The Irreverent Activist is a collection of observations about topics ranging from freedom and justice to fate, faith, and love by Syrian pro-democracy activist Ammar Abdulhamid—a man who belongs to the category of people who “can only be inspired to seek out the light on account of their continuous faceoff with all that is dark.”
Split into two sections, “Book One: Heretical Affirmations” contains fifty eight singular thoughts expressing the author’s philosophy that we need to remain grounded in reality as it is in order to change it—even though it may not feel good. The heresy lies in the idea that we need to derive meaning from the fight itself, and face the ugly realities of the world rather than ignoring negativity in favor of positive thinking and feel-good platitudes.
Then, with an intriguing, yet unsettling, change in tone and structure, “Book Two: Abel’s Confessions” offers ninety poetic musings illustrating Abdulhamid’s tortured inner turmoil, his yearning to transcend his shortcomings and contradictions to do some good in the world. This cathartic exposure of his frailties and vulnerabilities complements the first section of the book by inspiring us to never give up the struggle for human rights, no matter how daunting the task may be.