The Unsent Condolences

In 'The Unsent Condolences', Abdul Samad Haidari presents a moving anthology of autobiographical poetry, chronicling the challenging experiences of the Hazara people. Haidari, a Hazara writer and journalist, takes his craft as a form of resistance against the systematic persecution and erasure of his tribe’s culture and history. His verses serve as a testament to the incredible spirit of the Hazara people, who have faced - and continue to face - near-extermination and ongoing discrimination.

Haidari’s journey from a child labourer in Iran to a refugee seeking asylum in Indonesia, and finally an author in New Zealand, fills his poetry with authenticity and mana. The collection is not merely an assemblage of words but the threads of lived experiences, each poem a woven narrative reflecting the collective pain, suffering and resilience of his people.

The research underpinning this work is extensive, drawing from historical records, familial narratives, and Haidari’s own harrowing experiences. His grandmother’s stories, coupled with his introspective writing process, have resulted in a body of work that is both personal and universal in its appeal.

“The Unsent Condolences” is a literary quilt, woven with threads of sorrow and strength. It is a jar brimming with the fresh scars of a community whose voice has been suppressed but not silenced. Haidari’s poetry resonates with a rhythm, a cadence that is both haunting and inspiring. This collection is a crucial addition to the canon of resistance literature, offering a profound insight into the Hazara struggle and the power of poetry as a beacon of hope and change.