088 – Recovering from Trauma with Saudi Ex-Muslim Ghada
I am discussing with Ghada, a Saudi Ex-Muslim about her experiences and trauma leaving Islam
Here is the YouTube version of this conversation: https://youtu.be/Nnx6yp3B4tg
Here are the time-stamps for the interview:
0:00 Introductions
1:50 Ghada’s background – the problem of repeated cousin marriage in her family, her engagement to a Shia guy
8:52 Issues that Ghada and her family faced as Shias in Saudi Arabia
13:15 Ghada’s childhood, a quick overview of her parents and how they influenced Ghada growing up.
16:20 Ghada’s religious background and how ultra-orthodox her mother was.
20:47 Losing a cousin at the age of 6 and how it impacted Ghada.
22:18 Putting on hijab at the age of 9 even when she did not like it.
25:30 The problem of not giving people a choice.
26:25 How Ghada’s parents tried to mold her into a person they wanted without respecting her individuality and personal agency. The conformist culture in Islam.
33:58 The name-calling and how it affected Ghada.
36:56 The cult-like nature of religiosity in Ghada’s family
38:47 Ghada’s experience as she was finishing high school and preparing for undergraduate studies.
45:40 Ghada’s college experiences – how it helped her in her journey of questioning and deconstructing Islam.
51:08 How Ghada’s prior experiences affected her first relationship and how therapy helped her navigate relationships
54:40 Ghada’s breakdown after a relationship failure and how she sought help from doctors and psychiatrists
57:00 Ghada’s attempted suicide in 2014 and the realizations that came with surviving the suicide attempt.
58::30 Leaving Saudi Arabia and seeking asylum in the US. Extreme dependence – Children of dysfunctional families
1:01:14 The healing process – trying different medications and trauma therapies.
1:11:29 Shrooms and the research for their use for treating anxiety and depression.
!:13:20 Dialectical behavioral therapy and how it equips people with better coping mechanisms and responses.
1:17:55 Does Ghada hold any anger towards Islam or does she blame her parents for her experiences?
1:23:14 Ghada’s advice to people who might be living with toxic families
1:25:30 How the culture and religion are intertwined.
1:29:14 Recommendations for people who are looking for community as well as help.
1:33:10 Final remarks.
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