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Saqib Mausoof, Writer
Saqib MausoofImagine having a sister that's a successful professional while your brother is a religious extremist. Seems far-fetched? Then let Saqib Mausoof weave that story for you. At 36, Saqib has been all over the place, literally. He's backpacked from Iran to Pakistan, studied and started his professional life in America, works as a technology manager at Ask Search Services (yes, Jeeves), and, of course, writes, acts, and directs. Catch your breath yet? Saqib has had several lifetimes' worth of experiences, but his journey is far from over. Find out where he's going and what he's learned along the way in this week's Young & Professional Profile.
What's your story?
I came as a student to study electrical engineering. I finished my degree from University of Kansas, worked in Chicago and the Bay Area during the dot.com boom and now find myself at a transition point in my career. My job as a web analytics manager at Ask Search Services is fulfilling and rewarding, but my desire to create a comprehensive identity for South Asians in the Bay area has propelled me towards writing, directing and acting on film and stage. I am on the board of Third I, which celebrates the diversity of south Asian cinema with a premier festival every November, a member of Friends of South Asia which promotes peace between India and Pakistan and directing my own play on May 5th and 6th. The play, Kala Pul - The Black bridge, a gritty tale of four days in the lives of Karachites, a teeming metropolis in Pakistan, which is a front line ally in the war against terrorism.
What are your responsibilities?
As a web analytics manager at Ask search, a leading search engine company, I am involved in doing retention analysis and customer segmentation of our customers.
As writer/director/actor of Kala Pul, (http://kalapul.info)I am managing a cast of thirteen characters, directing the play and taking care of production and logistical costs.
As a board member of Third I, I mainly serve as a curator and do outreach for our yearly South Asian festival
As a member of FOSA, I contribute in a progressive agenda for South Asians, take part in issues that effect the community like the south Asian earth quake.
Most notable achievements
Volunteering at Sungi development foundation doing relief work
Performing at Berkeley repertory theater as an artist
Adapting the film script of Kala Pul to a stage play
What makes you unique?
My experience as an immigrant living in small towns in the mid west as well as in the metropolitan Bay Area. I spent eight years in the heartland and got an amazing insight on American culture that is not available in the melting pots of American cities. As an outsider I am fascinated by what makes America successful and how we can continue this success without sidelining the rest of the world.
What's in store for the future?
I am interested in making a bi-lingual feature production of Kala Pul. The story is a compelling one. It chronicles cultural, political, and religious conflicts of fictional characters in 21st century Karachi. It is a gritty tale of fugitive Arsalan's return to present day Karachi after the violent death of his younger brother which has been blamed on religious extremists. In the ensuing four days he discovers that his younger sister has become a successful professional, his younger brother has turned into an extremist and his best friend has become involved in money laundering. He parties with the Karachi elites, is beaten up by the police, is kidnapped by religious fundamentalists and helped by the catholic minorities. The play is a kaleidoscope on the vibrant cultures of Karachi, described as one of the most violent cities of the world. The title, Kala Pul, is based on a bridge in the city which connects the affluent parts of the city to the lower income area. Arsalan grew up under the shadows of the Kala Pul, caught between the two worlds of haves and have nots, one world of MTV inspired 'burgers' and other of the left behind fodder for the Kalashinikov culture.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
I am looking to be contacted by serious investors who would like to help out in post script development phase of Kala Pul. Currently, Kala Pul is being set up as a stage play, which means I have shaved off 50 pages off the film script. The movie can be shot in Karachi in less then a month. All investors are welcome to contact me or go to the play site at http://kapaul.info.
I am also looking for sponsorship to take volunteers back with me in October to Balakot In Pakistan and rebuild a school that was devastated by the earthquake last year.
Unexpected learnings along the way?
Learning that I can act in front of people. I started acting two years back and since then have done two major play productions, Domestic crusaders at Berkeley repertory theater and Begum Sumroo at Theater Artuad, as well as being cast as an occultist in the movie In search of Lovecraft.
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Best way to stay ahead
Be honest and communicate clearly. Listen to yourself and the world around you. Trust your instincts. All of us live in a concrete jungle, some of us are displaced citizens, or immigrants, and every new surrounding offers us a new and refreshing way to look at things. This is a blessing in disguise; we interpret everything with a glee of a four year old when we try something new.
Guiding principle in life
Never be afraid to admit that you were wrong, and then reinvent yourself as version 2.0. Like Peter Demming, the quality guru said, "It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory."
Yardstick of success
Death is inevitable and unexpected. Success to me is dying with a clean heart with no debt or lies.
Goal yet to be achieved
Build a school in earthquake devastated Balakot. Perform Hajj (the Muslim pilgrimage) the old fashioned way by trekking across the desert on a camel).
Best practical advice
In this age of virtual reality, think slicing and analytical decision making, never be afraid to actually try out new things. It is good for the brain, good for the soul and good for the body. It is easy to get stuck as a high power executive, a rap artists a dancer, but holistically we need to nurture all the gifts we have received in this life. Some times we are afraid we will never be good at something, in fact it is a common expression, I am not artistically inclined, or I hate mathematics. This is an excuse. All of us have a little Leonardo in us, we just need to bring him out.
Supportive words
This Cherokee parable inspired me to go to Pakistan for relief work.
One evening, an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a "battle" that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed,arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. "The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Most memorable business experience
My first experience from the business world was very early in my career. I had just received a consulting gig with Allstate insurance in Chicago and I asked my current manager at John Deere in Moline for advice. Moline is a small town and I had always dreamed of living in downtown Chicago. Dave's advice was positive, but then I asked what if I don't succeed, his reply which is ingrained into Americans kids but was new to me was simple, he said "Saqib you will be good at anything you do, just do it with the right motives." Nobody had ever told me that.
Mentor
Since I am always learning and trying new things, I have many mentors. However, I do believe in guidance of strangers. I have learned from children, panhandlers, beggars, teachers, students and government officials. Some of the best lessons in life are learned when mentors are not committed to your personal improvement and are merely remarking on an observation which is unbiased.
What motivated you to get started?
A time limit on life.
Like best about what you do
The ability to create characters and give them life. It took me two years to develop Kala Pul as a film script, now that I am working with 13+ actors, all my characters are coming to life and taking on nuances of their own. It is a wonderful feeling.
Like least about what you do
Not enough time to complete all my projects.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Fighter Jet Pilot
Biggest pastimes outside of work
Writing (travelogues, plays, short stories, blogging).
Persons most interested in meeting
Paul Theroux, Arundhati Roy and Maulana Edhi.
Leaders in business most interested in meeting
Peter Demming and Steve Jobs.
Three interesting facts about yourself
I was born a few minutes before Halloween which that year coincided with the Muslim Shab-e-Barat. Both festivals are some sort of celebration of spirits, however one is based on the Gregorian solar calendar, while the latter is based on the Muslim Lunar calendar. This happens once every 30 years.
I backpacked from Istanbul to Karachi via Iran and Afghanistan in three months.
I play a mean air guitar.
Three characteristics that describe you
Creative, schizophrenic, impulsive.
Three greatest passions
Writing, Traveling and cooking.
Favorite books
Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Soho
Favorite cause
Fighting negative stereotypes.
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