LIM’s board member Halima El Abassi is currently publishing an autobiography. The title, “My Inner Atlas”, which can be interpreted both in a figurative and literal sense.

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– My inner Atlas has cost me blood, sweat, tears and sleepless nights, the Danish social democratic politician writes on Facebook in connection with the launch of the book.

The publisher Impact Press describes it as an immigrant chronicle, and Ingalill Sandal in LIM has the following to say about the autobiography.

– It is a book that can make us all aware of the invisible negative control and lack of freedom of choice that many young people grow up with, perhaps in your neighborhood, the deputy writes on Facebook.

A heavy punishment to bear

When Halima was twelve years old, the family traveled to Morocco, more specifically a poor, small village at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. A village parents had left knowing that it did not exist and future there. Until more later, everyone travels home to Denmark, except Halima.

Like the Atlas myth, it rests from that moment and great responsibility on the young girl’s shoulders. Atlas, which in Greek means he who endures, got in punishment to carry heaven on their shoulders for having fought against the gods.

In an arranged marriage, Halima, who was born with bones in her nose, but raised to be quiet, struggles between contradictions. In the book, she is ruthless in her portrait of the loneliness and shame she was subjected to as a girl and wife. The mother of three is clearly why the book is necessary and who is the implicit reader.

– It is primarily written for my children, but also for women and men who are quietly fighting a battle to become whole and independent women.

For anyone who fights against negative social control and honor-related violence, Halima El Abassi points out in her post how essential it is to have good guiding stars.

– The book is written to light candles and hope where there is darkness and pain.

Class trips

Today, the main character is far from an involuntarily passive role in society. Her CV lists several academic positions, as well as board positions. both in Norway and Denmark.

The autobiography goes hand in hand with her research. Among other things, she was a doctoral fellow at Oslo Met, where she researches social control and honor-related violence. When the government last autumn set up a new committee to deal with the legal issues in matters concerning her field, Halima El Abassi was a natural candidate. She has already been a member of the Council for Ethnic Minorities in Denmark for years.

these days, Halima El Abassi is in the middle of an election campaign for the Social Democrats. In November, there are municipal elections in Denmark. The 43-year-old is running as a candidate in Gentofte, a suburb of Copenhagen known for being a place for the wealthy. In a post on Facebook, she explains her political commitment.

– For me, politics is about being at eye level with those you use to help.

Of political heart issues, integration, employment, the elderly and loneliness are high on the list.

– Refugees and immigrants must be in employment and / or education, that is the framework for integration. Employment of immigrant women will prevent negative social control.