Devil's Playground - Softcover

Said Yassin Zia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1575021358 ISBN 13: 9781575021355

Publisher: Morris Pub

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From the Author:

This is the true story of a young Afghan boy growing up in a pious Moslem household--one in which religion colors every aspect of daily life. From an undeserved beating by the cruel headmaster to the power of the village Mullahs, from the ritualistic washings to the treatment of Islamic women, his religion is questioned. The reader will be led into a deeper understanding of the Moslem world viewpoint--a perspective that modern-day America badly needs in dealing with the new balances of power in the Middle East.

The following paragraph was taken from a point about one fourth of the way into Devil's Playground.

Nevertheless, I was not conscious of how bad I looked until one day I overheard my parents arguing. My attire and general appearance had become a source of irritation between them. Mother was upset. She could not understand why the tailor always failed to fit me properly or why I had to have my head shaved. The question remained in the back of my mind and well-dressed boys like the tailor's son were harsh reminders. I became very self-conscious.

In light of what had just happened, I now began to understand what Father would not, or perhaps could not, explain. It was people like the art teacher who he was trying to protect me from. Deprived of the opposite sex, some men were really "hard up". A handsome, beautifully dressed, young boy caught their eye like a topless female. Unescorted, he was quite a temptation. Father obviously, in his own unique way, was camouflaging me as an ugly duckling, which was easier on him and a lot safer for me. I never had to be on guard, nor--like some boys--did I feel the need of being escorted by a servant. Sadly enough for many, it was either that or be left, like the son of the tailor, to the mercy of the wolves.

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