Zulekha Dinath

Boys of the Cave Zulekha Dinath

The futures of millions of boys living in countries affected by armed conflict are dangerously imperilled as warring parties continue to commit gross violations and atrocities with total impunity. Violence and bloodshed have robbed them of their innocence, and they live with the constant fear of being imprisoned, killed, maimed, trafficked or forced into extremely hazardous labour. A silent genocide of young Muslim boys is being perpetrated that threatens the very existence of Islam in conflict zones. Who will be left to hold up the flags of freedom. This anthology of short fiction, inspired by true events of the last decade, is a reflection of the realities of Muslim boys in war-torn regions of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The protagonists speak of their lived experiences and of the impact that oppressive regimes have had on stunting normal childhood, sometimes, radicalising disaffected and emotionally scarred youth into an unimaginable dark abyss of war and violence. This lyrical collection encourages young readers to become aware of the state of the world in which many of their own age battle to survive. Colourful illustrations enhance the stories and excite the imagination, while a factual section encourages self-exploration and study of the various countries and the political and humanitarian issues faced by the youth in those countries.