Read Online Princess Sultana's Circle by Jean Sasson - Free Book Online
Authors: Jean Sasson
Tags: women in the middle east, women in saudi arabia, womens rights in the middle east, sex slaves, treatment of women in middle east, arranged marriage in middle east, saudi arabian royal family
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during the
daylight hours, anyway. And, when Kareem is not with you, we can
make sure Maha or I remain by your side. That will be the time to
defeat this sinful craving.” Sara leaned toward me with a smile,
“We will spend much time together.” I heard the warm affection in
her voice, “It will be like our days together when we were
children!”
I began to chew my
fingernails, remembering the one major problem that still remained.
“But how will we prevent Amani from telling Kareem?”
Sara pulled my hand from my
mouth and held it between her two hands. “I will speak with her,
don’t worry.”
I was a prisoner reprieved!
I knew that if Maha’s threat did not frighten Amani into silence,
then Sara would surely manage to convince my child not to speak to
Kareem. I smiled happily, knowing that under Sara’s watchful eye,
all would be well. Slowly, my worries began to lift.
Finally able to relax, I
asked, “I’m feeling hungry, now. Can you stay for a
meal?”
Sara nodded slightly. “I’ll
call home to say that I will be staying a while longer.”
I rang the kitchen on the
palace intercom and asked the head cook what had been prepared for
the mid-day meal. Pleased with what I heard, I expressed my
approval. I then instructed her that my sister and I would eat our
meal in the garden since cloudy skies had led to weather that was
cooler than usual.
After I washed my face and
hands and slipped on a fresh dress, Sara and I made our way through
the palace to the outside gardens. We walked arm-in-arm under a row
of leafy trees that provided a cool shade along the passageway. We
paused to admire the flowering bushes now heavy with red and gold
blossoms.
With our unlimited Al Sa’ud
wealth, we can do many wonderful things, even turn a parched desert
into a green garden!
The food had not yet
arrived, but we settled into the comfortable chairs surrounding the
glass top table. A red awning shaded the area around the
table.
Soon three Filipino
servants appeared balancing silver trays heavy with dishes. While
waiting to be served, Sara and I sipped hot, sugary tea and
discussed the school plans of our children. Once the servants set
the table and filled our plates, we talked and laughed while we ate
our way through a feast of salads, meatballs cooked in sour cream,
and roast chicken stuffed with boiled eggs and rice.
I remembered Sara’s words
about the approach of Ramadan. With that thought in mind, I took
second servings of many dishes, knowing that during Ramadan I must
endeavor to abstain from food between the daylight hours of dawn
and sunset.
As I savored the food
before me, my thoughts drifted to what lay ahead for me during this
time of sacrifice. Muslims throughout the world would soon begin to
search the skies for the new moon. Once that sighting occurred, the
time for fasting would have arrived.
My burning desire was that,
for the first time in my life, I would be able to fulfill my Muslim
oath.
Chapter Four
Chaining the
Devil
Ramadan is one of the five
pillars of Islam and it is obligatory that every adult Muslim
observe its customs. The Koran says: “O ye who believe! Fasting is
prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you
may (learn) self restraint and remain conscious of God…”
(2:183)
Although I breathe somewhat
easier knowing that during this special month, the doors of heaven
are open and the doors of hell are closed, with the devil chained
and unable to create mischief, a strict dedication to Ramadan has
never suited my particular character.
I’ve always been possessed
with a great longing to be as pious as my mother and sisters, but I
must admit that I have not been flawless in my devotions. Even as a
child, when I first learned of the rituals of Ramadan, I knew that
my failure to conform was inevitable. For instance, I was told to
impose silence on my tongue and avoid lying, obscene language,
laughing, and backbiting. My ears were to be closed to
daylight hours, anyway. And, when Kareem is not with you, we can
make sure Maha or I remain by your side. That will be the time to
defeat this sinful craving.” Sara leaned toward me with a smile,
“We will spend much time together.” I heard the warm affection in
her voice, “It will be like our days together when we were
children!”
I began to chew my
fingernails, remembering the one major problem that still remained.
“But how will we prevent Amani from telling Kareem?”
Sara pulled my hand from my
mouth and held it between her two hands. “I will speak with her,
don’t worry.”
I was a prisoner reprieved!
I knew that if Maha’s threat did not frighten Amani into silence,
then Sara would surely manage to convince my child not to speak to
Kareem. I smiled happily, knowing that under Sara’s watchful eye,
all would be well. Slowly, my worries began to lift.
Finally able to relax, I
asked, “I’m feeling hungry, now. Can you stay for a
meal?”
Sara nodded slightly. “I’ll
call home to say that I will be staying a while longer.”
I rang the kitchen on the
palace intercom and asked the head cook what had been prepared for
the mid-day meal. Pleased with what I heard, I expressed my
approval. I then instructed her that my sister and I would eat our
meal in the garden since cloudy skies had led to weather that was
cooler than usual.
After I washed my face and
hands and slipped on a fresh dress, Sara and I made our way through
the palace to the outside gardens. We walked arm-in-arm under a row
of leafy trees that provided a cool shade along the passageway. We
paused to admire the flowering bushes now heavy with red and gold
blossoms.
With our unlimited Al Sa’ud
wealth, we can do many wonderful things, even turn a parched desert
into a green garden!
The food had not yet
arrived, but we settled into the comfortable chairs surrounding the
glass top table. A red awning shaded the area around the
table.
Soon three Filipino
servants appeared balancing silver trays heavy with dishes. While
waiting to be served, Sara and I sipped hot, sugary tea and
discussed the school plans of our children. Once the servants set
the table and filled our plates, we talked and laughed while we ate
our way through a feast of salads, meatballs cooked in sour cream,
and roast chicken stuffed with boiled eggs and rice.
I remembered Sara’s words
about the approach of Ramadan. With that thought in mind, I took
second servings of many dishes, knowing that during Ramadan I must
endeavor to abstain from food between the daylight hours of dawn
and sunset.
As I savored the food
before me, my thoughts drifted to what lay ahead for me during this
time of sacrifice. Muslims throughout the world would soon begin to
search the skies for the new moon. Once that sighting occurred, the
time for fasting would have arrived.
My burning desire was that,
for the first time in my life, I would be able to fulfill my Muslim
oath.
Chapter Four
Chaining the
Devil
Ramadan is one of the five
pillars of Islam and it is obligatory that every adult Muslim
observe its customs. The Koran says: “O ye who believe! Fasting is
prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you
may (learn) self restraint and remain conscious of God…”
(2:183)
Although I breathe somewhat
easier knowing that during this special month, the doors of heaven
are open and the doors of hell are closed, with the devil chained
and unable to create mischief, a strict dedication to Ramadan has
never suited my particular character.
I’ve always been possessed
with a great longing to be as pious as my mother and sisters, but I
must admit that I have not been flawless in my devotions. Even as a
child, when I first learned of the rituals of Ramadan, I knew that
my failure to conform was inevitable. For instance, I was told to
impose silence on my tongue and avoid lying, obscene language,
laughing, and backbiting. My ears were to be closed to
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