A book by Sonny Shafiq
The Other Sideof the Fence
How an ancient instinct turned neighbours into enemies, and how it can turn them back.
Same fears.Same hopes.Shared humanity.
A book by Sonny Shafiq
How an ancient instinct turned neighbours into enemies, and how it can turn them back.
Same fears.Same hopes.Shared humanity.
From the pages of the book
Across centuries and continents, the people on either side of a border, a battle line or a ballot often shared more than they knew.
Partition · 1947
A five-year-old girl walks with her family toward the new border.
Families walk the same road in the opposite direction.
Russia and Ukraine · today
Russian soldiers bow their heads as a priest blesses them before battle.
Ukrainian soldiers receive a blessing of their own.
Prague Castle · 1618
Catholic regents are thrown from a castle window.
Protestant nobles do the throwing, and a war begins.
Iran–Iraq War · 1980–1988
Shia soldiers fight for Iran.
Shia soldiers fight for Iraq.
The Durand Line · since 1893
Pashtun families live in Pakistan.
Pashtun families live in Afghanistan.
The age of nations
A young French soldier feels kinship with millions he will never meet.
A young German or British soldier feels the same.
Europe · winter 1944–45
White infantrymen, kept apart by Army policy.
Black volunteers step forward for infantry duty.
Braver Angels · since 2016
Conservatives sit down to listen.
Liberals sit down to listen.
About the book
Across history, people have prayed for peace and prepared for war in the same breath. Neighbours have become enemies, not because they are different as human beings, but because of the stories they inherit, the fears they learn, and the labels they are given.
In 1947, Sonny Shafiq’s mother was five years old when her family walked tens of miles during Partition, kept going by the hope of reaching the other side. Decades later, a split screen on the news showed soldiers in Russia and in Ukraine being blessed before battle. They were praying to the same God, each asking for safety, and each asking for the other side’s defeat.
The Other Side of the Fence explores how an ancient instinct to protect, belong, and survive can turn ordinary people against one another, whether it wears the costume of faith, flag, or ideology. It also follows those who refused: neighbours who sheltered strangers, and former enemies who built a shared future.
Because on the other side of every fence is another human being.
of the royalties from every book sold support community-based interfaith dialogue around the world.
Paperback · ISBN 979-8-16386982-4
About the author
Sonny Shafiq holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Forman Christian College University (FCCU) in Pakistan. His journey brings together academic achievement, literary pursuits, editorial leadership and entrepreneurship.
His interest in writing dates back to his academic years. In November 1986 he placed third in a Pakistan-wide essay contest on Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet and a prominent literary and philosophical figure. In 1991 he narrated one of his own stories on Radio Pakistan.
He served as editor of Alfrid magazine at Government College Burewala, and later of Folio magazine at Forman Christian College, now Forman Christian College (A Chartered University). These roles deepened his engagement with writing, communication and the exchange of ideas.
Beyond academia and publishing, Sonny has built a career as a multi-location operator of gas stations and restaurants, gaining practical experience in entrepreneurship, leadership and business management.
Drawing on economics, early literary achievement and business experience, he brings a multifaceted perspective to his work, and a lasting appreciation for ideas, storytelling, and the link between intellectual curiosity and real-world experience.