Gems and Jewels: The Religions of Pakistan

Amineh Hoti

“Gems and Jewels: The Religions of Pakistan” is a welcome counter narrative to the media portrayal of a nation of rigid and at times militant exclusivism and extremism, the troubled child of South Asia, abundant in natural and historical riches, but plagued with political instability, Dr Amineh A. Hoti shows us a land and a people of fascinating depth and sophistication. This book is a glorious read; accessible, enjoyable, a radiating resonance of vivid human images, of voices, faces, and places, and a celebration of the richness of diversity that connects us with the beauty of human character at its best.

Biography:

Dr Amineh Hoti is currently Program Director at the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan overlooking the Seerat Program at 200 universities of the country. Some of the key topics Animeh is encouraging amongst the Chairs and in the country's universities are: global peace, human rights, women's rights, seeking education, and so on.

Amineh would like to develop two aspects of her work at the University of Nottingham:

Gender roles - in Muslim societies women still need to catch up in education, economics, etc. The literacy for women is the lowest in the world. In her PhD at the University of Cambridge, Animeh studied the tribal areas of Pakistan adjoining her fieldwork area. Here literacy was near zero. Through her work, she hopes to be able to encourage gender studies and involve students who will study women in their natural social environments in Muslim societies and in the west.

Interfaith - Amineh has been teaching innovative interfaith interdisciplinary studies in the UK, University of Cambridge, and in Muslim societies (Islamabad, Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Qatar). Her latest book is Called, "Gems, The Religions of Pakistan," based on interfaith dialogue and studies of religious minorities in Pakistan looking at the minority religions in Pakistan some of whom are under threat. Gems is a metaphor for diverse people who show the brilliance of human character through courage. For this, Animeh has travelled extensively doing anthropological fieldwork across Pakistan, aiming to build a team based in the University of Nottingham and in Pakistan - together this team wants to conduct cutting-edge studies based in fieldwork as there has been little work in this field it will allow them to develop this area of studies. In addition, it will help with curriculum building and peace building work.

*****

This event is part of the Virtual SOAS Festival of Ideas, a week-long series of virtual events. The festival includes: panel discussions, student led installations, masterclasses, keynote lectures, a public debate for/against on Decolonising Knowledge and a Verbatim performance by Bhuchar Boulevard on ‘Decolonising Not Just a Buzzword’ capturing SOAS conversations about the need to decolonise its imperial mission.

Keep updated on the upcoming Virtual Festival of Ideas events and watch recordings of previous events on the SOAS website. Please contact foi@Soas.ac.uk with any questions regarding this event and/or the Virtual SOAS Festival of Ideas.

Please support SOAS Festival of Ideas by donating to our crowdfunding campaign at https://soas.hubbub.net/p/SOASFestivalofIdeas/ . All proceeds go to supporting the speakers, performers, and artists involved.

Click here to register

Contact email: foi@soas.ac.uk