Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

by Jean Sasson

  The war we so dreaded came and went. Our men fought and died, but I heard from Kareem that many of our soldiers had not fought bravely. In fact, the allies had found it necessary to invent tactics to ensure that we Arabs were not offended when the truth about our warriors was revealed. My husband blushed when he told of Saudis running away from, instead of toward, the enemy. Our only pride in our military was for the prowess of our pilots, who performed with honor.

  Asad gave his opinion that we should not feel shame but relief at this assessment. A strong military would be a risk to our very heads; the throne could not survive a precise military machine. In the Arab world, a capable military overthrows monarchies; for truly, people desire a voice in the policies of their land. Our family had seen such happenings and maintained a family-run organization of men unwilling to fight. Certainly, our ruling family is sly and purposely keeps the Saudi soldier slovenly and far from his peak.

  In the end, events of the war served to abort our confidence in legendary social change for the women of Saudi Arabia. The fight that brought forth Western eyes from around the world to probe the disorders of our society ended all too quickly. The fading power of our enemy, Saddam, lifted the interest in our plight and transferred the whispered pledges of help to the distressing predicament of the Kurds, who were languishing in the mountain snows. At the end of the war, our men tended to their prayers with great diligence, for they had been saved from the threat of invading armies and free women.

  Who is to say which threat gave them the most worry?

  Epilogue

  The haunting sound that lifts the heart of every Muslim with joy filled the air. The faithful were being called to pray.

  “God is great, there are no other Gods, but God; and Mohammed was his Prophet. Come to prayer, come to prayer. God is great; there is no God, but God.”

  It was dusk; the big yellow circle that was the sun was slowly sinking. For faithful Muslims, the time had come for the fourth prayer of the day.

  I stood on the bedroom balcony and watched my husband and son leave our palace grounds and walk, hand in hand, to the mosque. I saw that many men were gathering, greeting each other with the spirit of brotherhood.

  The turbulent memories of my childhood came back to me, and I was a young girl again, shut out from the love exclusive to my father and his treasured son, Ali. Nearly thirty years had passed, yet nothing had changed. My life had come full circle. Father and Ali, Kareem and Abdullah, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, immoral practices passed from father to son. Men I loved, men I detested, leaving a legacy of shame in their treatment of women.

  My eyes followed the movements of my beloved flesh, my most precious blood; my husband and son entered the mosque hand in hand, without me.

  I felt quite the loneliest figure ever to have lived.

  After September 11, 2001:

  The world as we know it was utterly changed on September 11, 2001. Few people were left untouched by the carnage brought against so many by so few. That eventful day even provoked military action. The haunting images of the war against terrorism were often tragic while others were uplifting, and none more so than the endearing smiles on the faces of the previously burqa clad women and girls of Afghanistan. Although our purposeful military mission was to seek justice and to stop suicide bombers from future odious acts, I have always believed that the emancipation of women is a freedom worth fighting for. A great imbalance is created in the world when women are treated as liabilities, as they are in many countries. As the Afghani women celebrated, I rejoiced with them. As I listened to First Lady Laura Bush’s now famous radio broadcast about these women, I waited in anticipation, hoping that some golden words of hope would be cast to women in other countries.

  Soon after the tragedy of 9/11, I spoke with Princess Sultana and was not surprised when I learned that she, too, was hoping that great change for women in Afghanistan would magically sweep the entire world. Sadly, that was not to be. She, as I, was disheartened when she saw that the time had not yet come when every government will do the responsible thing and proclaim that freedom is just as important for women, as it is for men. Surely, the world now knows that what imperils women, imperils the world.

  Now, in the year 2010, most realize that the American government’s efforts in Afghanistan have done little to raise the status of women. Although Afghan girls and women living in large cities have benefited to a small degree, with some allowed an education, women and girls in the provinces have seen little change.

  Once again, the world has abandoned a push for real change for females. The princess and I hope and pray that governments will one day wake up to this most important issue.

  And, now, we say thank you for your support. We are hopeful that Princess Sultana’s true story will touch your heart. There are two other books about Princess Sultana, titled: Princess Sultana’s Daughters and Princess Sultana’s Circle, Books II and III of The Princess Trilogy. Princess Sultana’s Daughters will be released in digital by February 2010. Princess Sultana’s Circle will be released in digital by April 2010. Additionally, a new chapter has been included in Princess Sultana’s Circle, a chapter that details what has happened to Princess Sultana and her family since 2004. We hope that you continue to follow Princess Sultana’s life.

  Our goal remains that all women of the world might live in dignity and in peace,

  Princess Sultana Al-Sa’ud and Jean Sasson

  Reading Guide and Discussion Questions

  1. In the introduction to Princess, Sultana tells the reader that, “It is wrong, however, to blame our Muslim faith for the lowly position of women in our society.” Why do you think both the author and Princess Sultana make repeated assertions about the poor treatment of women not being a result of Islam?

  2. In what ways, if any, did the historical foundation of Saudi Arabia and the growth of the Al Saud family help form Saudi society and culture?

  3. In “Childhood”, Sultana describes some of her childhood interactions with her brother Ali and other members of her family. In what ways was her childhood similar or different to your own? Do you believe that Sultana’s culture has a large effect on her interactions with her family?

  4. In “Family,” Sultana describes how the education of girls is viewed in Saudi culture. Do you think education is an important factor in determining the roles and/or rights of women in Saudi or any other society? Explain.

  5. Sultana and her family live very extravagantly due to their immense wealth. How does this compare to your lifestyle? For Sultana and her family, does wealth lead to happiness? How do her living arrangements mirror her life?

  6. As a child, Sultana has very fierce anger towards Ali. Do you think her anger is justified? Why or why not? Do these feelings go beyond typical sibling rivalry?

  7. “My Sister Sara” shows the reader the changing relationship between Sultana and Sara. “Sara had been veiling since her menses, two years earlier. The veil stamped her as a non-person, and she soon ceased to speak of her childhood dreams of great accomplishment. She became distant from me, her younger sister who was as yet unconcerned with the institution of veiling. The sharpening of Sara’s distance left me longing for the remembered happiness of our shared childhood.” Has there ever been a time when you felt a distance growing between you and a close family member? Does Sultana and Sara’s culture accentuate the distance between the two in adolescence? How?

  8. Sultana continues, “It suddenly became apparent to me the happiness is realized only in the face of unhappiness, for I never know we were so happy until Sara’s unhappiness stared me in the face.” What are the sources of Sara’s unhappiness?

  9. Sultana and Sara’s mother expresses sorrow for Sara’s situation upon the announcement of Sara’s marriage yet is not a position to change her daughter’s future. How does their mother try to juggle her role of trying to comfort her daughter while trying to prepare her for the inevitable? Does her mother realistically have any other choices?

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sp; 10. What does Sara hope to have her father understand by using the quote, “Victory breeds hatred, for only the conquered are unhappy.”? How can this quote be applied beyond Sara to all of Saudi society for both men and women?

  11. Why do you think Sara did not bring her belongings with her in marriage? Why do you think Sultana takes a new interest in Sara’s possessions?

  12. Sara takes drastic measures to attempt escape from her miserable circumstances. Do you think this was the only way out for her? Explain.

  13. How does Sultana and Sara’s mother break cultural norms when she stands up to Sara’s mother-in-law? How might this change Sultana’s view of her mother and women in general?

  14. How is marriage viewed in Saudi culture? Who is in control? How does this compare to your own culture?

  15. Saudi Arabia is a theocracy, or a country whose laws are tied directly to the predominant faith. How does this give the Mutawas power? How does this differ from countries that where the laws are not tied directly to the religion?

  16. As punishment for possessing banned materials, Ali has the write, “God is great, and I have displeased him by running after the corrupt and immoral ways of the Godless West.” Who is the “Godless West” and how does this illustrate Arab feelings towards western culture?

  17. What is your reaction to Ali’s friend, Hadi? Have you ever known anyone with similar characteristics?

  18. Sultana goes through many changes both in body and spirit while in Cairo. Sultana says, “I felt as though I had been electrocuted; my brain felt burned, my mouth hung open, and I stared blankly at my brother. I had my first thought that all – All – men are wicked.” How is this a turning point in Sultana’s life?

  19. How does a Muslim funeral and grieving process differ from your own?

  20. What was the purpose of “Lively Lips” and why do you think it was so important to Sultana? Did you ever belong to a secret club? What were the similarities or differences between your group and Sultana’s?

  21. In what ways does the abbaya buying experience change Sultana’s life?

  22. The events that happen to Randa, Wafa, and Nadia again show the extreme power men have over women in Saudi culture. What was your reaction to these punishments? Keeping in mind cultural differences, were any of these punishments appropriate? Why?

  23. Compare the plight of foreign women in Saudi Arabia compared to that of Saudi women. Which group suffers more?

  24. In what ways does Sultana break cultural norms when she hears news of her wedding and throughout her engagement? In what ways is her experience different from that of most other Saudi women? Does Sultana fit a stereotype of a “typical” bride? What was the mood in 25. Sultana’s preparation room prior to her marriage?

  25. In what ways is Kareem different from other Saudi men read about in the book. Why might this be? Although Sultana did not pick her husband, would you consider her “lucky”? Explain.

  26. Upon meeting various Americans, Sultana decides that she likes them. “I believe this marvelous mixture of cultures has brought civilization closer to reality than any other culture in history.” What do you think Sultana means by this statement? Do you agree with her analysis?

  27. How does Noorah’s own bitterness from marriage affect Sultana? Does this fit with common “mother-in-law” stereotypes? How?

  28. Sultana’s pregnancy occurs at a time of strife in her marriage. How does this pregnancy alter both her and Kareem’s future together? In what ways is the birth process similar and different from that of your own culture?

  29. How do the laws and customs of Saudi Arabia ensure the constant unequal treatment of women?

  30. What do many Arab women believe about Western women? What leads to these assumptions? Given what Arab women have been told, are they justified in their opinions? How do you think this affects the relationship between Arab nations and Western countries?

  31. The “Woman’s Room” is a form of extreme punishment for women who are deemed to have tarnished a family’s honor. Do you believe that this particular punishment is more or less severe than the others seen throughout the book? Explain.

  32. What forces have lead to the situation of male dominance in Saudi culture? Are there any ways in which women benefit from such a situation? Explain.

  33. How does Sultana’s escape from Saudi Arabia both strengthen and weaken her marriage? Do you agree with Sultana’s actions?

  34. What is the disappointment of the Great White Hope? How does this situation backfire for Saudi women? In what ways does this lead to future tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia?

  Princess Reading Guide and Discussion Questions prepared by:

  Joelle Broberg, Educational Consultant

  Appendix A—The Koran on Women

  The Koran is the holy book of Islam. Composed of 114 Suras, or chapters, this book sets forth acceptable conduct for people of the Muslim faith. Muslims believe that the Koran is the word of God as revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammed. Mohammed’s visions came to him while in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, which are located in the country that we know today as Saudi Arabia. Makkah was the birthplace of Mohammed; Madinah holds the tomb of the Prophet. As a result, these are the two holiest cities to Muslims; infidels or “nonbelievers” are not allowed within the city limits. Few Westerners realize the supreme and unquestioned power to Muslims of the words of Prophet Mohammed. Each aspect of their lives is guided by the Koran, believed sacred by Muslims. Although there are many Westerners raised as Christians who scoff at the possibility of a higher being, it is a rare Muslim who does not cling fiercely to an unshakable faith in the God of Mohammed.

  In the Muslim world of Saudi Arabia, there is no separation of religion and state as we find in the West. The Islamic religion is absolute law.

  During the ten years that I lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I asked a close Saudi friend to translate and explain certain verses of the Koran. After observing the total segregation of the sexes in Islam, I was particularly interested in the verses that restrict the behavior of women.

  Since the verses were translated to me in the context of personal conversations, there may be minor discrepancies between my interpretations and those of Koran scholars. However, in view of the fact that the Koran is thought “untranslatable,” and much controversy exists over many English translations, I feel confident in revealing the following verses on the subject of women that were read to me directly from an Arabic version of the Koran. Also, bear in mind that there are many verses in the Koran which urge the protection of women and children.

  I encourage readers to read the entire Koran for themselves as these verses to follow are only concerned with the segregation of men and women and do not provide a full knowledge of the Koran.

  SUBJECT

  Sexual relations during the month of Ramadan, when every good Muslim fasts and abstains from pleasures during the daylight hours.

  ACTUAL VERSE FROM THE KORAN:

  SURA II, 187

  Complete your fast

  til the night appears,

  But do not associate

  with your wives

  While you are in seclusion

  or in the Mosques.

  These are limits God has set

  signs to Men; that

  They may learn self-restraint.

  Permitted to you,

  On the night of the fasts,

  Is the approach of your wives.

  They are your garments.

  SUBJECT

  Marriage of Muslims to nonbelievers. The Koran states the same set of rules for both male and female; the law is upheld only against females. Many Saudi men marry Christians, but Saudi women are strictly forbidden from marrying non-Muslims.

  ACTUAL VERSE FROM THE KORAN:

  SURA II, 221

  Do not marry

  women who do not believe,

  Until they believe.

  A slave woman who believes

  is better than o
ne who does not believe.

  Do not marry your daughters

  to unbelievers until

  they believe.

  A man slave who believes

  is better than an unbeliever.

  SUBJECT

  Sexual relations during a woman’s menstruation, which are strictly prohibited.

  ACTUAL VERSE FROM THE KORAN:

  SURA II, 222

  They ask,

  concerning women’s courses,

  Respond: They are

  a hurt and a pollution,

  Keep away from women

  in their courses, and do not

  approach them until they are clean.

  But when they have purified themselves,