Our festival opens with a unique opportunity to hear from Britain’s first Muslim MP, Naz Shah. In conversation with Excellent Women co-founder Caroline Lang , Naz will talk about her new book, ‘Honoured’: Strength, Survival and My Path to Politics.
In Honoured, Naz Shah reveals how growing up against almost impossible odds lit the fire that still drives her today. This is the unflinching account of a young British Muslim woman coming of age and discovering the power of her own voice. An inspiring story of survival, faith and political awakening, it charts the making of an activist determined to speak out, stand up and claim space in a world that rarely offers it.
By the age of five, Naz Shah was used to the sight of her father beating her mother. At six, her father left the family for a teenage neighbour. At twelve, she was sent to Pakistan for protection from her mother’s new abuser, only to be forced into marriage at the age of fifteen. Within a couple of years, her mother would be in prison, jailed for murdering the man who had subjected her to years of physical and sexual torture, and Naz and her two younger siblings would be left to fend for themselves.
For twelve years, Naz Shah campaigned alongside for her mother’s release and was instrumental in the overturning of her life sentence. In 2015, she was elected to parliament, overturning George Galloway’s majority to win back Bradford West for the Labour Party in one of the most momentous battles of the campaign. In serving the very community that once turned its back on her, she has transformed betrayal into leadership.
Described by Monica Ali as “An astounding story of courage and resilience”, this promises to be a powerful and rallying start to our Excellent Women Festival on International Women’s Day.
Arrive from 10.30 am for coffee and pastries before the event begins. A book signing session follows this event.
Interested in attending more than one session? Then why not save and purchase a Day Pass for £38, giving access to all four events.
Reviews
You will be knocked sideways by this book, the most extraordinary and thought-provoking memoir by any MP in recent times. Personal and heart wrenching, it pinpoints the tension between traditional patriarchy and modern Islam, which will be one of the defining issues for today’s Britain – ANDREW MARR
From the start I couldn’t put this book down. A gritty and heartfelt honest account of extraordinary events that have shaped Naz to be a formidable campaigner. A story of life, love and resilience – ANGELA RAYNER
It is the most unusual and shocking story of a standing MP I have ever read. I can hardly believe she is saying all of this. But she is. I can hardly believe she lived through it. But she did . . . Thank the stars for Naz Shah, a true heroine of our times – LEMN SISSAY
Naz Shah is a brave, bright beacon of hope and her story is a must read. It will stay with you for a very long time – LORRAINE KELLY
A genuinely riveting account of a remarkable life so far. It is sad and shocking, but also inspiring and uplifting for what it reveals about the capacity of human beings to endure real suffering and come through it determined to make the world a better place – ALASTAIR CAMPBELL
Tickets: £12 (Includes coffee/tea and pastry)