This was such an inspiring book to read. The childhood she endurded made her stronger and shaped who she is today and that says a lot about her! I was horrified that a mother could treat her child in the manner that hers did, I guess what really impressed me was how Sam handled her mother later in life, after she was grown and out of her reach. I must say she is a brave young woman and a true inspiration!! I wish her and her family all the best!
I would give this book 10 stars if I could!
I can't believe a mother would put her own child through the things that Sameems mom put her through. This is one of the most heartbreaking books I have ever read. She was given more love from the staff at a childrens home than she recieved from her owm family.
I don't want to say to much about the book and spoil it for others, but I will tell you, once you pick this book up you wont want to put it down!
I can't believe a mother would put her own child through the things that Sameems mom put her through. This is one of the most heartbreaking books I have ever read. She was given more love from the staff at a childrens home than she recieved from her owm family.
I don't want to say to much about the book and spoil it for others, but I will tell you, once you pick this book up you wont want to put it down!
There three points I would like to make about this book.
One this book is THE scariest thing I have read in long time. Not Hitchcock-like scary, but implication of what goes right under our noses here in the modern western countries with the totally false idea that everyone knows their rights and is being treated in accordance of the widely accepted human rights code...scary. One would think the story is happening in Pakistan. I thought so, for the first 100pgs. And then BAM! LONDON! But then it is not so surprising since the Council law society of England actually LEGALY recognized Sharia as a secondary law system in England. And though there is no stoning for Gays, Infidels, or adulterers, or cutting off the hands and feet of shoplifters (YET) it does recognizes that for example a Muslim Woman under sharia can't divorce her abusive husband, while husband can divorce his wife in a heartbeat, the children are always awarded to the father. Also among other things, woman's worth is reduced by 1/2 so she only inherits 1/2 of man's share, and adopted children do not inherit at all.... The most disturbing thing is the 4000 women treated just this year in one hospital alone in London for genital Mutilation and it does not even make it into the major news nor does any of the major newspaper publish the story.
Read it here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/20/female-genital-mutilation_n_5000214.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000014
The second point I want to make is the Islamic culture, described very accurately in this memoir, is all about power though violence and submission. There are those who understand a great deal, and take advantage of the masses and keep them subjected through ignorance, submission and violence. It then creates the Stockholm Syndrome in their victims, who identify with their abusers and believe it is their fault that that need to be punished, for not following the orders a.e.misbehaving. It is easy for us to see these victims as weak and ...simpleminded, because our upbringing teaches us independence, logic, and empowerment, values that are the complete opposite of what Islam demands: Economic and cultural dependence of females on the male dominated culture, Unquestioning belief and Submission.
There is one last point I want to make. I'm married to an Iraqi, and have had face to face close encounters of the most moderate, gentle muslims, victimized by their own relatives, practicing a more severe version of Islam (which would still be called moderate by western standards). So I'm writing this as someone with better understanding then most Americans. I believe that this book should be read by everyone to get better understanding of how we in the western culture are little by little sacrificing human rights in an effort not to antagonize the Muslim population (they will always retaliate with violent riots, death Fatwas, and possibly with Bombs if they are offended enough, even though just because they are offended does not mean they are right...), and in the name of preserving other cultures.
One this book is THE scariest thing I have read in long time. Not Hitchcock-like scary, but implication of what goes right under our noses here in the modern western countries with the totally false idea that everyone knows their rights and is being treated in accordance of the widely accepted human rights code...scary. One would think the story is happening in Pakistan. I thought so, for the first 100pgs. And then BAM! LONDON! But then it is not so surprising since the Council law society of England actually LEGALY recognized Sharia as a secondary law system in England. And though there is no stoning for Gays, Infidels, or adulterers, or cutting off the hands and feet of shoplifters (YET) it does recognizes that for example a Muslim Woman under sharia can't divorce her abusive husband, while husband can divorce his wife in a heartbeat, the children are always awarded to the father. Also among other things, woman's worth is reduced by 1/2 so she only inherits 1/2 of man's share, and adopted children do not inherit at all.... The most disturbing thing is the 4000 women treated just this year in one hospital alone in London for genital Mutilation and it does not even make it into the major news nor does any of the major newspaper publish the story.
Read it here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/20/female-genital-mutilation_n_5000214.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000014
The second point I want to make is the Islamic culture, described very accurately in this memoir, is all about power though violence and submission. There are those who understand a great deal, and take advantage of the masses and keep them subjected through ignorance, submission and violence. It then creates the Stockholm Syndrome in their victims, who identify with their abusers and believe it is their fault that that need to be punished, for not following the orders a.e.misbehaving. It is easy for us to see these victims as weak and ...simpleminded, because our upbringing teaches us independence, logic, and empowerment, values that are the complete opposite of what Islam demands: Economic and cultural dependence of females on the male dominated culture, Unquestioning belief and Submission.
There is one last point I want to make. I'm married to an Iraqi, and have had face to face close encounters of the most moderate, gentle muslims, victimized by their own relatives, practicing a more severe version of Islam (which would still be called moderate by western standards). So I'm writing this as someone with better understanding then most Americans. I believe that this book should be read by everyone to get better understanding of how we in the western culture are little by little sacrificing human rights in an effort not to antagonize the Muslim population (they will always retaliate with violent riots, death Fatwas, and possibly with Bombs if they are offended enough, even though just because they are offended does not mean they are right...), and in the name of preserving other cultures.
