A large man, the executioner, flogged the woman upon her back fifty blows.A truck appeared, and rocks and stones were emptied in a large pile. A dirty rag was used to gag her mouth and a black hood was fastened around her head. With an official manner, a man loudly read out her crime for the crowd to hear. He said she was very beautiful, just the sort of woman who would defy the laws of God.The woman’s hands were bound. Omar said that just as the crowd was becoming angry with impatience in the hot sun a young woman of about twenty-five years of age was roughly pulled out of a police car. They were restless and waiting to see the one so wicked. Omar and our neighbours’ driver decided to go and view the spectacle.A large crowd had gathered since early morning. For this reason, she told her story anonymously.“ When I was twelve years of age, a woman in one of the small villages not far from Riyadh had been found guilty of adultery. By speaking out, 'Sultana' risked bringing the wrath of the Saudi establishment upon her head and upon the heads of her children.
Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage. In contrast to the affection and easy camaraderie amongst the women, she relates a history of appalling oppression against them, everyday occurrences that in any other culture would be seen as shocking human rights violations: forced marriages, servants bullied into sex slavery, summary executions.
She tells of her own life, from her turbulent childhood to her arranged marriage - a happy one, until her husband decided to take a second wife - and of the lives of her sisters, her friends and her servants. For the sake of her daughters, she decided that it was time for a woman in her position to speak out about the reality of life for women in her country, whatever their rank. 'Sultana' is a member of the Saudi royal family, closely related to the King. Hidden behind the veil, she is a prisoner, her jailers her father, her husband, her sons. She has no freedom, no vote, no control over her own life, no value but as a bearer of sons. But in reality she lives in a gilded cage.
She has gold, palaces, swimming-pools, servants, designer dresses galore. Think of a Saudi Arabian princess and what do you see? A woman glittering with jewels, living a life of unbelievable luxury.
You must know me only as Sultana, for I cannot reveal my true name for fear that harm will come to me and my family for what I am about to tell you. In a land where Kings still rule, I am a Princess.
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