BOOKS IN BRIEF

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From Dua to Destiny — Living With Miracles

By Syed Amjad Wahab
Markings Publishing

This is a deeply spiritual book, which takes you on an emotional journey of faith, challenges and divine connection.

Syed Amjad Wahab, the author, is a mechanical engineer, who has served in many top multinational organisations. He is not any traditional cleric but someone who has seamlessly blended intellect with spirituality.

Through powerful personal stories, he speaks to those who have ever wondered if their prayers are heard, or if miracles still happen. There are stories about the power of prayer in the book which can strengthen belief.

Sindh Irrigation Engineering — History, Theory and Practice

By H.M. Dahar
Peacock Publishers

The book is a new edition, with new maps, graphs and pictures, of an informative treatise by late H.M. Dahar, an accomplished engineer, who served in a number of high-profile positions in successive governments of Pakistan. It was originally written between 1982 and 1986 and carries details about the construction of the Sukkur, Kotri and Guddu barrages and the entire canal and water course system in Sindh, along with the formulas and theories used and the calculations that went into every aspect of their design, building and maintenance.

There are also insights into the farmers and local communities that benefitted from the irrigation systems. Blending theoretical foundations with practical applications, the book should serve as a valuable academic and professional resource for students, researchers and professionals in irrigation engineering, water resource management and institutional governance. The insights presented in it may also contribute to a deeper understanding for improved irrigation planning, policy-making and institutional reforms.

Kainaat: Aik Hairat Kada

By Muhammad Suhail Zubairy
Sanjh Publications

This is a book about the mysteries of the universe and the amazing system by which it operates. It delves into quantum physics, which takes you from Isaac Newton’s theories to Albert Einstein’s. Principles explained well lead to an understanding of quantum mechanics and quantum technology, how the element of time figures in the universe, the great discoveries of various scientists of the 20th century and much else.

The author of the book, Dr Mohammad Sohail Zuberi is a professor of Quantum Optics who started the Department of Electronics at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, in 1984. Later, in 2004, he proceeded to America where he is currently a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M University and is the inaugural holder of the Munnerlyn-Heep Chair in Quantum Optics. He has been the recipient of many honours and awards for his work from Pakistan, USA, Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China.

Hassanally Effendi : Pioneer of Modern Education in Sindh

By Muhammad Ali Shaikh
Orient Publishing House

This is a biography of a great reformer and educationist of Sindh, Hassanally Effendi (1830-1895). Stationed in Karachi, Hassanally was a contemporary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Aligarh and Justice Amir Ali Syed of Calcutta (now Kolkata). Together they formed the ‘Triangle of Reformers’ who believed that acquiring modern education was essential for the social development and economic prosperity of the Indian Muslim community.

One of Hassanally’s distinctions was that the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and several other leading lights of the Pakistan Movement received their school education under his supervision. His other hallmark was his role in strengthening relations between Sindh and Turkiye in the 19th century. In recognition of his services, he was bestowed two Turkish titles, Effendi and Bey, by the Ottoman caliph Sultan Abdulhamid II. He was also appointed as the honorary consul of Turkiye in Karachi, a position he held till his death in 1895.

Zauq-i-Parwaaz

By Dr Fasihuddin Ashraf
Progressive Books

The book is a compilation of many travelogues by Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Fasihuddin Ashraf who apparently travelled a lot between 2005 and 2019. The countries travelled to by the author include the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan, Turkiye, Germany, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, China and Nepal, among many others. Therefore the book makes up a thick volume of over 570 pages, with 20 pages of photographs on good quality art paper included.

Combating Terrorism: Saudi Arabia’s Role in the War on Terror

By Ali S. Awadh Asseri
Oxford University Press

First published in 2009, this reprinted book describes the efforts made by the Government of Saudi Arabia to combat terrorism with specific reference to the innovative three-pronged strategy that has been successfully implemented in the Kingdom. Asseri traces the problems around defining terrorism, highlighting the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter, and goes on to a functional definition.

He also discusses terrorism in practice and highlights its purposes and goals, defines it in its historical perspective, and concludes with terrorism practiced in the name of religion. The Islamic perspective is examined, outlining the abhorrence that Islam has for terrorist practices, the real meaning of jihad and the Islamic tradition of peaceful co-existence.

The author elaborates on the root causes of terrorism with specific stress on the grievances of Muslims throughout the world. He explains how the three-pronged Saudi strategy is practised within its domestic, regional and international dimensions.

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, June 29th, 2025

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