“In the Red Chair” is a series which depicts intimate and powerful portraits of ordinary people who became extraordinary people as they triumphed over profound challenges. Whether the challenge was crushing heartbreak, a fatal diagnosis, a killer’s twisted mind, a self-destructive addiction, a racist’s hate, a horrific genocide, or the complete loss of human dignity – each of these stories is ultimately about finding faith, keeping hope alive, and being determined to live life victoriously.

TAWFIK HAMID
Tawflik Hamid was raised in an upper class home in Cairo Egypt. He parents were professionals, and were not practicing Muslims.

While attending medical school, Tawflik was introduced to a fundamentalist sect of Islam. What started as an intellectual curiosity soon become an all-consuming ideology that required strict adherence and the willingness to do what ever was asked in the name of Allah. He was introduced to Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri who would become the second in command at al-Qaeda. “They taught me how to hate.”

Eventually, Tawflik’s peaceful upbringing and disapproval of his parents came into conflict with the violent acts of his classmates when they broke the hand of a Christian professor. Taflik was at a crossroad that caused him to re-examine the claims of his Islamic faith.
Today Dr. Hamid speaks around the world about his moderate interpretation of the Koran.