Stranger to History: A Son's Journey Through Islamic Lands by Aatish Taseer

Aatish Taseer’s debut book is perhaps the most difficult to describe; to call it an autobiography would be an understatement as he bravely tackles Islam’s complex facets. One may call it a travelogue but his own life story – born to an Indian mother and an estranged Pakistani father – is such that it cannot be ignored.

Born to veteran Indian journalist Tavleen Singh and the Lahore based businessman-turned-politician Salman Taseer, Aatish shared a complicated relationship with his father. Aatish never met Taseer until he turned 21. He tried to establish contact with him through letters and phone calls but in vain; Taseer senior simply did not want to talk to him. And when he did, Salman Taseer wrote a stinging letter to his son criticising him for lacking ‘even the superficial knowledge of Pakistani ethos.’

In a bid to understand his father’s religion Aatish undertakes a journey through the Middle East: the genesis of Islam and intersperses it with his own life story. As Aatish travels through Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan he encounters several worlds – and ‘world systems’ – sub-cultures and people in his effort to understand Islam. Fatih Carsamba in Turkey teems with Muslims who feel uncomfortable with the country’s secularism. Damascus erupts like a volcano after cartoons of Prophet Mohammed are published in a Danish newspaper. At Mecca, Aatish worries about the Lord Shiva tattoo on his shoulder and a kada, while in Iran, he’s surprised to find members of the Hare Krishna sect.

Attending political sermons in Syria and interrogations in Tehran, this poignantly written journey – using travel as its narrative – tool raises uncomfortable yet important questions. Can the State use religion as a weapon to probe into people’s lives? Can Islam co-exist with other ‘world systems’? Will it ever be able to understand the concept of freedom of speech? And, most importantly, will Muslims themselves – Wahhabis and Sufis – be able to accept each other’s identities?

And then, of course, is Aatish’s own life story.

Born at a time when both countries of his parentage were going through tumultuous times, Aatish discovers his Muslim identity at a tender age – thanks to his cousin. Urinating in his aunt’s lawn, the cousin screams Aatish ka susu nanga hai; referring to the missing foreskin. On another instance, Aatish, aged 17, tries to contact his father from boarding school. An argumentative discussion with his peer-counsellor – moving yet disturbing - precedes the phone call with Aatish debating whether to make the call or not. His trip to Pakistan – the first to meet his father – in 2002 starts on a cautious note. “Just remember, he may let you down” warned his mother before Aatish embarked on his journey. And that’s exactly what had happened. Upon reaching Pakistan, Aatish called his father requesting to meet him. Salman Taseer’s response was short and curt. So curt that during his second trip to the country, Aatish chose to land in Karachi, instead of Lahore; this time, he was not prepared to meet his father.

Like the father-son relationship, Stranger to History is a complicated and troubling novel. Yes, the writing is vivid and engaging but the subject is such that one may feel drained out after reading the first few chapters. Nevertheless, it is an important book; one that seeks to tackle the complexities of an often misunderstood religion and region. But if you’re one of those who enjoys reading juicy bits about a love affair, then I suggest you don’t buy this book as you’ll be highly disappointed. It is strictly meant for those who are seriously interested in an individual’s quest to understand his religion and his personal life story provides contextual reference.

Overall, this much-awaited release makes for a disturbing yet compelling read. A debut which will be remembered for a long time

(A shorter version of this review can be read in this week's BusinessWorld magazine)