Powerful & Inspiring
Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan is a powerful, historical children’s novel for ages ten years and older. Whatever your age this book will inspire you as you marvel at the bravery of good hearts, and especially at the courage of the very young.
Safiyyah’s War has its’ roots in fact. It is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The Grand Mosque takes centre stage as a setting. This book tells the little-known story of how the Muslims of the mosque helped to rescue and evacuate many Jewish people during the war. It is an inspiring tale of bravery and resistance. Much courage was needed. “For whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.”
The central character is Safiyyah who is very young and very brave. She has a desire to help the persecuted. She wanted to show her resistance. “Everyone has a unique part to play.” In some ways, the very young were the invisible helpers of the resistance. Their youth enabled them to blend in more. Everyone did what they could. Safiyyah always “chose courage and wisdom.”
As her best friend leaves Paris, we see hearts torn apart. “This isn’t goodbye… It’s see you later.” Anything more would feel too final. They had to believe that they would see each other again.
Safiyyah’s mind is like a sponge. She soaks up information, after spending hours in the library pouring over maps and books of far away places. “The light that a library brings is terrifying to the darkness of a tyrant.” Many books were hidden away in the mosque.
As the Nazis moved into Paris, Safiyyah exclaims “the war was finally on their doorstep… How could the sun shine so brightly on such a dark day.” We feel as if the weather should be bleak too but the wheels keep turning in the good and the bad times. Everything looks the same but everything has changed.
Safiyyah has a heart for the hurt and those in need. On one afternoon she rescues a cat, three kittens and a parrot, whilst also befriending a young boy and his father. “Their arms full, and their hearts fuller than they had been before.” She is a light and a purpose in dark times.
There is a beautiful bond between Safiyyah and her grandmother. There are some very touching scenes.
All the characters were well drawn, believable and likable. The innocence of youth in all its’ goodness, cut through the evil darkness.
There are images of light and dark throughout the novel. The smallest light can banish the darkness.
At the end of the book there is a historical note giving the context of the novel which was good to read.
Safiyyah’s War was inspiring and powerful. It is a tale that needs telling in memory of the brave citizens of Paris during World War II.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“Her city had been plunged into darkness, with evil lurking at every corner, but there was a pulsing, glowing secret network of light.”
JULIA WILSON