank. 

The Muslim Family Law gives complete protection to women. Unfortunately we are unable to get this advantage as only column No 13 is filled and others are left blank or crossed due to negligence by the parents of the bride.

Amount of Mehr: This is clause 13 of the nikahnama. The Mehr actually acts as a form of economic protection for women, in case of a divorce as well as a gesture from the man to show seriousness to get into a serious commitment. It is not obsessed with virginity, as it is payable to both virgin as well widowed or divorced women who are no longer virgins. Second, the Mehr does not need to be a high amount. It is a gesture of love, first and foremost and should be looked upon as such. I have seen many people asking brides how much Mehr they received.

Clause 14 is about two types of Mehr, Mehr Moajjal (Prompt) is where the Mehr will be given as soon as the couple is in seclusion or at the time of the Nikah. Mehr Muwajjal (Deferred) is when the mehr is provided after a certain time which is fixed in the contract or at the time of death or at any time the wife demands for it to be paid. The full amount of Mehr may be divided into prompt and deferred.

The next column No. 16 is also about the dower amount that whether any kind of property has been given to the bride or not if given then gives the details and conditions. So if we see there are four columns from serial No. 13 to 16 about the dower amount but hardly one column is filled.

13	The amount of Mahar
14	The amount of Mahar Moajjal & the amount of Mahar Mowajjal
15	Was any part of the amount of Mahar paid at the time of marriage? If paid, how much?
16	If a property is given in her Mahar or a thereto if given, the detail of the property, the price of the property fixed among parties should be mentioned.

In Pakistan, before the Nikahnama even reaches the families or the signatories, the Maulvi Saab has already crossed out clauses 17, 18 and 19 as it is believed that no couple wants to add any conditions. The conditions of the marriage must be narrated in clause 17 for the protection of the bride. Column 18 is whether the groom has given the delegated power of the divorce to the bride or not if given on what conditions.

The column No.19 is about divorce. This is an important column from the bride’s point of view and her protection. If conditions are imposed on divorce, then it will not be easy for the husband to divorce without any reason. Generally no maintenance documents are prepared at the time of marriage. Hence, separate document must be prepared and mentioned in column No .20. Even where the couple is in agreement to delegate the right to the wife, the clauses are already crossed out.

18	Has the bridegroom given the right of divorce to the bride? If given on what conditions?
19.	Is there any restriction on the right of divorce by the bridegroom?
20.	Is there any document prepared of living her life etc. If prepared a brief note should be mentioned here.
21.	Does the bridegroom have another wife also.If he has any,has he obtained permission  vide rules 8,10 of the Muslim family ordinance of 1961 to have 2nd wife.

Clauses 21-22 clearly articulate that the husband may only marry a second woman after getting permission from the first wife (through a permission certification from the local Arbitration Council). You can't secretly have more than one wife. Mostly, these clauses are not filled which is against the rights of the women.

The Pakistan Jurist indicates that the marriage certificate should have some additional clauses indicating if the bridegroom is already married, has never married or a widower names of bridegroom and bride with detail description of his/her education, profession, property, and monthly income, whether spouse will live under joint family system, separate or otherwise?

Lawyer and women’s rights activist Ms. Flavia Agnes emphasizes the need for a standard Nikahnama. “It is submitted that if a standard Nikahnama is made for all Muslims to use at the time of solemnization of marriage, it will be an effective way to protect women against instantaneous and arbitrary triple talaq. Such a Nikahnama will not violate the essential character of a Muslim marriage being a contract between two consenting parties.”

According to sources provided by Aurat Foundation and Provincial Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), 51 per cent of marriages have been found to be unregistered or the respondents had no idea about registration of his or her marriage. Mostly, non-registration of marriage was being attributed to customary practices. In Peshawar, more than 50 per cent of women and even many men can’t read their nikahnama (marriage certificate); 74 per cent women aren’t consulted before the filling of marriage registration forms, and 40 per cent married women don’t even know who had filled them.

Kate Vyborny, a postdoctoral associate from the Duke University writes around 36 to 37percent of the community in Pakistan rarely inform the bride about the answers on the marriage certificate. Nearly 60pc of marriage registrars do not discuss the terms of a divorce with the bride’s family while almost 21percent are advised not to discuss it.

Women’s rights activist Rubina Sehgal, is of the view,  “No more than 2 percent of Pakistani women are familiar with their marriage contracts, which even educated and progressive women don’t view as a binding legal document, even though that’s what it is. “Women are brought up to believe that marriage implies submission and obedience and so, when it comes to the marriage contract, they just sign it.  They forget at that time that they have the right to read it, vet it, and even suggest changes. At the time of tying the knot, a lot mostly women sign this important document without reading it.”

Women’s rights activists fiercely defend a woman’s right to be able to liberate herself from a terrible marriage. According to a group of women lawyers, woman can achieve equal rights in marriage through the proper use of the standard Nikahnama. Various sections of the Nikahnama are removed before the couple gets to see the document. “These sections include a woman’s right to divorce her husband. Other privileges include restricting a man’s right to divorce his wife and the opportunity for spouses to impose conditions on the marriage.”

 Mostly women have insufficient legal awareness about their rights therefore unable to negotiate for these rights in judicial or non-judicial forum.  NGos and government should conduct legal awareness programs in order to disseminate information to women. Ministry of Human Rights also aims at launching nationwide awareness campaign to educate people about significance of women laws.

Representatives of Rozan Care for Health Legal Aid Society say “Young girls must be taught about their rights, the right to divorce, the right to financial support during marriage and post-divorce along with other transparent measures embedded in the Nikahnama to safeguard and empower their future.”

Advocate Rubina Brohi, member of the Sindh Human Rights Commission and regional coordinator of the Aurat Foundation views that a national media campaign through various mediums of communication is required. Civil society organizations are working in collaboration with various departments of the Government of Pakistan regarding creating awareness campaign, policy-making and implementation of women laws in the country. According to Rubina, the existing nikahnama drafted in 60s has become obsolete. Now time and trends have changed. Civil organizations and ministry of women are working to draft a new nikahnama that include clauses pertaining to health certificate, age of the bridegroom and information about previous marriage.

Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has preliminary drafted a new comprehensive nikahnama (marriage contract) and Talaqnama (divorce paper) that seek to ensure the due rights of women.  According to the representatives of CII, the new Nikahnama will clearly enlists women's rights, including their right to divorce. The language will be simple and easily understood by general public. Qibla Ayaz, the CII chairman proposed that the new document will be drafted in the light of teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah that will help to strength the family system and create awareness in women regarding their legal rights. The details of national identity cards will be entered in the nikahnama. This will make the Nikanama more effective in society.

Efforts to enhance women’s legal literacy is need of the hour. Law enforcement agencies and women organizations should disseminate knowledge in women of their legal rights and ensure that all columns in Nikhanama should be filled honestly and promptly. It will help to save the rights of the women in matrimonial life.

                                                        

Believe in Yourself!

Believe in Yourself!

By 

Sadia Wali

Remember, no one 

“Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”-Eleanor Roosevelt

Over these years, I have learned that life is not meant to be lived cowardly. If you continuously suppress your emotions and sentiments, and lack decision making power, certainly you need to step up and take charge of your life. People tend to take advantage of the weaker ones, and we should not let it happen to ourselves.

My journey towards gaining self- confidence and decision making was not easy. I made persistent efforts to stay away from negative beliefs. Removing negative thoughts helped me to explore life in a positive way. I empowered myself with positivity and confidence to transform my personality.

I was once afraid what people would think of me. I developed negative perception about myself that broke me down.  When I truly understood the meaning and purpose of living, I felt I was literally a fool who gets over- stressed on trivial matters. As we develop self-love, we begin to value our self. Life appears to be beautiful, every moment seems precious. No feeling of melancholy exists any longer.

I began to discover myself, my fears and my potentials when I was brutally treated in my last office. I was hired for the post of research coordinator with a low pay scale but I was doing every task from peon to managerial. My bosses were always rude to me and used disparaging language. For over one year I endured their harsh behaviour. I realized that I need to speak up; my self-esteem was at stake. I was considered a peon or sweeper. I finally decided to speak out when they dictated me to clean the chairs and tables. I sat calmly on my seat and declared, “This is not part of my job! If I am not wrong, I was hired as a research coordinator not a sweeper.” They were stunned as they didn’t expect me to burst out. They were taking me for granted and my silent personality provoked them to treat me inhumanly. I handed my resignation and left the place with peace of mind.

 

This transformation made me realize that decision- making is merely a choice and strength of mind. We need to realize our value and worth. We need to learn how to reply when someone insults us. This is how I gained the confidence to respond. Now I have the courage to stand and say ‘This is who I am!  I have strong decision power to say ‘No’. This has built the positive expectation for my present and future goals. I feel more optimistic and empowered.

Sadiqua Hamdan writes,

“Self-acceptance means living the life you choose to live without worrying what others think about you. It doesn’t matter what someone else thinks about you. What matters is what you think about yourself.”

What we believe today can positively affect our success and health in future. Even a small positive idea can change the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we live. I personally feel that spending time with positive thinkers enhance positivity in my thinking and beliefs. I begin to think positively about my career and personal life. Consequently, my emotional and physical health improved and the most significant aspect of my life is developing the ability to make right choices and decisions in life.

When I look back, I can truly identify my lost personality into a confident and encouraging one. As I begin to love myself, I feel happier. I focus on my talents; I have things to share with the world. Hence, I find inner peace through prayer and meditation.

Author Darren Hardy put it this way,

“Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon… must inevitably come to pass!”

If you believe you can do, you can change your destiny. Hence, believe in yourself with positivity!

Healthy Watching Habits

Healthy Watching Habits 

By

Sadia Wali

Saturday morning breakfast is always fascinating for me. Spending quality time with my nephews is the most precious moment I relish. We have fun together; they talk about their school activities and develop creative stories based on their favorite cartoon characters. This weekend they insisted that I should watch Curious George with them. Out of sheer curiosity, I asked them if it resembles spider man or batman. They were amazed at my ignorance and said it is the story of a curious monkey who likes adventures. Curious George is an animated series based on the popular children's books by H. A. Rey and Margret. The books have been adapted into several television series and films.  

I learnt that George the curious monkey was brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" as his best friend to live with him in a giant city. Different episodes of their expeditions are fascinating and captivating for young kids.  According to my nephews, the interesting episodes of George are: George and Steve Stumble Across a Mysterious Egg at the Lake. George tried to retrieve Mr. Quint boat keys and ‘Curious George Sees the Light’

Enjoying the delicious breakfast of Anda Paratha with tea, we began to watch George’s mission with the light’.

Watching cartoons is one of the daily habits for our children; studies have proven that an average child with a facility of a TV and a satellite connection at his home watches approximately 18,000 hours of television from kindergarten to high school graduation. How does this experience affect our children minds? Does it have positive or negative effects? Mostly, parents think excessive watching TV or internet adversely affects mind and mood of growing kids. Consequently, they restrict their children towards watching TV or computer.

According to experts,

“Whatever children learn while watching cartoons, they tend to act out thereby influencing their mode of socializing with other children and with the world in general”. Baran and Davis (2009, p. 217).

“Children who watch educational programming are more likely have higher grades, read more books, place greater value on achievement, and show more creativity”. (Diehl and Toelle, 2011, p. 3) [5] .

I, being a writer, feel that children should have exposure of watching cartoons, films and documentaries that boost up their knowledge and skills. In my childhood there were not many programmes for children on TV, so I grew up listening to popular cassette kahani such as Alif Laila, Podna Podni, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladin and the Forty Thieves, Tarzan. I was so fascinated by these characters that I began to write my own short stories at the age of 12. Later my writing became matured as I got more opportunity to watch different educational and recreational programs on electronic media and internet.

To make cartoons a healthy entertainment and effective source of learning for children, I personally feel that parents should pay more attention to the selected cartoons their children are watching. They should watch the cartoon or film with them, look over the content and language used in cartoons or films and discuss the characters of cartoons with children. This way they will not only keep their kids away from violence but also direct them to different activities.

Parents should not prohibit children from totally watching TV or cartoons on computer, rather they should encourage them to watch TV or computer for around one to two hours daily. Documentaries on National Geographic Channel, educational programs or animated cartoons enhance learning process and creativity. Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on programmes like Sesame Street.

As I mentioned above that my nephews watch popular cartoons and animated films. They also watch Pakistani 3D computer-animated family films such as 3 Bahadur: The Revenge of Baba Balaam, Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor  and New Dettol Warrior that have enhanced their knowledge and have helped boost up their creativity and imaginative skills. 

Hence, parents should take care that children do not watch anything that is not recommended for their age. They should check the PG rating before allowing them to watch programmes on TV and internet.

 Let's protect our children from the negative impact of the media! Because healthy children mean a healthy future!

REVIEW

REVIEW

By Sadia Wali

MY DAWN YEARS: EXPLORING SOCIAL ISSUES

By Zubeida Mustafa

What an inspiring book to read!  I enjoyed every moment reading this inspirational memoir. There are hilarious experiences which I relished the most and sentimental events that made me cry.  As Tahira Abdullah, Development worker, researcher and rights activist says, “It is a brave woman’s chronicle, demonstrating honesty and grit. She stands tall in an illustrious line of fearless journalists, writing with the courage of their convictions.”

Writing this book and compiling each and every instance must have been a challenging task for the writer. Her style of writing is so captivating that it keeps readers intact as I got deeply involved while reading the memoir till the end.

The strong personality of Zubeida Mustafa was a great inspiration for me as I got chance to meet her twice. In 2013 and 2014, ERDC organized a seminar. I being the member of organization committee got the opportunity to chat with her regarding her passion for writing.  In 2015, I was working with Abbas Husain at TDC; I called Zubeida Mustafa to take her views about education dilemma in Pakistan. To my surprise she recognized me and told me that she read a few of my articles. I felt obliged, as a great writer and renowned personality praised my work. 

Being an affectionate mother, wife and a committed journalist, her life was hard and challenging. In her memoir, Zubeida related her experiences of hardships how she coped with her personal and professional life. She joined Dawn in 1975 as a young energetic journalist. She was introduced by veteran Dawn editor, Ahmed Ali Khan. During her career, she met several ups and downs. At one moment, she opted to leave Dawn and join The News for career development. It was really a hard decision to leave one institution and join another as it involves a lot of risk. In chapter, ‘Journalism of My Time’ she explicated how she reached up to the right decision. As she recalled, “I went home right away and called up to Ghazi to tell him I had decided to stay with Dawn.” 

During her three decades with Dawn, she experienced different phases of how content and style of newspaper changed with the advent of new technology. In different chapters she elucidated her experience of how she learnt page making to writing editorials using technology. I will briefly relate an incident experienced by Zubedia while working on her editorials. Zubedia in spontaneous flow wrote six to seven editorials in her computer when suddenly it hanged and then it went blank. The IT department tried hard to retrieve her work but they failed. She had to write all over again and it took another three hours to recall the things she wrote earlier.

As she completely her task, she felt completely drained.  She quoted in one of the chapters, “I can understand that for learning how to use computer proved to be quite challenging experience for me too. It led to many heart breaking moments.”

She also related her experience of foreign tours and got the opportunity to meet renowned writers and scholars. Along with her colleague,  Rabab Naqvi she met Khushwant, Singh and Qurratulain Hyder in Delhi. She also recalled the first meeting of the editorial committee she attended in Paris in 1979Feb.As she entered the room; she was surprised as she was the only young woman there. ‘It was an exciting to some extent even nervous event for me.” she stated in her memoir.

She transformed Dawn library and brought radical changes in the page of Books and authors. During her career, she focused more on writing on social issues that include women empowerment, education and health.

During the peak of her career, she began to lose her eye- sight that compelled her to take retirement. She could not keep focus on her work and had to take extra help from her young colleagues.

The last part of her biography focused on her retirement life, how peacefully and gracefully she enjoyed those days.

Zubeida Mustafa, a passionate and devoted lady has become a mentor for young girls, inspiring them to face challenges in life and opt for opportunities to enhance their learning. Infact she is a leading pioneer of women’s entry into journalism. Her personal and professional life comes to us an example of passion, strength and commitment. A young mother with two young daughters coped with the male dominated world of journalism has proved to the world that women can successfully opt for any field of life.

This book is an inspiration for every age. As you will read, you will feel stirred and encouraged. You will learn to master your life, empower to live and dream and overcome personal and professional obstacles and achieve your goals.

The elegant personality and inspiring writing of Zubeida Mustafa has highly motivated me to overcome my inhibitions and share my experiences of life with the world!