A Letter To Pakistan by Karen Armstrong | Goodreads

A Letter To Pakistan by Karen Armstrong | Goodreads





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A Letter To Pakistan


Karen Armstrong

3.66
50 ratings9 reviews
In this letter, Karen Armstrong urges the people of Pakistan to rediscover compassion in their daily lives as a way to overcome the clash of cultural and religious traditions in a globalized world. She quotes references from the Quran as well as other religious texts, elaborating a thought-provoking programme for integrating compassion in our thoughts and actions to make the world a better place to live in. (From the back cover)

GenresReligionSpiritualityNonfiction



95 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011
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About the author


Karen Armstrong80 books3,456 followers

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Karen Armstrong is a British author and commentator of Irish Catholic descent known for her books on comparative religion. A former Roman Catholic religious sister, she went from a conservative to a more liberal and mystical Christian faith. She attended St Anne's College, Oxford, while in the convent and graduated in English. She left the convent in 1969. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions, such as the importance of compassion and the Golden Rule.
Armstrong received the US$100,000 TED Prize in February 2008. She used that occasion to call for the creation of a Charter for Compassion, which was unveiled the following year.
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3.66
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews==

Ameer Hamza Adhia
별 5개 중 5개
Good read and useful
2012년 10월 8일에 미국에서 리뷰됨



Recently, Karen Armstrong visited Pakistan and gave some lectures on terrorism, religion and compassion. After her visit, she compiled the data and wrote this small book for Pakistani audience.



Karen Armstrong notes that in our world there is a lack of compassion. She cites many reasons for it, one of them being lack of security, violence and continuous wars within and on the borders of Pakistan. Due to all these reasons many Pakistanis have lost sense of common compassion. This book states how one can become compassionate towards their own people and to outsiders and strangers.



As is her style, she is erudite, compact and writes with a flow. Nice book.

==


Zahra
58 reviews55 followers

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December 3, 2014
With nearly 25 books to her name, all based on matters of faith, Karen Armstrong is one of the foremost religious historians of our times. Almost all of her work is based on Abrahamic traditions which garnered more interest post 9/11 as she remains one of the leading advocates of inter-faith dialog. Western hardliners have often criticized her for holding a “benign” view of Islam and here in Pakistan, she is viewed as a “friend of Islam”. She has won many awards for her work on Islam and was also the recipient of the TED Prize in 2008. “She used that occasion to call for the creation of a ‘Charter for Compassion’.”

In a land which is rapidly and consistently being torn apart by extremist elements and where in general, tolerance is fast becoming a rare commodity, this eponymous title published in 2011, is an appeal, addressed specifically to the people of Pakistan, to make a conscious effort towards incorporating and/or reinstating patience and compassion in their lives.

Where on the one hand, modern times have seen many scientific advancements, on the other, politically motivated upheavals have led to a greatly fragmented world, divided by dogmas, distrust, intolerance and deep-seated hatred for each other’s socio-religious diversity. Here Armstrong uses her in-depth research and knowledge of different religions and world-views to compile a 100-page letter to Pakistan in support of compassion. She integrates her “Charter of Compassion” in this exegesis, using it to chart out a twelve-step roadmap with a brief guideline for each one: aided by references from the Koran, citing ancient philosophers, psychologists and leading literary figures- such as writers and poets.

A call to action, wherein lies the solution, that must be read and distributed widely – especially in all native languages of the land and a universally compelling read that must be studied, if for no other reason than to expand the boundaries of the mind and its understanding of the complexity of the diverse nature of human life on earth.



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Sharonia Butt
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June 15, 2016
Letter to Pakistan is a book with compassion empathy love and peace. Precisely it's a worth read.

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Altaf Hussain
97 reviews3 followers

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September 3, 2019
Every book is special to me but there are some rare books that make me feel fulfilled. This is one of them. I read it on the third night of this Eid in one go because it was too soothing and way forwarding. Then from next day, I started reading it again, 5-6 pages a day, as I can make more out of each paragraph. Today, I completed it again and again I want to give it another read. This situation is rare in me and whenever it occurs, I know that this book has something strong that need be inculcated. And this book had it all.
*
In this letter, Karen Armstrong urges the people of Pakistan to rediscover compassion in their daily lives as a way to overcome the clash of cultural and religious traditions. She has quoted the Qur'anic references with maximum relevancy throughout the book. Other religious texts quotes are thought provoking too. She has comprised her letter in 12 steps in becoming compassionate. In between, she discusses humility, good conduct, piety, tolerance and peace. Arguments on the debate of Intellectual Humilty and Intellectual Rigidity can be life changing for those people who debate for the sake of being right and have no room of adaptation and correction. Along with letter, there are four more chapters in it on compassion. Chapter by Khalid Zaheer was my favourite among those.
*
I have decided that whenever I will be having kids, I am going to read this book to them every day because this book is so right in many ways. Please read one of the paragraphs of the book. Hope you'll like it. It goes like this, " Deeds that had seemed unimportant when we performed then would prove to have been momentous; a tiny act of selfishness and unkindness or an unconsidered act of generosity would become the measure of a human life: 'To free a slave, to feed the destitute on a day of hunger, a kinsman, an orphan, or a stranger out of luck, in need' ( Surah 90:13-16). Suddenly what the British poet Wordsworth called 'those little, nameless unrememebered acts of kindness and of love' would be seen in an entirely new light."
*
I hope you all get an opportunity to read this book.
Happy Reading.

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Muhammad Jan
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February 9, 2017
The book articulates the meaning of compassion for humans in general and muslims in particular. It carries a great message by a western writer for the Muslims, especially in times where Islam is greatly misinterpreted by the rest of the world.

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Junaid Noor
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September 17, 2012


Thought provoking. Must for school curriculum.
religion
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Nouman Bari
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October 9, 2016
This is very attractive and sincere book relating to the religion and motive in a right sense.
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Fariha Sharif
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May 24, 2024
Armstrong’s A Letter to Pakistan is a thoughtful examination of Islamic teachings on compassion, presenting it as a solution to the issues of intolerance and violence in Pakistan. She advocates for the implementation of the "Charter for Compassion" through education and personal commitment. While immediate results are unrealistic, Armstrong believes that sincere efforts can gradually transform society. By fostering compassion, individuals can contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

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Mariya Javaid
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April 7, 2018
I didnt like the book much. The advice may be put in practice in a utopian world only

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Crimson 786
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October 13, 2017
A fifty page letter by Karen to the people of Pakistan, written in 2011 (approximately) before her planned visit to the country. Karen after receiving TED AWARD launched her “charter of compassion” worldwide and the tour was a part of her campaign.
Through the charter she wants / wanted to connect people if all faiths, promoting them to realise their potentials and value for peace, progression and co existence rather than remaining estranged and distant.
The book also has short messages penned by Pakistani intelligentsia figures such as Khalid Zaheer and Suheyl Umar.

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