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Becoming Human, Being Human

by Ali-Salaam

203 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0729; ISBN 1-55395-015-1; US$19.95, C$25.00, EUR16.30, £11.30

Ali-Salaam pens true inspirational short stories from Seattle to London...Baghdad to Tel Aviv...Cape Cod to Freetown. He has traveled the world to bring you heart felt inspiring stories that are thought provoking and life changing. He shares personal moments and introduces you to ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances; events that challenges the humanity of each and every one of us. Ali-Salaam's style and perspective as an American Muslim inspires the heart and mind. You will relive and share others profound personal transforming experiences.

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about the book      praise for Becoming Human, Being Human      about the author      sample excerpt      catalogue info

About the Book Becoming Human, Being Human is a book of inspirational true stories to change your life. You will relive and share others profound personal transforming experiences. These stories include: A 9-11 Hero Trapped in Iraq Letter from Pope John Paul II and others... Ali-Salaam introduces an American Muslim Perspective on the intense and difficult social issues of today. He does so brilliantly by recording his and others real life experiences amidst today's world crisis. Direct, intense and colorfully written your heart and mind are guided through human experience where political and dogmatic solutions would only facilitate tragedy. You will sit anxiously before Sadam Hussein as a young mother seeks to save the lives of her young children in the heat of Police incursions and Jerusalem you will learn how Palestinians and Israeli's, Muslims and Christians join together for survival and peace. These and other insightful true stories take you on a journey far beyond the evening news. In Becoming Human; Being Human you will be challenged to face your own humanity and experience an inspirational message of hope for mankind.

Praise for Becoming Human, Being Human "Absolutely the most inspirational book since Chicken Soup for the Soul" Michael E. V. Knight "Compelling true stories of ordinary people throughout the world with a poignant message on current events." Mark Clark

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About the Author A social activist, freelance writer, Ali Salaam has received national honors for speaking and humanitarian efforts. Charismatic, energetic and enthusiastic, he counsels, lectures, and gives seminars and workshops on numerous subjects on leadership and addressing today's political and social issues. Ali has recently been asked to serve on an international steering committee of Israeli's, Palestinians and Muslims developing a model of intervention & reconciliation entitled a "Dialogue for Dignity." Ali-Salaam develops and produces workshops, radio talk shows and cable television programs addressing the human condition with all its dynamic cultural and socio-political complexities. Comfortable in the corporate boardroom, the classrooms at all levels, or on the impoverished street corner; he is dedicated to giving the best of himself in all endeavors. Ali-Salaam's professional training in naturopathic medicine including Ayur Vedic Medicine, Unani Tibb Medicine and Cranio-Sacral Therapy combined with certifications in network systems engineering, web development and knowledge base software solutions seem vastly incompatible; "Not true he says...the human body and information systems are remarkably similar. Each has very gross, obvious physical components that are totally dependant on layers of complex interfaces and systems. The intricate integration within each makes them capable of amazing things, yet still so fragile, vulnerable and delicate to powers outside themselves. The sublime microcosm of humanity and computers are but a reflection of the known and unknown dimensions and universes; I find wonder in all of this, it confirms for me the existence of an inexplicable Divinity." - Ali-Salaam Inducted into the National Forensic Honor Society for debate and public speaking at the age of seventeen; Ali-Salaam has developed training models in Cultural Diversity & Sensitivity, Effective Communication: Writing & Listening Skills, Team Building & Leadership Development. Ali-Salaam is active in local, national and international humanitarian efforts. He provides custom programs tailored for corporations, media, law enforcement, schools, non-profits and other groups. Keynote Presentations Include Motivational & Personal Empowerment: Becoming Human; Being Human Illusions of Perceptions Science of Miracles Diversity: Who Am I, Who Are You? Defined by Thought Understanding Islam Financial Independence: Rich is not having a Lot of Money? e-Business for Idiots Here's what others say: "A man dedicated to bring out the best in himself and others. Committed, energized and willingly to go the distance. A truly inspired and giving colleague." Greg Gourley, New Americans of Washington "...willing to shares his gifts, willing to learn from others; Ali-Salaam will touch your heart and mind." Kinuko Noborikawa, Snohomish County, WA "I have know Ali-Salaam for twenty years as a business associate, competitor, confidant and best of all a friend. I have witnessed his personal sorrows and joy. Through it all he has profoundly effected my life for the better." Michael Knight, Newport, Rhode Island "Outspoken, opinionated you bet. Compassionate, caring absolutely!" J. Conway, United States "A hardworking visionary, walking the walk as much as he talks, one of the good guys." Gary Katz, producer of Ali-Salaam's radio show 'Paradigm Shift'. "I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the presentation yesterday. You are an elegant, insightful speaker. I am much better educated for it. Our students will be much better off for our increased understanding and vigilance as well." Dawn Champion Assistant, Principal, Mariner High School, Everett Washington

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Sample Excerpt

Sylvia

His mother opened her eyes. They were glazed over, obviously from the morphine drip piercing the hand he held within his own. The hours passed, very few words were exchanged in the afternoon stillness. Sylvia closed her eyes again, her breathing a little shallower. He called his father from the bedside telephone to let him know of Sylvia's condition. He was their only child. Born in the youth of their lives, each of them had moved on many, many years ago.

Sunset came and Sylvia's son left her bedside to make his prayer in the corner of her room. Sylvia awoke to the sound of the chanting of his prayers in Arabic. Her son could feel her awakening presence. After the prayer he sat by her side again, and took her hand, but she had faded off to sleep, breathing even shallower. Hours passed before she woke again, he glanced at the clock; it was nearly 9:30pm.

"It's getting dark," he said.

"You better get going," faintly whispered Sylvia, forcing a smile on her face. Again, he promised to be back in a few days as he placed her hand gently by her side. Her son was definitely a man of his promise. Sylvia watched her son's shadowy image fade from the room. She couldn't recall them ever spending that much time together.

Sylvia prayed for a little more time.

Trapped in Iraq

The horrific tantrum of war can never be realized until it deafens your ears and brings pangs of anguish to your heart. The desert heat was augmented by the pungent aroma of bombs bursting in air, truly not a patriotic site. The crackling fires of homes and distant and the wailing cries of human suffering just blocks away, deepened the despair of a young American Muslim woman of Iraqi descent. Baghdad, an ancient renaissance center and modern cosmopolitan city of the Middle East was already falling into ruin. An affluent glorious heritage succumbing to the ambitions of one man destined to be an infamous icon of despotism and megalomania of our age.

Friends and neighbors gathered under pungent smoked filled desert skies for chai and subdued conversation. They would share fears and worries on how close the last shower of terror from the skies came. They talked of their grief for those they knew who were now lost in the mayhem of human desires. The resounding explosions of missiles and bombs were a malevolent percussive orchestration underscoring Sarah Iman's anguish and desperation. The young American mother's anxiety caused her heart to pound in her chest as heavy as the bombs pounding the homes of Baghdad.

A 9-11 Hero

The adrenaline already coursed through his body and each second was an eon; he was certain his skills were urgently needed; needed by many. Sal and the other rescue service personnel finally arrived at the World Trade Center Plaza. They quickly exited their vehicle; the gravity of the unfolding events became more apparent every step they took. Sal jogged toward ground zero engulfed in the pandemonium of a war zone.

Flashing his police ID and moving like a football half-back, Sal worked his way through the outer cordons and fleeing people. Soon, he joined streams of other rescue personnel charging forward into the Twin Towers; committed only to saving the lives of others. This is the best possible scenario that police could reconstruct of what happened to Sal that day. Like many other New Yorkers on that day, he would never return home.

Two Prayers

The First Prayer

The infamous child soldiers wired on crack cocaine or heroin were the first to appear carrying their AK-47s and machetes. The cries and screams of the innocent echoed in the sanctuary heralding the arrival of the child-soldiers. The Bishop was inside the rectory with several nuns and staff when the rebels broke through the door ordering them to go outside. Bishop Biguzzi recognized many of the rebels. Some had been students in the Catholic schools of Makeni; some had attended mass. A few others had been given communion.

The Bishop knew of the drug induced rage that the child-soldiers where in. He was all too well aware of the brutality that the first wave of rebel forces inflicted upon the people when they stormed a town or village. He was certain that if he and his staff left the sanctuary of the rectory they would be killed*

The Second Prayer

The boy leads me by the hand to the rear of the house where Chief Alimammy beckons me to sit at a small wooden table leveled by folded paper under two of the legs. He instructs the boy to send for some chai, he immediately dashes through the side door to the outdoor kitchen that I had seen earlier that day.

"I have something I want to tell you," the tall lean elder says. I adjust myself on the hard chair perching my elbows on the table and wait for him to begin.

"I want to tell you what happened to me the night the rebels came."

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Catalogue Information

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