Alienation

My Life in Saudi Arabia and America

For as long as he can remember, Arabian American Asim Abraham has been instructed to never express his feelings or ideas to anyoneever. Raised as an American until age eight, when he relocated with his parents to his home country of Arabia, Asim struggled to learn about a new culture where regulations robbed him of everything, including the ability to speak his mind. For the first time in his life, Asim felt alienated from everything, everyone, and even himself.

With the intent of teaching others about the vast diff erences between America and the Middle East, Abraham shares the poignant story of his life as he travels between the free United States and Saudi Arabia, where life seemed to become more complicated and darker with each passing year. As he embarked on a coming-of-age journey between the two countries, Abraham details how he witnesses the impact of the Gulf War, views the thin line between dreams and reality, and manages to find his path in life despite enduring years of suffering, low self esteem, and imprisonment of his ideas.

Alienation not only offers one mans compelling glimpse into life in the Middle East, but also shares his important message for both worlds about acceptance, love, and peace.