The Fatwa Girl

The Fatwa Girl is a 2011 novel by Pakistani author Akbar Agha.^[1] It is story of love and innocence lost in the Pakistan of today, where modernity is symbolized by the possession of a nuclear bomb, but where religious hatreds are as old as time itself.

Plot summary

Amor vincit omnia—love conquers all, but in a land which has been conquered from the Moguls to the British and now where the Taliban and fundamentalists strive for hegemony, a young man named Omar faces a battle in winning the hand of the girl he loves. They It is in this milieu that two lovers try to forge not only a relationship for themselves but a society where peace and sanity prevail, battling the forces of hatred and sectarianism that threaten to tear their worlds—and a nation—apart.

At once a quirky exploration of a society on edge and a tender tale of shattered innocence, The Fatwa Girl,^[2] reveals a deep understanding of the human heart and its often mysterious attachments.

About the Author

Akbar Agha is an author, educator and diplomat. As an officer of the Pakistan Foreign Service, he served on diplomatic assignments in Asia, Europe and Africa and currently divides his time between Karachi and Mexico City.

External links

• Hachette page for the book.
• The Times of India: The Fatwa Girl -- The girl who dies pleading a fatwa.
• Yahoo! News India: Ranked #7 on Bestseller's list by IANS—Indo-Asian News Service, Nov 17, 2011.
• The Hindu, India: Featured on The Hindu Best Sellers List, January 24, 2012.

References