Watch that you resist the awesome temptation of commas equalling a sentence that continues to branch into a beautifully run on sentence.

I loved how this story seemed almost directed at Islamic oppression, not saying all Muslims are oppressed or the such, but the desert setting with the constant mention of religion that must be followed. And of course the birds (especially the female) that are literally held down by tradition. The general militarization of her culture furthered this.