Abandoned by her parents, Sameem Ali spent six and a half years growing up in a children home. When she was told that her family wanted to take her back she couldn't wait to start her new life with them. Instead, she returned to a dirty house where she was subjected to endless chores. Her mother began to beat her and her unhappiness drove her to self-harm. So Sameem was excited when she boarded a plane with her mother to visit Pakistan for the first time. It was only after they arrived in her family’s village that she realized she wasn't there on holiday. Aged just thirteen, Sameem was forced to marry a complete stranger. When pregnant, two months later, she was made to return to Glasgow where she suffered further abuse from her family. After finding true love, Sameem fled the violence at home and escaped to Manchester with her young son. She believed she had put her horrific experiences behind her, but was unprepared for the consequences of violating her family’s honour … Belonging is the shocking true story of Sameem’s struggle to break free from her past and fight back against her upbringing.

Sameem Ali was elected as a Labour councilor in Moss Side, Manchester, in May 2007 and now strives to make a difference in her community. Sameem regularly speaks at conferences to raise awareness of forced marriage and to support victims of forced marriage.

If you have any questions for Sameem about her story or just to see what she has planned for the future please do not hesitate to contact her by email or visit her website http://www.sameemali.com

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