I’m extremely disgusted and horrified by the assassination of Rafiq al-Harrii in Beirut this morning. I just called my very good Lebanese friend Amal and she is shattered. This could herald a civil-war style conflict in Lebanon. It really is bad news.
My thoughts go with all the Lebanese people right now. May God give them strength, patience and tolerance in these very difficult times. And above all may the Almighty protect their beautiful country.
I’m so sick of this whole region. Mere words cannot convey my frustration. It is endless chaos.
by the way, i am watching the funeral right now. i am really speechless.
Ameen, thanks i guess. but i am not in this to win a debate. i am just expressing my opinion. i have read the entire report you are talking about. its sad. and like i have said before, we do not have the greatest leaders. this is why it is up to people like us to contribute and try to make a difference.
Jareer, Linda has won the debate, I think. We have some great people, but if you read the depressing Arab Human Rights Development Report (2002 or 2003), you will see that we are nowhere near our true potential, so in that regard Jareer, you win.
BTW – If anyone wants the AHDR, don’t pay 20 bucks at the UN website, I have a cracked PDF version, I am not condoning piracy, merely promoting knowledge, so I will not send you the latest episode of 24 or Alias although I have them. 🙂
Wendy, I am not a very religious person (understatement), but I do respect everyone’s right to express their own opinion. The problem that occurs with some people is that they cannot stand the idea of pluralism and that is scary. Thanks for the great service you are doing my country, we need more people like us (and by us, I mean humanists) around the world.
Ameen, I agree “religion” won’t solve anything. But the person of Jesus Christ, and His transforming power in the individual (and thus cultures), can. But His kind of power rarely shows in the world arena…more in a quiet influence of heart resolve. He comes as a Bridegroom, what more beautiful picture of hope, passion, trust and love.
I’m still with the mourners… this is a huge tragedy, all the more sad when the momentum is increasing for positive change in other pockets of the region. Hope is the most precious commodity in the Arab world today, IMHO.
I don’t see self-criticism as self=lashing, but a healthy introspection that needs to happen at an individual level to be a catalyst for change at a national one. The Gandis and MLKs of the Arab world need a foundation on which to emerge to cut through the mire of corruption, wasta and bakshish. I do think King A and Queen R are creating that level for others to build on. There are great Arab men and women quietly doing their job and making a difference. I am doing my part in Jordan and am “proud” with humility to be able to facilitate change at a heart level in the lives of women which will then impact the next generation. If you like building, Jordan is the place to be…and I don’t mean cement buildings.
For TOO long (sorry for shouting, Linda!)blame has been placed on the Jews and the West or the rich, or anyone; which then keeps real inner complusion to change from happening. But it is happening, and I am excited to see it. American suburbia IS boring compared to urban Amman!
My prayer is that this tragedy will be a catalyst for real change in Lebanon, that this man’s death will be used in a way more powerful than his life could to make it happen.
oh yeah, i forgot one more little thing that Arabs contributed to the world. its not that big od a deal really. what was it again? oh yeah, numbers! (now thats how you use the ! mark)
Jareer,
Your comments make me so sad. Really they do. Today, there are not great leaders who have brought democracy to the Arab world. As I said earlier, many of our problems deal with our leaders. But there are normal people like you and I that are trying to make a difference, and I think they should at least be recognized or given some form of credit. The fact that you are even asking me this type of question makes me wonder. So, if we have not created democracy then we are worthless? Is that what you are saying because I hope not? But, okay, here are just a few examples of people who did make a difference or are trying to make one.
King Hussein: in a Kingdom he was able to create some democratic reforms in the 9os by lifting the band on political parties in ’91. And of course you know that Jordanians love him and his family because they do not exploit the Jordanian people like other Kings do to their people. I don’t have to write an entire report about him.
Kazem El-Saher: Brought awareness to the west about Iraqis and what they are dealing with on a daily basis though his media tour around the U.S. and singing “We want Peace” with Lenny Kravits which can be heard on Rockthevote.org. Not sure if you can still hear it though since that was before the war started.
Mary Rose Akar: Served in all three legislative branches in U.S. government and now is president of the American-Arab Anti-discrimination committee, an organization that has done a great deal to help Arab Americans with their civil rights.
Ferial Masry: The first Saudi and Muslim woman to run for political office in the U.S. Although she lost, she plans on running again. She ran for a small local political office yet made news around the entire world. Is working hard for social change in Saudi Arabia, trying to help in bringing rights for women there. You can read the story I wrote about her here for Al Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/201B6FEE-65C4-4B21-AAFA-6E644B504FFF.htm
Ahmed Zewail: Co-Winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999
Jibran Khalil Jibran: We know what he wrote had a big impact on America since Kennedy decided to use what he said in his speech, without giving him credit.
King Abdullah
The entire staff at Al Jazeera: helping in creating an example of good journalism.
Elias James Corey: Co-Winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1990.
Can you list one thing great they did next to their name? Like: “brought democracy to their people”, “Invented something that makes sense- not just few sexy poems, or songs”.
Hmmm, lets see. So I take it you guys really do think there are no Arabs doing great, important or positive things in the world Ameen and Jareer?
King Hussein
Kazem El-Saher
Edward Said
James Zogby
Mary Rose Akar
Ferial Masry
Jibran Khalil Jibran
King Abdullah
The entire staff at Al Jazeera
Queen Noor
Murray Abraham
Elias James Corey
Nizaar Qabani
Tony Shalhoub
You know I can go on forever. The very fact you guys that you are so sad by this tragic event shows that al-Hariri was and important person to the Arab people and did many great things.
I am not saying that was is taking place is okay, or lets just forget about it. But to forget everything else and think that our culture and people are worthless is not something I will sit back and listen to. In no way am I saying our governments are great. If anything, that is where our problems are. It is people like the above mentioned, and people like you Ameen you can help in bringing positive social change within our culture and countries. I know you are angry and just venting, but this is how I feel about one part of my culture. As an Arab American, I embarrassed of who my president is, yet I will never denounce my American nationality and culture because I am very proud of it. With everything comes the good, the bad and the ugly. Either you sit back and act as if you wont care and give up on it all, or you do something about it.
Wendy, I love your positive thoughts, but religion seems to me to be the farthest thing from the world’s salvation.
Linda, name one.
Onzlo…
1) ‘brain drain’ as it’s commonly referred to was an 80s and 90s phenomenon. The new generation – my generation – is all going back, they see hope amidst the darkness, and possibilities amongst the wreckage. I’ve spoken to so many people who are going back, most shockingly Ivy League grads who received exorbitant offers from American companies and still went ‘home’.
2) Education, it seems, is not our salvation. I have met two Jordanian students here, one doing a PhD and the other doing an MSc. Their comments were “Shoo Ya3ni” (What’s the big deal) and “Akeed Il Yahood 3emlooha,” (The Jews were responsible) respectively.
3) Self-lashing is pointless and pitiful, but it is necessary in order to exorcise such elements from our society. If we merely took this incident as a force majeure, we wouldn’t start the healing/reform.
Less pissed today, but still angry.
Guys don’t be such loosers, if there is one reason why the Arab world has so many problems its probably because all the educated Arabs who should be fixing and running our countries just run away abroad to lead boring suburban lives, so instead the Arab world is left with ignorant powerthirsty fools to get us into this situation.
The Hariri assisination is disgusting and horrible itself, and because of the reprecussions that might follow, but the issue is complicated like everything in Lebanese politics, so self-lashing is pointless and pityfull at this time.