In the City of the Deaf, I Heard Alone (en Inglés) - Faiza Abbas Natto;Sarah Medlej

In the City of the Deaf, I Heard Alone is a biographical and documentary work by Faiza Abbas Natto that chronicles her deeply personal journey into the world of deafness and her lifelong commitment to serving the deaf community, particularly deaf women, in Saudi Arabia. The book combines memoir, social history, and institutional documentation, presenting both an emotional narrative and a practical record of humanitarian work.

The book begins with a personal turning point in the author's life-her daughter Lujain's exposure to sign language-which opens the door to Faiza's discovery of the Deaf community. What starts as curiosity and compassion gradually develops into a profound sense of responsibility. Through learning sign language and engaging directly with deaf individuals and families, the author comes to understand the social, educational, and psychological challenges faced by deaf women, especially their isolation and limited opportunities.

A central focus of the book is the establishment and development of the Women's Deaf Club in Jeddah, founded in 2002. Faiza Abbas Natto documents the early struggles of building the club from the ground up, balancing her professional life as an educator with her voluntary and later full-time leadership role. She details the obstacles she faced, including limited resources, social resistance, and institutional challenges, while highlighting perseverance, faith, and collective support as key forces behind the club's success.

The book also serves as an important documentary record, outlining the club's programs in education, vocational training, employment, sports, cultural activities, and social rehabilitation. It presents real-life success stories of deaf women who gained employment, started small businesses, married, raised families, and achieved independence. These stories emphasize empowerment, dignity, and the belief that disability does not negate capability when proper support and opportunity are provided.

In addition, the author acknowledges the contributions of public officials, charitable initiatives, and community leaders who supported the Deaf Club, including national employment programs and policy decisions that expanded job opportunities for people with disabilities. The final chapters honor those individuals whose encouragement and leadership left a lasting impact on the club's mission.

Overall, In the City of the Deaf, I Heard Alone is both an inspiring human narrative and a valuable reference for researchers, educators, and social workers. It highlights the power of empathy, voluntary action, and inclusive development, offering insight into Deaf culture, sign language, and disability advocacy in the Arab world.