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THIS is apropos Rafia Zakaria’s article ‘The education emergency’ (Oct 29). She always points out the most pressing social issues of the country with acumen.
Once I visited a famous multi-storey restaurant at Bilawal Chowk, which has in its shadows a famous book outlet as well. You just compare the number of visitors at both outlets; it will give you a clear picture of the priorities of Pakistanis. You will see swarms of customers outside the restaurant, awaiting their turn at the dining table. However, the book store gives a deserted look. I just keep on wondering who manages to deter the masses from visiting the book store? Can any philosopher solve this enigma?
Azood Ul Mehdi
Islamabad
Published in Dawn, November 1st , 2014
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Nov 01, 2014 08:51am
The deserted look of the book shop is a better refelection of the
decline in the pursuit of knowledge among the muslims. Visiting
Marakesch, Morroco, I was at the grand mosque called "masjid Kutubia".
sometime back there used to be hundred book shops, selling books,
book binding, calligraphy,etc. People before and after the prayers
would browse through books and perhaps buy some. Now there
is not a single book shop in the vicinity of the mosque. They all were
shutdown because people lost interest in the books. This sad state
of lack of interest in learning or reading for pleasure reflects the decline of Islamic civilization- from Morocco to Pakistan and elsewhere. The society
that shuns books for kebabs and biryanin can't be expected to progress
Using food analogy " proof of the pudding is there".
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Nov 01, 2014 09:48am
Hunger.
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