A book review, by Irene Orton
An exquisite and inspiring memoir about one mother’s unimaginable choice in the face of oppression and abuse in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Time to share with everyone this great book that I just finished. The title is: Dancing in the Mosque by Homeira Qaden. With all that is happening in Afghanistan I felt compelled to pick up this book in my local library. I was not disappointed.
This 212 page book was compelling, as a courageous mother in Afghanistan she writes this memoir about the love she has for this child in a country that shuts women away from everything that we hold true and dear here in the United States. I learned so much about society and the treatment of women in this country. Homeira was no ordinary women, and she was constantly fighting for the rights of women in a very theocratic and patriarchal society. At 13, she risked her freedom, and she defied the law to teach reading and writing to children.
This memoir is a letter to her son whom she was forced to leave behind. This books serves as a wonderful invitation to reflect on the meaning of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival. How far would we go to protect ourselves, our families and our dignity?
I could not put this book down!!!
