It was directed by Nabil Ayouch, and based on the novel The Stars of Sidi Moumen by Moroccan writer Mahi Binebine. It’s my first time reading a fiction story in English of a Moroccan writer . And the book comments endlessly about how attractive the [raped] man's behind was, almost as if to imply the rapists couldn't help themselves? End titles describe the 2003 Casablanca bombings, where they occurred, and how many people died. If you've been to Casablanca, the chances are you've walked, or driven, past one of the many shanty towns which make Morocco's biggest city a chequerboard of wealth and poverty. An extensive montage depicts the radicalization of the friends. Abou Zoubeir flees as the police close in on the cell, and the attack is moved to 16 May. I not only love his storytelling, I admire the way he writes about subjects that the world has an opinion about without being judgemental. It makes me think about life. This novel didn’t make me cry, but it did make my heart sink knowing that I hadn’t realised how blissful I already am. The film won several awards, and was Morocco's submission for the 85th Academy Awards (held in February 2013). Mahi Binebine's brilliant and fluidly written (and translated novel) has a dead narrator, and a quick pace - good ingredients for a satisfying novel. You should listen to the audio of our launch, it's worth it. Ten year-old Yachine and his thirteen year-old brother Hamid live in Sidi Moumen, a destitute slum on the outskirts of Casablanca. In a way, I am glad that I read the book first, but I do want to see the film by Moroccan director, Nabil Ayouch. Horses Of God does a creditable job of depicting the sort of toxic environment that breeds terrorists, gradually divesting its young men of any real hope for their future. Tarek learns that Ghislaine is going to marry a cousin. This is what can lead, in the Arab world and in Morocco in particular, to a drift for those who live in these lawless areas where only religious mafias are able to meet needs that no one else takes. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Horses Of God . Ten-year-old Yachine and his thirteen-year-old brother Hamid live in Sidi Moumen, an impoverished slum on the outskirts of Casablanca. He can contact the living, but there are rules. The novel has also been made into a film, and draws on real incidents in the lives of young people who became suicide bombers in Morocco. Yachine, feeling immense guilt over murdering Ba'Moussa, spends the night with Nabil. Hamid is given a two-year prison sentence after throwing a rock at Pitbull's car. An unidentified emir arrives and reinforces the message of martyrdom, telling Hamid, Tarek, Fouad, Nabil, and Nouceir, "Take care, children of Islam, never to become like those who cling to life down here and fear to become martyrs. by Mahi Binebine. You could get right inside their poverty stricken lives. All four begin learning jujutsu. We learn about the gang members. Boys scavenge and play football at the dump in the derelict area of Sidi Moumen, “where all downward slides converge.” They dub their football team ‘The Stars of Sidi Moumen’ (the novel’s original – and more evocative – French-language title), which calls up the image of Fate controlling their lives. This is fiction but a remarkable story giving insight into how poor kids are persuaded to become suicide bombers. An amazing insight into how youngsters get sucked into terrorist group, seeing atrocities and becoming anaesthetised to the horrors and end up as suicide bombers. 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