Author of “A Fort of Nine Towers” visits BU CELOP

in Academic, Programs, Student Life
November 24th, 2015

Qais Akbar Omar, an Afghan-American writer and alumnus of Boston University, came to CELOP on November 10th to give a talk about his book: A Fort of Nine Towers. The book takes its name from the home Omar grew up in as a child. In his talk at CELOP, Omar showed photos of Kabul and his family as he elaborated on the story told in the book. Expressions of delight and surprise filled the room as they connected each photo with a character or place in his story.

Qais Akbar Omar signs books and engages students in conversation.

Students were clearly captivated by his talk. “The book he wrote was fabulous. I really enjoyed it,” said Khalid, from Saudi Arabia. “Before I read the book, the only thing I knew about Afghanistan was from the news, and the only thing they mention in the news is the war. So when I read the book, I learned Afghanistan, many years ago, they were living a safe life.” When asked about what it was like to meet the author of a book he had read, Khalid said, “I really want to thank Qais. I’ve never felt like this in my whole life.”

Classmates echoed this sentiment. “It is very inspiring, funny, and sweet,” said Janice, a student from China. “I didn’t know a lot about Afghanistan because I’m from China. I read the book and when I Googled Afghanistan, I learned a lot. It let me know more about what matters in the world, and peace is more important.”

Qais Akbar Omar gives a book talk to CELOP students.

Cheryl Pavlik, one of the teachers who assigned this book in her class for pleasure reading, shared her thoughts about the book and Qais’ talk. “This is an incredible opportunity for all of these students, I mean, for me too: to read a memoir that is so personal, and so hair-raising in places, and then meet the person who went through those experiences, is quite incredible. I think for everyone, this will be something they remember. It really does tell you a lot about the depths to which human beings can fall, and the heights to which they can soar.”

If you would like to read the book, you can find it here.

Qais Akbar Omar poses in a group photo with CELOP students.