Born a Gangster's Daughter: My Mother's StoryAmina was born in Dubai in the 1970s. As a child, Amina was brutally beaten by her father. As she came of age, she was cruelly discriminated against in favor of her brothers. But as a woman she nonetheless persisted in her love for her family, which was at the center of her life. Managing to connect her father with life-saving medical attention at a time when he was dangerously close to death, she subsequently witnessed what appeared to be a miracle. Her grateful father became a famous businessman and a fervently devout Muslim. Delighted with his apparent change of heart, Amina felt as though her loyalty had been rewarded. Sadly for her and for many other people, she couldn't have been more mistaken. She soon discovered that her father was, in fact, a gangster, hiding behind the shield of religion. This true tale is more than a disturbing account of hypocrisy, corruption, and betrayal. Thanks to Amina's 14-year-old daughter, Maha, who skillfully brings her story to life in these pages, it is also an inspiring testament to the power of speaking the truth, of bringing meaning to suffering, and of discovering what truly matters in this life. |
Contents
The Man of | |
A Mixed Blessing | |
Money Pouring from the Heavens | |
Dark Secrets | |
The End of Sameera | |
The Victims Bait | |
The Enemy of the People | |
The End of | |
A Sad Goodbye | |
Light at the End of the Tunnel | |
Bright Days in Canada | |
A Family Tragedy | |
Happy Days on the Oasis | |
The Miracle | |
The Devil is in the Fine Print | |
Face to Face | |
Goodbye Dubai Epilogue | |
Glossary | |
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Abdul Salam Abu Dhabi afternoon Ajman Al Ain apartment asked Aunt Munira bank beautiful Beirut Arab University believe blessings bought brothers building called Canada CHAPTER child clothes cook country estate dark daughter Despite didn’t dirhams door dress Dubai Eid Al Adha employees enjoying eyes face family’s father father’s business father’s office Fatima fear feel felt gave Ghalia girl gold good-bye grandmother’s guests Hamad happy heard heart hoping hummus husband investors Kaaba kids knew living room looked Maha Malaka Margie married Masjid al-Haram Mecca mosque Muslims never night Niqab pain parents paternal grandmother poor prayed prayers Ramadan Rasheed real estate Sameera Shawarma sitting son’s soon story suhoor Sultan tell told took treated tried two-bedroom Uncle Khaldoon United Arab Emirates Vancouver wanted watching wedding weekend wife woman Zamzam