Bosnia-Herzegovina: Lessons for Pakistan
The Balkan Wars (1991) and the crisis after the partition of India (1947), inspired by political jargon in the form of literary stereotypes, led people to commit horrific atrocities. The political and religious elite benefited from it but the suffering of the common people in both parts of the world was identical. In this case study the two-nation theory as an exclusive social ideal adopted by the leaderships in the Subcontinent and former Yugoslavia is reviewed with the help of the literary stance taken by the great writers at the time of independence and the major shift in the way of looking at the things realistically in the Southeast Balkans. Several parallels are drawn between Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina to establish that the track initially taken by the Balkan Muslims was inspired by the Pakistani model which naturally led to the suffering of the common people. The recent rejection of the 1991 model by scholars, artists and writers shaped a different mind among the youth of the nation. Bosnian journey from poverty towards stability has a lot to offer to Pakistan. Three decades later, it is now Pakistan’s turn to learn from the Bosnian model and overcome its suffering and plight.
About the Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Shahab Yar Khan, a leading expert in English Renaissance and Shakespearean studies at the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, he relocated to Sarajevo in 1997 and has dedicated over two decades to promoting Shakespearean Drama and English literature in the region. Dr. Khan founded the Shakespeare Drama Club at Sarajevo University and has directed annual productions of freshly interpreted Shakespearean plays since 2000.
He is the author of eight critical books and numerous scientific research papers, two of which were best-sellers in Bosnia in 2013. His pioneering theories on the nature of Renaissance, including concepts like Genessance and Premussance, have garnered international recognition. Dr. Khan has toured Europe, South Asia, and North America to share his insights into Shakespearean art and has contributed significantly to the study of teaching and pedagogy.
In response to the 2020 pandemic, his views on teaching have gained prominence among students and academics. Currently, he is involved in various academic and theatrical projects, including an upcoming novella, “Job of an Interpreter,” based on true accounts related to the refugee crisis in Europe, promising to offer a fresh perspective on the largest wave of migration in human history.