A large audience consisting of diplomats, United Nations staff and other guests attended a talk organised by the Asian Study Group (ASG).

Haroon Khalid, a journalist and author, spoke on his book Walking with Nanak, in a discussion moderated by Mushtaq Bilal.

“In December, Bilal was the speaker, talking about his book entitled Writing Pakistan, which is an excellent collection of interviews with Pakistani writers. A year’s time ago, Haroon’s wife was the speaker, talking about her book about the partition,” explained ASG coordinator Michele Louise Galopin.

She said she was glad to see many students and young people in the audience. “Many youth are so brilliant, and truly concerned about their country, its history, identity and future.”

“When I embarked on the book project, I had a curiosity to learn more about Guru Nanak. I knew he was a Punjabi like me, but there was otherwise little concrete knowledge about him in Muslim Pakistan. It was fascinating to learn about him and his Muslim companion Bhai Mardana,” Mr Khalid said.

He explained that the book is part fiction and part fact, and hoped that such a genre would make the story more interesting to the reader.

The lively conversation carried on throughout the session and during the tea break at the end.

“I enjoyed it very much, and I have heard much about Guru Nanak in my life. I am glad to have obtained this beautiful book about him,” said Khalida Babree, a teacher.

Published in Dawn January 22nd, 2017