ISLAMABAD, July 21 (APP): ‘Healing in the Shadow of Loss’ – a self-help book authored by the first-time writer Saira Sheikh was launched in Lahore, highlighting the compassionate approach to grief recovery and practical insights for those navigating loss.
Saira, a Pakistani expat who holds an MBA from Cardiff University, UK, and runs a home-based soy scented candles business while being a mother of two, ventured into writing as a form of expressing her healing journey to explore themes of grief.
Her work explores various dimensions of healing, offering readers tools for emotional recovery and personal growth during difficult times.
The Last Word bookstore hosted the launching ceremony which was moderated by Dr. Mariam Sheikh, an educator and researcher in international education policy, currently serving as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, California.
The ceremony drew a diverse audience, including publishers, authors, and professors from Sheikh’s former university, FAST-NU Lahore, where she attained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration. In attendance were also local literary figures, family, friends, and members of Lahore’s intellectual community, who gathered to celebrate Saira’s debut work, addressing the complex journey of healing after loss.
They shared their appreciation for the author’s courage in addressing such a sensitive topic, while readers discussed how early excerpts from the book had already impacted their understanding of grief and recovery in their lives.
Prominent Professor from FAST- NU Dr. Zahida Mansoor praised Saira’s contribution to mental health literature in Pakistan. She described the book as “a much-needed guide that combines empathy with practical wisdom,” noting that it addressed a significant gap in locally authored self-help literature. Dr. Zahida emphasized how the book could serve as a valuable resource for both individuals experiencing loss and mental health professionals.
Author Sara Sheikh shared her personal journey of finding solace in writing. She described how her entrepreneurial background and experience as a mother informed her understanding of life’s challenges, leading her to explore grief through the written word.
She emphasized how her work aims to create space in Pakistani society to acknowledge grief, make room for it, and navigate the often messy path of healing. She shared her hope that the book would provide comfort and guidance to readers facing their own challenges with loss, whether through bereavement, separation, or other life transitions.
During the event, Saira signed copies for attendees and engaged in meaningful conversations about the healing process that continued in an intimate setting at “The Third Culture Café” located along side the book store in Gulberg.
The launch of “Healing in the Shadow of Loss”, published by local publisher Tanzeela K Hassan from Thazbook, marks another significant addition to Pakistan’s growing collection of indigenous self-help literature. The book offers a structured approach to understanding loss and includes practical suggestions for emotional healing. It has been praised by early book reviewers nationwide for its culturally sensitive perspective and accessible raw writing style, making complex psychological concepts understandable for general readers.