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Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse: The True Story of a Woman Who Risked Everything to Bring Hope to Afghanistan
From her first humanitarian visit to Afghanistan in 1994, Suraya Sadeed has been personally delivering relief and hope to Afghan orphans and refugees, to women and girls in inhuman situations deemed too dangerous for other aid workers or for journalists. Her memoir of these missions, "Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse," is as unconventional as the woman who has lived it. This is no humanitarian missive; it is an adventure story with heart.
To help the Afghan people, Suraya has flown in a helicopter piloted by a man who was stoned beyond reason. She has traveled through mountain passes on horseback alongside mules, teenage militiamen, and Afghan leaders. She has stared defiantly into the eyes of members of the Taliban and of the Mujahideen who were determined to slow or stop her. She has hidden and carried $100,000 in aid, strapped to her stomach, into ruined villages. She has built clinics. She has created secret schools for Afghan girls. She has dedicated the second half of her life to the education and welfare of Afghan women and children, founding the organization Help the Afghan Children (HTAC) to fund her efforts.
Suraya was born the daughter of the governor of Kabul amid grand walls, beautiful gardens, and peace. In the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, she fled to the United States with her husband, their young daughter, their I-94 papers, and little else. In America, she became the workaholic owner of a prosperous real estate company, enjoying all the worldly comforts anyone could want, but when a personal tragedy struck in the early 1990s, Suraya seriously questioned how she was living and soon sharply changed the direction of her life.
Now, in "Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse," she shares her story of passion, courage, and love, painting a complex portrait of Afghanistan, its people, and its foreign visitors that defies every stereotype and invites us all to contribute to the lives of others and to hope.
To help the Afghan people, Suraya has flown in a helicopter piloted by a man who was stoned beyond reason. She has traveled through mountain passes on horseback alongside mules, teenage militiamen, and Afghan leaders. She has stared defiantly into the eyes of members of the Taliban and of the Mujahideen who were determined to slow or stop her. She has hidden and carried $100,000 in aid, strapped to her stomach, into ruined villages. She has built clinics. She has created secret schools for Afghan girls. She has dedicated the second half of her life to the education and welfare of Afghan women and children, founding the organization Help the Afghan Children (HTAC) to fund her efforts.
Suraya was born the daughter of the governor of Kabul amid grand walls, beautiful gardens, and peace. In the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, she fled to the United States with her husband, their young daughter, their I-94 papers, and little else. In America, she became the workaholic owner of a prosperous real estate company, enjoying all the worldly comforts anyone could want, but when a personal tragedy struck in the early 1990s, Suraya seriously questioned how she was living and soon sharply changed the direction of her life.
Now, in "Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse," she shares her story of passion, courage, and love, painting a complex portrait of Afghanistan, its people, and its foreign visitors that defies every stereotype and invites us all to contribute to the lives of others and to hope.
281 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 17, 2012
My favourite quote in the book & also one of my constant self reminder "while we may think we are the masters of our universe, there will always come a time when our lives will fall apart & we need to be lifted up again. All things happen for a reason, even the harshest & most traumatic events in our lives. Even our loved one's dying."
April 26, 2015
A fascinating memoir of a woman facing multiple obstacles and life threatening dangers in her humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. Suraya Sadeed, an Afghan-American, has dedicated her life (starting in 1994) to improving the lives of Afghan women and children through her organization "Help The Afghan Children". A remarkable story of dealing with the Mujahideen and the Taliban as she brought money, blankets and medicine to the survivors of the wars and earthquakes. She has built clinics and started a secret girls school in Kabul....and has now built many schools there. Truly an amazing read that for me gives me insight and some reasonable solutions to the problems that exist there. Highly recommend!
February 1, 2020
Ms.Sadeed is a great humanitarian.She is the one who deserved the Nobel for her welfare activities(not Malala).As far as the book goes,I don't know why is it named as Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse as underground schools come up in Kabul four years after HTAC(Help the Afghan Children) was set up.This book is all about the setting up and running of HTAC.
And being the founder,there is a lot of "self-praise" by Ms.Sadeed(which is correct at times ).Sometimes,she got her facts wrong (during the Afghan earthquake,Red Crescent were already there before HTAC).
The bottom line is that its a book about how an aid agency is run in Afghanistan by a woman who is now an American citizen.
Its not a classic,but can be read once.
And being the founder,there is a lot of "self-praise" by Ms.Sadeed(which is correct at times ).Sometimes,she got her facts wrong (during the Afghan earthquake,Red Crescent were already there before HTAC).
The bottom line is that its a book about how an aid agency is run in Afghanistan by a woman who is now an American citizen.
Its not a classic,but can be read once.
August 13, 2011
This book has given me a new understanding to the many challenges being faced in Afghan society. I highly appreciate this first-hand account of Afghanistan before, during and after the Taliban and Suraya Sadeed's accomplishments in raising up a NGO aid organization. Her accounts are unique in that she went where other organizations didn't dare to go. I am still haunted by her description of the orphanages and the "widow camps" where evil men were given open access to force their will on girls, boys, and defenseless widows and their daughters, as well as the many other horrid things and people she witnessed. In some places I highly enjoyed her insight. I did, however, grow tired of her references to Sufism as the true representation of Islam and also her manner of conducting herself. IMO, this story would have been better if the author could have simply said I used to be all caught up in this worldly life and really don't know much about the proper practice of the religion, I would have respected this more. That being said, the Taliban's version is frightening to say the least.
September 16, 2021
I just finished reading this book a couple of weeks after the US troops left Afghanistan and the Taliban quickly toppled the Afghan government. I sincerely hope that those who received an education as a result of the work of Ms Sadeed and HTAC, will be able to help the country out of this.
I’m grateful to have read this book and to get a glimpse of the amazing work that this determined woman was able to do. I hope there will be more efforts like hers now that the Taliban is back.
I’m grateful to have read this book and to get a glimpse of the amazing work that this determined woman was able to do. I hope there will be more efforts like hers now that the Taliban is back.
November 6, 2020
Sebuah buku yang memaparkan kisah penulis sendiri. Buku yang berlatarkan Afghanistan pada era perang Afghanistan-Soviet Union, era pemerintahan Taliban dan era selepas peristiwa 9/11.
Suraya Sadeed adalah merupakan pengasas kepada "Help the Afghan Children" (HTAC) yang bertujuan untuk membantu kanak-kanak & wanita serta rakyat Afghanistan yang menderita akibat perang & bencana alam. Beliau merupakan warga Afghanistan yang telah berpindah ke U.S semasa era perang Afghanistan-Soviet Union dan kemudiannya menjadi warganegara U.S.
Buku ini membincangkan keadaan di Afghanistan dari segi politik,sosial,ekonomi dan pendidikan di Afghanistan yang memberi fokus kepada era selepas perang Afghanistan-Soviet Union. Penulis memberi gambaran keadaan di Afghanistan selepas perang terutamanya dari sudut sosial & pendidikan di mana ia banyak di sekat oleh pemerintah pada waktu itu. Kesusahan yang dihadapi oleh warga Afghanistan, sekatan terhadap wanita, sekatan untuk mendapatkan pendidikan dibincangkan di dalam buku ini.
Membaca buku ini membolehkan kita mengetahui sedikit sebanyak gambaran tentang situasi yang berlaku di Afghanistan pada era selepas perang.
Melalui pemahaman pembacaan, judul " Forbidden Lesson in a Kabul Guesthouse" adalah merupakan sekolah yang dibuka secara "Underground" oleh suraya di sebuah rumah tumpangan di Kabul, yang bertujuan untuk memberi pendidikan kepada warga Kabul, khususnya kaum wanita, di mana pada waktu itu, pendidikan untuk kaum wanita adalah tidak dibenarkan oleh pemerintah.
Apa yang ingin disampaikan oleh buku ini adalah tentang ketabahan dan kepimpinan yang dimainkan oleh Suraya Sadeed di dalam menjayakan misi HTAC, sehingga berjaya menubuhkan sekolah di Afghanistan.
Sebuah buku yang menarik untuk di baca. Buku yang berkisahkan keazaman, keberanian dan pengorbanan. Sebuah catatan pengalaman yang dilalui sendiri oleh penulis. Pengalaman yang mampu memberi inspirasi kepada pembaca.
Suraya Sadeed adalah merupakan pengasas kepada "Help the Afghan Children" (HTAC) yang bertujuan untuk membantu kanak-kanak & wanita serta rakyat Afghanistan yang menderita akibat perang & bencana alam. Beliau merupakan warga Afghanistan yang telah berpindah ke U.S semasa era perang Afghanistan-Soviet Union dan kemudiannya menjadi warganegara U.S.
Buku ini membincangkan keadaan di Afghanistan dari segi politik,sosial,ekonomi dan pendidikan di Afghanistan yang memberi fokus kepada era selepas perang Afghanistan-Soviet Union. Penulis memberi gambaran keadaan di Afghanistan selepas perang terutamanya dari sudut sosial & pendidikan di mana ia banyak di sekat oleh pemerintah pada waktu itu. Kesusahan yang dihadapi oleh warga Afghanistan, sekatan terhadap wanita, sekatan untuk mendapatkan pendidikan dibincangkan di dalam buku ini.
Membaca buku ini membolehkan kita mengetahui sedikit sebanyak gambaran tentang situasi yang berlaku di Afghanistan pada era selepas perang.
Melalui pemahaman pembacaan, judul " Forbidden Lesson in a Kabul Guesthouse" adalah merupakan sekolah yang dibuka secara "Underground" oleh suraya di sebuah rumah tumpangan di Kabul, yang bertujuan untuk memberi pendidikan kepada warga Kabul, khususnya kaum wanita, di mana pada waktu itu, pendidikan untuk kaum wanita adalah tidak dibenarkan oleh pemerintah.
Apa yang ingin disampaikan oleh buku ini adalah tentang ketabahan dan kepimpinan yang dimainkan oleh Suraya Sadeed di dalam menjayakan misi HTAC, sehingga berjaya menubuhkan sekolah di Afghanistan.
Sebuah buku yang menarik untuk di baca. Buku yang berkisahkan keazaman, keberanian dan pengorbanan. Sebuah catatan pengalaman yang dilalui sendiri oleh penulis. Pengalaman yang mampu memberi inspirasi kepada pembaca.
January 15, 2023
It's been a long time since I've read a memoir! If everything in this story is true (and not exaggerated), it's amazing and I loved hearing about this badass woman going into Afghanistan. The beginning chapter was excellent and throughout the rest of the book, I wanted to hear more details about the logistics of traveling into the war-torn country as a woman. For example, in 1997, under Taliban control, a 12 hour bus journey into Kabul from the Pakistani border was segregated, with women at the back (of course, the worst seats) of a windowless bus. A heavy curtain separated the sexes and women were not allowed to get off the bus to go to the bathroom or stretch their legs. And on potholed roads (the likes of which I've experienced my fair share of in Nepal), if you sit at the back on a bus, you will fly off your seat and smash your head on the roof dozens of times. I found this small anecdote fascinating and I was hungry for more.
She experienced several refugee camps, checkpoints run by Mujahideen, Kabul under fire and missiles, Kabul - years later - in the tight grip of the Taliban, torn up earthquake zones, a horrific orphanage, talking with many different Taliban, speaking with a young boy who blew up a soldier with a home-made bomb, and on and on! The people she met, I loved all their stories.
She experienced several refugee camps, checkpoints run by Mujahideen, Kabul under fire and missiles, Kabul - years later - in the tight grip of the Taliban, torn up earthquake zones, a horrific orphanage, talking with many different Taliban, speaking with a young boy who blew up a soldier with a home-made bomb, and on and on! The people she met, I loved all their stories.
April 23, 2018
Brave? Or crazy? Hard to tell with Suraya Sadeed. In her memoir, "Forbidden Lessons in a Kabul Guesthouse", Surayad details two decades of humanitarian service in Afghanistan. Devastated by her husband's early and unexpected death, Sadeed was desperate to find meaning in her life. War, destruction and unimaginable poverty in Afghanistan gave her a cause. For over twenty years, Sadeed has tirelessly raised money and fearlessly gone into the heart of the fighting in Afghanistan to deliver relief supplies, build schools (sometimes in secret for fear of the Taliban), and build medical centres. This is a heartwarming and inspiring book. The downside is that the writing is sometimes uneven and Sadeed too often gets in the way of the story. But this book is a good read for anyone interested in Afghanistan or humanitarian work.
October 10, 2011
Suraya Sadeed is a spitfire of a woman. What an inspirational and enthralling story of humanitarian efforts in the direst of places. I hope the Afghan people find peace, and amazing people like Mrs. Sadeed have worked towards that goal. Mrs. Sadeed has done so much to reduce the suffering of Afghans. Most American readers will identify with her rebelliousness, gumption and relentless spirit. Perhaps her efforts will spark more action towards stability and peace. Above all, supporting education among repressive societies and regimes will ignite positive change. Education, not war, brings peace. I recommend this book to all people traveling to Afghanistan, or desiring to understand more about its people.
August 23, 2011
An amazing book by an amazing woman, but hits book covered some of the same ground as ground as The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe especially how tough it was for woman with the Taliban in charge. I did like how at the end she tells of some of the impact the US has had in 2001 and how things have changed, at least in Kabul.
October 19, 2011
A bit of an education, a bit of an inspiration, and a bit of self-promotion. A quick, engaging read that shares the struggles of the Afghan people and what the author experienced as a humanitarian there. What sticks with me the most is one line she wrote about how the cost of just ONE of the bombings in the beginning of our invasion of Afghanistan could have paid for schools for so many children previously banned from being educated by the Taliban. And that educations would have done way more to achieve our stated goals in the country than all the bombs we dropped there.
February 13, 2014
When i initailly picked this book up, i was like nah.. its soo serious for me.
then i was no dont you put that boook down.
And that was the best I did..
I couldnt stop reading
Guys if you need inspiration, pick up that book and im warning you its not an easy read..but its worth the read.
After all its a true story. I couldnt belive the life of me a women could have done and is doing so much for country. My words wont express my loVE for this book.
then i was no dont you put that boook down.
And that was the best I did..
I couldnt stop reading
Guys if you need inspiration, pick up that book and im warning you its not an easy read..but its worth the read.
After all its a true story. I couldnt belive the life of me a women could have done and is doing so much for country. My words wont express my loVE for this book.
July 18, 2011
Loved this book. I thought that she did a fabulous job of giving a fair view of Afghanistan without all of the hype. She's an Afghan-American who decided to bring aid into the country after the death of her husband. I loved her writing and how unbelievably brave she is. Loved her story.
Read
September 5, 2022Eye opening, leaving you with rage, sadness and hope for the Afghan people. I can only imagine the despair Suraya Sadeed is now feeling with Taliban back in power. I only hope her schools, even if quietly, are surviving.
December 26, 2024
An inspiring memoir that tells the true story of her courageous efforts to educate Afghan girls.
March 7, 2019
"Drop by drop a river forms"
Rating 4.25/5
I have read very little to nothing about Afghanistan or the literature from there.This book brought into light the political crisis in Afghanistan and the refugee situation there. It was heartbreaking to read about the experiences.
After the death of her husband Dastagir, the author found her calling in helping those affected in her homeland of Afghanistan.Working all her life as a realtor and living the American dream , after immigrating to the US following the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan ,Suraya gets a reality check due to the untimely demise of her Something that comes back to her often is what Dastagir once said to her-“How much is ever enough?”. On her road to recovery from the trauma, she comes across a TV report on the situation in her homeland and impulsively decides to go and help people. This leads to the foundation of “HTAC-Help the Afghan Children”. She raises fund and travels to Peshawar where she meets an old acquaintance who takes her to an Afghan refugee camp in the border area of Pakistan-Afghanistan. Here she comes across an old friend who was probably in a widow camp. She decides to travel to the Afghanistan camp in-spite of the threat posed. Once the journey starts there is no stopping and we are taken through her years of effort to provide relief to affected areas.
Taking us back in time to a prosperous Kabul with her vivid descriptions, Suraya is heartbroken to see the current state of her beautiful hometown and various cities. The book primarily focuses from 1993- to early 2000s but we are taken across various occupations from Soviet Union to Mujahideen to Northern Alliance and Taliban. Along the line she starts an underground school for girls , thereby the relevance of title as education to girls was banned under Taliban. I was surprised to read about the good side of Taliban during their regime.
This one was an extremely interesting read, throwing into light the picture of real Afghanistan, the rural area, the people, their language, their hospitality, their unfortunate situation. Education, probably taken for granted by most of us for we are privileged enough to receive it is what they are struggling for. The thirst for knowledge irrespective of the situation, people’s effort to overcome is all commendable. I found it a little exaggerated to how she stood up to people with guns, as I’m unsure about the militant’s reaction that is mentioned. But in the face of challenge if she has managed to sustain hats off to her!
Rating 4.25/5
I have read very little to nothing about Afghanistan or the literature from there.This book brought into light the political crisis in Afghanistan and the refugee situation there. It was heartbreaking to read about the experiences.
After the death of her husband Dastagir, the author found her calling in helping those affected in her homeland of Afghanistan.Working all her life as a realtor and living the American dream , after immigrating to the US following the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan ,Suraya gets a reality check due to the untimely demise of her Something that comes back to her often is what Dastagir once said to her-“How much is ever enough?”. On her road to recovery from the trauma, she comes across a TV report on the situation in her homeland and impulsively decides to go and help people. This leads to the foundation of “HTAC-Help the Afghan Children”. She raises fund and travels to Peshawar where she meets an old acquaintance who takes her to an Afghan refugee camp in the border area of Pakistan-Afghanistan. Here she comes across an old friend who was probably in a widow camp. She decides to travel to the Afghanistan camp in-spite of the threat posed. Once the journey starts there is no stopping and we are taken through her years of effort to provide relief to affected areas.
Taking us back in time to a prosperous Kabul with her vivid descriptions, Suraya is heartbroken to see the current state of her beautiful hometown and various cities. The book primarily focuses from 1993- to early 2000s but we are taken across various occupations from Soviet Union to Mujahideen to Northern Alliance and Taliban. Along the line she starts an underground school for girls , thereby the relevance of title as education to girls was banned under Taliban. I was surprised to read about the good side of Taliban during their regime.
This one was an extremely interesting read, throwing into light the picture of real Afghanistan, the rural area, the people, their language, their hospitality, their unfortunate situation. Education, probably taken for granted by most of us for we are privileged enough to receive it is what they are struggling for. The thirst for knowledge irrespective of the situation, people’s effort to overcome is all commendable. I found it a little exaggerated to how she stood up to people with guns, as I’m unsure about the militant’s reaction that is mentioned. But in the face of challenge if she has managed to sustain hats off to her!
July 24, 2024
Questo libro l'ho preso un po' a caso in un evento di book crossing, l'argomento mi sembrava interessante ed effettivamente lo è stato! ✨ Suraya Sadeed, donna afghana che scappa dal paese ai tempi dell'invasione sovietica, dopo un lutto decide di ritornare nel suo paese dilaniato dalla guerra civile prima, dall'arrivo dei talebani con il loro controllo fanatico per concludere con l'invasione americana post 9/11. Sadeed porta aiuti umanitari ai profughi, organizza scuole segrete per le bambine e ragazzine afghane, si riaffaccia su una società che trova completamente diversa e in condizioni critiche (soprattutto quella delle donne), affronta personalmente il governo dei talebani, pieni di contraddizioni. L'autrice con questa sua esperienza personale ci dipinge il quadro di un paese che non trova pace, la cui popolazione continua a pagare un prezzo altissimo. È una lettura importante perché a distanza di più di 20 anni la situazione non è cambiata. Sperando sempre in un Afghanistan in pace, senza crisi umanitarie e con diritti per tutti e tutte 🇦🇫💔
August 29, 2020
So inspiring! A woman who came to the US as a refugee, does well. She is quite successful: husband, child, good business. One day her husband unexpectedly dies. She is lost without him. So she looks for a new meaning. She decides to return to her birthplace and make a difference there. She gives out humanitarian aid, such as food and blankets. And then she starts schools. As an ESL teacher, I was quite touched by that. Because it's true. Without an education, it's hard to discover what is really happening unless it happens right in front of you. What a wonderful choice she has made.
October 12, 2017
I’ve gained some great insights into the war on terror after reading this book. Love it, I couldn’t put the book down and certainly left feeling more interested in the situation in Afghanistan upon finishing this book. If everyone reads this, perhaps the war will stop without anymore bloodshed.
June 2, 2018
What a beautiful narrative of a strong, kind women. It was a very unique read and I love her way of putting words, it was very balanced. Neither too eastern or western. It was good to know of a lighter future of the Afghans, I hope they continue to prevail.
November 28, 2022
Straconsigliato! L'ho comprato ad un mercatino dell'usato incuriosita dal titolo, penso dovrebbero leggerlo tutti! Proprio per questo penso di metterlo in un contenitore presta libri tra quelli sparsi in città.
January 7, 2024
Author Suraya Sadeed, a native of Afghanistan travelled back and forth from the US to bring aid and education to orphans, refugees, and women and children in dire straits in her home country. A amazing and true story, full of courageous acts and kindness. An eye opener!!
September 26, 2024
Wow! This was an intense and incredibly gripping account of Suraya Sadeed's amazing achievements and contributions to the welfare and improvement of the Afghan people. A true heroine and someone we ought to take lessons from as a society.
March 28, 2018
Hopeful realism without having being starry-eyed.
August 3, 2018
Best way to fight THEM was learning!
March 16, 2019
Hope for Afghanistan.
Remarkable story of an Afghan American woman taking education under the Taliban radar.
Remarkable story of an Afghan American woman taking education under the Taliban radar.
April 8, 2020
An amazing story/memoir of a woman who went against all odds to help the people in the country she was born in. A heart warming yet also a heart wrenching story.
June 21, 2024
Heart-breaking yet inspiring autobiography.
January 26, 2017
i was sure wether id like this book or not but it simply amazed me. very inspiring !!
September 8, 2017
Un libro che fa riflettere. Una storia vera che fa entrare in un Afghanistan che non conoscevo, in un mondo che i media avevano distorto ai miei occhi. La forza di una donna che lotta per il suo paese, in un momento storico in cui tutto sembra remarle contro. Davvero bello.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews