Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! SubhanAllah the subject matter is incredible, but the characters, writing, and Islamic inclusion really make this 327 page book a must read for all upper middle grade and lower middle school aged children everywhere. The book is historical fiction, set in Paris during WWII, the Nazis are invading and the Muslims at the Grand Mosque of Paris are covertly helping, hiding, and saving their Jewish neighbors. Based on real facts, the book does not get lost in politics, or propaganda, or the enemy, the story stays on level for an MG reader with character arcs that are not confined to the atrocities at hand. The familial love, the friendships, the bravery of so many, really lingers long after the last page is read. Knowing that Muslims in France did this and that their stories have by-and-large been lost over time, makes this book all the more important to share with our own children. This book fills such a void for children in Western countries wondering why WWII lessons in school never mention Muslims, and that this is traditionally published in the UK, soon to be in the USA, really is a benefit to us all. I do wish the book was more strongly sourced, there are Historical Notes at the end, but I’d love to know where to go to get more facts about it all. Little kid me would have been obsessed, adult me can’t wait to share this book with teachers and book clubs to discuss, teach, enjoy, and be inspired by, alhumdulillah.
SYNOPSIS:
Safiyyah lives in the apartments in the compound of the Grand Mosque and while Muslims are more-or-less safe from the imminent threat of the Nazi’s, because of their connections to North Africa, their world is still changing quickly. Safiyyah loves maps, helping run errands for her father, Ammo Kader, and Ammo Imam, and spending time with her Setti. She also loves spending time with her best friend, Isabelle at school and on weekends. When the Nazi presence is no longer avoidable, Isabelle and her family leave, errands are no longer safe and Setti’s beloved oranges are harder and harder to get. To top it all off, her father starts acting secretive and Safiyyah starts sneaking around to find out what is going on, unraveling a clandestine network helping those needing to get away. Her family has no intention of involving her, but when soldiers start getting suspicious of the Muslims assisting the Jews, Safiyyah takes on dangerous roles that just maybe a young girl can accomplish without drawing too much attention to herself, the cause, and the Muslim community’s commitment to helping the innocent.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I love that the book is fast paced and the fear of being caught is always present, yet the book is able to flesh out relationships, character growth, and religious understanding. Little details weave in and out, and the confidence that the writer is in control of all the threads allows the reader to be swept away, completely. The interfaith aspects are not just check marks, the story shows the ease in which the communities work together and their connections are tangible. There is no internalized Islamophobia or othering, and the way that Islam emboldens the characters’ actions is so beautiful: from the larger commitment for justice, to the personal internal reflections of wearing of hijab, praying, listening to the athan, making duas for the deceased, etc.. Spending time to ruminate on the idea that breaking an unjust law to save lives through an Islamic lens is empowering, and knowing that this is the risk that real Muslims in Paris took is so very humbling. I love that the conflict of France and Algeria is not left out as the Kabyle protagonist and her grandmother note that they are now supporting those wearing French uniforms to fight the Germans.
FLAGS:
Wish making, lying, death, fear, occupation, war, destruction, oath taking on a Quran, tasbeehs, working with wine barrels and smugglers. There is a strong familiarity with Christian and Jewish holidays, some crossover celebration. Some Christian angel imagery being used by Safiyyah for Ammo. Sneaking, hiding, forgery, skipping school.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Having only ever read one other book on this topic, The Grand Mosque of Paris, that would definitely be a reference I would present when introducing the book. Whether in a classroom, a library, a home, a book club, I hope this book gets read, passed around, shared, and discussed. Muslims and non Muslims alike will fall in love with persistent over-eager Safiyyah and hopefully remember the resistance the characters in the book and real life sought with courage and dedication for the good of humanity.
I own my UK copy and have preordered US copies for myself, my mom, my teacher friends and hope you will do the same (you can preorder here). Please also request your local public libraries to shelve this important book.
