by Natasha Tynes | Feb 14, 2005 | Political mayhem
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 Natasha Tynes | Feb 14, 2005 | Shutterbug
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Here is a highlight from the gallery of light
cascading through the doorway of an Umayaad ruin in Amman.
For more pictures keep your eye on the gallery. Click the categories to explore what’s in there and remember, all pictures englarge when you click on them.
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by Natasha Tynes | Feb 13, 2005 | Tidbits
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s morality police are on the scent of illicit red roses as part of a clampdown on would-be St Valentine’s lovers in the strict Muslim kingdom. The Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Saudi Arabia’s powerful religious vigilantes, have banned shops from selling any red flowers in the run-up to February 14.
Florists say the move is part of an annual campaign by the committee — whose members are known as "mutawwaeen" or volunteers — to prevent Saudis marking a festival they believe flouts their austere doctrine of "Wahhabi" Islam. "They pass by two or three times a day to check we don’t have any red flowers," said a Pakistani florist in Riyadh’s smart Sulaimaniya district. "Look, no red. I’ve taken them all out," he said pointing to a dazzling floral collection covering every color of the rainbow except one.
Source [Reuters]
I know I should not be surprised by any news coming out of Saudi Arabia, but this one is just too much. I mean come on, red roses! This is what I call energy wasted!
by Natasha Tynes | Feb 12, 2005 | Tidbits
This one is from Bahrain.
Teenage girls fined
MANAMA: Two teenage girls were fined BD100 by the Lower Criminal Court for singing loudly in a street after attending a hotel party in Manama late at night. They were caught by a police patrol.
Source: [Gulf Daily News] Via: [Or does it?]
Update: The full story has emerged. See ‘comments’ for details.
by Natasha Tynes | Feb 11, 2005 | Tidbits
Fellow countrywoman and blogger, Roba, mentioned the latest IKEA chaos in north London, where people clashed as they gathered for the opening of the famous furniture store. She revisited the stampede that occurred in Saudi Arabia last year when three people died waiting for the opening of that same Swedish furniture giant in Riyadh.
All that reflection made me wonder what the Jordanian reaction would be if this legendary store ever makes it to the kingdom. For some reason, I foresee a similar mania, if not worse, among those ready to welcome the arrival of this touted brand in Jordan.
What makes me think so? Let’s travel back, back to the mid-1990’s and remember what happened to Jordan and Jordanians when the first McDonald’s opened in the capital. Oh, my! I remember after the initial opening of the store, parts of West Amman were closed for almost a week because of the traffic, as waves of burger lovers came from across the country to get a glimpse of the famous golden arches.
I was among those trying to drive to the Seventh Circle District to see what all the fuss was about. Of course I couldn’t get through the massive traffic jam; I was stuck in it for hours. I amused myself by guaging people’s excitement as they waited for their turn to get a taste of that burger. I remember seeing kids dangling from the car windows chanting “McDonald’s! McDonald’s! McDonald’s!” It was, by any definition, mass hysteria.
The story doesn’t end here. When I went to Jordan University the following day I was among a select few that decided to skip early morning classes so we could get to Mickey D’s before anyone else arrived. After ditching school, a group of ten of us or so managed to dodge traffic and arrive safely in Seventh Circle to make it inside. After savoring a Big Mac, we stopped to take a picture outside the store with the infamous Ronald McDonald. If that is not pathetic I don’t know what is.
Would I be surprised if a similar incident occurs in Jordan if IKEA ever makes it to the kingdom? No. Brand obsession is another trait cherished by Jordanians from all walks of life. The story of McDonald’s-Jordan is but one example.
Fellow countrywoman and blogger, 
What makes me think so? Let’s travel back, back to the mid-1990’s and remember what happened to Jordan and Jordanians when the first McDonald’s opened in the capital. Oh, my! I remember after the initial opening of the store, parts of West Amman were closed for almost a week because of the traffic, as waves of burger lovers came from across the country to get a glimpse of the famous golden arches. 
I was among those trying to drive to the Seventh Circle District to see what all the fuss was about. Of course I couldn’t get through the massive traffic jam; I was stuck in it for hours. I amused myself by guaging people’s excitement as they waited for their turn to get a taste of that burger. I remember seeing kids dangling from the car windows chanting “McDonald’s! McDonald’s! McDonald’s!” It was, by any definition, mass hysteria.