Not Without My Daughter 1991

As the 1980s rolled in, Sayyed Bozorg “Moody” Mahmoody, a dedicated Iranian physician residing in the United States with his American wife, Betty, and their intelligent young daughter, Mahtob, relished their tranquil lifestyle. Seeking to connect his family with his roots, Moody shared his wish for them to visit Iran, a seemingly innocuous request. Despite her reservations, Betty agreed to undertake a two-week journey back to her husband’s homeland, assured by Moody that they would return safely.

Upon their arrival, Moody and Mahtob received a warm welcome from his relatives. However, Betty’s unfamiliarity with Islamic customs led to several misunderstandings, igniting tensions that would soon boil over. During a distressing evening, Moody revealed that he had been fired from his hospital job just before their departure, but soothed Betty’s worries by promising to handle matters upon their return.

Yet, unseen dangers loomed on the horizon. As the night unfolded, Moody’s brother, Mammal, casually dropped a shocking revelation: their passports had to be submitted to the airport three days prior for their flight back to America. Betty’s insistence on heading to the airport only fueled Moody’s anger as he unveiled his true motives—he never planned for them to leave Iran.

The gravity of their predicament pressed on Betty’s heart as Moody’s demeanor darkened, leading to brutal violence. Her cries for help from his family fell silent, leaving her feeling isolated in a foreign land as the war between Iran and Iraq loomed ominously. Moody’s behavior turned increasingly aggressive, restricting her movements and forbidding her from using the telephone under the guise that his family was surveilling her.

In an unexpected twist of fate, Betty received a clandestine phone call from her mother, which ignited a flicker of hope. In hushed tones, she shared her dire circumstances, revealing her entrapment in Iran. Her mother urged her to seek assistance at the American Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy. However, when she arrived, the response was utterly devastating. Under Iranian law, her marriage to Moody had granted her citizenship, subjecting her to sharia law, which stripped her of consular protection and autonomy, especially regarding her daughter.

With her hopes dwindling and anxiety mounting under Moody’s tightening grip, he threatened her life if she dared to resist him. As her world collapsed, Betty faced a desperate struggle for survival and freedom amid Iran’s oppressive landscape. Determined, she engaged in a calculated plan to convince Moody that moving into Mammal’s home would be ideal.

In a serendipitous encounter, she met a sympathetic storekeeper who allowed her to use the telephone. Unbeknownst to her, he overheard her plight and connected her with two Iranian humanitarians, Hossein and his sister, who offered critical help in facilitating Betty’s and Mahtob’s escape. With time running short, Hossein warned her that once Mahtob turned nine, she risked being thrust into marriage or conscription as a child soldier.

As they navigated their new life in Iran, Mahtob grappled with adapting to a foreign school, necessitating Betty’s constant support. The kind female staff recognized their struggles and extended Mahtob’s arrival time, providing Betty a covert opportunity to collaborate with Hossein on escape strategies. They meticulously laid out a plan, gathering vital intelligence on potential routes.

Their fragile peace shattered when Moody appeared at the school, his wrath releasing in a brazen attack on both Betty and Mahtob. Left with no choice, they returned to the confines of their tormentor, who isolated them for days, relishing in the anticipation of Betty’s despair.

Months later, devastating news regarding Betty’s father’s health reached her, prompting Moody to reluctantly allow her to visit the U.S., but with the heart-wrenching condition of leaving Mahtob behind. He demanded that she liquidate their assets and return. Sensing urgency, Betty seized a chance to escape, feigning a shopping trip for her father while Moody rushed off to an emergency call.

With the aid of Hossein, who provided counterfeit ID documents, Betty and Mahtob navigated hazardous checkpoints with the assistance of Iranian smugglers. After traversing perilous terrains, they finally stood in the vibrant streets of Ankara, the American Embassy flag waving like a beacon of hope. Overwhelmed by relief and joy, they retreated safely to their homeland, where Betty later achieved literary acclaim and devoted herself to advocacy for individuals ensnared in similar harrowing circumstances.