The Swallows of Kabul

The Swallows of Kabul (2002) is the 11th published work by Mohammed Moulessehoul. It is published under the pen name Yasmina Khadra, derived from Moulessehoul’s wife’s first two names, to circumvent military censorship of works published by soldiers. Moulessehoul has written extensively regarding his experiences in the military as an Algerian, exploring themes and events across the Arab and French worlds. The Swallows of Kabul is a work of historical fiction, taking place during the Taliban occupation of Kabul in Afghanistan. The novel was initially published in August of 2002, 10 months after the US-Afghan military overthrew the Taliban occupation of the city. The novel explores themes such as The Psychological Impact of Living Under Totalitarian Rule, Love and Beauty as Forms of Resistance, and The Complexities of Moral Choice and Personal Responsibility, as characters attempt to navigate the rigid social structures of life under Taliban rule. The novel was adapted into a film by Zabou Breitman in 2019, received the Prix des Libraires Algériens in 2003, and was a nominee for the 2006 Dublin Literary Award.

This guide is based on the Anchor Books e-book edition of the text, published in 2004 and translated from the French by John Cullen.

Content Warning: This work depicts incarceration, abuse, suicide, mental illness, misogyny, executions, racism, and domestic violence.

Plot Summary

Atiq Shaukat is a jailer in Taliban-occupied Kabul, Afghanistan. He oversees a women’s prison. His immediate superior, Qassim Abdul Jabbar, is concerned about Atiq’s well-being, noting that he has been depressed for a while. Atiq oversees the transfer of a woman to her execution for sex work, where she is stoned to death. In the crowd, Mohsen Ramat, a former intellectual, joins the crowd, feeling exhilarated when one of the stones he throws hits the woman in the head. Atiq visits his former commander in the military, Mirza Shah, who offers to involve Atiq in black-market deals. Mirza suggests that Atiq divorce his wife, who is dying of an unknown illness.

Mohsen confesses his part in the execution to his wife, Zunaira, who refuses to wear a burqa, the mandated clothing for women under the Taliban. Zunaira is disturbed by Mohsen’s change in character, reflecting on their relationship at university and noting their prominent legal careers following their education. Atiq goes home and argues with his wife, Musarrat, whom he married following an injury during the war against the Soviet invasion years prior. Musarrat helped Atiq recover from his injuries, and Atiq feels indebted to Musarrat. Musarrat’s disease causes her constant pain. Atiq is upset that Musarrat made dinner and cleaned their home, noting she will be in greater pain in the following days.

Atiq spends most of his time in the prison. An older neighbor, Nazeesh, visits him. Nazeesh plans to leave Kabul, but Atiq does not believe Nazeesh can make the journey over the hills and mountains that surround the city. Nazeesh is offended and leaves. Zunaira tells Mohsen how she feels women’s identities have been taken from them by the Taliban. With the enforcement of Sharia law, women have no rights, and Zunaira is unwilling to wear the burqa because she feels it symbolizes this oppression. Mohsen convinces Zunaira to wear the burqa to go for a walk, where Taliban agents accost them. The Taliban force Mohsen to sit for a sermon in a mosque, in which Mullah Bashir claims the end of days in coming soon, along with victory for the Taliban. After the sermon, Mohsen and Zunaira return home, and Zunaira will not let Mohsen touch her.

Qassim misses his mother’s funeral, visiting his home village the day after. On his way home, he sees Nazeesh climbing a hill outside the city, leaving Kabul, and Mohsen brooding in a cemetery. At a food stall, Qassim invites Atiq to meet with war buddies to discuss possible business deals, continuing to address Atiq’s seeming struggle with mental health. Atiq agrees to think about meeting with the war buddies, but he does not plan to. Returning home, Atiq is upset with Musarrat, making noise to disturb her, though he does not tell Musarrat why he is upset. Zunaira and Mohsen fight, and Mohsen strikes Zunaira’s face. Zunaira pushes Mohsen, and he hits his head on the wall, killing him.

Zunaira is arrested and put in Atiq’s prison, where she removes her burqa. Atiq is mystified by Zunaira’s appearance, which returns his faith in humanity. Atiq tells Musarrat about Zunaira, and Musarrat encourages Atiq to release Zunaira. When Atiq releases Zunaira, she refuses to leave—because she has no home—adding that the Taliban has already killed all the women in Kabul. Musarrat tells Atiq he is in love with Zunaira, adding that she, Musarrat, could never be the wife Atiq needs. Musarrat, knowing that she is dying, suggests swapping places with Zunaira, allowing Zunaira to go free while Musarrat is executed at a rally for high-ranking members of the Taliban. Atiq agrees, telling Zunaira the charges against her were dropped. However, Qassim, thinking Zunaira is Musarrat, insists that she attend the rally.

At the rally, Atiq is focused on finding Zunaira in the stands, and he does not see Musarrat being executed, for which Musarrat is thankful. After the rally, Atiq waits for Zunaira. When Zunaira does not appear, he searches the stadium without finding her. Atiq stays at the stadium overnight, then he visits Musarrat’s grave. Atiq loses touch with reality, wandering the streets looking for Zunaira and unveiling random women in the street. A group of men beat Atiq to death for unveiling women.