SMILE

"Learn to smile even in your liver" Buddhist teaching

Freedom to be Myself

Dear Freedom,

There came a time when I almost completely lost you, lost myself and lost the ability to freely think, believe, and act.  But, I found you again.  I'm glad that we have reunited and i promise not to let you go.

At times, I may have to compromise and I will not be able to give you everything.  At times you will feel that I have overlooked you so that a family member or someone dear to me can be happy.  But if you feel that I have completely abandoned you, please wake me up because I need you.  Your presence is essential in my life, and without you, I lose myself and I can no longer exist.

"Traveling is the great true love of my life"

Is longing to travel while you are "on travel" greedy madness?

Three months in Cairo & here is what I've learned:

Five things I learned about the city I love:

1. “za7mah ya dunya za7mah” is not just a song.  Cairo traffic is really as bad as they claim, and rush-hour can be any time of the day.  If you want to enjoy living here, you must give-in to the power of traffic, because there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.  How? By being prepared at all times, with a book, ipod, chocolate, or breakfast bar just in case you are stuck for hours.
   
2. Egyptians survive through laughter.  No matter how life is treating them, people are smiling, laughing, and telling jokes.  It is quite remarkable.
   
3. There is no such thing as privacy.  The entire neighborhood will know anything and everything about you.  But, at the same time, the neighborhood becomes your family.  They will know you, ask about you, and will be there for you whenever you need.  A sense of community still exists in this large city.
   
4. Crossing the road is as dangerous as it looks.  Yesterday I saw a man get hit by a car; and a week ago an acquaintance of mine was hit!  The ironic thing is that a week before she was hit, her and I were rejoicing that we have become pro’s at crossing the road! Oops, maybe not.
5. Egyptian society, like most Arab countries today is extremely polarized politically and religiously.  The middle is shrinking and disappearing from the public sphere.  Because of this polarization, people tend to pass enormous amount of judgment against each other.
   

        Here is what I’ve learned  about myself:

1.     I’m finally comfortable eating alone in public. 
2.     I can live without a microwave; I didn’t even notice that I didn’t have one.
3.     I can’t live without Internet; it’s an addiction.
4.     I’m no longer afraid of being alone with my thoughts.
5.     I learned that I’m more “emotional” than I portray.
6.     As much as I love social gatherings, I learned that I need time to decompress, energize, and be alone once in a while.
7.     I learned that I am so blessed to have amazing family and friends.
8.     I also learned that I love the “arts” so much.  Cairo has given me the opportunity to explore that side of my self.
9.     I learned that I need to work on my “indecisive” nature.
10. I learned that I can cook, but I don’t enjoy doing it often J

In response to the AUC protest

I'm very proud that AUC students are calling for their rights and demanding the end of the commercialization of education!
http://aucpetition08.blogspot.com/2008/11/from-forum.html

inner peace

How ironic is it that I moved to Cairo, one of the loudest cities, to search for inner peace?

تقرير المرصد النقابي والعمالي حول الاحتجاجات في شهر سبتمبر واكتوبر

http://arabist.net/arabawy/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/sept3weeksindustrialaction.pdf

Click on the link to download the (Arabic) report on industrial action during the first three weeks of September, put together by the Egyptian Workers and Trade Unions Watch…

New pyramid discovered!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_new_pyramid_5

Forced evictions

In 1948 a British police report attested: "Every effort is being made by the Jews to persuade the Arab population to stay and carry on with their normal lives..."  that was not true then, and it is not true now.  It is mind boggling that 60 years later Palestinians are still forced to leave their homes!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7729487.stm

yes it is possible to be single and happy

Two quick stories:

I had a phone interview with the director of a well-known institute in Yemen (I will not mention the name here).  Overall, the interview went well, but there were some odd statements:

Director: “I asked around and they told me you're single.  That is very good.”

Me: “umm why?

Director: “Since you're not married you will work hard and probably work overtime since there is nothing for you to do after work!"

WHY WHY WHY, do people assume that just because we are single, it means we have no life?!!

Let me give you another example:

A few young Yemenis on facebook were discussing  early marriage in Yemen and the article on Nujood’s woman of the year award (http://www.glamour.com/women-of-the-year/2008/nujood-ali-and-shada-nasser) .  A 21 year old man said:

“i guess to marry at an early age is waaaaay better than being single almost all life ,,,"3anes"...and sorry for the word,,, wt do u think u guys ??”

Why is life equated with marriage for some people.  I’m not against marriage, I think it can be a beautiful thing.  But I also know that just because someone is single does not mean they are unhappy, and just because someone is married does not necessarily guarantee happiness.  Our happiness is not necessarily ONLY extracted from a spouse.  It can also be felt without one.

AUC sold its soul to the corporate world and students are demanding their rights

AUC students demanding their rights

http://she2i2.blogspot.com/2008/11/hundreds-of-students-at-american.html

Need advise on the rules of male/female interaction in Egypt

As you know I recently moved to Cairo.  One thing I do not understand yet is the male/female interaction.  Egyptian men and women are flirty, lively, and very friendly.  So, how does one know if the guy is just friendly, or if he is “interested”?  When is the question “do you want to hang out?” just a friendly question and when is it a statement of interest.  Also, how will my response demonstrate either friendship or interest? 

No wonder she's single!

Yesterday I had one of those days where I woke up in the morning and stood there staring at the closet and wishing I had a uniform to wear so I wouldn’t have to think so early in the morning. 

I tried on the first shirt, but umm na it wasn’t what I was looking for, so I threw it on the bed.  I tried the next shirt, but it’s getting cold now and this shirt won’t work, so I also tossed it on the bed.  I tried on the third shirt, but it was too tight, (must have been last night’s basboosa), so I also tossed it on the bed.  This process went on for about 10 minutes, until I finally selected the FIRST shirt I tried on.  Of course this made me think about the importance of trusting one’s instinct. 

I look down at my watch, crap it’s late!  Of course I couldn’t clean the pile on the bed, which is ok, cause I live alone right?! WRONG I left the apartment in a hurry contemplating the philosophy of trusting one’s instincts, and why humans are afraid to listen to their heart. 

I went to work all day, then around 6:00 p.m. I met up with some friends for dinner.  Around 8 p.m., I received a frantic phone call from my neighbor, who was wondering if I was home.  I said no, why? She says: “because the apartment door is open”, “what?” I say.  She says: “don’t worry I’ll go check it out.”  Before I could say no, she already hung up.

My neighbor, a 54 year old woman  her two sons, and the door man went up to my apartment.  They went inside to check if everything is ok.  They went into my room, and saw the “hurricane on my bed” and decided that there MUST have been a thief in the apartment who caused such destruction.  They called me to tell me to come because the room is a mess, and I should check for what’s missing!

At that moment, I had two choices:

1.  Tell the truth, and admit that no, that mess was done intentionally, and forever be known as the “very messy single girl!”
   
2. Tell the truth, but also explain that I’m not always that messy!
   
3.  Lie and pretend a thief was in the apartment

One thing I’m terrible at is lying, so of course I ended up telling the truth, which is: I admit that I stupidly left the door unlocked, and I am the cause of that mess.  (I wanted to insert a message saying, please come tomorrow to see for yourself that the room is not always this messy, but I couldn’t).

The next day, I passed by my neighbors’ house to thank them, and their house keeper opened the door, and kindly said to me “sweetie, if you need help I can come upstairs and help you, I heard about the room!)

How EMBARASSING IS THIS!  

Amnesty sites serious human rights violations in Yemen

Amnesty International expresses concern about human rights situation in Yemen

http://armiesofliberation.com/archives/2008/11/12/serious-human-rights-violations-in-yemen-amnesty/

Everyone knows EVERYTHING here

My friend Nadiya sent me flowers for my birthday…two days later I stopped by the pharmacy located across my apartment building.  The pharmacist told me “so did you receive the flowers?” Confused I say: “what flowers?”, he says: “there were flowers for you two days ago, you’re on the 9^th floor right?”

So umm ya, everyone knows EVERYTHING here!  

the big 29!

It seems that 29 may be a good year inshallah.  It started off with Obama's victory, followed by a nice poem from my dade.  My father usually writes poems for any occasion, and especially for our birthdays instead of buying a gift :) When I was younger, I used to ask him for a "real" gift instead hehe...but now, i truly appreciate it, and i am therefore shamelessly sharing this one here, i must be getting OLD ;)  

عيد سعيد يافتاة النبي  بمفخر العترة في الأحقب¹

      بعيد "أطيافٍ" أتى حاملاً  مُسْتَقبَلاً يرفُلُ بالطيب

      بوركت من رائدةٍ فذةٍ   سامية التفكير والمأرب

      لاترتضي في جهدها ليِّناً  وإنما تسعى إلى الأصعب

      لها رسالاتٌ كبار المدى   فحققي ماشئت من مطلب

      وبارك الله خطى سيرها  في مشرق الأرض وفي المغرب

      أطياف كفؤ للعلى فاقعدي على الأعالي في ذرى الكوكب

      فما حياة السفح جذابة   لكاسر الجو العقاب الأبي

      لكن مآواها أعالي الذرى   مأوى كرام الباشق الأعضب

      دعي بغاث الطير في سفحها  تلهو عليه في المناخ الوبي

      وحلقي في الجو مزهوة   فوق ذرى الأجبال والغيهب 

      أطياف هذي تهنئات المنى  وباقة الحب وشوق الأب

      من والد يدعو بعمر الهنا  وبهجة الدنيا وما تطلبي

      حماك ربي من شرور الدنيا  وحاطك الله بفضل النبي 

نعم نستطيع

I finally regained my faith in the American people.  Regardless of whether Obama will deliver on his promises, I am proud that the American people rose from the dead, and decided to change their destiny.  It is a big symbol of hope, and symbol that when people want something they will make it happen. 

Bush managed to unite the people of the world against him and against the US.  Obama’s victory regained a little bit of the lost respect to the American people, so thank you Obama, and thank you America for the great birthday gift.   

Dear Hijab

My good friend Dina and I both went through something similar: a great deal of self reflection and discussion about something so dear to us: al-hijab. This is something extremely personal, and it was therefore very difficult for me to articulate my decision when I decided to take it off. Dina on the other hand so eloquently expressed her decision through this letter. I loved it and decided to share it here because in many ways it is an expression of how I felt as well.

Dear Hijab,

We've been together for a long time. For over twelve years we have shared the experiences that tested my values and faith. But now it is time for us to part. This isn't a complete separation, like a divorce from a loved one or an amputation of a limb. I see this is maturation…simply no longer needing the training wheels and graduating to the next level of spiritual growth.

At first I felt it was silly to think so delicately and feel such strong emotion about you. After all, there are far more dire issues that face humans in the world. But then I allowed myself to look deeper into our relationship, from what began as just following God's command to what became a closely knit link between my character, faith and personality. And I thought, at the very least I owe you the recognition of these huge contributions to my life.

Because of you, the world is talking about Islam. You remind people, believers and disbelievers, of God. You have made women stronger, more able to speak up than their male counterparts in this human race. You have challenged governments to allow people their rights. And have challenged people to seek overlap between the Divine and the worldly rather than separate the two, keeping them far apart, as they have been in the past.

And that's just the grand scale. I can't even count the number of ways you have impacted my life, and this letter does not do you justice. I know who I am now, because you've caused me to consistently introspect. You've allowed each part of my identity to blossom at times where "Dina" was a jumbled bunch of factoids like age, ethnicity, geographic location. You've connected me to other Muslims instantly by virtue of physical recognition. You've helped me make a stand, inadvertently, against corrupt ideals and judgments. And most importantly, you've helped me learn the character traits of endurance, humility, and compassion for people that are considered outsiders in a world of homogeny.

So if you mean so much to me, 'why would I let you go,' you might ask. There are several reasons that float around for why you aren't necessary, but I am not about justification of intentions on already-decided issues. I am a woman of principle, and you helped teach me that. So this decision is based on just that, principle.

The journey to this decision began about a year ago when I came across a few hadiths that struck a nerve with me. They didn't seem to coincide with the teachings of the Prophet or, more importantly, Divine Word (aka the Quran). I dismissed my alarm as paranoia and thought I was not educated enough to make any real decisions. I had to continue to follow what others had interpreted from hadiths to mean that you are mandatory.

But that didn't settle well. I am 26 years old, and must listen to the command from God to think. There is benefit and reward in thought. "There surely is an oath for thinking man [person]" (89:5). I learned that out of the 600,000 hadith collected by Bukhari a few hundred years after the Prophet's death, only around 7,300 hadiths have been left and claimed sahih (valid). And this methodology of weeding out the wrong traditions has not been reexamined in 1,000 years. In addition to the hadiths that we use for interpretation that may not be legitimate, much of what we practice today is based on 1,000 year-old patriarchal interpretation of the hadiths that are considered sahih. So when I say the problem isn't with you Hijab, I mean it. I'm not just giving you a cliché break-up message.

I am at a point where I believe hadiths need to be reevaluated and we need to reopen the doors of philosophy and thought. If I'm wrong in all of this, I hope that the level of effort and thought I have put into this search for what's right in life is counted as valuable, if not more valuable, than the minor acts that I am changing. For this reason, I am continuing to follow what is accepted in prayer, fasting, etc. These are matters much bigger than you Hijab, I hope you understand.

This doesn't mean I don't appreciate you or the many years we've spent together. You mean more to me than I can write about or even realize. But I must do what I believe is right and follow my heart in my search for truth.

We'll be seeing each other frequently though, don't worry. At the mosque, during prayers, and at times when I need you. And I know the doors are always open, because God never closes His even when people close theirs.

With love,

Dina

Window 12, 42, and 33, Adventures of the Mugamma

About three months ago, during my job interview I asked my colleagues about changing my visa into temporary residency and obtaining a work permit.  I was assured that the human resources department at the university will deal with it.  Two months later, I realized no one has done anything, and I was therefore technically “illegal” in the country.  I couldn’t wait any longer, so I decided to go there myself.

The mugamma is a large building with various ministerial offices that has a terrible reputation for being the most bureaucratic entity in Cairo (imagine that!).  The Cairo Practical Guide warns: “This daunting pre-evolutionary monstrosity on the south side of Midan Al-Tahrir strikes terror in the heart of any Kafka fan.”

I left early morning and headed to the mugamma.  I arrived there at 9 a.m. and it was already packed. Of course I was given a million different directions of which way to go, but I finally found the right window, window 12.  I explained my situation, and I was informed that it’s not a big deal, all I need to do is pay the fine (150LE, about $30), which includes the cost of a 6 months visa extension.

She handed me the form and I proceed to fill it out in Arabic assuming that will make things easier since we are in an Arab country and sine most of the staff do not speak English.  I returned to the window and handed her the form.  She asked me to please fill it out again but this time in English because I have an American passport so it had to be in English.  I did as I’m told.

She then asked for 1 copy of the passport.  (Oops didn’t know I needed that!) I asked where I could find a photocopy machine and she directed me to the first floor.  I went downstairs and to be on the safe side, I asked for two copies of my passport instead of one!  I returned to window 12 and handed her one copy.  She then asked for a picture.  (Oops I didn’t know I needed that either!)  So I asked her half jokingly if I could photocopy my passport picture instead of handing in an actual picture.  She said: ya course, anything will do!  WOW, I can’t believe that worked!  So I handed her my other copy!  She then directed me to window 42 to buy some stamps costing 11LE. 

I returned to window 12, and delivered the stamps.  Then they gave me a ticket and asked me to go back to window 42 to pay my fine.  At window 42 they told me this is NOT where I’m supposed to pay my fine, I should return to window 42.  Back at window 42, they directed me AGAIN to window 12!!! I then went to a random window and asked them where I’m supposed to pay my fine, and they explained that I should go to window 33, not window 44, or window 12!

I paid my fine at window 33, then went back to window 12.  They explained that I needed to get ANOTHER stamp from window 12.  I went back to window 12 to buy the 3 LE stamp, but they didn’t have change, so I couldn’t buy it!!! Ahhhhhhhh  At this point I wandered the halls asking random strangers if they had change for 50 LE, and in the process made some friends.  I finally managed to get change, and returned to window 12 to buy my stamp.

I returned to window 42, and at 10:30 I finally submited my passport. 

I was told to return in two hours. So at 12:15 I returned.  I went to the window to pick up my passport, but there were MANY MANY people waiting there.  I finally got my passport at around 2:20.

Of course since we waited there for two more hours, I ended up meeting a lot of the people that were also just sitting there waiting for their passport, including an Algerian man, a Jordanian woman, two Palestinian men, and an American woman.  It felt great to see people from all over the world.

The funny part is that while we were waiting, three different guys asked me out!  One was as old as my father, if not older (and my father is 751).  The second was as old as my kid (if I had one), I know I always say I don’t care about age, but there are limits!  The third was a religious Christian man who was talking to me about how much he loves Cairo because it has a large Christian population and how he wants to get married from here.  However, before he left, he wanted my number and wanted to get together for dinner.  Confused, I remind him that I’m from Yemen (not from Egypt) and that I’m Muslim!

2:15 I left the mugamma with some funny stories, and an extended visa until February.  Alhamdulilah!

Elevator problem

If you live in a country with no reliable electricity, I suggest you do NOT live on the 9^th floor!  The elevator broke, and it is really tiring!  I guess I’m REALLY out of shape J

Rain

Walking to the internet cafe near the apartment I noticed dark clouds. Could it be? Could it rain? It hasn't rained since i got here! I sat at the internet cafe for 10 minutes, then the rain started to pour. Kids that were playing video games left their games and ran to the glass door to watch the rain. The young men that were chatting or on facebook joined the boys. They were all standing in a straight line watching the rain. An older man in the cafe told us all that we should start praying because prayer during the rain is mustajab or "answered."

Rain continued to pour, and the three kids couldn't sit still, they finally opened the door and went out to play in the rain. I really wanted to join them, but people would have thought I was crazy.

The heavy rain reminded me of a summer day in Washington. Except that here it doesn't occur very often, and therefore it is much more appreciated.

After 20 minutes, the rain stopped, but the laughter of the kids continued. This is something they will talk about for the next week.

I'm in love

Two years ago, in a visit to Cairo, I understood what “love at first site” meant but my rational mind would not accept this type of love. I finally had to move to Cairo to “test” whether it's true or not.

October 20th marks my two months anniversary in Cairo. I can now announce that I am officially in love … with Cairo… :) I know it’s not a person, but at least I’m in love right? hehe

I am still on a Cairo high, and I love every second of it. Well not every second, as there are moments when I want to scream and yell!! Whether its when I’m stuck in traffic, or when the guy insists on honking the horn NONSTOP for no reason, or when my NEW water heater tank breaks for the SECOND time. In the past two months, I wake up everyday praying that I have water in the morning. Sometimes there is no water at all; sometimes there is water but no hot water (I’ve learned to take VERY quick cold showers). Sometimes while I’m taking a warm shower, the water shifts between hot and cold, and sometime it just stops (reminds me of Yemen). I miss having reliable hot water anytime I wanted.

There are also days when I am so furious with my job. I work at a research center in one of the “best” universities in the country, the American University of Cairo. Before I arrived here I expected some disorganization, but nothing prepared me for the level of carelessness and disorganization that I found. (I hope no one from work knows about my blog, it would be quite embarrassing!). It took me about two months to get an email account and an AUC ID (which I need to enter the university) and I still don't have a bus pass!

Despite all this, I am greatly enjoying this lovely city, and I believe this is what unconditional love is all about. Accepting the “negative” because there is a greater good. Like any other city, Cairo has a lot of negatives, the pollution, the traffic, and the disorganization. But I will learn to live with that because Cairo is worth it, as it offers much more than that. And maybe this is what relationships should be like.

I love that my neighborhood has become “home” now. The pharmacist next door knows me by name now and insists on calling me “Dr. Atiaf” because I sometimes wear glasses and I work at a university. The man at the grocery store asks why I haven’t been there in 3 days, and the woman at the internet café asks if my father is enjoying his time in Cairo. Humanity is alive here.

I alos love that there is so much to do everyday. If you want to visit historical sites there are plenty to see, if you want to attend academic lectures, there are many everyday. If you want to pray and visit religious sites, you will find a place in every corner, and if you want to enjoy some music or party you can do that as well. If you want to do a little of everything you can certainly do that.

Yesterday the taxi driver said to me, “you’re not from Cairo right?”, and I said yes that’s right. He then asks if I’m from Alexandria? That made me very happy. He assumed I am Egyptian. J

Court Orders Release of 17 Innocent Guantanamo Detainees into US

It's about damn time!

The worst part is this: All were cleared for release long ago. However, because of the stigma of their detention at Guantánamo and for fear of offending China, no other country had agreed to offer these men safe haven. 

I can't think of greater torment than to live innocently behind bars for seven years!  I wonder how many more innocent lives must suffer.  Close Guantanamo Now

Arab Unity is Dead

Police in Egypt have blocked a convoy organized by opposition groups to carry medical supplies to the Gaza Strip...it makes me sick

future

It's hard to articulate exactly why I'm afraid of this thing we call the future...why should I be afraid? it's just time.. and time doesn't exist..right?

Enjoy every moment because

"Each day is unique and final.  There never would be a return, another time."  

Arab persistence

This is what I call persistence!

A poster I saw in London at the church gate.  While having doubt feels like someone is losing their religion, in many instances it actually strengthens the faith.   What do you think?

No comment

I saw these pictures while walking in Dokki.  I can’t understand why someone would actually enjoy paining these pictures and then proudly hanging them up.  It’s not like we don’t see enough of all four of them!

nothing is purely good or purely evil

Everyone has a good side… some of us have been in touch with it, others have not.

Everyone has a dark side…some of us have been in touch with it, others have not. 

There is nothing purely good or purely evil

The good is so because it conquered the evil

The evil is so became it prevailed over the good

What makes one side prevail over the other? Is it circumstance? environment? personality? faith or lack of it? upbringing?

Whatever it is, next time you think of judging someone, just remember that both the good and evil have a place inside all of us.   

Ideology v. Reality, life of contradictions

We are a people who love demagogues and empty ideologies without action.

We are supportive of Palestine; but not of Palestinians.  We  are against the American occupation of Iraq; but do not support Iraqis.

We confine Palestinians, Iraqis, and other refugees to horrifying boxed camps that feel like prison; and we still complain when they enter our countries.  We complain that the prices have increased because of them, we complain that there is no room for them, and then we complain that our leaders are not supporting the Palestinian or Iraqi cause.  Lets be fair, and lets start by supporting the cause ourselves as well.

al-Saleh mosque, national wonder or national disaster!

The Yemeni government had a genius idea of dealing with Yemen’s poverty, high illiteracy rates, starvation, lack of water and health care.  Building a very expensive and lavish “Jami’I al-Salih”, or Salih mosque.  What a great idea, they must have had some very smart advisers.  Now when people demand and seek their rights, the government can just remind them that they built an amazing mosque for them, where they can go and ask God to help in solving their problems. 

 

There is nothing “Saleh” about this mosque.  The grandeur of the mosque represents the corruption so apparent in everyday life. It makes me sick.

 

السيرة الهلالية

I was fortunate to attend a night of poetry and recitation of al-seerah alhilaliyah by Sayyid al-Dawy, which was declared one of Mankind's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003.

 

For the last two weeks of Ramadan al-Dawy will narrate the story of Abu Zaid al-Hilaly in a well-known Arabic epic that recounts Bani Hilal's journey from the Arabian peninsula, to Egypt, then to Tunisia, through poetry, dhikr, and music. The night starts off with anasheed of remembering God and the Prophet, and then the story begins.  Throughout the story music is played.  In order to hear the entire story you must attend every night.  

Ramadan in um alduniya

Ramadan traditions are alive in Cairo.  The city is decorated with colorful lights.  The Musaharatee (the man who wakes up people for suhoor) comes daily.  Fawanees (lanterns) decorate the balconies of most homes.  (I bought a mini one too).  The taxi driver is grouchy in the morning and right before iftar time.  The traffic is doubled an hour before iftar, and the roads are so clear between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.

 Minutes before the athan, Egyptian families wait in silence at the dinner table.  Some have ifar with families, some at work, and some at Ma'idat al-Rahman or charity tables.  Ma'idat al-Rahman are seen everywhere during the holy month and they are sponsored by a variety of people, including well-known celebrites.  Anyone is welcome to sit and grab something to eat.  If you happen to be in an area or a neighborhood where you do not know anyone and you do not have time to get back home, grab a seat at ma'idat al-Rahman.  

After iftar many people stay up to enjoy what the city has to offer.  Some people spend the night in worship, others do a combination of worship and attending entertainment festivities, and others party the night with shisha and coffee.

The range of Ramadan activities varies.  You can attend any of the following: poetry recitals, story telling, folklore music, sufi anasheed, Egyptian jazz, rock group, Palestinian oud players, popular Tanbourah group, etc etc.  The great thing about this is that many of these events are free and open to the public, or they require a minimum and symbolic charge.  For those not interested in entertainment, they sit and relax in the Ramadan tents, or coffee houses that are scattered around the country.  (a latest survey said there are about 80,000 coffee houses).

Cairo is by far the wildest city to celebrate Ramadan, but not everyone is happy about the "commercialization" of this holy month.  Many fear that the spirituality and the real essence of ramadan is lost.  People here welcome ramadan but not as a month of self reflection and worship, but as a month of socialization, great food, and entertainment.  Sounds very similar to the commercialization of Christmas that happened in the West.

Hashimi? SO WHAT?!

I have heard numerous stories about failed relationships in Yemen.  The cause: class divide.  I was surprised to hear that to this day, many families still object if a non-Hashemite person proposes to their Hashemite daughter! 

Some Hashemites think they only “deserve” to marry Hashemites.  This feeling of elitism contradicts the egalitarian nature of Islam.  What surprised me even more is that it s not only the older generation that still thinks this way, some youth also fiercely hold on to this mode of thinking.  How can someone who claims to believe in Islam’s teaching of equality judge others based on their class!  People try to justify it and say that this is part of our culture and we should respect it.  But when someone is utterly racist, classist, and ridiculous we should not accept it simply because it is part of our culture!  Instead we must stand strong against it.   This class divide must stop.  Learn to judge people for who they are, not for what class their family belongs to! 

                  ** Hashemi refers to those descendants from Bani Hashem and claim to being a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad.

I'm on a Cairo high

September 20^th marks my first month anniversary in this lovely city.  It is as I imagined, a city full of culture, life, and humanity.

To give you a picture of what happened in the last three days: first my wallet was stolen, then a bulldozer hit the car (we’re ok alhamdulilah), the next morning the water heater tank broke (all in two/three days)! 

Yes it is a crazy place.  It is so crowded, loud, full of life, chaotic, and I love every bit of it.  Yes it’s loud, but it’s real, and human.  The cab driver very naturally asks for water from the passing taxi, the woman on the street offers me tea while I’m walking, and the woman on the bus complains to me about her rent.  There are no walls between people. 

In my first month, my emotions are heightened, and I am on a Cairo high. 

 

Technology Egyptian Style

You can now receive many types of SMS messages directly to your phone in Egypt including:

• -       Updates on police torture by SMS through ta3zeeb…a web channel dedicated to reporting and informing citizens of torture cases nation wide.
  
• -       Need an alarm clock for morning (fajr) prayer? You can now get an SMS message every morning to wake you up, if an SMS is not enough you can also get a daily phone call through Fajr Caller
  
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Beirut, a city of confused identity

On July 20^th at 1:30 p.m., I arrived at the “Hariri International Airport.”  I was very excited to finally visit Beirut, a small but strategic Middle Eastern city that I imagined to be vibrant, full of life, and bursting with young energetic activists engaged in politics. 

Beirut’s narrow roads, historic buildings with intricate architectural details tell stories of bitter memories and a dark past.   The waves of the sea and the mountains remind us of the resilience of the Lebanese.  In half an hour you can go from tanning on the beach, to enjoying the cool breeze on the top of the mountain.  But very quickly you lose focus of the natural beauty as you are sidetracked by the massive amounts of silicon, make-up, expensive cars, and brand names.  I visited Miami about a year ago, and this city has more silicone than Miami, Vegas, and LA combined.  Ok fine, that is an exaggeration, but you get my point. 

I respect the Lebanese for loving life and enjoying every moment of it, but enjoying life should not be equated with living a fake life, a life you can’t afford, and more importantly, a life dedicated to pretentiousness.  Beirut reminds me of Hollywood with its materialism, obsession with weight, and plastic surgery.    

Of course not all of Beirut is that way.  Beirut varies significantly from place to place.  What you see in Beirut depends on where you are and who you are with.  It almost feels like a city of split personality.  There is a clear dichotomy between various parts of the city.  Old historic war wreckage buildings stand proud next to a large Haifa Wahbe billboard. Downtown is a reminder of wealth and power mixed with desire for western imitation.  Life in the refugee camp is barely life, it is about sorrow and displacement and horrifying memories; and al-dahiya or Southern Beirut is the essence of struggle for freedom.

I searched and searched for the Beirut I imagined, the Beirut of culture, politics, and elegance.  But I found a Beirut that has been branded and sold by the corporate world.  A Beirut with a lost Arab soul with blind Western immitation.