Akbar Ahmed: Two Plays

Akbar S. Ahmed

ISBN 10: 0863564356 / ISBN 13: 9780863564352

Published by Saqi Books, GB, 2009

About this Item

"Noor" is the tale of three brothers attempting to rescue their sister Noor, who has been kidnapped during Ramadan. Each brother represents a different ideological position in the contemporary Islamic world. While exploring the crisis of modern Islam, "Noor" is a heartfelt treatise for religious tolerance. Ahmed points out that the play could be set in Baghdad but also Cairo, Karachi or Kabul. "The Trial of Dara Shikoh" tells the story of the eldest son of 17th century Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Heir apparent, Dara Shikoh is a learned scholar with a strong belief in the unity of different faiths: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Judaism. Ahmed's play highlights the complex issue of religious interpretation within a human context, set in the 17th century, its text resonating just as strongly for the contemporary reader.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780863564352

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Akbar Ahmed: Two Plays
• Publisher: Saqi Books, GB
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863564356
• ISBN 13: 9780863564352
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Noor is the tale of three brothers attempting to rescue their sister Noor, who has been kidnapped during Ramadan. Each brother represents a different ideological position in the contemporary Islamic world that could be set in Baghdad but also Cairo, Karachi or Kabul. While exploring the crisis of modern Islam, Noor is a heartfelt treatise for religious tolerance. The Trial of Dara Shikoh tells the story of the eldest son of 17th century Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Heir apparent, Dara Shikoh is a learned scholar with a strong belief in the unity of different faiths: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Judaism. Dara Shikoh highlights the complex issues of religious interpretation within a human context. Although the time frame is four centuries ago, its text resonates just as strongly for the contemporary reader.

About the Author

Akbar Ahmed is the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University. In 2008 he was appointed Distinguished Chair for Middle East/Islamic Studies at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He is a former Ambassador of Pakistan to Great Britain and has written numerous books as well as presenting and narrating a television series on the BBC.