SHAHID HAMEED: AY ISHQ-E-JUNOON PESHA

📓 Shahid Hameed: O Love of the Jinn Profession

Zarathustra said, “Today’s words are the trust of tomorrow, gather them all.”

It has been three and a half years since my father passed away. The mission or machine he left for has not stopped. His book corner has completed fifty years, and it intends to continue for the next fifty years. The writers have recorded their impressions on my father’s passing. They have appreciated Shahid Hameed’s efforts regarding his historic status, his movement and publishing services and paid tribute to him in a rich way.

These columns and articles written in newspapers, magazines and social media have been given the form of a book, named “Shahid Hameed: O Love of the Jinn Profession”. I could not think of a better title for the fifty-year toil and history of a madman.

The writers had the support of the writers in completing and arranging the book. Most of them are people whom the world knows. Introducing them would be like showing a lamp to the sun. I have no words to express my gratitude for the love and devotion with which these writings have been created.

During the compilation, a few writers wrote special articles for this publication. You will read the writings of Hazrat Shakeel Adilzada, Iftikhar Arif, Dr. Hassan Manzar, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Haroon Rashid, Raja Anwar, Ali Akbar Natiq, Naseer Ahmed Nasir and Arif Anis for the first time.

At the beginning of the book, Bhai Gagan’s article “Papa” and the author’s sketch “Abba” are galleries of memories of two sons related to their father. “Abba” is a sketch written in the flow of memories reflecting real emotions, an ocean that became the ink of the pen flowing from the eyes. Tears brought fate again and again, but there was a treasure trove of memories that kept flowing.

Heartfelt thanks to a few friends during the preparation stages of the book. Shoaib bin Aziz, Aslam Malik, Dr. Izhar Hashmi and Hassan Raza Gondal read the manuscript word by word before publication and their suggestions were also included. The calligraphies of Muhammad Ali Zahid, Ahmed Ali Bhatta and Muhammad Shakeel Talat added to the beauty of the book. The picture of Aba on the cover is a 15 by 22" wash painting, which is a masterpiece of the pen of the renowned artist Rajib Gain of Calcutta (India). We know how much effort this piece of art has taken to reach this point.

From the compilation and composition of the book to the paper, printing, binding, painting, calligraphy, decoration, and embellishment, my heart's imprint prevailed on every element. If I look at my twenty-six years of association with the institution in the Golden Jubilee of Book Corner, it becomes a journey as long as the Silver Jubilee. I can do nothing but feel proud while declaring this book as a masterpiece of all the craftsmanship of this publishing experience.

Amar Shahid
November 9, 2023