[3] In addition, the publishing house has produced translations of Sufi classics[4] and titles by other notable authors, focusing on the fields of the humanities, cultural geography, literature, poetry, folklore, psychology, travel and philosophy.

[6] In 2014, it was stated on the official web site that "The Octagon Press announces that it is to cease from trading in its current form.

[23] Nobel Prize–winning author Doris Lessing, who also had work published by Octagon Press, praised Shah's many books and saw him as a "good friend and teacher".

Its aim was to provide medical, educational and other aid to refugees[3] and Shah wrote books to assist in the operation, some of which are published by Octagon.

The relief effort was carried out in association with The Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK) and their children's imprint, Hoopoe Books.