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The Dawn of Saudi: In Search for Freedom
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This poignant mystery is about three people whose lives intertwine in a tale that depicts the oppression of women and the human rights abuse under the pretext of religion. Dawn Parnell made the mistake of marrying a Saudi; Sahar Al-Hijazi is forced to marry a man she doesn't love; Jason Crawford has business ties to the Al-Hijazi family. As the lives of these three people
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Paperback, 352 pages
Published
June 1st 2009
by Linbrook Press
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The Center for Democracy & Human Rights in Saudi Arabia says that, “as documented by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Freedom House and even the US Department of State, Saudi women are among the most oppressed and marginalized citizens in Arab and Muslim countries.” In an author’s note at the end of her novel, Homa Pourasgari describes the social and legal environment in Saudi Arabia more directly: “Women have no rights and are considered the property of a man.”
Pourasgari’s powerful ro ...more
Pourasgari’s powerful ro ...more

About the book:
Chapter one:
They buried her in an unmarked grave. Only in death did Saudi women and men receive equal
treatment. Her father’s face was grim, his body cold as ice. Her grandfather thought she was a
disgrace to the family name. Her mother didn’t shed a tear – not because public displays of grief were
frowned upon since Saudis consider all stages of life and death as submission to God’s supreme will
– but because she knew her 22-year-old daughter, Sahar, was finally free. She was goi ...more

'Wow' is the best word I can use to describe this book. The story itself is a fantastic read with a major, unexpected, twist that blew me away, the author also includes powerful differences between east and west cultures in the book.
The story follows the Grand Daughter of a powerful businessman, Sahar, who with her friend Dawn, schooled in Vancover and Barcelona, adopting some of the ways of the western culture while they were there. Unfortunately for them in Saudi Arabia these ways are totally ...more
The story follows the Grand Daughter of a powerful businessman, Sahar, who with her friend Dawn, schooled in Vancover and Barcelona, adopting some of the ways of the western culture while they were there. Unfortunately for them in Saudi Arabia these ways are totally ...more

Sahar Al-Hijazi is a 22-year-old Saudi Arabian woman who was given the opportunity in her younger years to travel and study abroad. While studying in Spain, she befriended an American girl, 19-year-old red-headed blue-eyed Dawn Parnell, a Mormon from Utah. Dawn fell in love with a very wealthy Saudi man old enough to be her father and against all begging, pleading and warnings from her friend she converted to Muslin, married him and moved to Saudi Arabia where he promised her the world. Eventual
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The Dawn of Saudi is a mystery novel about two women who fight for freedom. It's about the oppression of women and the human rights abuse that occurs in Saudi Arabia. One women in the book; Sahar Al-Hijazi won't allow men to choose the path she takes unlike her best friend, Dawn Parnell. She made the mistake of changing her religion and marrying a Saudi. She ended up being misled and now she is trapped in Riyadh. Both of these women desperately search for a way to escape.
The story will take you ...more
The story will take you ...more

The Dawn of Saudi is an intense book that every woman should read. It tells of two women who are a part of the Muslim Saudi Arabian culture. I only know a little about this culture and was beyond surprised at what they have to do, like forced marriages. Can you even imagine what that would be like? As an American girl I think it was a benefit to date guys and see what qualities you definitely do not want in a future husband/father of your children. When one is picked for you, based on importance
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I recently finished reading Lemon Curd, another novel by Homa Paurasgari. Like Lemon Curd, The Dawn of Saudi did not disappoint! If I’m to be completely honest, this is a difficult book to read, but one I feel anyone (especially women) should read cover to cover.
I think (hope) that most people in the US have an idea of how horribly women can be treated in other countries, but this book deals with the issues in very clear, yet sometimes horrifying detail. Human rights is something that I have alw ...more
I think (hope) that most people in the US have an idea of how horribly women can be treated in other countries, but this book deals with the issues in very clear, yet sometimes horrifying detail. Human rights is something that I have alw ...more

I had the privilege of reading your book "The Dawn of Saudi" as being a Business2Blogger reader and writer.
When I first started reading the book i was very intrigued and captivated by reading this fiction book. It started off being so realistic in the way it was written, very in depth writing that I had no problem following along with the story line. It was portrayed the main character, Sahar , as a very dominant figure in the book she was mentioned from beginning to end. When Dawn came into p ...more
When I first started reading the book i was very intrigued and captivated by reading this fiction book. It started off being so realistic in the way it was written, very in depth writing that I had no problem following along with the story line. It was portrayed the main character, Sahar , as a very dominant figure in the book she was mentioned from beginning to end. When Dawn came into p ...more

I was really addicted to the book I was reading called "The Dawn of Saudi" written by Homa Pourasgari. When I began reading this book I thought it would just be a book talking about the politics and lifestyles of women in Saudi but I was wrong. This book is an intricate web of love, mystery, human nature and human rights. I the beginning we meet Sahar a women born into a country where by just the mere luck of being born a girl she has no rights at all. through her we are introduce to Jason a bus
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It absolutely amazes me that in this day in age, when so many people have died to fight for freedoms of opressed people that we will still have forms of slavery that occur in various parts of the world. I realize my views of equality between men and women come solely on the notion that I was born and raised in the United States and have seen nothing else. However, how a person feels they have the right to consider another human being their property and can do what they wish with them baffels me.
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I would recommend this book for any person to read, not just women. It grabbed my attention from the very first page! Even though this is fiction, I could pick out realistic events. This book documents the injustices to women in all of Saudi Arabia. If someone has read the true story "NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER" they will be equally enthralled with DAWN OF SAUDI. This book should stand as a reminder to all Americans just how fortunate we are to have our freedoms and a reminder to Americans that we
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This was a fascinating book, which told a tale I never hear about to often.
This has been going on for so long, and really, what are we or anybody else doing about it?
It doesn't matter if you are Republican, Democrat, whatever, this should be priority, and it's a horrible shame that this is going on, anywhere.
I enjoy reading books from this author, she has a neat way of writing that seems like it's just like a sister or a close friend telling you a story.
I really thought this was especially an ...more
This has been going on for so long, and really, what are we or anybody else doing about it?
It doesn't matter if you are Republican, Democrat, whatever, this should be priority, and it's a horrible shame that this is going on, anywhere.
I enjoy reading books from this author, she has a neat way of writing that seems like it's just like a sister or a close friend telling you a story.
I really thought this was especially an ...more

I recently finished reading The Dawn of Saudi. This book was not what I expected when I started and I loved every page. This book is about 2 young women who are struggling to get their freedom from the harsh reality of the severe Muslim Saudi Arabian culture. The story tells of them trying to get away from a life they hated. The story travels to the US as the lives of the girls become intertwined with the life of Jason Crawford, a wealthy young business man. I hope this book will bring awareness
...more

This book is a very powerful mystery revovling around three very different people whose lives suddenly collide. This book is not only a strong echo of oppression, but also a romance. It makes you feel and makes you want to make change. I highly recommend this book o anyone and everyone. You will not be disappointed.

The Dawn of Saudi is the perfect combination of mystery and romance. Though fictious this book sends a very powerful message and gives a startling look into the Arab culture, arranged marriages, and the treatment of women in the Arabic culture. I loved how Homa Pourasgari intertwined the need to bring awareness within the story. I loved it and think this would be a great vacation read!
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