Tears of the Desert
Description
Janjaweed Arab militias began savagely assaulting her people. At first, Halima tried not to get involved. But in January 2004 they attacked people in her village. Halima treated the traumatised victims and was sickened by what she saw. She decided to speak out in a Sudanese newspaper and to the UN charities. Then the secret police came for her. For days Halima was interrogated and subjected to unspeakable torture. She finally escaped but the nightmare just seemed to follow her... This inspiring story tells of one woman's determination to survive and her passion to defend her people. For the first time, we can truly understand the personal horrors of Darfur from someone who lived through it.
Halima Bashir was born into the remote western deserts of Sudan. She grew up in a wonderfully rich environment and later went on to study medicine. At the age of twenty-four she returned to her tribe and began practising as their first ever qualified doctor. But then a dark cloud descended upon her people...
Janjaweed Arab militias began savagely assaulting her people. At first, Halima tried not to get involved. But in January 2004 they attacked people in her village. Halima treated the traumatised victims and was sickened by what she saw. She decided to speak out in a Sudanese newspaper and to the UN charities. Then the secret police came for her. For days Halima was interrogated and subjected to unspeakable torture. She finally escaped but the nightmare just seemed to follow her... This inspiring story tells of one woman's determination to survive and her passion to defend her people. For the first time, we can truly understand the personal horrors of Darfur from someone who lived through it.
Reviews / Votes
This is a brave book. And a valuable one. Halima's story of the atrocities and immeasurable losses she has endured must be told. [She] leaves us with hope and awe in the face of her courage * Mia Farrow *This is a brave book. And a valuable one. Halima's story of the atrocities and immeasurable losses she has endured must be told. [She] leaves us with hope and awe in the face of her courage * Mia Farrow *
More details
Person
Damien Lewis is an award winning writer and filmmaker, his films appearing on BBC, Channel 4 and CNN and featuring war, slavery and related issues in the Sudan. He also writes for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph and The Observer. In 2001 he wrote his first book, Slave, co-authored with Mende Nazer which became an acclaimed international bestseller and is being made into a feature film. His books have been published in over 20 different languages across 80 countries around the world.
After the horrors of Darfur, Halima Bashir escaped to London where she now lives with her husband and son. She speaks out against genocide and has been interviewed on <i>Newsnight</i>.
Damien Lewis is an award winning writer and filmmaker, his films appearing on BBC, Channel 4 and CNN and featuring war, slavery and related issues in the Sudan. He also writes for <i>The Sunday Times</i>, <i>The Telegraph</i> and <i>The Observer</i>. In 2001 he wrote his first book, <i>Slave</i>, co-authored with Mende Nazer which became an acclaimed international bestseller and is being made into a feature film. His books have been published in over 20 different languages across 80 countries around the world.