“The greater freedom is to be who you actually are; to be able to live your life in the way you deem best, free from any sort of restriction to do that, or fear of repercussions for doing so.”
Egyptian-born and London-raised, Alya Mooro grew up between two cultures and felt a pull from both. Where could she turn for advice and inspiration when it seemed there was nobody else like her? Today, Mooro is determined to explore and explode the myth that she must identify either as ‘Western’ or as one of almost 400 million other ‘Arabs’ across the Middle East.
Through countless interviews and meticulous research, as well as her own unique experience, Mooro gives voice to the Middle Eastern women who, like her, don’t fit the mould. Women under pressure to conform to society’s ideals of how a woman should look and behave, what she should want and be. Women who want to think and act and love freely, without feeling that every choice means ‘picking a side’. Women who are two things at once and, consequently, neither.
Part memoir, part social exploration, this is a book for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
Press for The Greater Freedom
8 Arab Storytellers/Speakers Breaking Boundaries and Inspiring Us Every Day - Teen Times
Alya in the Keds Handbook
21 Books from the 21st century that explore the Arab woman’s experience - Scene Arabia
“If you don’t like the story, you should write your own” - Azeema Magazine
Egyptian-British journalist Alya Mooro’s search for ‘The Greater Freedom’ - Arab News
“Get Married ASAP”: Overcoming Stereotypes About Middle Eastern Women - Refinery29
Video interview with Cairo Scene
Interview with Mxogyny
Video interview with Womena
Five questions for... Alya Mooro - The Bookseller
The Greater Freedom: Exploring 'The Invisible Jury' with Alya Mooro - The New Arab
Grazia Book Club
Interview with Scoop Empire
Interview with DSTNGR
GRL Talk: Alya Mooro
Interview with Shado Magazine
Gal-Dem
Red Magazine
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Culturefly
The National