Product Description
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 A critical historical document, Behind the Burqa ultimately reveals the unbreakable strength of Afghan women."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
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 Two sisters, two different opinions of freedom and liberty.. ( proudinfidel )
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 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 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, speaking loudly, walking in front of a male, 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 dissappointed 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!
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 Enlightening and educational ( bethrowan )
Two sisters with two related stories - the book is not difficult to read, and the stories are eye-opening. Reminds me how thankful I am to have been born and raised in a free society, able to go where I want whenever I want, get an education, have a career (or not ... but I at least have the opportunity).
I can't believe someone considered Sulima to be "pampered" ... I did not get that impression. Yes, abuse of women also happens here in the US, so some of her experiences are not unique in that sense - but the pressure from her family to stay with her abusive husband was reflective of the culture and was clearly not good for Sulima. I just think of her technical talent and skill that was not allowed to grow to full potential - society's loss in the long run... how many other women are also derailed like that.
Hala's story shows how truly oppressive to women life under the Taliban was, something I did not realize at the time.
I am glad that both women were able to leave Afganistan, and I hope they are thriving in the US. I only hope the situation for women in Afganistan and in other similar cultures improves instead of worsening in the future.
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A glimpse into two horrific lives ( southwestbookshop )
I read a negative review on here, that I was unhappy to see. This book focuses on "Salima" and "Hala" two Afghani sisters, both opressed by different wars and regimes at different times in Afghanistan. They are 16 years apart. Reading that Salima had a "pampered life" in one of the reviews was quite disturbing to me. Considering that she fought for women's rights underground in a country that supressed them, that she was house bound and beat by an abusive father, Locked into her room and then threatened with guns by her brother, I would hardly call this a "pampered life". She continued to risk for the women she served. Later the book focuses on her horribly physical abusive relationship with her husband. This is also part of the culture, where it is considered "okay" to beat a woman. Her heroism and story was amazing.
Hala, 16 years younger suffered a completely different type of abuse, under the mujaheedin and then the rule of the Taliban. After being beat and her life threatened she had to flee and claim political assylum in the United States. This book was so heart felt and thought provoking, that for two nights I have stayed up until 4 in the morning reading. I say it is a "must read".
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psychologically astute and culturally enlightening
I disagree with the last reviewer. I feel that when I read BEHIND THE BURQA, I got an amazing glimpse into Afghan culture. The story went well beyond the individual circumstances of the two sisters but encompassed an entire timeline of Afghan history since the 1950s and also a great deal about Afghan society, practices, customs and beliefs. Hala's story was even more shocking because she was oppressed in our own country! I am sad that the last reviewer didn't understand the true meaning of the book, and its real message. I highly recommend this book as both a great read (lots of others have said this and I totally agree) and as an important educational experience.
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 I can't understand how this book got such excellent ratings ( dgamble )
I can't understand how this book got such excellent ratings as presented under the guise of Taliban oppression. The older sister, Sulima, was extremely pampered and spoiled by her bizarre father. She seems to have lacked for anything she wanted. Her story is really one about becoming an abused wife. Her unhappy story doesn't relate to her culture as much as her particular circumstances. Abuse of this sort is present within every culture. It is a story about misery, just as all abuse stories are. Her sister, Hala, younger by 20 years has relayed a bit more interesting story, but it takes up less than one third of the book. She touches on the upheavals that led to the ultimate Taliban rule as seen from her exceedingly narrow point of view. Neither of the sisters seems very politically astute. Apparently they lack the erudition to give them a real worldview. Needless to say I was disappointed since I was looking for a book on Afghani culture from a more objective viewpoint. The only thing I gave it stars for is Hala's story of her experiences in detention centers after coming into the US under asylum. After 9/11 we need to be careful about who we let into our country, but I was surprised that detainees were treated like prisoners. After reading "Mayada, Daughter of Iraq", I am sorry to say that Hala's experiences as a prisoner in the US are almost laughable
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