This memoir will give readers unfamiliar with Saudi Arabia and their strict laws a look into their culture. Dr. Ahmed herself was unprepared for some of the things she encountered there, in spite of being Muslim herself. Being confronted by the religious police for infractions seemingly as minor as showing a lock of hair could have terrible consequences. She gave detailed accounts for some aspects of life there, especially her journey to Mecca. Other things were left without much explanation, for instance, why her visa in the USA was not extended and why she chose to go to Saudi Arabia. The book could have profited from some tighter editing, but it was an enlightening memoir. The abhorrent treatment of women there and the astounding lack of religious freedom are mind boggling to anyone born and raised in the United States as well as other countries where freedom reigns. ( )

Interesting read, even if the style was not to my liking. ( )

A rare look behind the veil from a western-educated female Muslim doctor working in a Saudi hospital for two years. ( )

Interesting most of the time to read about life in Saudi Arabia and about Mecca. But Qanta dwells too much on her feelings for the Saudi doctor (whose name I forget) and her fondness for big words is annoying. ( )

In one of the worst countries in the world for women, Pakistani Dr. Qanta discovers what's under the veil (lots of spirit and makeup) and what's in her heart (a newfound love of Islam). She takes a two year assignment at a hospital for royalty in Saudi Arabia, where, like all women, she is not permitted to leave her home without a abaya (full length robe), headscarf, and a male escort, and where Sharia law is strictly enforced.

Dr. Qanta makes a point of meeting other female medical professionals, both native and ex-pats, and comparing notes. She's roused by the strong feminism she finds but discouraged at the impossibly slow pace of change, and intimidated by the brutal religious police, who patrol even the female only areas and seem to also have the even Saudi royals running scared. And then there's the oil wealthy idle scions/dudebros who race their expensive sports cars down every street, killing themselves others in crashes with nary a regret or a penalty.

During her assignment, she falls in love with a Saudi doctor and makes the Hajj to Mecca twice. The passages on Hajj reminded me of the only other description of the solemn ritual I've ever read, that of Malcolm X in his autobiography. They both found incredible love and solidarity with other Muslims, but Dr. Qatar also is scorned by ultra conservative fellow female pilgrims, until she ministers to an ill woman who is one of the masses who cannot afford the luxury of a first class (complete with an air conditioned tent) pilgrimage experience.

In general, the doctor never encounters any poor Saudis, and in fact, does not seek out anyone like the Filipinas and Indonesian women who comprise the servant classes. This is a weakness in the narrative. Perhaps her position is that Saudi life is miserable enough for wealthy women - even with their luxury autos and goods - that there's no reason to meet anyone who'd make her feel even more, or less, privileged.

This is a valuable look at an awful place, swamped with the tribalism that seems forever married to Islam in a Wahhabi world. ( )