This is the first book of Alexander's Autobiography . He was born of mixed race, his came father from Pakistan to find a new life and to make some money, his mother was a White English girl from Hawesmill who was shy and needed to be loved .

All starts out well for young Mohamed as he was then and his young sister Jasmine, until his father and mother separated and the children were kidnapped and taken to Pakistan to be brought up as “proper” “Muslims. Later on they return to a Lancashire town to live with an abusive Auntie and Uncle, young Mohamed inadvertently managed to disgrace the family honour system by associating with English girls .

Retribution is harsh and swift the lad is send back to Pakistan were he is again kidnapped and placed in to a Madrassa , a tough religious school. Poor Mohamed is nether a Pakistani nor White and he suffers greatly in this netherworld. Eventually he is to have an arranged marriage to a young girl but this time circumstances of family honour work for him and he is allowed to return to the UK at 16 years old.

I was captivated with this book from the moment that I read the prologue, Alexander, as he is now writes in a simple style describing clearly what it is to be a member of a Pakistani religious family. Not only do we get a feeling of how harshly he was treated but we get a taste of what it is to be a Muslim. If anyone is being posted on Op Herrick I should say that this book would be desired reading . The Madrassa not only teaches the holy book but also provides young fighters for the Afghan war and one can see how these fanatics are willing and able to blow themselves up for the cause .

I cant wait to read Alexander’s next book where he recounts tales of his time in the British Army. A definite Four Mushrooms .

Sirbhp


Orphan of Islam by Alexander Khan published by HarperCollins
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