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4.77 AVERAGE
4.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
This book is a must-read. An absolutely horrific look into the treatment of not just prisoners, but innocent civilians, at Guantanamo through the experience of Mansoor Adayfi. This not only grew my understanding of what the United States deemed acceptable treatment of human beings post-9/11, but also required me to ask of myself, “under what conditions would treating other humans this way be acceptable? What would they have to have done?” My personal takeaway is that no one deserves this treatment, least of which are people who are innocent and have received no due process.
In the wake of current events in 2025, where you can find people celebrating and selling merch about a detention camp in Florida that was erected to house undocumented immigrants and, as the sitting U.S. president said himself, eventually U.S. citizens, I can’t think of a better time to hear Mansoor’s story and testimony.
In the wake of current events in 2025, where you can find people celebrating and selling merch about a detention camp in Florida that was erected to house undocumented immigrants and, as the sitting U.S. president said himself, eventually U.S. citizens, I can’t think of a better time to hear Mansoor’s story and testimony.
A beautiful story of resistance while being detained at Guantanamo. One of my favorite memoirs to date.
This was a compelling memoir of an era of American history that fills me with shame. I felt that Mansoor was telling me his stories rather than reading a memoir that was highly edited or commercialized. There were times when I felt it was getting repetitive or dragged on a point already made. But, then I realized that was the point. The point of Guantanamo was made over and over to these men without end, without hope, and without humanity.
If you have not considered this era of American history, I encourage you to read this slowly and through your discomfort. Every one who reads this should not doubt his account of these experiences or assume he is exaggerating. Take it at face value and see what you learn about yourself by the end.
If you have not considered this era of American history, I encourage you to read this slowly and through your discomfort. Every one who reads this should not doubt his account of these experiences or assume he is exaggerating. Take it at face value and see what you learn about yourself by the end.
“It was true that our faith led us through the darkest times and gave us hope that we would be released one day, but that didn’t mean we had to sit by and wait until it happened. We would rather die than do nothing.”
In his poignant memoir, Don't Forget Us Here: Lost and Found at Guantánamo, Mansoor Adayfi shares a harrowing account of his unlawful detainment at the notorious Guantánamo Bay detention camp following the 9/11 attacks. Adayfi, who was just a teenager when he was captured and transported to Guantánamo, endured over a decade of torture and torment within the confines of the United States military prison, far away from his home country of Yemen.
Guantánamo Bay has faced extensive criticism for its targeting of Muslims, which has created an atmosphere of religious discrimination. Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government implemented policies that led to the detention of numerous individuals suspected of terrorism, with a disproportionate number being Muslims. This selective targeting has resulted in widespread condemnation, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigmatises an entire religious community.
Drawing from manuscripts written during his time in captivity, Adayfi's memoir leaves no detail untold as he recounts the painful experiences he and countless others endured at Guantánamo Bay. The reader is taken on a journey through the ceaseless physical and psychological suffering that Adayfi and his fellow detainees were subjected to on a daily basis for years on end. Through his powerful narrative, Adayfi sheds light on the injustices and violations of human rights that were perpetrated within the confines of this detention facility.
Adayfi's narrative goes beyond recounting his own experiences; it illuminates the wider framework and consequences surrounding Guantánamo Bay. He delves into its utilisation as a weapon to impart a lesson to the Muslim world and establish the United States as exempt from international law in the context of the so-called "war on terror." He delves into the flawed legal processes, the absence of due process, and the lack of basic human rights that characterised the detainment of individuals, himself included. Adayfi's memoir is a chilling reminder of the destructive consequences of such unjust practices.
“It felt like a laboratory to study how Muslims would react to crazy rules and punishments, and how the human spirit would endure and demean us.”
Given that the majority of detainees in Guantánamo are Muslim, it is unsurprising that their religious rights and beliefs have been subjected to violations, manipulation, and exploitation, all of which serve as methods to inflict torture during their confinement. Numerous instances of religious and psychological abuse are prevalent, including the desecration of the Qur'an, the prohibition of its recitation, restrictions on both individual and communal worship, and the exploitation of Islam through mockery to elicit information or cooperation.
“I had learned that praying and reciting the Qur’an completely shut off all my senses so that I didn’t hear, I didn’t see, I didn’t feel anymore. I just existed in the moment but outside the moment. Interrogators could talk for hours. They could do all kinds of humiliating things to me and they did. But it didn’t matter anymore.”
The persistent existence of Guantánamo Bay serves as a constant reminder of the systemic discrimination faced by Muslims in the name of national security. It highlights the urgent need for a more equitable and inclusive approach that upholds the principles of justice and respects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs.
As the reader follows Adayfi's journey from his homeland to Guantánamo, they are confronted with the immense resilience and strength of the human spirit. Despite the immense hardships he faced, Adayfi's memoir also explores themes of hope, brotherhood, resilience and the unwavering desire for justice.
“Whatever the case, twelve skinny brothers sent a strong message to the camp that they could beat us, crush our bones, starve us, detain us in the darkest, deepest hole, but they would never break us.”
Through his interactions with fellow detainees, Mansoor formed unexpected bonds, finding solace in shared stories, songs of resistance and acts of solidarity. These relationships served as a lifeline among the dehumanising, degrading conditions and gave rise to a collective spirit of resilience that challenged the oppressive environment of Guantánamo. Acts of solidarity were often promptly quashed by throwing individuals into solitary confinement, where they’d spend months on end.
Don't Forget Us Here: Lost and Found at Guantánamo stands as a powerful testament to the strength of human spirit and a plea for justice in the face of profound injustice. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring that the lessons learned from Guantánamo Bay are never forgotten. Adayfi’s story underscores the importance of accountability, human rights, and the need to address the moral implications of operating a facility where justice is denied and lives are irreparably damaged.
This memoir ultimately aims to foster empathy and understanding, urging readers not to forget the individuals held at Guantánamo and their ongoing fight for justice. By sharing his story, Adayfi seeks to inspire change, encourage dialogue, and illuminate the urgent need for a more just and compassionate world. It challenges readers to confront their own assumptions, biases, and complicity in the perpetuation of human rights abuses.
“…When I saw myself in the mirror, I saw a man with a graying beard and hair, and the scars of torture all over my body. The man I saw wasn’t the same boy who was brought to Guantánamo so many years ago. I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.”
In his poignant memoir, Don't Forget Us Here: Lost and Found at Guantánamo, Mansoor Adayfi shares a harrowing account of his unlawful detainment at the notorious Guantánamo Bay detention camp following the 9/11 attacks. Adayfi, who was just a teenager when he was captured and transported to Guantánamo, endured over a decade of torture and torment within the confines of the United States military prison, far away from his home country of Yemen.
Guantánamo Bay has faced extensive criticism for its targeting of Muslims, which has created an atmosphere of religious discrimination. Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government implemented policies that led to the detention of numerous individuals suspected of terrorism, with a disproportionate number being Muslims. This selective targeting has resulted in widespread condemnation, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigmatises an entire religious community.
Drawing from manuscripts written during his time in captivity, Adayfi's memoir leaves no detail untold as he recounts the painful experiences he and countless others endured at Guantánamo Bay. The reader is taken on a journey through the ceaseless physical and psychological suffering that Adayfi and his fellow detainees were subjected to on a daily basis for years on end. Through his powerful narrative, Adayfi sheds light on the injustices and violations of human rights that were perpetrated within the confines of this detention facility.
Adayfi's narrative goes beyond recounting his own experiences; it illuminates the wider framework and consequences surrounding Guantánamo Bay. He delves into its utilisation as a weapon to impart a lesson to the Muslim world and establish the United States as exempt from international law in the context of the so-called "war on terror." He delves into the flawed legal processes, the absence of due process, and the lack of basic human rights that characterised the detainment of individuals, himself included. Adayfi's memoir is a chilling reminder of the destructive consequences of such unjust practices.
“It felt like a laboratory to study how Muslims would react to crazy rules and punishments, and how the human spirit would endure and demean us.”
Given that the majority of detainees in Guantánamo are Muslim, it is unsurprising that their religious rights and beliefs have been subjected to violations, manipulation, and exploitation, all of which serve as methods to inflict torture during their confinement. Numerous instances of religious and psychological abuse are prevalent, including the desecration of the Qur'an, the prohibition of its recitation, restrictions on both individual and communal worship, and the exploitation of Islam through mockery to elicit information or cooperation.
“I had learned that praying and reciting the Qur’an completely shut off all my senses so that I didn’t hear, I didn’t see, I didn’t feel anymore. I just existed in the moment but outside the moment. Interrogators could talk for hours. They could do all kinds of humiliating things to me and they did. But it didn’t matter anymore.”
The persistent existence of Guantánamo Bay serves as a constant reminder of the systemic discrimination faced by Muslims in the name of national security. It highlights the urgent need for a more equitable and inclusive approach that upholds the principles of justice and respects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs.
As the reader follows Adayfi's journey from his homeland to Guantánamo, they are confronted with the immense resilience and strength of the human spirit. Despite the immense hardships he faced, Adayfi's memoir also explores themes of hope, brotherhood, resilience and the unwavering desire for justice.
“Whatever the case, twelve skinny brothers sent a strong message to the camp that they could beat us, crush our bones, starve us, detain us in the darkest, deepest hole, but they would never break us.”
Through his interactions with fellow detainees, Mansoor formed unexpected bonds, finding solace in shared stories, songs of resistance and acts of solidarity. These relationships served as a lifeline among the dehumanising, degrading conditions and gave rise to a collective spirit of resilience that challenged the oppressive environment of Guantánamo. Acts of solidarity were often promptly quashed by throwing individuals into solitary confinement, where they’d spend months on end.
Don't Forget Us Here: Lost and Found at Guantánamo stands as a powerful testament to the strength of human spirit and a plea for justice in the face of profound injustice. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring that the lessons learned from Guantánamo Bay are never forgotten. Adayfi’s story underscores the importance of accountability, human rights, and the need to address the moral implications of operating a facility where justice is denied and lives are irreparably damaged.
This memoir ultimately aims to foster empathy and understanding, urging readers not to forget the individuals held at Guantánamo and their ongoing fight for justice. By sharing his story, Adayfi seeks to inspire change, encourage dialogue, and illuminate the urgent need for a more just and compassionate world. It challenges readers to confront their own assumptions, biases, and complicity in the perpetuation of human rights abuses.
“…When I saw myself in the mirror, I saw a man with a graying beard and hair, and the scars of torture all over my body. The man I saw wasn’t the same boy who was brought to Guantánamo so many years ago. I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.”
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Heartbreaking and challenging, a call to action for all people of conscience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced