Robert Young Pelton
author and documentary filmmaker
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Robert Young Pelton
“Farhana's bravery, open-mindedness, intelligence and tenacity take her into danger, real lives, raw emotions and ultimately discovery. This is a book that must be read by those who wish to deeply understand the motivations, lives and thoughts behind women in Kashmir.” (from Amazon)
by Farhana Qazi·You?
by Farhana Qazi·You?
This is a true story. Award-winning writer and educator on the relationship between conflicts and love takes you inside a beautiful valley to expose the secrets of war. Welcome to Wonderland. Where tragedy meets beauty. In this new edition, Farhana Qazi takes you inside Kashmir, a conflict that has been raging for over seventy years between nuclear-armed states, India and Pakistan. This is not a book about the politics of war but the women affected by decades of trauma, tragedy, and terrible life events.In Kashmir, a people trapped in a centuries-old conflict are limited first by context. An occupation impedes the people’s freedom and stifles their choices. We live in a cage. No one cares for us. No one understands our pain. The world has changed. We are going backward. We want love and to be loved. Something is going to happen to us. I can feel it. Our land is threatened. Where will we go? Take a journey into Kashmir to discover the mystery, magic and maddening conflict that has affected everyone. Warning: This is an emotional story. The conflict affects girls and women differently and sexual violence is discussed and exposed. This new edition includes events since 2021 which includes India's bulldozer policy that gives it the power to destroy homes.
Recommended by Robert Young Pelton
“An American woman sets out on a journey to understand one of Asia's longest running wars and the role of women within it. Farhana's bravery, open-mindedness, intelligence and tenacity take her into danger, real lives, raw emotions and ultimately discovery. This is a book that must be read by those who wish to deeply understand the motivations, lives and thoughts behind women in Kashmir.” (from Amazon)
by Farhana Qazi·You?
by Farhana Qazi·You?
Secrets or Death. In this heartbreaking book, American scholar and storyteller Farhana Qazi shares the secrets of women in the world's most militarized zone. In this collection of true, emotional stories of women, Qazi highlights their sacrifices, struggles, and will to survive another day of conflict. She meets with political activists, protestors and peacemakers to understand their emotional loss and love for Kashmir. Despite the chronic social suffering, these women fight to survive the trappings of war. Qazi brings you the secrets of an unforgettable people and shows that what women want most is peace, prosperity, and progress for themselves and their families. The hope is that this book will raise awareness of the "forever" conflict and give voice to the voiceless.