TAGHRED CHANDAB
Taghred Chandab is an award-winning author with more than 10 years experience as a print journalist and radio producer. She currently writes for the Sun-Herald in Sydney where most of her focus is on building the bridge between the Australian Muslim community and the media. Her work is also helping to educate readers about Islam and to curb the misconceptions that have plagued the religion and community for so many years.

Through her award-winning book The Glory Garage – Growing up Lebanese Muslim, which she wrote with Nadia Jamal, Taghred has been able to reach out to an important part of the Australian community, students. The depth of personal information revealed in this book has been an asset to many schools, which have sought Taghred's knowledge in this area to help students identify with Australian-Muslims. She hopes to continue writing many more books about Islam and Muslims. The book was short listed at the 2006 Premiers' Literary Awards and short listed and received an Honour Award at the 2006 CBCA Awards.

Taghred's other passion is the media. She has been in the industry for almost 10 years and worked both as a writer and radio producer for Steve Price at 2UE and also as a freelance producer for the ABC. Taghred was also a Media and Public Relations Manager in the National Soccer League, travelling across the country and around the world with some of Australia's leading football stars.

Taghred has a daughter, Janah, and is expecting her second child in December 2006.

Comments from Year 9 students at Willoughby Girls' H.S:

I thought the things she talked about were interesting, especially hearing her point of view about the Cronulla riots and Bankstown. It was interesting having a first hand opinion because she is a Muslim.

I thought that she really felt passionate about the judgment of Muslims in our society. Expressing her feelings in writing was a big part of her life.

I enjoyed the fact that she had a really strong opinion about her religion.

It made me feel as if she was just like us. After meeting her I understand how hard it is for Lebanese Muslims and how they feel when they are put in the [media] spotlight.

I didn't know what to expect as I had never met a Lebanese person before so I was surprised at how unintimidating she was. She explained the ways of her culture, which was good.

I thought it was really enjoyable and interesting because she involved the audience as if she was just speaking to you. Also, some of her stories were passionate and funny.

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