Dr. Asadulla publishes first book
Dr. Abubakr Asadulla
- February 19, 2009
After two years of research, Dr. Abubakr Asadulla '92, a physician and introductory chemistry lecturer at Cal State East Bay, published his first book. The book entitled "Islam vs. West: Fact or Fiction?: A brief historical, political, theological, philosophical, and psychological perspective" was released in January.
Asadulla, 39, who was born in Afghanistan and came to the United States at the age of 10, began writing his book about the interaction between Islam and the West after his experience following 9/11 when he felt that Islam, a religion based on peace and freedom of expression, was portrayed negatively. In the book, he summarized the basic principles of Islam and major historical factors leading up to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and proposed a three-step conflict resolution process through cooperation, communication and conciliation between Islam and the West.
"9/11 was a defining moment, it was the event that prompted me to write this book," Asadulla said. "I don't like to be in the spotlight. But people were saying that the silent majority must say something, and that's when I felt that I needed to do something."
Asadulla held a book signing event at the CSUEB bookstore Jan. 27 attended by approximately 40 university community members. His book sold out.
"The response was more than I expected," Asadulla says. "People were very interested. They wanted to hear the message, and the message is peace and love, tolerance and acceptance."
The location of the book signing held dual importance for Asadulla. The university is his place of employment and the institution is also where he received his Master of Science in chemistry in 1992.
He started working as a full-time physician at CSUEB in April and sees an average of 20 patients per day. Asadulla added chemistry lecturer to his list of professions in the fall. He previously worked as a doctor at Kaiser Permanente in Union City for eight years.
"I'm a forever student, and I wanted to give back something to the university," Asadulla said.
He also has noticed many changes in the university since he attended in the 1990s.
"We have a fantastic new president now, and I've seen a big difference," Asadulla says. "It's starting to look like a real, vibrant university."
"It looks alive where as before there was not a lot of activity back when I was here; it was quiet. This university is alive now."
In addition to his involvement in the academic environment, Asadulla has an active home life. He is a husband and a father of two daughters, ages 10 and 6. He and his wife also take care of his parents who live with them.
"It's not boring (at home)," Asadulla says. "When I walk in there is always some activity, issue or something going on. It's an active house."
However, he still finds time to enjoy hobbies such as exercising, academic reading and Rubab lessons, a traditional string instrument of Afghanistan, with a famous Rubab player living in the Bay Area.
And as far as future book projects go, Asudalla says it all depends on the feedback that he receives.
"I'm just letting the book speak for itself," Asadulla says. "Fact books become boring very quickly. I have opinions in (my book), and hopefully people enjoy it."