Description
My Soul is a Witness is a gripping historical novel that shines a light on the often-overlooked experiences of Jews, Africans, and Muslims during the Second World War. At the heart of the story is Awa, a young African woman whose world is shattered when her husband, Ibrahim, is drafted to fight in Europe and is later presumed dead in 1940. Stricken by grief and the loss of their child, Awa is left with a soul torn apart by sorrow and unanswered questions.
Driven by love and an unrelenting hope, Awa sets out on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. Her path leads her to Paris in the winter of 1942, where the city lies under the suffocating grip of Nazi occupation. There, she discovers a hidden network of resistance within the Paris Mosque — a sanctuary where Muslims risk their lives to shelter Jews from persecution. Awa joins this clandestine movement, contributing to a quiet, courageous fight against tyranny.
But the reach of oppression is vast. Eventually captured and deported to Auschwitz, Awa faces the unimaginable. Amidst the desolation and cruelty of the camp, a miracle unfolds: she finds Ibrahim alive. Their reunion becomes a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring strength of love. Together, they vow not only to survive but to bear witness to the atrocities they have endured — to ensure the world never forgets.
Through Awa’s eyes, My Soul is a Witness tells a haunting yet empowering tale of resistance, love, and survival. It reveals a hidden tapestry of solidarity among oppressed peoples and offers a testament to the human spirit’s unbreakable will to endure and remember.
