June 2024 Book of the Month

Category: Library, Monthly Book Reviews

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan

As I write this review at the start of June, the news is dominated by the services commemorating the D-day veterans who helped change the course of WWII and free Europe from the tyranny of the Nazis.  Americans, French, British and Canadians came together and fought in the name of democracy.  The book I want to recommend to you this month, is also a story from WWII which highlights the strength of cooperation and serves as a striking contrast to a more widely reported current political narrative.

Safiyyah’s War is based on a true-life humanitarian mission lead by the Rector of the Grand Mosque in Paris, Abdelkader Ben Ghabrit.  As part of the French Resistance, he allowed Jews who were persecuted by the Nazis to hide in the Mosque and arranged for false passports and their safe passage out of France via the extensive underground tunnel system beneath the Mosque. 

Ben Ghabrit is an unsung hero of the war but in this story the hero is Safiyyah, a map-loving twelve-year-old who bravely continues with the mission when the Mosque is put under surveillance by the Nazis.  The close-knit communities of 1940s Paris are vividly brought to life through the books characters.  We meet botanists, shepherds, librarians and undercover spies, all brought together in occupied Paris and united through their bravery and resistance.  Another great Muslim war hero, the British spy, Noor Inayat Khan also makes an appearance in the novel. 

It is a hopeful novel which portrays Islam as a forward thinking and outward looking religion.  Safiyyah’s decision to wear the hijab is empowering and I loved how this decision was compared to the French women’s defiant decision to get dressed up and wear fancy hats every day.  Women refused to be oppressed by the Nazis.

A beautiful and poignant story of bravery, resistance family and community.  Perfect for Years 7 and 8.