Princess More Tears to Cry

Copyright©2014byTheSassonCorporation
JeanSassonhasassertedherrightundertheCopyright,tobeidentifiedastheauthorofthiswork.
Allrightsreserved.Thisbookmaynotbeduplicatedinanywaywithouttheexpresswrittenconsentoftheauthor,exceptintheformofbrief
excerptsorquotationsforthepurposesofreview.Theinformationcontainedhereinisforthepersonaluseofthereaderandmaynotbe
incorporatedinanycommercialprogramsorotherbooks,databases,oranyotherkindofsoftwarewithoutthewrittenconsentofthepublisher
orauthor.Makingcopiesofthisbook,oranyportionofit,foranypurposeotherthanyourown,isaviolationofUnitedStatescopyrightlaws.
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JacketdesignbyNatanyaWheeler
Coverimage©MohamadItani/Trevillion
BookdesignbyJudithEngracia
Thisbookisaworkofnonfiction.Insomecasesnameshavebeenchangedtoprotecttheprivacyofothers.
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ThisbookisdedicatedtoAmal,atinygirlwhoknewonlyfearandterroratthehandsofherbrutal
Saudifather,whorapedhisfive-year-olddaughtertodeath.Mostshocking,Amal’sfatherclaimedthat
hewasareligiouscleric.
MayGodforbidsuchaheinousdeathtoanyyounggirl.
Allthatiswrittenhereisreal.
Someofthestoriesarehappyandsomearesad,butallaretrue.
Nameshavebeenchangedtoprotectallpeoplewrittenaboutinthisbook,soastokeepthemfromharm
fromfamilymembersorthosewhowilltakeoffenseattheirtruestories’becomingpublicknowledge.
—JeanSassonandPrincessSultanaAlSa’ud
TableofContents
IntroductionbyPrincessSultanaAlSa’ud
ChapterOne:FortheLoveofDaughters
ChapterTwo:TheParty
ChapterThree:MyFather
ChapterFour:Yes,WomenCanRule
ChapterFive:Dr.Meena:TheWealthofEducation

ChapterSix:Nadia:WhatIsFreedomWorth?
ChapterSeven:LessonsfromThoseWeLove
ChapterEight:GuidedbytheOnesWeHelp
ChapterNine:PrincessAisha
ChapterTen:SolvingFatima’sProblem—andThenCameNoor
ChapterEleven:FariaandShada
ChapterTwelve:MoreTearstoCry
JeanSassonRe members
ListofCharacters
AppendixA:FactsAboutSaudiArabia
AppendixB:Glossary
AppendixC:SaudiArabia:Timeline
AbouttheAuthor
AlsobyJeanSasson
ExcerptfromPrincess:ATrueStoryofLifeBehindtheVeilinSaudiArabia
ExcerptfromYasmeena'sChoice
MapofSaudiArabia

Introduction
byPrincessSultanaAlSa’ud
Iamaprincesswhocanneverbequeen.Thisisbecauseinmycountryonlythemenandthewindare
completelyfree.Underthecurrentcircumstances,neverwillawomanbeelevatedtothehighestrankin
ourSaudimonarchy.
MorethantwentyyearshavepassedsinceIfirstrevealedthedarksecretsofmylandinthebook
Princess:ATrueStoryofLifeBehindtheVeilinSaudiArabia.Ihavereturnedtotellyoumuchmore.
Forthosewhohavealreadyreadaboutmylife,thisbookwillbringyouintothepresentday.Forthose
whohavenotreadthefirstthreeinstallments,pleaseallowmetointroduceyoutomystory,aswellas
provideinformationregardingthefateofwomenborninSaudiArabia.
IwilltellyouwhatlifeislikeformanyfemalesinSaudiArabiainthistheyearAD2014ofthe
Gregoriancalendar,andAH1435oftheIslamiccalendar.

Menareallowedtohavefourwivesandlimitlessconcubines.Mymotherwasthefirstofmy
father’swives,butshegavebirthtoonlyoneson,thechiefmeasureofawoman’srespectandstatusinmy
country.Myfathersoonmarriedotherwomen,whichwasapermanentanguishformymother.
Iwastheyoungestofmymother’selevenchildren—onesonandtendaughters.AlthoughIama
royalprincessandwasrepeatedlytoldthatIwasachildofprivilege,thiswasnotmyreality.OnceIwas
abletofullycomprehendourlives,Iunderstoodthatmystatuswas,infact,verylow.Ilivedina
luxuriouspalace,wherebeautyandwealthsurroundedme.Yetthesetrappingsofroyaltymeantlittle
becauseIwasachildwhowantednothingmorethantheloveofbothmyparents.Althoughmydarling
motheradoredmewithherwholeheart,myfatherattributednovaluetofemales—inparticularafemale
childasobstinateandboldasIwasfromthemomentIwasabletovoicemythoughts.Iknewthatmy
fatherwascapableofgreatlovebecauseheprovidedaffectioninabundancewhenitcametomybrother,
Ali.But,despitemyoverpoweringdesiretowinmyfather’slove,Ineverachievedmyobjective.
Althoughourfourpalaceswerefilledwithservantstogranthiseverywish,Aliwasnever
satisfied.Hedemandedthatallwholivedinthepalacepandertohim,includinghismotherandsiblings.
ButIneverdidperformasmybrotherordered.Iwastheyoungestofthedaughtersandsmallformyage.
Asthebaby,Iwasgreatlypamperedbymyninesistersandmymother,whotreatedmelikealittledollto
dressinfrillydresses.ThusAliwasnottheonlyspoiledchildinourhome.Feelingmyselftheequalof
mybrother,Iwascomfortablepesteringhimdailywithhigh-spiriteddisobedience.
ButthedaycamewhenIfirstgraspedthatoutsideofourfamilycircleofwomenIwasnot
consideredthelittletreasuretheyhadledmetobelieve.Avividmemorygrievesmetoday,manyyears
later.ItisofthedaywhenIfirstgraspedthatmyfatherdidnotlovemeashelovedhisson.Onthat
miserabledayitwasdemonstratedtomethatmybrotherwouldruleoverme,atleastuntilIwasold
enoughtooutwithim.
TheincidentoccurredonlybecauseIdeclinedtogiveAlimyapple.Ratherthanbendtohiswill,I
atetheappleasquicklyaspossible,causingmybrothertoburninfury.ThemomentAliwasabletospeak
throughhisrage,heshoutedforOmar,whowasourEgyptiandriver,andwhoreportedonlytoourfather.
SuddenlyOmar’shugehandsliftedmeintotheairandIwastakentoconfrontmystern-facedfather,who
glaredatmewithtrueexasperation.I,amerefemale,haddaredtorefuseawishvoicedbymybrother,a
malechildwhowasborntorule.Iwastopaydearlythatdayfornothingmorethaneatingmyownapple.
Aftermyfatherslappedmeintheface,hetoldOmarthatAliwasmymaster:Aliwastobegivenallmy

toys;hewastoholdthepowertosaywhatIcouldorcouldnotdo,includingwhenImighteatmydaily
meals.Howmybrothergloated!Iwastorturedbyhimformanyweeksuntilhebecameinterestedinother
pursuits.
Fromthatdayforward,AliandIweredevotedenemies.AlthoughhebestedmewhenIwasvery
young,asIgrewolderIdiscoveredthatAliwasnotascleverashislittlesister,andhewouldfallforany
deception.Isoonsurpassedmybrother’swit,andthishasneverchanged—eventoday,therearemany
timeswhenIcannotcontaintheurgetodupemybrotherontrivialissues,sillymattersthatcausehim
muchembarrassment,forhelacksasenseofhumor;heisamanwhoisasarrogantandoverbearingasthe
childheoncewas.
Thesaddestmomentofmylifecamewhenmymotherpassedaway,dyingfartooyoungandleaving
hershatteredyoungestwithoutamother.Myoldersisterstookovermycare,allofthempromisingmy
motheronherdeathbedthatthey’dlookafterherlittleSultana.Motherfearedformyfuturesafety,she
said,forSaudiArabiawasnotacountrythatreactedfavorablytodefiantfemales.
Shewasrighttoworry.Everythingwasenormouslydifficultforfemalesinthosedays.Althoughthe
rushofoilwealthintroducedmodernizationtoourdesertkingdom,wewerestilllivingintheninth
centurywhenitcametofemalefreedoms.Socialandlegalrestrictionsagainstwomenwerenumerous.
Manywomenstilllivedinpurdah,isolatedintheirhomes.Allwomenhadamaleguardian,amaninthe
familywhosedutyitwastoregulatebehaviorineverycircumstanceofthatwoman’slife.Fewgirls
attendedschools,andthosewhodidweresolelyofwealthyfamiliesandtheireducationwasconfinedto
limitedfieldsofstudy.Allgirlswereveiledatpuberty.Manyyounggirlsevenmarriedatpubertyor
shortlyafterward.Thoseyounggirlsmarriedwhomevertheirfamiliesdictatedtheywouldmarry.Most
girlswedafirstorsecondcousin,aculturaltraditionthatcreatedmanygenetichealthissuesforthe
childrenofsuchunions.Womenwerenotallowedtodrive.Whengirlsgraduatedfromschool,their
familieswouldnotpermitthemtowork,evenifappropriatejobswereavailable.Truthfully,everythingin
normallifewaskeptdistantfromfemales.Menruledbyfear,buttheywerealsofearfulofwhatmight
happenshouldanyhintofindividualitybeexpressedbywomen.Severepunishmentswereroutineforthe
mostinnocentofbehavior.Shouldagirlspeaktoaboynotofherfamily,thepunishmentcouldbelife-
threatening.Ipersonallyexperiencedthetruehorrorofthiswhenagoodfriend,whowassoboldthatshe
metwithforeignmen,wasputtodeathontheordersofherfather.Shewasdrownedinthefamily
swimmingpool,afavoritemethodinthosedays,whenfatherswereabletomurderwaywarddaughters.

Indeed,forthisheinousdeedhereceivedcongratulationsfromall.Anothergirlfriendwasmarriedtoan
oldmaninasmallvillageforthesameactofyouthfulrebellion.
ButasImaturedfromachildintomyteenageyears,therewerehintsofthechangesthatwere
coming.Iwasthefirstinmyfamilyallowedtomeetmyhusbandpriortomarriage.Despiteourbeing
closelysupervisedbythefemalesofbothfamilies,theoccasionofourmeetingwasanastounding
triumph.Perhapsthiswasindicativeofpositivechanges,forduringthissameperiodoftimemoregirls
gainedaccesstoschools,anastutedecisionenforcedbymyownfamilyofroyalmen.Notsurprisingly,
thecrusadetofurtherfemaleeducationwasfoughtfiercelybymanymeninthekingdom,acampaignled
bytheclericsandreligiousradicals.Thosemendemandedthattheroleofthefemaleremaininthedark
ages.SuddenlytheheatoftheSaudidesertnolongercamefromthesun,butfromthefieryclashofideas
regardingtheopposingviewsaboutwomen’slives.
Iampleasedtohavebeenasparkinthisfire.
Educationhasbecometheimpetusforwomen’sambitions.Witheducation,newideasstimulate
femalebrains.
IhaveobservedthatasSaudiwomenbecomeeducated,Saudimentooarebecomingmore
enlightenedastothecontributioneducatedwomencanmaketoSaudilife,bothprivateandpublic.
Educationbenefitsusall,foroncewomenpossessavoicethatcanbeheardbytheirmen,theyboldly
fightfortheirdaughters.Whilechangehasbeenpainfullygradual,oncestarted,ithasconsistentlymoved
inapositivedirection.
Duringtheseyearsofstruggle,Ibecamethemotherofthreechildren—asonandtwodaughters.
OnceIwasthemotherofdaughters,Ifoughtevenmoreaggressivelyforthehumanitarianissuesthat
affectedthechildrenofallSaudicitizens.Ibelievethatifourdaughtersareunhappy,oursonsalsowill
feelthewindofunhappinessintheirownlives.Newsocialandculturalgainsforwomenareequally
beneficialforthemenofSaudiArabia.
Twenty-twoyearsago,ItookadangerousstepandcollaboratedwithmyAmericanwriterfriend
JeanSassonsothatmystory,andthoseofotherwomeninmycountry,mightberevealedtotheworld.
Twofurtherbooksfollowed.Itwasthefirsttimethatafemaleoftheroyalfamilyhaddaredtospeakout,
toalerttheworldtothefactthataprincesswasbeingdeniedpersonalfreedom.Inpublishingthose
books,Imadeaboldmove,changingmylifeandthelivesofmanyotherwomen.Mystorywasa
bestsellerinmanycountries,andIhavebeentoldthatmyspiritedfightagainstdiscriminationhas

matteredgreatlytowomenofnearlyeverynationalityandreligion.Ihavelearnedthatmanythousandsof
youngwomenhavetakenupthefight,inspiredbymylifestory.ForthisIamhappy,despitethefactthatI
sufferedgreatlyformyaudacity,bafflingmysisters,provokingmyhusband,andenragingmyfatherand
mybrother.ButIhavenoregrets,forIamawomanwhowillnotbebulliedintosilence.Istandproud
thatthethreebookswrittenaboutmyliferevealthepositivesandnegativesofmypeopleandmyland,
bothofwhichIlovegreatly.
Ibelieveinopendialogueandknowthatwithouteducation,awareness,andtherightofevery
citizentoliveindignity,nocountrycanadvance.ButevenasIspeakthesewordsImustadmitapainful
truth:whilesomechangehascometomypeopleandmycountry,manychallengesremaintobemet.
So,whatgenderreformshaveoccurredinSaudiArabiasincethetimeIwasastrong-willedyoung
girlwhoboldlybattledblindfavoritismformalesandunfairnesstowardfemales?Theansweris
complicated.
TrueadvanceshavebeenmadeforSaudifemales,principallyineducation.Myfamily’sroyal
embassyinWashington,D.C.,acknowledgesthatSaudiArabia’seducationsystemhasgonethroughan
astonishingtransformation,makingeducationavailableforallSaudiswhochoosetoattendschool.
ThismakesitclearthatthemenofmyfamilyhavemadeeducationforeverySaudicitizenaprime
goal.Nothinghaschangedthefaceofmycountry,andthemenandwomenlivingtheretoday,morethan
accesstoeducation.Likeotherroyals,Ihavemadeeducationafavoritecharityandhavespentagreat
dealofmoneytoassistineducatingouryoung,aswellasyounggirlsinotherMuslimlands.Theonly
SaudiArabiancitizenswhodonotreceiveeducationarethefemalechildrenoftheill-informed.My
governmentdoesnotbecomeinvolvedshouldafatherrefuseoffersofeducationforhisdaughters.Thisis
somethingthatIhopewillchangeintheyearstocome.
Otherfactors,suchastravelandtheInternet(linkedtogetherwitheducation),aremakingSaudi
Arabiaaverydifferentplacefromthedesertkingdomofmyyouth.ManySaudicitizensarefinancially
independent.Withaccesstomoney,largenumbersofSaudistraveltheworld.Travelhasopenedtheir
mindstootherworlds,wherewomenhaverightstoliveinfreedom.AccesstotheInternethasincreased
thepaceofchange.MostyoungSaudisareequippedwithcomputersandiPadsandotherelectronic
equipmentthatfostersawarenessthroughaccesstonewsfrommanyothercountries.Witheducation,
travel,andInternetaccess,theyoungpeopleofSaudiArabiarealizethattheircountryandtheirpersonal
freedomareimperiledbymenwhowishwomentoremainslaves.

Despitethesepositivepoints,Imustsadlyconfessthatevenafteryearsoftoilingtocreatechangein
thelivesofwomeninSaudiArabia,theresultsareerraticandunpredictable.Norulesareclearlyset
whenitcomestofemales.Alldecisionspertainingtofemalebehaviorstillremaininthehandsofthemen
rulingafamily.Ifthemeninawoman’sfamilyareeducatedandfair-minded,femaleshavethe
opportunityforhappiness.Ifthemeninawoman’sfamilyareunenlightenedandcruel,femalessufferdue
tomaleignorance.
WhenIwasachild,lifewasroutinelybrutalformostwomenofSaudiArabia.NowthatIaman
adult,somewomenhavebenefitedfromchange—butstillthequalityoflifeforafemaleinSaudiArabia
isdependentonmales,whohavethepowertorefusefreedom.
Myfriends,hereiswhatlifeislikeforSaudiwomeninthetwenty-firstcentury:
-I live in a country where I know a woman who graduated at the top of her class and is a respected
physician.
-IliveinacountrywhereIknowofayoungchildwhosemotherwasnotallowedlegalcustodyaftera
divorce,eventhoughthechildwasonlyababy.Thisbabygirlwasbrutallyrapedtodeathbyherfather,a
SaudiMuslimcleric.
-I live in a country where I know a woman who successfully manages her own business and who is
creatinghavocforhermalecompetitorsinsimilarbusinesses.
-Ilivein a countrywhereaclerichasruledthataten-year-oldgirlwhoissexuallyabusedonadaily
basisbyherthirty-five-year-oldhusbandmustremaininthatmarriage.Theclericsruledthatitisunfairto
takethechanceofmarriageawayfromanyyounggirl.
-Iliveinacountrywheremostgirlsarebeingeducatedandthosegirlstaketheireducationveryseriously.
-Iliveinacountrywhereonly15percentoftheworkforceisfemale,becausemostfathersandhusbands
stillinsistthatawoman’ssoleplaceisinthehome,evenifthewomanishighlyeducatedandwishesto
work.
-Iliveinacountrywherewomenarestillnotallowedtodriveanautomobile.
-Iliveinacountrywhereclericsruledthatawomanshouldbelashedfordaringtodriveheryoungsonto
school.
-Iliveinacountrywherewomenmuststillgainpermissionfromamaleguardiantoworkandtotravel,
wherefemalerebellioncanstillcostawomanherlife.
-Iliveinacountrywhereanumberofwomendefythemenwhorulethem,yetthemenintheirfamilies

havenotcalledforthewomen’sdeaths.
-Iliveinacountrywheremostfemalesobeytheirmotherandfatherastotheselectionofthemanwho
willbetheirhusband.Althoughitissaidthatwomenhavetherighttosayno,fewwilldoso,astheyfeel
suchdisobediencewilldishonortheirparents.
-Iliveinacountrywherewomencanreachgreatheightsintheircareersandwheremanywomenlivein
happymarriages.
-Iliveinacountrywheremanywomenlivemiserablyandareconfinedtotheirhomes,unabletomakethe
simplestofpersonal decisions, suchas the righttotaketheir youngchildrenand leave their husbands,
whetherfrompersonalunhappinessorbrutalabuse.
-Iliveinacountrywhereanymanisfreetoemotionallyabuse,beat,orevenmurderthewomenofhis
familywithoutfacingcommunalcondemnationorlegalpenalty.
-Iliveinacountrywheremostmenandwomenfrownuponsuchbehavior.
-Iliveinacountryruledbyakingwhocametomaturityatatimewhenwomen’sfeelingsandrightsnever
enjoyedconsideration,butthisking,KingAbdullah,hasmadethecauseofwomenapriority.


Greaterreformisurgently needed,fornothingispredictable whenitcomestowomen’slives inSaudi
Arabia.Andsonowwepushforthekindofchangethatbringsguarantees:weneedtomakeitillegalfor
amantoabuseanywoman.Wemustpushforthekindofchangethatgivesanadultfemaletherightto
makepersonalchoices.
Happily,Iamnolongeraloneinmyquesttobringchangetomycountry.TherearemanySaudi
womenwhoarepushingforpositivetransformation.Membersofmyfamilyknowsomeofthesewomen.I
believethattheworldwouldliketoheartheirextraordinarystories.Forthisreason,Ihaveonceagain
venturedbeyondmysafetyzonetotelltheworldthetruthaboutSaudiArabia.Iwanttotellyouallthatis
happeninginmyland.
InthisbookIwillrevealchangesinmypersonallife.Thereismuchtotellaboutmembersofmy
family,thelivesofmychildrenandgrandchildren,andmysistersandniecesandnephews.Duetohis
annoyingpersonality,thereareadditionalsurprisingstoriestoshareaboutmybrotherAli.Myfatheris
stillwiththeliving,buthehasagedpoorly.Sadly,heisstillamanwhobelievesthatmalesshouldrule
andfemalesshouldobedientlysubmit.

Nothingismoreimportantthanknowingaboutthelivesofbravewomen,however.Ibelievethat
readerswanttoknowwhatishappeningtoordinarySaudiwomen,thosewhodonothavethe
opportunitiesbroughtaboutbywealth.Thesewomenfacemanychallengesunknowntoroyalwomen,and
forthatreasonIholdtheminthehighestregard.
Ihaveselectedtenwomenoutofthemanywhohaveastorythatshouldbetold.TheSaudiwomen
youwillmeetinthefollowingpagesarereal—bravewomenwhoareforgingapaththatwillopenupa
newworldtoallinSaudiArabia.
Althoughtheyearsofmylifehavepassedtooquickly,positivechangeinthelivesofwomeninmy
countryhasmovedmuchtooslowly.ButIthankGodthatIlivedtoseethedaywhenalargenumberof
Saudiwomenhavetheopportunitytoachievetheirdreams.IalsothankGodthatIaminauniqueposition
totellyouabouttheseextraordinarywomen.
Meanwhile,thewomenofSaudiArabia,whetherroyalornot,arepushingagainsttwothousand
yearsofhistory.Ouronlyhopeistopushtogether.Wearereachingoutforyourhelp.MayGodguideyour
handtoourhands.IfallwomencometogetherundertheblessingsofGod,perhapsonedaytherewillbea
queenofSaudiArabia.
Withheartfeltgoodwishesforallwhosokindlycareaboutme,andotherwomeninSaudiArabia,

PrincessSultanaAlSa’ud

ChapterOne
FortheLoveofDaughters
“Surelyitmustbedeath!”oneofourIndonesianmaidsbreathlesslycalledoutfromthebutler’sgalley.
Ifrozeinplacelisteningtothesoundsofhigh-pitchedfemalevoicesresonatingfromourmain
familysittingroom.IshiveredindismaywhenIrecognizedtheheatedvoicesasbelongingtomytwo
daughters,MahaandAmani.MyeasystrollturnedintoaspeedygaitasImovedrapidlytofindthem.
Whatweremygirlsfightingaboutnow?
MyoldestdaughterMahahasclaimedEuropeasherhomeforthepastsevenyears,returningto
SaudiArabiaforannualvisitsonly.AlthoughKareemandIoftenvisitMaha,Amanihadnotseenher
sisterinmorethanayear.Yetevenafteralongabsencefromtheother,fromthemomentMahareturned,
mygirlsbecameinstantlyenthusiasticwiththeirverbalsparring,returningoncemoretotheirrepetitive

arguments,disputingnearlyeveryaspectofdailylifeforwomeninSaudiArabia,somethingtheyhave
donesincetheirteenageyears.
Onlyamomentwasneededformetounderstandthattheircurrentfightrevolvedaroundthelackof
Saudifemales’righttodriveautomobiles,atopicthatfuelsmanyheatedconversationsinmycountry,and
abroad.
Maha’svoicewasfilledwithcontemptasshetoldhersister,“Amani,youshouldjointheprotests
anddrive!Otherwise,mylittlesister,youcangoonlyasfarasyourfeetcantakeyou,andnotonestep
further!”
Amanireturnedhersister’shatefulglarebutsaidnothing.
Longingforaresponse,MaharemindedAmanithatallSaudigirlsarenotwealthy.“Youareselfish,
mysister.YouknowthatveryfewSaudiwomenhavefull-timedrivers.Whatdothosewomendowhen
theyneedtransportationtouniversityortogoshopping?Howshouldtheygettotheirdestinations?Ifthey
donothaveaccesstoahireddriver,orarenotbraveenoughtotakeabusortaxi,theywillhavetouse
theirtwofeettotakethemwheretheyneedtogo!”
KnowingmydaughtersasIdo,Iknewthattheirangryspiralofaccusationswouldexpand,andI
wasright.
IhadlittletimetoponderbeforeAmaniboundedintoaction,herfaceflashingdarkredwithanger
assheleaptlikeadesertgazelletowardhereldersister.IfIhadnotbeeninattendance,mytwoadult
daughterswouldhavecertainlyexchangedblows,possiblygrapplingtothefloortophysicallyfightas
theyhadoncedoneaschildren.
IseizedMahabyherupperarmandpulledwithallmystrength.Asitwas,Mahatumbledintome,
asAmanistumbledandcollidedwithKareem,myhusband,whohadenteredthesittingroominpursuitof
theexplosionoffemalecries.
Mydarlinghusbandisalong-sufferingfather.Ourdaughters’continualbattlesexhausthim.Priorto
thislatestvisit,KareemhadannouncedthathewouldnolongertolerateMahaandAmaniconducting
themselvesaschildren.Afterall,bothdaughtersaregrownwomen.Amaniwasnowamarriedwoman
andmother,whileMahalivesasasingleadultinoneofEurope’smajorcities.Mahawasworkingasan
executiveinoneofherfather’sbusinesses,enjoyinganormalsociallifewithherfriends.Timeandagain,
Mahahasdemonstratedherabilitytoeasilymanagemostadultsituations,buthermaturityforsakesher
whensheiswithheryoungersister.

Kareemfleetinglygazedatmeindisbeliefbeforeraisinghisvoicetoshout,soastobeheardover
thesputteringprotestofAmaniandthewrathfulsquawkproducedbyMaha.“Thiswillcease!Now!”
Kareemcommanded.
Althoughmydaughtershaveoftenignoredtheirmother’sdemands,theyrarelyfailtorespond
suitablytotheirfather’sorders.Ifeltmyselfthespectatortoamiracleastheircriesandinsultssilenced
instantly.
AtthatmomentmysisterSarawalkedsoundlesslyintotheroom.Shehadarrivedearlyforthe
plannedfamilypartytocelebrateMaha’svisit.Sara’sexpressionwasasusualappealinglycomposed,but
herbigblackeyesgrewsignificantlybiggerwhensheobservedouroutlandishscene.
Sara’slipscurvedintoasmile.“Mydearnieces,doesfightingstillholdsuchcharmforyou,even
aftertwobrokenbonesandachippedtooth?”
Sarawasrecallingthemostviolentofmydaughters’battles,afternine-year-oldAmanihad
foolishlystrungathintripwireacrossthebackhallwaythatledtoaspecialroomholdingnewlyborn
kittens.Amanibelievedherkittenstobesuchtreasuresthatsheendlesslyobsessedthatsomeonemight
attempttostealtheanimalsandsellthemintheanimalsouk.
Asfatewouldhaveit,Mahahadbeentheunintendedvictimafterrushingunsuspectingalongthe
hallway.Aftertrippingoverthewire,Maha’sviolentfallhadresultedintwobrokenwrists.WhenAmani
heardthenoise,shehadracedtodiscovertheidentityofthekittythief,onlytofindhersisterwrithingin
pain.Amaniangrilyaccusedhersisterofplanningtostealallthekittens.
WhenAmaniwasateenager,ourfamilytraveledtoMeccaforthepilgrimage.Duringthereligious
event,Amani’sreligiousfaithwastransformed;onceachildwhosefaithwasdormant,sheemergeda
determinedyoungwomanwhowishedtoembraceallaspectsofourIslamicfaithwithunnervingintensity.
Sincethatlife-changingreligiousexperience,Amanihadhadtheunfortunatehabitofthrowingashadow
ofdoubtoneveryone’sbehavior,oftenaccusingthosearoundherofmoralorcriminaldeeds.
WhenAmanitriedtopeerunderneathMaha’sbodytomakesuretherewerenokittensflattened
there,anenragedMahaelbowedhersisterintheface,breakingatooth.
Whiletheeventwasnotamusingatthetime—asKareemandIhadhadtoexplaintoourfamily
physiciantheembarrassingnatureofourdaughters’injuries—Sara’scommentandhercoolnaturewere
theperfectangerantidote.KareemandIexchangedalookandlaughedloudlyatthememoryofthattime
longagowhenourdaughters’behaviortoooftenresembledthatofwildbeastssetlooseinourhome.

AhumorlessAmanididnotapproveofourlaughter.Sheeasedherselfawayfromherfather,
brushingherdress’sbodicewithherhandasthoughnothingmoreworryingthanaspillhadoccurred.She
thengreetedherAuntieSarawitharoutineexchangeofkisses,changingthesubjectbyinquiringabout
Sara’ssickgrandchild,whoselittlelifehadrecentlybeenthreatenedbyaseriousboutofwhooping
cough.Maha,astriumphantasaconqueringwarrior,touchedherfavoriteauntie’sshoulderinagestureof
affectionbeforeretreatingtopouracolddrinkmadeoffreshlysqueezedlemons.
SheandAmanithenchosetooccupyoppositesidesoftheroom,portrayingtheperfectroleof
strangerstooneanother.
Ilovemytwodaughtersasmuchasanymothercanlovetheirchildren,butevenasadultsthey
continuetotestmypatience.YearsagoIhadclungtothehopethatadulthoodwouldbringmaturity,butI
wassadlymistaken.Staringatmydaughters,Isawthatbothworeanexpressionofhaughtysatisfaction.I
foughtthestrongestdesiretosmackthosefaces.
EvenasImadesmalltalkwithSaraandKareem,Iwasquestioningourlife,wonderingwhytwo
daughtersofthesameparentscouldnotfindonethingtoagreeupon.Fromtheirteenageyears,our
daughtershaveclashedoneverything.
Mahawasbornastrong,free-spiritedgirlwhotookvigilantnoticeatayoungageofthecultural
andsocialconstraintsplacedonSaudifemales.Overtheyears,herragefesteredattheunfairnessofour
country’ssocialcustomsregardinggender;shegrewtodetesteveryrestrictionandoftenvoicedher
resolvetotesteachone.Amaniembracedthemostconservative,traditionalbeliefsofourlandsolongas
theyweredirectedatfemales.ThereweretimeswhenitseemedtomethatAmanibelievedtheshackles
confiningfemaleswerenotharshenough.
Afteryearsoftraumaticepisodesandincident,tranquilitycametoourhomeonlyonceMahahad
persuadedus,herparents,thatshewouldneverknowtruehappinesswhileforcedtoliveinSaudiArabia.
KareemandIfeltrealconcernthatshewouldindeedpurposelytesteverystringentsocialandtriballaw
regardingwomenifcompelledtoresideinthekingdom.OurMahaisfearlessandunflinchingwhenit
comestoauthority.Perhapsshewouldcommitanactconsideredsoculturallyseriousthattherewouldbe
achorusofcommunaldisapprovalfollowedbyaclamorforouruncle,theking,tomakeanexampleof
ourdaughter.
Aftermanyextendedconversations,KareemandIarrangedforMahatoattenduniversityinEurope.
Happily,ourdaughter’saggressivepersonalitylightenedconsiderablyaftermovingaway.Shewasso

contentinEuropethatwelateracceptedthatshewouldalwaysmakeherhomefarfromourdesert
kingdom.Fromthattimeon,MahamadeonlyraretripstoSaudiArabia,althoughweoftenvisitedher.
Unlikehersister,AmanicherishesfemalelifeinSaudiArabia,oftenstatingthatthereisnocountry
sogoodforwomenasourland.Shebelievesherselftobelovinglyprotectedfromthevicesoftheworld,
ratherthanbeinginhibitedfrommakingpersonalchoiceswithouttheinputofherfather,whowas,and
stillremains,hermaleguardian.PriortoarrangingAmani’smarriage,Kareeminsisteduponthelegal
stipulationthathe,herfather,remainedherguardian.Myhusbandcouldnotabidethethoughtofanyman
holdingsuchpoweroverhischild.Accordingtotheselegaldocuments,atKareem’sdeath,Amani’s
eldestsonwillbeherguardian,regardlessofwhatagehemightbeatthetimeofhisgrandfather’s
demise.SoitmaycometopassthatachildmightbenamedAmani’sguardian.Forme,thisisaridiculous
concept,oneIbelievewomenshouldfightwithalltheirmight,butmydaughterclaimsshewillbearno
grudgeshouldthedaycomewhenshewillbeanadultwomanruledbyaguardianwhoishermalechild!
FewpeopleoutsidethekingdomunderstandthateverySaudifemaleisbornintothemostrigid,
male-dominatedsystem,whereamalewillbeherguardian.Thisisthecaseevenintheyear2014(AH
1435intheIslamiccalendar).Thisappointedmaleguardianhascompletecontroloverthefemale,from
herfirstmomentofbirthtothelastsecondofherdeath.Althoughtheobligationsofaguardianarenot
writteninSaudilaw,theguardian’srightstorulemightaswellbecarvedinstone.Saudicourtsrecognize
obediencetotheguardianaslaw,evenifthefemaleisafulladult.Awomanneedsauthorizationfromher
guardianbeforeshecanattendschool,marry,divorce,openabankaccount,seekemployment,oreven
havemanymedicaltreatmentsincludingsurgery.IhaveknownpersonallyoffouroccasionswhenaSaudi
womanhasdiedbecauseherguardianhasbeentravelingandwasunavailabletoprovidepermissionfor
emergencysurgery.
NowomaninSaudiArabiacanescapetheguardian’smantle,wrappedtightlyaroundherbody,
keepingherapermanentprisonerofherguardian’severywish.Themaleguardianisherpersonalking,
theretodecideeveryaspectofherlife.Suchaguardiancanrulethatawomanhassulliedthefamily
honorandshouldbeputtodeath,shouldhesochoose.Thereisnooneinthelandtointervene,noteven
thepoliceormembersofgovernmentsecurity.Iamspeakingthetruth.Iwilladmitthatitisunusualthese
daysforaguardiantorulethathiswifeordaughtershouldbeputtodeath,butshouldhedecidetodoso,
deathwillcometothatwoman.SuchisthelifeofaSaudifemaleexistingundertheruleofaguardian.In
fact,severalcaseshaveappearedintheinternationalnewsrecently,thoughothersgounreported.

Horrifyingcrimesofmurderwillberevealedinalaterchapter.
EvenI,awomancapableofcaringformyself,haveneverlivedadaywithoutaguardian.Myfather
wasmyguardianuntilImarriedKareem.Forme,myfatherwasaveryunkindguardian,althoughIam
alivetodaybecauseheneverconsideredmurderingmewhenIbroughtshameanddisappointmenttohim.
Atthetimeofourmarriage,Kareemacceptedthemantleofguardianshipovermyfather’syoungest
daughter.Shouldmyhusbandpassfromthisearthbeforeme,mysonAbdullahwillbemyguardian.
Admittedly,mysituationissaferthanthatofmostSaudiwomenbecausemyhusbandandItruly
loveeachother.ManyhavebeenthetimesthatmyhusbandclaimshewouldnotwishtoliveifIwere
dead,soIhavealwaysreasonedthathewouldneverkillme.Kareem’slovingfeelingsformegivemea
formidablepowerandasenseofsecurity.So,sinceIleftmyfamilyhome,guardianshiphasposedonlya
negligiblepersonaldilemmaforme.
Actually,myhusbandlovinglyspokeaboutguardianshipearlyoninourmarriage.Irememberthat
dayasifitwereonlyafewweeksago.Myhandsomehusbandsworeuponourmostholybook,the
Koran,saying,“Sultana,weareguardiansintrust.Iamyourguardian.Youaremyguardian.Wewilllook
totheotherforhelpineveryproblemoflife.”
OnlyoncedidKareembreakhisvow,andthatwaswhenhefoolishlyattemptedtoforcemeto
acceptasecondwife.Thatplandidnotgowellformyhusband.Thosewhoknowmepersonally,orwho
havereadmystory,knowthatIwasthevictorinthatmaritalstruggle.This,Ibelieve,isbecauseIam
willingtodieifIfeelstronglyenoughaboutasituation,whilemyhusbandcarefullyguardshisownlife,
aswellasmyown.
ButnowIhadmoreproblemsthanguardianshiptocontendwith,forIheardMahacontinuetospeak
underherbreath,insultingAmani’sSaudieducation.
IwashappythatAmaniwascollegeeducated.Infact,duringherhighschoolyearsAmanihad
expressedlittledesiretoattenduniversity,assertingthatagoodMuslimwomanneedednothingmorethan
ahusbandandchildren.Iwasshatteredbymychild’sresolvetoavoidafulleducation.Kareemhandled
thesituationwiselywhenhepointedoutthattherewereimportantstepsshehadnottaken,namelya
universityeducation.ThesubjectofahusbandcouldonlyberaisedonceAmanihadearnedheruniversity
degree,hetoldher.
Afterspeakingwithreligiousauthorities,Amanibecamesatisfiedthateducationwasnotatodds
withourIslamicfaith.Onceplacatedthus,sheenrolledintheArabiclanguageandliteraturedepartment

oftheArtandHumanitiesCollegeattheRiyadhUniversityforWomen,laterrenamedthePrincessNora
bintAbdulRahmanUniversityafterthemostbelovedsisterofourgrandfather,thefirstking,AbdulAziz
AlSa’ud.Tooursurpriseandparentalglee,Amanislippedeasilyintocontinuingeducation,admitting
thatsherelishedherclassesintheArabiclanguageandliteraturedepartment.Sheearnedhighmarksin
allclassesandgraduatedafterfouryearsofstudy.
IdreamtthatAmanimightbeateacherofliteraturetoothergirls,forshewasverypassionateinher
learning,butsoonfoundmyselfsighingwithsadnesswhenAmaniannouncedthatshewouldneverwork.
Thereweretoomanypossibilitiesofmeetingmennotofherfamilytochanceenteringtheworldofthe
workingwoman.Shewouldnevertalkwith,orworkwith,anymanotherthanherhusband,father,
brother,son,orotherclosemalerelative.Amaniclaimedthatherlearningwasundertakensothatshe
mightbetterrepresentherreligion,faith,andIslamicvalues,andalso,mostimportant,tobeabetter
mothertoherchildren.
Kareemtoldmenottoprotest:“Sultana,donotforgetthat58percentofcollegestudentsinSaudi
Arabiaarefemale,yetonly14percentofthosegirlscanfindjobs.ItisjustaswellthatAmanidoesnot
fillapositiontrulyneededbyanotherSaudigirl.”
Igrimacedathiswords,yetIcouldnotdenythatKareemspokeawoefultruth.WhileAmaniwould
neverneedasalaryfromajobtoprovidelife’snecessities,ourcountryisfilledwitheducatedgirlswho
areanxiousformuch-neededemployment.CertainlyIamdelightedthatsomanySaudigirlsarebeing
allowedtoattendschool,whichwasnotalwaysthecaseinmycountry.
Yet,forwomeninSaudiArabia,assoonastheyovercomeoneobstacle,anotherappears.While
educationoffemalesisbecomingacceptedbymostmen,manyfathersbalkattheideaoftheirdaughters’
working;theywanttoensurethatmenwhoarenotmembersofthefamilydonothavephysicalaccessto
theirdaughters.Additionally,manyhusbandsrefusepermissionfortheirwivestowork,althoughmost
promiseotherwiseduringtheengagementperiod.Furthermore,manybusinessesdonotlikefemales’
workingintheirestablishments,dreadingthatthemixofmenandwomenwillcreateproblemswiththe
religiousestablishment.Angry-heartedclericsoftenassertthatfemalesandthedevilwalkhandinhand
whenwomenminglewithmenwhoarestrangerstothem.PitythepoorSaudiwomanwhowantstouse
herintellectandhereducationtoworkinherchosenprofession,fortherearemanybarriersplacedinher
path.
Withinmonthsofgraduatingfromcollege,Amanipressedforustoarrangeamarriagewitha

suitableroyalcousin.Shedidnotnamesomeonespecific,askingonlythathebeamanfromaknown
goodroyalfamily,ofgoodcharacterandabeliever.Shesteadfastlyrejectedtheopportunitytoviewa
photographofhergroom-to-be,socharitablyprovidedbyhissister.Amanibecameincensedwhenher
brotherAbdullahtauntedherwithhintsthathercousinwaspleadingtoseehisfuturebride’sface,andthat
he,Abdullah,mightrelievetheyoungman’sanxietybydisplayingaphotographofAmani.Shebecameso
distraughtthatshetearfullyentreatedherfathertointervene,andhedid,forbiddingoursonfrom
disturbinghissisteranyfurtheronthematter.
Abdullahisajoyfulsoulwhorelentlesslyteaseshissisters,butonlyMahashowstheoccasional
signofhumorathisantics.Ifonlymytwodaughterssharedthepleasingandoutgoingcharacterofmyson,
Iwouldbeamotherfilledwithjoy.Kareem,too,acknowledgesthatoursonistrouble-freeandhasoften
saidtome,“Sultana,Godchosetorewarduswithanagreeablesonandtochallengeourendurancewith
AmaniandMaha.”
Duringthetimeshewaspersonallyfrustratedwithmeforonethingoranother,hedelightedin
addinganinsultandlayingblameonmyheadbysaying:“Mydaughtershaveinheritedtheirmother’s
propensityforgeneratingbedlam.”Certainlybothdaughtersarrivedonthisearthpreprogrammedwiththe
mostexhaustingdispositions.
Butasanoppositecharactertohermotherandsister,Amaniholdsdeareverythingtodowithbeing
awomanruledbymen.Sheisalsoapostergirlforstrictobedienceofeverythingreligious.Fromherteen
years,sheworethefullblackveilwithenormoussatisfaction,believingitimmoralforanywomanto
exposeherfaceinpublic.Shestillcoversherdelicatehandswithblackgloves,andherfeetandlegswith
thickblackstockings,regardlessoftheswelteringheatinthekingdom—infact,evenwhenwevisit
Jeddah,theportcityknownforitsdrenchinghumidity.
IhavealwayssaidthatsuchacostumeisextremelydangerousintheheatofSaudiArabia,andmy
concernsweresubstantiatedwhenaheavilypregnantAmaniwasvisitingusatourJeddahhome.Asshe
wasnotfamiliarwithsomeofournewlyemployedmalestaff,shetendedtowearherheavyveilfromthe
momentshewokeuntilsheslept.Mypoordaughterfearedthatoneofthemmightcatchaglimpseofher
uncoveredface,althoughthesemenaretrustedandaccustomedtobeingaroundthefemalesinourhomes.
Onemorningshewalkeddownthestairsfullyveiled,annoyingmeandevensurprisingherAuntie
Sara,whogenerallyacceptedthecontrastingbehaviorofmytwodaughterswithasmile.Istartedtovoice
mythoughts,sayingIfounditridiculousforAmanitofullycoverwhenathome.Besides,Ienjoyhavinga

conversationwithsomeoneIcansee,andmostparticularlygetpleasurefromlookinguponthefacesof
mychildren.AtthatmomentSaragavemeawarninglookandIbitmylip,askinginstead,“Wouldyou
likesomecoldjuice,myprecious?”
Amanibrushedpast,saying,“No,Mummy.Ifeellikeastrollinthegarden.”OneofourIndonesian
maidsopenedtheheavywoodenandglassdoorsothatAmanicouldenterthespecialwomen’sgarden
Kareemhadsocarefullydesignedforthefemalesinourfamily.Thegardenisunusuallylargeandstudded
withnumerousenormousplantsandlotsofferns;theeffectwasmeanttobereminiscentofarainforest.
Overlyprotectiveofmypregnantdaughter,Icalledout,“Don’tgetlostinallthatgreenery,sweetAmani.”
Mydaughterdidnotrespond.
SoonSaraandIbecamedistractedwithagameofkomkom;thisisafungameweoftenplaywhen
atJeddahbecausethegamerequiresseashellsthatthechildrencansometimesfindontheRedSea
shoreline.TwoofSara’seightgrandchildrenplayedwithus.Thegaietyofwatchingthechildrentossthe
seashellsonthefloorwasfunandImomentarilyforgotthetime.WhenAbdullahcameintothesittingarea
andinquiredaboutAmani,Isuddenlyrealizedthatshehadbeeninthegardenfornearlyanhour.
Ijumpedtomyfeetanddashedoutofthedoorandintothegarden,callingformychild.Igavea
terrifiedscreamwhenIsawhersprawledontheground,theblackclothofherabayadrapedoverasmall
fernandflutteringintheseabreeze.
“Amani!”Ishoutedout.
Abdullahquicklyfollowed,aswellasseveralofourdrivers,whohadheardmycryandcame
runningintothegarden,normallyforbiddentothem.
Foramoment,Ithoughtmypreciouschildwasdead,finallysmotheredtodeathbyallthatheavy
blackfabric,herblackstockingsandgloves.Amani’scostumeprobablyweighedmorethanshedid
herself,asshehadalwaysbeendelicateinsize.Eventhoughshewaspregnant,sheweighedonlyforty
kilograms,lessthanninetypounds.
AbdullahandoneofthedriversliftedAmaniandcarriedherintoourair-conditionedhome.While
theystruggledtoholdhercarefully,forshewasnoticeablypregnant,herveilwasaccidentallypulled
fromherfaceandherlongblackskirtwashoistedaboveherwaist.
AtthatmomentIdidnotcare,althoughAmani’sblackstockingsonlystretchedtoherknees,leaving
herwhitethighsvisibleforalltosee.
MydaughterwasplaceduponthelargestofthefivesofasinthesittingareaandIbegantoremove

herheavyblackcover.WhenIpulledbackherveil,Icaughtmybreathatthesightofherface,whichwas
darkred,almostbruisedinappearance,hereyesrollingback,exposingthewhitesofhereyes,amost
alarmingsight.
BythistimeoneoftheservantshadlocatedKareeminhisofficeandmyhusbandwasbymyside,
callingoutforcoldwetclothstobeplacedonherface.OnKareem’sinstructions,Abdullahdroveat
speedtothehomeofourfamilyphysician,averyexperiencedPalestiniandoctorwholivedonlyashort
distancefromus.Abdullahwastoldtobringhimtoustotendtoourdaughter.
BythistimeIfeltmyselfgoingmad.Amanilaylikeacorpse.Kareemwaspointingoutthatour
daughterwasbreathingsteadily,sotherewasnoneedformetoyankatmyhair,somethingIdidnoteven
knowIwasdoing.(ThoughwhenIpulledmyhandsawayfrommyhead,Isawthatdozensoflongblack
hairsweredanglingfrommyclenchedfingers.)
Ilookedaroundtoseethateveryhousemaid,driver,andgardenerwaspackedtightlyintoourlarge
sittingarea,butbeforeIhadtimetoorderthemalltoleave,ourdoctorarrived.I’veneverbeensohappy
toseehisbigruddyfaceandshortchubbybody,althoughinthepasthehadsometimesirritatedmewith
hishabitoffoldinghishandsbehindhisbackandpacingincircles,mutteringincoherentlywhiledeepin
thought.
Ihavealwayswantedtoknowinstantlyeveryaspectofamedicalproblemconcerningmychildren.
Asthedoctorhurriedtohoveroverourdaughter,askingthateveryonestepbacktogiveherspaceto
breathe,heseemedveryconcerned.IclungtoKareem’sarm,staringatmychildattheexactmoment
Amaniopenedhereyes.SheunexpectedlysawthebigfaceofthePalestiniandoctorstudyingherface,
thengaspedloudlyandfainted.
Amaniwaseventuallyreturnedtogoodhealth.Thedoctorannouncedthattheheatwastheproblem
andspokeinalowbutfirmvoicetoAmani,tellingherthatsheshouldnotwearsuchheavyblackclothing
intheheatandhumidityofJeddah.Iknewfromherexpressionthatshewouldneverfollowdoctor’s
ordersandthatImustremembertoceasetravelingtoJeddahduringthehottestofthesummermonths.Our
familywouldremaininRiyadh,wheretheairisdry,makinglifemoretolerableforveiledwomen,or
perhapsstayinTaif,ourmountainretreatknownforitscoolbreezes.
Amani’spainfulpsychologicalordealwasfarfromover.Shewasmostscandalizedwhenshelater
discoveredthatmanyemployedinourJeddahhomehadcaughtsightofheruncoveredface,andthatthree
ofthedrivershadevenglimpsedthefleshonherlegs.Mychildbecamesooverexcitedthatherfatherand

IhadtopromisethatwewouldrotatealltheemployeesfromJeddahtoRiyadhwhenwewerevisiting
ourJeddahpalace.WhenwereturnedtoRiyadh,thosesameemployeeswouldbesentbacktoJeddah.It
wasgoingtobeamerry-go-roundofemployees,onlybecauseAmaniwastooembarrassedtobeinthe
companyofthosewhohadseenherfaceandlegs.
EverythingrequiredforAmani’speaceofmindseemedridiculoustome,buttherewasnothingI
wouldnotdotoeasethestressofoneofmychildren,andmostespeciallymypregnantdaughter.Andnow
timehadpassedandAmaniwasthemotherofason.

Mytwodaughtershadnotseeneachotherinmorethanayear,yetfireworkshadquicklyerupted
betweenthem.Infact,Mahahadarrivedbackinthekingdomonlythreedaysearlier,butalreadymytwo
girlswerefightingendlessly.
Kareemlefttorefreshhimselfforthenight’scompany,advisingMaha,“Daughter,pleaseretireto
yourroomandprepareyourselfforthisevening.Thetimewillsooncomeforourgueststoarrive.”
Ismiled,happythatKareemremindedMahaoftheentertainingeveningahead.Afterall,alarge
numberofguestswereexpectedtoseeMaha.Sincethedaywereceivednoticethatshewascomingfora
rarevisit,awelcomingpartyhadbeenplanned.Nearlyallthefamilyhadarrangedtheirbusyschedules
sothattheymightbepartofthecelebration.
SaraandIhadspentmanyhoursplanningtheevening.WehaddecidedtoserveMaha’sfavorite
Arabicfoods,includingal-kabsa,tahini,andtomatochicken.Kareemhadarrangedforseparatefoodto
beservedinthemen’sgardenssothatourvegandaughterAmaniwouldnotcatchaviewofthewhole
stuffedcamelwithlamb,chicken,eggs,andrice.Wewereafraidthatouranimal-lovingAmanimight
destroysuchadishifitwasspotted.Onceinthepast,Amanihaddiscoveredacookedbabycameland
hadconductedafuneralandburieditinourgardenbeforeourguestsevenarrived.Thereforegreat
secrecysurroundedthecameldish,aspecialtyourguestscouldsavorandenjoy.
TherewouldbeplentyofFrenchdelicaciesaswell.Sara’sFrenchchefhadbeenbusyforthepast
fewdays,makinghisdeliciousbisque,salmonterrine,andpot-au-feu.AprivateairplanesenttoFrance
hadreturnedwithallthespecialFrenchcheesesandbaguettes.
IlookedtoseeifMahamightobeyherfather.Shenoddedbutdidn’tmoveamuscleawayfromher
perchonthesofa.
FromthemomentKareemexitedtheroom,Amaniresumedherdisagreementwithhersister.

AttemptingtobringSaraintothediscussion,sheasked,“AuntieSara,whatareyourthoughtsonwomen
driving?”ThenbeforeSaracouldconsideraresponse,Amani’swordscontinuedtobubblefromherlips:
“DoyouagreethatifSaudiwomendrive,theirveilswillcreatevisibilityproblems,causingaccidents?
Onceanaccidentoccurs,shewouldbeforcedintoanillicitconversationwiththeotherdriver.Whatifhe
wasamaledriver,astrangertoher?”
Sarawascaughtinanawkwardplace,soIenteredtheconversation,saying,“Sweetgirl,pleasedo
yourmummyafavorandleavesuchcontroversialtopicsforanothermoreappropriatetime.”
BeforeAmanicouldreact,Mahamadeanangrygrunt,butlefttheroominahurry.Ihopedshehad
takenherfather’sadvicetousethetimetorepairherhairandmakeup.
Beforethetensioncouldevaporatefromtheroom,however,Mahareturned.Isawthatshehad
retrievedherinternationaldrivinglicenseandwasflashingitatAmaniinanaggressivemanner,saying,
“Mylittlesisterisoneofthosefoolswhohasacollegedegreebutisuneducated!”
NothingcouldstopAmani:“Thedrivingofautomobilesbywomenisasourceofundeniablevices.
Womendrivingleadstothat,andthisisself-evident.”
AmanioftenquotedfatwasissuedbyvariousSaudiclerics,andIrecognizedherwordsashaving
comefromSheikhAbdulAzizbinBaz,aSaudiclericwhowastheGrandMuftiofSaudiArabiafrom
1993untilhisdeath,atageeighty-eight,in1999.
Bazwasnotveryintelligentinmyopinionandhadprovedhismentaldeficienciesbyannouncing
manycontroversialrulings,oneofwhichwasthattheearthwasflat.Hehadsaid:“Theearthisfixedand
stableandhasbeenspreadoutbyGodformankindandmadeabedandcradleforthem,tieddownby
mountainslestitshake.”Afterhisstatement,hewasridiculedbymanyjournalists.Myfatheroncetold
Kareemthathisolder(half)brother,KingFaisal,hadbecomesoenragedthatBazhadmortifiedall
Saudisthroughhisignorancethathehadorderedthedestructionofanypapersorbooksthatreported
Baz’swords.LaterBazdeclaredthatthesunrotatesaroundtheearth,thoughheretractedthatstatement
aftermycousin,PrinceSultanbinSalman,spenttimeaboardthespaceshuttleDiscovery.Whenhe
returnedtoSaudiArabia,itwassaidthathesworetotheclericthathehadseentheearthfromspace,and
thattheearthwasrotatingandwasnotstill.
OtherrulingsBazmadehadtodowithkeepingallwomeninpurdah,orisolation,andforthisI
alwaysdislikedtheman.Othersdisagreedwithmebecausehewaslovedbymany.Hewasoneof
Amani’sfavoriteclerics,althoughhehaddiedwhenAmaniwasstillachild.

AmaniknewBaz’sfatwabyheart,aboutwomenbeingforbiddenfromdriving,andsheproudly
quoted,“Depravityleadstotheinnocentandpurewomenbeingaccusedofindecencies.Allahhaslaid
downoneoftheharshestpunishmentsforsuchanacttoprotectsocietyfromthespreadingofthecausesof
depravity.Womendrivingcars,however,isoneofthecausesthatleadtothat.”NowMahawasdancing
aroundtheroom,singingherwordsinaloudvoice:“Iamfree,Amani,whileyouwillinglywearchains!”
Sheleaptintotheairlikeaballerina,holdingherdrivinglicenselikeatrophy.
Mydaughterisreallytoodramatic.
Mahacontinuedherrant.“Iamfree!Mysisterwearschains!”
“Everythingyoudoisharam,Maha,”Amaniannouncedself-importantly,withthegreatestcertainty.
“Listen,Amani.Youareinthedarkages.Youcouldbesmart,butyouseekignoranceandyou
appeartolikeportrayingweaknessandignorance,tohavemenmakingallyourdecisions,whenyouare
fullycapable.”Mahawassmothering.“Iamfree,Amani,tolive.Iamfreetothinkformyself.Iamfreeto
drive.IamfreetohavethoughtsaboutanythingIplease.Iamawomanfreedfromthismadnessyou
embracesolovingly!”
MyheadspunliketheearthatMaha’snextstatement,andevenSaragasped.“TodayItrickedall
thosesillyoldmen.IdressedasamanandtookAbdullah’snewMercedesforadrivearoundthecity.”
“Maha!”Icried.“Maha,pleasetellmethisisnotso!Youwillhumiliateyourparentsifyouare
caughtdressingasamananddrivinganautomobile.”
“Oh,Mother,”Mahagiggled,“Iwasneverindanger.Iworenomakeup.Abdullahpaintedamost
realisticpencilmustacheonmyface.Abdullahdidallthetalkingintheshops,sonooneheardany
femininevoice.”
Myvoicewenthighinpitch.“Mysonknewofthis?”
Maha’slipsturneddowninfrustration.“Yoursonagreeswithme,Mother.Heisoftheopinionthat
alltheseantiquatedrulesagainstwomenshoulddisappear,justlikethis,”andshesnappedherfingers.“I
hopeagoodfutureiswaitingwhenoneoftheyoungprinceslikeAbdullahisselectedtobeking.Ifitis
mybrother,hewillputanendtothisnonsense.Then,andonlythen,willIreturntoliveinmycountry.”
Iwasabouttosayalotmore,totellMahathatIhappenedtoknowthatAbdullahhadnodesireto
bekingofSaudiArabia,asmysonisnotamanwhohasthatsparkofdesiretoruleothers,butjustthenI
heardthevoicesofvariousfamilymembersastheymadetheirwaydownthelongcorridortothesitting
area.Ourcompanywasarriving.Thehourofthelong-anticipatedfamilypartyhadarrived.

“Wewilltalkmorelater,Maha,”Ipromisedwithasternvoice,asIscurriedfromtheroomtogreet
ourguests.OnmywayIturnedtoSara:“Dearsister,pleaseorganizemydaughtersandbringthemtothe
party.”
Saranoddedinagreement.“Donotworry,Sultana,”shesaid.“Wewilljoinyousoon.”
IkeptaconfidentlookuntilIwalkedfromtheroomtomakemywayupthelongcorridor.That’s
whenmyshouldersslumpedindespairandexhaustion;Ihadwitnessedanotherveryunpleasantscene
betweenmytwobeautifuldaughters.
InrecentyearsIhadoftenfoundmyselfengrossedinwonderfuldaydreamsofhowmyfamilywould
finallycometogetherinharmony.Ihadhopedthatmydreamswouldcometruethatnight.
Mainly,Iwishedtoimpressmyfatherwithmywell-kepthomeandobedientchildren.Overthe
yearsIhadsoughtanagreeablerelationshipwiththemanwhohadgivenmelife,despitetheyearshehad
spentinflictingpainonme,hisyoungestdaughter.BeforethehorriblescenebetweenAmaniandMaha,I
wasdelightedthatmyfatherhadfinallyacceptedaninvitationtomyhome.Butnow,withAmaniand
Mahainsuchuncompromisingmoods,IknewifdisordereruptedinhispresenceIwouldneverseemy
fatheragain.Inhisoldagehehadunwaveringlyavoidedconflict,andIknewhewouldcertainlynot
tolerateanunpleasantscenebetweenthesetwoyoungwomen.Indeed,itwouldreflectbadlyonboth
myselfandmyhusbandifsuchascenetookplace.
ThethoughtpassedthroughmymindthatIshouldforgetthepartyandsealmyselfbehindthe
impenetrablesteeldoorKareemhadrecentlyinstalled.
ThisprecautionwastakenafterKareemhadmetwithoneofhiscousins,animportantofficialin
SaudiintelligenceintheMinistryoftheInterior.Kareem’scousinrevealedalarminginformationaboutthe
interrogationofayoungSaudimanwhohadcrossedoverfrombeingalaw-abidingcitizentoonewho
hadcaughtthedangerousfeverofradicalism.TheyoungmanhadrecentlyspenttimeinSyriawhile
fightinginthatcivilwar.Duringhisinterrogation,hehaddivulgedtroublingintelligence,reportingthatAl
QaedaoperativeswereslippingacrossourborderwithYementomoveintosmallvillagesinourown
kingdom.FromthosevillagestheyhadplanstosetupraidsagainstthemembersoftheSaudigovernment.
OneoftheirfavoriteschemeswastheplottobringdeathtomembersoftheSaudiroyalfamily,people
likeKareemandmeandourchildren.
Ikeptwalkingdownthelongcorridortomyfate,whateveritmightbe.Iattemptedtorefocusmy
mindonthecominghours,prayingtoAllahthattheeveningbeforemewouldbringmerrimentand

enjoyment.

ChapterTwo
TheParty
Likeasirensong,diamondscallouttomostfemales.Inolongerhearthatcall.Ilostmydesirefor
expensivejewelrythemomentIdiscoveredtheimmensejoyonederivesfromhelpingothers.Nowwhen
Iamshownexquisitejewels,Idonotenvisagetheglitteringgemsdrapedaroundmyneck,hangingfrom
myears,orclaspeduponmywrist;instead,Icontemplatewhatthevalueofthosegemscouldprocure.
Perhapsitwouldallowaneagerchildtotakelessonsinagoodschool,orasicklymothertofeeltheglow
ofcalm,knowingshewilllivetoreturntoherchildrenafterreceivinghigh-pricedmedicalcare.
IwaswalkingintoasituationwhereIwouldhavesuchanopportunity,aslivelyvoicesanimating
thecorridorledmetobelievethatmembersofmyfamilywerealreadyenjoyingthepleasureofan
excitingreunion.ButIwaswrong.Expensivejewelrywasthecauseofmuchofthecommotion.
AsIenteredthelargestofoursittingrooms,Iheardthedistinctvoicesofthreeofmyoldersisters.
DismaywashedovermewhenIlookedtoseemysisters,Tahani,Dunia,andHaifa,clusteredinacircle
breathlesslyexclaimingoverDunia’snewloopeddiamondnecklace,whichwashangingnearlytoher
waist.
Sarahaddescribedthepieceofjewelrytomeafewdaysearlier,butIwasstartledwhenIsawthat
thelong-stringednecklacecouldbewrappedroundDunia’sneckthreetimes.Manyhundredsofdiamonds
hadbeenusedtomakesuchasubstantialpiece.ItwasmuchlargerthanIcouldeverhaveimagined.I
stoodstaringandassessingthatnecklace.Eachdiamondwasworthasmallfortune.Eachdiamondcould
educateachild.Eachdiamondcouldsupportapoorfamilyforayear.TheblindingglitterofDunia’s
diamondsheldnoappealforme.
Sarahadmentionedthatoursisterhadpaidmanymillionsofdollarsforthenecklace.Asawoman
whoonlycaresforthefrivolousthingsinlife,Duniahaddevotedmanyhourstosearchingforthemost
extraordinaryjewelsandseekingtoacquirethemall.
WedidnotunderstandtheseriousnessofDunia’sobsessionuntilSarapurchasedaspecialcoffee-
tablebook,MyLoveAffairwithJewelry,asagiftforher.Itfeaturedthejewelrycollectionofthe
legendaryAmericanactressElizabethTaylor.Fromheryouth,Sarahasalwaystriedtoencourageour
familytoreadbooks,evenpicturebookswithfewwords.Shebelievedthatthe“guidedtour”by

ElizabethTaylorwouldbringDuniamanyhoursofpleasure.Actually,thebookbroughtonabizarre
illnessthatcreatedacrisis.
Duniabecamehysterical,awomanwithoutclearthoughts,cryingoutthatshemusthavetheKrupp
diamond,a33.19-caratstonethathadbeenagiftfromTaylor’shusband,theactorRichardBurton.Dunia
weptforhoursoveraseconddiamond,a69.42-caratstoneBurtonhadalsopurchasedforhiswife.
Dunia’sphysicianwassummoned.Afterprescribingsedatives,heorderedamonthoftotalbedrest,
withcurtainsdrawn,sothathispatientwouldnotthinkoftheworldoutsideherpalaceandallthejewels
thatmightbehad.HecalledinDunia’sdaughters,tellingthemthattherewastobenodiscussionof
jewels.
Tooureverlastingamazement,thedoctordiagnosedDunia’sillnessasthefirstknowncaseof“the
ElizabethTaylorJewelryVirus”!WhileDuniawasrecovering,oneofherdaughterssensiblyslippedthe
jewelrybookaway;infact,sheburneditsothathermotherwouldnotbetemptedtooncemoresuffer
envytothepointofinfirmity.
HopefullyDuniahadrecoveredfromherElizabethTaylorangstnow,andsheappearedverycontent