Coming Down From The Mountain is a delightful autobiography by Mahmood Ali Ayub.
“There are few gifts greater than sharing the story of one’s life”. With these words, Mahmood invites an intimate conversation, a significant moment of friendship.
The autobiography is light and profound, easy on the reader, and touching to the soul. It recounts Mahmood’s extraordinary life stages factually, in fluid, simple words. Mahmood, with his characteristic modest demeanor, speaks precisely: mostly of outstanding achievements, yet also about faults, and the regret carried thereafter.
We follow Mahmood’s journey down the mountain from his Pashtun tribal village, around the globe for study and work, all the way to his daughters’ neighborhood in Washington. It is a privileged beginning in a simple environment, followed by brilliant studies in the best institutions over three continents. Mahmood professional life immediately alternates between academic work and hands-on policy management in complex and varied countries. He moves between these assignments with ease, without mentioning their contrasting demands, as if it was a common feat. More remarkably, Mahmood gives active, continued attention to social, and traditional underpinnings of people and situations, including the education and role of women. He is exposed to an array of religious influences from a Catholic education, every shade of Islam from Pashtun to its “more gentle” Senegalese version – and even makes a pilgrimage to Lourdes with a landlady! At every step, Mahmood observes, and the reader perceives a smile. The pursuit of cultural and human understanding is a central thread to the story, and it ultimately emerges as the key to success. It is the lesson of the autobiography, and allows reaching peace at the end of the journey, despite cruel losses.
Thank you, Mahmood, for the gift.
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* Mahmood Ali Ayub is a former division chief and country director, World Bank. After taking early retirement he joined UNDP, following his former boss Kemal Dervis, who had been appointed Administrator UNDP.
** Maryvonne Plessis-Fraissard is former Director, Transport and Urban. She is a Director of the Board, and Coordinator of the Yoga Club, at the 1818 Society.
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KEYWORDS autobiography, book review, Mahmood Ali Ayub
