Observations from the Arab World: President Obama's Address to Muslims

Politics this century have too often been about differentiating and alienating. President Barack Hussein Obama took a different approach towards resetting Americaís relationship with Arabs and Muslims last Thursday. He has defined his politics as being about inclusion and cooperation. 

I personally can speak to how his message was received in the Arab Republic of Egypt in Al-Arish, a small coastal town located in the Sinai Peninsula. From the beachfront to the business district every single person was watching or listening to the address. Universities, schools and government offices all closed officially on Thursday to welcome the US President. 

By now everyone has commented on President Obama's seven points. I imagine that someday the issues will be put in bulleted print in a high school history textbook. The chapter headline will read something like: "The Beginning of Peace and Understanding." But right now, right here in Egypt the headlines inquisitively ask if he will fulfill his promises. Muslims here have reasons to be fearful and distrustful of US foreign relations. This region is tainted by war, sanctions and bad politics. Regardless, Arabs and Muslims were all ears.

Before the speech my family was making dinner plans. We decided to order prepared and delivered fish from the market so that we can all watch the live broadcast. Five minutes after the speech, we wondered where dinner was. When called, the cook apologized for the delay as they were watching the broadcast as well. Every single Egyptian was watching.

Growing up as a Muslim in America, I knew what our Politicians didn't; that my people were contributing to the nation. Kansas City in particular is blessed with a large, diverse community based in interfaith work, understanding and respect. I was ecstatic to hear my country's president recognize the efforts that have long gone unnoticed. These words weren't just relationship-building for Muslims abroad; they also reset the damaged relationship with Muslims back home in the US. 

President Obama visited a mosque and respected it by removing his shoes. When he spoke he began with a traditional "Salaam Alaikum" (Peace be with you). He went so far as to say "Peace be upon him" when he said the name Prophet Mohammed as a sign of respect for our religious leader. And when he spoke of values like peace, honesty and respect he quoted from our holy book, the Qur'an. Throughout the day every Egyptian citizen I came across could be found quoting from his speech. 

He also opened up several topics never-before discussed in this manner. Speaking about stereotypes, democracy, Guantanimo, Iraq, Iran, women's rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict he opened up debate amongst Arabs. He didn't solve the issues, but the theme for his visit was accomplished. It is definitely a new beginning for the relationship between the US and the Arab world.

President Obama learned firsthand that we are listening with open minds. Egyptians want to know if he will quell the ongoing violence in the West Bank and Gaza - violence that threatens Egypt's borders. Americans want to know if they will be safe to practice their own religion within America without being stereotyped. We are all listening and waiting to see what is the next step for President Obama.

War on Palestine

As usual I haven't posted in a month and there is a lot on my mind.

Probably the biggest question I have now is what I should be doing. I have a strong urge to go back home and be with people I love and miss. 

But I have an equally strong urge to cross the border into Palestine, into Gaza. I need to be doing something meaningful, but I don't know what. I donated blood, I'm type O, which seems to help out more often than not.

But I need to do more than bleed for them. I need to work. 

I'm just thinking out loud. Who has advice?

I hear the sounds, see the planes and have seen the trucks after trucks taking much-needed goods to Palestine. But there are not enough of those trucks and the border is not nearly open long enough to get things through. I see the trucks brining wounded people to our hospitals. At first it seemed like alot was happening, there were a few peaceful protests and we donated blood in the hospitals. But I keep wondering what else we can do to help? Clearly Egypt is not doing enough, and neither is the rest of the world.

Egyptians seem to be afraid. At lest those here in Al Arish. Everytime we hear a war plane flying overhead everyone says a small prayer thinking it will be their last. But somehow I think the people are equally afraid of the Palestinians breaking to border. They need anything and everything. They are living in substandard impoverished conditions. When they do come, as the inevitably must - they will finish the rice and flour and medical supplied and will all be homeless on our streets here. But why? Shouldn't Egypt do something else? Shouldn't America do something else? Shouldn't I do something else? We can't be silent!

They were wrong; uncertainty killed the cat

Before you jump to conclusions... Obama (the kitten) is doing okay. He's clean, he doesn't have fleas, and he only pees outside the litter box once a day.

Our generation needs one thing right now. We need to know that tomorrow we will have a nice place to live, justice, a caring government, a place to raise kids, or to know that we can just live in peace. But right now, we need to know if we have jobs.

I left the states on a prolonged vacation when my employer went under. And the employer before that left me victim to downsizing. I just graduated with my Master's and all along the way thought that if I study hard and earned good results and built a good resume I would have employers chasing after me. In the end I felt hopeless. I was uncertain where I would be in 6 months, let alone in 6 days. So maybe I made some quick decisions, just to say I made a decision.

I never wanted to be a statistic. An unemployed professional, or worst an underemployed one. When I finished my Bachelor's, I never left retail. And I know far too many people who have finished their Master's and never left waiting tables. Is that what my generation wants?

We want to know that we have a place in society and we can contribute to America's success just as our parents did, and their parent's did.

But hold on, uncertainty and fear don't only plague the kids at home. It plagues our generation around the world.

I'm currently working at a private University in Sinai. And with me I have seen many unemployed, underemployed, and underpaid. I currently work with an individual with a Bachelor's and experience and references galore who is making 600 EGP a month and working 8am to midnight, traveling with the boss and getting not a cent in overtime. Thats pretty much the story around the copy machine. Everyone is overworked and underpaid. 

So what are we to do? Not everyone can hop a plane to change their scenery and open up a new opportunity. And who is to say that is the best option anyway? I'm doing far more in my current position than I have in my entire life. I'm using every course I ever took at the Bloch school to do everything from handle student transactions to audit income and expenses to administer payroll to writing a budget for the entire University. But in the end my boss gets the credit. 

Okay, chalk it up to experience. But when can we stop doing things to get experience, and actually start doing things because we are good at it?

All this uncertainty is killing me. At first maybe I was curious as to see what would be next and what the future holds. Now I'm just scared. And I'm not scared just for me; I'm scared for a whole generation that is doomed to be overworked, overeducated and under-appreciated.

What a negative blog entry, my apologies. But its definitely on my mind and I think needed to be said.

I'll try to write something nice tomorrow.

Obama is growing while I work

I haven't blogged in almost 2 months.

I think I haven't quite gotten the hang of telling people what's going on in my life.

So maybe I will put some bullets for now... Or just brainstorm the things on my mind.

I got a kitten for my birthday from Ahmed.

I named him Obama, after the president-elect who I adore.

I went to the embassy on Election day to do a write-in ballot because my absentee paperwork never came.

That was an ordeal.

Right now in my small town, Al Arish, we are out of Petrol (gasoline), cooking oil and flour because the Palestinians have been without for months and have broken the border to get the basic necessities.

I'm now wearing a Palestian kafeya in solidarity.

My grandma is Saudia Arabia to make Hajj.

Others from my extended are making Hajj.

I have been visiting people to wish them well on their journey.

Work is terrific and terrible in the same sentence.

I have the first wireless router in Al Arish.

That wireless router doesn't work.

I'm trying to figure out how to make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner because I miss American eats. Suggestions?

I miss my friends back home a lot, especially this time of year.

This is the first year in 8 years I didn't work a retail Xmas.

Its strange.

I'm feeling a lot of pressure to take over a failing financial department.

But I still love my job.

My kitten is getting fat.

I have laundry piling up and no time to do it.

I'm afraid to get anything dry cleaned here, because if they ruin it, there is no Express here to get a replacement shirt/slacks/jacket.

There is a FedEx here in Al Arish, which is pretty cool.

And, believe it or not, Al Arish is really cold this time of year. I'm told it gets colder in December and January.

I bought a trendy black double-breasted pea coat for 500 EGP.

I miss my dad, we used to talk all the time about everything.

I can talk to my Uncle Alaa and thats all fine and dandy and he is a lot like my dad; but its not the same.

I need to set up my MajickJack so that I can have a number for all my US family/friends to call.

I miss Nuqta, Obama is much meaner. (see the picture, I have a scratch above my left eye)

I still haven't fixed my Wii or my wireless printer, and I broke my second phone somehow.

My Arabic has gotten substantially better and my spoken English remarkably worse.

I need a car.

This city is small enough to do things walking, but its not really safe enough to walk everywhere at any time.

There are literally families fighting here over blood. Like they kill each other.

I think thats it.

Oh and I beat the whole Sudoku game in my phone, so I need a new game.

Over and out.

Hey Mr. Larkin

I wanted to share a few songs that I think are amazing. iTunes' Genius has helped me discover a few of these. I will paste lyrics below, I think lyrics really make the song. I also think I may not have time to write a full blog, but maybe the gushy lyrics, soft melodies or political undertones of selected songs will tell you a little how I feel now...

 If anyone has the guitar tab for these songs, hook a sister up.

"Mr. Larkin" by State Radio

"Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens

"Our Brown Friends" by Lola Ray

"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds

"Sixteen Military Wives" by The Decemberists

"Falling Down" by Oasis

----

Mr. Larkin... by State Radio

I work in the kitchen

At an old folk's home

I do my best but I too am getting on

I do the dishes but lately I been breaking plates

See as I get older my hands are starting to shake

So Mr Larkin

See I got to hold this job

Did you misspeak when you told me

She was all but gone

Mr LArkin

Dock me my one week's pay

But don't ask me to leave

I can't afford that today

Ten years ago my wife took sick

So I brought her here

My job I quit

I started working for the home

So I could be by her everyday

We couldn't afford the cost in any other way

So, So Mr Larkin see I

I know she knows who I am

Every now and then she'll squeeze my hand

It's what I live for it's why she don't die

So Mr Larkin won't you give me this try

I walk to work on route 27

I see the same cars pass everyday

And through all this New England weather

You know never once have I been late

So Mr. Larkin see I

I know she knows who I am

Every now and then she'll squeeze my hand

It's what I live for it's why she don't die

So Mr. Larkin won't you give me this try

I see the argument you're making

And I understand you got to do your job

And believe me I know shes turning angel

But you see this woman is all I got

So Mr Larkin see I

I know she know who I am

Every now and then she'll squeeze my hand

It's what I live for it's why she don't die

So Mr. Larkin won't you give me this try

----

Casimir Pulaski Day... by Sufjan Stevens

Golden rod and the 4-H stone

The things I brought you

When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone

And he drove his car to the Navy yard

Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning through the window shade

When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade

I could see what you were reading

Oh the glory that the lord has made

And the complications you could do without

When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the bible study

We lift our hands and ray over your body

But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house

In the living room when you kissed my neck

And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs

When your father found out what we did that night

And you told me you were scared

Oh the glory when you ran outside

With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied

And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house

I find the card where you wrote it out

With the pictures of your mother

On the floor at the great divide

With my short tucked in and my shoes untied 

I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go

And the nurse runs in with her head hung low

And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade

On the first of March on the holiday

I thought I saw you breathing

Oh the glory that the lord has made

And the complications when I see his face

In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when he took our place

But he took my shoulders and he shook my face

And he takes and he takes and he takes

----

Our Brown Friends... by Lola Ray

Two fat men were walking through the forest

Walking though the forest

Both of them in chorus

Of my god it's a tiny little native

Tiny little native

Thank god we found him

We're just hanging out so please go home

We ain't talking that loud so leave us alone

Burn the huts and rape the women

Show them how to save their souls

Toss the sinners in the bonfire

Teach them how to love control

Cast them out and point the finger

Blame them for what's wrong these days

Turn them into perfect people

Team them how to love control

Control. Control. Control.

Two fat pigs were walking down the street

And walking through the park

And looking for some trouble

Came upon a ratty little faggot

Whiny little faggot

We're just hanging out so please go home

We ain't talking that loud so leave us alone

We've got questions if you've got the answers

If you've got no answers, we have got some questions

What's hot eight legs

And a giant ego

Fleeing like a demon

Staring at his Jesus

We're just hanging out so please go home

We ain't talking that loud so leave us alone

Burn the huts and rape the women

Show them how to save their souls

Toss the sinners in the bonfire

Teach them how to love control

Cast them out and point the finger

Blame them for what's wrong these days

Turn them into perfect people

Teach them how to love control

Control. Control. Control.

----

The luckiest... by Ben Folds

I don't get many things right the first time

In fact, I am told that a lot

Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls

Brought me here

And where was I before the day

That I first saw your lovely face?

Now I see it everyday

And I know

That I am

I am

I am

The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you

In a house on a street where you lived?

Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike

Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes

I see one pair that I recognize

And I know

That I am

I am

I am

The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties

Then one day passed away in his sleep

And his wife, she stayed for a couple of days

And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's strange way to tell you that I know we belong

That I know

That I am

I am

I am

The luckiest

----

Sixteen Military Wives... by The Decemberists

Sixteen military wives

Thirty-two softly focused brightly colored eyes

Staring at the natural tan

of thirty-two  gently clenched wrinkled little hands

Seventeen company men

Out of which only twelve will make it back again

Sergeant sends a letter to five

Military wives, whose tears drip through ten little eyes

Cheer them on to their rivals

Cause America can, and America can't say no

And America does, if America says it's so

It's so!

And the anchorperson on TV goes...

La de da de da

Fifteen celebrity minds

Leading their fifteen sordid wretched checkered lives

Will they find the solution in time

Using their fifteen pristine moderate liberal minds?

Eighteen academy chairs

Our of which only seven really even care

Doling out the garland to five

Celebrity minds, they're humbly taken by surprise

Cheer them on to their rivals

Cause America can, and America can't say no

And America does, if America says it's so

It's so!

And the anchorperson on TV goes...

La de da de da de -dadedade-da

La de da de da de -dadedade-da

Fourteen cannibal kings

Wondering blithely what the dinner bell will bring

Fifteen celebrity minds

Served on a leafy bed of sixteen military wives

Cheer them on the their rivals

Cause America can, and America can't say no

And America does, if America says it's so

It's so!

---

Falling Down... by Oasis

The summer sun

It blows my mind

It's falling down an all that I've ever known

Time to kiss the world goodbye

Falling down on all that I've ever known

Is all that I've ever known

A dying scream

It makes no sound

Calling out to all that I've ever known

Here I am, lost and found

Calling out to all

We live a dying dream

If you know what I mean

All that I've every known

Its all the I've ever known

Catch the wind that breaks the butterfly

I cried the rain that fills the ocean wide

I tried to talk to God with no avail

Calling my name from out of nowhere

I said "If you won't save me, please don't waste my time"

Catch the wind that breaks the butterfly

I cried the rain that fills the ocean wide

I tried to talk to God to no avail

Calling my name from out of nowhere

I said "If you won't save me, please don't waste my time"

The summer sun

It blows my mind

Its falling down on all that I'd ever known

Time to kiss the world goodbye

Falling down is all that I've every known

----

I expect the Spanish Inquisition!

Bloggers everywhere are talking about John McCain's recent quote regarding a possible meet-up with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. 

Its important to discuss.

So, Zapatero is not a Zapatista. But if he was, I still think that McCain should talk to him. Emiliano Zapata, who's name the organization takes, heavily advocated that the people control their own land and resources. People with resources? That is definitely a threat to US interests. I wonder if McCain knew that Spain and Mexico weren't one in the same. That can get pretty confusing. 

And Zapatero's Spain didn't enter into the Iraq war back in 2003 just like a lot of other nations didn't. In fact, the forces were primarily the US and Britain. Austria and Poland were part of the team too. But that leaves another, 190 countries that "aren't friends with us." It would probably be a good idea to speak with all of those presidents and Prime Ministers. Especially since, according to John McCain, "there will be other wars." 

Wait, Zapatero? Do we know who this dude is? He might not be that important. But maybe it would have been better to say "yes" I will talk to him at least to save face and not risk this sort of embarrassment. But then again there is always that risk of him being a terrorist. And we definitely don't want to partake in foolish delusions like negotiating with terrorists. 

But its more likely that Zapatero could have been confused for musician activist Frank Zappa. And since Zappa has been dead for 15 years almost, I can see why he would be hesitant to talk to him. And since Zappa once sang about a guy named Sheik Yerbouti, its obvious McCain had valid fears.

Its good that the Republican Presidential nominee doesn't talk to anarchists, non-coalition countries, potential terrorists and dead musicians. 

Over and Out.

Ramadan Fever

Growing up in a country where my holiday was always a side note, its strange to turn on the TV and see advertisements geared towards me. The ads promote new drinks, snacks, religious books, etc. And then a shopping trip that would be menial and annoying on any other hot, sweaty August afternoon became... so refreshing to experience. The hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday season is very exciting for me. 

I've always been an extreme participant in the Christmas season working in retail. I was there Thanksgiving night preparing for the mad sales. I usually didn't get to experience a day off until ten days after Christmas. But this is my first time to be really a part of the holiday season.

For once I don't need to request off to celebrate my holiday. 

The market today was packed. Everyone was stocking up on suhur (before fast meal) items and iftar (after fast meal) treats. After hitting up three spice shops we finally made it through a crowd to buy black pepper. And hailing a taxi was a feat today. Every single one was busy taking somebody who bought something somewhere. Two days ago I bought 3 pairs of shoes and 2 cute tops for very cheap. The before Ramadan Sales here are great. I'm told the Eid sales will be even better. 

But the shoppers here aren't consumerist enough for me. They buy essentials for the holiday season. I'm more interested in the fun things that make it a festive holiday. So I bought string lights and hung them in the living room. My two-year old cousin is estatic. And around the outside of the house I am hanging colorful streamers, from our balcony to the neighbor's. We never got around to these types of decorations in the states. Hanging lights in the off-season is definitely inexcusable and probably a violation of some city ordinance. 

I'm sure that I'm feeling a little nostalgia for the Ramadans of America I am accustomed to. No one has called me yet to say "Did you see the moon?" or "Will you be at the mosque tonight?" or "Will you break your fast here or there?" I haven't had the chance to be super excited internally. I haven't had an opportunity to plan how I will celebrate, fast, repent and purify while outwardly appearing the same to my coworkers and neighbors. 

Instead I'm outlining my spiritual plan for the month. This month will be the first in almost 10 years when I want to finish reading the Quran cover to cover. This year I won't break my fast on the run via a frozen TV dinner at work or a Snickers bar during class. (I will, however, miss the PF Changs and Buca di Bepo deliveries.) This year I want to breath in all there is to breath in around this holiday. Every aspect of being the majority faith is mine now to treasure. Everyone else around me seems to take this for granted because they have always had it.

I have a quarter century worth of lanterns to light, prayers to read, visiting, fasting, cooking, shopping, etc. to catch up on. I am going all out with Ramadan Fever, at least this once.