“Assalamu alaikum, Shaikh Ibrahim,” greeted Yusuf.

“Wa alaikum assalam, son. Please come inside and make yourself comfortable,” replied Shaikh Sahib.

Yusuf was meeting Shaikh Ibrahim for the first time. He was an Islamic scholar and the imam of the mosque.

Yusuf was deeply troubled by an important decision and could not think clearly about it. He had discussed it with his friend Amir, who advised him to seek guidance from Shaikh Ibrahim, known for helping people in distress.

As Yusuf entered the room, he noticed its simplicity. On one wall was a shelf filled with the Holy Quran, books of tafseer, and hadith collections. On the opposite wall hung a beautifully handcrafted calligraphy piece. It was so captivating that he kept staring at it, not realising that Shaikh Sahib was observing him.

“It was a gift from an old friend,” said Shaikh Ibrahim with a smile.

“It’s beautiful, a true piece of art,” Yusuf replied.

“Only a few can truly see its beauty,” said Shaikh Ibrahim, noticing his interest.

“He must be an amazing artist,” Yusuf added.

“Please, sit down,” Shaikh said gently.

“Which verse is this, Shaikh Sahib?” Yusuf asked, pointing towards the calligraphy.

“That is the 13th verse from Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),” and then told Yusuf its translation. Then Shaikh Sahib noticed the confusion on Yusuf’s face. “What troubles you, son?”

“I am unable to make the most important decision of my life. My choice will shape my future. I want to follow my own path, but I also want to fulfil my parents’ dream.”

Yusuf was a talented boy. His God-gifted skill in Arabic calligraphy was exceptional. His artwork had won first prize in the All Pakistan Arts Competition, and he had been offered a scholarship to study at Shaikh Hamdullah School of Calligraphy in Ankara, Turkey. However, his parents dreamed of seeing him become a doctor.

After listening carefully, Shaikh Ibrahim walked to his shelf and returned with a bundle of handwritten poetry.

“I once wanted to be a poet,” he said. “Allah blessed me with the ability to turn words into verses. But after my father’s passing, my mother wished for me to take his place as the imam. I could not refuse her, so I followed her wish. Over time, my poetry found a new direction — praising Allah and His Messenger (PBUH).”

He paused and looked at Yusuf before continuing, “Life can hold more than one path. You can be good at more than one thing. Honouring your parents’ wishes brings stability and sometimes that stability helps your own dreams grow.”

Yusuf thought deeply, “You are right, Shaikh Sahib. I can fulfil my parents’ dream and not give up on mine. Thank you, you have relieved me of my burden.”

Yusuf followed his parents’ wishes and studied medicine with dedication. He wore the white coat, listened to patients and healed wounds. His parents were proud.

But he never let go of his passion. Late at night, after long hospital shifts, he returned to his desk. His calligraphy grew more refined, blending the precision of a surgeon with the soul of an artist.

With time, he saved enough to attend the calligraphy school in Ankara. He worked during the day and studied in the evenings. Soon, his work was exhibited and admired. He became known not only for healing bodies, but also for creating art that touched hearts.

Yusuf had fulfilled two dreams — his parents’ and his own.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026

Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special

Recently, Disney Channel celebrated Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary with a special starring Miley Cyrus.

The special, coming to Disney+ and Hulu, included interviews with Cyrus and never-before-seen footage from the original series. Hannah Montana, which aired from 2006 to 2011, drew around 4.4 million viewers per episode and helped launch Cyrus into international stardom, making the show a cultural touchstone for a generation of fans.

Harry Potter audiobook series gets star-studded cast

The latest audible adaptations of the Harry Potter series feature a 200-person ensemble, original music and immersive sound effects, offering a fresh way to experience the stories.

Jaxon Knopf, Nina Barker-Francis and Rhys Mulligan voice Harry, Hermione and Ron from Book 4 onwards. The recordings aim to expand listeners’ imaginations rather than replace iconic versions, with multiple actors portraying characters at different ages. Order of the Phoenix is out now, followed by Half-Blood Prince on April 14 and Deathly Hallows on May 12.

Disney ends Sora video project

Disney has exited its $1 billion investment deal with OpenAI, which included licensing its iconic characters for the generative AI video app Sora.

The app, launched only months ago, allowed users to create AI-generated videos featuring Disney’s characters, potentially for fan content and creative storytelling. OpenAI recently announced Sora’s shutdown, thanking creators who used the platform.

The deal’s cancellation comes amid growing concerns about AI’s potential misuse in movies and TV, while several A-list stars, including Tom Hanks, have publicly opposed AI-generated content using their likenesses.

OpenAI says it will continue developing AI video technology. This prevents Disney characters from being used in AI-generated fan projects and signals a cautious approach by major media companies towards the growing influence of AI in entertainment.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026