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New book will help individuals make more sense of their lives and reality

THE first Muslim Arabic Australian to be shortlisted for a Miles Franklin Award for ‘The Lebs’, Birrong’s Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad is this month releasing his third book, ‘The Other Half of You’, which he wrote as a love letter to his son to help him to appreciate his origins.

“I only ever asked you for one thing,” my father said, a quiver in his voice. “Just this one thing.” It was as though I had smashed the Ten Commandments.
“Oh father,” I cried in Arabic. “The one thing you ask of me – is everything.”
Bani Adam has known all his life what was expected of him. To marry the right kind of girl. To make the House of Adam proud.
But Bani wanted more than this – he wanted to make his own choices. Being the first in his Australian Muslim family to go to university, he could see a different way.
Years later, Bani will write his story to his son, Kahlil. Telling him of the choices that were made on his behalf and those that he made for himself. Of the hurt he caused and the lessons learned.
Beyond Dr Ahmad’s publishing credits, he is the founder and director of Sweatshop, a literacy movement devoted to empowering culturally and linguistically diverse artists through creative writing.
He says it’s an honour to be able to give minority groups a voice through his work.
“I’m hoping this book will help individuals make more sense of their lives and reality; it’s very relatable.”
Order a copy of ‘The Other Half of You’ at dymocks.com.au.