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Is the Chauvinism of Lord Ali Ben Hari Behind Him? Interview With the Sheikh
Ali Ben Hari is Barbara Faith's Lord of the Desert, but many have referred to the
thirty-six year old prince of Kashkiri as "Chauvinist of the Desert". Undoubtedly
his arrogance towards women was an initial turn-off for his future bride, the
beautiful Genevieve Jordan, but once she moved into the harem of his government
palace in Kashkiri to help plan an international conference, things quickly
heated up between the two.
Below is the transcript from an interview that was conducted soon after their
engagement was announced:
Lord Ali, it is widely known that you met Miss Genevieve Jordan at a meeting in New York. What was
your first impression of her?
When I had been introduced to her that morning, I naturally assumed she was a secretary. Soon after,
I realized she was one of the vice presidents of the company. I thought, "A woman vice president!"
I certainly didn't approve of that.
What was your reaction when her public relations company sent her to your sheikhdom, in order
to help plan the conference you were hosting?
I silently cursed ancient Kashkiran curses. I didn't approve of the woman, and Kashkiri is a
man's country. In Kashkiri we don't think that it's necessary for a female to have a formal education
after the age of thirteen. A woman's job is to attend to the needs of her husband and take
care of the children.
The day after Genevieve arrived in Kashkiri, she left the hotel to take a walk and was accosted
by a man in a dirty djellaba. Do you regret the rather impertinent reaction you had as a result
of this incident?
She had no business leaving the hotel. I told her to stay there until I came
for her. And she wore a short skirt, displaying her legs for every man in Kashkiri to see. Her face
was uncovered and she wore makeup.
[Sigh] So for her own safety, you invited her to stay in the harem of your family's palace?
[Unintelligible grunt]
During your excursion to the desert soon after, did you contemplate a long-term relationship with
Genny?
Genny had fought me tooth and nail before she'd agreed to stay in the harem for two months. She
was a Western woman; she'd never be able to adapt to life in Kashkiri. On the other hand,
I wanted her. Not just for a day or a week or a month, but forever.
As the heir to the throne of Kashkiri, you were expected to marry a woman
of your country. What inner conflicts did you have once you realized you were in love
with Genny?
I thought that when I became Sheikh of Kashkiri, one of the changes would be that a wife could
live with her husband. But until then...I asked myself, "Would Genny agree to live in the
harem until then? Would she quietly wait for the night when I would send for her?" I didn't
think she would.
After the conference, your father made the sudden announcement that you would be the new Kashkiran
ambassador to Italy, and that you and Genny were engaged. How did you feel about that?
[Shrug] I never wanted to be the Sheikh. Besides, I'm not my father's only son. I think he finally
realized that. Ismail will be eighteen in ten years. He'll be the next Sheikh of Kashkiri.
How did you propose marriage to your beloved? Did your courtship with Genny finally
mellow you out?
I drew her into my arms and said, "You're not going to give me an argument, are you? Say it, Genny.
Tell me you're mine."
[Smug grin] She responded with, "Of course I'm yours, darling."
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