Princess: Stepping Out of the Shadows, стр. 44
Since the very beginning of the civil war in Yemen, I have maintained contact with Italia and had recently learned that she had received millions in aid money from rich Saudi royals to enable her to continue to ease the burdens of those caught up in this dreadful, continuous conflict. But during our latest communication Italia had sounded desperately sad.
‘Princess, the war is too broad and the combination of the Houthi and Saudi bombings – along with the worsening famine in Yemen – is making it impossible for me to help all but a small number of injured and displaced people,’ she said. ‘I have the funds, Princess, but I am finding it impossible to get the proper documents to cross the blockades and negotiate the checkpoints manned by the rebels.’
There are other women with similar ambitions – women who are dedicated to the cause of helping the Yemeni people. But as with every civil war, where each part of the country is embroiled in conflict, the enormous challenges never end. And they are enormous challenges.
Fiery – whom I named ‘Fiery the Fearless’ due to her plucky personality – is the second Yemeni woman with whom I bonded. She is a brilliant woman and highly educated. She held a senior position as a college professor in Yemen, but she was opinionated and blunt, and the sharpness of her tongue made her many enemies. Eventually, she was fired from her post but remains a bright and vibrant woman who says exactly what she thinks, regardless of the consequences. Such women have difficulty surviving in any part of the world, but more so in Middle Eastern countries, where women can carry on with their work, including humanitarian projects, so long as they are not too loud with their voices and not too brilliant with their brains! They must also take care not to upstage the men they encounter, even if they are lazy and incompetent and do nothing more than sit around, drinking tea and ruling over others.
Italia claims that she and Fiery will be coming back to Jeddah to see Sara and me again very soon, and I eagerly await hearing their personal stories to find out what is really happening in the villages and cities of Yemen. My only fear when it comes to Italia and Fiery is that their ardour and passion will endanger them both.
For all who read this, I hope that you pray, as I do, that the multiple conflicts in Yemen will ease, that the people will recover from the ongoing anarchy, and that they will heal and grow strong so that they might take back their nation from the squabbling factions that wreak havoc on their homeland.
Chapter Seven
Destroy the Guardianship Law
‘SULTANA,’ KAREEM SAID, as he held out an expectant hand to pull me near to him, ‘your feeling heart is the foundation of many of your troubles.’
I did not accept his hand, nor did I move closer. Despite our true love for one another, my husband and I often disagree, for he is a man with strong views but is married to a woman who has equally strong opinions of her own. Also, my husband is vastly different from his wife when it comes to charity, for he saves his greatest generosity for members of his family, while I derive the ultimate pleasure from helping the helpless, the majority of whom are strangers to me and who come to my attention through the efforts of others who are familiar with the work I do.
I was feeling exasperated, for Kareem and I were repeating the same words to each other for at least the fourth time since my illness three months before. But our conversations were becoming more heated, as my husband continued to push me to turn some of my charities over to our daughter Maha, so that we might enjoy more time together.
‘Kareem, when I believed that I might pass from this earth sooner than expected for a woman of my age, I knew then that I would not only continue my charities but that I would increase my efforts in helping those in need.’
Kareem clicked his tongue in annoyance. I could feel his impatience. ‘Sultana, living with you leads me to believe that our world is made up of nothing but abuse against the helpless. Yes, yes, yes, this earth we live on is populated with many abusers. And yes, I do know that there are many women in need of help. But Sultana, one lone woman cannot reform the world! After our frightful experience with your health, I had hoped you would work less and enjoy more leisure time with your husband, children and grandchildren.’ Then he stared at me for a few moments before laughing loudly. ‘Sultana, you should see your face. Those black eyes of yours are overflowing with fire!’
I chuckled. ‘Would you prefer that your wife be deceitful and wear a mask, never telling you how she feels?’
‘Well, no, Sultana, and I have never had a moment of concern that you do not tell me exactly what you are feeling at all times.’ He exhaled. ‘Ah, Sultana, of course I should have known you would never stop your charity work; however, I would be a happier husband if you might divide your week, working perhaps only four days and devoting three days to family. Why is this reasonable division not possible? Let us compromise, please.
‘My darling, you have the most