Publisher's Synopsis
Tiers of Slavery in Qatar is a political human social scientific biographic novel addressing much of what is hidden in Qatar and the Gulf states. A heroic tale on survival and the power of strength, with doses of human entertaining moments. The focus is on Mami, an Ethiopian maid and Ruby, an ex-pat lecturer in a university. The two women have so much and so little in common, but form a strong bond while navigating the kefala racist, sexist system that surrounds them both. Geographically, Qatar and is a tiny emirate and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is a confederate of emirates governed by a supreme council comprised of seven emirs. An emirate is a political territory that is ruled by or which reigns by a dynastic Islamic monarch styled emir. An emir is translated to commander or prince in English, but they are the head of the political structure in these countries. The current Emir of Qatar is His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamid Al Thani. Prior to 2013, it was his father His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. The astute reader should have now observed that the ruling government and therefore the strongest political clan in Qatar are the Al Thani family. Any individual in Qatar with the Al Thani last name are among the most powerful and wealthy family in Qatar. Qatar is a peninsular country that exists somewhat as an appendage to Saudi Arabia, their only border nation. In terms of GDP per capita, Qatar is the richest nation on planet Earth. According to the W.H.O. Qatar (Ahmad, 2015) also ranks as the second most polluted nation in the world. The total population of Qatar is 2.6 million people, but nationals comprise only 300 000, and thus all calculations of wealth only pertain to the actual Qatari population. In statistics, laws, and in many social aspects, the rest of the population are not clearly included in statistics. Although the intention is to include only nationals for their statistics, it may be understood also that in general the rest of the population does not hold the same importance while residing in Qatar. Within Mami's slave class, there is stratification. Similarly, even within Ruby's middle class, there is stratification. Qatar's society is a complicated infrastructure of levels within levels, and labels within labels. There are many tiers to slavery. Enjoy this journey into Qatar, Ethiopia at a very intimate level. Some reviews from my Facebook page and Amazon feedback: "'Tiers of Slavery in Qatar' left me speechless and in tears. It is an incredible story, one that gives the reader a glimpse into the social stratification in Qatar and the rest of the Gulf from the perspectives of individuals in different classes, leading very different lives. As such, it shines a light on many heavy and globally relevant topics, including human rights, corruption, oppression, racism, and sexism. Not only does this book educate and inspire social change, it tells an intricate story about privilege, fear, justice, and above all, the strength it takes to speak up, especially for those who cannot. A must-read for anyone wishing to understand the world better." "Living in Qatar and the Gulf is very interesting and exciting, it depends. But it is not only what see on TV and what news outlets tells us. There are a hidden side which is how those countries were and still build on. There is another shocking and sad face to the shiny coin. This book shares with you true stories and events happened and still happens every day. Stories would make you cry, shocked and more importantly shows you the other side of life in the Gulf." "This is a shocking and well-written expose of human trafficking and modern slavery in Qatar. Accurate &well-researched, it demonstrates the horror of an inhuman system which many western expats are unknowingly complicit. An absolutely essential read."
