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Under the Same Sky
An unforgettable story of love, hope and a fight for freedom.
At seventeen, Mojgan Shamsalipoor wanted to be safe from abuse, go to school and eventually marry for love. In Iran, she was denied all of this..
Milad Jafari was a shy teenage by who found his voice as a musician. But the music he loved was illegal in his country. Milad's father - a key-maker, builder and shopkeeper - wanted his family to live free from the fear of arrest,imprisonment or execution. To do that, they all had to flee Iran.
Mojgan and Milad met in Australia. But in the months between their separate sea voyages, the Australian government changed the way asylum seekers were treated. Though Milad is recognised as a refugee and will soon become a proud Australian citizen, Mojgan has been told she cannot stay here even tough the threat of imprisonment and further abuse, or worse, means she can't return to Iran. This is their story.
Under the Same Sky is a powerful insight into the human face of asylum seekers and the way history has shaped the lives of these two young people. It also shows the compassion found in our suburbs. For Mojgan and Milad, love keeps their hopes alive.
At seventeen, Mojgan Shamsalipoor wanted to be safe from abuse, go to school and eventually marry for love. In Iran, she was denied all of this..
Milad Jafari was a shy teenage by who found his voice as a musician. But the music he loved was illegal in his country. Milad's father - a key-maker, builder and shopkeeper - wanted his family to live free from the fear of arrest,imprisonment or execution. To do that, they all had to flee Iran.
Mojgan and Milad met in Australia. But in the months between their separate sea voyages, the Australian government changed the way asylum seekers were treated. Though Milad is recognised as a refugee and will soon become a proud Australian citizen, Mojgan has been told she cannot stay here even tough the threat of imprisonment and further abuse, or worse, means she can't return to Iran. This is their story.
Under the Same Sky is a powerful insight into the human face of asylum seekers and the way history has shaped the lives of these two young people. It also shows the compassion found in our suburbs. For Mojgan and Milad, love keeps their hopes alive.
- GenresNonfiction
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 25, 2017
Mojgan Shamsalipoor grew up in Iran with her mother and siblings. She was a happy child, full of fun and laughter, but as she grew to teenage years, things changed for her and the family. When her mother re-married, ostensibly to give Mojgan a better life, things became much worse. Mojgan and her brother Hossein eventually fled to Australia, with the blessing of their mother, in the hopes of a better life.
Milad Jafari was painfully shy until he found music through a friend. But music was illegal in Iran and could even result in the perpetrator being put to death. Milad’s father was a hard-working man who adored his wife and children. He wanted the best for them; their happiness and safety was paramount – they couldn’t have that in Iran; the plan to flee their home country happened quickly.
When Milad and Mojgan eventually met, Milad had been in Australia for some time. He and his family had been granted refugee status and could work and live peacefully. But Mojgan and Hossein weren’t so lucky. Time and time again, their applications were denied until Hossein was re-detained, and then Mojgan – but they were not together. Hossein was in Darwin and Mojgan was in Brisbane. The constant threat of being unable to stay in Australia – of having to return to Iran where they would be punished, more than likely executed, was too much for the siblings to bear.
Milad and Mojgan’s love for each other, and Milad’s determination to do everything he could for her kept their hopes alive. But against the immigration laws and the government’s decisions, their worries were many. What will be the final decision for Mojgan and Hossein?
Under the Same Sky is a traumatic, emotional and heartbreaking look at the fight for freedom by the Shamsalipoor siblings; also, the compassion and kindness of strangers who found themselves in the paths of these two young people. Milad’s kind and caring nature toward the woman he loves; his parents’ acceptance of Mojgan and their desire to help; even the teachers at Mojgan’s school, in particular Miss Jessica – but would it be enough? Under the Same Sky is written by Mojgan and Milad, with the assistance of James Knight who has done an exceptional job. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Under the Same Sky which I think is a very important, even critical read.
With thanks to Lydia Tasker at Hachette Australia for my ARC to read and review.
Milad Jafari was painfully shy until he found music through a friend. But music was illegal in Iran and could even result in the perpetrator being put to death. Milad’s father was a hard-working man who adored his wife and children. He wanted the best for them; their happiness and safety was paramount – they couldn’t have that in Iran; the plan to flee their home country happened quickly.
When Milad and Mojgan eventually met, Milad had been in Australia for some time. He and his family had been granted refugee status and could work and live peacefully. But Mojgan and Hossein weren’t so lucky. Time and time again, their applications were denied until Hossein was re-detained, and then Mojgan – but they were not together. Hossein was in Darwin and Mojgan was in Brisbane. The constant threat of being unable to stay in Australia – of having to return to Iran where they would be punished, more than likely executed, was too much for the siblings to bear.
Milad and Mojgan’s love for each other, and Milad’s determination to do everything he could for her kept their hopes alive. But against the immigration laws and the government’s decisions, their worries were many. What will be the final decision for Mojgan and Hossein?
Under the Same Sky is a traumatic, emotional and heartbreaking look at the fight for freedom by the Shamsalipoor siblings; also, the compassion and kindness of strangers who found themselves in the paths of these two young people. Milad’s kind and caring nature toward the woman he loves; his parents’ acceptance of Mojgan and their desire to help; even the teachers at Mojgan’s school, in particular Miss Jessica – but would it be enough? Under the Same Sky is written by Mojgan and Milad, with the assistance of James Knight who has done an exceptional job. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Under the Same Sky which I think is a very important, even critical read.
With thanks to Lydia Tasker at Hachette Australia for my ARC to read and review.
March 4, 2023
I found this book difficult to read and not only because of the subject matter. The writing was all over the place..
Asylum seekers are people!!
This is a very disturbing book...and Mojgan's fight is not over yet.
Asylum seekers are people!!
This is a very disturbing book...and Mojgan's fight is not over yet.
May 16, 2017
What a powerful book! Not only did it have the emotion of the 'journey' of these two beautiful people, but it was very interesting and thought-provoking because of the historical, social, and political background. I think this is a 'Must Read' for everyone, and I think it should be put on school lists because we need to educate our children about the world we live in. Good luck Mojgan and Milad and your families. And thank you James for telling the story so powerfully.
April 19, 2018
This should be required reading for all Australians. UTSS gives one of the greatest insights into the plights of refugees in their bid to seek asylum. Mojgan's story told by James Knight flows back and forth from past to present, from heartbreak and stories of loss and pain to joy and stories of happiness. I was left feeling uneasy though given Mojgan's ongoing asylum status. I hope Peter Dutton has read this and maybe, just maybe felt a beat in that thing called his heart.
October 2, 2017
Having an intimate knowledge personally of the stories of those involved and knowing most of the people mentioned it was a very interesting read. Strange, though, to read a true book knowing the players!
May 24, 2017
There is no doubt that the issue of asylum seekers is a complicated issue. This book puts a human face on the issue and also shows how compassionate some Australians can be. Worth a read.
August 4, 2017
Just brilliant. Couldn't put it down. Anyone with any compassion for human rights would appreciate this.
August 25, 2019
The writer depicts a true story with empathy and diligence. The story triggers many emotions and makes one feel what 'asylum seeker' go through in their quest of 'safe' home.
February 12, 2025
I have many personal feelings about this book, being very close to the story and the people within it. It was an honour to read my friend’s words and I am proud to know these incredible humans who have overcome so much adversity. It shed light on Australia’s disgraceful treatment of refugees and asylum seekers but demonstrated how the desire for safety is a universal need, and humans are capable of so much love and light despite being victims of a system built to tear them down. Be prepared for an emotional but extremely inspiring read!
Read
June 23, 2017We all live under the same sky. Or do we? All of us may be born human, but our lives are determined by the genetic lottery of our birth – where we’re born, in what era, and to whom. Stories like Under the Same Sky are important because they cover and delve more deeply into the complex issue of asylum seekers and immigration, especially in this post 9-11 world where “national security” is a high priority on most political agendas. Under the Same Sky does not offer any easy solutions to the problem, but it is an emotionally-wrought, interesting and educational look at two individuals’ intriguing stories.
To read the rest of this review please visit: http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...
To read the rest of this review please visit: http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...
Read
June 23, 2017We all live under the same sky. Or do we? All of us may be born human, but our lives are determined by the genetic lottery of our birth – where we’re born, in what era, and to whom. Stories like Under the Same Sky are important because they cover and delve more deeply into the complex issue of asylum seekers and immigration, especially in this post 9-11 world where “national security” is a high priority on most political agendas. Under the Same Sky does not offer any easy solutions to the problem, but it is an emotionally-wrought, interesting and educational look at two individuals’ intriguing stories.
To read the rest of this review please visit:
http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...
To read the rest of this review please visit:
http://magazine.100percentrock.com/re...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews