I’ve been on a refugee theme since seeing Kooshyar Karimi, Jerome Rugaruza and Ibtihal Samarayi speak at the Newcastle Writers Festival. The books of Kooshyar and Ibtihal are stories of great pain and endurance as they paint the picture of their huge journeys. Kooshyar’s book, ‘I Confess: Revelations in Exile‘ is about his life as a Jew in Iran.

‘This is a gripping, previously untold story, which throws a chill light on the secrets and lies that flourish in the 

fertile soil of dehumanising beliefs and practices – in this case in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is a memoir 

by Sydney‐based doctor and writer/translator, Kooshyar Karimi, who in 2000 managed to flee, with his family, escaping certain torture and death which stalked him on a daily basis in his native Iran. Karimi’s sin 

was his Jewishness and the fact that he helped desperate girls and women, who had been raped, terminate the resulting pregnancies.

Kooshyar Karimi is a father, a doctor, a writer, and translator. In 1998, he is kidnapped from the streets, blindfolded, and tortured. When he is eventually released, it is only as a spy for the Islamic Secret Service. This is the story of hissurvival.’

Now, as a succesful GP in the hunter region who also works in emergency services and overseas is loved by his patients. He makes such a contribution to the community that it is hard to see why we would not want more men and women like him who both deserve a safe life and who contribute so hugely. Looking still at the terror in the Middle East only points out the need to help our global brothers and sisters.

I think its hugely important for children in a society that has space to offer those seeking refuge to understand both sides of the debate. They hear the reasons why Australians do or do not want refugees in our country, but I think hearing the stories of those who have come to our country puts it all into perspective.

I wouldn’t say just pop out and by these books for your child, I implore you to read it yourself and decide if your child can handle such a story. I’m going to say these books are for higher secondary, the 17+ age groups.

If you would like to know more about the stories of Kooshyar Karimi, Jerome Rugaruza and Ibtihal Samarayi please head over to my other blog at leahellismedia.wordpress.com and read about Ibtihal’s book ‘Refugee to Resident‘, Jerome’s journey and realise the need to continue to help refugees. As Jerome concluded the session yesterday ‘If you stop the boats, you cut off the future’.

-Leah