The Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Sharif by Najaf Mazari & Robert Hillman $8
The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif traces the story of Najaf Mazari, an Afghani refugee living in Australia. It recounts his amazing journey, from shepherd boy in the mountains of northern Afghanistan to successful owner of a traditional Afghani rug shop in Melbourne. As a member of the Hazara tribe, hated and despised by the Taliban, Najaf was forced to flee the brutal attacks on his people when the Northen Alliance fell to the advancing Taliban insurgents. His flight to Pakistan, overland to Indonesia, then by boat to Australia, ends with him in Woomera, where the story begins. This is the first book-length account of an asylum seeker in Australia to be captured in his own voice. From the compelling opening sentence to the beautiful final chapter, Najaf's integrity, his extraordinary optimism and his generosity of spirit will win the hearts and minds of all readers.