Events

Join Stanchion Books and HarperNorth for the London launch for Nooruddean Choudry's debut book Inshallah United : A Story of Faith and Football.

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The book:

'For every Manc a religion'

Manchester. Birthplace of industry, the Stone Roses, the Class of 92 and, in 1979, a small brown man called Noz. This is the story of how, and why, he came to be a strictly halal Stretford Ender.

Nooruddean Choudry was born in 1979 - the year Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose, Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the last Shah of Iran, and Tim Martin opened his first Wetherspoons. Also that year, a local football club lost the Cup Final to Arsenal courtesy of a man named Sunderland. That club would become an all-consuming obsession for young Nooruddean, who would one day become a small brown man and, vitally, also a Red.

Inshallah United is the story of the first British-born son of a Pakistani family living in England's second city. And geography is important, because if it wasn't for his mum and dad settling in Manchester rather than anywhere else in the world, so much of what makes up Nooruddean's identity could have been so different. As it was, he grew up as a Muslim, Manchester United supporting, Morrissey-loving, Maggie-hating, working-class Manc.

Inshallah United is about growing up as a strictly halal Stretford Ender; a devout Muslim and diehard Red. It's about praying five times a day that United would sign Alan Shearer and knock the Scousers off their perch. And it's a deeply personal account of life as a Muslim Asian Mancunian kid in the late 80s and 90s, bookmarked by the most successful period in Manchester United's history.

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The participants:

Nooruddean Choudry, also known as Bearded Genius, has c. 170k Twitter followers and is one of the more prominent commentators on all things Manchester United, as well as a lot of other random things that interest him. He has worked for the Red Issue fanzine, and written for the Mirror, the Guardian and others about football. He was Creative Director at JOE, covering and writing about subjects away from football, like politics, culture, social issues, etc. He tweets @BeardedGenius.

(+ chair TBC)

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Tickets and signed copies:

There are a small number of free tickets available to those who are not able to afford it. If you are broke, please feel free to book a free place, no questions asked.

There is also a ticket option to include a copy of the book. This can be collected at the event and you will be able get your copy signed at the event.

If you are not able to make the event but would like a signed copy, you can preorder on our website (just choose signed copy option). Please note that signed copies will not be sent until after the event, ie. after Tuesday 14th March. Please see our website for shipping information and estimated delivery times.

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The venue:

The event will take place in the glorious function room of The Ivy House, Nunhead. Accessibility information will follow in due course.

Seating is unreserved, but if you require a seat close to the front, please let us know.

Doors are open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

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