JASMINE AND JOURNEYS

“History, poetry, and autobiography merge in this beautifully written and moving account that takes us on a journey from South Asia to Canada, from Mohammed bin Qasim to Justin Trudeau. It is a simple but powerfully written saga of a family struggling with the great issues of our times — diaspora, migration and prejudice — characterized by joy, heartbreak, hope and courage. The book carries the waft of the jasmine flower and is a gift that every reader should cherish.” Professor Akbar Ahmed Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington, DC “Jasmine and Journeys by Najma Shamsi is a literary gem of a book and an enlightening read. What seemed to begin as an historical testimony for her children and grandchildren, ended up as a fascinating cultural and political history of the Indian sub-continent of South Asia. The story of Najma’s family is interwoven with the political history and culture of the times. “The bonus for me, as I read deeper into the book, wa