I’m looking for Tehmina Durrani’s MY FEUDAL LORD, and BLASPHEMY. I was hoping to find it on www.half.com for $3.00 or so. But found it on amazon for about $22.00. I think I might just borrow it from the library. Has anyone read it or would you recommend it? I know alittle bit about Ghulam Mustafa Khar and how treated his (6?) wives.
I also know that Aminah Haq is his daughter though she never really knew him. Can anyone share some insight on issues raised in the book?
Re: Has anyone read...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saimanyc: *
I'm looking for Tehmina Durrani's MY FEUDAL LORD, and BLASPHEMY. I was hoping to find it on www.half.com for $3.00 or so. But found it on amazon for about $22.00. I think I might just borrow it from the library. Has anyone read it or would you recommend it? I know alittle bit about Ghulam Mustafa Khar and how treated his (6?) wives.
I also know that Aminah Haq is his daughter though she never really knew him. Can anyone share some insight on issues raised in the book?
[/QUOTE]
ithink my father have in urdu and i have also read very very little of it, I think it is called MEINDHA SAIEN , my mother said that it was very interessting and well written. I will try to find out more.
Hello SiamaNYC,
Its a book worth reading for every Pakistani. Trully opens up one’s eyes. Mustafa has a record for marrying young girls. Bit more than an year ago, he married a 16 year old. He exceeds marrying more than 6 times. Amna Haq was born from Shaharzad. She lived with the Khar during the time he was married to T.Durani.
Durani has done a marvelous job exposing what goes on behind the screens. Although some of the contents of it can be disturbing to a young reader, so I would recommend to keep that in mind.
The book talks about many important issues. To quote the author herself, the book is about “….our (Pakistani) politics, our leadership, their values, their mentalities, their Islamic principles and their views on women (page 365).” There are two specific issues I would like to tackle. The first is about domestic violence. I shall try to show how the author was severely abused by her husband, what her responses were and how, in my opinion, we can eliminate this vicious crime against women. The other matter of concern I would really like to talk about is the treat of women in Pakistan by culture in general and by the feudal system in particular. This issue is of great importance as the two elements determine the life of women. In addition, both of these issues are very closely tied together.
The events of Tehmina Durrani’s life only confirms, but to a much worse degree, what we talked in class and read about family violence, especially spousal abuse. It is one of the most potential threat(s?) to the survival of mankind. In Pakistan, the violence can over spill in the form of family feuds.
taken from:
http://members.tripod.com/pc2pc/myllord.html
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If you are into other books, of Pakistani authors…give a read to Bapsi Sidhwa’s “American Brat” another eye opener, although its fiction I think.
Out of curiosity, is "Khar" a Pathan name? If not, what ethnicity might it pertain to?
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*Originally posted by sweetpie: *
Out of curiosity, is "Khar" a Pathan name? If not, what ethnicity might it pertain to?
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It's a Punjabi surname
^Thanks.
My Feudal Lord by Tehmina Durrani is definately worth reading. It really shows how she struggles to keep her relationship with this 'feudal' Khar.
sweetpie as CorruptAngel said, Khar is a Punjabi family name. Mustafa Khar is also called Sher-e-Punjab and the Khar's are one of the biggest landowning families of Punjab.
saimanyc hey i have read this book, My Feudal Lord, about three years ago...its by Tehmina Durrani, ex wife of Mustafa Khar. She talks about his mistreatment of her as his wife, his political misdeeds and twisted ideologies, her own struggles to maintain the marriage, her personal life and so on.
While some people say the book opens people's eyes to the true habits of these rich landlords, a lot of people consider the book one sided propaganda.
BTW, Amina Haq is Khar's daughter but she is not Tehmina Durrani's daughter. Her mother was someone else.
yeah Very intressting book No doubt about it :-)
I have never read so much feminist bull**** in my life. The only book that she wrote that is worth mentioning is Edhi. Its about Abdul Sattar Edhi. Now that is a great book. The other ones are baised, propoganda orienated. I am not saying what she says is not true. It is. But the writting style is skewed. I read the two books and felt that throwing up afterwards. They are extremely sexually graphic esp. Blasphemy. You want pro-feminist anti-male bull****. These are the books you need to read.
I've read both books, My Feudal Lord is an interesting book but in my opinion too long/dreading.
I liked Blasphemy, but like CM said I did feel like throwing up afterwards, it was just too graphic/shocking/confronting. Definitely an eyeopener though :)
Another FYI for guppies curious about Khar and his relations. Yes no doubt that Amna Haq is the daughter of Khar. She is from his previous wife Shaharzad, that Khar was married to before Tehmina Durani. Khar was (is) a womanizer. Even Bhutto disapproved him of this habit. Shaharzad was the receptionist of Bhutto’s dentist. Khar enthralled her in his deadly charisma, although he was already married at the time being.
Irem corrections: Mustafa Khar **used **to be known as Sher-e-Punjab during the time of Bhutto, when khar was governor of Punjab. kot Adhu being his ábai gaOown, is the only place where ppl still respect him I suppose.
CM Its not the matter of biased, propaganda oriented writings. These things really happen in the political society of ours (or the remaining world), esp when it comes to feudal lords. For centuries there have been books published, dramas based on these heinous feudal lords, chaudries, wadayrays etc. Some of them are the worst of cannibals s u will ever come across in the history of Pakistan. Even Zardari has beaten up his wife. Now don’t tell me you haven’t heard anything of it. If Durani has a * skewed * style of writing, don’t blame the lady for that. Anyone that has gone through such an ordeal, shouldn’t be blamed for writing with such vigor (its still amazing why parasites like Khar still walks the face of earth unhurt). Although those women falling for a rat like Khar, had it coming to them, even this wretched Tehmina. Its foolish to expect any respect in return, after betraying a husband and having a full fledge affair with another. She had been forewarned about Khar by aquaintences, but she paid no heed to it.
Btw if you want a pro-male oriented piece of literature, read “Wars,” by Timothy Findley. Its an example that men/women can be equally as evil. Nothing pro feminist. Now don’t give me an excuse of, “Oh Findley is gay’’. Although, this book is as graphic and revolting as it gets. But what can we say man, real life is harsh.
If it is, then I feel sorry for that guy, Khar in Pashto means donkey. :-)
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*Originally posted by sweetpie: *
Out of curiosity, is "Khar" a Pathan name? If not, what ethnicity might it pertain to?
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KHAR, a small but very fertile province of Persia, known by the ancients as Choara and Choarene; pop. about 10,000. The governor of the province resides at Kishlak Khar, a large village situated 62 m. S.E. of Teheran, or at Aradan, a village 10 m. farther E. The province has an abundant water-supply from the Hableh-rfld, and produces great quantities of wheat, barley and rice. Of the 6000 which it pays to the state, more than 4000 is paid in kindwheat, barley, straw and rice.
Re: Has anyone read...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saimanyc: *
I'm looking for Tehmina Durrani's MY FEUDAL LORD, and BLASPHEMY. I was hoping to find it on www.half.com for $3.00 or so. But found it on amazon for about $22.00. I think I might just borrow it from the library. Has anyone read it or would you recommend it? I know alittle bit about Ghulam Mustafa Khar and how treated his (6?) wives.
I also know that Aminah Haq is his daughter though she never really knew him. Can anyone share some insight on issues raised in the book?
[/QUOTE]
If U can wait for My Feed Back.. :D I have it.. and.. almost everyday. .. maiN irada karta hooN ke shuru kardooN.. but not yet started... :)
I will start reading it today... And.. will let U know in few days... the initial feed back :)
Thanks everyone for your insights. It really sounds interesting considering it's a tell-all real story. Sadly I know the subject matter is all too common but not usually talked about. I checked Barnes & Noble but they said it's out of print. So I have to track down a used copy. I'm looking forward to reading it.