Guest House for Young Widows

More about the book

In early 2014, the Islamic State solidified its control over Raqqa, Syria, prompting its leader, Baghdadi, to call on Muslims worldwide to join the caliphate. Thousands, inspired by a desire to combat the Assad regime's brutality, answered this call. Central to this narrative are remarkable young women like Emma from Germany, Sharmeena from Bethnal Green, and Nour from Tunis. These women, some still in high school and others with university degrees, came from urban backgrounds filled with aspirations for travel and adventure. However, instead of discovering a realm of justice and piety, they found themselves ensnared in a violent terrorist regime. The story raises crucial questions about the line between victim and collaborator and challenges us to reconsider how we judge those who both endure and inflict suffering. It also explores the role of Muslim women in the West. Through vivid storytelling, the author takes readers into diverse settings—from school hallways in London to coffee shops in Tunis and the caliphate’s "Guest House for Young Widows"—revealing that the issue of terrorism is far more intricate, political, and relatable than commonly perceived.