Author: Greg Mortenson , David Oliver Relin

Publisher: Tantor Media

Pub. in: June, 2006

ISBN: 1400102510

Pages:  

Measurements: 6.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches

Origin of product: USA

Order code: BB00108

Other information: ISBN-13: 978-1400102518

Following the Munich Massacre Jean-Paul Sartre said: terrorism is terrible weapon, but oppressed poor have no others... Greg Mortenson discovered one 21 years later called Education. Some suggested that one day he will receive Nobel Prize. I believe he will be better off without one. Rather to be in the company of Mahatma Gandhi, who was ignored by the organizers of this prestigious forum or follow the path of Le Duc Tho, the Vietnamese leader who declined to receive one, because there was no peace in his country than to lump him together with the controversial recipients like Henry Kissinger, Anwar Sadaat, Menachem Begin, Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin.

When my daughter recommended three cups of tea to me, I was skeptic. I told her he is another American humanitarian who wants to be famous and make some money with this book. I was totally wrong and now I feel ashamed to have rushed to the judgment before reading the book. Greg was sincere in his promise he made to the forgotten people of the mountains. After finishing reading the book I feel as if I was awoken from a dream I wanted it to last forever. But it was not a dream it was real, what Greg continues to do is amazing. He is not a specialist in any fields or any authority what so ever. He is just an achiever. This book is a must read. Everyone who truly believes in peace and eradication of ignorance and poverty with the weapon of education cannot ignore reading this book and supporting his mission.

He has a long way to go, he has built fifty schools so far in ten years, which is a drop in the ocean, but as Mother Teresa once said: What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. When he returned to village of Korphe after raising money in USA for the school he had a shock of his life when the elders of the village told him: we do not want school for children we want the bridge over the river, so the kids from other side of the river could cross to the school. Similarly, in another village the school funds were diverted to dig a well to provide clean water to the village, on the advice of the religious leader of the region, so the children could live longer to be able to attend the school. On another occasion you will encounter elders of two villages competing over the funds to start school in their own village.

When a greedy mullah of one the neighboring villages passed a fatwa against an infidel building a school for girls, Greg was fully supported by the Supreme Council of Qom, Iran by overruling the fatwa of ignorant and greedy local mullah in these words: Dear compassionate of the poor, our holy Quran tells us all children should receive education, including our daughters and sisters. Your noble work follows the highest principles of Islam, to tend to the poor and sick...... We direct all clerics in Pakistan to not interfere with your noble intentions. You have our permission, blessings, and prayers."

At the time of 9/11 he was in the mountains getting ready to inaugurate another school. At the ceremony the religious leader of the region addressed the gathering: Today is the day that you children will remember forever and tell your children and grandchildren. Today, from the darkness of illiteracy, the light of education shines bright. We share in the sorrow as people weep and suffer in America today, as we inaugurate this school. Those who have committed this evil act against the innocent, the women and children, to create thousands of widows and orphans do not do so in the name of Islam. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, may justice be served upon them. For this tragedy, I humbly ask Mr. George and Dr. Greg for their forgiveness... My brothers: protect and embrace these two American brothers in our midst... these two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education... I request America to look into our hearts and see great majority is not terrorist, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But today, another candle of knowledge has lit..."

I am sure this book will change the misconception of many about Islam and the Muslims, and I firmly believe that if the government follows the advice of Philadelphia Enquirer, who had suggested the book for the policy makers, would not have to spend billions of dollars in weapons and ammunition to fight the terrorists.

(From quoting Zahid Hussain, USA)