In Search of an Oasis

A. UbaidillahPaperback9789670076386 In the aftermath of a family tragedy, two cousins, Iskandar and Indra, embark on separate journeys in Jordan. Iskandar yearns to atone for his sins by returning to Islam, whereas Indra wants to fulfill his father and grandfather’s wishes by continuing his religious education. In Jordan, they encounter the two faces of religion and humanity – the good and the evil. Iskandar relocates to a refugee camp, where he serves an enigmatic religious leader who shows him the way to resolve his sinful past. Living in Irbid as a university student, Indra crosses paths with a Jordanian family and falls in love with their daughter, Hiba. Though it seems they have found their oasis, it does not take long for them to realize that what they have might just be a mirage. The novel reflects themes of societal concern and empathy, exploring contested ideas through the characters’ conflict, dilemma, and hope. The story highlights that the journey to uncover one's potential and biases is a personal one, with the possibility of a better world amidst chaos.