Dancing in the Mosque: An Afghan Mother’s Letter to Her Son
by Homeira Qaderi

A Review by Monica West, Monica Reads

Dancing in the Mosque by Homeira Qaderi is a book that you will read in one sitting! 

It is interesting and engaging and frightening and heartfelt.  I cried and I laughed and I was certainly inspired and grateful to be an American.

Homeira Qaderi is an Afghanistan woman who grew up in Herat in  the days of the Russian involvement.  America arrived in Afghanistan a few years after Russia abandoned Afghanistan.  The Taliban were evil and monstrous.

Homeira Qaderi was raised in a family of educators and people who loved books. 

At thirteen years old, Homeira was bravely teaching reading and writing in a clandestine school.  It was a time when the Taliban grew in power and influence, and she risked her life doing so.

Homeira Qaderi married and lived in Iran.  You will think differently about our libraries after you have read this book. 

I want every woman everywhere to read Dancing in the Mosque.  As Homeira’s mother and grandmother said, “Stones are treated better than women in this country.” 

Homeira is courageous, educated, empathetic and a true hero of our time.  Her family members are as likable and lovable as my own. 

They take care of each other and bravely go about the business of living between a rock and a hard place.  The rock being Taliban and the hard place Afghanistan.   

Please read this book.  You won’t believe it all happened to one amazing woman.

Monica West reviews books for InDepthNH.org. Monica is known for her love of history and her lifelong love for reading. She has a bachelor’s degree in History, with a minor in English. “My years of reading for leisure and pleasure have given me the insight to read a book and analyze the author’s baggage, cargo and ability to write the language of his/her mind and utilize the gift of prose to educate and entertain the reader. Go get a book, read it and enjoy the adventure.”