Review & articles
Review by the Bishop of Los Angeles, John TAYLOR
Daring to Hope: Witness from Gaza
Gaza-born Mohammed Balah, 32, is watching the World Cup from an apartment in Doha, Qatar, where he plays on the Al Shahaniya team. Named Palestine’s most valuable player in 2017, his thrilling play earned him the sobriquet “Ronaldo of Gaza,” after the Portuguese superstar.
Israeli has cruelly put Palestinian nationhood on hold. But the Palestine National Team isn’t waiting for the politicians. In the 2024–2025 runup to the World Cup, they fell just short of a berth despite losing managers and family members in the Gaza war. If it hadn’t been for the war, Mohammed would probably have been playing. The Palestine team might’ve made it to North America.
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“This is a powerful story of Mohammed's life in Gaza and his return to the national Palestine soccer team. It's power lies in personal story between Anne and Mohammed. It's a story of relationship and hope. I highly recommend you to add this to your reading list, get the youth in your families to read it.”
— Martha Miller, USA
“I loved this book! Daring to Hope is a deeply human account, hugely thought-provoking and compassionate. It’s an important read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human stories behind the headlines.”
— Colin Tenant, UK
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