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Kenize Mourad: Unveiling the Truth
By Ayman Munaf
In the literary world, few authors bring the depth of cultural, historical, and geopolitical insight that Kenize Mourad does. Born in Paris to a Turkish mother, Sema Sultan, and an Indian father, the Raja of Kotwara, Mourad’s life has been anything but conventional. Her latest novel ‘In the Land of the Pure’ is a gripping geopolitical thriller set in Pakistan—one that shatters Western misconceptions and presents the country in all its complexity.
A life shaped by borders and conflicts Mourad’s life story reads like an epic novel in itself. Born during World War II, she lost her mother at a very young age and was raised in a French Catholic convent, unaware of her Muslim heritage. “When I finally reconnected with my father at 21, I was introduced to Lucknow’s deeply traditional world, living in purdah—a stark contrast to my upbringing.” However, it was in Karachi, Pakistan, in the 1960s, where she found freedom, joy, and an entirely different side of South Asia.
“I found Karachi to be a vibrant, dynamic place—completely different from the rigid, narrow portrayal the West had of Pakistan,” Mourad recalled at her book launch event held recently. The city’s bustling art scene, literary circles and progressive social life at that time stood in contrast to the stereotypes that Western media perpetuated. This early experience laid the foundation for her lifelong mission: challenging misconceptions about the Muslim world.
Before becoming a novelist, Mourad had a remarkable career as a journalist in France. She worked in Le Nouvel Observateur newspaper, covering some of the most defining conflicts of the 20th century—the Indo-Pak War of 1971, the Lebanese Civil War, the Iranian Revolution and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Reporting from the frontlines, she saw firsthand the devastating effects of war and propaganda.
Her transition from journalism to fiction was a natural one. “As a journalist, you must capture attention immediately. There’s no room for long, drawn-out descriptions,” she emphasised. This precision is evident in ‘In the Land of the Pure’, which plunges the reader straight into the action, refusing to waste time with slow build-ups.
Her writing is shaped by her journalistic rigour, drawing from real-life interviews, firsthand experiences, and historical research. “When I wrote ‘Regards From the Dead Princess’, I had to research four countries, four different time periods, and dive into archives. I could never have done that without my background in journalism.”
One of the most striking takeaways from Mourad’s talk was her candid discussion of Western prejudice against the Muslim world, the west’s misconceptions and her censorship battles. “Forty years ago, there was less prejudice than today,” she notes. “Now, everything is blamed on immigrants. France would not function without them, yet Muslim has become a dirty word.”
Mourad has faced severe backlash for her views. After publishing ‘Our Sacred Land: Voices of the Palestine-Israel Conflict’, she was blacklisted in France, losing media coverage and publishing support. “French journalists told my publisher, ‘We don’t open books by Kenize Mourad anymore,’” she revealed. Despite this, she refuses to compromise on her integrity. “I could write something favourable about Israel and have a dozen interviews lined up—but I won’t. One must have a sense of morality.”
Mourad writes about Pakistan with empathy unlike many Western narratives that reduce Pakistan to a land of extremism, her ‘In the Land of the Pure’ paints a rich, layered portrait of the country. From Lahore’s Basant festival to the activism of women like Parveen Rehman and Sheema Kirmani, she showcases the vibrancy and resilience of Pakistani society.
“I love Pakistan,” she said simply. “I wanted to present it as I know it—diverse, modern, and full of life, not the black-and-white version the West believes in.”
Her women characters, from the intrepid Begum to the fiery activist Samia, are drawn from real-life figures she has encountered—women who, despite facing oppression, continue to fight for change.
At a time when geopolitical biases are stronger than ever, ‘In the Land of the Pure’ serves as a much-needed antidote—a book that compels the world to look beyond fear and propaganda, and see Pakistan for what it truly is: a land of history, culture, struggle and resilience.
Kenize Mourad Unveils “In the Land of the Pure”
French author and journalist Kenize Mourad launched her latest novel, ‘In the Land of the Pure,’ at an exclusive literary gathering hosted by Mr. Farooq Hasan at his residence in DHA, Karachi. The event, organized by Lightstone Publishers, brought together literature enthusiasts, journalists, and intellectuals from different walks of life for an evening of engaging discussions.
The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mr. Farooq Hasan and an introduction by Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director of Lightstone Publishers. The highlight of the evening was an insightful conversation between Kenize Mourad and Ruby Haider, in which Mourad shared her inspiration behind ‘In the Land of the Pure,’ a geopolitical thriller set in Pakistan that explores the nation’s complexities through the lens of a French journalist investigating the country’s intelligence networks and strategic alliances.
The discussion was followed by an evocative reading from the novel by Shayma Saiyid, captivating the audience with its gripping narrative. A lively Q&A session allowed attendees to engage with Mourad, delving deeper into themes of political intrigue, cultural identity, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality.
The evening concluded with a book signing session where guests had the opportunity to interact with the esteemed author and get their copies of the book personally signed. Kenize, whose literary works are known for their deep historical and political insights, expressed her admiration for Pakistan.
Written by Myra Shah
Each province in Pakistan has distinctive fabric heritage, such as the Sindhi ajrak and Punjabi phulkari. Pakistani fashion influencers have blended cultural identity with modern tools to rebrand Pakistan’s global image. Social media is no longer only about entertainment for us, it is also where we learn about culture, identity and trends.
Some examples of famous fashion influencers in Pakistan include, Zain Ahmad the founder of a Pakistani clothing brand ‘Rastah’ that has gained international recognition. Zain’s designs have been worn by famous influencers including Justin Bieber and Anwar Hadid.
Moreover, model Mushk Kaleem, frequently represents Pakistan while walking runways abroad, talking about inclusivity. This made us brown teens who feel left out from the beauty standard, feel seen as she has redefined the “ beauty standard”
These creatives have made Pakistani fashion more accessible to us, younger generations eg. by pairing khussas with jeans. This also attracts international audiences who want to incorporate cultural elements into their fashion style. These steps keep our culture alive, while making it a part of everyday fashion.
Fashion influencers play a critical role in highlighting the diversity between the different regions of Pakistan, as many feature regional designs in their content, allowing viewers to witness the wide spectrum of Pakistani culture through a single scroll of their social media accounts. This plays a significant role as it was found that 82% of people are highly likely to follow influencer recommendations (Berger, 2016)
Pakistani wedding fashion has gone viral on social media platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram and led to Pakistani designer’s work being featured in bridal magazines as well as representing South Asian culture. Influencers like Sarah Sarosh frequently incorporate Pakistani elements in their content, this demonstrates the influence of our fashion across borders.
Apart from clothing fashion, influencers like Hania Amir have used their reach not only to showcase fashion, but also to promote mental health awareness and body positivity – topics that really matter to us as teens. Fashion influencers elevate Pakistan’s global image and positively affect the economy by highlighting small businesses that contribute to the country’s creative economy.
Furthermore, many influencers are now invited to international fashion weeks and exhibitions, further cementing their status as cultural ambassadors. The power of Pakistani fashion influencers is growing rapidly and this comes with great responsibility. It is essential influencers promote sustainability and ethical practices. Influencers like Anoushay Abbassi’s blend of fashion and advocacy for supporting local artisans makes their influencer role highly crucial.
In today’s day and age, teenagers are growing up in this digital world where perceptions are shaped by information available on the internet, especially social media. Pakistani fashion influencers have become trendsetters, story tellers and identity shapers. Through every post, reel, OOTD (outfit of the day) pictures they are transforming how the world sees Pakistan. Clothing in Pakistan is a powerful expression of national pride, cultural identity and centuries old craftsmanship.
Women’s Day 2025
The Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace hosted the Women’s Day 2025 event, addressing Pakistan’s persistent gender disparity and the critical need for equality. Despite women’s undeniable contributions to society—excelling in academics, breaking stereotypes, and achieving historic milestones—Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index, a position it has held for years.
President PWFFP said Women make up 49 percent of the population, yet their literacy rate remains only 51 percent, and their workforce participation stagnates at 25 percent. Even in politics and corporate leadership, their presence is limited, often restricted to token roles. Rural women face even harsher realities, with unpaid labour and lack of recognition. Billions have been spent on women’s development programmes, yet tangible improvements remain scarce.
PWFFP urges a national commitment to addressing these issues through better resource allocation, strict accountability, and a stronger push for gender parity. This year’s event featured renowned experts Dr. Ishrat Husain (Economist), Ms. Nasreen Jaleel (Politician), Dr. Tasneem Ahsan (Health Specialist), Barrister Zahra S. Viyani (Legal Expert), Ms. Baela Raza Jameel (Educationist), and Dr. Asad Sayeed (Economist). Their insights highlighted solutions to break barriers and advance women’s empowerment in Pakistan.
The vibrant spirit of Thailand came alive in Karachi recently, as the Royal Thai Consulate General hosted the Songkran Festival at the Pakistan American Cultural Center (PACC). Held in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), PACC and Pakistan Print and Electronics Media. The event marked two special occasions: the Thai New Year and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Pakistan.
Consul General Mr. Surashete Boontinand opened the evening with a warm address, highlighting the cultural significance of Songkran, recently inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral ties.
Over 200 guests, including media representatives, diplomats and members of the local community, were treated to a colourful lineup of performances that blended Thai and Pakistani traditions. From elegant Thai dance to rhythmic Pakistani music and dance the evening was a celebration of unity through culture.
Guests also enjoyed a rich spread of Thai cuisine and took part in traditional Songkran activities, including the famous water-splashing ritual, which symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and good fortune.
The Songkran Festival in Karachi was more than a cultural showcase—it was a reflection of the growing friendship and mutual respect between the two nations, leaving attendees with memories of joy, connection, and shared heritage.
Fashion Influencers are Becoming Cultural Ambassadors
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