Princess: Stepping Out of the Shadows Read online

  About the Book

  In the international bestseller Princess: The True Story of Life Inside Saudi Arabia’s Royal Family, Princess Al-Sa’ud and the acclaimed author Jean Sasson began a remarkable series of books. Now, more than twenty-five years later, this compelling journey continues as we follow the fortunes and the dazzling life of the Princess, her friends and her family.

  But, of course, there is a less glamorous, much darker side to this engaging series, and in Stepping Out of the Shadows Jean and the Princess focus their attention on how, despite positive news on civil rights reforms, Saudi women still suffer physical and psychological abuse and have little legal protection due to the archaic guardianship laws of the land. So, although this is a kingdom on the threshold of revolutionary change – change spearheaded by the young Saudi Crown Prince who is keen to modernize his country – any thoughts of equal rights or an independent life remain little more than dreams for most Saudi women.

  Whilst the Princess acknowledges and welcomes the reforms that are on the horizon, through stories of joy and sorrow, we see her determination to continue to fight for women in this, her beloved kingdom.

  Contents

  Cover

  About the Book

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Map

  A Note from Jean Sasson

  Introduction by Princess Sultana al-Sa’ud

  Chapter One: Let Them Know You Are Coming

  Chapter Two: The Joys and Torments of Family

  Chapter Three: The Mystery of the Ninja Girl

  Chapter Four: The Heart of Evil

  Chapter Five: Kareem: A Kitten’s Kiss

  Chapter Six: Doctor, Doctor

  Chapter Seven: Destroy the Guardianship Law

  Chapter Eight: A Sprinkling of Stars

  Chapter Nine: Before I Go

  Chapter Ten: Once Upon a Time

  Appendices

  Appendix One: King Abdul Aziz al-Sa’ud

  Appendix Two: Saudi Arabia Timeline

  Appendix Three: Syria Timeline (2011–18)

  Appendix Four: Prophet Mohammed

  Appendix Five: The Necessary Steps to Perform the Islamic Daily Prayers

  About the Author

  Also by Jean Sasson

  Copyright

  To the girls and women of Saudi Arabia who have suffered and died under the archaic guardianship laws of our country, we will remember you.

  And to those suffering still, help is on the way.

  All that is written here is real.

  Some of the stories are very happy while some are tragically sad.

  But all are true.

  A few names have been changed to protect those who would come to great harm should their true identity be known. But the names of many others have been revealed.

  – Jean Sasson and Princess Sultana al-Sa’ud

  SAUDI ARABIA

  A Note from Jean Sasson

  As of January 2018, there have been five books written and published about the extraordinary Princess Sultana, a high-ranking member of the House of al-Sa’ud. These books share details of her personal life, and they reveal her tremendous courage and resourcefulness as she battles on behalf of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and around the world, for there is discrimination against women in nearly every country.

  The books I have written about Princess Sultana have been embraced by women – and men – in eighty editions of the first book, Princess, distributed worldwide in approximately forty countries. The books about this remarkable woman made the bestseller list in every country where they were published. Astonishingly, they have never gone out of print in a publishing world where most non-fiction books fade away from public attention within a few years.

  Now, after twenty-six years, interest in Princess Sultana’s life has not diminished, rather it has flourished. This makes the Princess series (now a collection of six books) a phenomenon in the world of non-fiction publishing. No other book in this genre has ever kept the interest of readers in this fashion.

  Why has this happened?

  The answer is simple. The generation of girls and women who first embraced the captivating story of a Saudi princess guided their daughters to the princess, and now the granddaughters of the original readers are also following the life of Princess Sultana. Furthermore, mothers, wives, daughters and sisters are steering the men in their lives to read the books, expanding curiosity about a princess born in the desert of Saudi Arabia. This word-of-mouth from mother to daughter, from aunt to niece, from grandmother to granddaughter, from neighbour to neighbour, and from wife to husband, has resulted in many thousands of new readers eagerly anticipating further stories from deep within a mysterious kingdom – one on the threshold of change.

  During the late summer of 2017 and early 2018, electrifying announcements came from the king’s palace regarding the rights of women. After years of struggle, hope and anticipation, positive changes for Saudi Arabian women were suddenly being discussed publicly. These changes, which have the potential to affect all Saudi women, are now on the verge of becoming a reality. Princess Sultana and I concurred that such exciting events make it imperative to keep readers informed.

  The princess and I are delighted to report on the marvellous reforms coming to the country she loves. We shall continue to write about how the women of Saudi Arabia are affected, as well as the ongoing battles for and against women in other lands where millions continue the struggle to live in peace and with freedom. This includes those who were born and raised in the United States and Europe who have also faced discrimination.

  Thus, with book six, Princess, Stepping Out of the Shadows, we hope to inform, inspire and celebrate the coming changes that will ensure every female will have the right to live in dignity, regardless of her country, race, religion or culture. Perhaps Saudi Arabia will surprise the world and become a guide-post for all countries that continue to face the intricate problems of female inequality.

  Introduction by Princess Sultana al-Sa’ud

  To readers who may be questioning if anything is new with the women of Saudi Arabia, my response is swift. Yes! A wind of change is blowing through this kingdom – a wind that is bringing optimism and hope to its people.

  Yet, before we revel in joy, our optimism must be tempered, for one major obstacle stands between Saudi women and true freedom, and it relates to the guardianship law in our land, which threatens to dilute any promises made to women. For those unfamiliar with this archaic practice, they should know that every female born in Saudi Arabia is shackled by a law that bequeaths men the automatic right of absolute control over the women in their family. This burdensome law remains intact even as our future king proclaims his plans to allow Saudi women the joy of full personal freedom.

  But let me look to all that is positive, and begin to explain how and why I am hopeful that we are on the threshold of change.

  The first question that will come to most minds is this: What or who has brought about this sudden and startling reversal regarding the status of women in the desert kingdom?

  All who study civilization know that social change is seldom simple, and this is doubly true for Saudi Arabia. Why? Because it is the land best known around the world for harsh, rigid rules that are hostile to half the nation’s citizens – its women.

  Through my intimate knowledge of Saudi Arabia and its royal family, readers will learn that two forces are behind this much-desired and needed reform.

  The first is time – the history of civilization tells us that time alters all things.

  The second is a lone man. Unrivalled in our modern life when it comes to boldness and c ourage, he is set on a path to transform an entire nation. This is the man who is spawning the ideas of freedom so long lodged in the hearts of many Saudi women and some Saudi men. This is the man who will be king.

  Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Sa’ud is the son of the present king, Salman, and the grandson of the first king, Abdul Aziz. He was always an exhausting force to those around him. Even from the time he was a toddler, little Muhammad never stopped moving forward. This is according to his own mother, who is one of my royal cousins. The young Muhammad was an unusual boy; he had such an optimistic nature that he constantly exhibited a broad smile. His dashing personality could not hide his fondness for fairness. Despite his cheerful attitude, he was applauded for his quick and deep intellect. Educated as a lawyer, this serious-minded student was second in his class.

  None in our immediate royal family were surprised by his accomplishments, for the unique boy grew into an exceptional man, yet I will admit that some were astonished when he was elevated over other royal cousins, older and with more experience in government. While many royals predicted that Prince Muhammad bin Salman would one day be king, few royals expected Muhammad to be the next king.

  In Saudi Arabia, every king upon his death is succeeded by the current Crown Prince. When the new king assumes power, he appoints the next Crown Prince, who will succeed him upon his death. Thus every king has the power to appoint his successor. Historically, the transitions have generally been smooth, although there have been tensions.

  The current Crown Prince is only the second of the original king’s grandsons to hold the position of Crown Prince. Previous to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Prince Mohammed bin Naif was the chosen successor, but on 21 June 2017 King Salman chose to depose Naif as the Crown Prince and replace his deceased brother’s son with his own.

  There is an Allegiance Council (created in 2006 by King Abdullah) that was supposedly given the authority to facilitate the Saudi royal transfer of power, but thus far the Council has not opposed appointments made by the king.

  Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Sa’ud’s path now is set, and king he will be. And for that I say, Alhamdulillah or Praise God!

  Truthfully, I believe that my cousin Muhammad will follow the legacy of our greatly acclaimed grandfather, Abdul Aziz, the founder and first king of Saudi Arabia.

  For those of you not familiar with the creator of Saudi Arabia, he was a bold and cunning man who accomplished the impossible when he bound together the warring tribes of Arabia, numbering at least twenty-five, into a nation. His astounding triumphs will be briefly narrated in the pages to follow.

  I am disappointed to tell you that a few disgruntled characters in the royal family have expressed displeasure at Crown Prince Muhammad’s remarkable rise to power, for there is jealousy lurking in the hearts and minds of many people of this world. Yet many members of the royal family support him. Most importantly, the Saudi youth love him, poring over his decisions and applauding his vision of a new world on the horizon, one where women are not kept in purdah and the youth can expect jobs to follow education. With 58.5 per cent of the Saudi population under thirty, an age where most humans experience an awakening of dissatisfaction and censure of their leaders, it is unusual and significant that the youth of any land wholly support their king or president. Yet this is the remarkable state of affairs in Saudi Arabia.

  No one can deny that a widening stream of events is now occurring in the kingdom, bringing many citizens closer to the goals they aspire to: to live as free men and women in a country where they can pursue their dreams without fear of societal condemnation.

  Even as I celebrate, I must continue to expose the stories of women who are still suffering from the cruelty and brutality of the men who are their guardians. Not every man in Saudi Arabia has the insight and vision of the king-to-be; they do not understand the importance of welcoming half the nation’s citizens into a partnership or how vital it is for women to stand side by side with our men in support of our Crown Prince as he attempts to lead this kingdom into a new, modern era of greatness.

  There is only one certainty as to the emotions this book will bring. Readers will rejoice, and readers will mourn, for nothing is simple in Saudi Arabia.

  Chapter One

  * * *

  Let Them Know You Are Coming

  I AM A princess in the House of al-Sa’ud in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the land of my birth, a princess is for ever. A princess is born a princess and dies a princess. This is because the princesses of Saudi Arabia have never known the pleasure of exerting influence; therefore, no men in power felt the need to pull the crowns off our heads. This indubitable position means that princess power lurks under the obscurities of royal lives, although any power felt by a princess in Saudi Arabia is destined to remain hidden in shadows.

  But the power of Saudi women is changing. As of the Islamic year 1439 (2018), I, along with many other women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will be stepping out of the darkness to embrace long-sought and greatly desired changes in our personal liberties.

  The journey of Saudi females groping in darkness down the worn path of oppression is known to many. They have learned of our imperfect lives through various sources, including news reports, government studies, personal cries for help and the books written about my life, as well as the lives of my family, friends, and other women and men in Saudi Arabia. To my astonishment and great happiness, our battles for justice were recognized and our pleas for help were heard by many the world over.

  I know for certain that this is the case, for I have seen letters from readers and so understand that my personal story has touched the hearts and minds of people in every country on earth. Many of these readers express true affection for me and for my country. But certain members of my family do not always agree that my story has produced positive feelings for me, and for Saudi Arabia.

  I remember not so long ago when my brother Ali created a scene in my home after discovering the fifth book about my life in a bookstore in London. He burst past our doorman and into our home without the usual formalities courteous people reserve for visiting. Instead, a very angry Ali was holding the book Princess, Secrets to Share in his hand, shaking it above his head as though it were an objectionable tambourine.

  Since the time we were children, no one could exceed my brother in creating dramatic scenes. While every other man I know in the Saudi royal family tends to react in a calm, mature and measured manner when difficult situations develop, my brother behaves like a petulant child.

  I stood and stared as my brother made a spectacle of himself. Ali was stumbling, for his gait was faster than his bulk could support, his face was red, and his voice was at such a high volume that the servants came running to see for themselves if the world was coming to an end.

  Ali was shaking in anger, his tone accusatory. ‘Sultana! Will you never stop?’ He tossed the book to the floor and kicked it, the force of his punts knocking one of his sandals from his foot. His assault ripped the pages from the book’s spine. ‘Sultana, these books do nothing but create negative feelings about you!’ My brother actually emitted a growling noise, as he kicked the book a final time. ‘And our family!’ Ali pursed his lips and glared with a laser-like glower so piercing that there was no doubt that he was on the verge of saying very spiteful words.

  I shook my head slowly in reaction to his angry declarations. I knew my brother was wrong about my books creating animosity towards me, my family and my country, and I refused to match his antagonism. I have learned with the passing years to restrain my emotions, if possible, and most particularly in disagreements on family matters.

  Besides, on that morning I was feeling serene, for I had just enjoyed a lengthy and most enjoyable conversation with my son, Abdullah, who had taken his wife and two children to Europe for a holiday. Our talk had been so pleasurable that it was now difficult for anyone to trigger my temper, which I generally control but, admittedly, on occasion can be as vo latile as my brother’s. I said nothing as I watched his ridiculous reaction. All in my immediate family know that only the silence of my grave will cease my fight for the rights of women. Most importantly, I did not react to Ali’s rantings because I knew that he was wrong!

  I looked around to see our servants watching my brother carefully. Ali was known to insult them if he noticed their presence. But they remained since all knew that Ali rarely notices those who serve him. I said nothing, for those who work in our homes are trustworthy and discreet, accustomed to seeing and hearing most of our family dramas. They had little concern as to the source of Ali’s distress and were merely enjoying a break in their routine. Some, perhaps, were concerned that my brother might become violent, for in the past he had shoved those who were the source of his anger.

  The truth is that the books about my life, my family, my friends and other women from the region have not created negative feelings about anyone who is innocent of brutal acts against females. And I believe that any Saudi citizen, or for that matter any person, regardless of nationality, would feel that those guilty of intentional cruelty should be punished and rejected by all. Certainly, as I have said, the books about my life have not brought ill will to my country, but instead have opened a window on to our world. Our lives have always been so secretive and our culture unfamiliar to other nationalities, who know little of any significance about us. Prior to the stories about my life, most people thought of Saudi Arabians as people who are oil-rich and lazy – people who contribute little to the world and care only for themselves. We are seen as selfish, sitting atop vast reserves of black gold. But the stories I have shared, documenting my life, have unexpectedly created an understanding that has brought affection to those in our country who push for change. Readers whose minds have been opened as to the truth of our lives write to tell me how they have come to know that Saudi Arabians are like most others in the world; we are a nation made up of good and bad people, and many make valid and important contributions to society and to the world.