Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to Her Son

What kind of place is Afghanistan? Who lives there? I was aware of that country from the never-ending media stories about the morass of US entanglements with that country since 9/11., and also of prior Soviet failed attempt control that place. I even heard about a terribly bloody and humiliating defeat of British colonials in the 19th century. But in the rush of daily things, I never felt bothered enough to ask myself what it might mean to live in that baffling , distant place so different from my own life.
I casually bought Dancing in the Mosque after a positive review that raised my curiosity as Covid-19 home confinement is making me read more. I have absolutely no regret.
The story weaves together Homeira Qaderi’s autobiography with moving mother’s love letters to her son. He was snatched away from her arms when he was 19-month old on the day when her husband who according to this so convenient custom pronounced her divorced three times in her own house . She had just learned indirectly about this man’s plan from a female university colleague in Kabul.
This book is a bottle thrown into the ocean by the lonely survivor of a shipwreck. Homeira Qaderi fervent hope is that one copy of her book will some day reach her son and prove to him that she is alive, contrary to the appalling lie of her death told to this unfortunate child by her husband supported by approving males and fearful females members of that family.
Here is a strong young woman who is fighting for the dignity of women in her homeland, and for mothers. She has that mysterious quality of great writers who write clearly, accurately and almost poetically about the most painful or frightening moments of their lives because they can keep their eyes dry and seek truth.
Homeira impresses me by the way she portrays with lucidity and empathy each different member of her family, friends and people she encounters, whatever they do and tell her. Confined to her house, first under the Russian and then under the Taliban, this vibrant, positive and freedom-yearning young woman is criticized every moment of the day by her grand-mother Nanah-jan who is totally unsupportive of her granddaughter’s legitimate yearnings and a relentless enforcer of every indefensible Afghan custom
This beautifully told story of a girl growing up in a claustrophobic house of the hot, dusty and violent city of Herat has been nurtured by the great Persian and Russian authors that her father and grandfather let her read. Qaderi tells us how her grand-father has to hide away his copy of Hafez during a Taliban inspection of their home. The great medieval Persian poet Hafez had been her grandfather daily companion through the hardships of his life . Are persistent difficulties the reason why Hafez remains such a part of the fabric of life not only in Afghanistan but also Iran today ?.
On the dark day of a life-changing crisis for blossoming young 17-year old Homeira, her dreadful grandmother utters a terrible phrase that sums up for me the current state of affairs in Afghanistan : ” In this land it is better to be a stone than to be a girl”…
Homeria Qaderi’s dignified woman and passionate mother’s voice will stay with me for a very long time.

I started this book and read it straight through. Life under the Taliban for a young girl, in a rare first person account. If anyone reads newspaper headlines about patriarchal extremists and wonders what day to day life is like for people living under their rule, this is a riveting chronicle.

I recently got back into reading. And this book is so inspirational and aspiring. This book taught me issues that I thought I knew, but was actually ignorant about. Im glad I read this book, it really inspired me to be grateful to get my education.

In Afganistan. Very easy to drop into the life of people living in constant wars, of social and religious laws devaluing females of all ages. I can taste the dust, feel the heat thru the words of this author. Excellent mind opening book.

This is an excellent story about women in Afghanistan. The author is a real fighter for human rights, and for justice, thanks to persons like her Afghanistan could be one day a better place for all the little girls that have dreams and deserve justice. I recommend this book.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member