Even stones smile and speak

book launchHeritage and conservation have become important themes in current discussions when it comes to place, cultural identity, and the preservation of the past. Keeping archaeological sites is imperative as they are a reminder of where we come from. Recently, Iftikhar Salahuddin and Naseem Salahuddin announced the launch of their book ‘If Stones Could Speak - Echoes from the Past’. It is a compilation of ruins and palaces, religious rituals and pagan cults, and heroes and villains, all immortalised by history and documented in images. The launch of the much-awaited book took place at Mohatta Palace, Karachi. The authors of the book are: an award-winning wordsmith and otolaryngologists Iftikhar Salahuddin, who also authored ‘Jerusalem - A Journey Back in Time’; Naseem Salahuddin, a physician and infectious disease specialist, who has also had her travel adventures documented in various magazines and newspapers.‘If Stones Could Speak - Echoes from the Past’ is indeed the combined labour of the authors’ love for travel, history and adventure which brings this magnificent volume to life. It is set to make the reader travel to religious sanctuaries and witness the diversity of beliefs, and traditions in various faiths. The authors have travelled throughout beautiful, historic and breathtaking destinations around the world, only to bring the best of places enshrined in a book for fervent readers.The book is aimed to provide its readers with not just textual material of their amazing journey but also offers a visual glimpse of mosques, temples, churches, ruins, intricately built palaces and wonders of architecture around the globe. From the extraordinary alleys of Jerusalem to Makli Necropolis’ grandeur and from the opulent Topkapi palace built during the Ottoman Empire to the mute valleys of Petra, the book promises to be a treat for ardent bibliophiles. When talking about the impact of the book, former federal minister, senator, film-maker and development activist, Javed Jabbar said, “Melding images and values, stirring emotions and yearnings, this book is a splendid celebration of its subjects. The two co-authors, unbound by conventional confines, demonstrate exceptional capacities for risk-taking adventures to new horizons, and share their rich experiences of landmarks so generously and so evocatively, that to the reader even stones smile and speak.”Celebrated author Kamila Shamsie also shared her thoughts on the book deeming it as “a beautiful blend of image and text that takes us to some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. The wonder of human creativity is on dazzling display in these pages.” Kudos! —You! desk 

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