Author of the Book "Afghanistan Little Moscow:

The Need to Narrate the Memories of the Fatemiyoun Martyrs from the Language of the Families

Compiled by: Maryam Asadi Jafari
Translated by: Fazel Shirzad

2024-6-20

Note: According to the oral history website, "A Night of Memoirs of Fatemiyoun Warriors and Martyrs in Isfahan" and the unveiling ceremony of the book "Afghanistan's Little Moscow" including the biography of the mother of martyr Ahmad Shakib Ahmadi, a martyr who defended the shrine from the Fatemiyoun Army, on Friday evening, June 7, 2024, to Hemet Isfahan Art District was held in the historic Saadi mansion.

At the beginning of this ceremony, Saeed Motamedi, director of the Office of Sustainable Literature in Isfahan province, talked about how the art field got to know the Fatemiyoun martyrs of this province and stated: "When they came to us to publish this book, we realized that the families of the martyrs and veterans Fatemiyoun in Isfahan, how many are there and do they have an organization and gather together. Now the war is a war of narratives. If we do not define the surrounding events based on our own beliefs, other people will come and define the events as they like. The purpose of holding this ceremony was to form this community and the art field is present to the extent of its ability to conduct training courses for the families of the martyrs and the children of Fatemiyoun so that they can receive the necessary training and be their own narrators and eloquent language by empowering them.

Then Najibeh Asghari, the narrator of the book "Afghanistan's Little Moscow" and the mother of the martyr defender of the shrine "Ahmad Shakib Ahmadi" and "Masouma Halimi" the author of this book, told about the process of formation of this work in a short meeting. At first, Najiba Asghari, referring to the 2 years of effort and cooperation to compile this work, said: "My goal in writing my memoirs was to make the martyrs of Fatemiyoun known so that the memory of those who left exile and were martyred in exile would be recorded in history. to be The book "Afghanistan's Little Moscow" is written based on my winding biography and it starts from my childhood and the loss of my dearest people - my father, mother and brother - in the Afghan civil war. Throughout my life, I suffered hardships and finally it ended with the martyrdom of my Ahmad, who was a history student in Afghanistan. "He voluntarily went to defend the shrine and was martyred after 2 years."

He continued: "My motivation for writing my memoirs was that the book-reading nation would get to know the biography of an Afghan woman. It was very difficult for me to write these memories. It took me almost 6 months to write my memoirs in handwritten form. Sometimes I would write a page and for two days I would be in a bad mood and cry. Of course, this was part of my memories and life. I hope that it will be a beginning so that the families of the martyrs of Fatemiyoun will be encouraged to write the memories of their dear martyrs and narrate it so that it will be recorded in the cultural and artistic collection of Isfahan.

Masoumeh Halimi also gave an overview of her activities in the field of recording memories and editing the biographies of the martyrs of Fatemiyoun and said: "After the booklets "5 minutes with Paradisiacal Men" were published by Darkhovin Publication, I did not have much hope to continue the work. Because the families of the martyrs did not cooperate, and perhaps embarrassment or fear caused a complete lack of cooperation. Until I met Mrs. Ahmadi through the Shahid Foundation. Considering Ms. Ahmadi's mental and physical condition, I did not think that they would help to this extent. We liked that the book was based on interviews. But due to his mental condition, it was not possible to talk. This was the way we went with Mrs. Ahmadi. He overcame their fears and cooperated with us and wrote his memoirs despite the problems and risks to his heart. He was only 18 years old when he killed 5 martyrs in Afghanistan, and only one year old son remains for him as the only member of his family, and it is very difficult to recount these memories. But they took up the pen again. I also help my compatriots and the families of the martyrs to the best of my ability to take up a pen and not be afraid of being criticized. Ms. Ahmadi presented their memories in very simple language, and I, as a writer, compiled these writings and if conditions are provided, I will share my lived experience with my compatriots.

At the end of this ceremony, the book "Afghanistan's Little Moscow" was unveiled and the mothers of the martyrs of the Fatemiyoun Army were honored.