Oh my goodness, Karen. This is not only an exquisite but extraordinary piece of writing, simultaneously romantic, exotic, evocative and so horrifying that it chills me to the bone. You are a true marvel. I thank G-d that you escaped and weep for those who are unable to. Every single woman in the world, even those who do not appreciate such elegant biographical literature, would benefit greatly from reading your story together with the men who love us. 💋xoBinah
Girls are generally taught to be kind and giving, all lovely traits. But you have to be tough, and most women don't know how to express that trait. When you live in a society where men can basically do what they want to women, life becomes a nightmare.
Developing the character traits of toughness/strength (even [so-called] “tough love”) and generosity, kindness, gentleness and patience applies to men also. These are qualities — or perhaps ethical virtues — that define us as human beings, not merely men or women. Or so it seems to me. I pity the people who don’t develop these character traits.
All true. However there are obvious differences between men and women. Women are generally weaker than men physically. Men have a responsibility not to use brute strength against women. Not to be bullies or to prey on women, or children, or anyone for that matter that they want to dominate. Unfortunately, men often use that strength to control women. In Islam, men are taught this is their right. Women are taught they have no choice but to submit. It is a cruel world that does not lend itself to kindness, generosity, gentleness or patience. What they do understand is strength. I learned you have to be ten times stronger than they are.
I totally agree with you about the real differences between men and women. You can train eight hours a day at kick boxing and mixed martial arts and weight lifting and self-defense and you’re not going to overpower a man of equal height and weight and fitness who has put in the same effort and amount of time and discipline as you have. There’s an aspect of strength/toughness that is also mental. One aspect of mental toughness is how not to take unnecessary risks that put you in danger of losing your life. I’m glad for you that you learned what life is like for non-Islamic non-Egyptian women living under Sharia law in Luxor. I’m glad that you lived through this experience. You could have been murdered by someone higher up in the organized crime hierarchy. If you had been this unlucky, obviously you wouldn’t have been able to tell your story. I think about the older, vulnerable, foreign women who got themselves into these “marriages” and paid with their lives.
I have never been short of mental strength. You seem to not acknowledge that men have a responsibility in the way they behave, it isn't all up to women. Women always be careful, this can happen to a woman anywhere. Just walking alone at night in Los Angeles or any city. And it does make a difference knowing how to fight as a woman. Every woman should learn. I'm 6 ft tall, taller than many of the men in Luxor. I walk with confidence, all of these things are important because men will pick on those who are more vulnerable. The thing about Luxor, about Islam, is that it is all built around oppressing women, hating infidels. But people in the West refuse to believe it. That's why I'm glad for the experiences I had. Because it takes off the mask and shows the truth. Journalists put themselves in all sorts of dangerous situations so they can tell the truth. In one sense, that's what I did.
Naahh. I fully realize that both men and women are accountable for their actions and their behaviors. A traditional sex role for men was (still is?) to be protective of women. That’s why men are trained for combat, while women generally don’t fight on the front lines of the battlefield in combat situations. (Maybe you think that this is anti-equality or anti-feminist. I don’t know.)
There are plenty of journalists — just look at the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip for example — who put themselves in harm’s way and pay for it with their lives. I think it’s courageous. I think that we need journalists who report on wars at the front of battlefields. Maybe you’re reporting on and from a cultural battlefield. I’m not sure, though, that I would characterize your “marriage” to that man in Luxor, Egypt as courageous. But I wasn’t in your various mental states. If I discern or judge that you took an unnecessary risk, and I apply some mild and veiled critical analysis of your decision-making, is this me not being “protective” of you?
What you say about Islam — oppressing women and hating infidels — also applies to other ideologies and religions. We can get into a compare and contrast. I’m just uncertain how productive it would be. Everyone has their defensiveness about various ideologies or religions they sympathize with and everyone has their strong beliefs and opinions and ideas about competing ideologies that they find extremely offensive. For example, I find Zionism more terroristic and violent than jihadist Islamism. Others would find this notion ludicrous. It’s not going to be settled with evidence or logic or statistical analysis or science. People are going to believe what they/we strongly desire to believe. Intelligent people have more skills at defending their beliefs, regardless of whether these beliefs are grounded in facts or grounded in fictions.
What an amazing read! Thank you for telling your story! This should be made into a movie.
As others have observed, yes, you were playing with fire. You are indeed lucky to have got out of there alive. I bet it helped that these scammers knew that you had two sons who would stop at nothing to punish them should anything happen to you.
Yes, it did. They understand family and retribution from males. They also came to understand that I was a writer with ties to international newspapers and powerful people. And they made some very bad mistakes. The stories continues.
What an amazing story! What a life experience. God held your life in his hand from childhood and allowed all of this to give you purpose. Thank you for sharing. I don't understand how anyone would think the muslim world with sharia law would be glamorous. Some are blinded by the enemy of their souls.
I'm looking forward to hearing how God brought you back to him after living in disobedience to him and his truth. I'm thankful that he never lets his born again children go. I was a rebellious one, as well. Grateful for his love and patience with us!
Hello Karen, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and for warning women about the potential dangers in Luxor. Although it might have been hard to believe initially when I was there in Luxor, I'm glad I listened to your advice. Thank you for looking out for us women. Ingrid
Beautifully written, with passion and sincerity. Those men are interrogated from birth, and they do not know any better. But that’s no excuse to scam you.
As a daughter mom, the heinous atrocities can not ever come to the land of America!! I actually despise seeing women in the full covering leave that oppression in your own shit hole countries!!!
Riveting. Talk about playing with fire! I find it amazing that you escaped. You must have had a force-field of protection.
I believe I did. 🙏
Oh my goodness, Karen. This is not only an exquisite but extraordinary piece of writing, simultaneously romantic, exotic, evocative and so horrifying that it chills me to the bone. You are a true marvel. I thank G-d that you escaped and weep for those who are unable to. Every single woman in the world, even those who do not appreciate such elegant biographical literature, would benefit greatly from reading your story together with the men who love us. 💋xoBinah
Thank you. I've been so touched by the comments here. Many blessings to you.
This is an amazing story. Thank you for writing.
You're welcome. 🙏
Thank you for sharing your experience. Perhaps it will save a naive western woman from the moral hazard. I’m a proud infidel.
I hope it does. Proud infidel here, too!
I think the Lord most High had His hand on you - great object lesson and I hope that more women read this and take it to heart. Welcome back!
Definitely God had his hand on my life.
Holy Spirit protection!! And much wisdom!
Reading this makes me glad that I’m male. What women go through!!
Girls are generally taught to be kind and giving, all lovely traits. But you have to be tough, and most women don't know how to express that trait. When you live in a society where men can basically do what they want to women, life becomes a nightmare.
Developing the character traits of toughness/strength (even [so-called] “tough love”) and generosity, kindness, gentleness and patience applies to men also. These are qualities — or perhaps ethical virtues — that define us as human beings, not merely men or women. Or so it seems to me. I pity the people who don’t develop these character traits.
All true. However there are obvious differences between men and women. Women are generally weaker than men physically. Men have a responsibility not to use brute strength against women. Not to be bullies or to prey on women, or children, or anyone for that matter that they want to dominate. Unfortunately, men often use that strength to control women. In Islam, men are taught this is their right. Women are taught they have no choice but to submit. It is a cruel world that does not lend itself to kindness, generosity, gentleness or patience. What they do understand is strength. I learned you have to be ten times stronger than they are.
I totally agree with you about the real differences between men and women. You can train eight hours a day at kick boxing and mixed martial arts and weight lifting and self-defense and you’re not going to overpower a man of equal height and weight and fitness who has put in the same effort and amount of time and discipline as you have. There’s an aspect of strength/toughness that is also mental. One aspect of mental toughness is how not to take unnecessary risks that put you in danger of losing your life. I’m glad for you that you learned what life is like for non-Islamic non-Egyptian women living under Sharia law in Luxor. I’m glad that you lived through this experience. You could have been murdered by someone higher up in the organized crime hierarchy. If you had been this unlucky, obviously you wouldn’t have been able to tell your story. I think about the older, vulnerable, foreign women who got themselves into these “marriages” and paid with their lives.
I have never been short of mental strength. You seem to not acknowledge that men have a responsibility in the way they behave, it isn't all up to women. Women always be careful, this can happen to a woman anywhere. Just walking alone at night in Los Angeles or any city. And it does make a difference knowing how to fight as a woman. Every woman should learn. I'm 6 ft tall, taller than many of the men in Luxor. I walk with confidence, all of these things are important because men will pick on those who are more vulnerable. The thing about Luxor, about Islam, is that it is all built around oppressing women, hating infidels. But people in the West refuse to believe it. That's why I'm glad for the experiences I had. Because it takes off the mask and shows the truth. Journalists put themselves in all sorts of dangerous situations so they can tell the truth. In one sense, that's what I did.
Also, I believe you when you self-report that you have never been short of mental strength.
Naahh. I fully realize that both men and women are accountable for their actions and their behaviors. A traditional sex role for men was (still is?) to be protective of women. That’s why men are trained for combat, while women generally don’t fight on the front lines of the battlefield in combat situations. (Maybe you think that this is anti-equality or anti-feminist. I don’t know.)
There are plenty of journalists — just look at the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip for example — who put themselves in harm’s way and pay for it with their lives. I think it’s courageous. I think that we need journalists who report on wars at the front of battlefields. Maybe you’re reporting on and from a cultural battlefield. I’m not sure, though, that I would characterize your “marriage” to that man in Luxor, Egypt as courageous. But I wasn’t in your various mental states. If I discern or judge that you took an unnecessary risk, and I apply some mild and veiled critical analysis of your decision-making, is this me not being “protective” of you?
What you say about Islam — oppressing women and hating infidels — also applies to other ideologies and religions. We can get into a compare and contrast. I’m just uncertain how productive it would be. Everyone has their defensiveness about various ideologies or religions they sympathize with and everyone has their strong beliefs and opinions and ideas about competing ideologies that they find extremely offensive. For example, I find Zionism more terroristic and violent than jihadist Islamism. Others would find this notion ludicrous. It’s not going to be settled with evidence or logic or statistical analysis or science. People are going to believe what they/we strongly desire to believe. Intelligent people have more skills at defending their beliefs, regardless of whether these beliefs are grounded in facts or grounded in fictions.
What an amazing read! Thank you for telling your story! This should be made into a movie.
As others have observed, yes, you were playing with fire. You are indeed lucky to have got out of there alive. I bet it helped that these scammers knew that you had two sons who would stop at nothing to punish them should anything happen to you.
Yes, it did. They understand family and retribution from males. They also came to understand that I was a writer with ties to international newspapers and powerful people. And they made some very bad mistakes. The stories continues.
Thank you for such an enlightening and fascinating look into the life of these women. I look forward to reading the next instalment!
You're welcome!
I loved reading this
Thank you.
What an amazing story! What a life experience. God held your life in his hand from childhood and allowed all of this to give you purpose. Thank you for sharing. I don't understand how anyone would think the muslim world with sharia law would be glamorous. Some are blinded by the enemy of their souls.
I'm looking forward to hearing how God brought you back to him after living in disobedience to him and his truth. I'm thankful that he never lets his born again children go. I was a rebellious one, as well. Grateful for his love and patience with us!
"God held your life in his hand from childhood and allowed all of this to give you purpose."
Yes, exactly. 🙏
Hello Karen, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and for warning women about the potential dangers in Luxor. Although it might have been hard to believe initially when I was there in Luxor, I'm glad I listened to your advice. Thank you for looking out for us women. Ingrid
Hi, Ingrid. So glad to see you here. I'm glad you took my advice, too. I hope all is well. ❤️
Beautifully written, with passion and sincerity. Those men are interrogated from birth, and they do not know any better. But that’s no excuse to scam you.
🙏
As a daughter mom, the heinous atrocities can not ever come to the land of America!! I actually despise seeing women in the full covering leave that oppression in your own shit hole countries!!!
Keep preaching it! May the Lord give you the grace and strength for His calling upon your life
Thank you. That is my prayer every day.
Fascinating and infuriating read. Maybe you should open up an underground railway to get these women out?
I will answer that question in the next chapter.
What a story you have. Thank you for writing it down for us. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Thank you. 🙏