I must thank you for the wonderful present you gave me...your book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! The book is really fabulous illuminating the various facets of Yemeni social life.. customs, traditions, rites, sexual perversions etc. and also the corrupt political, judicial and administrative systems prevailing in the country. All these have been illustrated in humorous and witty style with sexual references that enhance its appeal. The book is very revealing of the secrets and lifestyle of the Yemenis and would be of immense value to all those who wish to go to Yemen. I hope that the Book is publicised in the Hollywood circles and I am sure some producers would find it appealing and produce a movie based on the fascinating anecdotes in the mysterious Yemen.

QAIS GHANEM FINAL FLIGHT FROM SANAA BOOK REVIEW: By: Elie Nasrallah "This novel started as a dare!" That is the spirit and context of the book. Dare we say then that life is an "I dare you" enterprise/adventure. I dare you to be daring like the author Dr. Qais Ghanem who broke the taboos of culture, religion, sexuality, tradition, myths and endless assumptions in Yemen and in the Arab World. The tyranny of History and culture are so heavy and overwhelming that touching their facets and content is only possible sometimes through literature and novels. Fiction is the twin face to reality; the reality of despotism; woman's subjugation; religious intolerance; political tyranny; one-man-rule; tribalism; lack of separation between the affairs of the state and the affairs of religious belief; adherence to old rules and mythology that only childhood dreams can comprehend and connect to. This novel is a dare to every thinking Arab person to dare to change the lenses that one is using to see the world. Otherwise we would see a world that is shady, shadowy and shabby; or walking blindly to the abyss thinking we are going somewhere, or re-living a past of glory that surely is in the heap of history. The unexamined life, said Aristotle, is NOT worth living. On page 141 of this historic novel, Dr. Ghanem describing how the minister of health-- in true tradition to most Arab political speech-making --delivered the regular sermon of endless praise and lavish language on the president: "The president's name was mentioned ten times, with a deliberate brief pause to allow for the expected obligatory applause." Rulers stage respect; they stage power by mandatory consent; they stage every political, social and religious act to keep women marginalized and illiteracy present and captive minds prevailing. Chapter 11 (Abu-Bakr) represents in my mind the best and brightest dialogue in this great novel. Page 164 summarizes the challenges facing tradition/culture and modernity and thinking anew: " We are poles apart, doctor...." The Arab World until the New Political Awakening in 2011 was living outside History; living in a bubble and some even today are trying not to leave the mental prison or escape the deadly bubble. But history is marching to a different drum. Dr. Ghanem busted the bubble and in his novel is urging all to clean, change and connect with new lenses to see self and the world at large. Bravo, brave... Elie Nasrallah Ottawa

Ghanem’s novel is fascinating, moving and beautifully written. He covered most of the social behaviors in Yemen and was unbiased in addressing and comparing western and Arab societies particularly that in Yemen. I believe ethical standards are the same in all societies, but socially acquired behavior varies from society to society, and therefore determines norms. Being a Yemeni woman raised in conservative society, I must say some of the sex scenes seemed daring, and yet they were provocative and interesting. Indeed Yemeni women　have always been, and still are oppressed　and　restrained in showing their feelings, related to sex and relations, due to lack of knowledge, education and mostly family restriction and customs. It is a completely male dominated society, though some men claim that they are gender oriented and believe in equality and equity but they are far away from such orientation. The chapter which described the rape of of his classmate's daughter touched me so much and brought memories of a rape attempt during my childhood. I regret to say that a good number of women go through such horrific experience. Women/girls cannot report or speak about such incidents. Ghanem illustrated the scenes of chapter 10 and the following chapters (the old classmate daughter and the following arrest and jail) without any exaggeration, for these scenes happen in reality. There is no doubt that Ghanem showed his deep perception of both societies. I admired Dr. Tariq’s compassionate manner, humor, cynicism and gentleness; which I believe reflect Ghanem’s own true character

How does a puritanical view of female sexuality in the Muslim world and in Muslim communities here at home effect the way we view and respect ourselves, one another and possibly halt our self determination? These are the questions raised in "Final Flight from Sanaa" - from the perspective of a sixty year old secular Muslim man raised in Yemen who is the main protagonist. In Final Flight from Sanaa, author, Qais Ghanem opens a topic of discussion, never discussed so explicitly before within the Muslim community. For more on this, visit our site at www.mpvottawa.com

Being a young scholar, many of my political and religious books covered immense topics of counter-culture rituals and norms, arriving to the limelight of them all, Islamic and Middle-Eastern traditions. I never found my personal beliefs reflected abundantly in the midst of the most comprehensive details printed by these historic and renowned authors. Rather, I found myself dodging questions about religion, sexuality, and the rituals of the Islamic scripture, almost in defiance, because the true essence of what I was reading was to some effect offensive rather than pleasant. It is almost always the duty of every Muslim, I thought, to debate issues presented in a humiliating manner when Islam is discussed on the table. Luckily, that would be challenged, not by an author covering a topic he was not familiar with, but descriptively by one who originated from the deep roots of Islamic and Arabian culture, bringing with age and years of education wisdom and insight to the most controversial topics of all time- Sexuality and Religion. Author Qais Ghanem challenged the way I read books, chiefly Final Flight from Sanaa. Perhaps with my young age came my youthful thoughts of cultural taboos and rituals that were intact with my Islamic beliefs – almost allowing me cautiously to reject reading an Islamic book that discussed intimate and sexual details experienced by Muslim characters. That was the challenge; how was I able to continue reading explicit details when everything read went against what I believed was noble? Or so I thought. Little did I know. Final Flight from Sanaa was the most intriguing story I have ever read. It discussed topics way above sexuality; and once my sciolism was stripped away, I was able to see clear that the accurate and realistic elements challenge the suppressed ideas one holds against Islam. It is a compare and contrast, experienced by many Muslims who immigrate to foreign countries, learning to accustom their thoughts and beliefs to the nation’s conduct of behaviour, essentially learning productive liberalism. Tariq, the aged doctor and expert in life, brings the reader through a conventional ride when he experiences culture shock even when returning to his homeland of Yemen. With Tariq you learn to sympathize, when important questions are raised like honour and religion, and the oppression of cultural regimes and lack of political freedoms are examined. Inequality is examined, between men and women and all the right inquiry detailing these liberties- of course by all means outlining the double-standards. It becomes clear what democracy entails, and what the true definition of this popular word really holds. To Tariq and the friends he made along the way, they are life lessons – each experienced personally in his or her own way. One begins to see the spirit of this individual, and how simple his thoughts and actions really are. How religion is interrupted to satisfy one’s own definitions of right and wrong, and how extremism is indeed corrupting society, allowing people to lash out against their own flesh and blood. Especially during the Arab revolutions of today, where each politically conveyed chapter from the book goes deep into your imagination of the practicality of real life situations. Justice was drawn upon, and I salute Qais Ghanem for not leaving this important topic go unobserved. Aside from the political and religious features of this book, Qais Ghanem’s own medical education helped in asserting him with the correct knowledge of the character’s (Tariq) profession in this field. Reading along, one is informed of Dr. Ghanem’s own medical wisdom. The brief mention of historic battles and quotes drawn from significant icons such as Mohandas Gandhi, add an informative session surely making it a dialogue with diversity. Thankfully, the humour inserted from time to time keeps this book light in its nature. Mr. Ghanem`s attentiveness to detail is especially amusing; everything from the clothing to the atmosphere to the destinations are detailed to the depth of element, as if you are there. The language is basic and easy to follow; and the events of the book unfold systematically, allowing you to never lose track or re-read! Most importantly, Final Flight from Sanaa began long and heated discussions between my friends and me circulating topics about religion and dictatorships. It allowed me to experience a different journey, a liberated one, full of wisdom and perception. With much brag, this book has been requested by many of those who surround me. I hope that you too, go out and experience this alluring, fulfilled, and stimulating challenge.

This novel is really engaging, very contemporary and prescient. It predicts the role of the Facebook kids in the Arab Spring, for example. The comparison of sexuality in the Arabian peninsula and northern Europe is very revealing (literally and figuratively) is made credible through the relationship of a Yemeni Canadian expat with a married Polish woman, and a gang rape by Yemeni security services. It has a few of drawbacks of the first novel. The beginning has a few straw men that are battered down summarily. However, it has a pace and a direction that really got me as a reader. I finished it in just a few days, and I tend to take months to get through a book. You can almost smell the qat session.

With the unfolding of recent dramatic political events in the Middle East I was intrigued by this new novel. It began on a relatively easy to assimilate mode. People who had been in failed relationships met in light hearted social settings in Canada . All very beleiveable. A few social encounters involving the central character gave a human element to a very human passion. The almost casual nature of the events laid a solid basis for less pleasant events in subsequent chapters. The very real commercial nature of the sale of medical technology to Yemen lead the main character to some unpleasant realities of middle east life in some communities. Withiout giving away the rivetting final chapter I can say that it provokes people of all backgrounds to revisit and examine the way some women are marginalized in this part of the world. In light of the new role of social networking in some oppressed countries this book is very topical and provocative. Dr Ghanem 's uncompromising insight, as a man who came from this part of the world, is a breath of fresh air .