Safiyyah's War: Chapters 21–29

by Hiba Noor Khan
This novel is based on the true history of the Grand Mosque of Paris. It follows Safiyyah, a young Muslim girl from Paris, as the Nazi occupation during WWII changes her community forever.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-8, Chapters 9-15, Chapters 16-20, Chapters 21-29, Chapters 30-37
15 words 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. succulent
    tasty and full of juice
    Where vibrant peppers, carrots and succulent chicken had once been sprinkled with citrusy coriander, bright parsley and wedges of lemon, now they often ate their couscous plain.
  2. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    Safiyyah noticed how frail and gaunt she had become recently.
  3. nonchalant
    marked by casual unconcern or indifference
    She tried to keep her tone steady, her voice nonchalant.
  4. persuasive
    intended or having the power to induce action or belief
    She’d rehearsed it six times whilst crouching in the hallway, and felt confident that it was as persuasive as possible.
  5. consciously
    with awareness
    Safiyyah made a mental note to consciously slow down for the next leg of her journey.
  6. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    Just before Safiyyah looked away, she saw him nod at her, his eyes still wistful and blazing with feeling, with gratitude.
  7. contagious
    easily diffused or spread as from one person to another
    His excitement was contagious, especially after long months of everything feeling dull and bleak.
  8. throng
    a large gathering of people
    Christmas approached and passed, but this year there were no carol singers in merry throngs in the streets, nor pretty lights strung up across the city.
  9. intact
    undamaged in any way
    Baba stood just inside the doorway, delicate snowflakes still intact on his hat and jumper sleeves, like he’d been dusted with powdered sugar.
  10. meticulous
    marked by extreme care in treatment of details
    Before the war, Yemma was always meticulous about caring for her and her daughters’ hair.
  11. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
    He had found Hana alone in the attic of a dilapidated building.
  12. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    Hana still avoided eye contact, wearing the same forlorn, dejected look on her face as the first day she had arrived.
  13. supplication
    a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service
    Khala Rabiah was tearful too, and as soon as they closed the door she sank down onto her prayer mat and raised her hands in supplication.
  14. don
    put on clothes
    Safiyyah donned an extra jumper, coat, and swung the blankets over her arm, intrigued at what was happening.
  15. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    Safiyyah donned an extra jumper, coat, and swung the blankets over her arm, intrigued at what was happening.
Created on Wed Oct 22 08:44:46 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Dec 23 11:04:56 EST 2025)

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