The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif

The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif
ISBN: 9780980757057
Publication Date: 1 July 2011

This book traces an Afghan refugee's extraordinary journey-from his early life as a shepherd boy in the mountains of Northern Afghanistan to his forced exile after being captured and tortured by the Taliban, to incarceration in an Australian detention centre...and finally to freedom. A poignant and powerful, often humorous, story of suffering, injustice and survival that explores the resilience of the human spirit. "An extraordinary account of an epic journey to freedom, told with great intelligence, humour, poetry and integrity. Even in his darkest hours of despair, Najaf clings to hope and his deep love of life and people." Arnold Zable - Writer and refugee advocate Najaf donates all royalties from the sale of this book to the Masawat Development Fund which he founded to raise funds to support health and education programs in Mazar-e-Sharif and surrounding villages. You can check it out at masawatdevelopmentfund.org.au Beautifully captured and penned by award-winning biographer Robert Hillman, this is a compelling story of an exceptional yet 'ordinary' man whose generous spirit, natural leadership and desire for peace transcends enormous danger and heartbreak. The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif follows the extraordinary journey of Najaf Mazari from the despair of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime to the flowering of a new life in Australia. Unaware of the fragility of innocence in a country torn by civil war, Najaf describes his childhood working as a shepherd, an apprentice welder and, finally, finding his calling as an apprentice rugmaker. "After a few months I was weaving simple quality rugs without assistance... but then came the more difficult tasks - learning to repair rugs, to stretch rugs, to match colours, make colours, create a design that does justice to fine yarns... It was during my initiation int...