Safiyyah's War

I found this book fascinating as I hadn’t heard about the Great Mosque in France before and was unaware of the role it played in the resistance. I think every class should have a copy of this book as it’s so important in so many ways. First to provide representation; for children to see that it people of many different races took a stand against the Nazis and secondly because of the message of respect towards other religions that this book shows. There can be such a focus on the things that make us different and such negative representation of people of different religions and the courageous acts of the people in this book (and the real life people it’s based on) show that what really matters is love and respect, especially in the face of hatred. The characters are all so brave and do what is right, even though it’s scary and hard. I think the world would be a better place if more people were like Safiyyah and her family and I hope, if I was ever in a similar situation I would have the courage to be as brave as her.

I love historical fiction and this title immediately grabbed my attention.

From the back of the book…
War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah’s life changes for ever. 
Her best friend’s family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to run the dangerous errands around the city. It’s not long before hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque. Can Safiyyah find the courage to enter the treacherous catacombs under Paris and lead the Jews to safety?

I’ve read lots of MG historical fiction based around the events of WW2 but I’d never heard about the Grand Mosque in France, nor the instrumental role it played in the resistance movement and saving the lives of countless Jewish people. Although Safiyyah and her family are fictional characters, this is a story based on real-life events.

This is a story of tolerance, great bravery and courage. A story of unbelievable suffering, but also a story of hope, kindness and empathy. And a story of the commitment shown by a group of people to helping others, despite knowing the dangers they face.

A stunning book that should be in every school library, and one that I will definitely be recommending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love a book that teaches you something you didn't know - and this is a perfect example of this. An adventurous historical story that will captivate you from page 1.

What a wonderful book. While we all know of the resistance in France during the second world war I have to shamefully admit I knew nothing about this. In fact it has never once crossed my mind to wonder what people of countries outwith those immediately involved would be doing; the exception being the Gurkha regiments.

I am not a young woman but Muslims and Mosques played no part in my childhood so to read now of the resistance work being carried out through the Grand Mosque in Paris has left me in awe.

The historical records unearthed by the author are amazing but the addition of Safiyyah, her family, friends and neighbours made this into one of the best books of historical fiction I have ever read.

I will be buying copies of this book for many friends that they may add one more piece to the jigsaw that shows how we can all do our part to bring peace to our communities.

Wow...what a journey of discovery and learning this story took me on!
From the very first page, Hiba's writing drew me into the world of the Grand Mosque in WW2 Paris, and through her storytelling, I eagerly learnt about how the Muslims of Paris saved countless Jewish people, as part of the French Resistance effort. I will not give any more plot detail, as like me, I want the reader to be swept up in this rich, evocative and gripping narrative.
The title itself fits perfectly. Saffiyah is a courageous young girl, who feels deeply and whose actions very much reflect her sense of personal responsibility. She must be part of her community's efforts to save Jewish lives and resist the antisemitic violence and hatred perpetrated by the Nazi regime. I adored Safiyyah's sense of curiosity and how she then took the next step to action. I hope that young people take from this story, the importance of questioning and curiosity about the world around us, and where needed, see the importance of taking action and creating change.
Safiyyah’s War is such an important story based on real events that, to date, been largely missing from our wider collective consciousness surrounding WW2. Hiba's thorough research ensures accurate and respectful representation, and her end ‘Historical Note’ shares with the reader information about actual members of the Mosque community, on whom some of her characters are based. As she writes, this book uncovers “all the unlikely heroes, whose names aren’t memorialised and whose stories aren’t sung and praised, but whose courage and actions change our world forever”. Young people of Muslim faith will read this, and maybe for the first time, see that the contribution of their community, in this pivotal moment in the history of the World, is being acknowledged. I hope in reading and talking about this book, young people will be curious like Safiyyah, ask questions, research stories, and shine a light on other unsung heroes, within this and other periods in history.
This MG book needs to be in EVERY Library. Outstanding writing for children is outstanding writing for everyone, and people of all ages will take not only historical learnings, but also a challenge to the predominant stereotypes of Muslim faith and community. We need to ‘blether’ about this book! There are moments of such poignancy, that I wept and in our divided times, the message of hope that can only come through shared dialogue, empathy and understanding, is one we all desperately need to hear.

I really liked the sound of this book. I enjoy historical novels and this was something I really knew nothing about. I ended up dreaming about what might happen next! The praise for this book by other authors is not to be sniffed at!
Safiyyah is the daughter of her Baba and Yemma, she has a younger sister, Fatima, and her grandmother, Setti, lives with them as well. They live in the mosque in Paris as members of the staff there. As we start the book Safiyyah is in her favourite place - the library - and as usual she is looking at maps and eating Madame Odette's bonbons! Madame is the librarian, she finds Safiyyah's fascination with maps quite special. She has to rush home because Yemma told her she needs to be on time. But on the way she sees a man holding a child's hand and crying - in the street. When she tells Baba he says the man could be Jewish, and the war is not good for them, but she doesn't know why. It is wartime - the French are just about holding off the Germans, but not for long.
This changes their lives forever. Safiyyah's best friend Isabelle's family are one of the first to leave Paris, first going to their house in the country then to England. Many of the wealthy residents do the same.
Baba and Ammo Kader are keeping secrets from her - she's always been allowed to help in the office - but now it's locked. And why is Baba going out late at night?
Safiyyah is shocked when she finds out - and even more shocked when her friend Timothée brings her news that her father has been arrested - thankfully he is released. However the alternative is for Safiyyah to run errands. This at least gave her the chance to visit Monsieur Cassin, her botanist friend whose apartment was full of the plants he loved and was writing about.
What are Baba and Ammo Kader doing? How are they helping? And can they continue now, and in fact go further with their help?
I knew nothing of this story. We all know of the resistance but for one community to help another in such a way, putting themselves at risk too was clearly a step beyond. In the historical note it tells us that both Muslim and Jewish faiths share a saying "For whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity".
I loved this book. It was difficult too stop reading despite being sad at times. Safiyyah, although fictional, is a strong character that can easily be imagined in this role, and her sense of duty to her family and friends is unwavering.