Back in 1993, Dubai’s Emir, Mohammed Ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, found himself entangled in a romance with a Greek woman named Zoya Grigorakos. Despite not intending to wed her, the Emir opted for a mizyar, a temporary marriage allowed by Islam.

Their liaison bore fruit in the form of Christina, who was raised by her mother in London, steeped in European customs. For the first 16 years of her life, Christina remained a Christian, supported financially by her father, as whispered by insiders.

At 16, Christina made the move to Dubai, embracing Islam and adopting the name Mahra, bestowed upon her by her father along with a royal title.

In 2023, Mahra’s wedding captured the internet’s imagination, evoking shades of Scheherazade’s tale.

While her half-sisters sought refuge in Europe, Mahra remained in Dubai, her story a topic of global discourse.

Today, she’s heralded as the epitome of Eastern beauty.

Do you share this sentiment?