1. Recognize and pay homage to the powers that be.
2. Thou shall see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Pretend you are in paradise and everything is just dandy.
3. Thou shall not consider yourself human.
4. Thou shall not make negative statements about the powers that be, actually just keep your mouth shut.
5. Remember that you are a nothing and act accordingly.
6. Thou shall honor the powers that be.
7. Thou shall not think for yourself.
8. Thou shall not expect any basic human rights. In fact, expect nothing.
9. Thou shall not bear as a true witness to all the corruption.
10. Thou shall be grateful for the little morsels of humanity thrown your way.
Now memorize them well and heed what they say. Remember in Bahrain these commandments are the most holy. They are crucial to your well-being!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Another Slap on the Face
Barely two months into 2007 and the champions of a democratic Bahrain were dealt yet another slap on their respective faces. A lesson was met out to explain for all the limits of Bahraini 'freedom.'
Dr. Moh'd Saeed and Mr. Hussien Al Habshi were sentenced to serve terms of one year and six months respectively for exercising their right of free speech.
To rub salt onto the wound, Abdulhadi Khawaja (president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights) and Hassan Mushaime (secretary general of the Haaq Movement) were arrested earlier this morning.
It is a shame and a crime that families have been robbed of their loved ones and men taken away from their lives, just so we can all be taught a lesson.
Oh powers that be, we learnt our lesson: we know you consider us subhuman not worthy of the space we occupy. Message received LOUD and CLEAR. Now powers that be, can you please let these men go...
No wait, I realize now that someone has to pay and it certainly won't be you.
Dr. Moh'd Saeed and Mr. Hussien Al Habshi were sentenced to serve terms of one year and six months respectively for exercising their right of free speech.
To rub salt onto the wound, Abdulhadi Khawaja (president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights) and Hassan Mushaime (secretary general of the Haaq Movement) were arrested earlier this morning.
It is a shame and a crime that families have been robbed of their loved ones and men taken away from their lives, just so we can all be taught a lesson.
Oh powers that be, we learnt our lesson: we know you consider us subhuman not worthy of the space we occupy. Message received LOUD and CLEAR. Now powers that be, can you please let these men go...
No wait, I realize now that someone has to pay and it certainly won't be you.
The Dream that was a Nightmare
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a tiny kingdom that was known as the jewel of the seas. Though plain, this island was magical and bewitched all its inhabitants. The citizens loved this kingdom deeply and thought it the greatest place on earth. Life wasn’t easy for the people faced many hardships. But all considered themselves fortunate to be part of this great kingdom. As the years went by hope blossomed in the hearts of the citizens that this great kingdom of theirs will afford them basic provisions. Now these people weren’t greedy nor were they lazy, for these provisions were part of human nature.
Well, what were those provisions you ask? It is quite simple really; these folks wanted a better life for all. This hope grew into a dream and soon many of the wonderful citizens believed that this dream will come true. They worked together to accomplish their goal. Day and night they toiled. And just when the dream started to materialize, a storm descended on this magical island. The good people were scattered about, some buried in caves that bound them. Other were carried by the mighty winds and placed in lands unknown. The storm was so ferocious that some were robbed of their voices and went about their lives silenced and torn. Many years passed with the people sad and worn.
However, the people of the magical island did not lose sight of their goal. Hope grew inside them ready to burst until they were compelled to act upon it. Just when the dream began to bear fruit, suddenly another storm rolled, threatening to sweep all their hard work. The wind gusts were powerful and caused significant damage but the people remained strong.
During the storm, a thought was planted in some minds: what if this hope that grew into a dream….what if it was a nightmare all along?
Well, what were those provisions you ask? It is quite simple really; these folks wanted a better life for all. This hope grew into a dream and soon many of the wonderful citizens believed that this dream will come true. They worked together to accomplish their goal. Day and night they toiled. And just when the dream started to materialize, a storm descended on this magical island. The good people were scattered about, some buried in caves that bound them. Other were carried by the mighty winds and placed in lands unknown. The storm was so ferocious that some were robbed of their voices and went about their lives silenced and torn. Many years passed with the people sad and worn.
However, the people of the magical island did not lose sight of their goal. Hope grew inside them ready to burst until they were compelled to act upon it. Just when the dream began to bear fruit, suddenly another storm rolled, threatening to sweep all their hard work. The wind gusts were powerful and caused significant damage but the people remained strong.
During the storm, a thought was planted in some minds: what if this hope that grew into a dream….what if it was a nightmare all along?
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Another Quote
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.Watch your words , they become actions.Watch your actions, they become habits.Watch your habits, they become your character.Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
-Frank Outlaw
-Frank Outlaw
Friday, January 05, 2007
Quote of the Day
I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.
-Voltaire
or as Mahmood suggested:
I detest what you say, but I would defend to death your right to say it.
-Voltaire
-Voltaire
or as Mahmood suggested:
I detest what you say, but I would defend to death your right to say it.
-Voltaire
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Who is Dr. Mohammed Saeed?
A relative and a fellow blogger asked me who Dr. Moh’d Saeed is. She came across his name on my blog and wondered about this person.
So who is Dr. Moh’d Saeed? Well I don’t know him personally, although I would certainly be honored to. However, I am related to him, a cousin of a cousin sorta deal. [Isn’t it wonderful how we are all one big family in Bahrain?] Yet this isn’t the reason why I blogged about him.
In fact, I only came to know of him when I heard from my father that he was imprisoned. “Do you know so and so’s son, who is so and so’s cousin was arrested?” Even then, I am ashamed to say that I din’t pay him or news of his arrest any attention.
Then I started reading more and more about Dr. Saeed and began to follow his story. On the personal and professional level, Dr. Saeed is a 35 year old Bahraini dentist. He is also a political and human rights activist.
The following is a summary of Dr. Saeed’s detainment:
Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al Sahlawi and Mr. Hussain Abdelrazaq Alhabashi were arrested mid November 2006. Their detainment was extended several times pending investigations. The chief prosecutor Ahmed Bucheeri claims that they were caught with leaflets they were planning to distribute. [The leaflets concerned the Bandargate scandal and urged people to boycott the elections.] They have been detained since mid November and could face up to three years in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty.
They are held on two charges, relating to the Press and Publishing Code and Penal Code. The first charge is promoting "changing the system of the state through illegal means and without a legitimate reason". The second charge is that the publications allegedly contain false rumors that "would cause disruption of public security and damage public interest".
Interestingly enough, “the two laws under which they are to be charged and tried, the Law of Printing and Publications and the Penal Code had been described as both in violations of the fundamentals associated with freedom of speech and expression, as well as International Standards of Human Rights which defend those freedoms essential to any country which claims to be harboring the very example of democracy and justice.” (Bahrain Center for Human Rights).
So who is Dr. Mohammed Saeed? He is more than just another casualty of my beloved.
He is a son, a father and a husband. He is a fellow Bahraini paying the price of enjoying our ‘freedom of expression’ while the rest of us go on with our merry lives.
Attempts are being made to silence him, to punish him for being courageous and speaking his mind. And through him, an example is made to us of how we should be using our new found freedoms… or else suffer a similar fate.
He is a prisoner of conscience in this country that seemingly never tires of sacrifices and always demands much more blood and tears to be shed at her alters.
So who is Dr. Moh’d Saeed? Well I don’t know him personally, although I would certainly be honored to. However, I am related to him, a cousin of a cousin sorta deal. [Isn’t it wonderful how we are all one big family in Bahrain?] Yet this isn’t the reason why I blogged about him.
In fact, I only came to know of him when I heard from my father that he was imprisoned. “Do you know so and so’s son, who is so and so’s cousin was arrested?” Even then, I am ashamed to say that I din’t pay him or news of his arrest any attention.
Then I started reading more and more about Dr. Saeed and began to follow his story. On the personal and professional level, Dr. Saeed is a 35 year old Bahraini dentist. He is also a political and human rights activist.
The following is a summary of Dr. Saeed’s detainment:
Dr. Mohamed Saeed Al Sahlawi and Mr. Hussain Abdelrazaq Alhabashi were arrested mid November 2006. Their detainment was extended several times pending investigations. The chief prosecutor Ahmed Bucheeri claims that they were caught with leaflets they were planning to distribute. [The leaflets concerned the Bandargate scandal and urged people to boycott the elections.] They have been detained since mid November and could face up to three years in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty.
They are held on two charges, relating to the Press and Publishing Code and Penal Code. The first charge is promoting "changing the system of the state through illegal means and without a legitimate reason". The second charge is that the publications allegedly contain false rumors that "would cause disruption of public security and damage public interest".
Interestingly enough, “the two laws under which they are to be charged and tried, the Law of Printing and Publications and the Penal Code had been described as both in violations of the fundamentals associated with freedom of speech and expression, as well as International Standards of Human Rights which defend those freedoms essential to any country which claims to be harboring the very example of democracy and justice.” (Bahrain Center for Human Rights).
So who is Dr. Mohammed Saeed? He is more than just another casualty of my beloved.
He is a son, a father and a husband. He is a fellow Bahraini paying the price of enjoying our ‘freedom of expression’ while the rest of us go on with our merry lives.
Attempts are being made to silence him, to punish him for being courageous and speaking his mind. And through him, an example is made to us of how we should be using our new found freedoms… or else suffer a similar fate.
He is a prisoner of conscience in this country that seemingly never tires of sacrifices and always demands much more blood and tears to be shed at her alters.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
I Pity the Fool...
So many things to say and many to write about. Yet, when I open my mouth words choke me and when I start to type reality frustrates me. It seems my beloved has once again played a cruel joke on me. The fool that I am, believed in her hopes and dreams. Hoped and dreamed right along. Cheered for her and her people. But once again, my beloved has shown me her true colors. My beloved has shown me how her faith has become a commodity in the hands of the highest bidder, and how easily money talks and corruption rules.
I pity the fool that is me....
I pity the fool that is me....
Open Letter to Mohammed Khalid
An open letter by Bahraini journalist Lamees Dhaif to parliament member Mohammed Khalid. (click on image to view and read the column).
على الوتر - لميس ضيف
رسالة إلى محمد خالد
على الوتر - لميس ضيف
رسالة إلى محمد خالد
لسبب ما أحفظ بشيئ ما للنائب محمد خالد رغم رعونته وطيشه وما يخرج به بين الحين والآخر من تصرفات غير مسؤولة ولا محسوبة.. وذلك لأني لا أرى فيه اللؤم الذي أراه في الآخرين بقدر ما ارى فيه شخصية انفعالية تهيمن فيها العواطف والانفعالات على صوت العقل وأخال أن تلك صفة يعرفها تمام المعرفة عن نفسه.. ولا ادل على ذلك من ان هناك من بين الرموز والنواب والمشايخ من يحمل في قلبه جبلاً من الحقد لخصومه ورغم ذلك فلا ينطق بربع ما ينطق به محمد خالد من ترهات وتصريحات عدائية..ولأن الدين نصيحة.. فليسمح لي هنا بكلمة ـ لا تنسحب عليه فحسب ـ بل على كل متشدد سيدخل البرلمان حاملاً معه فكرا تسقيطيا تكفيريا.. قد يكون انتماؤك الإخواني يا شيخ خالد هو ما أوصلك لهذه المكانة التي أنت عليها اليوم.. ولكنك بقبولك الدخول في البرلمان »البحريني« تحولت كنائب لشعب البحرين بأكمله لا لأبناء مذهبك فحسب.. وشعب البحرين -سواء أشئت أم أبيت- لا يقتصر ولن يقتصر يوماً على السلفيين والأخوان بل هو أيضاً مكون من ذاك المزيج الذي تراه من »علمانيين وروافض ويساريين« على حد تعبيرك في خطبة الجمعة التي مضت.. وكنائب تمثل كل بحريني في الداخل والخارج - بما فيهم من أسميتهم بأبناء السلندرات- لا يليق بك التطاول على فئة والهجوم على أخرى.. وعليك ان تدرك أن تسقيطك لفئة وتقزيمك لجمعية وتخوينك لجماعة أمر لا يتماشى مع المكان والدور الذي ارتضيته لنفسك. هنالك بحر من التسجيلات المنتشرة لمشايخ عدة يتطاولون فيها على أبناء طائفة بعينها، ولكنها تسجيلات لا قيمة لها ولا نسمعها إلا للتندر والسخرية إذ أن من الطريف حقاً أن يظل لليوم من يتكلم بهذه العقلية. ولكن لسماعها من نائب للشعب وقع مختلف.. وقع مخيف.. فهي تثير في نفوسنا الرعب من مستقبل ملغم بالإصطدامات والمواجهات الخطرة التي تؤجج سعار الطائفية في المجتمع، السعار الذي أحرق بلهبه دولاً عدة آلت للدمار من جراء تأجيج نعرات كهذه.. ويبقى لك أن تعرف أنك اليوم في موقع هام وحساس تأتي معه التزامات وطنية يجب أن تتقيد بها.. التحشيد لجماعة والتنفير من أخرى لمجرد إختلافها معك ليس مما يأتي على قائمة تلك الإلتزامات.. ونحن ننتظر منك أن تكون الوحدة همك و إنجاح تجربة التعايش هاجسك، وتحريض الناس على الوفاق »كمبدأ لا جمعية« منهجك.. ننتظر منك اليوم ترميم الشروخ وتطهير النفوس من جيف الطائفية لا تعميقها من على منبرك.. ونذكرك هنا بأن الله نهى في محكم كتابه عن سب حتى آلهة المشركين لأن لا يفعلوا هم المثل.. فكيف بل وانت تسئ لمذهب أخوة لك في الدين وتصفهم بأبشع النعوت.. ولا أدرى كيف تقبل ان تكون معولاً لحفر خندق بين المسلمين عوضاً عن أن تبني بينهم الجسور..؟! أشُيِّمْتَ لتفعل ما فعلته الجمعة في بيت من بيوت الله؟! أم دفعت لزرع تلك الفتنة لأهداف انتخابية دنيوية؟! إنني أطلب منك.. وأطالبك كفرد من هذا الشعب أنت نائبه أن تترفع عن الخوض في عقائد الآخرين.. أنت سني لأنك ولدت كذلك ولو ولدت شيعياً لما بدلت مذهبك بمال الدنيا.. وأفضلية كل مذهب أمر لن يُحسم إلا يوم الحشر. وحتى ذلك اليوم لا نطالب سوى بشيئ من الاحترام للآخر.. الاحترام الذي عشنا في ظله لليوم شعباً مسالماً سالماً.. ولا نريد من المجلس ولا من شخوصه أن يفقدونا ما عشنا عليه طوال حياتنا من تسامح وتقبل..
Monday, December 04, 2006
Quote of the Day
He who can make you believe absurdities can also make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire-
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
I Dunno How to Link!!!
I dunno how to link. There I said it. I can't. I tried and I failed miserabley. Several times. I tried and tried. I even joined a google help group. I read the blogger help. I even improvised. NOTHING works. It doesn't help that everyone's blog looks great, links, gr8 banners, pictures, videos, audio files the works. Mine, well I can't even get the stupid link thingie to work.
Oh well, who says a blog has to be all fancy like. Some like mine can be simple. Back to basics kinda blog. No links, no fancy shmancy banners or funny videos. It can perform its purpose: to have posts.
Yup! maybe if I repeat this enough I will believe it. Meanwhile, feel free to drop me any tips or hints!
Oh well, who says a blog has to be all fancy like. Some like mine can be simple. Back to basics kinda blog. No links, no fancy shmancy banners or funny videos. It can perform its purpose: to have posts.
Yup! maybe if I repeat this enough I will believe it. Meanwhile, feel free to drop me any tips or hints!
Acts of Desperation
Mobile phones being tapped with operatives listening to every word this family utters, from its parents all the way down to their preteen child…. Individuals working with the family under surveillance, their every move scrutinized, watched and recorded…. Payoffs and bribes, deals and promises are made in exchange of cooperation… a smear campaign carried out in places of worship and covertly behind closed doors… Coercion and threats are made to the members of the team working with the family…When this fails, arrests are made to put pressure on the big fish to give in…
Sounds like the cops staking out a mafia family in a movie or a TV show. Unfortunately, this is not the case… this stuff is going on right under your nose! Yes YOUR own nose, right HERE in WONDERLAND!!!
But in this case the family that is being watched and harassed is your average Bahraini, working to get by, family. The big fish that they are trying to defeat is none other than a candidate running against a powerful, corrupt, backed incumbent… Who is playing the role of the cops, well I will let you guess that for yourself, although I am confident you have a good guess who they are. I will give you a hint to help you come up with a name.. think southern governate, think payoffs and a big ugly beard.
It nice to see (yes I am being very sarcastic) that despite all this mumbo jumbo of democracy and reform, things are still what they used to be in Wonderland.
Sounds like the cops staking out a mafia family in a movie or a TV show. Unfortunately, this is not the case… this stuff is going on right under your nose! Yes YOUR own nose, right HERE in WONDERLAND!!!
But in this case the family that is being watched and harassed is your average Bahraini, working to get by, family. The big fish that they are trying to defeat is none other than a candidate running against a powerful, corrupt, backed incumbent… Who is playing the role of the cops, well I will let you guess that for yourself, although I am confident you have a good guess who they are. I will give you a hint to help you come up with a name.. think southern governate, think payoffs and a big ugly beard.
It nice to see (yes I am being very sarcastic) that despite all this mumbo jumbo of democracy and reform, things are still what they used to be in Wonderland.
GRE SUCKS!
I have to take the GRE at the end of the month.. This sucks, I don't understand the reason for it. They tell you immediately that the GRE is not a test of your college knowledge or intelligence. SOOO what is it a test for exactly? I hate having to study for it and I hate all the words they include in the verbal section. Words that have not been used in the 21st century.. alacrity, lassitude... are you kidding me?
Well as you can guess my study plans are not going well at all. I have a zillion or so words to memorize, along with their synonyms and antonyms... While everyone will be shopping, stuffing themselves, shopping, hanging out and yes, even more shopping, I will be stuck at home trying to cram for the stupid GRE and failing miserabley. Of course it doesn't help that I need my score to be in the top 10%, no pressure there at all!!
Ok-- rant mode off-- All I can say is IT SUCKS BEING ME.. :'(
Well as you can guess my study plans are not going well at all. I have a zillion or so words to memorize, along with their synonyms and antonyms... While everyone will be shopping, stuffing themselves, shopping, hanging out and yes, even more shopping, I will be stuck at home trying to cram for the stupid GRE and failing miserabley. Of course it doesn't help that I need my score to be in the top 10%, no pressure there at all!!
Ok-- rant mode off-- All I can say is IT SUCKS BEING ME.. :'(
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The forces that be are at it again!
It seems the forces that be are at it again to influene the outcome of the upcoming elections in their favor. Seems to me they are getting desparate. Illegal naturalization, payoffs just don't seem to be enough.
الرويعي: السعيدي ضالع في توقيف الهاشل
الوسط - علي العليوات تطورت الحوادث الانتخابية في الدائرة الأولى بالمحافظة الجنوبية بشكل متسارع خلال اليومين الماضيين، إذ اتهمت مترشحة الدائرة مريم الرويعي (رئيسة الاتحاد النسائي) منافسها في الدائرة السلفي المستقل جاسم السعيدي بالضلوع وراء توقيف مدير حملتها أحمد الهاشل، وقالت: »إن توقيف الهاشل جاء إثر شكوى تقدم بها السعيدي، يدعي فيها أن الهاشل أحد العسكريين ولا يحق له العمل في الحملات الانتخابية«.
وذكرت الرويعي أن »الهاشل لايزال موقوفاً في سجن القرين العسكري تمهيداً لتقديمه الى المحاكمة العسكرية بتهمة العمل في حملة انتخابية، كما أن أعضاء فريق الحملة الانتخابية تم استدعاؤهم يوم أمس الأول والتحقيق معهم حتى وقت متأخر من الليل، وتم إطلاق سراحهم بعد أخذ توقيعات منهم بعدم الاقتراب من خيمتي الانتخابية«.واستغربت من توقيف مدير حملتها بدعوى أنه تابع للسلك العسكري، وقالت: »نستغرب من هذه الانتقائية في التعامل مع المترشحين، لماذا يتم توقيف الهاشل دون غيره، وعلى الجهات المعنية أن تفتش خيام باقي المترشحين في الدائرة إذ ان غالبية شباب الرفاع هم من العسكريين، وباقي الخيام الانتخابية للمترشحين وحتى خيمة السعيدي تضم أفراداً عسكريين، وفي المقابل لم يتم اتخاذ أي إجراء ضدهم«، وأضافت »الهاشل كان يعمل مديراً للحملة الانتخابية للسعيدي في انتخابات 2002 ولم يتم التعرض له أو إثارة أنه يتبع السلك العسكري، فلماذا يثير السعيدي هذه الأمور في انتخابات 2006؟«، ورأت أن »ما يحدث هو إرهاب، ويستهدف تعطيل حملتي الانتخابية« بحسب قولها. وامتنعت عن التعليق عما إذا كانت تتخوف من تجيير أصوات العسكريين في الدائرة لصالح السعيدي، واكتفت بالقول ان »الناس ضمائرهم حرة، ويجب أن يتركوا بعيدا عن الضغوط«.من جانب آخر، أفاد المترشح المنافس للسعيدي والرويعي، محيي الدين خان أن الجهات المعنية أوقفت العاملين معه في الحملة الانتخابية إثر اتهامهم بالعمل في حملة انتخابية لأحد المترشحين إلى جانب كونهم عسكريين، ولفت خان إلى ان الجهات المعنية أخذت تعهدات من العاملين في الحملة الانتخابية بعدم التعاون معي. وحاولت »الوسط« الاتصال لأكثر من مرة بالسعيدي من اجل الحصول على توضيح منه، غير أنه لم يجب على اتصالات __________________________________________________________________جريدة الوسط - 11 نوفمبر 2006
الوسط - علي العليوات تطورت الحوادث الانتخابية في الدائرة الأولى بالمحافظة الجنوبية بشكل متسارع خلال اليومين الماضيين، إذ اتهمت مترشحة الدائرة مريم الرويعي (رئيسة الاتحاد النسائي) منافسها في الدائرة السلفي المستقل جاسم السعيدي بالضلوع وراء توقيف مدير حملتها أحمد الهاشل، وقالت: »إن توقيف الهاشل جاء إثر شكوى تقدم بها السعيدي، يدعي فيها أن الهاشل أحد العسكريين ولا يحق له العمل في الحملات الانتخابية«.
وذكرت الرويعي أن »الهاشل لايزال موقوفاً في سجن القرين العسكري تمهيداً لتقديمه الى المحاكمة العسكرية بتهمة العمل في حملة انتخابية، كما أن أعضاء فريق الحملة الانتخابية تم استدعاؤهم يوم أمس الأول والتحقيق معهم حتى وقت متأخر من الليل، وتم إطلاق سراحهم بعد أخذ توقيعات منهم بعدم الاقتراب من خيمتي الانتخابية«.واستغربت من توقيف مدير حملتها بدعوى أنه تابع للسلك العسكري، وقالت: »نستغرب من هذه الانتقائية في التعامل مع المترشحين، لماذا يتم توقيف الهاشل دون غيره، وعلى الجهات المعنية أن تفتش خيام باقي المترشحين في الدائرة إذ ان غالبية شباب الرفاع هم من العسكريين، وباقي الخيام الانتخابية للمترشحين وحتى خيمة السعيدي تضم أفراداً عسكريين، وفي المقابل لم يتم اتخاذ أي إجراء ضدهم«، وأضافت »الهاشل كان يعمل مديراً للحملة الانتخابية للسعيدي في انتخابات 2002 ولم يتم التعرض له أو إثارة أنه يتبع السلك العسكري، فلماذا يثير السعيدي هذه الأمور في انتخابات 2006؟«، ورأت أن »ما يحدث هو إرهاب، ويستهدف تعطيل حملتي الانتخابية« بحسب قولها. وامتنعت عن التعليق عما إذا كانت تتخوف من تجيير أصوات العسكريين في الدائرة لصالح السعيدي، واكتفت بالقول ان »الناس ضمائرهم حرة، ويجب أن يتركوا بعيدا عن الضغوط«.من جانب آخر، أفاد المترشح المنافس للسعيدي والرويعي، محيي الدين خان أن الجهات المعنية أوقفت العاملين معه في الحملة الانتخابية إثر اتهامهم بالعمل في حملة انتخابية لأحد المترشحين إلى جانب كونهم عسكريين، ولفت خان إلى ان الجهات المعنية أخذت تعهدات من العاملين في الحملة الانتخابية بعدم التعاون معي. وحاولت »الوسط« الاتصال لأكثر من مرة بالسعيدي من اجل الحصول على توضيح منه، غير أنه لم يجب على اتصالات __________________________________________________________________جريدة الوسط - 11 نوفمبر 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Why Do I Feel So Sad?
When I am in Bahrain, a feeling of euphoria accompanies me where ever I go for the first few days. I want to embrace every person I see, tell them how much I missed them; I want to kiss every child and feed the ground beneath me my tears of joy. I want to breathe in all the scents, the good, the bad and the ugly. I want to shout of the roof tops, scream out loud that I am home, I have finally come home.
Then the reality of Bahrain, the reality of my homeland and my people set in. The rosy glasses are taken off and I see all the ugliness. I take in the hypocrisy and double standards, the unemployment and poverty, the racism and sectarianism, the obsession some people have with all things trivial and the ignorance that still prevails, the conditional freedom and acceptance, the distorted freedom bestowed upon us and the decades-long struggle of my people for what they may never experience.
I try to reason with myself and others; how can we take one step forward and so many behind? How can we struggle for our freedom and at the same time let sectarianism and racism divide us? How can we think we are better than others when we have been put down all our lives? How can so many of us be ignorant of the plight of my beloved country? To the plight of those who gave up their lives, blood, family and efforts for the dignity of a country? I get mad, I become angry, my blood boils and I get agitated. Then I get jaded. I write off the dream of my beloved being free, a warm and loving embrace that encompasses all of its children.
Now that I am far far away, I hear and read of my beloved’s news, the same old stories that just take on new faces and names. Why am I not angry, why isn’t my blood boiling? Why does my heart ache and tears overflow my eyes? Why is it so difficult to write it all of as the same old story and a dream that turned to be just that: a dream? Why do I still long for a perfect beloved and a warm embrace that exists only in my head? Why do I feel so sad?
Then the reality of Bahrain, the reality of my homeland and my people set in. The rosy glasses are taken off and I see all the ugliness. I take in the hypocrisy and double standards, the unemployment and poverty, the racism and sectarianism, the obsession some people have with all things trivial and the ignorance that still prevails, the conditional freedom and acceptance, the distorted freedom bestowed upon us and the decades-long struggle of my people for what they may never experience.
I try to reason with myself and others; how can we take one step forward and so many behind? How can we struggle for our freedom and at the same time let sectarianism and racism divide us? How can we think we are better than others when we have been put down all our lives? How can so many of us be ignorant of the plight of my beloved country? To the plight of those who gave up their lives, blood, family and efforts for the dignity of a country? I get mad, I become angry, my blood boils and I get agitated. Then I get jaded. I write off the dream of my beloved being free, a warm and loving embrace that encompasses all of its children.
Now that I am far far away, I hear and read of my beloved’s news, the same old stories that just take on new faces and names. Why am I not angry, why isn’t my blood boiling? Why does my heart ache and tears overflow my eyes? Why is it so difficult to write it all of as the same old story and a dream that turned to be just that: a dream? Why do I still long for a perfect beloved and a warm embrace that exists only in my head? Why do I feel so sad?
Friday, February 17, 2006
Cleric offers reward to kill cartoonist!
Cleric offers reward for killing cartoonist Vow comes as Pakistan arrests 125, including radical Islamic leader
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 9:04 a.m. ET Feb. 17, 2006
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A Pakistani Muslim cleric said Friday that he and supporters were offering rewards of more than $1 million for killing Danish cartoonists who drew caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Maulana Yousef Qureshi, a cleric in the northwestern city of Peshawar, said during Friday prayers that he personally had offered to pay a bounty of 500,000 rupees ($8,400), while a jewelers association was putting up $1 million, and others were offering $17,000 plus a car.
Qureshi repeated the offer at rally later in the city to protest against the cartoons.
"If the West can place a bounty on Osama bin Laden ... we can also announce reward for killing the man who has caused this sacrilege of the holy prophet," Qureshi told Reuters, referring to the $25 million U.S. bounty on the al-Qaida leader's head.
What a BRILLIANT Idea! Why din't I think of this first and put up the $100 that I have. It isn't much but I bet some Luny Bin will rise to the occasion and secure his way to paradise! Seriously though, when will we learn????? Will we ever??? We want the world to stop thinking we are terrorists, so much so that we will terrorize them into not thinking it! Hopefully, a cleric or something will do some damage control.
Yes oh West, we are all for freedom of speech and freedom of every kind, except that not one of us is free, and when we disagree with you, we will go for your throat, so you better not piss us off. SAD.
The loser of a cleric should be fired, but sadly, me thinks he will be revered. Quick someone kill him so he too can go to paradise.
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 9:04 a.m. ET Feb. 17, 2006
PESHAWAR, Pakistan - A Pakistani Muslim cleric said Friday that he and supporters were offering rewards of more than $1 million for killing Danish cartoonists who drew caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Maulana Yousef Qureshi, a cleric in the northwestern city of Peshawar, said during Friday prayers that he personally had offered to pay a bounty of 500,000 rupees ($8,400), while a jewelers association was putting up $1 million, and others were offering $17,000 plus a car.
Qureshi repeated the offer at rally later in the city to protest against the cartoons.
"If the West can place a bounty on Osama bin Laden ... we can also announce reward for killing the man who has caused this sacrilege of the holy prophet," Qureshi told Reuters, referring to the $25 million U.S. bounty on the al-Qaida leader's head.
What a BRILLIANT Idea! Why din't I think of this first and put up the $100 that I have. It isn't much but I bet some Luny Bin will rise to the occasion and secure his way to paradise! Seriously though, when will we learn????? Will we ever??? We want the world to stop thinking we are terrorists, so much so that we will terrorize them into not thinking it! Hopefully, a cleric or something will do some damage control.
Yes oh West, we are all for freedom of speech and freedom of every kind, except that not one of us is free, and when we disagree with you, we will go for your throat, so you better not piss us off. SAD.
The loser of a cleric should be fired, but sadly, me thinks he will be revered. Quick someone kill him so he too can go to paradise.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Meet the Winners!
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you.....
President George W. Bush:
At a closed-door meeting with lawmakers Friday at a Republican retreat in eastern Maryland, President Bush warned that "I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room." He quickly added that "I know that's impossible in Washington." It was, even more so than usual. The first few minutes of his comments were being piped inadvertently through an open microphone to reporters who had just been escorted out of the event. In his supposedly off-the-record comments, he offered a defense of his National Security Agency eavesdropping program.
Vice President of the USA, Dick Cheney:
Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot his friend in the face and shoulder while bird hunting on Saturday. A birdshot pellet that hit the friend has migrated to his heart, causing a "minor" heart attack, hospital representatives said on Tuesday outside the hospital where Whittington is being treated.
It would be hilarious if they both weren't so destructively dangerous.
President George W. Bush:
At a closed-door meeting with lawmakers Friday at a Republican retreat in eastern Maryland, President Bush warned that "I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room." He quickly added that "I know that's impossible in Washington." It was, even more so than usual. The first few minutes of his comments were being piped inadvertently through an open microphone to reporters who had just been escorted out of the event. In his supposedly off-the-record comments, he offered a defense of his National Security Agency eavesdropping program.
Vice President of the USA, Dick Cheney:
Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot his friend in the face and shoulder while bird hunting on Saturday. A birdshot pellet that hit the friend has migrated to his heart, causing a "minor" heart attack, hospital representatives said on Tuesday outside the hospital where Whittington is being treated.
It would be hilarious if they both weren't so destructively dangerous.
Quote of the Day
"Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith."
- Prophet Muhammed (SAW) as reported by al-Bukhari
- Prophet Muhammed (SAW) as reported by al-Bukhari
Cartoons Reach Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
So, here I am visiting a friend on Friday, when the tired old question came up: Did you see the cartoons? I did not have to ask what cartoons she meant, by now, all of us about THE CARTOONS. So I said yeah and changed the subject. After all, what could I do? So then I come to know through another friend that the Sun News, Myrtle Beach's most circulated (and pathetically boring) newspaper has published the Danish cartoons.
Ok, I was extremely bothered when the Danish newspapers published the offensive cartoons, but now I am past bothered. Infuriated, and surprised. Why on earth would a newspaper in Myrtle Beach publish the cartoons. Here, Muslims are referred to as Mozzlems or the Nation of Izzlam folks. People here don't even know where or even what Denmark is, yet the newspaper thought it fit to publish the cartoons.
Whom do these cartoons address in this little southern town, where most would not even know who the Prophet is, and what do they hope to inspire?
These cartoons and the violent reactions they caused around the world only serve to reaffirm the misconception that Muslims are terrorists to be feared, that I (being normal and peaceful) am the exception to the malignant and dangerous rule. I will continue to get the locks of shock and masked fear when people realize that I am not Hispanic but an Arab and worse, a Muslim.
So what should I do? This time, it hits to close to home for me to be comfortable.
Ok, I was extremely bothered when the Danish newspapers published the offensive cartoons, but now I am past bothered. Infuriated, and surprised. Why on earth would a newspaper in Myrtle Beach publish the cartoons. Here, Muslims are referred to as Mozzlems or the Nation of Izzlam folks. People here don't even know where or even what Denmark is, yet the newspaper thought it fit to publish the cartoons.
Whom do these cartoons address in this little southern town, where most would not even know who the Prophet is, and what do they hope to inspire?
These cartoons and the violent reactions they caused around the world only serve to reaffirm the misconception that Muslims are terrorists to be feared, that I (being normal and peaceful) am the exception to the malignant and dangerous rule. I will continue to get the locks of shock and masked fear when people realize that I am not Hispanic but an Arab and worse, a Muslim.
So what should I do? This time, it hits to close to home for me to be comfortable.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
The Ruckus over the Danish Cartoons
When I was younger, my dad used to say that freedom is conditional. You see, with freedom comes responsibilty. You are free to do whatever you please as long as your actions or words do not hurt or limit the freedom of another. Once harm is established, then you have to face the ramifications and may even have your freedom restricted or revoked.
So in the West, people are free and democratic, something we still long for. Yet what is freedom, really, and how do you define it? Muslim girls in France are banned from wearing hijab in schools, a move unanimously backed by the french goverment. People with Muslim, Arab or African names have difficulty finding employment. In the States, there is the Partiot's Act which allows government agencies to spy on people.
On the other hand, the West has freedom of speech. So much so, that often time slander and hateful comments are regarded as the individual's inherent right to free speech. (antisemitic comments and negative remarks about the holocaust are crimes punishable by law in many western countries. These negative remarks include publicly doubting the holocaust.. but of course prophet bashing is free speech and welcomed!)
So this brings me to the Danish cartoons that slander the Prophet (PBUH). The questions that beg to be asked, is a person's freedom limited or unlimited? Shouldn't a person be held responsible for the results of his/her right to practice free speech? In this instance, my dad's words come to my mind, you are only free to do as you wish as long as no one is harmed. In the case of the Danish cartoons, clearly the sensibilities of all Muslims were offended .
So what do we do now? Do we murder him like Theo Van Gogh, the Danish filmaker was? Do we act violently and reinforce the negative image Islam seems to have? Do we act rashly with threats, hateful words and boycotts that would do Muslims more harm than good and create a backlash?
Or do we rise to the occasion? Why not sue the cartoonist for defamation and slander? Why not take the high road and settle this one and for all in courts? Why not establish a clear precedant in their courts and in their lands that makes it clear that slander of religion (whatever it maybe) is not freedom of speech and should not be tolerated? Why not be patient, resourceful and resilent until we have it established that with freedom of speech comes responsibility?
Wasn't the Prophet (PBUH) mocked and ridiculed by his opponents? For that matter, weren't most prophets (PBUT). But the Prophet never waged a war for that reason or incited violence and doled out threats. Why not mimick his actions as we struggle to right the wrong done against him?
Maybe because it is easier to make a ruckus and fuss, instead of being the bigger and better persons, instigating real and lasting change for the better.
So in the West, people are free and democratic, something we still long for. Yet what is freedom, really, and how do you define it? Muslim girls in France are banned from wearing hijab in schools, a move unanimously backed by the french goverment. People with Muslim, Arab or African names have difficulty finding employment. In the States, there is the Partiot's Act which allows government agencies to spy on people.
On the other hand, the West has freedom of speech. So much so, that often time slander and hateful comments are regarded as the individual's inherent right to free speech. (antisemitic comments and negative remarks about the holocaust are crimes punishable by law in many western countries. These negative remarks include publicly doubting the holocaust.. but of course prophet bashing is free speech and welcomed!)
So this brings me to the Danish cartoons that slander the Prophet (PBUH). The questions that beg to be asked, is a person's freedom limited or unlimited? Shouldn't a person be held responsible for the results of his/her right to practice free speech? In this instance, my dad's words come to my mind, you are only free to do as you wish as long as no one is harmed. In the case of the Danish cartoons, clearly the sensibilities of all Muslims were offended .
So what do we do now? Do we murder him like Theo Van Gogh, the Danish filmaker was? Do we act violently and reinforce the negative image Islam seems to have? Do we act rashly with threats, hateful words and boycotts that would do Muslims more harm than good and create a backlash?
Or do we rise to the occasion? Why not sue the cartoonist for defamation and slander? Why not take the high road and settle this one and for all in courts? Why not establish a clear precedant in their courts and in their lands that makes it clear that slander of religion (whatever it maybe) is not freedom of speech and should not be tolerated? Why not be patient, resourceful and resilent until we have it established that with freedom of speech comes responsibility?
Wasn't the Prophet (PBUH) mocked and ridiculed by his opponents? For that matter, weren't most prophets (PBUT). But the Prophet never waged a war for that reason or incited violence and doled out threats. Why not mimick his actions as we struggle to right the wrong done against him?
Maybe because it is easier to make a ruckus and fuss, instead of being the bigger and better persons, instigating real and lasting change for the better.
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