The Struggles of an Immigrant

About the Book

Ashraf Sufi came to the United States of America thinking he wouldn’t struggle. He was wrong. For the first fifteen years in the U.S., life was so difficult that he wanted to go back to his home country of Pakistan. Slowly and gradually, things started getting better. In this memoir, he recalls his upbringing in Pakistan and traces the history of his family—much of which is unknown even to his relatives. He describes his struggles in schools, including the obstacles he overcame to earn his medical education. Although he struggled with his medical training, Sufi went on to build a vast medical practice and is widely respected in the medical field. The author also highlights the challenges he faced encouraging his children to maintain their Asian identity and faith. He shares his love for family and looks back at the travels he has enjoyed throughout the world, the places he lived, and the historical events happened during his stay in Pakistan and the USA. Join the author as he reveals the lessons he’s learned in making the United States his home and celebrates his love of family and medicine in The Struggles of an Immigrant.

About the Author

Ashraf Sufi, M.D., is a retired gastroenterologist living in Rockville, Maryland. He practiced internal medicine and gastroenterology for fifty years. He started as a solo physician before forming a large multispecialty group in Topeka, Kansas, where he stayed for thirty-two years. He was president of the medical staff at Stormont Vail Hospital, Shawnee County Medical Society, and Islamic Medical Association of North America. He is involved with interfaith organizations and is the treasurer of the board of directors of Muslim Community Center of Silver Spring. He is married to Qaiser Sufi and has three children and eight grandchildren.