Yasmine Mohammed

It took me a while to finish this book, not because it was bad, but because the harrowing subject matter that young girls all over the world are still having to deal with. Yasmine is a brave warrior, standing up for not only muslim women, but women everywhere. I give it for stars because there were some editing issues and I do feel like at times, she does generalize the horrible things she went through as something ALL Muslim girls go through, which isn't the case (though many, TOO MANY, muslim girls & women do have it awful) I highly recommend Yasmine's book to any self proclaimed feminist, especially those certain white feminist who are on twitter and instagram pretending they know everything that happens in the middle east.… (more)

The style and honesty are worth two stars. It's that the author takes horrible instances of abuse and claims it's all of Islamic thought behind it rather than the parent's abuse and sect behind it. It paints a biased look that, instead of focusing on the horrors of abuse and abuse of religion, pushes a stereotype weaponized by all sides.

To say "my Muslim parents abused me greatly and this is what I want people to understand" is entirely on the level. Claiming all families are like the authors and saying "because Islam"fuels lies and hate.… (more)

This was an impulsive e-book purchase without having read much of the blurb. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. Possibly I had expected more like the final chapter so I'm glad I stayed with it to the end.

This is an autobiographical account of a woman who would go on to found the Free Hearts, Free Minds organisation dedicated to supporting apostates in muslim-majority countries. The narrative focuses mostly on her abusive childhood and first marriage (unknowingly to an Al-Qaeda operative) although it does extend up to pretty much present time.

There is no doubt that Yasmine has endured a great deal and fought hard to be where she is today. It is also apparent that she has been let down by those very people who should have been there to protect her. Their failure to do so was due to 'cultural sensitivity'. This idea that oppression of any kind can be overlooked on this flimsy notion is the central theme of this book, as per the subtitle. Its an opinion that I heartily agree with. What Mohammed has done is to attempt to demonstrate this by telling her personal story.

I am of no religion and would defend the rights of anyone against oppressive religious dogma. I value this book as the personal testament of such a struggle. As such, I'm not going to rate it.… (more)