Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Allah Miyan’s Workshop Explores Faith, Prejudice and Childhood
Allah Miyan’s Workshop is a story about Gibran, a 14-year-old boy living in Awadh.
He is curious about the world and about his faith.
His father wants him to work at the local mosque.
Then Gibran’s father is arrested on suspicion of terrorism, changing the family’s life.
The novel shows how a child experiences difficult events he may not fully understand.
It also explores prejudice, family, and growing up.
The reviewer praises the small details of Gibran’s everyday life.
The English translation keeps many Urdu expressions.
The reviewer says the book is rewarding to read again.
Mohsin Khan’s novel follows Gibran, a curious 14-year-old boy growing up in Awadh.
Gibran’s carefree childhood is disrupted when his father is arrested on suspicion of terrorism.
The story explores faith, prejudice, family expectations and the loss of innocence through a child’s perspective.
The review praises the novel’s vivid everyday details and its portrayal of Islam as part of Gibran’s intimate world.
Maaz Bin Bilal’s translation preserves Urdu and Awadhi expressions, while the reviewer says rereading reveals new details.
- Who
- Gibran, a 14-year-old boy; the novel is by Mohsin Khan and translated by Maaz Bin Bilal.
- What
- A coming-of-age novel exploring faith, prejudice, family and the loss of innocence.
- Where
- Awadh.
- Why
- The story follows Gibran as he tries to understand faith and the changes in his life after his father is arrested.
- Book
- Allah Miyan’s Workshop
- Author
- Mohsin Khan
- Translator
- Maaz Bin Bilal
- Original language
- Urdu
- Main character
- Gibran, a curious 14-year-old boy
- Setting
- Awadh
- Publisher
- HarperCollins India