For all the folks who feel like I have spoken on behalf of their faith, religion, and experience, please watch minute 13:15 - 14:00. Wishing you all peace and joy.
When I was in my early 20’s I found my soul mate who was Saudi and French ( his mom was French) I understood that if I married him I would loose my freedom, and my children would be raised Muslim not out of their choice… I am now in my 50’s, I have never met another man whom I have had those feelings for again, but knew that I could not give up my Freedom …. And never have, I also raised two beautiful boys who became the men of their choosing , life has been hard, and getting married to him would have been easier, but I understood that my freedom has no price.
My dear i think his mother was not keen on you marrying her son, so she scared you off with the freedom story... You would have had all the freedom you wanted if he was open minded and flexible... Women have freedom in Saudi depending on what their husband's allow, and also depending which city they live in... certain cities are more open and modern... Times have changed alot since and Saudi women or foreign women have so much freedom of movement choices now.
I don’t think you understand the point. The point is not maybe being able to live happily ever after, the point is that your freedom will be determined by your husband willing to let you have and express your freedom. This is a huge difference. I am quite sure that a lot of women might enjoy their life there. But what is about women who don’t ? And by the way, I have been living more than 20 years in Middle East, speak fluent Arabic and count a lot of Muslim women my friends. So I am definitely not ignorant of middle Eastern culture 😉!
I'm not arab but iranian I've started questioning my religion since I was 14 .for me it is unacceptable that I worth less just bc of my gender .I got tired of islam being in favour of men most of the time if not always.I've been called almost every terrible thing one can say to a woman for defending my gender . I'm really proud of iranian women and every brave woman who fights for her rights and stops supporting oppressing women.
@@ssamssssamss9408 Do Not insult our culture !! We have a rich history centuries before islam was created ,and women were treated well and respected. We even had queens who were great rulers. Islam is what ruined my precious country . Zarathustra,iranian religion founder,also respected his daughter and asked her opinion about her marriage .while muslim treat women as sex objects. Most of our young generation is leaving islam .
Thank you for highlighting the plight of ex-Muslim women. I'm an ex-Muslimah myself and most of us never share our stories because traditional Islam wants us dead.
exactly! if the roles were reversed and men were having to abide by all these restrictions and rules then i guarantee no man would wanna stay or convert to this religion
@@aizichi some forms of islam are restrictive to men too, not as much as it is towards women, but many many men don’t like it either, and they can’t say anything against it. If they do they will also be murdered. it's become an all consuming state sanctioned institution that is bigger than any individual, group, or gender. Anyone who dissents is murdered.
I was friendly with a young Saudi-born woman who had been married to a wealthy Saudi businessman. When they visited Britain she told him that she had never believed in Islam ... and left him. She told me that even as very young child she thought of Islam as being "male domination of women" and, so she told me, she "planned her escape" ... by agreeing to marry her husband if he rook her to Europe with him during his business trips. On one occasion when I was talking with her her phone rang. After speaking in Arabic to the person who phoned her she grinned and said: "They think I'm mad" ... and laughed. I myself have never been religious. She'd introduced herself to me after listening in to a conversation I was having with friends outside a London Starbucks ... there was no doubt that her thinking was that of someone who found religious belief alien to way she thought. She'd abandoned a very wealthy lifestyle in order to "be herself".
@@micheleh5269 .. because she's probably much better educated than most people here in the US. Other countries teach English in school from the very beginning, unlike here where many people can't even grasp the English language they were born with.
This is insane. When I was a kid, my dad was told he had to go to Saudi Arabia for 3 years with his family for the airforce. Thank god my mother put her foot down and said there was no way she was taking her daughters over there. It ended my father's military career yet saved his daughters from being treated like garbage for 3 years.
"Cult to Consciousness" I'm also an ex-muslim. Born into a conservative Pakistani Muslim family and never even allowed to ask any question about the doctrine or Mohammad's character till I come to USA. And my journey from "Cult to Consciousness" was (and still is) eye opener. I'm supper happy for Jasmin and admire her courage. Blessings.
Hi there :) I am curious what was your experience as a Pakistani Muslim, and you see the society and religion now? I am curious because I am currently involved with a man from the same country and religion, and I am concerned with the religion and what that might mean for us in the future. I am not Muslim, I'm Romanian from an ex Orthodox Christian. We had discussions about it, and he made it clear that his family would want his wife to accept Islam and his kids to be raised Muslim?, but he also argues they are more open minded and would not force anything.
The only woman who explained exactly the fear and humiliation and unworthiness that you feel as a child when you have your first period… we all need a right of passage ceremony and celebration to dissolve this emotion we have deep inside our womb …
saudi ex-muslim here - thank you for sharing your story Jasmin! we need more courageous people like you to talk about us and make our suffering more visible.
homosapien, Having a live-in Filipina maid who takes care of your three children every minute of the day and cooks the most succulent Asian and Middle Eastern dishes for you, your husband and your three children every day; having an Indonesian driver who at the snap of your fingers brings the car around, opens the doors for you, and drives you to your university so you can work on your degree in business administration and takes you twice a week to the local hospital so you can do your aerobic exercises; and going to places like Dubai, Beirut, Paris, London, Bangkok, and Singapore every year with your MUSLIM SAUDI husband does not sound like much suffering to ME. I am talking about the life of a middle class Saudi woman whom I have known personally and whose lifestyle is typical of millions of middle class MUSLIM Saudi women. Suffering?!?!
@@monayanti5935 glad that your life is so peaceful and wonderful right now. Right now are the key words here. I don’t know anything about you but I am certain that Islam isn’t responsible for whatever your life was before you made the very foolish decision to leave it. There are many many Muslim women including myself who have great lives because of Islam so how do you explain that?
@@monamobarek Kindly look up the word & read up on 'internalized misogyny', sadly it runs rampant amongst religious women, both Muslim & christian, also Jewish, etc.
@@DrJoySmithMaxwell I’m not in denial that misogyny exists as I know very well that it does. Im saying that it doesn’t stem from Islamic teachings. The fact that it is practiced culturally is another matter. We should be careful not to conflate religion and culture.
@@monamobarek It's obviously a combination of religion and culture, and since those grew and developed together, it's not feasible, possible, reasonable or honest to dissect them and assign every bad thing to the culture and every good thing to the religion. It is denial. We see the same misogyny everywhere where Islam (most other religions as well for that matter) is prevalent, especially if it's governed by Sharia law. You see the same misogyny in a somewhat secular European leaning country like Turkey, you see the same misogyny in Iran, even though their original religion and culture was much different than today's. You see the same misogyny in possibly every Arab country, you see the same misogyny in Islamic parts of the Asian world as well. This is not a coincidence. You can claim it's all humans who corrupt the religion, and it is not the Islamic teachings (which is also very debatable imho as someone who read the Quran). But this just means that the teachings provide a fruitful breeding ground for misogyny if every part of the Islamic world is deeply, inhumanly misogynistic. There are a lot of ex-Muslim women in this comment section who explain what part of the teachings and what part of the culture they don't agree with. Claiming that everyone is uneducated about the teaching of Islam is a logical fallacy (no true scotsman fallacy) and denying their experience is basically gaslighting. No true scotsman fallacy: "You made what could be called an appeal to purity as a way to dismiss relevant criticisms or flaws of your argument. In this form of faulty reasoning one's belief is rendered unfalsifiable because no matter how compelling the evidence is, one simply shifts the goalposts so that it wouldn't apply to a supposedly 'true' example. This kind of post-rationalization is a way of avoiding valid criticisms of one's argument." It is basically impossible to defend any religion especially Islam without making any logical fallacies. I'm sorry.
My faith is Sikhism, and it was one of the first religions founded in India that argued women are equal to men, and a woman on her period is a beautiful not shameful thing. Women in our faith are not excluded from praying or touching our holy book during their menstrual cycles. At the time when our faith was founded, many Hindu and Muslim women were often segregated and shamed in India during their menstrual cycles. This was not the case with our faith at all. I am very thankful that I grew up as a Sikh, and it breaks my heart that Jasmin and her sisters grew up in a culture that shamed them for being women and restricted how they could live.
OH, and why don't women granthis work at the Golden Temple? Yeah, Sikhism is better than some Islamic schools of thought but Punjabi Sikhs have a lot of work to do to be able to say they support equality.
Down south and west where, Islamic invasions weren’t tolerated, we celebrate menstruation. We have a small puja, but mostly it’s women and friends who celebrate, we decorate the house and have good food. Shringaar is very important part of the ceremony, it’s simple actually. I have attended many such functions in Maharashtra and have heard of such across Odisha to Karnaataka to Tamil. I am clueless about north in this regard. Just to shame hinduism without knowing about our way of life is not good. .
Please do write a book! The UAE is portrayed as so glam and international. You documenting your experience would be both educational and a therapy for you
Her story is obviously amazing, but what amazes me the most is how articulate and fluent she is in a language that isn't even her native language. Sounds like a native. Incredible!
I was about to say the same. I live in American for 16 years and still speaking with accent. Maybe because her mom was an English teacher and she grown up exposed to different languages she developed this talent. Great life story, definitely deserves a book. Can’t wait to read her book!
I'm a filipina, people say i have an American-ish accent even tho I've never been there😂 I grew up reading lots of books and watching Hollywood movies. I also was the best in english multiple times, I speak english more than my own language. I love it that much i guess😂
My cousin who is non Arab, grew up in Saudi Arabia, her family moved to the US when she was a teenager... she told me she felt very traumatized growing up there and never really wanted to talk about it... the look on her face said it all...
We had a guy from Saudi Arabia come here via the Foreign Exchange Program and he NEVER wanted to talk about his childhood/teenage years there. Totally fair because from what I've heard about and read it's a very dangerous country to live in in some parts, including the part he lived (I always wondered if he really was here via the F.A.P or if he was a refugee fleeing his country (which looking back now makes more sense than the F.A.P theory; I did overhear him tell our school counselor that he watched his brother be beheaded for refusing to fight in a war when he (the brother) was 10. He (the F.A.P guy/refugee) tried to justify it by saying he was being disrespectful and dishonoring the family and the Army (I'm guessing that's the story he was told and he was so brainwashed he actually believed it...at least back then, he's still here and now that he's deconstructed he doesn't believe it, he actually thinks now that he looks back, that the Army just did it for kicks)
My ex husband is from Saudi Arabia he was born in Taif but his tribe from Albaha. He grew up seeing people being executed I think they have a lot of trauma combined with narcissism. We tried going to therapy but he gave up. He’s a very cold person maybe because of.
I was explaining this Islamic attitude to women to a younger female here in uk. So many don’t know the truth of how women are half of a man’s worth in this culture.. bravo for getting free and speaking out! ❤👏🏼👏🏼
In UK why it's not an Muslim country they should not have this short of things going on why do they let them do anything like this in an Christian countries and why Muslims move to those countries if they want to continue their strong religion believes they should rely go to the similar countries surrounding if they don't want to integrate the culture of the country that they live in ....
@@JR-lu8rcIt’s probably better for them to know just to keep their guard up. I’m not British, but my mom always warns me about checking out the boyfriend’s cultural background because nowadays it’s very easy to marry someone from an unfamiliar background and get yourself into some sort of unpleasant situations (sometimes it’s benign, sometimes it’s awkward but eye-opening, sometimes it could cost you your life).
@hopekevans This is the fate of the United States of America if donald dump ever gets to set foot into the WH again. Not because he´s religious (far from it - for him religious people just useful idiots whose credulity he can exploit), but because the evangelicals are all in on stripping women of their rights and freedoms. He wants to go back to a point in time where women were just trophies and armcandy adorning successful businessmen.
@hopekevans This is the fate of the United States of America if donald dump ever gets to set foot into the WH again. Not because he´s religious (far from it - for him religious people just useful idiots whose credulity he can exploit), but because the evangelicals are all in on stripping women of their rights and freedoms. He wants to go back to a point in time where women were just trophies and armcandy adorning successful businessmen.
Yes, for me this is a lesson to think not only for yourself when you are young, but for your future children who will be born in this primitive environment... It is better to stay in Italy and marry to another man.
Love & youth is nieve & blind😢 When we are in love we foolishly think we can overcome all impediments .... Also, when we leave home hungry ( for love) we will swallow lies without too much question...
Hearing Jasmin talk about her sister moving to the US, with their father's blessing, is so sweet. What a huge accomplishment, to pave the way for her sister! I imagine she has set an example of independence and freedom for many other women as well.
I paved the way for my sister but I paid with my youth, my mental health and an eternal resentment against my dad who killed all my goals and dreams but happily and willingly went out of his way to make my sister’s come true.
Heavily depends on the COUNTRY, the family and the environment. My lovely friend Rania is from Jordan, she grew up in a modern way and was allowed to do as she wished. Another friend is from Iraq, she is Catholic from Kurdistan and they had to follow every single rule of Islam from the age of 7 until her family was able to escape. She has scars on her face and arms because she didn’t follow a rule and was beaten for it. She was never Muslim, her family have been Catholics since St. Thomas went through Iraq on his way to India a thousand years before Mohammed. She hates Islam, and mourns for her country because of it.
o8581 Jesus Christ did NOT "found" the Catholic church, exclusive of all other Christian denominations. That's a LIE. The truth is that Jesus Christ founded Christianity; all who believe that he is the Son of God, and that God the Father raised him from the dead, and OBEY Jesus as Lord of their life, RECEIVE the Spirit of God within them, and the ETERNAL LIFE that comes with his Spirit, Romans 8: 11, If, moreover, the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from among the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised from among the dead Christ Jesus, shall make alive [even] your death-doomed bodies, through means of his indwelling Spirit within you.
Not true, because there is a dark side to Catholicism🤔 God give us choices . They do not follow all the Biblical principles. They have traditions of men. 😮 They hiding secrets. I am sure there might be some sincere souls in this organization. But don’t ever say that Jesus built this church, because HE DID NOT! That day the Pope as if he is God on earth 🌍 and he is sinner like the rest of us. Do you your homework .There are nuns who could tell you a story or two. About the evil that has gone on and stills gone on !! Praying for these young women and some men.
These oppressive habits including degrading women and restricting their freedom in the Gulf states and Iran are far from Islam and have nothing to do with Islam. They are social habits related to the ignorance era before Islam. Islam has freed societies and people from such practices which Islam totally reject. Islam is misunderstood by many of its people and others as well. Islam has been abused and misused cheap political objectives.
@@hodelhophopp9386you should read Quran 65-4. Maybe you will change your opinion. Also, David Wood, and Pfander films with Jay Smith are a wealth of information on Islam.
"A cult can be just as small as your home and family." YES! I am so glad that she acknowledges this because it's so true! And another thing I want to add is that the disabled are prime targets and essentially sitting ducks, to be preyed upon by cult leaders. I know I grew up (and am still living in) a culty environment. I call it "the cult of the disabled" because I'm in a wheelchair so my mom thinks she has to control pretty much every aspect of my life. What I eat, how I dress, when I shower, when I take my meds, where I go (I absolutely am forbidden from going to parties with my friends unless a "responsible adult" is there...I'm 34 mind you) One of the only things I absolutely WILL NOT let her take control of (and she is quite pissed about it) is who my friends are and the conversations and activities I partake in online (which is nothing lewd or lascivious.) Truth be told sex scares the hell out of me because of how susceptible I am to being raped and I've already been molested twice). But yes, I absolutely believe the disabled can be prime targets for getting into culty situations. "Never stand in the way of a woman who has her own identity and self figured out. Ever ever ever! I FREAKIN' LOVE THIS SO MUCH! THIS GIRL IS DA BOMB DIGGITY!
I am so sorry your mom is so controlling? do you want more independence? maybe you can find a way to live alone? (if thats what you want)I know a lot of people in wheelchairs do.
I went through this phase I wanted to become a Muslim. I. discussed with my therapist and realized this was a trauma response. I just wanted to hide out, after an abusive marriage
Read about the Jenny Hatch Project which was put into law about 14 years ago. Jenny Hatch was in a group home. Her Mom & Step Dad were her guardians. Her employer of 14 years at a Thrift Shop got a lawyer for Jenny Hatch. Jenny went before the judge and stated that she should be able to choose her own sponsor even though she was Down syndrome and needed help in some areas. The judge granted her rights and now it in most all the states as the Jenny Hatch Project. Britney Spears used that method to get her rights from her Father. Jenny speaks and help other people with disabilities gain their rights. I keep Jenny every Saturday and some weeks when her sponsor who is a psychologist have to go out of town. I have a Down Syndrome very intelligent gifted son who has been friends with Jenny for a long time. You can be disabled and still have certain freedoms & rights.
@@LoveAuntAshley I think yr mom has her reason and u yrself testify that u was twice molested. You are vulnerable and yr mom understands it and because she loves u she is protecting u from any harm. You should be thankful. You should understand that it is not easy for her, sacrificing her life to take care of u. You westerners u dnt understand that, u only want freedom!! In my country we know our vulnerability and we would be grateful to hve such a mother.
I was born into a patriarchal religion. I was raised to be a wife, mother and homemaker. My 1st marriage gave me my 2 wonderful children. My second marriage was to a man who was bipolar. After my life was threatened, I left the marriage. He took his own life after the divorce. I'm still picking up the pieces and trying to make the best of my new normal. Thank you for telling your story, for in it I heard my own.
It is almost my story. I have only been married once, but in fundamental Baptist church. My pastor kept telling me I had to do what my ex said to do even though they were bad decisions for the family. He also had MS and severe PTSD. The night I found me and my daughters sleeping in the one area his wheelchair could go was my breaking point. He died 2 years later due to complications of his MS. I am still working on finding myself 20 years later. Thank you Jasmine for sharing. Thank you Shelise and Jonathan for all of your work. It helps so many of us.
My best friend travelled to The Maldives a few years back and fell asleep on the plane and woke up with a man with his hand up her shirt and going down her pants. She immediately got up and told the flight staff. They informed the authorities country she had her layiver in what had happened as well so they could be aware. She had a full flight and her family member agreed to switch seats so she didn’t have to sit next to this man. When the arrived at the United Arab Emirates airport she was immediately approached by armed men. Her family was so taken aback they started recording it. These men then threatened her family and forced them to erase the video. They told her that if she wanted to press charges that she would be made to stay in the country and remain there until whatever legal action she was attempting to take on the man transpired. She was told she would not be allowed to go to The Maldives and then come back to give any further statements. She had very little time to make the decision because she only had a few hours of a layover and needed to catch another flight. And they were not only armed but also treating her as if she was the perpetrator. They even said the man admitted what he did to them and if she would just take his apology and leave their country. She was frightened and decided to just get on her next flight. This is how they treated a woman not from their country who is not expected to exist within their rules I can only imagine how terrible those who are may be treated. And not demonizing a whole group of people. Using they referring to those people who don’t actually value a woman’s life.
As horrible as it had to be ... she was smart to just leave. I lived in Saudi for 3 years under Sharia law. If your friend had gone to trial, her testimony would have had a value of half of the man's testimony. They most likely would have twisted the testimony by blaming your friend for things like what she was wearing or accusing her of "tempting" the man (even if she was asleep). It's always the woman's fault. I witnessed similar things quite a few times when I lived in the Middle East. For instance, I worked at a hospital and witnessed when rape victims would come into the hospital ... even women who were giving birth to a baby after they had been raped. The women were treated as if they caused their own rape. Some women would be begging not to be sent home with their families because they knew they would be beaten when they were home. Sharia law is not an equal and just law. It is not "demonizing" a group of people if you are just speaking the truth regarding the beliefs that they hold in their culture along with the laws that they have created. If anyone thinks that speaking out about the facts makes others look like "demons" then you have to ask who then is responsible for that ... the person pointing it out or the person with that behavior?
@@TrulyJefferson breaks my heart that this happens to any woman anywhere!! Absolutely unacceptable and the man admitted what he did to the armed police there and they still treated her that way. I believe people should be allowed to have their own beliefs as long as they aren’t harming others.
I went through Jordan while changing planes, travelling and was wearing a head scarf. I was told off in Arabic by a Muslim guard because my neck was showing. A female staff member came and asked me if I was Muslim and I said no so he dropped it.
Why were you wearing a headscarf in Jordan?? Its not a rule or law... Half the women in Jordan do not cover their hair... its a very freedom of choice country.
I’m an American Muslim who lived in Jordan.. you’re not required to cover in Jordan.. It’s actually illegal in Jordan to enforce and preach religion to protect the Christian population and I’m sure there’s Jews there too.. I think you assumed that’s what he said
DON'T do this!!! You do the women in those countries no favours!! Western women must use their passport and relative power to REFUSE to wear that rag in Muslim countries, in solidarity with women forced, brainwashed or pressured into it (the bast majority).
I think it's very important to appreciate the immense help that was Jasmin's mother's support. As an Italian born woman, she was siding with her daughter's fears and dreams, not crushing her. So many traditional homes lack that support
I watched this almost fully before commenting. Truly appreciate the honesty and courage to be candid, so logically here. But also really refreshing to see a Guest so articulate and a Host who is such a calm listener and is guding the host to speak more clearly on their story rather than keep interrupting egotistically. Very refreshing!
I also just met a couple. The man was Black Arab and she was just Arab. They told her he was dirty and beneath her. They tried to stop the wedding. And she was shunned by a lot of her family. Hasn't stopped to since before the wedding.
even though i‘m not strong enough to watch this video for the many triggers in there i want to say thank you for everything that you do with shedding light on these things!
Practicing Self care is not only strong, it invites others to cultivate our strength as well. Also, you commented, so you’re contributing actively to something you deeply believe in; you’re not just throwing your hands up and saying “too much”; you’re regulating your intake of triggering material w/ intelligence and compassion- you’re doing amazing 💜⚡️
Sharing your thoughts here is amazing to me❤ The bravery and courage this took for you is commendable! For what it's worth, I recognize your strength and I'm proud of you! Sending you hugs, love and healing❤ Yes, healing is hard, but staying stuck is harder. You are a warrior 💪 keep pushing forward, you got this😊!
I thank you for your bravery in sharing your story. I lived in SA in the 1980's, I will never forget the stunningly beautiful woman across the aisle from me, who, 20 minutes out of Jeddah disappeared into her Abaya. The image has stayed with me all these years, my heart broke for her. As a western, married woman I faced restrictions but nothing like what Saudi women experienced, bless you.
People are so uneducated about the difference between nationality, race and ethnicity. I'm from Texas and when I refer to someone as being a Mexican everyone gets bent out of shape and accuses me of being racist. I get tired of explaining to people that calling someone who was born in Mexico a Mexican is not racist. It's their nationality and has nothing to do with their race. It's exhausting trying to explain something so simple.
Agreed as someone also from Texas. Although I guess Mexicans do exist as a race just like how Americans exist as a race when referring to the natives. However the natives actually have tribal names that they prefer.
You may not be racist but others are. I am not Hispanic. When I was in High School, I grew a mustache while working at McDonald's. The boss ordered me to shave it off and yelled that I looked like a dirty Mexican. Many years later, I was dating a young woman who had just come to the United States from Argentina. She was disturbed that everyone called her Mexican.
Texan here...married a Mexican man...should I be offended because I get mail and phone calls from Spanish speaking people just because my last name is definitely Spanish....I was shocked how little people knew the difference between ethnic background...race and state of birth in 1979...when asked people would respond I am a Texan 😂
This is correct. I am a fair-pink skin, hazel eyed, born blonde - middle eastern from northern Iraq. The fact that we are all jumbled up into one ethnic background is bizarre. The Middle East is so diverse in its genetic pool.
Well that would mostly come from the slavery times as back in the day white slaves from the north were brought to Middle East as exotic slaves. Which continues to this day and even Muhammad himself wanted to raid a city because the women were light skinned.
@@Lilliz91 I’m hardly of Arab descent. So that’s incorrect. There is a lot of genetic pools in the M.E. - Anatolian, Netufian, Zargrossian etc etc they’re not all modern day Arabs
@@samrazzleberry They lurrrrve white woman lol!.... Mohammed said " let us attack the Romans for the blondie girls "" yep , exactly words ..... Ishmaelites are mentioned in the bible as slave traders ....they bought Joseph....
My heart breaks for every woman trapped in this religion. The worst thing is that it is almost impossible to escape because they do not have their documents and can be locked in their homes for life. And then those long, black clothes they have to wear in such heat, while the men don't have to. It is a great injustice and shame in the history of humanity. To say that women are worth half of a man. Women who are creative, who have a thousand talents, intelligence, and can give birth to new life. I feel sick. I don't know how this young woman had such clarity of thought. She is such a brave heart!❤
Well said. You bring up having to be covered head to toe in black fabric - I actually have a Muslim friend to has tried to convince me that it’s actually helping to keep her cool…in the summer heat…
And let me just add that much as it is hard to "free" Yourself from religion it is equally as hard to do the opposite and embrasse more your religion in my case islam because is depends on your surrounding... Breaking from anything that is considered the norm in your surrounding is HARD.. Go watch some Muslim revert stories
Wow! What a great interview! Thanks for this. I’ve lived in SAUDI for 4 years as an expat due to work. Once I met two women and they were Saudi, they were artists, painters, they showed me their art. And I wanted to take a picture of them holding up their art 🖼️, but they had to veil themselves for the picture. And I still have that photo, two invisible women without a face holding up their beautiful art! This was heartbreaking to see, because it was literally that these women were just invisible, as if they weren’t there, much like ghosts. Although their art was representing them and yet nobody could see. This was truly sad to me. I also had to wear a hijab in some areas which felt hot in that weather and suffocating. I just hated it. But while you’re there you just have to respect the culture. These days Saudi is getting more and more liberal, young people have a bit more freedom, some women aren’t wearing hijab at all which was unheard of some 7-10 years ago.
Did you tell those ladies that the moment they viled they become invisible in your eyes. Just because their identity is different than yours and they embrasse it.. If I wear in their shoes I would find this just disrespectful to me
I just find it odd that a women will interact with other women normally but the moment they change clothes they become suddenly invisible to her and she pitty them ... I just fail to understand this reasoning
So Wonderful You had the Bravery, Courage and Determination to escape that Horrible, Disgusting, Inhumane environment. Welcome to the U.S. Hope You're Very Happy here.
This is so healing to watch! I’m only 14 so I still have years until I can fully escape this religion but I’m glad I got to break free off the indoctrination that everyone around me was so dead set putting me in early T-T I just gotta find a way to cope w me living in this arab country until then As someone with ADHD, I’ve always found it extra tiring and exhausting to do all these excessive rituals that Islam puts through. I hated myself so much for always feeling this way and thought that I was being a horrible person for not wanting to do these practices. My ADHD is ruining my life but at the same time it saved me and helped me make the first step in realizing how frustrating this religion is lol I hate the idea of hijab so much!! It doesn’t veil men from anything and they will still hurt women (maybe even more because they’re given a mindset that seggualize women and young girls even more by making things innocent such as HAIR “temptations” Plus even if they were tempations why is it our fault ;-; this is victim blaming to the max.. it’s not my fault I don’t want to be covered head to toe in 45 degree weather when I’m already sweating like a waterfall in short sleeved clothes and shorts. why didn’t the aLl mIGHTy AlLaH think that covering women so much in the hot weather?!? i don’t want vitamin d deficiency (which is actually more common in women and girls who covered up) I hate when they say hijab is a choice too because it NEVER IS!! they’re just saying that to cope w the situation they’re in. my mom literally threatens me saying stuff like “I’m a horrible Muslim” for not wanting to wear hijab Can’t wait to escape from this religion and country 😭😭 i cant do anything cuz im a minor so gotta keep pretending so I don’t get killed or disowned loll
“it’s a choice” comes from such a place of privilege. just because it’s a choice for you doesn’t mean it is for everyone else. it’s so insensitive to me when they say it with such pride. good luck to you btw 👊
I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope you can escape too. Hopefully you can go to school abroad. I know you don’t believe but I will be praying for you. 🙏
You are a very brave girl. Don't listen when they tell you you're a bad person because you don't like the hijab. You are here for a reason and it's okay for you to have all those thoughts and feelings about the religion you're born into. Hold on tight to your hopes and dreams. This is a big world we live in and you will find where you fit in. Stay safe and keep planning your escape. You are worthy of the life you dream of.
@@ZachLane89 I have more than 5 X-muslim friends. Actually they teach me real Islam. And told me to teach the kids in my religion (Hinduism). Because otherwise kids will fall in the falls profit and cult religion ❤️
What an amazing story! I so admire her courage and bravery to be so determined to forge her own way in life. You listen so well and ask such good questions and follow up.
The concept of a guardian that she speaks about is her cultural understanding of a religious concept called a "wali". This is from Islam. In Islam the wali's consent is required for marriage not business. Also for travel, a mahram (male related by specific blood/milk/marital ties) should accompany a female to protect her not to restrict her. A father/husband is the provider AND the protector for females. This all goes back to when there were no modern nation States with laws, systems and regulations to provide a safe livelihood and society. This woman is EXTREMELY privileged but she has also an extremely narrow experience.
@@Sciencegrinds Trying to couch a woman’s lack of agency under the wali and mahram concept as helpful or not bad is the height of cognitive dissonance.
Shelise, I think one of your gifts is really seeing people and in turn making them feel seen. Thank you for your work and sharing your gift. Jonathan thanks for your work and supporting our gal you know we appreciate you too 💜
I’m not sure anyone should move with times. If you were moving with times in Nazi Germany, you could become a monster. I think it is better to stand with respect no matter the culture or trends.
@@lelamaciolek1166so those who opposed and fought against the nazis should have just stayed put and respected their beliefs? Is this what you are trying to say?
Yay!! I get So Happy when there are family members who really try to help Survivors finally Escape... The second she said, "My mom knew a little bit more to the story..." I was instantly like, *GO! MOM!*. 🙌 And then, the cousins perfect safety net/ "vacation" Escape Plan. ✨🎉
@@AngelDeedagree with you that it's unfortunate that her mom put her in this situation in the first place. However honestly, Jasmine wouldn't exist if her mother hadn't married her father. And if you marry a foreign Muslim man you can pretty much guarantee that your life is not going to be your own. Especially a Saudi man. So choices were made when she picked her mate. Who you marry is one of the most important decisions anyone will ever make. It's crazy that it's traditional to not even have a choice in who you marry. But also I was happy that her mother knew and that she actually got to say goodbye to her mother. Because it means her mother understood and supported her decision. And she didn't have the pain of leaving her mom without her mom knowing.
Having to wear a veil/cover says more about men's sexuality than about women's sexuality. A woman could wear many veils, but body language can convey more than any clothing !
Wow I came here early. Glad to see many ex muslims speak up. Now, where can I see ex-buddhists? It was a very romanticized religion in the western world but my experience is completely different as I grew up in China.
Well, as any other religion it's often influenced by culture. I'm buddhist, an ethnic minority and my roots go all the way back to the beginning of the religion. So I have relatives in both India, Bangladesh and Myanmar - because the land borders came later. There isn't much difference in how Buddhism is practiced, but there is a huge difference in culture, mentality, views etc.. in these countries. My relatives in India are influenced by hinduism and Indian culture. My relatives in Bangladesh are influenced by Islam, culturally speaking they are the most conservative (my parents grew up in this area, but my grandparents lived long periods in Myanmar). Buddhism in Myanmar is similar to how Buddhism is practiced in Thailand (Theravada), and buddhism is more imbedded in the culture since it's the main religion there. There are some strange traditions that I find outdated, such as only men can become monks and have duty to be one for a short period of time. Women can choose to be nuns, but they don't have the same status. But besides that and a couple of other things, I do find the religion to be pretty decent and kind. I've seen it play out in many different types of settings. Buddhism in China, Buddhism in East-Asia, Buddhism in Tibet and Buddhism in Japan are different branches of Buddhism.
As a Saudi woman from very conservative Saudi parents, this is so authentic and true. She is reading my mind and all the provocative thoughts and worries that my daughter will live this. I'm trying my hardest but you can't rewrite the social and religious conventions independently. The good news, most new generations refuse these contradictions and belitteling beliefs. I believe in the future of the new generations of women and men to change these empowered by globalisation and true sicence-based knowledge
The only way out would be if Islam no longer exists! And that will never happen. It’s been here for 1400 years and is not going anywhere. Only the second coming of Christ will wipe it out!
@@susiboh1183 I don't agree with that. I have been to church three times when i was doing my graduate studies in the west. Similar beliefs to Islam in different packages albeit Islam has more meanigful concepts. You need to understand the difference between religious-based practices versus cultural-based ones.
@@rehaba5763there is no way one in their right mind can follow a morally decrepit person such as Mohamed and build a good family , society and country. Societies built on the teachings of Christ will always produce the best fruits.
@@rehaba5763 because I studied thoroughly other religions, I found Jesus Christ as the only true God and as the absolute. Yes, Islam is similar because at first Mohammed lived with Christians and Jews and stole many things from their beliefs. So, you find the wife beatings, child marriages, slavery and polygamy more meaningful concepts?
I love that more women are feeling brave enough to speak out about this. No group should ever be above criticism if it's valid. Islam harms a lot of groups. I think there's a difference between adults who walk in eyes open and choose it and raising children in it
This reminded me of a book called "Not without my daughter" a true story. Also a TV movie was made based on the book. Such a great eye opening interview with Jasmin. She is a very well spoken speaker, easy to listen to.
I read the book when I was very young and thought it was a fiction book, an invented story. It was a story that haunted me because I was a child who had to be kept away from an abusive father and I remember a night when my mother left him, leaving behind almost everything she had, except the 2 children, me and my brother. Then I had access to the Internet, I searched for the book and additional information. That's how I found out that there are many women in similar situations but who are unable to escape or who were left without children after they accepted that the children be taken to another country, without their mother. :( So many sad life stories!
Just watched it the other night. In an interview, she said her gut told her not to go over there with him, but she did it anyway. LADIES, listen to your instincts!!!
What an incredible journey Jasmin has experienced. So intelligent from an early age, this had to be the only way to go forward. Jasmin has done this with passion, grace and determination to find her place in this crazy world. Her parents were her gift because of their own experiences, education and love for their children, it opened a path for other possibilities. Although her dad had difficulties accepting Jasmine's new life in America, I believe he regrets that he didn't come to visit now that he has crossed over and returned to the source. I wish for her peace, and all that fills her life with Joy. Thank you Jasmine for sharing your story, I know it will help many along the way.❤️🕊
Another wonderful interview! Jasmin is articulate, sensitive, courageous and has so much integrity! Shelise, a wonderful interview as always. I think you navigate the delicate tightrope of exposing some of the oppression of fundamentalist Muslim societies without being Islamophbic. Your respect for people's choices really shines through all your interviews. By the way, I want to mention another woman who went through a harrowing process of escaping Saudi Arabia from a violent family and a terrifyingly oppressive childhood in around 2018 or 2019 or so. The author now has asylum in Canada. The book is called REBEL, by Rahaf Mohammed and was published in 2022.
I teach English online to Saudi women. This clears up a LOT. Some of it I kinda already knew, but I understand deeply and in more detail now. Thank you for sharing. I’m getting the book too.
Her story is hers. It’s not every Saudi woman’s feeling. Ask them instead of using this woman’s perspective to “explain” what you think you needed explaining.
So relate..I began conversion to Islam as a young woman when I married someone from a middle eastern country, in 1979 and spent extensive time there which cured me of wanting to convert. How I saw the religion practiced IRL was a big turnoff..but there are many positives to traditional cultures also.
@@emmymegify...what a nonsense comment... if she didnt convert its because of personal reasons and not because of what 'You' think the reasons might be.
@@emmymegify ... who says i muslim?... who decided i'm muslim?... you?...who are you from far Far away to decide what religion i am?...perhaps you think your arrogant self to be psychic... Facts are Facts... unfortunately some people like pointing judgmental fingers full of imaginary predjudiced assumptions about topics they know little about.
It is not islamaphobic to have genuine concerns about the religion and what that religious regime enforces on its citizens. It needs to stay in the Middle East - it is slowly creeping in to Western Countries and is doing so at our peril.
That's so funny that you are afraid of islam taking over, with no evidence, when there is ample evidence (and an actual path for) fundamentalist Christianity taking over the West. I'm more worried about what can actually happen, and what is ACTIVELY taking away women's rights.
Yeah, it’s creeping into western countries by the far Christian right. Women are being legislated out of control of our own lives. Christofacism is a goal of the far right in the good old U.S.A.
@@Sciencegrindsno it’s not, if you went to Iran and such places and started preaching Christianity they would exclude you from society or kill you, particularly if you questioned their religion. Why would it be ignorant to question if they start preaching or converting many in your country under the guise of a peaceful religion when it isn’t. I’m ex-Muslim so I’m not talking out of my ass.
@@SciencegrindsI also know many women who have converted to Islam and married Muslim men. They have been abused. They have been excluded in the mosque. Myself being raised strict Muslim and my mother converting. Women have been treated less than consistently. I have watched young girls been humiliated for not “wearing the correct clothing”. There is a lot in the religion that does not align with western values and it’s not ignorant to question that. In fact I would say the opposite. They would have no issue humiliating and questioning and excluding you in their own countries.
I have watched many of your podcasts in the last 2 years, but this is the most interesting and intelligent guest you've ever interviewed. So happy for her, that she's been able to achieve the kind of life she wants. May she live a long and happy life!
I’ve heard audio of a Saudi woman, who I think was from the royal family there, and who was trying to escape the country, and who was literally dragged out of line, at the airport, within sight of her plane, by several of her uncles. It seems like such an archetypal, primal battle-of-good-versus-evil primal terror, I can only imagine. I used to have hyper vivid reoccurring nightmares every night as a kid, (my way of processing living in an Unpredictable, chaotic home) and a lot of them featured similar-seeming predator-prey deadly pursuit sort of storylines. A lot of my nightmares felt like things other people actually had experienced, like people trying to escape from concentration camps, without being seen and shot, or being at an outdoor shopping market, and a man with a gun suddenly trying to shoot and kill everyone there. When I heard that audio in that documentary, it felt horrifyingly familiar, in that archetypal way I had already explored against my will every night, as soon as I fell asleep. I am so so glad you got out. There are plenty of awful ways we oppress women right here in the US, but again, there’s just something so archetypal about restricting someone’s physical movements/travel, that I am so so glad you’re no longer beholden to that level of restriction. I am also obsessed w/ cults - I first got into it, bc one of my daughter’s uncles on her dad’s side was involved w/ a cult for years, in the past, and I felt like, much like my obsession w/ true crime content, I wanted to learn everything I could, to be able to protect, or to immunize my child against those dangers. Very quickly however, I started noticing huge parallels I could identify w/, even as a person raised as a not-strict Jew (and have always been a witchy healer at heart, since 4YO me would be out in the yard w/ my sand bucket, mashing red berries into a “potion”). For me, it was going through school undiagnosed w/ ADD and autism, at a time when they still thought those differences only affected boys. So I was labeled all kinds of unhelpful unkind things, and I had years of formative experiences, seeing myself failing, and seeing people around me, coming to expect poor results from me. And because my home life was chaotic/unpredictable, I got very adept at noticing even minute changes in peoples’ voices and/or faces, to help me understand the mood “weather” of the adults around me, who had influence over my day to day. I have had to work harder than most people can really understand, as an adult, once I actually started learning how my brain works, going back to school, little by little, paaaaiiiiinstakingly slowly, and I’m still in the thick of it. I work 6 days a week at a job I am wildly passionate about, where I get to further study cannabinoid science, while helping people to reduce their suffering, through health education and real-life, best-practices-based lab-tested potions! I’m doing school online, a little bit at a time, bc I’m also a single mom (who doesn’t receive child support, but who is extremely fortunate to have some support from my parents) I’ve commented lots of times before on C2C, but usually I talk about the guest, and this time, it felt more relevant to share this instead. I don’t know why, either, but here we are. Thank you for sharing your story and perspective, and thank you always to Shelise, Jonathan and any invisible team members, if applicable. You are loved and appreciated, and you’re doing really really important work. Blessed be, Dear Ones 💜⚡️
Wow, Jasmine is an amazing woman!!! There is no way you can stay sane with a bipolar person. So sorry she had to go through that and his death. Glad to know she found a good partner and has wonderful children!
Merry meet from one autistic witch (whose had a very similar experience) to another! 💜 may your ancestors gather around and support your beautiful soul )0(
I went to an obscure but well-respected engineering university in the 80s. The number of Arab men in my classes was kind of astonishing to me. My sister said the same thing 10 years later when she attended/taught there. Great conversation! 💜
I thoroughly enjoyed your story. I lived in Saudi Arabia for a part of my youth which left me often feeling like I didn't belong anywhere, but my life was rich in texture, fascinating because of the many cultures I encountered. I found it just lovely listening to Jasmin's years of growth; our lives have withstood the onslaught of social changes, dramas, political unrest and various ideologies but we learn from one another when we can share the experiences. Thank you
Omg yea, Scientology people are scary and dangerous! They will literally snatch some people up physically and drag them back to base and lock them up if they’re caught trying to escape. Insane
1:32:46 this moment summarized my thoughts, "Jasmine you're incredible" ⭐Well said!! Wow, what a trip through life!! "Feminism is not a threat, it is the way to a balance society" I loved this too!! I hope more women in the world can be heard and helped!!
What a great story, I totally understand the anxiety and fear that they instill in women over there. Being a Christian living in Jeddah for 4 years I would see the women and my heart would break for them. My heart started racing when you mentioned the mutawa. As an American living there they seemed to find me in grocery stores and malls and Souk's. My last experience with them during Ramadan was my last straw I left shortly after and returned to the United States. I feel for all the women there and that many will never know freedom.
What a great episode! What a wonderful lady! It brought back so many memories from when I was a fundamentalist muslim. It was another life. Thank you, Shelise. Thank you, Jasmin.
Have you ever read "Not Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoody? Its amazing! I read it in the 90's and I think it would be incredible to hear an interview with her
Oh well. I've thought I know a lot about what life in islamic countries is like. Turns out I knew almost nothing. Thank you Shelise and Jasmin for showing that to me.
What an excellent interview. After reading the Princess Sultana books, I became enthralled with the Middle East. I will definitely be reading Jasmin’s book next. 😊
Love your show. It's awesome that you did another video with an Ex-Muslim woman. There are not so many out there. So glad about it. Maybe you can do an interview with Rana Ahmad as well? She is a woman who also fled Saudi-Arabia but ended up in Germany (I think). She wrote a book about her ordeal.
I feel so sorry you have gone through this… I am a muslim woman and I have not gone through anything like this- alhamdulilah. I hope you are doing better now where you are in life.
I am half Jewish, and was told it's the same for Orthodox Jews. There are a lot of restrictions and the woman is considered "unclean". She must go to a Mikvah, or ritual purifying bath, before she can touch her own husband. Until then, they sleep separately. Some sects go even farther, women must go to a Rabbi who gives her special white cloths that are inserted into the vagina and then returned to the Rabbi, who carefully examines the vaginal secretions to see if it is acceptable for the couple to have sex. No, I am not kidding, look it up. It is not just Islam that treats menstruating women as unclean. In Nepal, Buddhist women are required to leave the family home and sleep in a kind of shack during their period. It is very cold in Nepal in the winter, and this tradition has recently caught international scrutiny because it came out that these poor women sometimes freeze to death in the winter because these outside shacks do not allow for a fire to be built. The weather can be sub zero there.
I grew up in France and in my town, the Muslim girls were DEAD SERIOUS about not wearing nail polish as it forbids them from performing their ablutions (which are necessary for the 5 daily prayers).
Thank you so much for this channel, and for giving platform for the oppressed. Those who share give hope and validation to those in bondage of all sorts.
I am so Thankful for her mother who held her together while in that airport to help her get out of the country!!!!! 1:09 My goodness! I had an Arab family in my neighborhood, who came from Egypt, through Italy. They lived 3 blocks from me and had been there for Decades! Like I went to school with their children! When 911 happened, we (neighborhood folks) had to stand guard outside their house!
well if people are that uneducated and stupid to think that a random egyptian family are connected to 9 11, then yes i suppose they needed neighbourhood watch protection
Yep, I hate when moderate Muslims got blamed for such crimes when they never did them. It does upset me though how often I’ve met Muslims condoning terrorism in some way such as oh if they had not talked about Muhammad that way etc: basically putting the blame on the victim. Just something I’ve noticed. Not all of course, and I would not treat a Muslim differently unless they said some disturbing things.
@@Lilliz91 you clearly have a footprint lanted in your head about a specific topic and then want to bring it up every time you hear or see the word muslim... this conversation topic is about women's rights in a certain society...it has Absolutly nothing to do with terrorism. And being muslim is not a nationality, its just a religion So that different people, different nationality, different countries, different cultures, different mind thoughts who just so happen to be part of the muslim religion. Muslim are not 1 group catagory, get this predjudiced Wrong False idea out of your head ... if you can(?)
1:19:11 my ex was not Muslim, but he had a very twisted version of Christianity. He was definitely in the camp of if he died, our oldest son would be in charge of the family. He viewed himself in that same role with his mother, that it was her duty to listen to him because he was her head. She was having none of that, but he tried... he just kept getting worse over the years until I finally escaped last year.
I was also married to an Evangelical Christian horror of a man for 8 years. He was abusive in every way imaginable, he even beat me with a *bible* one time. I escaped after he threatened to kill me. Several years after that nightmare, I married a wonderful Wiccan man ( we worship a Goddess, not the devil, and it's *not* a cult) who was the joy of my life for 12 years until I lost him to cancer. He was extremely ethical, honest, kind, and incredibly loving. He healed me. Wiccans respect women, and are about the least controlling people I have ever met. The two men were as different as night and day, and sadly the Christian was night. That's not what Jesus taught!
Shelise, I love how quite a few of your guests have written books. Would it be possible for to make a list compiling all the books?! Thank you for the diversity!
Leaving a comment for the algorithm. I'm not able to watch, but please know how much your work is appreciated ❤❤ You are doing God's work by giving survivors a platform for their voices and stories.
Thankyou for sharing your story. I also lost my children's father to suicide after we had separated due to his mental health problems, it a unique kind of loss as even though you are no longer together, you lose them to the illness long before you seperate, and helping children through the loss of their father when you also have very complex feelings as to navigate is so so difficult. I have sought out stories of folks who have escaped oppressive environments (either religious or cultural or just within a family) for years, as it helps me understand my own life story, and I am always very appreciative to hear another person's story for new perspectives. It's amazing that you have survived so many challenges and are thriving now doing this amazing work. Much love to you. :)
![[Live] : ONE 168 วันนี้!! "โจนาธาน vs ซุปเปอร์เล็ก"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jIN65KgJsI/mqdefault.jpg)
For all the folks who feel like I have spoken on behalf of their faith, religion, and experience, please watch minute 13:15 - 14:00. Wishing you all peace and joy.
@@letiziacascone Converts are always the most fanatical, no matter the religion.
@@letiziacasconele faccio tanti auguri e buona fortuna con la sua scelta.
@@marnieweaver3935 for real. Just because they converted doesn't mean everyone else believes.
you’re seriously unwell if you think a survivor has to revolve her story/life around your feelings.
I'm glad you got out and that you are teaching others about your lifestyle!
When I was in my early 20’s I found my soul mate who was Saudi and French ( his mom was French) I understood that if I married him I would loose my freedom, and my children would be raised Muslim not out of their choice… I am now in my 50’s, I have never met another man whom I have had those feelings for again, but knew that I could not give up my Freedom …. And never have, I also raised two beautiful boys who became the men of their choosing , life has been hard, and getting married to him would have been easier, but I understood that my freedom has no price.
My dear i think his mother was not keen on you marrying her son, so she scared you off with the freedom story...
You would have had all the freedom you wanted if he was open minded and flexible...
Women have freedom in Saudi depending on what their husband's allow, and also depending which city they live in...
certain cities are more open and modern...
Times have changed alot since and Saudi women or foreign women have so much freedom of movement choices now.
@@greenleaf8226except.
@@greenleaf8226 I know one thing, I'll never go to SA to find out whether that is true or not.
@@janetpartyka5968 ...
nobody will miss you in SA, not the locals and not the thousands of happily living in compounds expats either.
I don’t think you understand the point. The point is not maybe being able to live happily ever after, the point is that your freedom will be determined by your husband willing to let you have and express your freedom. This is a huge difference. I am quite sure that a lot of women might enjoy their life there. But what is about women who don’t ? And by the way, I have been living more than 20 years in Middle East, speak fluent Arabic and count a lot of Muslim women my friends. So I am definitely not ignorant of middle Eastern culture 😉!
I'm not arab but iranian
I've started questioning my religion since I was 14 .for me it is unacceptable that I worth less just bc of my gender .I got tired of islam being in favour of men most of the time if not always.I've been called almost every terrible thing one can say to a woman for defending my gender .
I'm really proud of iranian women and every brave woman who fights for her rights and stops supporting oppressing women.
Iranian women are VERY brave, and intelligent too!
@@marnieweaver3935 ❤️
Do you understand that that's just Iranian culture and not Islam. Real Islam doesn't see women as less than men. Do your research.
@@ssamssssamss9408 Do Not insult our culture !!
We have a rich history centuries before islam was created ,and women were treated well and respected.
We even had queens who were great rulers.
Islam is what ruined my precious country .
Zarathustra,iranian religion founder,also respected his daughter and asked her opinion about her marriage .while muslim treat women as sex objects.
Most of our young generation is leaving islam .
@@IrisDel-qo8xi Also, it wasn't Islam that ruined your country, it was the people in power. They are not the same thing!
Thank you for highlighting the plight of ex-Muslim women. I'm an ex-Muslimah myself and most of us never share our stories because traditional Islam wants us dead.
exactly! if the roles were reversed and men were having to abide by all these restrictions and rules then i guarantee no man would wanna stay or convert to this religion
Well done 👍
BAM! Right. Well said!
@@aizichi some forms of islam are restrictive to men too, not as much as it is towards women, but many many men don’t like it either, and they can’t say anything against it. If they do they will also be murdered. it's become an all consuming state sanctioned institution that is bigger than any individual, group, or gender. Anyone who dissents is murdered.
I politely disagree.
Traditional Islam doesn’t want you dead, cultural traditions might and have wanted to harm women.
I was friendly with a young Saudi-born woman who had been married to a wealthy Saudi businessman. When they visited Britain she told him that she had never believed in Islam ... and left him. She told me that even as very young child she thought of Islam as being "male domination of women" and, so she told me, she "planned her escape" ... by agreeing to marry her husband if he rook her to Europe with him during his business trips. On one occasion when I was talking with her her phone rang. After speaking in Arabic to the person who phoned her she grinned and said: "They think I'm mad" ... and laughed. I myself have never been religious. She'd introduced herself to me after listening in to a conversation I was having with friends outside a London Starbucks ... there was no doubt that her thinking was that of someone who found religious belief alien to way she thought. She'd abandoned a very wealthy lifestyle in order to "be herself".
Nice
Does anyone know how a woman who has an Italian mom and Saudi dad sounds like she comes from the Midwesr of US?
@@micheleh5269 .. because she's probably much better educated than most people here in the US. Other countries teach English in school from the very beginning, unlike here where many people can't even grasp the English language they were born with.
Respect for that woman! Hope she's doing great and thriving!
@micheleh5269 Most of the private schools in Saudi or Dubai are American international schools.
This is insane. When I was a kid, my dad was told he had to go to Saudi Arabia for 3 years with his family for the airforce. Thank god my mother put her foot down and said there was no way she was taking her daughters over there. It ended my father's military career yet saved his daughters from being treated like garbage for 3 years.
😮❤
If you think all Saudi women are treated like a garbage you are tripping
well the sons and daughters of military have different lives then the locals
You mom's definitely a smart women.
You would have been on a compound, not the same at all.
"Cult to Consciousness"
I'm also an ex-muslim. Born into a conservative Pakistani Muslim family and never even allowed to ask any question about the doctrine or Mohammad's character till I come to USA. And my journey from "Cult to Consciousness" was (and still is) eye opener. I'm supper happy for Jasmin and admire her courage. Blessings.
You should also congratulate yourself for your courage and bravery too.
Hi there :) I am curious what was your experience as a Pakistani Muslim, and you see the society and religion now? I am curious because I am currently involved with a man from the same country and religion, and I am concerned with the religion and what that might mean for us in the future. I am not Muslim, I'm Romanian from an ex Orthodox Christian. We had discussions about it, and he made it clear that his family would want his wife to accept Islam and his kids to be raised Muslim?, but he also argues they are more open minded and would not force anything.
@@Andreea6442An advise run otherwise your kids will pay the price.
@@Andreea6442 Run, & run fast! They're looking for an obedient slave. This may seem harsh, but it is the pure truth. RUN!
The only woman who explained exactly the fear and humiliation and unworthiness that you feel as a child when you have your first period… we all need a right of passage ceremony and celebration to dissolve this emotion we have deep inside our womb …
saudi ex-muslim here - thank you for sharing your story Jasmin! we need more courageous people like you to talk about us and make our suffering more visible.
homosapien, Having a live-in Filipina maid who takes care of your three children every minute of the day and cooks the most succulent Asian and Middle Eastern dishes for you, your husband and your three children every day; having an Indonesian driver who at the snap of your fingers brings the car around, opens the doors for you, and drives you to your university so you can work on your degree in business administration and takes you twice a week to the local hospital so you can do your aerobic exercises; and going to places like Dubai, Beirut, Paris, London, Bangkok, and Singapore every year with your MUSLIM SAUDI husband does not sound like much suffering to ME. I am talking about the life of a middle class Saudi woman whom I have known personally and whose lifestyle is typical of millions of middle class MUSLIM Saudi women. Suffering?!?!
💪🐻❤️ wow, I didn't know you guys felt that way. I'm so sorry. it must be horrific.
@@raffiminassian2339 not all saudi women live like that, not at all. some do but the majority do not
After that he cheats on her with the maid @@raffiminassian2339
I am ex muslem . My life so peaceful and freedom right now . Life is wonderful
@@monayanti5935 glad that your life is so peaceful and wonderful right now. Right now are the key words here. I don’t know anything about you but I am certain that Islam isn’t
responsible for whatever your life was before you made the very foolish decision to leave it. There are many many Muslim women including myself who have great lives because of Islam so how do you explain that?
You’ve drunk the kool-aid.
@@monamobarek Kindly look up the word & read up on 'internalized misogyny', sadly it runs rampant amongst religious women, both Muslim & christian, also Jewish, etc.
@@DrJoySmithMaxwell I’m not in denial that misogyny exists as I know very well that it does. Im saying that it doesn’t stem from Islamic teachings. The fact that it is practiced culturally is another matter. We should be careful not to conflate religion and culture.
@@monamobarek It's obviously a combination of religion and culture, and since those grew and developed together, it's not feasible, possible, reasonable or honest to dissect them and assign every bad thing to the culture and every good thing to the religion. It is denial.
We see the same misogyny everywhere where Islam (most other religions as well for that matter) is prevalent, especially if it's governed by Sharia law. You see the same misogyny in a somewhat secular European leaning country like Turkey, you see the same misogyny in Iran, even though their original religion and culture was much different than today's. You see the same misogyny in possibly every Arab country, you see the same misogyny in Islamic parts of the Asian world as well. This is not a coincidence.
You can claim it's all humans who corrupt the religion, and it is not the Islamic teachings (which is also very debatable imho as someone who read the Quran). But this just means that the teachings provide a fruitful breeding ground for misogyny if every part of the Islamic world is deeply, inhumanly misogynistic.
There are a lot of ex-Muslim women in this comment section who explain what part of the teachings and what part of the culture they don't agree with. Claiming that everyone is uneducated about the teaching of Islam is a logical fallacy (no true scotsman fallacy) and denying their experience is basically gaslighting.
No true scotsman fallacy: "You made what could be called an appeal to purity as a way to dismiss relevant criticisms or flaws of your argument. In this form of faulty reasoning one's belief is rendered unfalsifiable because no matter how compelling the evidence is, one simply shifts the goalposts so that it wouldn't apply to a supposedly 'true' example. This kind of post-rationalization is a way of avoiding valid criticisms of one's argument."
It is basically impossible to defend any religion especially Islam without making any logical fallacies. I'm sorry.
My faith is Sikhism, and it was one of the first religions founded in India that argued women are equal to men, and a woman on her period is a beautiful not shameful thing. Women in our faith are not excluded from praying or touching our holy book during their menstrual cycles. At the time when our faith was founded, many Hindu and Muslim women were often segregated and shamed in India during their menstrual cycles. This was not the case with our faith at all. I am very thankful that I grew up as a Sikh, and it breaks my heart that Jasmin and her sisters grew up in a culture that shamed them for being women and restricted how they could live.
My husband is Sikh...and no, the society is still misogynistic.
OH, and why don't women granthis work at the Golden Temple? Yeah, Sikhism is better than some Islamic schools of thought but Punjabi Sikhs have a lot of work to do to be able to say they support equality.
@@seekthetruthfindit6879 I don't disagree. Sikhism can definitely improve in many areas. Many faiths and cultures have room for improvement.
@@seekthetruthfindit6879exactly. You cannot claim your religion treats men and women equally when they do not allow women to hold certain positions.
Down south and west where, Islamic invasions weren’t tolerated, we celebrate menstruation. We have a small puja, but mostly it’s women and friends who celebrate, we decorate the house and have good food.
Shringaar is very important part of the ceremony, it’s simple actually.
I have attended many such functions in Maharashtra and have heard of such across Odisha to Karnaataka to Tamil.
I am clueless about north in this regard.
Just to shame hinduism without knowing about our way of life is not good.
.
Thank you! I was a "prisoner" in the UAE for years! I have been thinking of writing a book as well. I have an inspirational person now.
💛💛
Please do write a book! The UAE is portrayed as so glam and international. You documenting your experience would be both educational and a therapy for you
write a book like christian prince id recommend u to read his book to Sex and allah and deception of allah
I wish you could share your story with this channel.
Good luck with your book☺
Women are underestimated, I'm a Mennonite woman.... I learned a lot about self value ..... Thanks very much 🙏🙏🙏
Indiana born here, very familiar with your religion. You must be questioning if your on the internet!😅
Mennonite has so much sexual and power suppression
I know someone who left finally and she’s still dealing with the trauma
@@AFreckledAngelMany Menonnites use electricity and electronics. Our religions all over the world are definitely on a spectrum.
Her story is obviously amazing, but what amazes me the most is how articulate and fluent she is in a language that isn't even her native language. Sounds like a native. Incredible!
❤😊
Her mother spoke english
I was about to say the same. I live in American for 16 years and still speaking with accent. Maybe because her mom was an English teacher and she grown up exposed to different languages she developed this talent. Great life story, definitely deserves a book. Can’t wait to read her book!
I'm a filipina, people say i have an American-ish accent even tho I've never been there😂 I grew up reading lots of books and watching Hollywood movies. I also was the best in english multiple times, I speak english more than my own language. I love it that much i guess😂
@@ALLWILLBEOVERR🥰🥰🥰
My cousin who is non Arab, grew up in Saudi Arabia, her family moved to the US when she was a teenager... she told me she felt very traumatized growing up there and never really wanted to talk about it... the look on her face said it all...
She's lying 😂
I met Syrian couple.She immediately told me not to worry, we’re the Christian ones. I hated to tell her I wasn’t religious at all.
@@laneneal3510 i just wish that you guys would stop taking people's opinions and the media news as facts
Come meet us
We had a guy from Saudi Arabia come here via the Foreign Exchange Program and he NEVER wanted to talk about his childhood/teenage years there. Totally fair because from what I've heard about and read it's a very dangerous country to live in in some parts, including the part he lived (I always wondered if he really was here via the F.A.P or if he was a refugee fleeing his country (which looking back now makes more sense than the F.A.P theory; I did overhear him tell our school counselor that he watched his brother be beheaded for refusing to fight in a war when he (the brother) was 10. He (the F.A.P guy/refugee) tried to justify it by saying he was being disrespectful and dishonoring the family and the Army (I'm guessing that's the story he was told and he was so brainwashed he actually believed it...at least back then, he's still here and now that he's deconstructed he doesn't believe it, he actually thinks now that he looks back, that the Army just did it for kicks)
My ex husband is from Saudi Arabia he was born in Taif but his tribe from Albaha. He grew up seeing people being executed I think they have a lot of trauma combined with narcissism. We tried going to therapy but he gave up. He’s a very cold person maybe because of.
I was explaining this Islamic attitude to women to a younger female here in uk. So many don’t know the truth of how women are half of a man’s worth in this culture.. bravo for getting free and speaking out! ❤👏🏼👏🏼
In UK why it's not an Muslim country they should not have this short of things going on why do they let them do anything like this in an Christian countries and why Muslims move to those countries if they want to continue their strong religion believes they should rely go to the similar countries surrounding if they don't want to integrate the culture of the country that they live in ....
@@JR-lu8rcBecause muslims area bunch of hypocrites and western governments are so blind to the evil of islam
@@JR-lu8rcIt’s probably better for them to know just to keep their guard up. I’m not British, but my mom always warns me about checking out the boyfriend’s cultural background because nowadays it’s very easy to marry someone from an unfamiliar background and get yourself into some sort of unpleasant situations (sometimes it’s benign, sometimes it’s awkward but eye-opening, sometimes it could cost you your life).
before i get into this video, i just want to say i am so proud this woman is freed from the extreme oppressions. My heart breaks.
My exact thoughts as well!
We aren't oppressed
@@Abbyravenclaw92 could you elaborate how you’re not oppressed?
@@Abbyravenclaw92 please look up the meaning of "Internalized misogyny". Bests
@@Janewomanpower without Lust Islam is dust
Love that she said she had lots of self-worth and dignity and how that protected her from making unsafe decisions as a teen! So important.
The extent to which religions go to control women never ceases to astonish me. Even worse when the religion and the state are united.
@hopekevans
This is the fate of the United States of America if donald dump ever gets to set foot into the WH again. Not because he´s religious (far from it - for him religious people just useful idiots whose credulity he can exploit), but because the evangelicals are all in on stripping women of their rights and freedoms. He wants to go back to a point in time where women were just trophies and armcandy adorning successful businessmen.
@hopekevans
This is the fate of the United States of America if donald dump ever gets to set foot into the WH again. Not because he´s religious (far from it - for him religious people just useful idiots whose credulity he can exploit), but because the evangelicals are all in on stripping women of their rights and freedoms. He wants to go back to a point in time where women were just trophies and armcandy adorning successful businessmen.
That's how women have been slaves for thousands of years.
To control women, and yet, to be ruled from the Stone Age mentality!!
*Islam. No other religion I know of oppresses women so greatly.
If you know any other religion, let me know
I’m just amazed her mother left a beautiful free Italian life to relocate to a desert civilisation stuck in the 6th century. The mind truly boggles.
Yes, for me this is a lesson to think not only for yourself when you are young, but for your future children who will be born in this primitive environment... It is better to stay in Italy and marry to another man.
She loved him.
@@mango38628let him move to Italy then.
@@jenniferj5324 I'm not stopping him from moving to Italy
Love & youth is nieve & blind😢
When we are in love we foolishly think we can overcome all impediments ....
Also, when we leave home hungry ( for love) we will swallow lies without too much question...
Hearing Jasmin talk about her sister moving to the US, with their father's blessing, is so sweet. What a huge accomplishment, to pave the way for her sister! I imagine she has set an example of independence and freedom for many other women as well.
❤❤
I paved the way for my sister but I paid with my youth, my mental health and an eternal resentment against my dad who killed all my goals and dreams but happily and willingly went out of his way to make my sister’s come true.
@@ElleD-u9c I'm sorry that happened to you! It's not fair or right for anyone to have to go through that.
Heavily depends on the COUNTRY, the family and the environment. My lovely friend Rania is from Jordan, she grew up in a modern way and was allowed to do as she wished. Another friend is from Iraq, she is Catholic from Kurdistan and they had to follow every single rule of Islam from the age of 7 until her family was able to escape. She has scars on her face and arms because she didn’t follow a rule and was beaten for it. She was never Muslim, her family have been Catholics since St. Thomas went through Iraq on his way to India a thousand years before Mohammed. She hates Islam, and mourns for her country because of it.
I am Catholic. Catholicism is the church Jesus Christ founded.
o8581 Jesus Christ did NOT "found" the Catholic church, exclusive of all other Christian denominations. That's a LIE. The truth is that Jesus Christ founded Christianity; all who believe that he is the Son of God, and that God the Father raised him from the dead, and OBEY Jesus as Lord of their life, RECEIVE the Spirit of God within them, and the ETERNAL LIFE that comes with his Spirit, Romans 8: 11,
If, moreover, the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from among the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised from among the dead Christ Jesus, shall make alive [even] your death-doomed bodies, through means of his indwelling Spirit within you.
Not true, because there is a dark side to Catholicism🤔 God give us choices . They do not follow all the Biblical principles. They have traditions of men. 😮 They hiding secrets. I am sure there might be some sincere souls in this organization. But don’t ever say that Jesus built this church, because HE DID NOT! That day the Pope as if he is God on earth 🌍 and he is sinner like the rest of us. Do you your homework .There are nuns who could tell you a story or two. About the evil that has gone on and stills gone on !! Praying for these young women and some men.
Sorry what is your point?@@susanamoroso8581
1000 years before Mohammad there were no Christian saints, your timeline needs a little work.
im thankful for every muslim that leaves Islam for freedom and finds it. I find their testimonys powerful.
Yeah, it's true freedom mentally. But still stuck in a majority muslim country.
These oppressive habits including degrading women and restricting their freedom in the Gulf states and Iran are far from Islam and have nothing to do with Islam. They are social habits related to the ignorance era before Islam. Islam has freed societies and people from such practices which Islam totally reject. Islam is misunderstood by many of its people and others as well. Islam has been abused and misused cheap political objectives.
I don’t think you should condemn the whole religion of Islam
I’m thankful for anyone that leaves a religion that subjugates them, and it certainly isn’t just Islam.
@@hodelhophopp9386you should read Quran 65-4. Maybe you will change your opinion. Also, David Wood, and Pfander films with Jay Smith are a wealth of information on Islam.
"A cult can be just as small as your home and family." YES! I am so glad that she acknowledges this because it's so true! And another thing I want to add is that the disabled are prime targets and essentially sitting ducks, to be preyed upon by cult leaders. I know I grew up (and am still living in) a culty environment. I call it "the cult of the disabled" because I'm in a wheelchair so my mom thinks she has to control pretty much every aspect of my life. What I eat, how I dress, when I shower, when I take my meds, where I go (I absolutely am forbidden from going to parties with my friends unless a "responsible adult" is there...I'm 34 mind you) One of the only things I absolutely WILL NOT let her take control of (and she is quite pissed about it) is who my friends are and the conversations and activities I partake in online (which is nothing lewd or lascivious.) Truth be told sex scares the hell out of me because of how susceptible I am to being raped and I've already been molested twice). But yes, I absolutely believe the disabled can be prime targets for getting into culty situations.
"Never stand in the way of a woman who has her own identity and self figured out. Ever ever ever! I FREAKIN' LOVE THIS SO MUCH! THIS GIRL IS DA BOMB DIGGITY!
I am so sorry your mom is so controlling? do you want more independence? maybe you can find a way to live alone? (if thats what you want)I know a lot of people in wheelchairs do.
❤ Stay strong!
I went through this phase I wanted to become a Muslim. I. discussed with my therapist and realized this was a trauma response. I just wanted to hide out, after an abusive marriage
Read about the Jenny Hatch Project which was put into law about 14 years ago. Jenny Hatch was in a group home. Her Mom & Step Dad were her guardians. Her employer of 14 years at a Thrift Shop got a lawyer for Jenny Hatch. Jenny went before the judge and stated that she should be able to choose her own sponsor even though she was Down syndrome and needed help in some areas. The judge granted her rights and now it in most all the states as the Jenny Hatch Project. Britney Spears used that method to get her rights from her Father. Jenny speaks and help other people with disabilities gain their rights. I keep Jenny every Saturday and some weeks when her sponsor who is a psychologist have to go out of town. I have a Down Syndrome very intelligent gifted son who has been friends with Jenny for a long time. You can be disabled and still have certain freedoms & rights.
@@LoveAuntAshley I think yr mom has her reason and u yrself testify that u was twice molested. You are vulnerable and yr mom understands it and because she loves u she is protecting u from any harm. You should be thankful. You should understand that it is not easy for her, sacrificing her life to take care of u. You westerners u dnt understand that, u only want freedom!! In my country we know our vulnerability and we would be grateful to hve such a mother.
I was born into a patriarchal religion. I was raised to be a wife, mother and homemaker. My 1st marriage gave me my 2 wonderful children. My second marriage was to a man who was bipolar. After my life was threatened, I left the marriage. He took his own life after the divorce. I'm still picking up the pieces and trying to make the best of my new normal. Thank you for telling your story, for in it I heard my own.
Prayers of peace to you!
One day at a time.
It is almost my story. I have only been married once, but in fundamental Baptist church. My pastor kept telling me I had to do what my ex said to do even though they were bad decisions for the family. He also had MS and severe PTSD. The night I found me and my daughters sleeping in the one area his wheelchair could go was my breaking point. He died 2 years later due to complications of his MS. I am still working on finding myself 20 years later. Thank you Jasmine for sharing. Thank you Shelise and Jonathan for all of your work. It helps so many of us.
❤
Wow thank you for sharing your strength and resilience inspires so many God bless you and your children ❤️
What religion?
I'm so grateful that Jasmine made it here. This country is lucky to have this incredible woman to teach and mentor people that are here!
❤❤❤
My best friend travelled to The Maldives a few years back and fell asleep on the plane and woke up with a man with his hand up her shirt and going down her pants. She immediately got up and told the flight staff. They informed the authorities country she had her layiver in what had happened as well so they could be aware. She had a full flight and her family member agreed to switch seats so she didn’t have to sit next to this man. When the arrived at the United Arab Emirates airport she was immediately approached by armed men. Her family was so taken aback they started recording it. These men then threatened her family and forced them to erase the video. They told her that if she wanted to press charges that she would be made to stay in the country and remain there until whatever legal action she was attempting to take on the man transpired. She was told she would not be allowed to go to The Maldives and then come back to give any further statements. She had very little time to make the decision because she only had a few hours of a layover and needed to catch another flight. And they were not only armed but also treating her as if she was the perpetrator. They even said the man admitted what he did to them and if she would just take his apology and leave their country. She was frightened and decided to just get on her next flight. This is how they treated a woman not from their country who is not expected to exist within their rules I can only imagine how terrible those who are may be treated. And not demonizing a whole group of people. Using they referring to those people who don’t actually value a woman’s life.
Was it a Saudi man that did that to your best friend?
@@bohbovelaa_699 yes he was traveling through like she was but he was on his way home.
As horrible as it had to be ... she was smart to just leave. I lived in Saudi for 3 years under Sharia law. If your friend had gone to trial, her testimony would have had a value of half of the man's testimony. They most likely would have twisted the testimony by blaming your friend for things like what she was wearing or accusing her of "tempting" the man (even if she was asleep). It's always the woman's fault.
I witnessed similar things quite a few times when I lived in the Middle East. For instance, I worked at a hospital and witnessed when rape victims would come into the hospital ... even women who were giving birth to a baby after they had been raped. The women were treated as if they caused their own rape. Some women would be begging not to be sent home with their families because they knew they would be beaten when they were home.
Sharia law is not an equal and just law. It is not "demonizing" a group of people if you are just speaking the truth regarding the beliefs that they hold in their culture along with the laws that they have created. If anyone thinks that speaking out about the facts makes others look like "demons" then you have to ask who then is responsible for that ... the person pointing it out or the person with that behavior?
Im so shocked
@@TrulyJefferson breaks my heart that this happens to any woman anywhere!! Absolutely unacceptable and the man admitted what he did to the armed police there and they still treated her that way. I believe people should be allowed to have their own beliefs as long as they aren’t harming others.
I went through Jordan while changing planes, travelling and was wearing a head scarf. I was told off in Arabic by a Muslim guard because my neck was showing. A female staff member came and asked me if I was Muslim and I said no so he dropped it.
😮
Why were you wearing a headscarf in Jordan??
Its not a rule or law...
Half the women in Jordan do not cover their hair... its a very freedom of choice country.
I’m an American Muslim who lived in Jordan.. you’re not required to cover in Jordan.. It’s actually illegal in Jordan to enforce and preach religion to protect the Christian population and I’m sure there’s Jews there too.. I think you assumed that’s what he said
DON'T do this!!! You do the women in those countries no favours!! Western women must use their passport and relative power to REFUSE to wear that rag in Muslim countries, in solidarity with women forced, brainwashed or pressured into it (the bast majority).
weak men so easily tempted by the innocence of a female .
I think it's very important to appreciate the immense help that was Jasmin's mother's support. As an Italian born woman, she was siding with her daughter's fears and dreams, not crushing her. So many traditional homes lack that support
I watched this almost fully before commenting. Truly appreciate the honesty and courage to be candid, so logically here. But also really refreshing to see a Guest so articulate and a Host who is such a calm listener and is guding the host to speak more clearly on their story rather than keep interrupting egotistically. Very refreshing!
😊🙏
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
@@katwitanruna without Lust Islam is dust
I also just met a couple. The man was Black Arab and she was just Arab. They told her he was dirty and beneath her. They tried to stop the wedding. And she was shunned by a lot of her family. Hasn't stopped to since before the wedding.
I hope she is safe from reprisals
Can you please explain what "Hasn't stopped to since before the wedding" means? This is incomprehensible
That’s horrible, I hope they are happy together and good for each other
What is wrong with some people?
THE ARAB CULTURE IS NOT ISLAM. It's sad how Saudia Arabia interpret Islam , but it is not islam.
even though i‘m not strong enough to watch this video for the many triggers in there i want to say thank you for everything that you do with shedding light on these things!
Practicing Self care is not only strong, it invites others to cultivate our strength as well. Also, you commented, so you’re contributing actively to something you deeply believe in; you’re not just throwing your hands up and saying “too much”; you’re regulating your intake of triggering material w/ intelligence and compassion- you’re doing amazing 💜⚡️
❤️❤️❤️
Sending you so much love ❤
@@sarahissersohn5495 thank you for the kind words, that was really empowering ❤️
Sharing your thoughts here is amazing to me❤ The bravery and courage this took for you is commendable! For what it's worth, I recognize your strength and I'm proud of you! Sending you hugs, love and healing❤ Yes, healing is hard, but staying stuck is harder. You are a warrior 💪 keep pushing forward, you got this😊!
I thank you for your bravery in sharing your story. I lived in SA in the 1980's, I will never forget the stunningly beautiful woman across the aisle from me, who, 20 minutes out of Jeddah disappeared into her Abaya. The image has stayed with me all these years, my heart broke for her. As a western, married woman I faced restrictions but nothing like what Saudi women experienced, bless you.
I just want to say to say how much I love this channel/podcast 🙃Thankyou for giving so many survivors such a wonderful platform to be seen and heard 🥰
Thank you for your support!😁
@CultstoConsciousness Reminds me of the life of frederick douglas, Born into oppression through no fault of his own and forced to cannive an escape.
@@CultstoConsciousnessyou nonsense you Very bad luc welcome jahannam
People are so uneducated about the difference between nationality, race and ethnicity. I'm from Texas and when I refer to someone as being a Mexican everyone gets bent out of shape and accuses me of being racist. I get tired of explaining to people that calling someone who was born in Mexico a Mexican is not racist. It's their nationality and has nothing to do with their race. It's exhausting trying to explain something so simple.
Agreed as someone also from Texas. Although I guess Mexicans do exist as a race just like how Americans exist as a race when referring to the natives. However the natives actually have tribal names that they prefer.
You may not be racist but others are.
I am not Hispanic.
When I was in High School, I grew a mustache while working at McDonald's. The boss ordered me to shave it off and yelled that I looked like a dirty Mexican.
Many years later, I was dating a young woman who had just come to the United States from Argentina. She was disturbed that everyone called her Mexican.
That boss was horrible to make a statement like that, also discrimination. People can be such bigots.
Texan here...married a Mexican man...should I be offended because I get mail and phone calls from Spanish speaking people just because my last name is definitely Spanish....I was shocked how little people knew the difference between ethnic background...race and state of birth in 1979...when asked people would respond I am a Texan 😂
I'm pale..extremely...with auburn hair, But i'm also a hundred percent Hispanic...go figure. People do not understand ethnicity and 'race' ....agreed
I am Ex-Muslim, from Pakistan 🇵🇰. Lot of love and respect 🌺🌹
Good luck and solidarity
Fake, on one video you said you are from kolkata
Way name Muslim way nonsense
Dear brother be careful it is very dangerous Please cover your face.
Because leaving as an ex-Muslim in Pakistan is dangerous.
@@yeacinhossain103
A name doesn't mean anything. Your personality your identity define you. Who classified names according to religion ? 😂😂😂
This is correct. I am a fair-pink skin, hazel eyed, born blonde - middle eastern from northern Iraq. The fact that we are all jumbled up into one ethnic background is bizarre. The Middle East is so diverse in its genetic pool.
Plenty of slavery was going on in the middle east.. they went to war for white woman lol!....
@@samrazzleberry islam =problem
Well that would mostly come from the slavery times as back in the day white slaves from the north were brought to Middle East as exotic slaves. Which continues to this day and even Muhammad himself wanted to raid a city because the women were light skinned.
@@Lilliz91 I’m hardly of Arab descent. So that’s incorrect. There is a lot of genetic pools in the M.E. - Anatolian, Netufian, Zargrossian etc etc they’re not all modern day Arabs
@@samrazzleberry
They lurrrrve white woman lol!....
Mohammed said " let us attack the Romans for the blondie girls "" yep , exactly words .....
Ishmaelites are mentioned in the bible as slave traders ....they bought Joseph....
My heart breaks for every woman trapped in this religion. The worst thing is that it is almost impossible to escape because they do not have their documents and can be locked in their homes for life. And then those long, black clothes they have to wear in such heat, while the men don't have to. It is a great injustice and shame in the history of humanity. To say that women are worth half of a man. Women who are creative, who have a thousand talents, intelligence, and can give birth to new life. I feel sick. I don't know how this young woman had such clarity of thought.
She is such a brave heart!❤
Well said. You bring up having to be covered head to toe in black fabric - I actually have a Muslim friend to has tried to convince me that it’s actually helping to keep her cool…in the summer heat…
Tell me where is in any islamic book is "women are worth half of men" And do not feel sorry for me. I am happily muslim women
The black is cultural norm not religious. In my country niqabis wear all sorts of color because it is not a norm here.
And let me just add that much as it is hard to "free" Yourself from religion it is equally as hard to do the opposite and embrasse more your religion in my case islam because is depends on your surrounding... Breaking from anything that is considered the norm in your surrounding is HARD.. Go watch some Muslim revert stories
That's simply NOT true really 👎🏻
Muslim men also must cover - up from head to toe!
Don't speak nonsense out of h
Hatred and Racism and Islamophobia❕ 😒
I get so emotional when I hear/watch the stories of women and their journeys of knowing themselves. This woman is a force!
Women are incredible. They restore the faith in humanity that men destroy in me daily.
Hello
Wow! What a great interview! Thanks for this. I’ve lived in SAUDI for 4 years as an expat due to work. Once I met two women and they were Saudi, they were artists, painters, they showed me their art. And I wanted to take a picture of them holding up their art 🖼️, but they had to veil themselves for the picture. And I still have that photo, two invisible women without a face holding up their beautiful art! This was heartbreaking to see, because it was literally that these women were just invisible, as if they weren’t there, much like ghosts. Although their art was representing them and yet nobody could see. This was truly sad to me. I also had to wear a hijab in some areas which felt hot in that weather and suffocating. I just hated it. But while you’re there you just have to respect the culture. These days Saudi is getting more and more liberal, young people have a bit more freedom, some women aren’t wearing hijab at all which was unheard of some 7-10 years ago.
Thank you for sharing that!
Did you tell those ladies that the moment they viled they become invisible in your eyes. Just because their identity is different than yours and they embrasse it.. If I wear in their shoes I would find this just disrespectful to me
@@omaimaakrach7183 The purpose is to make women invisible. That's what you should find disrespectful.
Except that is Not the purpose...it is literally written in the Quran in what means "so that they could be recognized but not hurt"@@marnieweaver3935
I just find it odd that a women will interact with other women normally but the moment they change clothes they become suddenly invisible to her and she pitty them ... I just fail to understand this reasoning
As a Muslim, I really appreciate the nuance in this conversation. I think that fundamentalism affects the immediate community the most.
So Wonderful You had the Bravery, Courage and Determination to escape that Horrible, Disgusting, Inhumane environment.
Welcome to the U.S.
Hope You're Very Happy here.
💛🇺🇸
This is so healing to watch! I’m only 14 so I still have years until I can fully escape this religion but I’m glad I got to break free off the indoctrination that everyone around me was so dead set putting me in early T-T I just gotta find a way to cope w me living in this arab country until then
As someone with ADHD, I’ve always found it extra tiring and exhausting to do all these excessive rituals that Islam puts through. I hated myself so much for always feeling this way and thought that I was being a horrible person for not wanting to do these practices. My ADHD is ruining my life but at the same time it saved me and helped me make the first step in realizing how frustrating this religion is lol
I hate the idea of hijab so much!! It doesn’t veil men from anything and they will still hurt women (maybe even more because they’re given a mindset that seggualize women and young girls even more by making things innocent such as HAIR “temptations”
Plus even if they were tempations why is it our fault ;-; this is victim blaming to the max.. it’s not my fault I don’t want to be covered head to toe in 45 degree weather when I’m already sweating like a waterfall in short sleeved clothes and shorts. why didn’t the aLl mIGHTy AlLaH think that covering women so much in the hot weather?!? i don’t want vitamin d deficiency (which is actually more common in women and girls who covered up)
I hate when they say hijab is a choice too because it NEVER IS!! they’re just saying that to cope w the situation they’re in. my mom literally threatens me saying stuff like “I’m a horrible Muslim” for not wanting to wear hijab
Can’t wait to escape from this religion and country 😭😭 i cant do anything cuz im a minor so gotta keep pretending so I don’t get killed or disowned loll
“it’s a choice” comes from such a place of privilege. just because it’s a choice for you doesn’t mean it is for everyone else. it’s so insensitive to me when they say it with such pride. good luck to you btw 👊
I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope you can escape too. Hopefully you can go to school abroad. I know you don’t believe but I will be praying for you. 🙏
You are a very brave girl. Don't listen when they tell you you're a bad person because you don't like the hijab. You are here for a reason and it's okay for you to have all those thoughts and feelings about the religion you're born into. Hold on tight to your hopes and dreams. This is a big world we live in and you will find where you fit in. Stay safe and keep planning your escape. You are worthy of the life you dream of.
❤
I just want to say that you are so wise beyond your years. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Sending love from a fellow Italian-Arab (American)
❤
@@jasmin-faulk-dickersonnonsense
R u X-Muslim ?
@@sarathchandran3503 yes
@@ZachLane89
I have more than 5 X-muslim friends. Actually they teach me real Islam. And told me to teach the kids in my religion (Hinduism). Because otherwise kids will fall in the falls profit and cult religion ❤️
What an amazing story! I so admire her courage and bravery to be so determined to forge her own way in life.
You listen so well and ask such good questions and follow up.
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❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤.
Congratulations beautiful lady for
leaving thé cult of islam.
Ex-muslim since 2018 from Sénégal
in west Africa.
From haalpular tribe.
The concept of a guardian that she speaks about is her cultural understanding of a religious concept called a "wali". This is from Islam. In Islam the wali's consent is required for marriage not business. Also for travel, a mahram (male related by specific blood/milk/marital ties) should accompany a female to protect her not to restrict her. A father/husband is the provider AND the protector for females. This all goes back to when there were no modern nation States with laws, systems and regulations to provide a safe livelihood and society. This woman is EXTREMELY privileged but she has also an extremely narrow experience.
@@Sciencegrinds Trying to couch a woman’s lack of agency under the wali and mahram concept as helpful or not bad is the height of cognitive dissonance.
Shelise, I think one of your gifts is really seeing people and in turn making them feel seen. Thank you for your work and sharing your gift. Jonathan thanks for your work and supporting our gal you know we appreciate you too 💜
100%
And just fancy.Without us woman there would be no dictatorial men.They need to move with the times.
And is why some abuse women. They can't give birth so they control it. The jealousy of women by muslim men is screaming loud
I’m not sure anyone should move with times. If you were moving with times in Nazi Germany, you could become a monster. I think it is better to stand with respect no matter the culture or trends.
Agree!! Totally absurd!!
@@lelamaciolek1166so those who opposed and fought against the nazis should have just stayed put and respected their beliefs? Is this what you are trying to say?
That's why Japan has a declining birthrate. They cannot convince women to make babies and be tied to the apron.
This always breaks my heart. Congratulations on your freedom and your bravery for speaking out.
❤
Yay!! I get So Happy when there are family members who really try to help Survivors finally Escape... The second she said, "My mom knew a little bit more to the story..." I was instantly like, *GO! MOM!*. 🙌 And then, the cousins perfect safety net/ "vacation" Escape Plan. ✨🎉
The mom shouldn't have put her into this situation in the first place. :/
@@AngelDeedthat’s obvious. You can’t undo your mistakes though. Only try to make them right.
@@AngelDeedagree with you that it's unfortunate that her mom put her in this situation in the first place. However honestly, Jasmine wouldn't exist if her mother hadn't married her father. And if you marry a foreign Muslim man you can pretty much guarantee that your life is not going to be your own. Especially a Saudi man. So choices were made when she picked her mate. Who you marry is one of the most important decisions anyone will ever make. It's crazy that it's traditional to not even have a choice in who you marry. But also I was happy that her mother knew and that she actually got to say goodbye to her mother. Because it means her mother understood and supported her decision. And she didn't have the pain of leaving her mom without her mom knowing.
@@therealdeal3672well said.
Having to wear a veil/cover says more about men's sexuality than about women's sexuality. A woman could wear many veils, but body language can convey more than any clothing !
Wow I came here early. Glad to see many ex muslims speak up. Now, where can I see ex-buddhists? It was a very romanticized religion in the western world but my experience is completely different as I grew up in China.
You should put your hand up
Try to get an interview. I've heard bad things too
Well, as any other religion it's often influenced by culture. I'm buddhist, an ethnic minority and my roots go all the way back to the beginning of the religion. So I have relatives in both India, Bangladesh and Myanmar - because the land borders came later. There isn't much difference in how Buddhism is practiced, but there is a huge difference in culture, mentality, views etc.. in these countries. My relatives in India are influenced by hinduism and Indian culture. My relatives in Bangladesh are influenced by Islam, culturally speaking they are the most conservative (my parents grew up in this area, but my grandparents lived long periods in Myanmar). Buddhism in Myanmar is similar to how Buddhism is practiced in Thailand (Theravada), and buddhism is more imbedded in the culture since it's the main religion there.
There are some strange traditions that I find outdated, such as only men can become monks and have duty to be one for a short period of time. Women can choose to be nuns, but they don't have the same status.
But besides that and a couple of other things, I do find the religion to be pretty decent and kind. I've seen it play out in many different types of settings. Buddhism in China, Buddhism in East-Asia, Buddhism in Tibet and Buddhism in Japan are different branches of Buddhism.
Buddhism in China is not reallly a thing anymore though. Credits to the CCP
I would love to hear your story. Or at least, write a summary in here.
❤ love this! Fantastic reporting! So many Americans have NO idea of this culture. We need this education. I'll look up and order the book!!😊
As a Saudi woman from very conservative Saudi parents, this is so authentic and true. She is reading my mind and all the provocative thoughts and worries that my daughter will live this. I'm trying my hardest but you can't rewrite the social and religious conventions independently. The good news, most new generations refuse these contradictions and belitteling beliefs. I believe in the future of the new generations of women and men to change these empowered by globalisation and true sicence-based knowledge
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The only way out would be if Islam no longer exists! And that will never happen. It’s been here for 1400 years and is not going anywhere. Only the second coming of Christ will wipe it out!
@@susiboh1183 I don't agree with that. I have been to church three times when i was doing my graduate studies in the west. Similar beliefs to Islam in different packages albeit Islam has more meanigful concepts. You need to understand the difference between religious-based practices versus cultural-based ones.
@@rehaba5763there is no way one in their right mind can follow a morally decrepit person such as Mohamed and build a good family , society and country. Societies built on the teachings of Christ will always produce the best fruits.
@@rehaba5763 because I studied thoroughly other religions, I found Jesus Christ as the only true God and as the absolute. Yes, Islam is similar because at first Mohammed lived with Christians and Jews and stole many things from their beliefs. So, you find the wife beatings, child marriages, slavery and polygamy more meaningful concepts?
I love that more women are feeling brave enough to speak out about this. No group should ever be above criticism if it's valid. Islam harms a lot of groups. I think there's a difference between adults who walk in eyes open and choose it and raising children in it
This reminded me of a book called "Not without my daughter" a true story. Also a TV movie was made based on the book.
Such a great eye opening interview with Jasmin. She is a very well spoken speaker, easy to listen to.
That books is stupid chrietian propaganda. You’re so naive if you truly believe the book is meant for anything else.
It was a true story, not just a book and a movie.
I read the book when I was very young and thought it was a fiction book, an invented story. It was a story that haunted me because I was a child who had to be kept away from an abusive father and I remember a night when my mother left him, leaving behind almost everything she had, except the 2 children, me and my brother. Then I had access to the Internet, I searched for the book and additional information. That's how I found out that there are many women in similar situations but who are unable to escape or who were left without children after they accepted that the children be taken to another country, without their mother. :( So many sad life stories!
@@taligordin-kaviani1569 Correct!
Just watched it the other night. In an interview, she said her gut told her not to go over there with him, but she did it anyway. LADIES, listen to your instincts!!!
What an incredible journey Jasmin has experienced. So intelligent from an early age, this had to be the only way to go forward. Jasmin has done this with passion, grace and determination to find her place in this crazy world. Her parents were her gift because of their own experiences, education and love for their children, it opened a path for other possibilities. Although her dad had difficulties accepting Jasmine's new life in America, I believe he regrets that he didn't come to visit now that he has crossed over and returned to the source. I wish for her peace, and all that fills her life with Joy. Thank you Jasmine for sharing your story, I know it will help many along the way.❤️🕊
Another wonderful interview! Jasmin is articulate, sensitive, courageous and has so much integrity! Shelise, a wonderful interview as always. I think you navigate the delicate tightrope of exposing some of the oppression of fundamentalist Muslim societies without being Islamophbic. Your respect for people's choices really shines through all your interviews. By the way, I want to mention another woman who went through a harrowing process of escaping Saudi Arabia from a violent family and a terrifyingly oppressive childhood in around 2018 or 2019 or so. The author now has asylum in Canada. The book is called REBEL, by Rahaf Mohammed and was published in 2022.
This woman has a great deal of inner strength to able to live and thrive in a secular world.
I teach English online to Saudi women. This clears up a LOT. Some of it I kinda already knew, but I understand deeply and in more detail now. Thank you for sharing. I’m getting the book too.
😊
Through what teaching program ?
Her story is hers. It’s not every Saudi woman’s feeling. Ask them instead of using this woman’s perspective to “explain” what you think you needed explaining.
Thank you for coming on and speaking your truth! The more light we shine the sooner the planet will no longer be in darkness.
So relate..I began conversion to Islam as a young woman when I married someone from a middle eastern country, in 1979 and spent extensive time there which cured me of wanting to convert. How I saw the religion practiced IRL was a big turnoff..but there are many positives to traditional cultures also.
I’m so so happy your saw the light and did not convert. Good for you!
did you stay married to that man?
@@emmymegify...what a nonsense comment... if she didnt convert its because of personal reasons and not because of what 'You' think the reasons might be.
@@greenleaf8226 what the hell are you even talking about?! Sounds like I hit a nerve…can’t handle any criticism regarding your beloved ‘prophet’?
@@emmymegify ... who says i muslim?... who decided i'm muslim?...
you?...who are you from far Far away to decide what religion i am?...perhaps you think your arrogant self to be psychic...
Facts are Facts... unfortunately some people like pointing judgmental fingers full of imaginary predjudiced assumptions about topics they know little about.
It is not islamaphobic to have genuine concerns about the religion and what that religious regime enforces on its citizens. It needs to stay in the Middle East - it is slowly creeping in to Western Countries and is doing so at our peril.
That's so funny that you are afraid of islam taking over, with no evidence, when there is ample evidence (and an actual path for) fundamentalist Christianity taking over the West. I'm more worried about what can actually happen, and what is ACTIVELY taking away women's rights.
That is a hateful and ignorant statement.
Yeah, it’s creeping into western countries by the far Christian right. Women are being legislated out of control of our own lives. Christofacism is a goal of the far right in the good old U.S.A.
@@Sciencegrindsno it’s not, if you went to Iran and such places and started preaching Christianity they would exclude you from society or kill you, particularly if you questioned their religion. Why would it be ignorant to question if they start preaching or converting many in your country under the guise of a peaceful religion when it isn’t. I’m ex-Muslim so I’m not talking out of my ass.
@@SciencegrindsI also know many women who have converted to Islam and married Muslim men. They have been abused. They have been excluded in the mosque. Myself being raised strict Muslim and my mother converting. Women have been treated less than consistently. I have watched young girls been humiliated for not “wearing the correct clothing”. There is a lot in the religion that does not align with western values and it’s not ignorant to question that. In fact I would say the opposite. They would have no issue humiliating and questioning and excluding you in their own countries.
This conversation is extremely intelligently articulated. Thanks for this video.
I have watched many of your podcasts in the last 2 years, but this is the most interesting and intelligent guest you've ever interviewed. So happy for her, that she's been able to achieve the kind of life she wants. May she live a long and happy life!
❤
I’ve heard audio of a Saudi woman, who I think was from the royal family there, and who was trying to escape the country, and who was literally dragged out of line, at the airport, within sight of her plane, by several of her uncles.
It seems like such an archetypal, primal battle-of-good-versus-evil primal terror, I can only imagine.
I used to have hyper vivid reoccurring nightmares every night as a kid, (my way of processing living in an Unpredictable, chaotic home) and a lot of them featured similar-seeming predator-prey deadly pursuit sort of storylines. A lot of my nightmares felt like things other people actually had experienced, like people trying to escape from concentration camps, without being seen and shot, or being at an outdoor shopping market, and a man with a gun suddenly trying to shoot and kill everyone there.
When I heard that audio in that documentary, it felt horrifyingly familiar, in that archetypal way I had already explored against my will every night, as soon as I fell asleep.
I am so so glad you got out. There are plenty of awful ways we oppress women right here in the US, but again, there’s just something so archetypal about restricting someone’s physical movements/travel, that I am so so glad you’re no longer beholden to that level of restriction.
I am also obsessed w/ cults - I first got into it, bc one of my daughter’s uncles on her dad’s side was involved w/ a cult for years, in the past, and I felt like, much like my obsession w/ true crime content, I wanted to learn everything I could, to be able to protect, or to immunize my child against those dangers. Very quickly however, I started noticing huge parallels I could identify w/, even as a person raised as a not-strict Jew (and have always been a witchy healer at heart, since 4YO me would be out in the yard w/ my sand bucket, mashing red berries into a “potion”). For me, it was going through school undiagnosed w/ ADD and autism, at a time when they still thought those differences only affected boys. So I was labeled all kinds of unhelpful unkind things, and I had years of formative experiences, seeing myself failing, and seeing people around me, coming to expect poor results from me. And because my home life was chaotic/unpredictable, I got very adept at noticing even minute changes in peoples’ voices and/or faces, to help me understand the mood “weather” of the adults around me, who had influence over my day to day.
I have had to work harder than most people can really understand, as an adult, once I actually started learning how my brain works, going back to school, little by little, paaaaiiiiinstakingly slowly, and I’m still in the thick of it.
I work 6 days a week at a job I am wildly passionate about, where I get to further study cannabinoid science, while helping people to reduce their suffering, through health education and real-life, best-practices-based lab-tested potions! I’m doing school online, a little bit at a time, bc I’m also a single mom (who doesn’t receive child support, but who is extremely fortunate to have some support from my parents)
I’ve commented lots of times before on C2C, but usually I talk about the guest, and this time, it felt more relevant to share this instead. I don’t know why, either, but here we are.
Thank you for sharing your story and perspective, and thank you always to Shelise, Jonathan and any invisible team members, if applicable. You are loved and appreciated, and you’re doing really really important work.
Blessed be, Dear Ones 💜⚡️
Wishing you all the best❤️Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!
❤️🥰❤️I still have nightmares connected to my trauma.
Wow, Jasmine is an amazing woman!!!
There is no way you can stay sane with a bipolar person. So sorry she had to go through that and his death. Glad to know she found a good partner and has wonderful children!
@sarahissersohn5495 "plenty of awful ways we oppress women right here in the US" What are you talking about
Merry meet from one autistic witch (whose had a very similar experience) to another! 💜 may your ancestors gather around and support your beautiful soul )0(
Blessed Be, dear!
I went to an obscure but well-respected engineering university in the 80s. The number of Arab men in my classes was kind of astonishing to me. My sister said the same thing 10 years later when she attended/taught there.
Great conversation! 💜
I thoroughly enjoyed your story. I lived in Saudi Arabia for a part of my youth which left me often feeling like I didn't belong anywhere, but my life was rich in texture, fascinating because of the many cultures I encountered. I found it just lovely listening to Jasmin's years of growth; our lives have withstood the onslaught of social changes, dramas, political unrest and various ideologies but we learn from one another when we can share the experiences. Thank you
Jasmine is so strong thank you so much for sharing your story and thank you shelise and Jonathan for always bringing light to darkness
Jasmin's airport story reminded me so much of Claire Headley's story in the train station (bus station? airport?) leaving the Sea Org.
Omg yea, Scientology people are scary and dangerous! They will literally snatch some people up physically and drag them back to base and lock them up if they’re caught trying to escape. Insane
1:32:46 this moment summarized my thoughts, "Jasmine you're incredible" ⭐Well said!! Wow, what a trip through life!!
"Feminism is not a threat, it is the way to a balance society" I loved this too!! I hope more women in the world can be heard and helped!!
😊❤
What a great story, I totally understand the anxiety and fear that they instill in women over there. Being a Christian living in Jeddah for 4 years I would see the women and my heart would break for them. My heart started racing when you mentioned the mutawa. As an American living there they seemed to find me in grocery stores and malls and Souk's. My last experience with them during Ramadan was my last straw I left shortly after and returned to the United States. I feel for all the women there and that many will never know freedom.
My grandmother needed a male sponsor to apply to law school in Boston, Massachusetts back in the 1930’s. She graduated!
What a great episode! What a wonderful lady! It brought back so many memories from when I was a fundamentalist muslim. It was another life. Thank you, Shelise. Thank you, Jasmin.
If I can ask, what got you out of Salafism? I asked essay somewhat practicing Muslim. I often wonder why people get drawn into it to be quite honest
What a brave woman, I hope every girl, woman growing up in that kind of environment finally find their voices and the right their lives
What a wonderful guest! Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom, Jasmine!
Have you ever read "Not Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoody? Its amazing! I read it in the 90's and I think it would be incredible to hear an interview with her
I read the book and saw the film.
Not without my Daughter was a fabulous biography! It was an eye opener!
Yes, book and movie were both great. I would love to hear from Betty now.
@@christinabond9928
It’s kinda sad, the daughter became an evangelical Christian.
I really like that she said cults don't have to be a big group, they can be just a family.
Not sure why people call you Islamophobe for realizing that this culture is horrible
What a brilliant interviewer this young lady is.
Yours is one of the best channels on TH-cam…always informative
I appreciate that!
Oh well. I've thought I know a lot about what life in islamic countries is like. Turns out I knew almost nothing. Thank you Shelise and Jasmin for showing that to me.
Thank you for being open to hearing experiences of others
Bravo to all the women who said NO and valued their freedom as much as their life.
I love this episode! Thank you so much for sharing Jasmin Faulk Dickerson and Shelise for making this possible. ❤️
This was such an interesting listen! Thank you so much Shalise for offering this opportunity.
What an excellent interview. After reading the Princess Sultana books, I became enthralled with the Middle East. I will definitely be reading Jasmin’s book next. 😊
Thank you so much for this channel and for having Jasmine share her story. 💙
I am also a proud exmuslim ❤❤❤
Good for you ... Welcome to freedom...
Congratulations ❤ Your getting to live for yourself now and I hope you are enjoying every minute of it ❤❤❤
Love your show. It's awesome that you did another video with an Ex-Muslim woman. There are not so many out there. So glad about it. Maybe you can do an interview with Rana Ahmad as well? She is a woman who also fled Saudi-Arabia but ended up in Germany (I think). She wrote a book about her ordeal.
I feel so sorry you have gone through this… I am a muslim woman and I have not gone through anything like this- alhamdulilah. I hope you are doing better now where you are in life.
I had no idea about not being able to touch the Quran whilst on your period - and the whole nail polish thing. I’m actually shocked.
How horrific.
I am half Jewish, and was told it's the same for Orthodox Jews. There are a lot of restrictions and the woman is considered "unclean". She must go to a Mikvah, or ritual purifying bath, before she can touch her own husband. Until then, they sleep separately.
Some sects go even farther, women must go to a Rabbi who gives her special white cloths that are inserted into the vagina and then returned to the Rabbi, who carefully examines the vaginal secretions to see if it is acceptable for the couple to have sex. No, I am not kidding, look it up.
It is not just Islam that treats menstruating women as unclean. In Nepal, Buddhist women are required to leave the family home and sleep in a kind of shack during their period. It is very cold in Nepal in the winter, and this tradition has recently caught international scrutiny because it came out that these poor women sometimes freeze to death in the winter because these outside shacks do not allow for a fire to be built. The weather can be sub zero there.
I grew up in France and in my town, the Muslim girls were DEAD SERIOUS about not wearing nail polish as it forbids them from performing their ablutions (which are necessary for the 5 daily prayers).
@@melissapinol7279damn that’s insane. I haven’t read the Torah but is it required by it? It’s humiliating having to show your period blood to someone.
Had a colleague who wore nail polish during her period and applied henna the rest of the time.
I hope that she stays safe. Thank you for this.
Thank you so much for this channel, and for giving platform for the oppressed. Those who share give hope and validation to those in bondage of all sorts.
She needed so much courage. Thank you, you two are inspirations.
I am so Thankful for her mother who held her together while in that airport to help her get out of the country!!!!!
1:09 My goodness! I had an Arab family in my neighborhood, who came from Egypt, through Italy. They lived 3 blocks from me and had been there for Decades! Like I went to school with their children! When 911 happened, we (neighborhood folks) had to stand guard outside their house!
well if people are that uneducated and stupid to think that a random egyptian family are connected to 9 11, then yes i suppose they needed neighbourhood watch protection
Yep, I hate when moderate Muslims got blamed for such crimes when they never did them. It does upset me though how often I’ve met Muslims condoning terrorism in some way such as oh if they had not talked about Muhammad that way etc: basically putting the blame on the victim. Just something I’ve noticed. Not all of course, and I would not treat a Muslim differently unless they said some disturbing things.
@@Lilliz91 you clearly have a footprint lanted in your head about a specific topic and then want to bring it up every time you hear or see the word muslim...
this conversation topic is about women's rights in a certain society...it has Absolutly nothing to do with terrorism. And being muslim is not a nationality, its just a religion So that different people, different nationality, different countries, different cultures, different mind thoughts who just so happen to be part of the muslim religion. Muslim are not 1 group catagory, get this predjudiced Wrong False idea out of your head ... if you can(?)
1:19:11 my ex was not Muslim, but he had a very twisted version of Christianity. He was definitely in the camp of if he died, our oldest son would be in charge of the family.
He viewed himself in that same role with his mother, that it was her duty to listen to him because he was her head. She was having none of that, but he tried... he just kept getting worse over the years until I finally escaped last year.
Realize that none of that nonsense is supported by the Gospel.
So, not even their god wants women when they're on their period. That's not the same God.
It's so sad that you had to use your first husband, use the marriage to get out.
I was also married to an Evangelical Christian horror of a man for 8 years. He was abusive in every way imaginable, he even beat me with a *bible* one time. I escaped after he threatened to kill me. Several years after that nightmare, I married a wonderful Wiccan man ( we worship a Goddess, not the devil, and it's *not* a cult) who was the joy of my life for 12 years until I lost him to cancer. He was extremely ethical, honest, kind, and incredibly loving. He healed me. Wiccans respect women, and are about the least controlling people I have ever met. The two men were as different as night and day, and sadly the Christian was night. That's not what Jesus taught!
Good for you, that’s definitely odd.
What a beautiful and inspiring conversation! Jasmine is such an articulate speaker and so very engaging! Thank you !
Shelise, I love how quite a few of your guests have written books. Would it be possible for to make a list compiling all the books?! Thank you for the diversity!
Yes! It’s on our list of things to do 😁
Leaving a comment for the algorithm. I'm not able to watch, but please know how much your work is appreciated ❤❤ You are doing God's work by giving survivors a platform for their voices and stories.
Why are you not able to watch?
@@lindaabuado3213it’s probably too triggering
Thankyou for sharing your story. I also lost my children's father to suicide after we had separated due to his mental health problems, it a unique kind of loss as even though you are no longer together, you lose them to the illness long before you seperate, and helping children through the loss of their father when you also have very complex feelings as to navigate is so so difficult.
I have sought out stories of folks who have escaped oppressive environments (either religious or cultural or just within a family) for years, as it helps me understand my own life story, and I am always very appreciative to hear another person's story for new perspectives.
It's amazing that you have survived so many challenges and are thriving now doing this amazing work. Much love to you. :)
💛