Princess Sultana's Circle by Jean Sasson

Author:Jean Sasson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sex slaves, women in the middle east, women in saudi arabia, womens rights in the middle east, treatment of women in middle east, arranged marriage in middle east, saudi arabian royal family
Publisher: Jean Sasson

Chapter Ten

Stolen Angels

Our plane soon landed at the La Guardia Airport in New York. Thankfully, we passed through customs and immigration quickly since one of the Saudi officials from our Consulate offices in New York was on hand to guide us through that place and ensure VIP treatment.

Ten limousines stood ready to transport us, and our luggage, to the New York Plaza Hotel. The women were highly excited, so it took long moments for us to decide who would ride with whom, in what car.

Exasperated, Kareem began to shout, telling us that we reminded him of large black birds flitting from one place to another. The other women calmed down and quickly found a place to sit, but I stood aside, and stubbornly refused to enter the limousine until Kareem apologized for his rude remarks.

Kareem saw that I was willing to take a firm stand, so he lifted his shoulders in resignation and said, “I am sorry, Sultana. Now, please, get in the car!”

Somewhat appeased, I sat with Sara and Maysa. I watched as the limousine driver rolled his eyes; obviously, he was unaccustomed to the histrionic displays of female Saudi royalty. Despite the disruptions, we were soon on our way to the Plaza Hotel.

Kareem had reserved an entire wing of the grand old hotel that had long been our favorite during our visits to New York City. Time and again, the staff at the Plaza had proven their discretion in providing hospitality to guests from wealthy Middle Eastern countries. Such thoughtful service is not forgotten.

As we drove into the city, I watched with delight as women drivers sped pass us. Such a sight I never tire of when I visit other lands! Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, and since this restriction has no basis in our religion, it has always angered me. Years ago, Kareem took me for driving lessons in the desert. I learned to drive, but I have never driven through the streets of my own country. To add insult to injury, a woman of forty years is forbidden to drive in Saudi Arabia, yet boys no more than eight or nine years old are frequently seen at the wheel of a speeding automobile filled with terrified women. Some Bedouin men in my country give their camels better treatment than they do their wives. In Saudi Arabia, it is not an uncommon sight to see baby camels riding in the passenger seat of an air-conditioned truck while veiled women are riding in the open truck base at the back!

Now, watching American women drive confidently through the heavy city traffic lifted my spirits. Surely, while visiting such a country as the United States, I could finally forget about the misfortunes that plague so many females. I could take immediate pleasure in the freedom for women that I saw all around me.

Unfortunately, as happens so frequently in my life, my wish was not to be granted.

The traffic was not heavy, and our automobile ride from the airport to the hotel lasted no more than thirty-five minutes.

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