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A review by lovelifeandbeyond
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta Ahmed
4.0
An unflinching look at pre-9/11 Riyadh through the eyes of a Muslim 'Westernised' woman. She talks about the beauty of Islam and how it is being manipulated by certain sections of the orthodox society where not just women, men too feel oppressed and lash out in destructive ways.
Most would think that being a Muslim, albeit who was raised in England and the US , she would feel right at home in the center of Islam. But in her 2 years of stay, she faces as many challenges (if not more) than any other foreigner entering the country. She shares her discomfort when she's forced to wear the stifling abayah, the strict moral policing where women cannot even show a strand of their hair in public, the dichotomy of ideals of her colleagues, and almost getting arrested for having a meal in public with men. The list of dont's for women are just endless: They cannot drive, cannot enter/leave the country without permission from a male family member/employer, cannot buy music, cannot mingle with male co-workers (with rare exceptions), cannot be in public with men who are not related, and the list goes on.
Although these rules are said to be for the safety of the women themselves and prevent temptation in men so that they don't sin, it is clear that whether semi-clothed or covered from head to toe, men will try their luck no matter how much you try to segregate them. Often, women reciprocate wanting to feel the freedom to express their desires. But not all men are created equal...there are many examples of people she meets who are staunch supporters of the women in their lives and their rights.
A well-balanced book talking about both sides of the coin.
Most would think that being a Muslim, albeit who was raised in England and the US , she would feel right at home in the center of Islam. But in her 2 years of stay, she faces as many challenges (if not more) than any other foreigner entering the country. She shares her discomfort when she's forced to wear the stifling abayah, the strict moral policing where women cannot even show a strand of their hair in public, the dichotomy of ideals of her colleagues, and almost getting arrested for having a meal in public with men. The list of dont's for women are just endless: They cannot drive, cannot enter/leave the country without permission from a male family member/employer, cannot buy music, cannot mingle with male co-workers (with rare exceptions), cannot be in public with men who are not related, and the list goes on.
Although these rules are said to be for the safety of the women themselves and prevent temptation in men so that they don't sin, it is clear that whether semi-clothed or covered from head to toe, men will try their luck no matter how much you try to segregate them. Often, women reciprocate wanting to feel the freedom to express their desires. But not all men are created equal...there are many examples of people she meets who are staunch supporters of the women in their lives and their rights.
A well-balanced book talking about both sides of the coin.