Homes by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah

This is a rather short book, just about 100 pages, depending on the format you read. It delivers quite a punch, though.  It is the true story of an Iraqi family, who first seeked shelter in Syria and then after sometime there seeked refugee status and gained asylum in Canada.  It is very eye-opening; how they almost normalize things that we'd consider alarming, but I think they do it as a means of survival and to maintain their sanity and to promote a sense of trying of normal family life for their children.  It is good in these times to see that the majority of Muslim families are not that different than our own.  They may have a different religion with some different beliefs, but underlying it all, they want safety and security in their lives like anyone else.  Through out history, there has always been hatred or dislike of those cultures that seem different from our own, the two examples that most come to mind are those of the Jewish faith, especially during WWII and Native American through most of American history, as well as countless other minority groups throughout the world and throughout the centuries.  Of course many of the individuals, who would most benefit from reading this or similar life stories won't but even if only a small number who read these books, change their perspectives that will help make this a better country and world.  I would love a follow up of this book, once Abu Baker and his family have been here a longer time.  I believe they moved to Canada in late 2015.4 stars.