Salma Hasan Ali will discuss her new book, 30 Days - Stories of Gratitude, Tradition, and Wisdom, with APF President Shamila N. Chaudhary and APF Board of Directors member and contributor to Salma’s book, Dr. Uzma Iqbal. The conversation will focus on the importance of telling our stories, of sharing our culture, and explore how we can all take part in the spirit of Ramzan.
About the Book:
"30 Days started as a blog ten years ago to share the essence of the month of Ramadan with my family and community. It has grown into an international storytelling platform that connects people from different backgrounds around themes that we can all relate to—expressing gratitude, doing good deeds, preserving traditions, cherishing wisdoms from our elders, and more. This limited-edition book has been a labor of love, and each aspect of putting it together has a story behind it, which makes it truly unique. The blog on which it is based is a chronicle of the personal stories of many; the way it grew organically and connected an international audience is a testament to the power of our stories. Afghan artist Sughra Hussainy created the beautiful original illuminations, miniature paintings, and calligraphy in this book—making the paper by layering sheets together with a flour paste, crushing gemstones to create the vibrant paint colors, painstakingly painting with a brush made of cat hair, over years."
Speakers:
Salma Hasan Ali is a storyteller. Her work has been published in national and international media and her public speaking across the globe focuses on promoting more informed and sensitive ties across cultures, the power of kindness, and the inspiration we can all draw from volunteerism and service. Through her storytelling consulting practice, Salma helps individuals, nonprofits, and businesses develop, write, and market their own narratives. Salma is Vice Chair of the Concordia Forum, a by-invitation international group of changemakers who are Muslim, and serves on the Board of KARAMAH—Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights. She attended Columbia College and received a master’s degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Salma previously worked as a writer, editor, and press and information leader for international organizations in Geneva, Paris, Stockholm, Bahrain, and New York City.
Shamila N. Chaudhary was appointed President of the American Pakistan Foundation in August 2019. Chaudhary is a foreign policy analyst specializing in South Asia. Her work is regularly cited and published in Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, the New York Times and she has frequently appeared on CNN, BBC News America, NPR, Fox News, and other outlets. She served 12 years in the Bush and Obama administrations, including at the White House as Director for Pakistan and Afghanistan on the National Security Council and on the U.S. Department of State’s Policy Planning Staff, where she advised Secretary Clinton and the late Ambassador Richard Holbrooke on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Dr. Uzma Iqbal has been practicing Hematology/Oncology and Integrative Medicine for over 20 years. She is the President of Houston Center of HOPE sine 2007. She graduated from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Pakistan. She serves on various leadership councils in Harris County, has directed the Medical Oncology program, and has been President of Medical Staff. Dr. Iqbal is passionate about youth leadership, mentorship, and women's empowerment. She serves on the APF Board of Directors.