In the historic city of Herat, young girls barred from schools have launched a quiet resistance by forming underground book clubs. Instead of classrooms, they gather to discuss masterpieces by authors like Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Sadegh Hedayat, keeping their intellectual growth alive.
Najla, whose education stopped after sixth grade, finds solace and empowerment in these circles, particularly through scientific and philosophical works. While she fears pressure for early marriage, she asserts that reading has fundamentally transformed her outlook on life and relationships.
These gatherings echo the secret schools of the late 90s, serving as small beacons of hope in dark times. The determination of these girls proves that the passion for learning cannot be extinguished, even under the strictest prohibitions.
Herat girls form secret book clubs defying education ban with literature
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