5 Pakistani and Other Middle-Eastern Authors

It’s said that reading somebody’s writing is the closest thing one can achieve to telepathy. The transference of thoughts from mind to paper and the act of sharing these thoughts is intimate, and uniquely human. It's this concept that leads to my newest subject: Pakistani and Middle Eastern authors. From what I have seen, Pakistan is a place where education has been given and taken away like candy, and when growing up in a place like that I think it's important to have a good few books. 

1. Umera Ahmed

Raised in Sialkot, Pakistan, Umera is a screenwriter as well as an author. Some of her most recent include Peer-E-Kamil- a series of novels following the love story of Salaar and Imama, a married couple. Peer E Kamil is said to follow spirituality, love and self-discovery. It's rated for ages 12 and above.  

2. Samira Ahmed

Samira is a personal favorite of mine for her Young Adult novel Internment, the story of Muslim teenager Layla Amin as her and her community are rallied into an internment camp in a rough dystopian near-future. Ahmed was born in Mumbai, India, and you can find her other works on her website- samirahmed.com 

3. Malala Yousefzai

Yes. I’m sure you have heard of her. Malala Yousefzai is the greatest Pakistani mind of the current age, and I’m even more sure you’ve heard of her memoir: I Am Malala. Or perhaps her newer one Finding My Way, or even Malala’s Lucky Pencil. She has a lot to choose from.

4. Saud Amiry 

Amiry is not only an author, but an architect. Born in Palestine, she’s the author of Mother of Strangers, a historical novel about the very real history of Palestinian colonization and genocide, told through the lens of a beautiful love story between protagonists Subhi and Shams. It's said to be “Darkly humorous and touching”(Oprah Daily)

5. Dure E Aziz Amna

Dure E Aziz Amna was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, but currently resides in New Jersey. She’s the author of two acclaimed novels: The Splintering, and American Fever. The former follows the concept of class struggle, and being torn between ambition and tradition. The latter is more comedic, a coming of age story of exploration (religious, identity, etc) that anybody could relate to.