Behind the Burqa: Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom
by Sulima and Hala, Batya Swift Yasgur
List Price:
Our Price: $10.49
You Save: $14.46 (58%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.99 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Batya Swift Yasgur, Sulima and HalaEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-09-30
ISBN: 0471263893
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Wiley
Book Reviews of Behind the Burqa: Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom
Book Review: Two sisters, two different opinions of freedom and liberty..
Summary: 3 Stars
Living in Egypt and seeing firsthand how harshly women were (and still are) treated by men started my quest for knowledge and understanding of Islam and the Middle East.
I was, as most people from non-Islamic countries, horribly uninformed and misled about the true nature of the legalistic doctrine of Islam. I had no idea how strict and cruel and oppressive this "religion of peace" was concerning women until I read from the Islamic sources themselves.
That being said I really enjoyed reading the first 3/4ths of this book written by the older sister, Sulima.
Now a former Muslim and living in America, Sulima details her struggle for equality and education for females in her native country Afghanistan. This remarkable girl/woman accomplished quite a lot while enduring shocking, abusive treatment from almost EVERY single Muslim male in her life. This should be an eye opener and required reading for anyone who under-estimates or denies how the Koran looks upon women and their subserviant second class role in society. Sulima's Islamic religion/upbringing ensured her a life of misery and suffering that few in the West will ever understand. Fortunately she was able to escape and build a wonderful life in America. I found her story brilliant, brave and moving. Five star's all the way.
The last 1/4th of the book was written by Hala. Sulima's younger sister by 16 years grew up under very different, much more brutal regimes before seeking refugee status in America and ultimately with her sister. During Hala's childhood she witnessed considerably more violence and oppressive treatment under the Mujihaddin and later the Taliban who sought to rid Afghanistan of the evil Western influences and establish a pure Islamic State. Hala bravely ran an underground classroom for children (because the government believed education was evil and unnecessary.) Once she had been discovered by the Taliban she was fiercely beaten and essentially told she would be killed soon. Hala was forced to leave her country. She entered America illegally and ended up in a lengthy struggle with American Immigration before ultimately being granted political asylum.
I found it very offensive and frustrating that of all the evil Hala endured in Afghanistan (due wholly in part to the religion she loves and embraces so much) she goes on and on and on about all the "atrocities" at the hands of INS, the court system, customs officials etc..The bulk of her story is not the first 20 plus years of her life in a backwards, war torn and little understood society like the reader might imagine, but lengthy details,ad nauseum, of how violated she felt by AMERICA!!!. In her words she "felt no safety in our harsh and alien world". Having such high expectations, Hala found only a "cold and friendless place". For example, she was horrified at having to deal with rude, weary, overworked airport officials who couldn't understand her language; mortified that she couldn't use the restroom alone or take her luggage with her when she did go; mentally defeated because the bench was uncomfortable and she was cold; shocked and ashamed the shower curtains didn't close properly and devastated at how long she was kept in detention until she could prove her case. Hala even claims she was denied "spiritual food to nourish my soul" and given only "physical food to nourish my body". She complains how the vegetables were overcooked and limp, the meat was fatty and the oatmeal-loose and watery. "The food was tasteless. It was a diet to make people feel physically sick and mentally punished."
Now I don't know if it's just me-but I can only imagine thousands upon thousands of hungry Afghans in her Godforsaken country who would be very appreciative to eat like she did while in detention. I won't even go into her new found safety and peace of mind from the "religious police" who were constantly on the look out for the smallest "offense" in order beat or kill a woman. Something as simple as laughing, whistling, speaking loudly, walking in front of a male, wearing cosmetics, showing any skin or leaving the country without permission from a Mahram are serious offenses that could end your life.. Do you see the irony in all this?
While detailing all her perceived injustices, Hala barely mentions all rules that were bent to make her more comfortable. She was allowed privileges others weren't and access to various things like an Islamic chaplain, prayer rugs, phonecalls, her sister being allowed to interpret in legal procedings, free medical attention, her holy Koran, shawl to cover her head etc...
All you read about is how insensitive America has been to her suffering and her dissappointment with out great country.. You would think after growing up in Hell that something as minor as having to go to the dining hall (but not forced to eat) during Ramadan wouldn't be so bad-think again!. Her lack of gratitude is disgusting. Her bloated sense of entitlement will amaze you. Hala doesn't understand that when you enter the country illegally (especially these days) you have to go through the red tape process. This has become a long drawn out ordeal due to the endless droves of non-citizens seeking life in America. It may not be pleasant or the most efficient process but I'm certain it wasn't as bad as life with the Taliban. For Hala's story I took two stars off my rating for an otherwise wonderful book.
By the way, if you are wondering if she got over her traumatic ordeal at the hands of the insensitive Americans or her disappointment with our society/way of life guess again! She is still ungrateful and complaining!
Summary of Behind the Burqa: Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom
Advance Praise for Behind the Burqa"Whenever and wherever adults make war, children die and women are subjected to fear and humiliation. This is true of Afghanistan too. Read this harrowing book. The tragic yet heroic tale of two women is told with great simplicity. They will haunt you."
-Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
"The stories of Sulima and Hala achingly articulate the twin and enduring legacies of misogyny and violence. A critical historical document, Behind the Burqa ultimately reveals the unbreakable strength of Afghan women."
-Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues
Founder and Artistic Director, V-Day
"Behind the Burqa provides important information about conditions in Afghanistan, as well as the plight of asylum-seekers in the United States. I highly recommend this book to all people who are concerned about human rights, both at home and abroad."
-Senator Sam Brownback, (R. Kansas)
ranking member, Immigration Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary
"This book is a gripping reading experience, and it also offers important suggestions for those who would like to participate in making our asylum politics more humane."
-Eleanor Acer, Director, Asylum Program, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
"This book shows the injustices suffered by innocent women seeking asylum in the U. S. and the power of religious faith to provide hope and courage even in prison."
-Fauziya Kassindja, author of Do They Hear You When You Cry
"Sulima and Hala epitomize the worldwide struggle of women for equality and justice. Their story is gripping and illuminating."
-Jessica Neuwirth, President of Equality Now
General Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Understand What's Going On in the Middle East
Behind the Burqa: Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedomby Sulima and Hala, Batya Swift Yasgur
Wiley; Published: 2002-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $11.27
Price in other shops:
Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001by Steve Coll
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2004-12-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
The Punishment of Virtue: Inside Afghanistan After the Talibanby Sarah Chayes
Penguin Press HC, The; Published: 2006-08-17; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
Embedded: The Media At War in Iraqby Bill Katovsky, Timothy Carlson
The Lyons Press; Published: 2003-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.89
Price in other shops:
Writing War: The Best Contemporary Journalism About Warfare and Conflict from Around the Worldby Clint Willis
Da Capo Press; Published: 2003-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.34
Price in other shops:
Wedded to the Land? Gender, Boundaries, & Nationalism in Crisisby Mary N. Layoun
Duke University Press; Published: 2000; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraqby Rory Stewart
Harcourt; Published: 2006-07-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $26.99
Culture Shock! Saudi Arabia: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! Guides)by Peter North, Harvey Tripp
Marshall Cavendish Corporation; Published: 2007-02-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.49
Price in other shops:
The War for Muslim Minds: Islam and the Westby Gilles Kepel
Belknap Press; Published: 2006-04-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.41
Price in other shops:
Snowby Orhan Pamuk
Vintage; Published: 2005-07-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Three Women of Herat: A Memoir of Life, Love and Friendship in Afghanistanby Veronica Doubleday
Tauris Parke Paperbacks; Published: 2006-06-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.78
Price in other shops:
The Swallows of Kabulby Yasmina Khadra
Anchor; Published: 2005-04-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.97
Price in other shops:
Burned Alive: A Survivor of an "Honor Killing" Speaks Outby Souad
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2005-05-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.09
Price in other shops:
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Timeby Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2007-01-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
Princess Sultana's Daughtersby Jean Sasson
Windsor-Brooke Books; Published: 2001-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.79
Price in other shops:
Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabiaby Jean Sasson
Windsor-Brooke Books; Published: 2001-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Mayada, Daughter of Iraq: One Woman's Survival Under Saddam Husseinby Jean Sasson
NAL Trade; Published: 2004-09-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.44
Price in other shops:
My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Storyby Latifa
Miramax; Published: 2003-07-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.30
Price in other shops:
Price of Honor: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World, Newly updatedby Jan Goodwin
Plume; Published: 2002-12-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.16
Price in other shops:
Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedomby John Follain, Rita Cristofari
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2003-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops: