Chapter 15

THE LETTER

11th of Jumaada al-THanny 1417

(October 24, 1996)

“Dear Mother,” wrote Rashida.

“I’m sorry for not writing for so long, and I hope you are in the best of health and in the best of spirits. Many things I want to tell you, and I hope your reaction will be calm and collected. All of this has a very happy ending. I would never write anything to alarm or disturb you. I am perfectly safe, and I am doing well.

“I’ve recently left the university. I was expelled for apostasy and disobedience towards the administrators. So far I’ve been out for close to three weeks. The expulsion hit me hard, and I never want any part of that university again. I am much better off. I am free to live without the influence of the clerics. It’s actually better for me. All the while I saw injustice after injustice towards women carried out day after day. The way we treat women is terrible, and the condition is so bad that such oppression is even institutionalized. The sexism is more subtle. Actually I am lucky. I have found another life with a man who has left the university with me.

“His name is Khozem, and we are to be married here in Mecca. Not right away, but soon. He’s a wonderful man, and he cares for me. We are both in love. We met three weeks ago. I could tell almost immediately we belonged together. He’s handsome, smart, and hardworking. He has found a job as a carpenter. I have found an even better paying job as a seamstress. The work pays well, and finally Khozem and I are building our lives right here in Mecca.

“Please don’t worry for me, because I sense that you are worried. I should have written you earlier, but we could not stay in Cairo, because there are no jobs there. I could not pay the rent. We came to Mecca not only to be closer to Allah, but also for the work. We make just enough to support ourselves. We really do love each other. I want to be the mother of his children, after we are properly married. In all my life I have never been so happy. The love between us makes it that way. I assume I have your blessings.

Your ever-loving daughter,

Rashida.

P.S. I’ve enclosed my address so you can write.”