KARACHI: Ajmer Sharif: Awakening of Sufism in South Asia, a book by journalist Reema Abbasi, was launched at the Karachi Literature Festival on Sunday. This was the author’s second book. Her earlier one was titled Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience, which earned her various awards, including Rajiv Gandhi Award.

Striving to promote tolerance, Reema travelled to India to extensively research on Khwaja Moeenuddin Chishti and his silsila, or Sufi order, and discovered things that reflected the Sufi-saint’s teachings. For instance, she said, the Sufi made her daughter a ‘caliph’ rather than one of the sons, setting an example for others how respectably to treat girls and women.

Speaking at the launch, Ameena Saiyid said Khwaja sahib’s shrine was visited by followers of every faith and creed. About the book she said it was “a riveting read and not just a coffee table book”. She said it was a counter narrative to what was happening in society. “It is a great attempt by Reema to promote diversity and pluralism.”

Answering questions, Reema said the situation was worse in India when the saint arrived there at the age of 50.

Yousuf Bashir, who introduced himself as a follower of the saint, said he had a stronger attachment with Ajmer Sharif. “My mother also hailed from Ajmer,” he said. Comparing the situation in India and Pakistan, he remarked: “Madressahs here are very powerful”.

Aliya Iqbal-Naqvi was the moderator at the event.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2017