Girls Of Riyadh | A Letter To The Author

Girls of Riyadh | A Letter To The Author

It was the first time in my life that I read an almost 300 page book in less than three days. Not just because the author is extremely talented but because I felt like I knew the characters. They spoke to me as they did I'm sure to many a Saudi girl who grew up not just in Riyadh but all over Saudi Arabia. We all look forward to the next book by this author as she is a beacon of light shining on the small details of our society that need to be lit up. It takes courage to write what she did and peel back the veil of mystery that covers our world. The brilliance of how she released the book in emails sent out every Friday after the last prayer was genius. Rajaa, I hope you never stop writing, we need more women like you. But I will add this. You need to go deeper for there is much more that needs to be said. The best writers are those who write what they hear and what they see even if it is what no one else is willing to write. There are so many more issues we need people to talk about. Sexual abuse inside and outside of the home, homosexuality, the justice system, ideology, women's rights, how our generation is starting to interpret Islam, child custody laws, the beating of women and so much more. These women's stories need to be told and you are in the perfect position to start the fire. Never give up your voice for you are the voice of many. I hope one day we meet so we can share our stories.

Dig deeper Rajaa, dig deeper, I know you have it in you. We can’t change our world from without, we can only change it from within. This song sings to my hope for the future of women in Saudi Arabia: Run by Snow Patrol and I dedicate it to you tonight. 

Light up, light up

As if you have a choice

Even if you cannot hear my voice

I'll be right beside you dear

Louder, louder

And we'll run for our lives

I can hardly speak I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes

Makes it so hard not to cry

And as we say our long goodbyes

I nearly do

Slower, slower

We don't have time for that

All I want is to find an easier way

Have heart, my dear

We're bound to be afraid

Even if it's just for a few days

Signed,

Elise Evans