The Blood of the Orphan
Dr. Syed Ausaf Saied Vasfi
Published by Uruf Enterprises,
2861, Kucha Chellan, New Delhi
Distributor: MMI Publishers,
D-307, Abul Fazl Enclave,
Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
1st Edition: 2017, Pp.: 272 Price: Rs 450
Reviewed by DR. WAQUAR ANWAR
This book by Dr. Syed Ausaf Saied Vasfi is a collection of his writings published in Radiance Viewsweekly either as cover stories or as editorials. It is worth noting that despite not being the formal editor of the magazine, and even after his formal retirement therefrom, he continued to contribute either editorials or lead articles, and at times both. It was not because the magazine has had any dearth of writers but because of the worth of the writings of the author. It was a case of extracting the best from the one who has been a class unto himself.
Radiance Viewsweekly is published under the aegis of the Board of Islamic Publications, a Society established to accomplish constructive and morally high objectives with a view to reconstruct a healthy society. Dr. Vasfi not only vouched the objectives of the Society but also adopted those as his lifetime passion; rather these have been ingrained in him. Such commitment is rare if not rarest of the rare! Radiance Viewsweekly simply did its duty in conferring Life-Time-Achievement-Award on Dr. Vasfi on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in September 2013.
Collections of the writings of Dr. Vasfi are being published in a series and the one under review is the third out of nine such assortments, spanning more than half a century. This book comprises 64 articles of Dr. Vasfi and a Foreword by Intizar Naeem, former Director, Radiance Viewsweekly. The Foreword along with the back-cover description takes note of all the characteristic features of the author and his contributions – what makes him what he is. As a justification of bringing out his printed articles in book form, the back-cover description says that it will benefit scholars and researchers. The book records almost all major atrocities inflicted, during the period this collection covers, on Muslims, Christians and Dalits in India and on Palestinians by the state of Israel and its Western supporters. Students of history, including serious researchers and academicians will get authentic and worthwhile information. Dr. Vasfi has not only recorded the history of such carnages but also poured his heart out to communicating the related pains and perils and lifted the veils of the perpetrators. It is not surprising that such daring acts invited the wrath of the Satanic forces and the author had to face court cases and other forms of threat. But he cared not a bit and continued his tirade against the evils and evil-doers. He remained blemish-free and came out scratch-free always, Al-hamdulillah.
We should pray to Allah for his good health and continued services to humanity which have been his motto in life, Amen! May Allah accept his services and bestow on him the hasanat (all things good) in this life and the Hereafter, Thumma Amen!!
The book is both worth reading and worth preserving.