Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Mullah Warrior

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Masood Farivar's book tells of his upbringing in Afghanistan, refugee life in Pakistan, service in the mujahideen, education in the U.S., and ultimate return to Afghanistan. It's main value is serving as a window into another culture.

One particularly interesting point was his observation that Afghans saw their struggle vs. the Russians as a jihad (holy war) fought to liberate their country. Arabs, on the other hand, were seen by Afghans as war tourists who had bought their way into the country, saw the Afghans as lesser Muslims, and were seeking heavenly rewards (martyrdom). Some would even have themselves tied to trees in bombarded areas in hopes of being killed.

Another particularly interesting segment covered his finding a family manuscript that begins in 1582 - fighting to convert the last non-Muslim pocket of Afghanistan. Then in continues on to 20th century fighting in defense of the king, his predecessors attending madrassahs (originally developed during the 11th century, two centuries before European counterparts that eventually evolved into secular institutions of higher learning), the conflict in Afghanistan between secular and religious education in the mid-1950s.

Masood's father was a Soviet-educated petroleum engineer, and only a mild observer of Islam - thus, the forays and "culture shock" later experienced by Masood were far less than likely for others, and the opportunities greater. For example, 95% of the Afghan population in the mid-1970s was illiterate.

Communists took over Afghanistan in 1978 - it first it was benign, then people began disappearing and a reign of terror followed, with parents spying on children, etc. Resistance developed, followed by a Russian invasion. In the third year of the occupation (1982), resistance fighters again formed - the mujahideen.

Masood and his family escaped to Pakistan, where he was introduced to Islamic fundamentalism by a relative living in Pakistan, and Masood became a devout Muslim and attended an Arab-funded (Saudi Arabia) madrassah. While much stricter than Afghan traditions, it was not as strict as Wahhabism. Besides studying the Koran, Masood learned Arabic grammar - key to understanding the Koran and its phraseology.

At 18 Masood left to join the mujahideen in Tora Bora, despite his parents objections. The tide of battle had already turned, thanks to Stinger missiles. Masood learned how to fire AK-47s, etc., and the importance of good relations with villagers by patrolling their homes, spending nights in their mosques, and giving them a sense of security. Return benefits included food, shelter, and intelligence. Often competing mujahideen groups fought over territory, creating greater suffering for the populace.

Masood's group had foreign-supplied mortars, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, and American Stingers. By chance, Masood met both Ahmad Masood (famed guerilla leader) and a Harvard graduate and Islam convert from London that had become involved in supporting the jihad. The latter individual recommended Masood's being admitted to Harvard, his +ultimate acceptance (after a year of preparation at Lawrenceville School), and eventual graduation. Culture shocks included seeing so many "unclothed" (casual shorts, t-shirts, dresses, etc.), having to greet females, realizing that men holding hands had a homosexual aspect in America (friendship in Afghanistan), and seeing that not all of the U.S. was pristine as depicted in the photos he had seen.

After graduating and wandering the U.S., Masood missed his family and returned. However, he found that neither he nor his family fit in with the new Taliban rule, and returned to New York City. Ultimately, Masood returned to Afghanistan to stay where he now operates a national radio program.

Masood believes the U.S. should have taken over Afghanistan from the warlords after the initial "victory," and that failing to follow-through on Bush's promised rebuilding was another mistake.

Masood Farivar provides an enjoyable and digestible first hand account of a complicated region and nation. His upbringing at the crossroads of tribal life and what was then the closest thing in Afghanistan to 'suburbia' life, combined with his journey to becoming a warrior fighting communism in the 1980s would serve well for any literature. Yet, Masood adds the cherry on top; he left Afghanistan for a Harvard education in the 1990s, and then returned to his country a couple years ago. As such, he applies a unique lens that provides a viewing angle for "western" readers. The outcome is a great read!

This book has given me a new understanding of Afghans, their faith, motivations, and family life. Second, it is a necessary primer on recent Afghan political history, without which it is impossible to make sense out of current events in that romote land.

"Confessions of a Mullah Warrior" is an excellent novel detailing one man's life in Afghanistan, during the Soviet invasion, and later, in America. Masood Farivar's writing serves as a lens for Western readers interested in gaining insight into the last thirty years of Afghani history. After receiving part of his education in a madrassa, Farivar joined the mujahideen, a decision that took him into armed combat on numerous occasions. As a native of Afghanistan who speaks multiple languages and has a vast, extended family, the author had access to contacts as diverse as local warlords, mullahs and Westerners joining the front lines in the 80s, which makes for a comprehensive and often eye-opening account.

The scope of this story is amazing: the author lives a life that only a scarce few could imagine, leaving the war behind for an education in America, where he is eventually accepted into one of the nation's most prestigious universities. Reading Farivar's descriptions of American culture, and his initial and prolonged thoughts on our customs, is fascinating and in some cases merits a serious examination of what life in America must be like for an immigrant. One puts this book down with a firm sense of what an Afghani might think of American customs and traditions. Moreover, the reader is shown that the people of Afghanistan are a proud people that are generous and take the notion of hospitality very seriously, even under what most Westerners would consider abject poverty.

"Confessions of a Mullah Warrior" is a valuable read in a time when American military attention is focused on Afghanistan. In a post 9/11 world many Americans often have preconceived notions of the people of Afghanistan and their culture. In many ways, this book can help refine or replace those notions, given the reader is willing to engage the material. Farivar's book is gritty, real and utterly vivid. I give this book 5 stars, although I wish there was a bibliography and index included. If Masood Farivar writes another book, I will be among the first to read it.

This is one of the few books I've had a hard time putting down. Was fascinated by Farivar's spiritual adventure and humbled by his willingness to again serve his homeland after years of immersion into the American culture. Farivar helped me to see recent Afghan history through a completely different pair of glasses.

Written without much insight and lacking either an index or chapter titles this book could have been authored by anyone, anywhere, anytime, maturing in a ravaged society.

The author did go to Harvard after receiving special treatment. He majored in history but if he learned anything its not apparent here. The book does show the ultimate irreconcilability of Islam and the west as well as the wisdom of Samuel Huntington's Clash of Civilizations a book I recommend.

By illustrating the psyche of Afghan warriors this book also shows the hopelessness of the Bush-Obama policy in Afghanistan and why, like every war since 1945, the US will lose interest then lose in fact.

I gave this two stars in the hope that the author's next book will prove analytic in ways this book is not.