From Mosul to Mecca: Laila Sulaiman Faidhi
Her Life with Ahmed Zaki Yamani in Letters and Documents
By (author) Mai Yamani
This political memoir is about Laila Sulaiman Faidhi, a highly educated and captivating Iraqi woman, and wife of one of the most powerful men in Saudi and global history, Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani, who for 25 years was Minister of Petroleum and Mineral resources under four Saudi kings, making him a key figure in OPEC.
This political memoir is about Laila Sulaiman Faidhi, a highly educated and captivating Iraqi woman, and wife of one of the most powerful men in Saudi and global history. The book also provides a unique insight into Arab social and political life, in particular Iraq and Saudi Arabia – the homeland of Laila’s husband Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani, who for 25 years, was Minister of Petroleum and Mineral resources under four Saudi kings, making him a key figure in OPEC.
This book recounts the colourful lives of two Arab individuals during some of the most turbulent times in 20th century history, throwing considerable new light on major world events.
Laila Sulaiman Faidhi kept a diary and meticulously collected documents, pictures, certificates, letters, plane tickets, and university reports which form the basis of this book. In fact, a number of documents, letters and photos have been included in this publication.
- By (author) Mai Yamani
This book makes the reader feel like they are witnessing history first-hand. Dr Mai Yamani captures Laila’s incredible life, in a compelling and candid memoir that has the reader gripped from start to finish. Laila’s voice is faithfully represented in Yamani’s account, against a backdrop of dramatic changes in the Middle East, including in Laila’s native Iraq. This book is a rare gem. A must read.
— Zeinab Badawi, President of SOAS, University of London
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