Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir (nonfiction)
Ok, so I probably couldn't have told you what the capital of Morocco was before I read this book. I know for sure I couldn't have told you anything about Morocco's record of human rights. It doesn't sound like they believe in basic human rights. This is a non-fiction book that recounts the life of Malika Oufkir who was adopted by the King of Morocco when she was nine. Evidently, if the King like you, he would just take you from your family and adopt you into his own. Malika's parents, who were well educated and affluent, had five other children who lived across town from her. Malika, however, lived behind the palace walls (reminded me of Jasmine in Aladdin and her desire to "break out"). Malika's father grew in political significance in Morocco, and by the time she was 17, he was practically the second most powerful man in the country. So, Malika has an adoptive father who is king and a biological father who is powerful (and a general). So, what goes wrong?
General Oufkir is part of a failed coup d'etat against the king which results in him being executed. Malika (who had finally moved home after a decade in the palace), her mother and siblings were all imprisoned by a very angry king. Well, let me re-phrase that. Malika, her mother, and siblings were imprisoned in a remote prison in disgusting conditions for 15 years. Malika's youngest brother had never seen any part of the world: he was 3 1/2 when they were imprisoned. They would still be there if they had not decided to dig a tunnel and escape. The escape is harrowing, even though you know they are successful. Faced with world pressure after they manage to get to the French press, the King removes them from the prison, but he places them under house arrest. For five years. Yeah, for five more years, they lived under police guard. Essesntially, they were imprisoned for 20 years for something their father did. This wasn't something from "long ago." They were released in 1994.
How unreal is it that the rest of the world just sat and did nothing? The world had to know. I kept wondering how the King of Morocco had so much influence in the world that we all turned a blind eye. The Oufkir family was a prominent family, and they just dropped off the face of the earth one night after General Oufkir was executed? I am not smart enough to weave through the politics of America meddling in another country's affairs. I am smart enough to understand that letting children as young as 3 remain in prison for 20 years for something their father did is beyond outrageous. Reading about the conditions under which they lived for all those years makes me wonder what strength of spirit kept them alive. Think you have a tough life? Read this book.
General Oufkir is part of a failed coup d'etat against the king which results in him being executed. Malika (who had finally moved home after a decade in the palace), her mother and siblings were all imprisoned by a very angry king. Well, let me re-phrase that. Malika, her mother, and siblings were imprisoned in a remote prison in disgusting conditions for 15 years. Malika's youngest brother had never seen any part of the world: he was 3 1/2 when they were imprisoned. They would still be there if they had not decided to dig a tunnel and escape. The escape is harrowing, even though you know they are successful. Faced with world pressure after they manage to get to the French press, the King removes them from the prison, but he places them under house arrest. For five years. Yeah, for five more years, they lived under police guard. Essesntially, they were imprisoned for 20 years for something their father did. This wasn't something from "long ago." They were released in 1994.
How unreal is it that the rest of the world just sat and did nothing? The world had to know. I kept wondering how the King of Morocco had so much influence in the world that we all turned a blind eye. The Oufkir family was a prominent family, and they just dropped off the face of the earth one night after General Oufkir was executed? I am not smart enough to weave through the politics of America meddling in another country's affairs. I am smart enough to understand that letting children as young as 3 remain in prison for 20 years for something their father did is beyond outrageous. Reading about the conditions under which they lived for all those years makes me wonder what strength of spirit kept them alive. Think you have a tough life? Read this book.
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