Living In Hell: A True Odyssey of a Woman's Struggle in Islamic Iran Against Personal and Political Forces - Hardcover

Ghazal's book offers a rare and insightful look of Iran, a land that is usually viewed via the political prism of its leadership and rarely from the point of view of its people. The author offers a compelling story of a girl and a young woman living in a land that is best described by the name she chooses for her ontology. And indeed, "Hell" is a difficult word for a homeland. But while reading the tale it becomes apparent that "Hell" is not a description given to the beautiful land of Iran but rather, to the political reality that engulfed the country and, with it, the life of a young girl.

Ghazal begins her story in Abadan, a picturesque city located minutes from the Iraqi border where she grew up as the youngest of eight siblings. As a child, Ghazal experienced the life before the revolution - life of relative freedom in where friendships with Jews were permitted and where reading the bible was not considered an unforgivable sin. These times and her inquisitive personality created a girl that would forfeit her need to reflect upon and question her surroundings) - something that means only trouble in post-revolutionary Iran.

Her story is a personal one of an inquisitive girl who is trying to follow her mind and her heart and that of a country busy with revolution and war that has little room for any form of dissent.

The book recounts the life before the revolution and the events that have led to the rise of Kohmeni. It offers an insider's view of the revolution, the US embassy hostage crisis and the war.

Having studied Islam for 17 years and following a struggle wither own faith, the author knows Islamic law. Her studies, documented in the second portion of the book, address many important questions and misconceptions about Islam. Her research affords some insight into why Muslim countries seem to be prone to terrorism and examines the link between poverty, ignorance and terrorism

Living In Hell is also a book dedicated to the oppression of women. Omid's personal experience s a woman who experienced abuse , is , unfortunately, not unique in countries like Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyz and other Middle East countries where traditional male dominated societies still practice barbaric "honor" killings

Ghazal Omid calls herself "A Rebel With A Cause" because her work have became one deeply associated with the cause of freedom in Iran, with human rights and with the life of many Iranian prisoners for whom Ghazal is one of the only voices of hope. "Living in Hell" was written also for these brave men and woman - since it shows that difficult and even impossible journey of struggle can end with freedom and hope.

Nir Boms is the Vice President of the Center for Freedom in the Middle East

Living in Hell is 100% true story of my life. I wrote it because I believe sharing pain and suffering can help those who think their lives is worse than anyone else and possibly end their lives. I also wanted to help those who don't know how to fight off evil people. I wanted to help those who can't help themselves and become a voice of reason for the voiceless.  Even my children stories are based on true stories of my own childhood. I am not a fiction writer, even if I am accused of doing so.