Review of A Dream For Peace
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Rozita Mohd Amin
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Review of A Dream For Peace
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Dream For Peace" by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah.]
A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah is a memoir of the journey, experiences, and quest for peace of Dr. Ghoulem Berrah from his childhood and adulthood, thus becoming an ambassador of peace. This memoir tells the struggle of his mission to make African nations for peace, especially in inter-religion and vision for peace in the world by promoting Inter-Faith Dialogues. It is a detailed book about a humble, extraordinary man, brilliant, respected, a Devout Muslim, a freedom fighter, and a peace diplomat.
His life began in Ain Beida, a small town in Algeria, a French colony. His keenness in education is from his mother’s insistence on the importance of education. The education system in Algeria at that time was prone toward France. Native Algerians were considered second-class stature, especially in the education system. Because of his exceptional brilliance as a student, he further studies medicine in France. As a medical student in France, he met with other Muslim students who faced typical discrimination. He became an activist and freedom fighter for the independence of Algeria as a medical student in Bordeaux, France. Later, as a Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University, his research made a scientific breakthrough and impacted the biological science fields. He was elected a permanent member of the New York Academy Of Sciences and became a professor at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Berrah’s life as a diplomat began when he accepted the offer of becoming Special Advisor to the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Throughout his career, he met and communicated with world leaders such as the President of America, John F. Kennedy, Charles De Gaulle, PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, and Fidel Castro. His very close relationship with President Felix Houphouet-Boigny is not just in work assignments and political matters. It is also like a father-and-son relationship. With support from President Felix, he pursued dialogues between Palestinian and Israelis and fought hard to search for ways for peace between these two countries.
The positives of this book are the way the author describes events in chronological order, the attachment of pictures and documents, and how we can know some behind-the-scenes communication for the events. It makes me understand better and learn more about the history and political dynamics of African nations colonized by the French and the importance of dialogues held to maintain peace among countries. I especially like one chapter where the author describes the struggles and challenges of his and his wife’s relationship before marriage. It shows how much inter-religion marriage can be long-lasting based on love, responsibility, and respect for each other religions.
I don’t find any negative aspects or anything to dislike about this book. Even the acronyms are a lot but are easy to follow since the author provides footnotes where necessary.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is because I thoroughly enjoy reading this book and well edited. This book makes me want to have traits that Dr. Ghoulem Berrah has. I can relate to his ideology and vision for peace.
I recommend this book to readers who appreciate biographies and historical events.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah is a memoir of the journey, experiences, and quest for peace of Dr. Ghoulem Berrah from his childhood and adulthood, thus becoming an ambassador of peace. This memoir tells the struggle of his mission to make African nations for peace, especially in inter-religion and vision for peace in the world by promoting Inter-Faith Dialogues. It is a detailed book about a humble, extraordinary man, brilliant, respected, a Devout Muslim, a freedom fighter, and a peace diplomat.
His life began in Ain Beida, a small town in Algeria, a French colony. His keenness in education is from his mother’s insistence on the importance of education. The education system in Algeria at that time was prone toward France. Native Algerians were considered second-class stature, especially in the education system. Because of his exceptional brilliance as a student, he further studies medicine in France. As a medical student in France, he met with other Muslim students who faced typical discrimination. He became an activist and freedom fighter for the independence of Algeria as a medical student in Bordeaux, France. Later, as a Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University, his research made a scientific breakthrough and impacted the biological science fields. He was elected a permanent member of the New York Academy Of Sciences and became a professor at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Berrah’s life as a diplomat began when he accepted the offer of becoming Special Advisor to the President of Cote d’Ivoire, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Throughout his career, he met and communicated with world leaders such as the President of America, John F. Kennedy, Charles De Gaulle, PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, and Fidel Castro. His very close relationship with President Felix Houphouet-Boigny is not just in work assignments and political matters. It is also like a father-and-son relationship. With support from President Felix, he pursued dialogues between Palestinian and Israelis and fought hard to search for ways for peace between these two countries.
The positives of this book are the way the author describes events in chronological order, the attachment of pictures and documents, and how we can know some behind-the-scenes communication for the events. It makes me understand better and learn more about the history and political dynamics of African nations colonized by the French and the importance of dialogues held to maintain peace among countries. I especially like one chapter where the author describes the struggles and challenges of his and his wife’s relationship before marriage. It shows how much inter-religion marriage can be long-lasting based on love, responsibility, and respect for each other religions.
I don’t find any negative aspects or anything to dislike about this book. Even the acronyms are a lot but are easy to follow since the author provides footnotes where necessary.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is because I thoroughly enjoy reading this book and well edited. This book makes me want to have traits that Dr. Ghoulem Berrah has. I can relate to his ideology and vision for peace.
I recommend this book to readers who appreciate biographies and historical events.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Khanjar by Bob O'Brien
