In partnership with New America’s National Fellows Program

Join New America's Fellows Program and Solid State Books for a conversation with Azadeh Moaveni, author of Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS, and Robert L. McKenzie, Senior Fellow and Director, Muslim Diaspora Initiative at New America about the women who joined, endured, and, in some cases, escaped life in the Islamic State.

Among the many books trying to understand the terrifying rise of ISIS, none has given voice to the women in the organization; but women were essential to the establishment of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s caliphate. In Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS, Azadeh Moaveni’s exquisite sensitivity and rigorous reporting makes these forgotten women indelible and illuminates the turbulent politics that set them on their paths.

Guest House for Young Widows charts the different ways women were recruited, inspired, or compelled to join the militants. Emma from Hamburg, Sharmeena and three high school friends from London, Nour, a religious dropout from Tunis: all found rebellion or community in political Islam and fell prey to sophisticated propaganda that promised them a cosmopolitan adventure and a chance to forge an ideal Islamic community where they could live devoutly without fear of stigma or repression.

Azadeh Moaeveni, @AzadehMoaveni
2018 ASU Future of War Fellow, New America
Author, Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS

Robert L. McKenzie, @Bobby_McKenzie
Senior Fellow and Director, Muslim Diaspora Initiative, New America

This event is free and open for all to attend! Follow the conversation online using #GuestHouseForYoungWidows and following @NAFellows.