In the November Author Spotlight,
Aref Hassan, author of
Afghanistan's Next President

Author Aref Hassan, Ph.D. rose from the ruins of a remote village in Afghanistan. Sent to the United States for schooling, he received a master’s degree, and went back to Afghanistan to become a CEO in the Ministry of Finance. In his new book, Afghanistan's Next President, Aref tells the story of where he came from, who he is, and the situation in Afghanistan.

Most of Aref's book deals with the culture shock he experienced after moving from Afghanistan to America in 1978. "I was from a different culture," Aref explains, "and I came to a different culture. There was nothing similar to the culture I came from. It was a constant headache and heartache to adjust to American culture."

In 1972, Aref was working for the government of Afghanistan and was given the opportunity to attend college in the United States. Once in the US, he met a woman and got married. After two years of schooling, Aref was required to return to Afghanistan to continue his government work for at least 2 years. The move was hard on both Aref and his wife, but she soon became used to the life of a politician, complete with a car and chauffeur.

In April of 1978, the Communist party took over in the Saur Revolution. Aref, his wife and new daughter were forced to flee to country. His daughter and wife were able to fly to the United States in September, while Aref escaped through the hills of Pakistan to the American Embassy. He then flew over in December of that year.

The change of country also led to a change in lifestyle. Gone were the car and driver and the prestige of government work. Aref and his wife soon divorced. Aref continued his schooling, earning his Ph.D. He currently works as the City Manager of Winters, Texas. "I am forced to work in local politics, but I was born and raised to do international politics," he says. "I love it!"

When asked about the current situation in Afghanistan and the scheduled re-vote, Aref has a very strong opinion. "I knew the current president was a crook. There is a lot of corruption going on. I talk a lot about the situation in my book. I foretold this in my book."

Aref has written another book, A Public Manager's Toolbox. He plans on promoting both books after his retirement in 2012.

 

To purchase your copy of Afghanistan's Next President, visit
http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/02571.htm

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