Shahed Sakandari Presents His Autobiography in Drunen
Drunen, maandag, 11 augustus 2025.
Last Friday, Shahed Sakandari, an 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, presented his autobiographical book ‘The Long Wait of Shahed’ in the Utopia Hall of the Library in Drunen. Together with his grandmother Laheqa Nourzada, he wrote this moving story about his childhood, filled with threats and violence. The book offers a personal insight into the difficult journey that Shahed and his family had to undertake to build a safe life in the Netherlands. Interesting fact: Shahed only arrived in the Netherlands in 2018 at the age of 11, and was reunited with his parents three years later.
A Full House for Shahed Sakandari
Last Friday, Shahed Sakandari, an 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, presented his autobiographical book ‘The Long Wait of Shahed’ in the Utopia Hall of the Library in Drunen. The hall was packed to the last seat, testament to the great interest in Shahed’s story. Alderman Peter van Steen received the book in the presence of more than 150 guests, including friends, family, and community members [1].
A Personal and Moving Story
Together with his grandmother Laheqa Nourzada, Shahed wrote this moving story about his childhood, filled with threats and violence. The book provides a personal insight into the difficult journey that Shahed and his family had to undertake to build a safe life in the Netherlands. Shahed only arrived in the Netherlands in 2018 at the age of 11, and was reunited with his parents three years later [1].
Historical Background and Personal Experiences
Shahed’s father, Shafi, gave a brief overview of the events in Afghanistan since 1979, which have forced many citizens to seek safety elsewhere. Shahed himself shared his personal experiences with the audience, including the difficult process of reuniting with his family and the obstacles he encountered along the way [1].
A Symbol of Hope and Gratitude
Shahed expressed his gratitude for the opportunities and hospitality offered by the municipality of Heusden to him and his family. He emphasised that the book is not only a personal story but also a symbol of hope and solidarity. Shahed will donate a portion of the proceeds from book sales to local charities, demonstrating his desire to use his experiences to help others [1][2].
Practical Information for Interested Parties
Interested parties can purchase the book for €15 from Annelies van der Sanden via [email protected], providing their name, address, and telephone number. For shipping, the cost is €19.50. The presentation of ‘The Long Wait of Shahed’ was made possible thanks to financial contributions from, among others, the Abdij Mariënkroon Foundation, the former Honsoirde Foundation, and many others who have a warm heart for Shahed’s family [1].
Conclusion with Afghan Delicacies
After the official presentation, Afghan delicacies were served, making the evening even more enjoyable for the attendees. The event was a beautiful example of how stories and culture can connect and foster understanding [1].