Hope Not Fear: Finding My Way from Refugee to Filmmaker to NHS Hospital Cleaner and Activist

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An extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era . . . a story about resilience, renewal' - Elif Shafak A stunning testament to human strength, courage and compassion, Hope Not Fear shows that nobody is powerless to change the world. This memoir from refugee, filmmaker, and activist Hassan Akkad traces his campaigns for justice, from protesting the Assad regime in Syria to winning greater rights for cleaners in the NHS. Since seeking asylum in the UK, Hassan's unshakeable instinct to raise awareness, help and connect, has seen him share not only his experience as a refugee, but to the coronavirus pandemic as a covid ward cleaner and documentary filmmaker. As a witness and advocate, he bridges national and political divides; his humanity, sense of service and ideals bring people together. If you find yourself wondering where to find hope in difficult times, this book is the place to start. 'Remarkable' - The Observer 'A journey of hope and connection . . . this will do much to restore your faith.' - Stylist

Reviews

A journey of hope and connection, of finding humanity in unlikely places and building something for the future. If youre feeling bleak about the way things are going this will do much to restore your faith. -- Stylist

Hope Not Fear is an extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era....But it is also a story about resilience, renewal and humanism.

-- Elif Shafak, internationally bestselling author of The Forty Rules of Love and10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
Remarkable -- The Observer
Syria has lost another extraordinary young person in Hassan Akkad. His terrifying and candid account is yet another reminder of how much we gain as a society when we welcome those to whom we owe nothing. -- Emma Thompson
This book is a vital and timely reminder of the power each of us has to create change in this world when we remember we are part of a global community. Hassan reminds us that hope is not passive: it comes from all of us. Hassan's words and story will stay with me forever. I cried and laughed. My heart was both broken and made whole again through his words. Everyone needs to read this book! -- Mikaela Loach
What a book! What a story! So full of compassion, courage, and empathy. I learnt so much and feel much better informed. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink, bestselling author of The Last Act of Love
Hassan Akkad is a remarkable soul with a remarkable story. He not only leads us through his own physical and emotional odyssey, but teaches us about our own society. -- Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News
Galvanising and uplifting. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *

Author Bio

Hassan Akkad is a photographer, film-maker and activist living in London. He fled Syria in 2015 and was part of the team that made Exodus: Our Journey to Europe which won the BAFTA for Best Factual Series or Strand in 2017. Hassan campaigned successfully for the removal of the 400 surcharge for immigrant NHS cleaners and porters to use the NHS themselves and for the reversal of their exclusion from its bereavement scheme. His video welcoming refugees to the UK, with Led by Donkeys, was projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover and featured across UK news networks. He has featured across print and broadcast media, including in Vogue, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Independent and on BBC News and Good Morning Britain. Hope Not Fear is his first book.