Mahmoud works at the Ministry of Commerce. He’s smart, single, ambitious and Emirati but-unlike most of his countrymen-he’s not rich. Khawla is married, beautiful, wealthy and unhappy. She’s also an Emirati. Before starting work at the Ministry, she makes a very peculiar and specific request. Mahmoud will have to build something for her in the middle of the office floor. Unusual, yes, but not unheard of. This is Dubai. People drive around with white tigers riding shotgun. People own gold-plated stretch Humvees and pay servants $100 a month to carry their water bottles and light their sheesha pipes. Mahmoud and Khawla are instantly attracted to each other, but fornication is a crime punishable by death. Mahmoud is scared to approach Khawla until two Western expats come to the office and shake things up. Khawla’s Wall is the story of this place and these people.
