Asim Mahmood

Syed Asim Mahmood
Born	24 April 1968
Occupation	Encyclopedist, writer,
Nationality	Pakistani
Notable works	AFAQ Encyclopedia

Syed Asim Mahmood' (born 24 April 1968) is an Urdu writer, encyclopedist, researcher, editor and journalist. He has written thirteen books and many articles on scientific and non-scientific subjects in magazines and newspapers. He edited three magazines and is currently associated with the Pakistani newspaper, Daily Express (Urdu newspaper) as a Senior Sub Editor. He is the son of Pakistani encyclopedist and writer, Syed Qasim Mahmood.^[1]

Personal life

Asim was born in Lahore. His father’s life long mission was to spread knowledge in Pakistan through writing & publishing books and magazines. He owned library of two thousand books which encourage Asim to read and write at very young age.

He studies at St. Anthony's High School (Lahore) from 1974 to 1980. In 1980 he migrated to Karachi with parents. In 1984 Asim done his Matriculation from Little Folks Paradise School. In Jan 1990 when he is doing BA from Karachi University, get an admission in Careers Business College, Sydney, Australia. He wants to do Diploma of Business Administration, but due to reasons can’t complete. In Sep 1991 he returned to Pakistan. After long interval he did his Graduation from AIOU, Islamabad. He then enrolled in Master's degree History program of AIOU but it is incopmlete due to his busy schedule. He married in 1999. He has two sons.

As a Writer

In 1981, his father laid foundation of new publishing house, Shahkar Book Foundation in Karachi. This company published many books. Asim helped his father in administrative matters. In 1984 he worked in weekly Takbeer (Editor Maulana Mohammad Salahuddin) and Monthly Dosheeza Digest (Editor Seham Mirza) as an intern to gain experience.

From 1985 his father starts publishing literary & informative monthly magazine Talib –e-ilim (Students Magazine). It was later renamed “Science Magazine”. Asim wrote his first articles in this magazine. He then translated short stories of English, French and Russian writer for different Urdu magazines. Till now, he had written more than one thousand researched articles in magazines and newspapers. His published books include:

Islami Pocket Dictionary^[2]
Nawab Bahadur Yar Jang^[3]
America ka Tahalka Khaiz Mukadmay^[4]
Pakistani Atom Bomb kee kahani (Story of Pakistan's Atom Bomb)
Banadar Ke Kahani (Story of Monkeys)

As an Encyclopedist

In 1985 he helped his father to compile the Shahkar Islamic Encyclopedia.^[5] In 1999 he worked as a research fellow in Lahore NGO, PINA(Pakistan Institute of National Affairs ). It is run by writer and coulminst, Altaf Hasan Quereshi. In 2003 he revised Tarikh Ibn Khaldun (Kitābu l-ʻibār), by Arab polymath, Ibn Khaldun.^[6] In 2004 he produced a revised edition of Persian historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari's book, Tarikh al-Tabari (History of the Prophets and Kings).^[7] In 2005 he revised the Islamic encyclopedia which had been compiled by Urdu journlist and writer Mahboob Alam in 1900. He has revised the Munshi Sahab Islamic Encyclopedia in modern Urdu.^[8] These books are published by Alfasial publishers in Lahore.

From 2010 to date, he is member of editorial board of “Afaq Encyclopedia”. It is Encyclopedia of general knowledge for Pakistani children. He write articles on topics of Animals and inventions. This project is brain child of his father.^[9]

From 2010 to 2014 Asim also revised the Shahkar Islamic Encyclopedia and Shahkar Encyclopedia Pakistanica. He also wrote new articles in both books. These bulky books were edited and compile by his father, Syed Qasim Mahmood.

As an Editor

While assisting his father, Asim learn Editing from him. In 1988 he becomes assistant Editor of Monthly “Afsana Digest.” Editor was his father. This magazine published many great short stories of the world. From 1996 to 2000 he worked for monthly Qaumi Digest and weekly Zindgi as a feature writer. Columnist Mujeeb UR Rehman Shami is Editor of these magazines.

In 2000 he becomes Assistant Editor of Pakistan first Digest, Urdu Digest. Apart from editing, he also wrote many articles in digest. Pakistani intellectual, Dr. Ejaz hasan Quereshi is Editor –in-chief of Urdu digest.

As a Journalist

From 2005 to 2012 Asim was associated with Sunday magazine of the Daily Express (Urdu newspaper).He wrote different articles on Science &Technology, Sociology, and Politics etc. Then from 2012 to 2014 he worked for Sunday magazine of Daily Dunya. Now again he is working for Sunday magazine of Daily Express.

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.