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Friday March 29, 2024

Launch of ‘White in the Flag - A Promise Forgotten’

By Myra Imran
December 11, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The message is so profound and the impact so deep that every image which makes part of Mobeen Ansari’s new book “White in the Flag - A Promise Forgotten” exposes its reader to the amazing colors of different religions practiced in the country.

Launched on the occasion of International Day of Human Rights on Sunday, the pictorial work of this young photographer shows his unmatchable talent and strong faith in peace and interfaith harmony.

“I believe that Pakistan is many different countries in one. My book is celebration of this fact where I have tried to capture this beauty through the camera lens,” said Mobeen while addressing a simple and graceful book launch ceremony organized at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA).

There were no chief guests or speaker but only the writer who brilliantly explained his journey of collecting images of minority community from throughout the country.

It took him seven years of travelling from remote north of the Wakhan corridor and the plains of Punjab to the deserts of Thar and streets of Karachi to capture the life and times of the minorities of Pakistan.

When he started his journey, he didn’t realize the diversity, depth and vibrancy of the multitude of religions, cultures and sub-cultures that make up the fabric of Pakistan.

“With every step, I discovered aspects of the lives of the people who reside in my country which would leave me even more determined to explore it further. This journey actually enabled me to search my own self.”

Mobeen says he has a strong reason why he was able to connect with the minorities well.

“An attack of meningitis at a very early age impacted my hearing, eyesight and balance. These challenges changed my life and is directions of not being ‘normal’ ‘acceptable’ and being part of the comfortable majority of ‘normal’ people.”

He says interfaith harmony is in his blood. “More than 35 years ago, before I was born, my father was diagnosed with abdominal Tuberculosis which has reached a critical stage. During surgery, he lost so much blood that needed two bottles of blood urgently. His blood type was O positive. At that time, two of his friends stepped up and donated blood. One of him was his best friend, a Christine, Ronald Omer,” said Mobeen sharing the background of the book.

Mobeen’s journey of photography which started from Punja Saab and ended the journey at Noroz festival was full of new adventures. He shared the gestures of extraordinary kindness, love and trust he received from the people belonging to minority community. The biggest challenge was gaining the trust of people belonging to different religions.

“It was an eye opening and fascinating experience. This journey not only introduced me to the colors of religious diversity but also the history of subcontinent,” said the young photographer while sharing his experience of capturing the images of Jewish graveyard located in Karachi.

Mobeen has used fewer words and with strong images. “Visuals are a strong tool to convey the message to the masses. For this reason, I have used fewer words and more images to make my point,” he said.

Elaborating the term ‘A Promise Forgotten’ in the book title, ‘Mobeen said the green in Pakistani flag represents Islam and the white stripe represents religious minorities. “Title of my book stems from the clear instruction of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and sayings of Muhammad Ali Jinnah for protection of the rights of minorities which we have unfortunately forgot.”

Answering question from the gathering of friends, literary personalities and media, Mobeen said that recognition and realization is the first step towards improvement and his book was a contribution in that direction. He said he plans to continue this effort in future.

At the end, the young writer expressed his deepest gratitude to all the people who worked with him as a team throughout this journey and signed the copies of his book sold on the occasion.