When Faisal, an Afghani from the Pashtun tribe, begins attending Michael Farril's English as a Second Language class, Michael has every reason to be terrified. This Faisal has all the external signs of being a Muslim extremist and a potential terrorist. However, as Michael gets to know Faisal, he realises that things aren't what they originally seemed.

Eventually a very strong friendship develops between these two men. In so doing, each man has to adjust his thinking to the other's beliefs and outlooks on life. Michael has to re-evaluate his views and opinions about refugees and Muslims, and Faisal has to learn to appreciate that Michael's openly gay lifestyle is one of the many aspects of the freedom granted within the country in which Faisal is seeking asylum.

From Faisal, Michael learns all about Afghanistan, its history and the current developments which caused thousands of refugees to flee the country. Michael then becomes heavily involved in a long suspenseful and drawn out battle in order to save Faisal from being refused protection.