A memoir by Zahira Zahir, An Afghan Barber in the White House: Written with Ahmad Fawad Arsala

Beautiful story, especially, when , it comes about Ahmad Zahir Jan , of course, very sad story about his dead, I am an Afghan, I really ,from depths of my heart missing him.ThankMomina

I could not put this book down!!!!When i read the last page and closed the book… i was filled with deep emotions. It opened my eyes and heart to a new understanding of Afghanistan and its complex history…. and to its beautiful people.I was moved to tears. I felt the pain and unending struggle of the country…. and, particularly, Zahira’s.She conveys her story, and that of her family so honestly and so bravely…Her descriptions of the time…. The traditions…. The people, places and events….It was all in technicolor to me! I could feel and see it…Zahira’s courage, determination and enormous heartare an inspiration to me and to anyone who knows her story🤲I loved this book♥️Congratulations💐dearest ZahiraAnd Ahmad Fawad Arsala

This book is a must read for all Afghans as it beautifully describes Kabul and Afghanistan in its golden days before all the wars and chaos that have ravaged that beautiful country for the past 40+ years.This book tells the story of poor Afghan family from one of the provinces that eventually came to rub shoulders with the king and the powerful. They made it to the top of society by way of years of sacrifice and dedicating one’s life to higher education.Zahira Zahir lost all of it when the communists took over the country in 1978. She became an immigrant and had to start from scratch in America. Just like her father decades earlier in Afghanistan, eventually Zahira too got to rub shoulders with the Presidents and the high society in America as one of the best hairdressers in the country.This book is also a must read for all young people (not just Afghans) as it shows that America is truly the land of opportunity. Anyone with hard work, dedication, commitment and discipline can make it to the top of their field.The book is beautifully written, it was hard to put it down, the chapters flowed seamlessly. It read like a novel, history book, self-help and motivational book all in one. Absolutely enjoyed reading it. Hats off to Zahira Zahir and Ahmad Fawad Arsala for amazingly documenting a slice of Afghan history.

Zahira Zahir describes herself as a "survivor," which she is. But the title doesnt do justice to the story of this proud Afghan woman, driven from her homeland by a Communist takeover, who traveled half way across the world, learned a new language and a new trade, and and put down fresh roots. With the help of some influential friends, including U.S. presidents who patronized her barber shop and hair dressing salon, she was able to open and maintain a school for girls in her native land. This a story of courage, determination and of the power of hope.

This is a memoir by Zahira Zahir but it didn’t feel like memoir, it was beautifully written I could picture every detail that was written, I felt the heart breaks, loss, leaving the country that we love so much. I felt that I was in the book. Love it and highly recommed.