“Imran Ahmad is fascinating to listen to. His message brought a big crowd of people
into our offices to listen. His wit and delivery style engaged them throughout.
Enjoyable and informative ... so many subjects ... Islam and the West, global politics,
modern history, international relations, Homeland Security, even Shakespeare and
spirituality, all woven by a master storyteller into a spellbinding narrative that
gave many of us fresh perspectives. The audience loved it!
We sold out of his book within minutes of him finishing. Imran, please come back again!”
Mike Faith
CEO and President
Headsets.com, Inc
San Francisco, CA
“Unimagined by Imran Ahmad is a wonderful book and Imran is a gracious, poignant,
and engaging speaker. Everyone who came to hear him speak at Unity Temple was mesmerized
by his stories, wit, and humility. Those who have read his book have greatly enjoyed
his creatively written memoir. His personal mission of seeking to re-
Rev. Alan C. Taylor
Senior Minister
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Chicago, IL
“You took my husband, Ken, and me from tears to laughter to contemplation on how
much alike all people are, no matter what their beliefs. You are a Muslim, Ken is
a Christian, and I am a Jew. All three of us believe in the re-
Valerie Cobbs
Boise, ID
“Imran Ahmad's talk in Pasadena was a real eye-
C Reed
Film Producer
Los Angeles
“Imran was a delight: entertaining (exuberant might be a better word!), informative, thoughtful, and accessible. After a talk lasting an hour and a half, he graciously answered questions and then continued to enjoy many conversations with individuals at a reception. His message is vital; his presence is energizing.”
Rev. Dr. Marni Harmony
Interim Minister
Emerson UU Congregation
Marietta, GA
“Imran Ahmad is just as entertaining and thought-
Bruce Shoger
Senior Executive
Minneapolis, MN
“I attended the Headsets.com speaking event … And was one of the lucky ones to grab a book at the event.
I just finished the book this weekend … It was fantastic. I had a hard time putting
it down, and my wife noticed how involved I was in reading the book ... (She is going
to read it next). Please make sure to put me on your mailing list when you release
the next phase of your life (in book format). -
Thanks again for the great book.”
Bruce Seibert
Director of Sales, Western Region – Plantronics
San Francisco, CA
“You were articulate, light-
Michael Schuler
Senior Minister
First Unitarian Society
Madison, WI
“Imran’s wit and passion are equally formidable. His stories about finding his own emotional balance in a post 911 world obsessed with terrorism come across as wry observations, almost a meditative stance, urging the listener to greater understanding and compassion.”
Mike Philley
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Boise, ID
"Imran Ahmad is an amusing laugh-
Carolyn Shohet
Carlisle, MA
“Imran Ahmad's presentation both delighted and surprised me. Here was the delight: an urbane, sophisticated, humorous man who spoke with grace and ease about complex, difficult concepts, highlighting the human foibles we all – regardless of race, color or creed – share. And here's what surprised me: despite his sophistication, despite the fact that as a businessman he made dozens of flights to the United States BEFORE 9/11 and was treated as any other businessman, he was treated with suspicion and negative judgment AFTER 9/11 – simply because of his name, skin color and country of origin (Pakistan). After 9/11, it often took him hours to get through security – hours of being detained and politely questioned, the same questions each time, and yet he was so gracious, even humorous, about it. The stain of suspicion spreads far and wide in this country, and Imran is a living example of what it takes to overcome it.”
Maril Crabtree
Writer
Kansas City, KS
"I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Ahmad speak twice while he was in the Florida
Tampa Bay Area. During a Sunday morning service at Unitarian Universalist Church
of St. Petersburg, he delivered what I enjoyed calling the "anti-
I read
his book "Unimagined" before he visited our church and, although I thoroughly enjoyed
it, I relished his warm and funny oral delivery of his anecdotes even more.”
Patricia Robinson MDiv
Chair of Worship Committee
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, Florida
"Imran's session was fresh, insightful and peppered with his characterestic humour
... it brought every aspect of the book alive in front of us !! His re-
Biplab & Gouri Adhya
Atlanta
“My church and I enjoyed hosting Imran Ahmad, author of the book "UNIMAGINED". He
is a sparkling and witty speaker whose wry, self-
We
would love it if his book, UNIMAGINED, were more freely available here in the United
States. It is a timely and thoughtful treatment of issues which could very well bring
the human race closer together.”
Mark Albright
Social Action Chairman,
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
“He is a charismatic speaker, and could easily become the definitive symbol of how Islam and America will reach greater understanding and acceptance.“
Rev. Hannah Petrie
Associate Minister
Neighborhood UU Church
Pasadena, CA
“Those of us who have read Imran’s book have loved it, and we got a good turnout for his visit—people are very taken with his humor and engaging style, plus his message of coming to know each other as persons, not as categories or “thems.”
Rev. Elizabeth Greene
UUA Board trustee
Boise, ID
“This was an amazing talk. Imran weaved Shakespeare, re-
McKell Moorhead
Tampa Bay, FL
“Imran gave a tremendous speech ... He speaks from the heart, is entertaining and engaging – and is a first rate public speaker.”
Barbara Herts
Former CEO YoungMinds
London
“... had the audience in stitches ...”
THREE WEEKS magazine
Edinburgh Festival
“The perfect corporate speaker – intelligent and funny.”
Edel Smith
London
“... captivated the audience ...”
Jill Morris
Morley Literature Festival, UK
“I paid to hear Tony Blair speak in Santa Barbara, but this was so much better.”
Audience member – San Francisco April 23, 2009
“I’ve been to many talks by famous writers, but this was the most enjoyable one ever.”
Audience member – Atlanta April 3, 2009
“Imran held schools workshops in which the children and teachers alike were engaged,
spellbound, and deeply moved. His uplifting and inspirational message has universal
resonance -
Paula Truman
Schools Workshop Organiser
Morley, Leeds, UK
“We invited Imran to give a talk at a fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care,
which serves a large area of Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset. The event took place
during the Bath Literature Festival 2008. Imran charmed a room full of 'ladies
that lunch' with an engaging account of his efforts to publish his autobiography,
Unimagined. His whistle-
Phillippa Watson, Events organiser
Dorothy House Hospice Care
Winsley, Wiltshire, UK
Scott Pack:
Is Imran Ahmad the funniest writer around? If his latest blog post about the Edinburgh Book Festival is anything to go by then he is certainly a challenger? He does owe me a lunch though so I point you in the direction of his blog begrudgingly.
http://meandmybigmouth.typepad.com/scottpack/2008/08/linky-
Linda Grant:
Last week I commended to your attention the weepingly funny account of author Imran
Ahmad's trip to the Edinburgh International Book festival where he met Gordon Brown,
while dressed in shorts.
Yesterday afternoon, in the authors' yurt in Edinburgh, a
pleasant man in a linen suit came over to introduce himself to me. This was Imran
Ahmad in person. He had been deluged with visits to his blog from The Thoughtful
Dresser, more he said, than from all the other sites put together.
He pressed into
my hand a signed copy of his book, Unimagined: a Muslim boy meets the West, which
I read on the plane coming home.
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this book,
particularly his account of how he was robbed of the title of Karachi's Bonniest
Baby by political corruption and nepotism. Here he is, pictured on the cover, in
the contest.
Look, just go and buy it. It's the story of a Pakistani Muslim Adrian Mole. What's
not to like? Eh?
http://thethoughtfuldresser.blogspot.com/
Baroque in Hackney:
"Well, of course it turns out Imran’s very lucky he didn’t trash Sathnam’s book -
http://baroqueinhackney.wordpress.com/
Dovegreyreader:
Another instalment from Imran Ahmad who went back to Edinburgh for more, and first you have to see just who he met on the train, and then who he took under his wing in the Writer's Yurt. Such generosity of spirit in sharing his prodigious talent with up and coming young writers.
http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/
Andrew Collins:
Unimagined did really well. It sold, it picked up good reviews and was shortlisted
for awards. And because it's Imran's first book – he's got a boring day job and everything
– you can't help but be delighted for him as it's taken off. He's already been invited
to bigger and more glamorous book festivals than I ever did, and he's even been flown
to Australia for one, where his book is about to be published. He's an international
author, and he wears it with admirable humility and self-
There's nothing worse than writers moaning about being writers. Imran is
a tonic in this regard. (I know I moan about being one – it's most unbecoming.)
http://www.wherediditallgoright.com/BLOG/2008/08/its-
Testimonials