Beyond Hope: The profoundly moving and powerful memoir of an Afghan migrant for readers of AFTER THE TAMPA, THE KITE RUNNER and NO FRIEND BUT THE MOUNTAINS
(Paperback)
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Publishing Details
Beyond Hope: The profoundly moving and powerful memoir of an Afghan migrant for readers of AFTER THE TAMPA, THE KITE RUNNER and NO FRIEND BUT THE MOUNTAINS
By (Author) Bariz Shah
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand)
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand)
6th March 2024
New Zealand
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
True stories of survival of abuse and injustice
Refugees and political asylum
Social discrimination and social justice
Human rights, civil rights
Physical Properties
Paperback
288
Width 155mm, Height 236mm, Spine 24mm
375g
Description
What does it take to find hope in dark places and change the course of your life
When Bariz Shah's family immigrated to New Zealand, they couldn't have predicted that everything would change after 9/11. Still only a child, Bariz became the target of racist abuse and bullying, and responded the only way he knew how: by fighting back.
Caught in anger and hatred at the world - his school, his family, the soldiers invading a country his parents fled as refugees - Bariz spiralled into drugs and crime and found himself in prison at age 18. But there he rediscovered himself in faith, discipline and inspiration, and he found the strength to silence the devil on his shoulder.
Years later, Bariz had turned his life around and was leader of the Canterbury University Muslim Students Asssociation when a gunman walked into the local mosque and took 52 lives of people Bariz knew and loved. Grieving and thrust into a position of leadership, Bariz reflected on hate, hope and positive change.
Beyond Hope is an extraordinary and intimate memoir about refusing to let society limit your potential, finding purpose in dark places, and shifting your path to help others, even when things feel beyond hope.
Author Bio
Bariz arrived in New Zealand in 2001 after his family fled war-torn Afghanistan. Bariz went on to complete an engineering degree from the University of Canterbury, and became the President of the University of Canterbury Muslim Students Association. After the March 2019 attacks in Christchurch, Bariz and his wife Saba fundraised $20,000 and travelled to Afghanistan to support 51 micro businesses in Kabul and Jalalabad as a tribute to those who died. He was awarded the Christchurch Civic Award for his efforts. Bariz is now a qualified engineer, and father to 2-year-old Zawrez ("The giver of light"). He is an active Muslim community leader, and is passionate about second chances and servant leadership.
