Princess Sultana's Circle by Jean P. Sasson

Author:Jean P. Sasson [Sasson, Jean P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Women's Studies, Saudi Arabia, Nonfiction, Islam, Royalty
ISBN: 9780967673769
Publisher: Windsor-Brooke Books
Published: 2014-10-06T04:00:00+00:00

Afaaf put her face in her hands and sighed deeply. “Fanatical Muslim men defame the Prophet and his words in their determination to destroy every woman’s life.”

I was so struck with the sadness that I felt like crying along with the poor woman. For me, the unfortunate Afaaf was one of the saddest human beings I had ever known. She was truly alone in the world-and all because of evil men who intentionally twist the meaning of the words of the Holy Prophet in their obsession to control women.

I slowly walked to a window seat and sat down. I pressed my head against the small windowpane. After covering myself with a blanket closed my eyes. I felt a rush of gladness that I lived in Saudi Arabia rather than Afghanistan. I almost laughed at the irony of such an idea, for there is much danger for women in Saudi Arabia. In my own country, too, fanatical men have the powerful capability to ruin lives.

The year before, an appalling event occurred which again came to my mind. A young woman by the name of Hussah, who was one of Maha’s friends at school, had discovered the enormous power wielded by men over women in the name of religion.

Hussah was an unusually pretty girl with a charming disposition. Her school grades proved her intelligence, and her bubbly personality gained her many friends. Maha often reported that Hussah enlivened dull school days.

Hussah had visited our palace on more than one occasion, and I, too, grew fond of this young woman. My affection for her increased when I learned that her own mother had died the previous year, and that her father’s new wife disliked Hussah.

Despite this sadness, Hussah was always smiling and friendly.

When Hussah was three years old, her family had moved to Egypt, where they remained for ten years. In Egypt, Hussah had grown accustomed to more independence than girls are allowed in the inflexible atmosphere of Saudi Arabia. When the family returned to Riyadh, despite her early years of freedom in Egypt, Hussah had accepted Saudi life without complaint. She obediently wore the veil and abaaya in public places, and did not complain about the other restrictions imposed on women.

Inside the safe confines of her family’s compound, Hussah was a normal modern girl. She wore jeans and T-shirts, she chatted for long hours on the telephone, and she spent many hours swimming in the family pool. Hussah had always enjoyed sports activities, and was sad that women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to compete in events such as the international Olympics. Such a dream is unattainable for Saudi females, so Hussah’s swimming achievements must remain for her pleasure only.

Hussah’s tragic fate arose due to her love of swimming.

Hussah often wore bikinis when taking her daily laps, and these costumes displayed the fact that Hussah had been blessed with a voluptuous body. Unfortunately for Hussah, the family living the next door to her home were Islamic fundamentalists. When the eldest son

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