ANNIE BEGHIN KHADIJA
Annie has a lot to offer for North
OCTOBER26-2000
By Asem Mustafa Awan
ISLAMABAD — French painter, explorer and alpinist Annie Beghin
Khadija a mystic and humanitarian has a lot to offer to the people of
Pakistan, specially in the Northern Areas.
She was one of the best Himalayists till 1990 and had done
explorations in entire Northern Areas of Pakistan. She left the reclusive
sport in memory of her husband Pierre Beghin who died high on Annapurna
South Face vying for the first French ascent on a new route on the peak in
post monsoon season in 1992.
Fifty-two year old Annie Beghin turned to Islam in 1994 and her
Muslim name is Khadija which mean 'Rainy Clouds'.
Her book which is finished is titled 'The Way of Rainy Clouds' and
it encompasses her life and experiences in Himalayas, China, Tibet and as
a Muslim in Pakistan.
"I have plans for the people of Kohistan and Northern Areas who
live a very hard life and are very enduring, I salute them, Insha Allah if
the book is a success 50 per cent of the proceeds will go to the people of
the region," said Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija who has given the proceeds
of her paintings to the villages of Northern Areas successively in a
number of years.
She has contributed to a children orphanage in Saidu Sharif in 1997
trekked to Shimshal in Passu bordering Pakistan and China in 1997,
Shabronz Village in Trichmir, Chitral in 1996, Lakot Village in Kalam in
1999 and harbour big plans for other villages in the Kohistan and Northern
Areas if her book is a success.
"I take my inspiration from these areas and I pay tribute to
them by contributing to these areas," said Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija.
Annie Beghin Khadija has been living in Islamabad since 1995 and
over the years has done Urdu certificate course from NIML and speaks the
language fluently.
She undertakes a number
of exploration trips during
summers in Karakorum and Hindukush.
This year she celebrated the Independence of Pakistan with a
mountain bike ascent from Skardu 2200 metres to Khaplo 2900 metres. The
distance is of 100 kilometres offering awesome land scape and mountains.
"I started from Skardu on August 16 and it took me two days to
reach Khaplu," said Mrs Beghin adding," I was supported by
Allah, my music (Noor Jehan) and bug killing bed spray."
"It was an experience, at Khowari in Ganche District, all men
were asked to sleep under the roof as I took the room which was reserved
for 20 occupants and I was still 60 km away from Khaplo."
The road was excellent but infra structure is still needed to house
the foreign tourists doing this trip."
Annie Beghin Khadija since 1983 has been on 13 alpinists expedition
in Himalayas, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, Xin Jiang, Tian Shan.
He climbing credentials include four attempts on Everest in 85, 86,
89, 90 and her best was in 1985, North Face Direct with her husband in
Alpine Style. She reached 8200 before turning back due to avalanche hazard
as too much of fresh snow made the peak very dangerous to climb.
Annie Beghin an accomplished mountaineer left the high grounds after
her husband's death in 1992 to honour his commitment and passion for the
high lands.
"I left climbing in Pierre's memory as a mark of respect."
She said," I believe in mysticism and I do these explorations
to be alone in my motivation."
"I like rocks, mountains as they give me peace and stability
and it is for my internal harmony."
"I came across many a customs and traditions observed in
Baltistan and Kohistan and during my bike tour I went to Saling in Ganche
District in Baltistan where people observe Noor Buksh Soofi
traditions."
She said," You can't enjoy tourism and exploration when you
come across people who are in misery and poverty. It is my value about
tourism and exploration. I try my best to give something back to the area
or people. This is the value I follow in my tourism and exploration and
this is what is in the book 'to feel and be with the people'."
The message in the book is about compassion and to be close to the
people and nature," said Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija adding,"
Wherever I went I studied the culture, customs and Islam in Pakistan
particularly in Karakorums."
"I found all the experience to be very enlightening and people
being very tolerant wherever I went."
"They asked a lot about me initially but after listening my
name they were very friendly and assisted me every respect."
The book which is in English has
the epilogue about the freedom and peace in Kashmir.
She has been in Kashmir on an official visit in February this year
and has visited Ambur 'Refugee Camp'.
"It was very painful to see the injured and depressed
people."
ENDS
Pakistanis are religiously tolerant says Annie Beghin Khadija
By Our Staff Reporter (Asem)
ISLAMABAD — Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija an enlightened Muslim is a
dextrous painter and calligrapher and has studied the teachings of Holy
Quran in depth.
She has performed Umra in 1995 Ramazan.
"It was a vision that came to me when I was climbing Makalu
(8470 metres) in Nepal. I was the leader and was at 7800 metres and was
coming down. The conditions were very dangerous and Allah saved me then
and I was not Muslim at that time."
She said," I followed the customs from Makkah where men and
women are equally present during the prayers."
"I offer my prayers freely in the mosques in the tribal areas
(Sunni and Shitte) as I am mostly doing trekking and explorations in
Kohistan.
"The people in the North are very tolerant and they know me now
from years in Pakistan and 'Shabash' come pouring from all the religious
elders in Kohistan."
"I have seen a number of mosques and shrines in Northern Areas
and people have always welcomed me."
Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija paints landscape with mountains in them and
writes Quranic verses in calligraphy on different things including stones.
"I am an enlightened Muslim and a genuine one," said Mrs
Annie Beghin Khadija.
She particularly thanked the family of Group Captain Shah Khan the first (SJ) Sitara-i Jurrat for Pakistan, widow of late Raja Zulfiqar of Baltistan and Jehan Sher Khan of Swat who are her hosts in Northern Areas between her treks and explorations.
ENDS
Annie Beghin mountaineering credentials
By Our Staff Reporter (Asem)
ISLAMABAD — Fifty-two year old Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija who is now
focussed more on paintings and calligraphy was one of the few women who
were very active and famous at the mountaineering front in 1980's.
She was an extreme skiier before taking up the reclusive sport
mountaineering.
Her early exploits on the 14 8000ers of the world are mainly with
her husband Pierre Beghin who was an elite French mountaineer.
"I did most of my early climbing with my husband as a support
member," said Mrs Annie Beghin Khadija adding," Pierre was very
protective and always tell me not to go beyond Camp 2."
"I climbed with him on Kanchenjunga in 1983 and I reached Camp
2, Dhaulagiri South West Face
Camp 1 in 1984. Both the times I was a support member as I was in the role
of a wife of a very high profiled climber."
"My initiation came in 1985 on Everest North Direct and I
reached 8200 metres and in 1986 I managed 7400 on the South Col on Everest
from Nepal."
"I was always concerned about Pierre when doing climbing with
him."
She said," We were together on Jannu in Ladakh, India but it
was very difficult peak."
Annie Beghin also attempted K-2 (8611 metres) from the North (China)
but twisted her knee at Camp 2 at 6700 metres.
She was back on Everest in 1989, attempting from the North Ridge but
came down after reaching 8000 metres.
Committed and head strong Annie Beghin was again on Everest in 1990
from South Col and this time
it was only two women with Sherpas attempting the peak. They came back
from 7400 metres with Annie Beghin sick from viral infection.
In 1991 she went to Khan Tengri in Kazakhstan and Musztagh Ata in
China but it was her photo expedition not climbing.
The year 1992 saw her on Makalu (8470 metres) she made it 7800
metres solo before turning back with the vision of going to Makkah.
Same year her husband Pierre Beghin lost his life high on the
mountain climbing Annapurna South Face making a new route.
To honour Pierre love and commitment for mountaineering Annie Beghin
Khadija bade adieu to the mountains and restricted herself to paint and
calligraphy.
"I take my inspiration from mountains."
CAPTION: Annie Beghin Khadija with her bicycle in Khaplu.
CAPTION: With the tribals in Bajur Agency in the valley Dir and
Kalam.