“Shaila Abdullah, an award-winning author is reaching out to the reading world to seek support for the developing world..”
According to the World Bank, the current global crisis has pushed 90 million people into poverty and is slated to have a disastrous impact on health and education projects in the developing world unless the rich nations begin aiding the poor. One Muslim-American author is doing her part to make a difference. From now until September 15, 2009, proceeds from the sale of Shaila Abdullah’s new novel “Saffron Dreams” if purchased from the author’s website, will go to the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A., a renowned international development organization.
Why choose that particular organization? “I wanted to select an organization with a established history of bringing change into the lives of the disadvantaged in the developing world,” says Abdullah. “AKF fits the bill well. It provides on-the-field, long-term and viable solutions to bring stability to people and communities.”
Since 1967, Aga Khan Foundation has been developing as well as promoting creative solutions to address problems that impede development, primarily in Asia and Africa. Under the umbrella of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKF works in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment. Ask Makame of Zanzibar who until few years ago had limited access to education because of his disability. With the help of AKF and assistance from USAID, he now has a special needs tricycle to travel to and from school. Or Zarina and Shumaila of South Asia who were provided with farm animals to sustain themselves after they lost their spouses in the devastating earthquake of 2005. “The achievements of AKF USA demonstrate that overcoming the extremely challenging problems of poverty is, indeed, possible,” says former Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson. “In fact, it is inspirational.”
Hailed as “highly recommended” by Library Journal and many other critics, “Saffron Dreams” (978-1-932690-73-6 paperback, 978-1-932690-72-9 hardcover, Modern History Press, 2009) is a memorial to the victims of 9/11, a source of strength for the survivors, and a vehicle of understanding for those struggling to make sense of the conflict between the East and West.
Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning Muslim-American author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her debut book, “Beyond the Cayenne Wall,” is a collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. The collection won the Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction and the DIY Festival Award. Review copies are available upon request.
Source: PRLOG
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