Rating – 3/4 (Good read)*
Just completed reading this book and enjoyed it immensely. I find it primarily a sort of travelogue interspersed with perceptions on Islam, on being a Muslim woman professional and of course what it is to be living in Saudi Arabia.
I see 3 parallel areas discussed in the book
1. The book begins with the author’s decision to be part of the government run Hospital in Riyadh. The author takes the readers through countless incidents that depict the spectrum of Saudi society– women subjugation, the teenagers lost to drugs and speed accidents, child abuse, discrimination/racism, dichotomy of beliefs and the terror of men in brown (the muttaweens).
2. It was pleasant to read the author’s spiritual experience through the Islamic philosophy and her experience of Hajj. She describes how, the Saudi women and men she meets in their happiness and sorrow help her get a deeper understanding of Islam. In contrast, we also read how the teachings of a religion can be distorted to one’s political and selfish gains.
3. Across the book we are introduced to women and men professionals who love their country and their profession. These people knowingly have chosen to serve their country in the hope of bringing positive change in the society. These are the people who have faith in their religion, faith in the goodness of humanity and finally faith in their abilities.
My favourite quotes from the book:
1. This was Islam- Hajj! Not the Muttawa with their nightsticks and nihilism. Equality in the eyes of our maker, whether we be men or women, rich or poor, able-bodied or deformed, black or white, was all that mattered. (Chapter 14 – The Million Man Wheel)
2. On being asked by one of the colleagues as to How she can want to go back to live in America after 09/11. Qanta says - “…,in America I get to be a Muslim on my terms, not on those of some illiterate Muttawa! No one tells me how to be a Muslim there, or how to be a woman there, for that matter!” (Chapter 38 – Final moments, Final days)
3. There are also many beautiful translated quotes from Quran.
*My rating scale (1-Bad; 2-Fair; 3-Good; 4-Excellent)
Just completed reading this book and enjoyed it immensely. I find it primarily a sort of travelogue interspersed with perceptions on Islam, on being a Muslim woman professional and of course what it is to be living in Saudi Arabia.
I see 3 parallel areas discussed in the book
1. The book begins with the author’s decision to be part of the government run Hospital in Riyadh. The author takes the readers through countless incidents that depict the spectrum of Saudi society– women subjugation, the teenagers lost to drugs and speed accidents, child abuse, discrimination/racism, dichotomy of beliefs and the terror of men in brown (the muttaweens).
2. It was pleasant to read the author’s spiritual experience through the Islamic philosophy and her experience of Hajj. She describes how, the Saudi women and men she meets in their happiness and sorrow help her get a deeper understanding of Islam. In contrast, we also read how the teachings of a religion can be distorted to one’s political and selfish gains.
3. Across the book we are introduced to women and men professionals who love their country and their profession. These people knowingly have chosen to serve their country in the hope of bringing positive change in the society. These are the people who have faith in their religion, faith in the goodness of humanity and finally faith in their abilities.
My favourite quotes from the book:
1. This was Islam- Hajj! Not the Muttawa with their nightsticks and nihilism. Equality in the eyes of our maker, whether we be men or women, rich or poor, able-bodied or deformed, black or white, was all that mattered. (Chapter 14 – The Million Man Wheel)
2. On being asked by one of the colleagues as to How she can want to go back to live in America after 09/11. Qanta says - “…,in America I get to be a Muslim on my terms, not on those of some illiterate Muttawa! No one tells me how to be a Muslim there, or how to be a woman there, for that matter!” (Chapter 38 – Final moments, Final days)
3. There are also many beautiful translated quotes from Quran.
*My rating scale (1-Bad; 2-Fair; 3-Good; 4-Excellent)
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