Rosetta Stone

Adios

2006-02-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Cairo Massacre

2005-12-30T04:37:00.000-08:00

The Egyptian police decided to unleash its familiar ugly face on the poor Sudanese refugees. The refugees have been camping inside a park in the upscale district of Mohandseen since September as a protest against the UNHCR refusal to consider them for refugee status. They don't want to return to Sudand or resettle in Egypt but instead in a third country like the US, Britain or Australia. After more than 3 months the police decided to take action to dismantle the camp by firing water cannons on them at this chilly weather, when the refugees hold foot... 2000 riot police attacked the camp beating the refugees with batons. Ten Sudanese, including elderly people and children, were killed and dozens wounded. 30 were wounded from the Egyptian police.

The Ministry of Interior are trying to blame the "unarmed" protestors for sparking the violence against the 2000 riot police (a7a). Meanwhile, the blame should be equally distributed on the "shocked" UNHCR for leaving these protestors in unhealthy conditions more than 3 months without looking at their demands and the Ministry of Brutality for using it's common techniques to deal with any problems they face. As if we didn't have enough reasons to demand the resignation of the Minister of Interior Habib El-Adly!

There's a protest tomorrow noon against this massacre, in El-Mohandseen, Mustafa Mahmoud Sq. in front of the UNHCR office.

Fear and Loathing in Egypt

2005-11-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

In the past weeks, the Muslim Brotherhood success in the Egyptian parliamentary proved to the Egyptians and the rest of the World, that they are a massive power in the local politics scene that should be taken much more seriously. It also sparked a massive outcry from the liberals, secularists and leftists, who fear the country is turning into an Islamic Republic a la Iranian style. The MB were able to win a good portion of seats in the parliament in the first, second and third rounds of the elections and surprisingly (to me at least) their biggest wins came in Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city, home to a large number of minorities in Egypt including Armenians, Greeks and Italians. It's very obvious that the Egyptian government was able to strike a deal with the brotherhood.

But is it true what they say about the Muslim Brotherhood? If you are a follower of the National Newspaper, TV and other independent newspaper, you will definitely notice that there is an aggressive smearing campaign against the Brotherhood going on. One thing we need to say is that we all became Are these fear rational? Since the esblisment of the MB 80 years ago and this people were never given a legitimate form or have taken any power. So, why did we all turn into foretllers predicting the furture of Egypt in the hands of the MB. Claiming that will be the next Iran the next Taliban. Nowadays, Political Islam is a fact and it will not diminished by force or even reason, so we need to acknowledge it and deal with it rationally. Islamists comes in different shapes and colors, Islamists in Iran and Iraq are different from Egypt and different from Afghanistan... even the Brotherhood are varied in its internal ranks, ranging from rigid to moderate leaders. Placing them in the same basket with the Bin Laden's is a big mistake.

Shutting them down, neglecting and prosecuting the Botherhood is not the answer. We all know how it turned out in 50's and 60's... Arresting, torturing Sayed Qutb and finally executing him was a turning point in the history of the Islamist movements. It paved the way for the likes of Ayman El-Zawaheri and Abdallah Azam to launch their hate on the entire society civil and political.

The secret of the Brotherhood success is not in their organized ranks and strong financial support as many people claim. The main ingredient of their success was their religious speech, they have imprinted themselves in the minds of many Egyptians as the sole savior of Islam in Egypt, undermining the main Islamic authority represented by Al-Azhar. Al-Azhar was once an independent entity that could oppose governments, colonials, Sultans, Caliphs and Kings, yet never really wanted to become an official political force. For example in the early 19th century when the Al-Azhar was the main factor in opposing the French Napoleonic conquest... they could've easily taken control of the country but they left the politics of ruling to someone who could really understand it i.e Mohammed Ali Pasha. Since Al-Azhar lost its credibility after 50 years of becoming a government tool, fleeing good folks inside AL-Azhar who were feeling bitter because of the government, where do they go to? The Brotherhood, because they are standing there arms wide open with their religious slogans, it would be normal for them to join their ranks, hence making the Brotherhood stronger and more religiously affiliated.

Egyptians are stunned and drugged at the same time, 50 years of a chauvinist military rule, were successful in discrediting and sedating the civil powers. Converting other secular political parties whether liberal, leftist into puppets and weak whining groups. It is the main reason that makes Egyptians by far more inclined to discredit than have faith in each other, and anyone who comes up with an alternative political view would be easily labeled as traitor or a CIA agent.

The discredit sentiments eventually transformed into violence as we witnessed during the elections. For the good of this country we need to argue, refute with the Brotherhood, expose their real intentions but never fight them. Stupid calls from many neo-liberals to prosecute the MB and dismantle them is a recipe for a catastrophe that will sink us down into a civil war a la Algerian 90's style. I would ask the Egyptian neo-liberals to drop the American bukkake acts for just a couple of minutes and start believing in the will of the Egyptians.

I believe that transparent real democracy will expose the fascists and the corrupt . Let's hope in next few years that reforms will force itself on the political scene and thus giving a fair and equal opportunity to every political direction. The brotherhood with over 70 seats in the parliament and promises of reforms in the line of other political parties could be a strong advantage to the entire opposition but if the rumors are true about some sort of unorthodox marriage between the National democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood then we all have to secure our asses, as it will be an open season for screwing secularists & liberals and I'll start praying in Homer Simpson words "I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me, Superman!"

Moustapha Al-Akkad R.I.P

2005-11-11T05:59:00.000-08:00

Syrian-born director and producer, Mustapha Al-Akkad passed away today. From wounds sustained in the Jordan terrorist attacks. His daughter died immediately in these cowardly attacks. Al-Akkad is one of my favorite movie directors, he directed movies such as The Message (the story of prophet Muhammad) and Lion of the Desert (the story of the Libyan freedom fighter Omar Mukhtar). He is also the producer of "Halloween" horror movie series.

My condolences to his family and the families of all the victims in this sick attack.

Who you gonna vote?

2005-11-09T05:14:00.000-08:00

Ghostbusters!!

Yesterday, I saw my father gathering support for his favorite candidates in the parliamentary election Dr. Hossam Badrawi (the NDP candidate). My dad asked me to gather some of my friends and co-workers to go and vote Badrawi and Abdel-Aziz Mostafa (another NDP candidate), "hell no" I shouted, which was the only polite reply I could think of. "So, you're not going vote?" my father asked... "oh yeah" was my reply.

My reason for not being so keen on these elections is that the only competition available is between the NDP candidates and the Muslim Brotherhood Dr. Gamal Abdel-Salam. Abdel-Salam, in one of his campaigns said that he wanted to break ties with Israel and the USA and also to ban beauty contests and musical video clips. (okay!!)

The other potential candidate is feminist and socialist writer, Fatheya El-Assal, who is still fighting imperialism and capitalism in Egypt!!! Now, honestly, she would have been a good liberal choice for me since she is a member of the National Front for Change but seriously I can't get past her extreme Marxist rants. It gives me the creeps.

Qasr El-Nil area is missing a Nasserite candidate and the freak show would've been complete. So, between corrupt NDP candidates, the anti-freedom Brotherhood and a Marxist... am I supposed to vote for any of these?

7aga khara... I better leave this country!

American Conservatives & their literary fetishes

2005-11-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

Lewis "Scooter" Libby, is the former Chief of Staff and assistant for National Security Affairs to US Vice President Dick Cheney (Bush needs a new Dick). He's indictment includes the obstruction of justice and two counts of perjury. He was charged after allegedly leaking the name of a CIA operative to the press (Where's Ann Coulter when you need her to scream treason). Something else surfaced during these interesting events, it was a novel called The Apprentice, which Libby wrote in 1996. The Apprentice is littered with edgy sexual material and strong language, which includes bestiality, incest, homosexuality and rape. Yes people, there's a man raping a bear in early 20th century Japan inside this novel.

"Wow, who would have thought that clean living, family values man Scooter Libby was capable of writing such filth," said one reviewer on Amazon.

At age ten the madam put the child in a cage with a bear trained to couple with young girls so the girls would be frigid and not fall in love with their patrons. They fed her through the bars and aroused the bear with a stick when it seemed to lose interest.
Excerpt from The Apprentice

And talking about repressed hypocrites, another conservative who has an edge for writing erotic novels and pornography is Bill O'Reilly, the full-time Fox News talkshow host and part-time dodging sexual harassment suits. Bill wrote a novel by the name of Those Who Trespass, Another paperback full of profanity, rape and extreme sexuality. Yes, it's the same Bill who launched a crusade against rapper Ludacris, accusing him of spreading profanity in his songs lyrics, causing Ludacris to lose his Pepsi endorsement. It's been rumored that Mel Gibson will adapt Bill's novel for a movie release, apparently he also have a passion of Bill. Here's an excerpt from the Novel:-

Stripping off her bathing-suit, she walked into the huge shower. She pulled the lime green curtain across the entrance and then set the water for a tepid 75-degrees. The spray felt great against her skin as she ducked her head underneath the nozzle. Closing her eyes she concentrated on the tingling sensation of water flowing against her body. Suddenly another sensation entered, Ashley felt two large hands wrap themselves around her breasts and hot breathe on the back of her neck. She opened her eyes wide and giggled, "I thought you drowned out there snorkel man."

Tommy O'Malley was naked and at attention. "Drowning is not an option", he said, "unless of course you beg me to perform unnatural acts right here in this shower".

Tsk tsk tsk...

Why bloggers should support Karim's release

2005-11-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

This topic had been the center of attention of the Egyptian blogosphere for the last few days but I just knew about it through an email. I'm late as always, but in case you're living in a different world just like myself. Here's the scoop, a blogger called Abdel-Karim Seliman was detained by the Egyptian amn el-dawla "National security" thugs.

First of all, I never heard of Abdel-Karim before this particular incident. But when I got to read his article which (probably) got him arrested, I felt disgusted and I almost puked before finishing it off. As, I'm not really interested in those unprofessional "attacking religions" dialogues and "my religion is good yours is poop" kind of nit-picking stuff because they are shallow, they lack in objectivity and create a lot of unnecessary fuss. Karim's article about Moharem Bek protests was a childish anger outburst, that lacked both civility and meaningness just like the incident itself. Which makes me wonder how did it qualify as a civic dialogue, which is the name of the website that posted this article. Also Karim paid the price of being bravely stupid by posting his picture, address, cellular number on the same website. It's like an open invitaion for aml el-dawla (Nation Po-"lice") to arrest him or maybe he's just retarded (look at his pic) and he thought by this way he could achieve fame or maybe the re-election of Mubarak created a death wish inside of him.

Secondly, the Freedom of speech is a non-compromiseable and undisputed right. Everybody is allowed to say whatever he wants and at the same time he/she should take full responsibility for his words. For example, if the speech was found hate inciting, people or organizations have the right to react and sue his ass or just refute it in another article. But this kind of "Moral Panics" that hits the government every time something out of the usual happens in this country is unacceptable. This Gestapo style of the government enforcers held in the name of the "Emergency Laws" should stop right now.

Reagarding the anger of some of the fellow Muslim bloggers, faith is a personal thing and thus part of our identity, therefore insulting someone religion is like directly insulting him. Bottom-line, this guy disrespects Muslims by generalizing them in this way. He cussed Islam and the Prophet and he also described us as "cattle". Thus Muslims have every right to feel angry and despised. But there are civilized ways to turn our anger into, like... through refuting his posts or by civil suits and for the religious ones by privately praying for either his "salvation" or his burning in hell. BUT no one deserves what happened to this guy, although we are not sure what really happened to him but anything that involves amn el-dawla is far away from good. And you can trust me on that, judging from my own personal experience with these thugs at a very young age. They are merciless even with kids.

So, leaving our emotions behind, let me sum up to you why we should support Karim in his ordeal, in the following points:-

* Freedom of Speech right is non-compromiseable... it's all or nothing but all.
* Only civic ways should be used to hold him liable to his words, if it was categorized as a hate speech.
* Also if he really pissed you off by his words, you have the choice to tell him that through comments and emails or simply click the X in the top right corner of your browser like I did!
* Nation Security methods of arresting and interrogations are barbaric. Karim next 15 days (the interrogation detention period which is renewable) are going to be intolerable to any human.
* This angry guy is only 21 years old.
* Don't create an anti-Islamic martyr out of him, just like our stupid government did. The Islamophobes just love this kind of stuff and they are just waiting for such an opportunity.

Eid Sa3eed

2005-11-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Eid my friends, sorry for this "last ten days of Ramadan" hiatus. Tomorrow I'll be over there with the Missus enjoying my tan and my booze (yes booze I'm beyond redemption) and I'll catch you later after Eid.

Before I go, here's your National Democratic Party (un)official Eid greeting (it's in Arabic and I don't have an Arabic keyboard on my home PC so I had to copy & paste it from the email that I received, it might look a bit messy you may need to set your browser encoding to Unicode(UTF-8) ):

الي المواطن المصرى الوطني،

عيد مبارك و نظيف و شريف... و مليان عز و سرور و كمال و جمال... عليك وعل كل غالي و حبيب و يارب ما يعدي عليك غد او جمعة تعيش فيه من غير نور او عريان.جنب كل الاخوان.

الحزب الوطني الديمقراطي

A Very Moving TV ad

2005-10-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today I was invited to iftar at my brother's house, and as usual after a heavy iftar we sit down with our exploding stomachs, feeling lazy and watch TV. We were watching some crap on MBC and suddenly a TV ad for the Saudi Cancer Society is running (the link is for the society and not the ad). It's not like the pitiful and annoying Tarek Nour's ads of the Children Cancer hospital, you know the hospital that they've been trying to build for five years using it's cause to beg for money and in the meantime the costs of making all these advertisements would've built six of these hospitals.

Anyway, the Saudi ad as I said is very different, it's elegantly shot and made into a little drama of a Saudi gentleman and his little daughter who suffers from cancer. What was really moving in this ad was the song, it was sang angelically by a little girl and the music and the classical Arabic lyrics were incredibly touching! I was mesmerized into watching... I started shaking my head a bit and I started tearing up a little bit... trying to hold it back because I didn't won't my brother to notice. Then I looked at my brother his eyes were reddish and teary and then he looked back to me and he had this look "What the hell is happening? Why are we crying?". Then I let my tears go until the ad was over, so I told my brother in a gushy tone "something is wrong we need therapy or something" my brother responded "the song is very moving... whoever wrote this needs an award". He quickly throw a tissue to me and told me to shape up, we returned to our macho mode because the wives were coming... but we couldn't handle it we told them about the incident, of course they laughed and made fun, but wait till they see it the will weep their eyes out I'm sure.

I was surprised because normally I'm not that very emotional person, on the contrary I'm quiet the "cold-heated bastard" as some of my close friends love to call me. So, my question to anyone who watched this ad... is it really moving or there's something wrong with me?

Our African Brothers

2005-10-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Whenever an "Arab" country is mentioned in our mainstream media, you would find the anchor or the announcer rushing to make them as our siblings, for example, our Saudi Arabian brothers, our Tunisian sisters and stuff like that. I have no problem with this forced brotherhood as a pan-Arabist, but I hate to be forced as a brother on someone who hates me or acts like it, which is sometimes felt through the hateful emotions of our so-called Arab brothers every once and a while, but we usually act like the big brother and turn the other cheek. Why not? Since we are one of the pioneer nations of Arab Nationalism movements (btw it didn't start with Nasser it started with King Farouk). But playing the big brother role is a government policy, the reality is that the pan-Arabism dream is wearing off and slowly dying inside the Egyptians and anti-Arabism is becoming a substitute with the old "Arab Garab" (Arabs are rotten) motto is used again by the Egyptians (the last time it was used was during the Arabs boycott of Egypt after the peace treaty with Israel). It's a very dangerous situation since we as "Egyptians" feel cheaper than our Arab brothers, in Saudi Arabia Egyptians are raped, killed, humiliated sometimes and the defendants were let loose because they are locals... Remember the Gulf Air crash in Bahrain, 1 million dollars were paid as compensation to American, British, and Arab Gulf victims and 100,000 were paid for the Egyptians and Pakistanis victims... Qatari prince who kills 5 Egyptians and injures 10 in a car accident and he flees Egypt with the help of the Qatari ambassador... and other stories of the petrodollar Arabs who visit Egypt and have the feeling that they have landed on one big brothel.

Now, organized sports can be very trivial indications of these feelings, but at the same time it tells you a lot. For example, the last game between Egypt and Cameroon in the World Cup qualifying rounds, the Egyptians were already ousted in previous rounds so the game result doesn't matter anymore for us, meanwhile the Cameroonians needed to win in order to qualify, but the Egyptian team played it hard and was able to get a draw on an "away" game and thus eliminating the Cameroon team chances to qualify and breaking their 5 in a row qualifying streak and allowing their arch rival Cote D'Ivoire to qualify to the worlds cup. Normally, something like this is sure will attract dissent from the Cameroonian supporters or even violence from their hooligans. But to our surprise and the surprise of the player (who were expecting to be escorted into safety by the riot police), the Cameroonian supporters applauded the Egyptian team and they cheered them all the way to their bus and hotel, they even invited the team for an iftar (Ramadan Breakfast). Now, let me take you back four years ago during the same event the world cup qualifying rounds, this time the game was between Egypt and Algeria in the Algerian capital. The game was described by the local media in both countries as "a meeting between two brothers". Egypt needed to win that game in order qualify and Algeria was already ousted, the game started 15 minutes late because of the Algerian crowds were throwing rocks at the Egyptian players during the warming up session. The game started with an incredible violence from the Algerian players who were picking up fights with the Egyptians. The referee stopped the game for another 10 minutes because the Algerian supporters started throwing water bottles filled with urine at the Egyptian players, by the end of the game a "rock" was thrown at the Egyptian coach and he needed to be hospitalized. The game ended in a draw, eliminating Egypt and did nothing to Algeria. The Egyptian players were greeted with spits and rocks all the way to their bus, chanting curses against Egypt. The Algerian police didn't escort the bus on their drive to the hotel which was an invitation for Algerian supporters to declare an intifada on the Egyptians... and almost ripping the bus apart with rocks. This event sparked a retaliation feeling from the Egyptians in the next game any Algerian team will play in Cairo, which made the Algerian ambassador in Cairo issue a humanist plea for the Egyptian to forgive and forget. But of course, forgive and forget is not in our dictionary, the game took place with the crowds chanting non-stop "Fuck Algeria" (in Arabic of course)... but violence didn't take place because we won. The same scenario repeats itself with equal or less proportions during games we play against, Algerian, Moroccan, Syrian, Tunisian or Lebanese teams. As I said this over zealous sports supporters are not an indication for anything... but it makes you question the origins of this mutual hate. Please, don't take this as anti-Algerian rant or anything, because I do have few Algerian friends whom I met in Spain four years ago and we are still in contact till now and we do talk about these stuff and laugh about it. I actually owe these Algerians for saving my ass and my friend's ass at club called "Amnesia" in Ibiza after a tough brawl with 10 angry drunk oversized-Brits... they just jumped in and saved us because they just heard us speaking Arabic.

Bottom-line, small incidents like these can hurt any pan-Arabism aspirations and the reason for it is the weakness, oppression and corruption of the Arab governments which can ignite hate within Arab nations and even self-loathing. Even Arab leaders such as President Qaddafi who was one the staunchest supporters of pan-Arabism, he gave up hope on Arabs and now he threaten to quit the Arab league and he is heading in full-force for the Organization of African Unity and a new pan-African approach. Who knows it might even work for Egypt too, after all it wasn't an African "brother" royalty who killed five Egyptians and was helped by his government and our government to flee the country and escape justice.

Thou Shalt not Fast

2005-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

When I started fasting in Ramadan for the first time in my life (that was four years ago), I didn’t mind having people around me eating, drinking, smoking or even having sex. As during college days, I used to smoke and drink intentionally in front of people all the time while they’re fasting... and it was kinda like trying to “pick up a fight” attitude with someone who is fasting (yes I was insane) but no one came and confronted me except for the few dirty looks that I received. But there are some people who would make it a matter of life or death, in case they see someone in front of them who is eating or drinking something! I don't know what's the big deal with fasting? It's so fucking easy... especially for people who sit on their asses behind desks and their work demands less physical power (mmm... like myself), my one and only problem with fasting is that I can't smoke but I manage to survive till breakfast... but I just hate to see whiners from this group who constantly complain from the burden of fasting.

A certain colleague of mine "F" is not from the whiners group but he's from the religious police group. He appointed himself a watchdog over of the non-fasting Muslims in the company. If someone smokes a cigarette or something "F" will hunt him down and won't leave him alone without 15 minutes lecture on the benefits of fasting where he might even shout and curse at him. "F" victims became in numbers and most of his victims were the female colleagues, he keeps preaching them not to wear makeup and he even reached the audacity of asking them to wear a veil during the holy month! F is more of subordinate than a colleague to me, I'm responsible of his department, so I directly received a number of complains from his victims, who can't confront him fearing that he wouls lash out on them. F hates my guts because few months ago, I nearly got him fired over a case of slippers... yep, I found him wearing a "zanouba" slipper (sockless) during work hours and when I asked him "WTF?", he replied by saying that it would be time-saving for him to wear slippers when he go for the prayer wash... of course his provocative reply made me notify the administration that he repeatedly breaks the dress code with his eyesore (and also nose-sore) slippers.

I thought that any new confrontation with F would result in two outcomes, either him being fired (and I won't do that to anyone especially during Ramadan), or me being arrested after breaking his neck. So, I needed to give Mr. F a reality check without any direct confrontation and make him stop his wahabbi police antics. I already talked to the BOD explaining about Mr. F hostile behavior towards his colleagues, and I demanded that he should be verbally and literally warned or threatened without firing him. They probably squeezed him so much because when I pumped into him today near the elevator and the wrath of Allah was on his face. He knew it was me, so he approached and told me in a very quiet tone "We are Muslims and brothers, and we're both fasting, so why did you do this?"�. So, I replied bu " Fasting and being a Muslim has nothing to do with respecting other people privacy and lives... if you demand respect than show some to your collegues... balash bedan 3al khal2... now go away".

F's type is dime a dozen in our Egyptian society, with the rising power of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists in the universities... MB thugs are stopping people who feel they are not-fasting and question their motives!!, they also ask people for their I.D's to check if they are Muslims or not (a big a7a). They are building a vigilante religious police step by step inside our communities, whether inside syndicates, universities, or schools, and they are working directly under the nose of our pathetic government!

Back once again...

2005-10-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

...with the renegade master. I'm back with a new template, a new perspective (I sound like the NDP), a new shiny goldie circular metal around my finger (left hand) and the same ol' psycho.

Blogging will continue tomorrow...

I'm pulling the plug

2005-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to pull the plug on this blog and this is gonna be my last post. I'm sorry, I couldn't keep up with work, studying, wedding planning and blogging all at the same time, so I had to drop one. Unfortunately, my choice was blogging although my sub-conscious wishes it was the wedding planning (just kidding!).

Anyway, it's been a surreal experience, as I've met very interesting people here on the blogosphere. And I know that I annoyed lotta folks and other fellow bloggers with my blunt replies and sometimes rudeness but I hope that there are no hard feelings. And to my friends, don't worry I'm still available for contact through emails. And maybe one day things will eventually smooth out with me and I'll return to my blogging activities again!

Wish you all the best.

Peace,

MaGdee

Emsek 7arami

2005-06-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

Some guys emailed me a heads up that a couple of my posts (Tattooed Prayer and Foul Language) were stolen and posted on a site called Egypttalk :-

http://egypttalk.net/cgi-local/ikonboard.cgi?s=e4fca787e2fd6182a795eb122006d3c7;act=ST;f=1;t=12767;st=0

http://egypttalk.net/cgi-local/ikonboard.cgi?s=e4fca787e2fd6182a795eb122006d3c7;act=ST;f=1;t=12224

It's a severe case of plagiarism, this dude called "Hassan" not stole my posts but he also stole my replies to some of the comments made here on my blog, one specific reply I made to highlander, where the idiot forgot to even remove my name "MaGdee" and replace it with his own... lol.

Anyways, I'd like to thank the guys who sent me these links. Other fellow bloggers do check this site maybe you've been plagiarised too because I think some other guy over there called "Player" stole one of Mohamed's posts!

Reply to Solomon 2

2005-06-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

Recently browsing through some of the the old comments, I found a comment placed a while ado by a guy called Solomon2 on ?Foul language and religious harmony...? post that I missed out somehow and it really pissed me off after I read it (possibly it was intended to) I don't usually do this in order not to scare people, but since I'm in my boredom mood right now I decided to reply, dedicating it an entire post.

"Magdee, maybe your father wouldn't punish you, but I would!"

What is that??? Do you go punishing strange adults for living or did you woke up one day cross-dressed as "Judge Judy" or something? Or maybe you just have fetish for punishing Egyptian males... sorry to disappoint you , but I don't swing that way.
Hey, I don't know if you realize this or not but you're not really King Solomon.

Perfect justice is impossible, of course. Paying some sort of fine to the fellow you hit in addition to his medical bills might be appropriate in America, but usually teaches little to the perpetrator. (Besides, the guy had no excuse for going the wrong way, did he?)

Maybe you didn't realize that I don't live in America, and what works for you there may not work for me here, so please don't ever mention to me what's appropriate or not in America or doing any comparison. As people like you don't understand shit about the cultural differences concept. But if it mentally helps you, go ahead and write to your congressmen and ask them for stricter laws. And yes the guy had no excuse going the wrong lane except that he's a lazy asshole!

"IMO, the socially useful purpose of a just punishment is to change the outlook of perpetrator, so he understands his error and is no longer motivated to repeat it -- in other words, to strengthen his weaknesses. You have a hot temper, and act on it!"

I have a bad temper, I admit that but I know how to control it and it only appears against stupid people. But please enlighten me, what are you going to do in a similar situation? If a guy a calls you a "faggot", "son of a dog" and slaps your fac. Are you going to turn the other cheek? Or are you going to pray to God for a swift justice and ask for a lighting from heaven to strike him down?

"Perhaps the root cause is a lack of instinctive compassion for others"

Okay, I noticed in your phrase you managed to leave out the word "your" which is good for you, because I won't be saying that your accusing me of lacking instinctive compassion for others. And I won't be saying that you don't know me or know my actions so it's wrong and stupid to reach out for such an assumption!
But what I'm gonna say is that such statement coming out from a man who supports wars (yeah I read your blog) that kills thousands of innocent people on its course... is an utter indication of your hypocrisy. And don't give your right-wing rants about war of justice and war for freedom bullshit because a war is a war in the end.

If I was your Dad, I might send you to work as a volunteer in a poor hospital in a violent section of the city. You would toil for little or nothing, washing laundry, fetching bandages, changing bedpans, and so on.

Are you fantasizing about being my dad or what? Man, if you were my dad, I'd be suing you for all your money accusing you of senility. But seriously, if you have a 26 years old son and you sent him to work in a hospital as a punishment and he accepts it, you might as well want to send him to a mental institution.

"In the course of your labors, you would certainly see people suffering because they were victims of someone with a stronger fist or bigger car. And for some, perhaps most, of these people, you will look at their face and eyes and expression and know, instinctively, that they are sufferring not only unjustly, but as entirely innocent victims of power wielded beyond their control or ken."

DUDE, what have you been smoking? You managed to portray a simple car accident and a street fight, into the epical melodrama of victims suffered on the hands of MaGdee. I'm not taking anything for granted here in case you didn't read, I wanted to apologize to the guy and offer him compensation for his damages before he assualted me. So, hold your horses grandpa... what kinda suffering are you talking about? A man double my size whom I knocked him out for slapping me or young children dying and injured from airstirkes. Maybe you should take up on your own advice and volunteer in the Red Cross and learn about the horrors of wars (that you're so fond of on your blog) and look in the children faces and eyes. Before you write this pro-war crap your write on your blog! Frankly, this "innocent-Crusader" persona is so damn passé and it doesn't fit you at all!

"Maybe you will be moved by such an experience. And maybe after that your first instinct upon receiving an insult from someone in the street WON'T be to smash his face with your fist."

And maybe you will learn from this experience (reply) is to improve your reading skills before spouting out some crap, because you will notice in my post that I didn't punch the guy except after he slapped me hard. Which is considered ( according to your American laws that you like to brag about in every comment that you make) as a self-defense, since he resorted to physical contact, right?

Best Regards

Thank God it's Friday (part two)

2005-06-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

As I started listening to the Imam’s speech... the first half of the speech was about menstrual cycle!. Yes, the mosque didn’t even have a women’s section... and this guy was talking to a bunch of packed up sweaty men about having the period. At this point I really wanted to start a new trend in mosques and raise my hand and say “Sir, can we please change the subject?”, but I didn’t because he wouldn’t appreciate it. So, I heard everything I didn’t want to know about the menstrual cycle and how it’s okay for women not to fast during the menstruation days and how the man shouldn’t have an intercourse with his wife during the menstruation days (duh) and stuff like that. I swear thought the next he’s going to do is to take out a pack of tampons and a pack “Always” from under his Galabeya and start explaining them us. Finally, we raised our hands in the air to start doa’a (a form of praying) marking the end of the first half of the speech. I don’t have to tell you that my whole doa’a was focused on that the Imam would change the subject of the speech in the second half. My prayers came true and the Imam took a surprising turn from menstrual cycles to mainstream politics.

He preached about the values of respecting the leadership of the nation (O-kay!!) then he went through quick review about the mainstream events in Iraq… how the American occupation is causing destruction and the main factor in the increase of terrorism (cool now we’re talking) but only for a couple of minutes then he drifted back to the leadership of the nation. He became more obvious in his words as he said “The country is united under one leadership of the wise president Mubarak” and then he said something like “The enemies of our country are waiting for us to slip that’s why we must clinch to the experienced leadership of Mubarak”, I was like oh god he got to you too Sheikh… and I wanted to shout “you lost me here Shiekh, back to the menstrual cycle please”. But he continued with his praise Mubarak speech.

And all of a sudden a very old guy who is right behind me, jumped up and started screaming painfully “ALLAH ALLAH ALLAH”… oh my god what’s happening to this guy I’ve never seen such a thing, his eyes are rolled behind like that girl in the Exorcist. Of course the speech was interrupted and the Imam asked the guys beside him to sit him down, so they did and a man started whispering “Allahu Akbar” in his ears and he started to calm down and return to his normal mood. He really scared the shit out of me seriously, he jumped up and started screaming in my ears... and I almost jumped over the lap of the guy next to me. But I guess it’s a normal behavior when you hear a lot of Mubarak praise at this age.

The speech was about to be wrapped up and then the guy reminded us to pray for all the women who were abused and killed in Iraq and Palestine on the hands of the occupation. But it’s very sad that he missed out the women in Egypt abused by the NDP thugs… you know why he missed them out because he’s a f……. hypocrite. Finally, the speech was over and we started the second do3a2 we raised our hands in the air… the imam kept saying stuff like “O God bless our Ummah” and we reply back by saying “Amen” and finally he reached where he said “O God bless our beloved leader Mubarak and save him for us” and I was “Ame--- save him for us but for how long?” and that’s when I pulled my hands down, oh no I’m not praying for that. Don’t be surprised by the Imam behavior as it is a normal pattern to the clerics since every Friday the Grand Shiekh of Al-Azhar dedicates a portion his speech and his doa’a to our beloved President Hosny Mubarak.
The Friday prayer started. We prayed and went home after swearing that I’m never gonna pray with my friend again.

Thank God It's Friday (part one)

2005-06-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

On a typical Friday, if I ever get up before noon I would usually dress up and head straight to the Friday prayer. Today I did wake up before noon with a couple of hours before the prayer starts, but I felt so awful… I was dehydrated with a graving hangover (I had a tough Thursday night lol), so I decided to turn my head the other way and head back to bed, after washing down three Panadols with a couple of water bottles. On my way to the bed, my mobile rang and it was a friend of mine and he was like “Hey, you’re up… How about praying together?”, I roughened my voice a bit and I told him that I’m coming up with a flu and I don’t think I’m gonna make it to the prayer. So, I hung up the phone and continued my way to the bed, but after half an hour of twisting and turning in bed filled with guilty conscious, I decided to go to the prayer. I called my friend, took a shower to wash up last night sins and dressed up.

Normally, I don’t have a particular mosque to go to, but I just choose a nearby mosque with an “express Imam” one who finishes the Friday speech quickly and wraps up the whole prayer in less than 30 minutes (yelakhas ya3ni). But since it was my friend’s call and he arrived with his car…so I made him choose which mosque we should go to and I wish I didn’t. We arrived at a small mosque in Dokki, it was fully packed inside, so they had to close down the adjacent street and fill it with carpets to take up the flocks of prayer. I froze there for a moment “Why?? What’s so special about this mosque?” I asked my friend having in mind that this mosque is far away from our homes as we both live in Zamalek. “The imam inside got a nice voice” he answered and I was shocked as this was his criteria of choosing a mosque, the Imam’s voice?? But who am I to judge him, I choose mosques based on the duration of the Imam’s speech. Anyway, I told him I’m not gonna sit there in the sun to listen to the speech… so we will wait here until the actual prayer starts and everybody gets up and we jump in. So, he agreed… and as we are waiting I lighted a cigarette “What the hell are you doing?” my friend screamed at me and this silly Beavis and Butthead argument took place.

Me: What’s wrong?
Friend: You have to tetwada (prayer wash) all over again… you know that!
Me: No I don’t.
Friend: You idiot, smoking spoils your wash!
Me: Who said so?
Friend: Everyone, cigarettes contain bits of Alcohol in order to be lit easily.
Me: So, it’s smoke... vaporization are you familiar with this process? There will be no traces of Alcohol in my mouth only a taste. It’s just like eating an apple before praying, do you wash after eating an apple?
Friend: No, I don’t but apples do not contain alcohol… plus if you eat or drink anything before prayer you will need to wash your mouth just by water.
Me: So that’s what I’m gonna do. You have a bottle of water in your car, right? I’m gonna wash my mouth after finishing this cigarette.
Friend: You don’t understand cigarettes contain alcohol!
Me: a7a I told it doesn’t matter as I’m not drinking it… okay let’s ask anyone… (some guy was walking by) pssssssssst ya rayes… Does smoking spoils your wash?
Guy: I don’t know but I know it ruins your health. (and the guy smiles and walks away)
Me: Very cute.
Friend: But he’s gotta point.
Me: Anyway, you see he doesn’t know so it’s not a common knowledge!
Friend: Still… you need to wash again, plus they have bathrooms over there… go.
Me: I won’t go and I won’t wash again. Plus I heard it once from the Mufti that you don’t have wash after smoking and an additional plus Sheikh Shaarawi used to smoke before he prays… do you know better than Sheikh Shaarawi, huh?
Friend: Suit yourself, it’s your funeral.
Me: Exactly, it’s not you who will judge me on the judgment day.
Friend: Idiot.
Me: Jackass.

Suddenly my friend’s eyes glittered in happiness... he saw something inside the mosque.

Friend: Let’s go!
Me: What?
Friend: I think there’s an empty space we can sit!

He dragged me behind after knocking the cigarette out of my hand.

Me: Wait! I didn’t even wash my mouth!
Friend: Who cares? Come on...
We took off our shoes and rushed inside... I think we managed to get people out their spiritual mood by stepping all over them and our feets poked them in the wrong places and people were like "watch it Idiots" and "Do you want me to break your other hand?" and stuff like that. Finally, we reached the empty spot that my friend spotted from 40 feets away. And there’s was reason why this spot was empty... because it had a pillar and a shoe closet... and the only space can you sit is almost 5 inches wide! So, apparently we can’t go all the way back and stepping over people again because I think the will beat us up this time (I know I would). So, we had to make use of the 5 inches... my friend started shoving surrounding congregation... while excusing and apologizing but one comment that he made that almost broke me into a laughter spree as he wasking some guy to move a little bit “law sama7t momken tetakher farda menhom lel yemeen shewia” (translation: Please can you move one ass cheek a bit to the right?) I know my friend didn’t mean it just came out naturally and the funny thing the guy moved aside. We finally sat down, my face was so red as I was trying to hold the laughter. But being so close to the shoes closet, the smell brought me back to my senses. Of course, in order to sit packed like sardines we had to cut the line of people sitting behind. Few seconds later I kept hearing psssssssssssssst and I looked behind and the guy right behind me is signaling to me to bend my head down... I bent it down but it wasn’t enough for him:-

Guy: Ya captain... I can’t see.
Me: I’m very sorry I know I’m blocking the view but I can’t bend any further.
Guy: But I want to see.
Me: See what exactly?
Friend: You know we are not inside a cinema…
Guy: What do you mean?
Friend: I mean you can just listen…
Guy: But I want to see the Shiekh too.
Me: Do you wanna switch places?
Guy: Yeah sure.
And we switched places and I was thinking “Enjoy the smell idiot”. So, now it’s the time to listen to that “tenor” Imam’s speech.

To be continued...

A Book Meme

2005-06-09T05:11:00.000-07:00

Okay DNA tagged me... so here it goes:-

Total number of books owned: Ahhh I borrow them or steal them from libraries and sell them to seeds(leb) vendors later! Seriously, I have no idea I probably own a lot. As I keep them all, I never throw or exchange anything!

Last book bought: I bought Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code on the same day but I never got to read them yet. For the latter, I guess I'll have to wait for the Ron Howard/Brian Grazer movie, it saves time :)

Last book read: Umaret Yaccubian, I bought it a year ago under the pressure of not being a backward person while everyone was talking about it. And I got to read two weeks ago, while I can't argue on Alaa El-Aswani talent but I know this may shock the fans... I actually hated it... it's an attempt of becoming a Naguib Mahfouz wannabe while being politically naive in handling the corruption issues in the country... it's like the Egyptian TV repeated soap operas portraying the typical sterotypes in the Egyptian society... Although I'm not a prude but the sex parts are too damn sleazy, it's like the cheap Erotica books sold in Cairo Train station (Confessions of a Housewife, Taboo etc.) (not that I ever bought any of them... ahem lol.

Five books that mean a lot to you:
1- The Holy Quran
2- Needful Things - Stephen King
3- Oreintalism - Edward Said
4- Cairo Trilogy - Naguib Mahfouz (three seperate books but they are all related)
5- Neuromancer - William Gibson

Tag five people to continue this meme:-

Sorry folks... but if you ever get to read this post you know what to do:- 1-Highlander, 2-Big Pharaoh, 3-Ramy, 4-Erlenda and 5- Twosret you could email it or comment it over here!

Foul Language, Religious Harmony and Negotiation Skills

2005-06-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on my way to home after work I learned a very valuable lesson… driving your manual transmission car with your left hand in a cast, while speaking on your mobile phone and smoking a cigarette at the same time is the stupidest thing a man can do (I insist on saying a “man” because no matter how we whine about women drivers they will never sink to that level). Add to this scenario the chaotic Cairo traffic, it was an accident waiting to happen... and it did happen. If you’re familiar with Zamalek street plan their is this crossroad after you pass AUC dorm... it has no traffic lights or anything just a silly worn out speed bump... that I usually jump over without speeding down. Well, another car with no lights on came rushing from the left side of the crossroad... and I crashed into it. Luckily, my car Bumpers are higher than his so nothing happened to my car except few scratches... but his left side headlights were smashed and his entire front-left sided bent inside like a beer can (Korean fragile cars). Quickly revising the incident inside my head I realized that it was my mistake although the guy was coming from left and it’s the wrong way since it’s a one way street but it doesn’t matter according to Cairo traffic rules. So I jumped from my car heading towards the other driver to offer my apologies and my willingness to repair his damages!

Me: Are you Okay in there?

A guy in his forties opened his car door furiously and got out.

Guy: (shouting) What are you insane?
Me: No need to get angry… I’m just…
Guy: Angry? I’m still paying for this car installments… you faggot.
Me: (ok I’m still calm) Behave yourself and speak politely.
Guy: Are you going to teach me how to behave you son of a dog??

SLAP! The son of bitch actually slapped me. You know this moment in the Hulk show or movie where do Dr. Banner starts to turn into the Hulk... it was almost like that but minus the green eyes, growing muscles and the torn shirt sleeves. Couple of minutes later, I don’t recall what really happened but the guy was on the ground and his nose was bleeding. And we were surrounded by bystanders and some cops.

The next thing I know, we were taken to the police station. I wasn’t scared or anything as its... ahem not my first time. But like any other Egyptian in this kinda situation you start calling everyone you know who could get you out of this mess. Which I did, I called my uncles, my elder brother and of course my dad who hung up on me as soon as I told him I was in the police station! The officer took my testimony and the next thing I know and in less than 20 minutes my elder brother showed up with my dad’s lawyer. My brother was like “What did you screw up this time?”... I told him the story. The guy was taken to a nearby hospital to check if his injury requires more than 21 days medical care... and which if it does I was liable to go to jail and sued. Meanwhile, my dad’s lawyer was reading the Guy’s testimonial! The guy said that I attacked him first after cursing his religion. I was shocked! I went to the Officer in charge to talk to him.

Me: What do you mean by “Cursing his religion”?
Officer: It means that you have cursed his religion. And public cursing is a felony and the guy has a witness who say he heard you cursing him!
Me: Well, he cursed me first... he called me a faggot and a son of a dog... and above all he slapped me it was normal reaction to reply back!
Officer: By breaking his nose? And telling him “God damn your mother’s religion” (it’s a silly but an offending Egyptian curse).
Me: So?? I didn’t mean to break his nose... I’m wearing a cast it accidentally hit his nose (I'm lying here). As for the curse it’s normal... everyone says it, you probably use it on a daily basis to call your soldiers, I’ve been to the army and I know how it works in military and police stuff.
The lawyer: (whispering in my ears) Shut the hell up! You indicting yourself! Just deny everything!
Officer: He’s Christian...
Me: So?
Officer: The other guy is a Christian and you’re a Muslim... so you cursing his religion equals a religious tension case!
Me: Oh my God, you’re not serious?
Officer: Do you think I’m here to amuse you or something?
Me: But how did I know that he was a Christian? Did I stop in the middle of the fight to ask for his name or his ID before I curse him?
Officer: He’s got a cross tattooed on his wrist.
Me: And do you think in a middle of a fight... I looked up for his cross and decided that he was a Christian so I cursed him? Do you actually buy this?
Officer: We have a witness and his testimony against yours.
Me: I don't believe this shit. You turn the other way for all the religious intolerance made by the government against Copts and you pick on me!
Officer: (furiously) WALA... are you stupid or what? Are you acting as human's right activist? Wake up or we will wake you up.
Lawyer & Brother: (screaming) Magdy Shut up!
Me: (in a soft kaskasa tone) Ya basha I didn't mean to but do you actually believe his story?
Officer: It's not my job to believe. Try reconciling with him directly that’s all I can tell you. Now go away before I throw you in custody... I’m busy.

I looked at my lawyer and he said not to worry and let’s wait for the guy’s medical result. I was thinking, why the hell this guy reached to this low levels of accusing me (of all people) of religious intolerance. Then I found this other guy standing 2 feets away from me who was giving me the looks. I asked who’s the hell is this guy and they told me it was the witness. I move forward to talk to him although everyone tried to stop me.

Me: So you witnessed the entire incident?
Witness: Yes, I did.
Me: Did you hear me cursing the guy?
Witness: Yes, you cursed his religion! I’m a fellow Muslim but it hurts me to see this kind of bigotry... shame on you!
Me: Really? How did you know that I’m even a Muslim?
Witness: I heard the officer reading your ID card. It doesn’t matter, do you deny cursing the guy?
Me: I don’t know it was a fight I probably cursed and spouted out all the dirty words I know. But you think that when I cursed him it was deliberately because I knew he was a Christian?
Witness: Deliberately or not... I don’t care. Spoiled brats like you driving their daddy’s cars while stepping on poor people like us need to learn a lesson.
Me: (laughing) so this it? You’re selling your conscious in order to see spoiled brats like me behind bars.
My brother shoved me away from him.
Brother: (to the witness) 300 pounds right now for you change to your testimony and say that you misheard him and just saw both of them fight.
Witness: 500 pounds.
Brother: Deal... now here’s 250 and you get the rest after you change your testimony. Go.
Me: (to my brother) Hold on...keep your money... don’t pay him just yet.

I saw the guy who I crashed into returning to the Police station... and the medical report came and he doesn’t need 21 days of medical care. So, I approached the guy to have a small talk!

Me: Do you swear on your children lives that I cursed your religion on intentionaly?
Guy: No. You didn’t! But you punched me.
Me: After you called me names and slapped me. Ok, right now, your injury is not severe, so you won’t get a case for that, as for your witness he will change his testimony about the cursing for 500 pounds... What’s left is the car crash incident, in which my testimony says the you’re were coming from the left lane which is the wrong lane by the way... so you and I will spend the night in custody until tomorrow when we show up at neyaba (D.A) who will decide who is right and who is wrong! How about reconciling now, I’ll pay for you car damages... and you’ll go home to your children? Meanwhile, remember that I have no problem in spending the night in custody.
Guy: You’ll pay for the entire damages?
Me: Yes, that’s what I wanted to do before you went crazy on me. How much do you think it will cost to be fixed?
Guy: 2000 pounds?
Me: Be real! The headlight won’t cost more than 600 pounds and I know a guy who could fix your left side for less than 300 pounds... I’ll give you his address and 900 pounds that all I have to offer.
Guy: (thinking for a while) All right, let’s reconcile!

And we did reconcile after a couple of hours and the best part is that witness got nothing. (khad saboona ya3ni). And what lesson did I learn from this story... nothing except the stuff I said about driving with one hand. But I just wanted to share it with you all because it’s just another episode in the Egyptian culture of fights.

P.S.: My wrist was fractured last Friday while playing soccer… that’s why I’m not contributing a lot these days to the blog as it’s not fun to type with one hand!

Answering the Big Pharaoh

2005-05-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

GM took it very personal while replying to my comment on his badly timed post “Cheers to Hosny”. He said (addressing me) “Why not get your hands dirty and start writing some serious POLITICAL stuff on your blog. Come on, speak about politics and use your blog to speak out your mind instead of picking on people. You don't like my argument, ok, offer a counter argument.”

Well, according to GM, I was talking about trivial political in my previous posts! So anyways, I decided to get my hands dirty. Although he gave me no specific points to argue, as all I read in his post is rants about his support for Mubarak to stay on because of his subjugated attitude “I’m choosing the best of the worst”, and then his post was followed by a few “beer-buzz” speculations about what will happen if Mubarak didn’t win and the Islamists won the elections. He didn't understand that by his post he disrespected most of the Egyptians, the opposition and the woman who was sexually harassed on the referendum day by the government thugs. .

“I believe Egypt is not ready at all for full fledged free elections this year and I am not the kind of person who equates Mubarak with Saddam or the Taliban” .

Remember when I said that voted “Yes” for the amendment, I didn’t vote “Yes” for Mubarak as many people claimed I did. The reason for my vote was out of my believe that it’s a step that should be seized by opposition and must be followed up from their side (including Kefaya) and make it to the upcoming elections. And I said that ousting Muabark is not enough, Kefaya should start giving an alternative from the current opposition and support him... so people like GM who claims "I don't see an alternative" could just shut up.

He’s right about one thing though, you can’t equate Mubarak with Saddam or Taliban, because tyrants and dictators come in different shapes, sizes and methods but by the end of the day they are still called tyrants and dictators. It’s exactly the same thing while you can’t equate the Muslims Brotherhood with Taliban but you can’t deny that they are both threatening.

How about the corruption in the country, the abandoned human rights, the torture, emergency laws etc. all of these should be taken for granted because we are not ready for a full fledged free elections? If Mubarak is the best of the worst and he’s the only one liable to rule in Egypt (past,present and future), then we really deserve to be nuked like some of his right-wing friends would love to do.

” I told him my opinion about the current weakness of progressives/secularists and the power of the political Islamists, and how I believe that more time is needed until Egypt can have another political force that can counter the Islamists. In addition, I told him that I believe that we can witness the rise of a progressive/secular political force within the coming 5 years, and if I felt that this force will never really compete with the Islamists then I’ll know it’ll be time for me to say goodbye to my native land”

For a very long time, he was an expert on Iraqi matters, now he returns back to his roots and using the same expertise as before he analyzed every opposition in Egypt and he came up to a conclusion that we only will be ready for democracy in the coming 5 years. You notice that intentionally left out someone here which is “the left” (how ironic) a strong opposition in Egypt. But maybe he probably just labeled them collectively under the progressives/secularists. GM right-wing affiliations automatically makes him drop the left from his formula and thus his pretentious claims of freedom (a la American conservatives style)... doesn’t extend to these people! In case you didn’t notice, he didn’t mention who made these progressives/secularists weak... who is monopolizing the media for himself and cracks down on these opposition? It’s the same person he cheers for. The government didn’t even give them the chance to oppose even to the brotherhood but in fact it made made them closer by making them both vicitims of a Nazi style oppression! What makes him think that they will be given more space in Mubarak’s fifth term or what makes him think that anything will change? Nothing, or maybe he’s waiting for Gamal as a savior. Anyways, he already made his “exit plan” so when the shit hits the fan in any scenario, he’s on the first plane to somewhere... talking about courage and getting your hands dirty, huh?

Please note, that I’m not contradicting myself from my previous post, in which I wrote about my fears and my criticism in case Muslim Brotherhood taking power, but I never excluded them from the equation! And yes I’m for using legitmate rules to restrict their participation in order to guarantee that no one will impose his ideology on the other and until the Brotherhood could find reformed ideology these restrictions should be carefully adhered. Bottom-line whether its Mubarak or the Brotherhood or anyone who doesn’t cherish freedom or anyone who have dictatorship tendencies must not be allowed to rule.

Mr. GM, made several speculations of what will happen if Mubarak leaves his post and the Brotherhood takes over! Well, many of the things) that he mentioned could happen, if the Brotherhood with its current unreformed ideology (in my opinion) takes power. But in the end it really should be up to the Egyptians, whether they want it to happen or not... and if it happens its up for us to fight back. This the basic rule of freedom people’s will and let me remind you of this lovely quote “By liberal I don’t mean Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton, but someone who believes in freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, freedom to become a saint, freedom to sin, etc, etc. In other words, someone who believes in the stuff that all liberals and conservatives in America take for granted.” And guess who made up this quote.. yep it’s GM, it coming from the same guy who is cheering for a man who is opposite to all of these things!

It’s not called long-sighted GM... it is called selfishness!

Reply to Aly (The Brotherhood and Kefaya Question)

2005-05-27T01:17:00.000-07:00

First of all, let’s define the Muslim Brotherhood... it’s an Islamist politically active movement that was banned by all types of Egyptian governments through since its founding and in order for them to become more politically involved they seek to turn themselves into an official political party. 79 million is the number the Egyptian population, out of them we have about 14 million Christians, now a Christian like any Muslim can be affiliated with any political party whether it’s left, right, liberal, Nasserite etc. But he/she can not be affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood simply because their main perquisite for membership is to be a Muslim... now that makes the whole concept of the MB as a political party discriminatory given the fact that there are no Christian political parties... or even if they will have one it won’t be fair and it will cause more damage to the unity of the Egyptian society. Meanwhile, no one can deny the MB their right of forming a socio-political organization (or even a think tank) that becomes supportive of another non-religion based party. Like the Christian-right organizations and their affiliation with the Republican party in the states.

Now, the only backdoor that serves the MB political agenda is through the independents i.e. the elected MP’s. You know how strong the influence of MB in the Egyptian society, a recent poll that took place on Al-Jazeera website regarding the election showed that Essam El-Erayan, the MB member winning the votes with 46% against Hosny Mubarak and Ayman Nour (of course it’s not an accurate poll since the poll wasn’t strictly for Egyptians and the fact that Al-Jazeera is MB simpatico but still it’s an indicator). Now, imagine if someone like Essam El-Eryan became a President through the independent status, we will be subjected to the entire MB agenda... meaning the MB will become a legitimate political party (And don’t tell me that the democracy will stop them from doing so, as they will push it with their blood if they had to). You might argue that if the Egyptians chose the Muslim Brotherhood to be in power than this is democracy at work, and we should oblige to the majority choice.. I agree but this is democracy only if the other political parties involved given the same space and promotion. The Muslim Brotherhood might be banned, but they have an open-ended publicity space. Since they nested in many of the mosques through Egypt (especially in Upper Egypt) and also in many Student Unions in different Universities, they become the most active political movement in Egypt. Even if they use underground methods they are still effective and they have our stupid Egyptian government to thank for chaining other political parties, while they are untouchable under the label of Islam and through the mosques microphone. Gradually they are monopolizing Islam... the average Egyptian is sort of religious by nature and will sway towrds the directions of the religous slogans especailly during hard time such as these (economic depression, poverty etc) and even if he/she disapproves with the ideology of the MB, he/she will be afraid to show it up in open, fearing the fact that he/she might be labeled an apostate... since it’s becoming the mainstream source of Islamic ideology. The stubbornness of the MB in discussions, and their my-way-or-the-highway attitude will dismay people from opening a direct dialogue with them. Their slogan “Islam is the solution”, as the sandmonkey once put it in one of his posts “How can you argue with that?”, as a Muslim I can’t refute it because Islam is my spiritual solution but for others it’s not, so they are putting a block on discussions from the beginning.

Secondly, I’m very skeptic about the Muslims brotherhood intentions. Are they really planning for the future of the Egyptians or for their own welfare… i.e. rising to power with the main positions held exclusively for their frat members? Their history proves the latter... since their beginnings and after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, they approached and befriended King Farouk… they wanted him to become a Caliph and establish caliphate which starts with the Kingdom of Egypt and Sudan and then spreads through the Arab/Islamic world and they will become his advisors. The idea of Caliph became trendy with the young King, he even grew a beard and attended few of their conferences but soon he lost interest since the idea doesn’t meet with his lavish wild lifestyle. So, they turned against him by amplifying his lifestyle and made it public to the Egyptian through brochures. while spreading few rumors on the way. All of these lead to the death of Hassan El-Banna (founder) on the hands of the secret police. They found new alliance in Gamal Abdel Nasser and the other officers gang (consisting of Marxists/Socialists I remind you) and they helped them to stage the 1952 revolution. But soon enough the Nasserites noticed their ambitious goals and they cracked down on them to monopolize the power for themselves. So, the MB didn’t stand still and their history of violence started... which drove them into prisons, executions and to torture in the ugliest way possible during the Nasser era. And these events opened the doors to people like Sayed Qutb to use his suffering in developing a new form of fanatics that created the likes of Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Back in the 70’s they formed an alliance with their sworn enemies the Communists (a7a) against Sadat in attempts to have a place in the government... Sadat was a dictator but he was the man who gave them their freedom. Nevertheless, nowadays in their non-violent stance they still trying form unreasonable pacts, most recently when they offered a deal with Mubarak to give him their full-support in exchange of being recognized as an official political party… backstabbing all the striving opposition. But Mubarak refused and hence the their uproar and extensive demonstrations. You see their queer alliance with Communists, Marxists and Monarchists... but never once they wanted to make an alliance with any Coptic powers, which gives you a glimpse of what will be the status of the Coptic minority in their leadership, they will either be prosecuted or neglected for good.

Don’t be offended, ranting about democracy and freedom costs nothing... but in reality things differ. If you give freedom to people who will not cherish it and will misuse it to deny it from the others, it will lead to a catastrophe that we may never recover from as a nation. You are obviously a follower of the Egyptian political scene, you might notice the topics risen by the brotherhood MP’s during parliamentary sessions, topic like a law for filtering the internet, strict censorship on movies and musical video clips, whining about Ruby seductive dance routines, banning a school for Ballet dancing sponsored by the Ministry of Culture etc. Do you really wanna these kinda guys on the loose and not restricted?

Nevertheless, I sympathize with them as they suffered a lot, no one deserves this kind of Nazi treatment. And I don’t deny them the right for starting talks and discussions although it’s difficult but I still believe it the best way to handle them. Where you may refute their arguments and listen to them... I admit sometimes I like to listen to very few things that they say and I just throw the rest away.

Regarding Kefaya, I’m very supportive of them although I was against their boycott decision. I believe that they made an excellent effort, but their sole goal was to oust Mubarak (which is a very noble goal but not enough as Mohamed said before) without giving an alternative or having an agenda! Now, it’s critical for their survival to have a socio-economic plan and turn their rebellious experience into a support for a specific candidate (e.g. Ayman Nour or Mohie El din etc) without fearing to risk alienating others with different political directions. I think this is a sane solution instead of boycotting the referendum and the elections. I know it’s not a point of comparison but it’s similar to what the move on PAC doing, they raised the slogan “anyone but Bush” during the American elections, but now they are supporting certain progressive candidates!

Sorry for the long and boring reply!

I voted and I regret it!

2005-05-26T00:18:00.000-07:00

I voted yesterday in the referendum. There were more than an average attendance I must admit, I was thinking Egyptians became more political savvy. Although, there were flocks of buses from the Public sector companies and governmental authorities dropping by their employees into the voting stations, whether they were willing to vote or not. I went along my elder brother and a friend of mine into a voting station in a girls public school nearby. Of course, there was also the usual ugliness of the government bureaucracy inside the voting stations but it didn’t despair us. Some guy who was acting friendly approached us out of the line and I’m sure he was a morshed (informer) for the police, the guy asked what are we gonna vote for... I confidently said “Agree”, the guy smiled as if he was checking up on us but his smile faded away as soon as my brother exploded in his face “we enta mal ahalak... yalla ghoor men hena” (equivalent to: it’s none of your fuckin’ business... fuck off). The guy walked away while staring at us. I could understand my brother’s attitude and anger as he wanted to boycott the election but I convinced him to come through endless begging. But he went there in order to vote “I don’t agree”. We went on and flashed our ID cards and the guy who hands the ballots asked for our voting (election) cards... but we didn’t have any (I don’t believe that any Egyptian ever had one... they are useless). My brother was like “That’s it I’m going home to my wife and kid instead of wasting my time”... the other ballot guy said “Wait a second! When were you born?”. We replied with the dates and years and he said “You’re old enough... you’re probably registered automatically... here you go” and he handed us the ballots. (I have no idea!!! God isn’t the only one who works mysteriously in this country).

I had my reasons to vote “agree” with the amendment because I feel it’s an opportunity that we should seize, whether or not you perceive it as a scam. It’s not like “I’m selling out” as some of my friends put it or when my colleagues made fun of me by saying that the patriotic songs got into my heads. (The TV was plagued the last week with a number of patriotic songs and commercials encouraging the people to vote). I truly believe that the opposition should seek this opportunity, someone like Ayman Noor (if he wins his case) can really make it if the presidential election was honest! I hope that his boycott for the referendum or elections in alliance with individuals and MB is a strategy... so when he finally declares his nomination they will back him up against Mubarak.

After, returning home I was aware that the “Kefaya” and MB demonstrations were taking place... so I went to watch the TV. Of course, on the national TV, everything went fine and dandy, and they kept mentioning Mubarak’s historical speech and we should all be grateful to Mubarak decision. As the government is treating this event like a Ramadan charity given to the Egyptian people by Uncle Mubarak. But I switched the channels to watch the real atrocities taking place on other Arab news networks. It was horrible, protesters were beaten up and women were sexually harassed by the counter-protestors bullies (who were paid twenty pounds each to have a Pro-Mubarak and pro NDP demonstration in front of the opposition). The bullies stepped over a woman from "Kefaya" nearly killed her. The batons from Amn el-khara “central-police” were risen and landed over the heads of the demonstrators. Many were arrested and most of them are MB members. This is when it hit me that I was really “fooled” and the whole thing is a democracy charade. I regret that I voted for something that this government wants. Humanity is so cheap in this country as the government thugs can do anything to anyone here and there is no fixing in this country. Yel3an deen dih... wala balash.

For an excellent photos coverage of the whole thing check Orientalism as he had a bitter experience!

Egyptian Bloggers Forum

2005-05-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

The official opening of the Egyptian Bloggers Forum started today with an excellent analysis from Mohamed on the Kefaya movement. Join us there and comment.

My Mini Referendum

2005-05-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Check my mini referendum! It's regarding the article 76 amendment the subject of next Wedenesday referendum. I don't care if you're not Egyptian just vote!

"What's your position on the amendment?"

Nothing kinky I hope ;)

The Referendum

2005-05-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

A date was set for the referendum on the amendment of article 76, the date is Wednesday the 25th of May from 8 am till 7pm. The ministry of Interior declared the public rules for organizing the referendum. 32.5 Million (voting age) Egyptians have the right to vote. The were be a full judicial supervision over the 329 public voting offices and 54000 subsidiary voting offices (I don’t know how the hell they are gonna supervise it). You have to have an Elections card (voter registration card) and ID card in order to vote.

Some of the oppositions are still flip-flopping regarding the boycott of the referendum, while the Kefaya movement are boycotting for sure. I’m against boycotting the referendum, it’s stupid thing to do, if the voting gets rigged at least you were there to witness and make a scene, so all the international communities can listen to your complaints. Well, I was having these mixed feelings about the amendment text, but after considering it, it may come as surprise to many of you that I will vote ‘yes’, (if I will go to vote aslan) briefly my reasons are, individuals are the gateway for the Muslims Brotherhood into the ruling circles and I would rather have Mubarak for another 100 years than to see this happen. We need few more years of fair political parties activism before we can make it easier for individuals to participate... we are not ready for this stage yet. Sorry, but think of it carefully and you will see that it makes sense!

And since Highlander raised an issue about Mubarak and the Muslims Brotherhood collaborating together... my next post will be about the Muslims Brotherhood and why I don’t want them to become a legitimate political party.

The Religious Idiots

2005-05-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

I’m not trying here to offend religious people or anyone, in fact I do consider myself religious in a way! I’m talking about another kind of religious people, well, it actually depends your own perception of the words “religious people” whether they are people who just follow a certain religion or people who fulfill all their religious duties or people who take religion to the extreme. I didn’t make up my mind on a proper definition yet. But I do believe that the latter have the tendency of turning into bigots and brainwashed morons.

I spent an average portion of my life as a “Muslim” by birth, I knew nothing of my religion and I haven’t practiced it except when I was a kid and my dad dragged me around to Friday prayers. Then at the early parts of growing-up I turned into an atheist, rejecting all thoughts of the All-mighty existence. It was part of my college Marxist period, but it was a short one thank God. Afterwards, then I kept thinking that we all need to have faith in something as part of our lives and then I turned agnostic. Until a certain life-changing point in my life that made me think and read more about Islam and I turned to what you may call a “born-again” Muslim. Although, I’m not a perfect Muslim (I do have my long list of sins), I became so deeply involved in learning and grasping Islam but it never changed my liberal ideology and it never became imposing on others.

I wrote about how about radicals and Salafist recruit young people who usually come from poor backgrounds and unable to function socially. This time, the subject doesn’t fall into this common profiling, as he comes from a rich family, employed and he was what we consider as a Cairo socialite.

S.A. (I will only use his initials) is an old buddy of mine from school days... although we weren’t very close but he was one of the shella (gang) pillars. He was a great guy to hang out with, he was funny, smart, the chicks loved him, and the adventurous type. We went to different Universities but we stayed in touch and hanged out a lot… although this period of time we all did all sort of crazy and wild things but he walked the extra mile... he became addicted to all sorts of drugs and his drinking habits became uncontrollable. After, graduation we all went to the professional parts of our lives... but he sunk down more in his partying life as he couldn’t get rid of that wild college boy persona… 2 years ago I met him at La Bodega (a pub/restaurant in Zamalek), there was this lost look in his eyes, his hands were shaken, he was stuttering and couldn’t finish a sentence. I felt sorry for him but I couldn’t be there for him or any of our other friends we just walked away from him… and it was the last I heard of him… well, till yesterday.

As it became a Saturday routine, my fiancé drags me around Cairo malls and galleries looking for items to furnish our love nest with, I pumped into SA while I was parking in front of a shop in Mohandseen. I was shocked as I didn’t recognize him first… he was wearing a white jalabya with a casserole-style white hat and he had a 12 inches of dangling scrubby beard and a large spot of dead skin on his forehead we call it prayer zebiba (it happens from too much praying on a straw carpet). When I called on him, he was also surprised to see me… he coldly shook my hands, instead of the usual hugs and cheek kiss that normally Egyptian friends do when they meet each other after a long time ( but actually I was relived because his beard looked like flea friendly grounds). My fiancé recognized him, as we were all part of one group, so she moved forward and extended her hands to greet him… his face turned pale and he recoiled backwards saying “Sorry, but I don’t shake women hands anymore.” Her face turned into multi-colors and she was deeply embarrassed and I was standing there like an idiot, I don’t know how to react or what to say, I just shook my head in amazement… I knew at that moment that I lost SA one more time and probably for good. He asked me how am I doing, I briefly replied but my fiancé stormed away without a word into the shop leaving us there. This is when he sarcastically told me “are you still wearing gold?” pointing at my engagement ring... I nodded my head and smiled “yes” while pulling my T-shirt sleeves down. This when he said “May Allah guide to the true path”… and I replied with “Is it the path of silver?” my smile and my cynical reply didn’t catch… so I told him that I have to go and it was nice seeing him again. He tapped on my shoulders and told me “Magdy, listen to me your lifestyle will lead you into nothing but hell doors…” (I was thinking for wearing Gold????) but before he finishes his mini-speech I interrupted him “Hold on. Only Allah decides who goes to hell, so its not your call or the call of the clerics who turned you like this... sorry but I have to go now. Have a nice life” and I entered the shop.

I walked away but I was torn from inside, seeing a friend turning into a radical! I walked away on him twice but there was nothing I could’ve done this time. I feel so guilty somehow, this guy was on a self-destructive mission, he reached to the extreme sides of both ends, I realized that there were no middle grounds for him, so anything I’ll say now will never change his mind. It’s so saddening to see a great guy like this lost to the world of addiction and then lost again to the world of fanaticism. The first time he was about to lose his life but this time he lost his spirit.

Article 76… truth or fiction?

2005-05-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

The amendment of article 76 of the Egyptian constitution, was approved by the parliament yesterday. This means there will be a multi-candidate presidential elections in Egypt for the first time in history. 405 out of the 454 MP voted for the amendment.

Next steps, after the amendment was approved by the People’s assembly (Parliament), the Chairman filed the report of the session to the President, who in turn will issue a Presidential decree to subject the amendment to a popular referendum (yes or no style)I don't know when. If the amendment was disapproved (very unlikely), it will return back to the Parliament for further structuring and another voting.

The Egyptian opposition boycotted the voting in a protest against the amendment text. So what’s wrong with the text? The amendment text conditions that a presidential candidate must either be a member of an official political party or, if running as an independent, must get at least 250 recommendations from members in the parliament, the Shura council and governorates councils, with a minimum of 65 recommendations from elected members of the lower house, 25 from the Shura council, and 10 from local councils from at least 14 governorates. Well, it sounds good in theory as it will disallow any vague independents from showing up and start disrupting the elections but it will make it almost impossible for any independent to become a candidate. I could understand why the Muslim Brotherhood boycotted the voting… because as they are not recognized as a political party, the only way for them to elect a candidate is through the independent means and that’s how they got their MP’s seats. In other, words they have no chance in a NDP (Mubarak’s party) dominated parliament. But what about the other official opposition parties like Tagammu, Wafd etc. why did they oppose to the amendment? It’s not just about bonding with the independents, the amendment text that was approved will allow the NDP to have control on the Judicial committee that will supervise the elections since the have majority seats. Other objections to the text because it stated that any political party that want to nominate a Presidential candidate must at least have 5 consecutive years in its life time and must have at least 5% seats in both Parliament and Shura council… but the upcoming elections is an exception and this clause will become effective in 2011 elections, which paved the way for Ayman Nour (El Ghad party) to run for Presidency. Nevertheless, Nour objected to the amendment text because he claims its unfair for the independents and the next generation of political parties.

The opposition also acknowledge that they have no chance in the upcoming elections as they are disorganized, it was even proved when the Tagammua party MP announced that the party leader Khaled Mohie El-Din will cancel his bid for presidency as a protest against the amendment, the announcement was brushed off minutes later by the party leader Mohie El-Din. Another example, was when Heidar Baghdady, the Nasserite Party MP approved the amendment conflicting with his party position, a move that made his colleagues jump on him shouting and cursing, I could swear that I saw one member giving him the finger (the Egyptian way), later on he was expelled from the party membership. You have to admit that this was the canny Mubarak’s plan from the beginning, you shock the nation with the announcement of the amendment of article 76 just seven months away from the elections, and as a result the opposition were unprepared and unorganized… they are just beating the drums to make some noise in order to prove that they exist and still playing on the political market. The Brotherhood have no chance and I suspect that even if they had a chance, it will be forced out by some sort of military intervention a la Turkish style. And the almost-strong competition like Ayman Nour facing a trial in June for forgery and who knows where is he going to be by September (elections month). Along with the Old schools, like Wafd and Tagammua parties wandering around like lost children. A pretty good plan you have to admit. Mubarak will win the next elections and he will appoint a vice president (probably Omar Suliman, the Chief of Intelligence)... but my theory (which almost meets with the Big Pharaoh's theory) is that Mubarak is hiding another shocking announcement by the end of his upcoming fifth term, which will be his stepping down from the office and Omar Suliman will become our President and guess who will be appointed as his Vice President? (Jimmy anyone?).

On the other hand, we have the “Kefaya” (not tafaya this time Twosret ;)) movement which announced their boycott of the upcoming election as a boycott of the amendment text. Kefaya also saw that they have no chance, since they are not even a political party, so they had to bluntly ask the President to step-down. I believe that their upcoming agenda will feature and intensive display of protests and demonstrations, featuring an unwise collaboration with the other amendment victims the Muslims Brotherhood. They will try to stage some sort of a nationwide peaceful Civil disobedience, as an attempt to get Mubarak off the chair. And all I have to say to them is good luck with current Emergency Laws.

Now, that we are on a political crossroad, we as Egyptians have to be more political savvy... the fat suits are handling our affairs and we follow around like cattle without even understanding where are we going. We have to stop and ask ourselves what do we need in our leadership? I (we a3ozballah men kelmet "I") don’t want a uniform to rule me, I’m sick and tired of the uniforms whether it’s a clerical or a military uniform… we need civilians, you know people like you and I, businessmen, writers, doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. (aye 7aga inshallah beta3 fool) anyone who can really understand the citizens. Let us drop the labels for now, whether they are left, right, liberal or conservative and focus on one thing to bring the true freedom into our country. The ball should be in our field now, it’s up to us to change the status of article 76 from... truth or fiction into truth or dare.

I was quoted in Mona Eltahawy’s column

2005-05-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

The one and only Mona Eltahawy quoted me in her column in Asharq al-Awsat Sunday issue : http://www.asharqalawsat.com/leader.asp?ection=3&article=298010&issue=9658

She wrote a column about the recent terrorist attacks in Cairo. It is a great column and of course my quote added to its greatness (just kidding Mona). She wrote that MaGdee summarized the feelings of Egyptians by saying “Emergency laws failed us and the government is suffocating us”. Maybe, it will work as a slogan for the kefaya movement.

Emergency Laws

2005-05-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since the assassination of President Sadat in 1981 and the Egyptians live in what’s called the Emergency Laws. These laws were supposed to crack down on the terrorist cells and secure the Egyptians, but it didn’t happen as the Egyptians freedom became violated while the terrorists still blew things up. According to the Emergency laws; any cops could bust into your house and arrest you without a court order, protests and political demonstrations are banned; any cop could arrest you if he feels that you look suspicious enough and a lot of other violations to the basic human rights.

In the three parts TV interview, President Hosni Mubarak, has defended the emergency laws, saying they are used only for combating terrorism and drug trafficking. “Without the Emergency laws terrorism would’ve destroyed Egypt” Mubarak said.

The government tried to convince us that the recent events were individualist and not group planned but no one is buying it. Many Egyptians sacrificed their freedom for security but where did it lead us… back again to zero point… where three terrorist attacks took place in three weeks. The government is trying to throw all the blame on the people’s frustration at the current events, i.e, the Palestinian conflict and the occupation of Iraq. This might be true somehow but the main blame is on the people’s frustration at what’s happening internally. Oppressions and human right violations… innocents are being tortured and thrown into jail. If Wahabbis and other Islamists are brainwashing the people, the government is giving them a reason to be brainwashed. After the Taba bombing, 2000 people were rounded up as suspects by the government and of course after series of torture, they found most of them innocent and sent back home to become potential terrorists in order to have their retaliation.

The influence of Islamists/Wahabbis is getting stronger nowadays, when people lose faith in their country, they find refuge in God, but unfortunately people lost faith in the people of God here as they have reputation of being a government culprits (most of them anyway). So they become attracted towards alien teachings like Wahabbism, Salafism etc. A sight that scared the shit out of me lately, I was visiting a friend of mine in the Nasr City district of Cairo, he’s living near a mosque where I found a long queue of bearded people wearing Taliban style of clothing coming out of that mosque that is ironically named Kabul. Near the mosque walls there is another line of Niqab (veil covering from head to toes except the eyes) wearing women (that we like to call the Ninja turtles), and these women are selling books, tapes, CD’s and videos of Wahabbi and Salafist ideology... these materials are illegal, imported from Saudi Arabia/Pakistan or printed locally in underground presses. They are illegal because any Islamic material must be approved by the Al Azhar Islamic Research Center... so where’s the Emergency law when you really need it to confiscate these stuff.

Emergency laws failed us and the government is suffocating us.

Terrorists Strike Again

2005-04-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Two terrorist attacks in Cairo today. The first one in downtown Cairo , where the fugitive from the first Azhar attack jumped from over the 6th of October bridge into the victims. He was holding a bomb that was exploded killing him (may he burn in hell) and injuring seven including four tourists from Israel, Sweden and Italy.
The other attack was near Sayeda Aicha historical mosque where two bitches wearing Burqua or Niqab (or whatever the hell they call it) opened fire on a tourist bus ... luckily the security were able to shoot one of them down dead (may she burn in hell) and injuring the other before they kill anyone.

It brings back the sad memories of the 90's... this is it adios tourism welcome back much more cruel emergency laws. Condemnations from the clerics are not enough, they should come up with one of their expresso fatwas labeling all these radical Salafist animals as Mortadeen (apostates). I'm depressed... I'm out of here see you on Tuesday.

Liar, Liar, World on Fire.

2005-04-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

50% of the Americans are now convinced that Bush lied to them regarding the WMD, So, where are the right-wing and the conservative voices that called for Clinton impeachment for lying about Monica’s Bukkake case. This is a person who lied to wage a war and got your children killed in this war and the other lied about a sexual relationship... which is worse?

Maybe the other 50% are waiting for a Jeff Gannon type to tell them that the WMD are now hidden in Syria! But before they move to Syria or any other war, I hope they realize that the previous lie cost them Billions of dollars (166 billion so far), troops were killed, Oil prices up the sky, American reputation down the gutter and most importantly these costs are still incoming. The World terrorist attacks more than tripled in 2004 according to a US count, another Bush achievement to the war on terrorism. I hate to admit it and say that he was right but this what Mubarak declared before the start of the war on Iraq, when he said “That this war will increase terrorism and make millions of other Bin Laden”, I don’t think he said that out of worrisome on his position (he already knew that his postion is kept safe by the US) but truly out of a concern on the national security of Egypt, sorry but I have to give the guy some kudos for this. This was proven by the 7th of April Azhar terrorist attack, an event that is used by the Egyptian government to dismay any talk for the abolishing of the Emergency laws and to crack down on opposition, yesterday Kefaya demonstration arrests are a big proof.
And all for what?... Iraq is not the model and far away from being one any time soon and the world is not safe. So, enjoy your Bush and his sidekick Blair.

All Apologies

2005-04-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

“What else should I be. All apologies. What else should I say. Everyone is gay. What else could I write. I don't have the right. What else should I be. All Apologies” do you remember this song by Nirvana? if don’t even remember Nirvana than I must be really getting old. All right, forget it... its irrelevant but damn I couldn't get it out of my head the entire morning!

Anyway, during a summit for Asian and African leaders in Jakarta. Koizumi the Japanese Prime Minister... presented his country formal apologies for its savage past and for the atrocities made by Japanese armies during the WW2. The Japanese apology was mainly heading into the Chinese direction, after series of anti-Japanese protests erupted earlier this month in major Chinese cities over Tokyo's approval of school textbooks that China claims play down wartime atrocities

On the other hand, a couple of months ago, Gordon Brown, the British Finance Minister declared that Britain shouldn’t apologize for its colonial past, he added that the Brits should take pride in their past because the were able to spread their values through the savage world (that’s us).

As weird as it may sound to you, I agree with the British minister somehow... I don’t mean agreeing that the Brits were spreading their values, but what good is an apology? It will not erase the history or make you feel better in anyway. War crimes are not something that people will forgive easily. Since I find there is no need for Apologies, there is no need to forgive too... I’m sure that Mr. Brown will not deny this right from the colonial times victims. What people can do is to find a way to move around these apologies and forgiveness charade and just move on in order be pragmatic. Many believe that apologizing is a progressive step and related to “self-purifying” and a pillar for a starting a new page a la Alcoholics Anonymous twelve steps. In which the seventh step is apologizing to all the people around you who have been effected by your drinking problems.

Relating to the apologies game, the Catholic Church during the late John Paul II reign made quite a progressive jump by offering apologizes to the world for atrocities made through history, mainly during the Crusades and Inquisitions. Although, the apology was vague towards the Muslims. So, Al-Azhar and other Islamic institutes that kept nagging to get a formal apology from the Vatican like the one made towards the Jews. This nagging backfired when the Vatican demanded a counter-apology from Muslims for their expansionist wars mainly the invasion of Spain and the Ottoman wars in Christian lands. But Al-Azhar responded by saying that those wars didn’t represent Islam but the ambitions of Muslim rulers at that time, which is not true because Muslim rulers at that time were Caliphs and they were the sole legislator of Islam. And when the Vatican presented this fact in Muslims face, Al-Azhar refuted be saying that those wars were not as cruel as the Crusades and the Christian subjects were not forcibly converted like the inquisitions. The Azhar folks became stubborn like Mr. Brown the Brit minister, saying no remorse or apologies for invading Spain, Sicily, Constantinople etc. as they were important historical points for spreading values, science, philosophy etc. in Europe (the savage world then). Nevertheless, they were still wars. So, this ongoing dilemma caused a small drift between Arabs and the late Pope... but resulted in a massive PR failure from the Arabs side, wasted on stubbornness and unnecessarily arrogance. You have to read Twosret’s excellent post, where she explained how the Arabs failed in seizing the opportunity of a tolerant Pope like John Paul II.

I don’t see the importance of cultural apologies, but if they are an important prerequisite for reconciliation, then let’s start exchanging them.

Ask MaGdee

2005-04-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

“On a car turning left, the rear outer (right) wheel must rotate about its axis faster than the rear inner (right) wheel.

How do the two remain synchronised mechanically on a rear wheel drive car?”

Hellme, what the... Okay, I’m not an expert mechanic and this is not the kinda questions I expected... but let me try... when you turn into any direction the inner wheels travel a lesser distance than the outer wheels, so the outer wheels spins around the axis faster than the inner to cover the difference in distance and speed. Well, This process is mechanically synchronized by a device called the differential or as I think the mechanics in Egypt call it “corona”. Basically this differential distributes the engine power on the wheels when you turn. I’m not sure Hellme but you tell me, am I right?

“I read a comment by you on some other blog that you were having problems with your fiance regarding that she wants to wear 7igab, how did this work out for you now?”

Mido, well, a lot of people misinterpreted my comment as anti-Hijab thing. I’m not pro or against veil, my point was that men and women have preferences in their partner, based on personality, looks and style. I was raised in a Hijab free environment, my mother, my aunts and my little sister they don’t wear hijab and they are all practicing Muslims. I never dated or had a girlfriend who wore a veil, that’s what I meant when I said “I never thought of myself with a woman who wears hijab”. Adding to the fact that I don’t believe in hijab as a measurement of a woman’s faith, as I said my mother doesn’t wear hijab and she never missed a prayer or a fast in 25 years. I believe if a woman wants to wear hijab that’s her choice, as long as she is convinced with it’s a spiritual and moral meaning.
Regarding my fiancé situation I told her that I’m not convinced because I know the real reason behind her choice, but if she decided to go on and wear it, I’ll shut the hell up and be supportive. And the update on the situation that she surprised me one time by wearing hijab when we went out for dinner, I felt like it was a slap in my face with no advanced heads up, but as I promised I kept myself mute and I was supportive by telling her how pretty she looks in hijab. The other day she took it off, and when I asked what happened? She said that’s she still on a trial period and till this very moment she didn’t make up her mind... I’m trying to exploit this hesitation to convince her that this is a sign that she not ready to wear hijab and I believe that it’s working. (I’m so mean)

“Hi MaGdee
Please do not think I want to be offensive, it´s just that I have never been to your country or to any other Islamic country.
One of my collegues at work has a very negative attitude towards Muslims. He has lived in Egypt for a short while and keeps talking about the way men talk about western women,believing them all to be sluts. He also says, that western women are regularly seen as fair game to be touched offensivly.
How is the reality?”

Erlenda, It’s not offensive at all in fact I’m glad that you brought this topic up. It’s a definitely a popular perception of Western women in Egypt, mainly in the lower and uneducated classes. The majority here perceive Western women to be open minded, and it might form some negative perception among conservative and ignorant Egyptians. For example, if a guy wants to marry a Western girl, his family might oppose to this marriage be saying that she will be unfaithful and their offspring will adapt to low morals. It may come as surprise to you that it’s not only the Muslims who hold this prejudice, I know a Christian guy who wanted to marry an Italian girl and his family opposed to this marriage giving the same reasons. This prejudice feeling may also extend to the educated class, my best friend is married to an American woman and now he has a lovely baby girl, you won’t believe how he was subjected to pressure from his mother in order break up this marriage as many Egyptians perceive the West according to what they see in Hollywood movies.

Regarding that western women are regularly seen as fair game to be touched offensively, it might be true again with the uneducated masses, there is even a very offensive Egyptian saying that I won’t mention in words because it is very profane, but it basically encourages having sexual intercourse with non-muslim women. The ultra-conservatism, ignorance, xenophobia and economic depression, are main factors that drive many Egyptian youth to these kind of believes, making them believe that Western girls are easy than locals because Western girls won’t mind it as they are open-minded. In some parts of Egypt mostly rural, wearing clothes that show a vast amount of skin is a taboo, and they treat women who waer this kinda clothes as prostitutes, whether they are Egyptian or non-Egyptians, so if some guy from this parts sees a foreign lady in shorts or something he might as well treat her as a prostitute.

A year ago I witnessed an incident while I was strolling down a street in downtown Cairo, some foreign group of girls were accompanied by a couple of Egyptian guys in a Falafal restaurant and one of these guys was trying to make a move on one of the girls but the girl turned around and slapped the lights out of him. So, the guy turned hysterical over this rejection and he kept shouting and screaming, so all the patrons gathered around and he kept telling them that this girl is insulting Egyptians and she is insulting Islam, but non of the patrons bought his story, as they all saw him sexually harassing the girl, so they grabbed him and called the cops. So, you see average Egyptians mostly don't have have this kind of prejudice.
Although, I believe another factor adding to this problem that many of the foreigners here mix-up with the wrong crowds as they try to explore the rural parts Egypt, the parts that are not on the tourist maps (some places that I won't even dare to go to), so they end up hooking up up with the low-lives scammers or sexual offenders.

“What is, hands down, the best Egyptian movie ever made?”

Holly, I think it’s Iskendria leih? Or “Alexandria... Why?” directed by Youssef Chahine, I believe this movie perfectly captures the different Egyptian classes in the era of World War II, with an All-star Egyptian cast. It’s also the first in a series of movies made as an autobiography by the director Chahine. Other movies in this series includes “Egyptian Story”, “Alexandria Again and Again” “Alexandria – New York” but I don’t recommend them.

Another movie that I love is Al-Massir or “The Destiny” it’s the story of the Andalusian Arab philosopher Averroes, which is also directed by Youssef Chahine. If you like historical movies such as this than it’s worth checking “Salahdin” also by the same director.
If you need a contemporary Egyptian movie, a social drama about troubled young couples, I recommend Sahar El lialy by the director Hani Khalifa.

"Are you Zamalekawi or Ahlawi?"

Anonyn, I'm a crazy soccer fan! Which includes both watching and playing soccer... and this soccer craze inside of me is loyal in support to one club which is Al Ahli... so to answer your question, yes I'm a die hard Ahlawi and screw Zamalek.

Twosret, ahhh you spoiled my reply to Hellme's question, but I guess you deserve a reward for that too :)

It’s your turn now

2005-04-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m missing out on a lot of stuff and a lot of incidents happened lately that I need to write about, but I actually can’t think of anything to write about probably because I’m feeling down lately. So in desperate attempts to keep this God forsaken blog alive and since this is a long weekend and I’m not going anywhere, how about doing this (well it’s been done before on several other blogs and I’m just a copycat)... you can ask me anything you want ... anything in life, politics, sports, music, movies, personal stuff whatever is on your mind and I’ll reply to you. Or maybe you can email me any thoughts you have and I’ll post them here.

Happy Moled El Nabawi and God bless you all.

It Takes Two to Bango

2005-04-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I ran out of cigarettes at 3:30 am and I couldn’t sleep, so I went down in my sleeping shorts and t-shirt to buy cigarettes. I thought it’s not worth it to take my car and and get out of the garage at this hour. I decided to walk, everything was closed as I expected but I knew that a certain line of vendors are almost open 24/7 behind el-Ahli club, the problem it’s a long walk from where I live and I’m a lazy ass but for the nicotine addiction you’ll almost do anything!

During my sidewalk walk, I felt like a car was slowing down behind me… as if they were following me around, I didn’t look back. They started honking, honestly I was kinda afraid, so I thought if I would flex some muscles maybe it will scare them away. It didn’t work, I started hearing “pssssssssst” till someone shouted “Ya Captain” I turned my head to look and it was a car with three guys and a girl (who looks like a hooker) inside and they were all stoned. And the following brief conversation took place:-

Driver: Salam Aliakoum. I know this may sound weird. Do you know where to buy some “rolling paper”?
Me: There are several kiosks near Al-Ahli club, they sell cigarettes, candies and stuff. You’ll probably find rolling paper too. You have to U-turn and go straight in this direction and then turn right. (I didn’t tell them that this was my destination too)
Passenger 1: Thank you. We’re very sorry to stop you like this.
Me: No problem (and as I was about to continue my walk)
Driver: Do you want us to drop you somewhere? You can squeeze in.
Me: Thank you very much, I’m just exercising a bit and heading straight to my home over here. (pointing randomly at any nearby building)
Passenger 2: Are you afraid of us?
Me: From you? (sarcastically) no you look harmless enough.
Girl: Maybe he’s just shy. (and she went on giving hookerish laugh)
Driver: Okay Salam.

And they whisked off and I continued with my walk. After almost 15 minutes I arrived at the kiosks line and to my surprise the stoned gang where still there! They nested near one of the Kiosks, drinking Pepsi and listening to loud music from the car stereo. I walked straight to another kiosk, I knew that they could still spot me but I avoided any eye contact.
Suddenly someone was yelling “Ya Captain” again several time, I didn’t look but I was positive that it was them and they were calling on me. So, I rapidly threw the money at the vendor and walked away. I found the guy who was driving the car running in my direction and blocked my way.

Driver: Eih ya 3am... I was calling on you all this time.
Me: Something wrong?
Driver: No. You said you were heading home.
Me: (furious) What’s your problem man?
Driver: Nothing. We just wanted to invite for a smoke. (nemassi)
Me. Thank you but I don’t smoke weed.
Driver: Come on, really? Swear to God?
Me: I don’t swear to God on these kinda topics. Now, if you excuse me I have to go home and sleep in case you didn’t realize it’s 4:00 am. Didn’t you hear al-fajr prayer call?
Driver: Man, tomorrow is a holiday... so let’s celebrate.

By this time the hooker came into action and joined our conversation.

Me: It was really nice to meet you all but I’ll have to skip this celebration as there was a recent death in my family and I don’t celebrate with strangers. And if I needed to party I will party with my friends.
Girl: This guy is despiseus. Who do you think you are?
Driver: (to the girl) Shut up. Go and sit in the car.

The girl obeys.

Driver: Forgive me, She’s a just a damn whore.
Me: Listen, you guys are stoned! And you’re just killing time here. So, I hope you had your fun now I’ll have to say goodbye.

I started walking away.

Driver: Okay, Here take this with you...

He came running with a couple of Bango (cannabis herb like Marijuana) joints in his hand.

Me: What is this?
Driver: It will help you feel better and sleep.
Me: Walahi thank you but I told you I don’t smoke Bango. And I already have some cold beer at home that I will drink to help me sleep. (I wanted to kick myself for saying this)
Driver: (shouting) Beer? God forbids Haram on you. You drink alcohols? Tomorrow (it’s today) is the Prophet’s birthday and you’re drinking beer.
Me: (laughing) You’re kidding me right?
Driver: No, I’m very serious.
Me: You’re stoned and having a hooker in your car and you’re telling me this is haram.
Driver: Just don’t say I’m stoned because I’m not.
Me: I’m not judging you and I don’t know you. I’m just a guy who wanna buy some cigarettes and return home. So stop following me. Why are you following? Do you like me or something, sorry to disappoint you but I don’t swing this way.
Driver: What do you think I’m? I’m not following you. Go home, just don’t drink beer or any alcohols.
Me: (Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in) Actually, I do drink alcohols from time to time but I wasn’t going to drink today out respect and the sanctity of the day because I know it’s the prophet’s birthday. I just said it to put you off my back and I didn't know you were a hypocrite.
Driver: Drinking Alcohols is a sin, read it in the Quran while Bango is not sin.
Me: Oh my God I don’t have the will to argue now. Listen, whatever substances you take to sedate your brain is a sin and whatever harms your body is a sin. Read it in the Quran. Okay... say Bango is not haram what about the hooker? Huh? Were you going to marry her today or you’re having her as a mascot?
Driver: No, it was innocent fun.
Me: I have no problem with that. Just don’t go throwing “harams” at people. Now, have a good day and happy moled elnabi.

I thought I would share this story with you as just another example of the weird people we meet in our lives.

Folks, I'm not dead

2005-04-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

But my grandmother is... She passed away last Wednesday after spending a week in the hospital due to a stroke. I had to travel to Bursa, Turkey along with my mother and family members to bury her there in her family graves according to her will. I came up from Turkey 3 days ago and I'm back to work. I was devastated first because I was so close to my granny but now the mourning is over and I'm doing fine. I'll be resuming blogging as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank all the people who were worried about me especially Twosret, Highlander and Mido. God bless you all.

Israel Honors Terrorists

2005-04-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

Recently the Israeli President, Moshe Katzav, organized a ceremony to honor three surviving Jewish terrorists who made terrorist attacks against American and foreign buildings in Egypt in order to provoke a war between Egypt and the Unites States. In 1954, Mossad agents planted bombs in American and British sites such as the US Information Service offices, cinemas, clubs and libraries around Cairo and Alexandria. Luckily, the premature detonation of one of the terrorist’s bombs led to the exposure and halt of the terrorist plot before the massive loss of life and property.

The terrorist group was caught by the Egyptian authorities and they went to trial, two were hung and other were sentenced to life terms. Failing to meet prisoners exchange protocols between Egypt and Israel on many occasions as the Israelis never asked for them because they were denying any relation to the incident. Now, the living members of this terrorist group awarded certificates of appreciation and they are regarded as Israeli heroes.

If this terrorist attack (codenamed Operation Suzannah) would have been successful, not only would it have cost many lives, but it would have caused an American war against Egypt which in turn would have caused the death of many thousands of innocent Americans and Egyptians.

Source: Haaretz - Israel News

This incident which is known as “Lavon affair”, named after the Israeli Defense Minister at that time, Pinhas Lavon. Lavon tried to use a scapegoat in this case his deputy Shimon Peres was candidate, but later on when the scandal was public Golda Meir’s favorite pet was forced to resign in a PR damage control by the Israeli government.

For years the Israelis denied this incident but now they are blunt and out of the closet and they are honoring their heroes!!

A similar incident happened during 1967 Egypt-Israel war, an attack by Israeli aircraft and boats on the American USS Liberty ship as an attempt to sink it down and frame it on the Egyptians. An incident that the Israeli government still denies till this day and calls it a tragic accident and that they thought they were targeting an Egyptian horse carrier!!!

Any American reaction to a foreign terrorist attack on their soils is an immediate retaliation, especially when the proprietor is a government and state not a terrorist group. But what really happened is that Zionist lobbyists were able to manage and control these incidents for their own good and they still get billions of dollars from the Americans. Now, they are giving honor certifcates to people who tried to kill Americans and the American government is actually enjoying it! It really pays to have Israel as your best buddy.

These incidents were only made disoverd by coincidences, as the first one when the bomb prematurely detonated and the other when the ship didn’t sunk after the attack and they called for S.O.S. Imagine if these attacks were successful what would have happened? And imagine how many other attacks that were successful and we not dicovered and the Arabs got the blame for it. They call us conspiracy theorist fanatics and they will make fun of us if we try to blame the Zionist for anything, well... events like these could create a fanatic out of me anytime.

The Right to Die

2005-03-31T05:15:00.000-08:00

I promised myself that I won’t write about the Terri Schiavo case, because of two reasons, the first is it an American issue and I don’t give a rat’s ass about American internal issues. Secondly, because I really don’t have any solid views on the topic,

What made me break my promise was when I saw how this unfortunate woman became another battlefield for the liberals and the conservatives of America to fight upon with the blessings American media. But really made me start writing this post was when I saw the footages on TV of some protestors encouraged by GOP members to pray for Terri’s life. I really thought what the hell is wrong with these people, they can easily vote and support a war that killed 100,000 civilians but they just gather around and pray to save a human vegetable!. Ironically, the corrupt Republican Representative Tom Delay who believes that Tsunami was God’s punishment for the “non-believers” is leading the congress fight for Terri. Conservative commentators like Sid Rosenberg of MSNBC who once said during Yasser Arafat funeral that Palestinians are animals and they should all be killed, is fighting for the Terri's life on his own "sport" shows... oh God the American right is really amusing.

Anyway, that’s not the point as average people are easily shaped and manipulated by the media and politicians without even understanding the case

Regarding the religious issue, I do think that all religions have a common stand against Euthanasia in some way. But I’m positive about Islamic stand, death is a time allotted by God. God is the owner of life and our bodies. It was made clear in the following passage "Take not life which Allah made sacred otherwise than in the course of justice" (Quran 6:151 and 17:33). And the are several evidences inHadith to support the case of Islam against Euthanasia.

The human suffering issue, Doctors say that by removing the feeding tube Terri will not suffer from the starvation or torture as some might call it. But the question why are we compared to animals who should be shot to death after becoming useless. No one knows what’s going on inside Terri but Terri herself, maybe she spent the last 15 years in suffering or maybe not. Who knows? Her husband I think not... he just speculates that she didn’t want to live this way. Unfortunately, in Terri's case, she didn’t determine that in a living will or anything. But no one should be allowed to make this decision for her not the Supreme court not her parents and not her husband... if she didn’t chose it than it should be left to the will of God.

Yes, people it all a matter of choice again, if I wanted to put an end my life to end my suffering and chose to be burned in hell, well that’s my choice. That’s why I told my family and friends that if I ever end up in a coma or a vegetable you have my blessings to pull the plug on me anytime... no matter how the clerics will pass judgement on me, I'm a very strong believer in Allah's mercy.

Ahmed Zaki Passes Away

2005-03-27T04:58:00.000-08:00

Ahmed Zaki (1948 – 2005), the Egyptian Actor passed away today, after staying in coma for eight days. The actor suffered from lung cancer.

Zaki who was a revolutionary back at the 70’s, by breaking the Egyptian movie industry prejudice against dark-skinned actors, who usually get minor roles in the movies. He rose to starring roles with his undisputed talent and charm, and became one of Egypt’s most celebrated actors. Egyptian actor Omar Sharif once told him that if he was fluent in English or French, he could’ve been one the most celebrated actors in the world.

He was famous for portraying complex characters, celeberties and Egyptian Presidents such as Anwar El-Sadat and Gamal Abdel Nasser in his movies. He died without finishing one of his biggest dreams, which is the making of the movie Halim about the life of the celebrated Egyptian singer Abd al-Halim Hafiz.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Ahmed Zaki in the role of Sadat

Making History and Controversy

2005-03-19T03:13:00.000-08:00

Dr. Amina Wadud, an African-American Muslim convert, a professor of Islamic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University made it into history yesterday, as she became the first woman to lead men in congregation at a Friday prayer. She became the Imam in front of 130 men and women, even the athan (call to prayers) was called by a female, an Egyptian-American woman who says she learned from her father a former mo’athan (Prayer caller) in Cairo. Usually, female Imams are found only in homes, when a woman leads her children or other women in a prayer or in schools like I used to remember when our teacher during Religion class used to lead us in prayer, but as years passed and we started to grow up, she started to choose from the male students to lead the congregation.

The prayer took place in an Anglican Church (imagine) building in New York city, after the mosques in the area refused to host it. There was around 15 protestors gathered in front of the church holding slogans that read Amina will go to hell. The event was covered in all Arab news networks, Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, When a protestor appeared on TV and (who hardly spoke Arabic) said something like Amina is a traitor, should die and she will burn in hell... at this moment I threw a bottle of water at the TV, hoping (in my simple mind) to hit the bearded-goat face while screaming my lungs out “WHO THE FU.. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? PLAYING GOD? YOU MOTHERF...” , alas it didn’t hit him but I almost broke my TV and scared the hell out of my fiancé who’s not used to this kind of behavior from me! (except when I’m watching a soccer game involving the Egyptian national team)

The prayer event featured strong publicity from websites such as Muslim Wakeup!(a progressive Muslim movement) and co-organized by Asra Nomani, a Muslim writer and feminist. "We will no longer accept the back door or the shadows," Nomani said. "Today, we are ushering Islam into the 21st century, reclaiming the voice that the prophet gave us 1,400 years ago." Although many people are criticizing Nomani for using this event solely to market her new book.

The event has been criticized by many of Muslim clerics, who say it goes against the Islamic doctrine and traditions.

"A woman's body is private," Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar wrote in a column in Al-Ahram newspaper in which he was asked about Wadud's planned prayer. "When she leads men in prayer, in this case, it's not proper for them to look at the woman whose body is in front of them. Even if they see it in their daily life, it shouldn't be in situations of worship, where the main point is humility and modesty."

Come on! your Grand-Excellency-Highness, we all know that a woman’s body is private (as well as Man’s privates are private), I think it would take a really really sick person to start checking a woman’s body during a prayer and I think if someone who is “sexually distracted” by looking at women who are dressed like these during these spiritual minutes, needs to kill himself immediately as he is beyond therapy... because all women wear Islamic dresses or modest dresses during prayers and not lingerie.

But before some of the Islamophobes who will feel the urge to use this as a medium to spout some hate against Islam. Let me remind you of this, in Judaism, a woman cannot be a Rabbi or lead a service. In Christianity, women are not allowed to preach or become a pastor or a priest. In other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Balabism you will not find women performing any religious services!

The light of hope finally came from the Grand Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Ali Goumaa, as he has declared that woman-led prayer of mixed-gender congregations is permissible, so long as the congregation approves it.

My final words to the radicals and the rigid folks, this woman DID NOT do anything wrong, she was only praying to Allah and she was leading others in the Friday prayer, and nothing in the Quran or Hadith prohibit the women from leading men in prayer… the only controversy that could’ve been made here is if she was belly-dancing for them during the prayer and thank Allah that it didn’t happen. So please shut up!

P.S.: To all the Progressive Muslims and Islamic feminists I really do support your causes and everything, although many of your issues are several steps ahead from our current needs. (I'm not talking about the woman Imam case). But please don’t ever reach to a progressive cause of having Friday Prayers held on beaches and where the congregation could wear thongs!

The Bush Evolution

2005-03-15T23:50:00.000-08:00

All you can hear these days from the suck-ups, are pathetic congratulations speeches addressed to President Bush for the democratic changes taking places in the world today, especially the ones in the Middle-East. Ironically, some of these people earlier opposed to this war. Now, they argue that Bush and his Iraqi war should be credited for all these changes i.e. the civil protests and elections.

"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq,. I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world. The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it." Walid Jumblatt Leader of the Druze and the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party

My guess is that Jumblatt and other Arab suck-ups finally realized the bigger picture here (or so they think), the bigger picture which is beyond the tragedies and miseries of war, beyond all these civilian causalities that took place from the bombing of Iraq… apparently, all the deaths all the injuries were just a part of a masterplan to democratize the Arab world and, they are all just collateral damage and it was worth it! Well, in this respect , it actually didn’t start in Iraq nor in Afghanistan but on the very own grounds of the US of A , particularly on 9/11, the day that started it all, the people who lost their lives in this tragedy paved the road for this “bigger picture”, so it’s safe to say that they are collateral damage too! And maybe we shouldn’t call this day a tragedy at all and let’s even make it an annual celebration day and call it the “Freedom day”.

Before you start popping your Champagne, I’m really sorry to burst your bubble like this, but I have news for you, Taliban are running free in Afghanistan, Bin Laden is still on the run sending his funniest home videos to Al Jazeera, Iraqis are still not “free” under the American occupation, Lebanon might be on the verge of another civil war, Qaddafi maybe threw away his WMD but he is still Qaddafi, the House of Saud are getting much fatter, Mubarak won’t go away and the world is much less a safer place than it was before... so if I was in your position I wouldn’t mail these Hallmark cards to the White House just yet.

People who are tagging these shifts toward democracy as the “Bush Revolution” should correct it to be the “Bush Evolution” as the Bush administration evolved through a sequence of staged lies to sell this war. Bush started his war marketing campaign by applying self-defense causes trying to find a link to between Iraqis and Al-Qaeda, later on when this failed he tried to play the WMD card and until the war broke the entire world was buying that this the main reason of the war… stripping these WMD from the nasty Iraqis. "Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons." -- President Bush, Sept. 12, 2002.
"The evidence indicates that Iraq is reconstituting its nuclear weapons program. Saddam Hussein has held numerous meetings with Iraqi nuclear scientists, a group he calls his 'nuclear mujahideen' -- his nuclear holy warriors. Satellite photographs reveal that Iraq is rebuilding facilities at sites that have been part of its nuclear program in the past."-- Bush, Oct. 7, 2002.
After the war and after failing to find WMD Bush reasons evolved from igniting a war to find the threatening WMD to a war of bringing Iraqis their freedom... now they are not the nasty "nuclear" Iraqis, but they are oppressed Iraqis under the tyrant Saddam, well, Saddam was a tyrant 30 years before but the empathies for the poor Iraqis didn’t exist, when the US under the Reagan administration aided him and Egypt under the US blessings helped him to win the war over Iran, He was also a tyrant when the US knew he will to invade Kuwait and they promised him they will look the other direction and the poor tyrant bought it. Let’s not forget that Bush is an extension of his daddy who was an extension of Reagan and they are all part of neocon Republican ideology... Evidence that Bush daddy knew about the Kuwait invasion could be found in the transcript of the meeting between US ambassador of Iraq then April Glaspie with Saddam. You see the war wasn't about freeing the Iraqis after all.

Before the right-wingers start accusing me that I’m an anti-democracy and I don’t care for freedom and crap like that. I’d like to add that everyone wants democracy, freedom, equality… no it’s not a taboo here as some of the dumb thrash may think. We just don’t want our freedom through “missiles” “cluster-bombs” etc. We don’t want freedom from the US government or any other freaking government. As the Egyptian comedian Adel El-Far says in his latest monologue Ayzeen demokratia tekoon lazeeza el mohem matkonsh shabah Condalezza translation “we need a democracy that would be nice as long as it doesn’t look like Condolezza Rice” (cool... it can also rhyme in English!) Bottom-line, freedom is to be obtained by our own hands and not through foreign proxy, and even if you think that the Iraqis are now grateful. Just wait few years from now, then you will you see the American invasion memory will only bring the biggest anti-American sentiments and rallies there, because the wounds of war do not heal easily.

Liberal writer Mona Al-Tahawi from Ashraq Al-Awasat newspaper said that she participated in protests against both Gulf wars because of the cruelty of war, casualties blah blah blah... But she also said that we would be fooling ourselves if we do not admit that Bush and the Iraq war should be credited to this changes toward democracy in the Arab world.
I agree with her that the Iraqi war and Bush have direct influences on these changes, but I don’t agree if Bush and his adminstration should be credited. For example when a thief robbed my neighbor's house, this incident persuaded me of buying an alarm/security system, should I be crediting this theif for my safety now. Why this war moved the Arab world into protests for thei freedom? Because the Arabs don’t want to see their children dying, they don’t want to see foreign military on their soils, they, they don’t want to see their families turn into butt-pyramids on the hands of a bunch of sick marines , they don’t want to see their houses turned into dusts by missiles and above all they want to earn their “true” freedom. That’s why the Arabsmoved to achieve their own democracy by their own hands. The people who should take credit for it are the people who lost their freedom or lives trying to achieve this “true” freedom, people like Ayman Nour, Saad Eldin Ibrahim(well...), Nawal Saadawi, Rafiq El Hariri are among thousands of others, who didn't run away or hide behind a foreign-power back to bring occupation to their lands the “Chalabi/Allawi style”.

"I don't think that we made democracy because President Bush pushed us. We decided that we should have a democratic process and we did it, without any pressure," Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President

.

In conclusion, crediting George W. Bush for the democracy shift in the Arab world after the Iraqi war is like crediting Osama Bin Laden for uniting the Americans after 9/11 attacks.

Mido racially abused!

2005-03-14T02:06:00.000-08:00

Mido, the Egyptian star footballer (soccer player), who plays his club football at Tottenham Hotspur "Spurs" in England, was racially abused during a game against Southampton FC "Saints". Mido who quickly shined through the ranks of the "Spurs" team shortly after being loaned from AC Roma, was the focus of attention when a group of Southampton fans started chanting racial slurs.

The Southampton fans kept chanting "shoe bomber" and other racial slurs whenever Mido touches the ball, with reference to Richard Reid, who was jailed for trying to blow up a plane with explosives concealed in his footwear. The fans compared Mido to Richard Reid (who's originally half Jamaican and half English and converted to Islam) because of Mido's Arab/Muslim heritage, yeah racists are very low on the IQ part! The complaint was made by a caring Southampton fan, a woman who heard her fellow supporters as they sunk down to the worst levels of hate!

Mido said: "I didn't understand what they were saying when I was playing but I heard it.

"But it still didn't become an issue for me.

"If the people who said these things think themselves funny, it is only themselves who are laughing.

"This is the first time I've had such abuse and it is very strange.

"It never happened anywhere else but in England.

"I'm only here to play football and I won't make such incidents stir my focus away from the game."

Racism is rising everywhere in sports and in another incident Chelsea's African Player "Didier Drogba" was thrown eggs by some group kept make "monkey" noises whenever the ball gets to him, what's is shocking is that the chants come from his own team supporters!! It also reminds of another incident during a game that I watched live last year, it was a friendly game between England and Spain that turned hostile as the Spaniards kept chanting racial slurs at England's Black players, it was so loud that it drove one player into tears!
It's a Shame, sport is meant to connect people not to become a racial battle-grounds.

The Fart of Democracy

2005-03-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was visiting a relative of mine who lives in the Garden City district in Cairo, the area was packed, as usual I couldn’t find a parking space except ten blocks behind his house. Garden City was always crowded, with all its banks, companies and embassies but adding to the district dilemma is that both main streets and streets leading to the “fort of democracy” i.e. the American embassy are blocked and other streets have heavily guarded checkpoints. Adding that the land space of the “fort of democracy” (literally it is a fort) occupies almost third of the Garden City area. Folks, please remind me after 20 years from now, when I get elected to be the President of Egypt to cause a diplomatic rift (a possible war) and piss off our biggest “benefactors” by confiscating half of the embassy space to build a parking area.

I’ve been inside the US Embassy several times, it’s beautiful, clean and you don’t feel the pressure of the heavy security outside, but on the outside it’s ugly and it’s blocking the entire neighborhood. Yep, the embassy is just like the country itself, the USA interiorly could be the world biggest democracy but exteriorly (globally) it is the world biggest dictator! A "Democracy act" what a joke, imagine a coalition of countries would pass an act or interfere to free the liberal American people and correct this conservative ideology that they live in and allow the pro-choice abortion, allow Gay marriages, remove the ten commandments and abolish the death penalty... how would the right-wing Americans react? Not pleasantly I’m sure.

Ann Coulter's Free Voice of Hate

2005-03-07T23:04:00.001-08:00

Ann Coulter, the right-wing diva writer and the conservative-street hooker, threw another one of her hate spree through racist remarks and attitude toward people of Arab descent and Muslims. Anal Coulter is famous for her bigot quote “we should invade Arab countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.” And last Christmas she greeted Muslims with another message “To The People Of Islam: Just think: If we'd invaded your countries, killed your leaders and converted you to Christianity YOU'D ALL BE OPENING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS RIGHT ABOUT NOW! Merry Christmas.". Pretty provoking don’t you think?

This time her hate shots were directed to the veteran reporter and White House correspondent Helen Thomas and bounced back into the faces of Arabs, in an article published on her website, she says “Press passes can’t be hard to come by if the White House allows that old Arab Helen Thomas to sit within yards of the president.”. The article was directed to refute the Jeff Gannon scandal and intended to debate claims that the White House denies press passes due to political motivations. As usual Coulter used the article context to bash Arabs by arguing that Helen Thomas Arab roots is a threat!

“Coulter's typically crass wisecrack is the cartoonish version of the hostile profiling of Arabs and Muslims being conducted all over the neoconservative right, as typified by Michelle Malkin's pioneer work to excuse the Japanese internment in order to justify the preemptive incarceration of Muslims and other suspicious elements.” James Wolcott from Vanity Fair.

The right-wing conservative freaks consider Ann as a hero, but the ashamed ones would give you the following replies when you confront them with her “Oh, Ann I just find her funny... I don’t take her that seriously” "she just makes me laugh" “She makes pretty good arguments and bad ones too, I just pick what works for me.”
Which reminds me when I once thrashed an Egyptian guy who told me that he likes David Duke, yes David Duke the former Klu Klux Klan member and racist hero of the far-right, who takes an opportunity of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict to bash Jews and Judaism while trying to sympathies with Palestinians in order to win the Arabs hearts or money. Now, imagine if I walk up to the Jewish Daniel Pipes and told him “That dude Duke makes pretty good arguments and bad ones too, I just pick what works for me... he makes me laugh” I would be labeled the world biggest anti-Semite instantly and maybe Pipes would borrow a Sharia law and orders my beheading on the spot. Folks, this is the usual right-wing neocons double standardism in action.

New Egyptian on the Blog

2005-03-07T23:04:00.000-08:00

Milad Yacoub, an Egyptian living in Paris, offers two new quality blogs (well, new to me) to the ever growing Egyptian Blogosphere... we salute you Milad, check them out s'il vous plait:-

http://constitution4egypt.blogspot.com

Great ideas and analysis for a new Egyptian constitution. (in Arabic)

http://egyptianeye.blogspot.com

An Egyptian Eye in Paris, a photo blog.

Pimpin' my blog!

2005-03-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

I received couple of emails from people asking me why I’m not putting much effort in promoting my blog! I should know better as Marketing guy, but it’s not intentionally made, I’m really new to this blogging stuff and I’ve been so busy lately to follow all the wizardly stuff of promoting my blog.

Actually, I owe 90% of my traffic to my fellow Egyptian blogger and Good Samaritan Ramy from Beyond Normal. He’s been doing a lot of effort to keep me running in the Blogosphere, by adding my blog in every sort of rings, feeds, contests etc. Thank you very much Ramy, I appreciate it.

So, fellows I wasn’t trying to limit my blog to a specific group of people or act cool that I don’t care about my readers. I do care, if you really have any ideas of promoting my blog or any other sort of ideas, don’t be cheap and share it. And if like what you see over here and you wanna add me to your links, do it please! Aiight!

Tattooed Prayer

2005-03-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today, I wanted to pray and I ended up having a fight with a Soldier. How did it happen? I was having a brunch with some work colleagues in Nile Hilton hotel as a part of a business meeting, yeah even on a Friday, but it was casual. The weather is hot and dusty... so I was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. I thought that I won't make it to the Friday prayer due to the brunch timing, but the brunch turned out to be more of breakfast and we finished early. So a colleague of mine suggested that we "that we still have time to catch the prayer" so we went and washed... And ran like hell to the nearest Mosque which was the famous Omar Makram Mosque (famous for celebrities and politicians funerals). Usually when I go to pray in any Mosque, I would wear anything that covers my arms like a long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt etc., for no other reason than I have a tattoo on my right arm (eye of horus) and another tattoo (barb wire) on my left arm... I got them made during my rebellious college days LOL, but I like them so I won't get them removed! So I ususlaly hide them during prayers, as in Islam tattoos are considered body mutilations and I don't want to offend other prayers around me or get myself kicked out by rigid. My colleague offered to sit close on my right side because the eye of horus tattoos is more visible than the barb wire on my left, I agreed. As we were taking off our shoes and about to enter the mosque someone firmly grabbed my arm, I turned around rapidly to take a look at my grabber and there he was an "amn el markazi" (Central Security) soldier (they are famous for 3 things, Stupidity, Ignorance and disgusting BO). The following conversation took place on the Mosque doors (of course it was in Arabic and in the most vulgar vocabulary):-

MaGdee: What do you want? (pushing his hands away)
Soldier: What? Are you an Egyptian?
MaGdee: Yes... What the hell do you want?
Soldier: You don't look like an Egyptian. What's this shit on your arms?
Colleague: It's none of your business.
Soldier: How come? I won't let him enter the mosque.
MaGdee: What? Are you the Mosque director? or does it belong to your father? (a popular Egyptian expression)
(the voices are getting louder and some people who were about to enter the mosque are gathered)
Soldier: You don't look like a Muslim, you either wash this stuff on your arms or I'm not letting you in.
Colleague: They are unwashable you jackass... and you have no right to stop anybody from entering the mosque.
MaGdee: What does a Muslim look like?
Soldier: Show me your ID's.
Colleague: Why? Do you know how to read?
MaGdee: We won't show you anything. What the hell do you think you are?
Colleague: The only thing we gonna show you is our backs, when we enter the mosque. (I know... pretty lame)
Bystander: (to the soldier) Hey man, let them in, maybe they will repent inside.
MaGdee: Repent from what you Jackass??? Hey, it's also none of your business walk away please.
Another Bystander: Go and wash the drawings in you arms and enter.
Colleague: They are UN-WASH-ABLE!!! Why don't you people mind your own business?
(by this time we can hear the Imam's speech ended and the Prayer call started... they bystanders ran inside the mosque)
MaGdee: You are going to make miss us the prayer and Allah will not reward you for that.
Soldier: You either get away or I'll call my boss from inside and I'll have you sleeping in jail today.
MaGdee: That's it we are going in. Try to stop me.

This time the Soldier grabbed me from my T-shirt and pulled me hard backwards. My short tempered colleague, threw a punch that hi soldiers face. I felt like the soldier was reaching for his old rusty Russian rifle, so I leaped all over him pulling him from his vest and I teared down his vest buttons. Suddenly, out of nowhere, three fellows jumped between to break up the brawl. Two of them were holding the soldier the other guy approached us. I could tell from his clothes that he is some kind of a young Cleric or an Azhar student:-

Cleric: Are you insane? Fighting like that in front of a Mosque?
MaGdee: He wouldn't let us in...
Colleague: He was asking for our ID's
Cleric: OK... but for your own sake please runaway now, beating Government employee during his work time and tearing down his Military uniform... could get you more than a year in Prison.
MaGdee: But...
Cleric: No but.. I'm going to miss the prayer and you will be arrested if you stay.

He quickly ran inside the Mosque. There's a sarcastic Egyptian proverb that says" Running away is half of the courage", well we did ran away and as fast as we could till we reached my car in the Nile Hilton Park. I gotta say I never felt so angry in my life, not for causing a scene or missing the prayer. But because that idiot won and he didn't allow me to enter the mosque. This is never happened in my life or I've never heard it before that somone was not allowed to enter a Mosque. "What does a Muslim look like?" I completely understand the sanctity of the Mosques and religious places and I would never dress inappropriate. But do we have a dress code to count as Muslims? or is there a specific look for belonging any other religion? I know tattoos are taboos, but come on they don't make me an unbeliever. Right?

Folks please comment.

Copts Demonstrations

2005-03-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Another Copitc riots erupted in Egypt almost a week ago... this time it's not for protesting a priests wife converting to Islam but the conversion of two young Coptic women. I don't think these women were forced to convert or anything like some people might claim, they might be attracted to Islam whether through being convinced with its principles or being lured by a money incentive... we don't know really but whatever made them convert it was their choice. Now, if they were underage their families have the right to their return... I'm not going to discuss the legality of the issue because simply I no nothing about that particular part of the law. BUT these two are women, they are Doctors, they are "adults" so their families have no right whatsoever of claiming them and the Police have every right to protect them without handing them to their families or the church who might use force to "de-convert" them. (I witnessed similar cases). There will be religious counseling form both sides to make sure the women made the right choice. This makes the Coptic riots absurd since we are working here with the freedom of religion issue but I can really understand where the Coptic anger is coming from.

I might anger a lot of rigid people by what I'm going to say now, as I will compare religions to commodities and the Priests, Imams, and Clerics to salesmen. (sorry but I'm a marketing person after all). In order for any commodity to compete (and in this case exist) in a market, there must be competitive environment. For Christianity this competitive environment does not exist in Egypt with the Islam monopolizing every type of media and laws. For example, in TV there are no Christian programs except for airing the Xmas mass while Islamic programs are daily and in dozens... in Newspapers there are many pages dedicated for Islamic teachings daily, this is not available for Christianity except when every once in a while when a Priest writes an article that's usually political. Even on the Egyptian Satellites "Nilesat" there are four Islamic teaching channels (Wahabi sect I might add) and nothing for Christians... Copts had to launch a channel on the European "Hotbird" satellite. Another example, in the Egyptian law, a Muslim can build a mosque with a permit obtained from district authorities in 3 hours, while a Christian need to get a permission from the President that might take years to obtained or rejected.

Another thing that upsets me whenever we land on a Christian feast or something we hear the people on TV say "we congratulate our Coptic brothers...". The word "brothers" here upsets me, because I feel it's not sincere (or maybe it is) but it's meant to alienate the Copts... we use the word "brothers" to refer to our Arab neighbors but that should not be the case with Copts because they are us or they are one of us, so stick with the "Merry Christmas" only.

Christians feel that they are not given a fair ground that's why they are angry and they became sensitive and sometimes irrational. And let's not forget what we as Muslims will do if we had a convert on the other side... It will turn ugly I'm afraid, meanwhile we cheer converts to Islam in every media as if they were some kind of war heroes.

Finally, my message to fellow Muslims, put yourselves in your fellow countrymen "Christians" places, if you have confidence in your product you have nothing to be afraid of by giving Christians a chance of marketing theirs... as for me, I'm a satisfied Muslim religion consumer I have nothing to worry about, so play it fair and let us move past this sensitive coexistence.

And God bless Egypt.

Let's blame the Syrians game

2005-03-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

Today the traffic was as hellish as usual in downtown Cairo, so while I'm in the car a thought popped in my head that I needed to blame someone immediately for this gridlock. My first option was "Syria" since it's the fashionable these days, as all I can read in the newspapers and watch on TV is that different officials from Lebanon, Iraq, Israel and the USA is blaming Syria for something new everyday.

Folks, I hated Hafez Al Assad he was a ruthless man who committed many crimes against his opposition, and I think Bashar is just a timid version of his father who can only be reformed if the old guards surrounding him would retire. Right now, I believe that Syria should withdraw its troops from Lebanon and move their troops to the boundaries of the Golan heights. Syrian troops existence in Lebanon at the current time is irrelevant, things have changed a lot than it was 15 years ago... enemies became allies and vice versa. The only way for Lebanon to keep their "National Pact" intact is for Syrians to withdraw. But then we will have dilemma because any "immediate" withdrawal of Syrian troops will cause instability and might stir up sectarian disputes and maybe another civil war, because Syrians were balancing things up and some groups will feel vulnerable. (already conflicts started in Tripoli immediately after Karami's resignation). Let's not forget that Syrian interference in 1976 saved Christians in Lebanon from a defeat by the Muslim Militias and Palestinian Militias, that's why Sunnis in Lebanon are against the Syrians and joined by the Druze, Christians and even the far-right Christians in a coalition against Syria. (Syria a predominantly Sunni Muslim country but politically controlled by a secular Alwaites "Shiaa sect" with strong ties to Iran and Lebanese Shiaa Hezbollah). I'm glad that the Lebanese people were able to force the resgnation of the current in their search of freedom, I believe in the right of every people to oppose the existence of foreign troops on their soil, but this is not "Ukraine 2004" as the consequences and the instability in Lebanon, stop portraying Walid Jumblatt (Druze leader and the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party) as a freedom symbol, because he's NOT he's just a drunk who plays on every winning side, he's not a symbol of a unified Lebanon. The Americans who are praising the "Socialist" Jumblatt forgot about his past anti-war talks and his cheering of insurgents targeting hotel where Wolfwitz was staying in Baghdad, but the American government always sides with what currently interests them and what currently interests the US is to humilate and corner Syria as much as they can.

Bottom line, Syria should pack up and get the hell out of there but with the coordination of the Lebanese opposition, any pushing of Syria will only hurt Lebanon. Opposition MUST work with Syria to make it happen, they must realize that any foreign intervention from the US or France is not welcomed. Resoultion 1559 must be implemented, but in baby steps due to the delicacy of the country.

As for the death of Rafiq El Hariri, I was shocked, I really respected the man very much but NOT a fan of he's economic policies of turning Lebanon into one big nightclub, but he's a respectful fellow who was able to unite Lebanese sects together. God bless his soul.
It's naive to blame Syria for his assassination, we all know that there was a big rift between him and Syria, but Syrians are not stupid to make such a big mistake, and especially now when the Americans are standing close, watching and waiting for a wrong move from the Syrian side. Look up closely for who will benefit the most from his death. According to my "Sherlock" rules look up for someone who showed the deepest sadness and most tears after his death( apart from his family of course). And according to our Egyptian adage "He killed the man and mourns in his funeral".

Finally, President Bush and Condi said "Syria should pull out and end the occupation of Lebanon immediately" I would like to point out for both of them to another Egyptian proverb (it has a Western equivalent) which is "if you live in a glass house don't throw bricks at people". It sounds more truthful ans sincere when nations other than the US ask Syria to pull out.

Long Live Mubarak?

2005-02-28T16:42:00.001-08:00

As I was about to scream my lungs out with “Long Live Mubarak” and with “Belroa7 beldam nefdeek ya Mubarak”(with soul and blood we sacrifice ourselves to you Mubarak) after hearing his historical speech of introducing multiple candidates elections. I asked myself, why would Mubarak do such a thing? Two months ago the National Democratic Party reps were all over the Egyptian media trying to convince us that multiple candidates elections is not our highest priority but economic reformation is. And some of the naïve folks down here bought it! Now, they are all over the TV saying what an important historical moment in Egypt. I totally agree with them with the importance of this moment, but what I can’t understand why Egypt’s Big Pharaoh (Mubarak not GM) is giving it up so easy?

People are saying that it’s because of the opposition pressures and recent demonstration in Egypt… well I’m not trying undermine these protests but come on we know better. While other people saying that it’s because of the American pressure and Condi’s visit... as I hate to admit but I agree with the latter. The Bush regime finally realized the hypocrisy factor in their “freedom crusade”, this was any anti-Bush argument factor “you’re launching a war for freedom but you’re supporting dictators in Egypt and Pakistan etc.”. So, why did the Americans turn against their favorite middle-eastern puppy? And then it hit me, they didn’t turn against him, they just provided him with an instant democracy recipe… you see the Egyptian opposition is very weak or you may even call it a circus freak show... the only real contender for presidency is now in jail with forging signatures charge. That’s Dr. Ayman Nour, the young, liberal, charismatic and very popular activist. Talk about timing... just three weeks before Mubarak throws his bomb.

Speculations that Mubarak will throw a bigger bomb by not running for the Presidency fifth term, but who will... taaadaaa its Gamal Mubarak, then you may call it a fifth term in proxy. With the absence of real oppositions and other candidates being hunted down by Media and thrown in Jail by the government, it’s going to be an easy job for “Jimmy”. Well, let’s not run ahead, we will wait and see, but the only way for this to work is to give equal opportunities for the opposition to represent themselves without any Government harassing and have a UN or EU election observation mission during the elections. I'm praying already, then I will be screaming "Long Live Mubarak" for making this historic change and hell I'll even wear a Mubarak T-shirt.

Hiya mates I'm back

2005-02-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

Yeah really, I'm back in Egypt one month earlier than scheduled but things worked so fast in England than I thought.So as soon as I felt that my existence on the Brits lands is becoming irrelevant, I took the first flight to Cairo.
My deepest apologies as I promised to post from there, but I really didn't have time to breathe there. I would to thank all of you who sent me emails and comments and I'm sorry again if I couldn't reply to many of it!
Lots of things have been happening since I left, Sharm Shiekh Summit, Iraqi election, Ayman Nour's arrest, Harriri's Death etc, Mubarak's "coming out of the closet" speech (elections speech) etc. So I don't know where to start but I'll be thinking of something soon.

Happy Eid al- Adha

2005-01-19T02:59:00.000-08:00

Eid Saaeed everyone... I was about to say Eid Mubarak but along with Hosny Mubarak, Susan Mubarak, Alaa Muabarak and Gamal Mubarak... its too much Mubarak for the Egyptian public.

Enjoy your "fatta"!

Out of Service

I'll be out of service for two weeks. As I will be celebrating Eid with my family then I'm heading to England for two months. I have my laptop with me so I'll be posting while eating my fish and chips as soon as things settle with me.

Me, Myself and Islam

2005-01-18T04:39:00.000-08:00

I received emails from people calling me a disgrace on my religion for supporting Nawal Saadawi. Other emails I got from people are also calling me names because of a support letter that I wrote to a Coptic rights group. Others called me an atheist and even an Egyptian atheist sent me an invitation to atheists’ website forum! Since I will not wait for an invitation to conversion by the Jehovah’s witnesses, I decided to make things clear... I’m a MUSLIM (Sunni) by birth and by choice. Period.

I believe that my faith is something personal between me and my God... I don’t accept interference regarding the way I practice my religion as well as I don’t accept interference in the core of my religion. That means radicals from any sides butt off! I don’t need a cleric to act God and tell me that I’m a sinner and I should be punished, I don’t need a Mufti to issue me “fatwa” whether it Islamic to put my money in a bank and take interests or not. As I also believe in the Prophet’s words that if you have enough faith the best fatwa is from the heart.

I also try hard to follow all the five pillars of Islam, I say the testimony, I pray five times as much as I could, I fast Ramadan, I give out Zakat (Charity) and when I get the time I will go on a Pilgrimage to Mecca.

I also believe that there’s no harm in breaking some rules as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone or have a direct effect on my faith. For examples:- I could be clubbin’ and drinking all Thursday night then I go home and wake up the next morning and attend the Friday prayer. I could gamble little a bit in a poker game or if I couldn’t resist the magic of Las Vegas. As for eating pork I don’t eat it because I have several different other alternatives but if I’m stranded on a deserted island and only thing available to eat is pork I will have no choice. As for pre-martial sex… it’s not your business because it’s too personal lol. It’s not hypocrisy as some radicals might consider it but it is making the best of life while keeping the faith on. Clerics are not God, they don’t predict my future whether I’m going to be thrown in hell or not, as well they can’t pass verdicts on me regarding my actions which doesn’t hurt anyone.

I believe in the separation of religion from the state because Islam is a religion and not a nation or a state ownership. I’m also against polygamy because according to Quran in order to have other wives (four is the limit), you have to have a convincing reason, you have to be fair in every duty between all of your wives and God says you won’t be able to do it! So why God permitted it? Because it was a way to spread Islam and protect the widows in the early era of Islam. But it’s currently being misused by Muslims among many other things.

I believe in Christianity and Judaism as God’s religions too. I also believe in the freedom of religion, you can choose to convert or reconvert become a Christian or a Jew or an atheist... it doesn’t make you a lesser man /woman as it doesn’t matter to me and the perception of this act according to my faith will be also irrelevant to you since you already picked your choice. God gave each one of us a choice and no man whatever his religion can take this choice away.

I believe that reformations must be made to Islamic theologies such as Wahabists etc. and their extreme interpretations of “Hadith and Quran” must be revised. I believe in dialogues between different religions made by Scholars each explaining his point of views in a civilized manners and not in the Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson cowboys manners.

As for Jihad the term is misrepresented by the West and by extremist Muslims as a “holy war” first of all Jihad is not a pillar of Islam although it’s consider as a pillar this in some Shiaa sects. The word "Jihad” means “struggle or striving” in the Way of God. Every effort made by a Muslim to do good acts comes under Jihad. For Examples: Studying to succeed in your exams is Jihad, professionalism in your work is Jihad, make a living for your family is Jihad and “defending” your home and religion is Jihad. The latter became the extremist pretext for launching violence.

Finally, this is me an Egyptian, an Arab and a Muslim... an Egyptian by nationality, an Arab by language and a Muslim by faith... three different entities joined together in one man enjoying the aspects of the three cultures.

Hate to say “I told you so”…

2005-01-16T02:23:00.000-08:00

Hours before Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen was sworn-in. The Sharonic beast announced the cutting all ties off with “Abu Mazen” and PA as a response (I’m sure someone will call it a measured response) after Palestinian militants killed six Israelis at a checkpoint on the Gaza border.

The guy (Abu Mazen) didn’t even catch his breath and he is being blamed for this attack. As usual Mr. Powell riding the Sharonic wave by saying that Abu Mazen should start curbing militants already.

Put more pressure on this guy and you’ll end up dealing with extremists, which seems that Israelis like it as it drifts them away from the peace process.

How to become an Arab ruler in 15 days?

2005-01-16T01:33:00.000-08:00

First scenario (Assuming that your reign will begin after the death of your predecessor)

Following a couple of days public mourning of your predecessor and after being swiftly sworn in:-

Day 1:-
Give a public speech where you assure the citizens that you will continue with the brave reformations and follow the footsteps of your predecessor.
Day 2:-
Free all oppositions groups and political prisoners. Promise them a new era of democracy and freedom of speech.
Day 3:-
Address your political party. Make sure they are preparing for a complete takeover in the next Parliamentary elections.
Day 4:-
Erase any traces of your predecessor. This include removing anyone from your cabinet who is loyal to your predecessor, street names etc.
Day 5:-
Announce your five-years socio-economic plan. (Basically, the same old plans used by your predecessor you just put your name on it). And Setup a bank account in Switzerland.
Day 6:-
Put the opposition back into prisons.
Day 7:-
Make sure you keep only loyalists in the military. And attend a military parade as a power show-off commemorating 7 days since you took power. Invite few foreign ambassadors.
Day 8:-
It's constitution amendment time. Add clauses that will help you stabilize your power more.
Day 9:-
Start plans for building a new city that will carry your name. Preferably give it a specific theme whether its going to be residential or industrial or agricultural or technological.
Day 10:-
Visit the USA, vow for obedience and beg for foreign aid (This will add up at least 10 years to your reign) And setup a bank account in the Bahamas.
Day 11:-
Visit a couple of factories and projects; make sure you smile while posing with the sweaty workers for the footages and keep asking them about their families.
Day 12:-
Start a big "National Project" (not necessarily significant) but make sure it will bleed the country's economy. Make you prepare a defense plan in case the project fails.
Day 13:-
Order your wife to start a social activities campaigns and hug a lot of children in the process.
Day 14:-
Start training your son for heredity. (in case you don't have sons borrow one)
Day 15:-
Tell your men to organize a public rally for your support, get your best writers to write the best supporting slogans as it usually stick till the end.
Congratulations you are now fit to rule for another 30 years. (just make sure you take care of your health and avoid assassination attempts)

Second scenario (Assuming that your reign will begin after a military coup d’etat)

After killing/exiling your predecessor and being swiftly sworn in:-

Day 1:-
Give a Public speech where you assure the public that reformations will take place and the days of tyranny and prosecution will be over.
Day 2:-
Free all oppositions groups and political prisoners. Promise them a new era of democracy and freedom of speech.
Day 3:-
Make up your own new political party. Whatever the direction your predecessor was choose the other direction.. i.e. if he was left become right.
Day 4:-
Erase any traces of your predecessor. This include removing anyone from your cabinet who is loyal to your predecessor, street names… etc. And start smearing campaigns in the media (like showing the victims of the past regime on TV) and order changes in history books.
Day 5:-
Announce your five years socio-economic plan. Basically, the same old plans used by your predecessor you just put your name on it. Setup a Swiss bank account.
Day 6:-
Put the oppositions back into prisons. Execute few of them.
Day 7:-
Make sure you keep only loyalists in the military. And attend a military parade commemorating 7 days since you took power. Execute any ambitious comrades who helped you with the coup d’etat.
Day 8:-It’s Constitution amendment time. Add as many clauses as you like.
Day 9:-
Start plans for building a new city that will carry your name, and rename the city that carries your predecessor name.
Day 10:-
Visit the USA, vow for obedience and beg for foreign aid (This will add up at least 10 years to your reign)
Day 11:-
Visit a couple of factories and projects; make sure you pose with the workers for the footages. Make sure you look as if you understand what they are doing.
Day 12:-
Start a big “National Project” (not necessarily significant) that will bleed you’re the country’s economy. And execute anyone who doesn’t like it.
Day 13:-
Order your wife to start social activities campaigns and hug a lot of children in the process.
Day 14:-
Start training your son for heredity. And make sure he appears on Camera everywhere you go.
Day 15:-Tell your men to organize a public rally for your support, get your best writers to write the best supporting slogans as it usually stick till the end.
Congratulations you are now fit to rule for another 30 years. (also make sure you take care of your health and avoid assassination attempts)

Mahmoud Abbas and the conflict legacy

2005-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

On 9 January 2005, Palestinians elected Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as president of the Palestinian Authority. Abu Mazen claimed victory over six other candidates with 62 percent of the vote. Now, the world is waiting in anticipation to see how Abu Mazen is going to work and how will Sharon perceive his counterpart? What will happen to the peace negotiations?
In order to come up with answers we have no excuse but to come up with rhetoric questions like will that mean Sharon with his new government coalition of the “left apologists” Peres will stop undermining Abu Mazen (a policy going on from the first day of the election campaign)?
Call me a pessimistic but I don’t think so… the ability of Abu Mazen to put an end to the militant struggle and unite the Palestinians fractions is limited, since the nature of extremists in Likud that don’t want him to succeed in that and they will try all they have to provoke another uprising, thus ending the Gaza pullout.
The smear campaign against Abu Mazen started before Arafat’s death and before his bid for presidency of the PA, during his short PM era he was a victim of Israeli and right-wing, they did label him with their favorite accusation slander of being an anti-semite:-

“Abbas, or Abu Mazen as he is also known, is perceived by some, including the president (Bush), as a "moderate" hope for peace.
I do not agree with this assessment. In fact, Abbas is a fraud. Abbas is evil in his own right. Abbas is a deceiver. Abbas is an anti-Semite and a hater. And I can prove it”. Joseph Farah (WorldNetDaily)

Plus the occasional smears published in Haaretz and other Zionist media about his so-called terrorist past and Holocaust denying.

So, if Sharon is expecting from Abu Mazen to silence his extremists, he should start by silencing his own first (which won't work just by hiring Labor party apologists). In order to have peace talks, there must be certain procedures that should apply for both sides, but the Sharonic way of putting all the pressure on the Palestinians won’t work even with Abu Mazen.

Someone asked about Al- Aqsa intifada, well here you go:-

Barak’s “Generous” proposal and the second Initfada (Al-Aqsa).

I have been hearing all around about why the Palestinians refused the so-called Barak’s generous offer? And how the Israelis and the right-wing show it as Peace rejection and that all the Palestinians want is “the destruction of Israel”. Now, lets see how generous this offer was on real grounds. According to Oslo accords the real generosity came from the Palestinian compromise as they accepted 22% (Gaza and the West Bank) of historical Palestine as for their state while giving the Israelis 78%. What Barak came proposing in Taba is that 70 or 69 of the Israelis settlements in the West Bank, would be annexed as blocs to Israel. This means taking a 10% out of the Palestinian 22%. These settlements intercepts with roads that link to Palestinian city which means it will make the daily transportation for the Palestinians will be a living hell. Followed, by another proposal regarding the rest of settlements as they will be under “Temporarily Israelis control” for indefinite time until evacuation (this could mean 100 of years). That’s like taking another 10% out of the Palestinian 22%... leaving the Palestinians with 80% of their 22% that would be broken further by Israeli checkpoints and roadblocks to protect these settlements. So, Palestine is expected to become a full nation along with its trading routes, farms etc on these broken pieces of a Jigsaw puzzle!!

No nation in this world that has honor will accept this as a solution; Israel is acting like a Master throwing bread crumbs to his slaves, sorry, but the Palestinians are not slaves and after all the injustice happened to them over the course of history they deserve a better offer.
Don’t argue with me that Israel have the “upper hand” with all it’s technology, money and power and the Palestinians should have accepted what they got… because Palestinians have another choice which is resistance till the last man standing! And certainly Israel won’t be able to eliminate all the Palestinians while the world is watching... Pragmatism has to be stopped when it steps on the boundaries of dignity.

Now, this Barak’s failed offer, along with constant buildings in West Bank
settlements, constant harrasment by the IDF for the local Palestinian populations near Israeli settlements and finalized by Sharon’s closure of Al-Aqsa mosque in his provocative visit.. set the field for a second Intifada.

Return of the Pharaoh’s curse

2005-01-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

No, it’s not the new title for the “The Mummy Returns” sequel. But it’s more of a declaration from Dr. Zahi Hawass the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). This declaration came after they were having ct-scan on and forensic tests on King Tutankhamun’s mummy to discover the actual causes of his death.

Surprisingly, Dr. Hawass who was against the curse theory and he had dismissed it previously in a series of researches and books, all of sudden became turned into a believer in the curses of Pharaohs. His change of heart was after a series of misfortunate events that happened to him and to others including the Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny. He said that he had a car accident, the ct-scan computer stopped with no apparent reason and he got a phone call telling him that a relative died suddenly. Rumors say that Minister Farouk Hosny strained an ankle while getting out of the tomb and other members of the team suddenly fainted. It may not be as dramatic as what happened to Howard Carter and his Egyptologists team after discovering the tomb of King Tut in 1922, but it is still spooky.

The mystical side of the curses: Ancient Egyptians priests were experts on black magic; they could have easily placed some kind of a curse on the tombs. The fact that most tombs contained a straightforward hieroglyphic warning to intruders “Not to open or you’ll be cursed.”

The scientific side of the curses: Ancient Egyptians used many chemicals for the paintings on the walls and for the mummification process. As these tombs were shut tight for thousands of years, this could turn the chemicals into poisonous gases along with the possibility of germs eruption, could all lead to health problem mistaken for curses.

Related urban legends:
The 1922 Cairo blackout was during the opening of King Tut’s tomb.
The head Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities died by fire suddenly erupted in his bedroom in 1923.
A photographer in the British Musuem who took some photos of Tut’s mummy, suddenly fell dead in his lab while developing the film as one of the photos turned out to be a headshot of a disfigured man.(other than the mummy)
Baron Empain stacked some mummies in his Heliopolis Palace basement, which caused the Palace to be haunted. (It is actually a very scary looking Hindu style palace).
A school kid who got lost inside the pyramids and found 10 years later knocking on his parents door while not aging a bit.
The Curse of Pharaohs can only affect foreigners not people with Egyptian blood. (you'd better not stay too long at GM’s Big Pharaoh blog lol).

Some say that the creation of these urban legends was intended to keep away intruders, thieves and tomb raiders (watch out Lara). But it backfired as the tombs became a major attraction for tourists and thieves to sneak into these tombs and have some curse thrills.

Whether or not this was a publicity stunt from Dr. Hawass, the subject still remains mysteriously attractive.

Daniel Pipes Clogged

2005-01-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

On April 2003, Islamphobe superstar and extreme Zionist Daniel Pipes was the guest of Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now radio show. One of the questions asked by Amy Goodman was if he supported the internment Japanese Americans in world war II, but the startled holder of Harvard’s doctoral degree in history said “It's not a subject I know enough about to talk about”.

Mr. Pipes took almost a year and a half and after he read the infamous book of the Filipino-American Michelle Malkin In Defense of Internment (she supported the racial profiling and imprisonment of Japanese American citizen in the west coast and realated it to her advocacy of racial profiling of male Arab-Americans in post 9/11 world) to come up with an answer to Goodman’s question and he admitted that he is actually in support of the Japanese internment:-

“This attempt at sandbagging me on the radio not only failed to derail my nomination, but it also failed in a larger sense, for it provoked my curiosity about the Japanese internment and prompted me to read Malkin's book. Now, should anyone ask the same question Goodman did, I can knowledgeably reply: Yes, I do support the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II because, as Malkin shows, "given what was known and not known at the time," the U.S. government made the correct and sensible decisions.”

Apparently, what really Mr. Pipes wanted to say is that he lied about his ignorance of the subject, he just had to wait that long for a book to be written by an Asian-American, so he could respond and wave the subject violently saying "look there is nothing racist about supporting the “Japanese internment” look even an Asian-American wrote the book".

Professor Juan Cole commented on the topic on his “Informed comment” blog: “Pipes's little project requires him to attempt to justify the internment of American citizens (of Japanese ancestry) during World War II, a violation on several grounds of the Bill of Rights. I hope Asian-Americans realize that a key wing of the Republican Party, i.e. the Neoconservatives, wishes them ill.

If the American yahoos ever start putting people in concentration camps, I think we may be assured that they won't stop with the Muslims or the Asians, and Mr. Pipes will come to have reason to regret his imprudence and, frankly, his demonic implication.”

The correct and sensible decisions that Pipes and Malkin are its superseded advocates, argue that when a nation is in war like “America’s war on terrorism”. It is “correct” to hold “Muslims” and “Arabs” under close observation, deprive them of their civil rights or even throw them in internment camps which would be the “sensible” decision. Since Mr. Pipes previously claimed that 15% of Muslims are “potential killers”.( he counted them one by one).

Ironically, Mr. Pipes and other neocons described Ms. Malkin’s book as “as an insightful revisionism of World War II historical facts, but if you ask them what if you open door to another insightful revisionism of World War II Holocaust, they will label you as a “Holocaust Denier”. Yet, the right-wing disclaim “bigotry and racist” charges against Ms. Malkin simply because she an Asian-American, so, what’s next? – a book called In Defense of Slavery by Condoleeza Rice, that will be dismissed as “racist” because Condi is an African-American.

It’s not new of Mr. Pipes to come up with his bigotry theory to support the Japanese internment in World War II, giving his following chauvinist resume:-

-By the mid-1980s, Pipes had settled in Philadelphia and assumed the directorship of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a conservative think tank out of which the Middle East Forum would eventually emerge. While there, he served as editor of the think tank's journal, Orbis, which in 1988 published "The Baghdad Alternative." The article, by Laurie Mylroie, advocated bolstering US ties to Saddam Hussein. There is little doubt Pipes agreed with her thesis; a year earlier, he co-wrote an article with Mylroie in The New Republic, "Back Iraq," that also argued for a US alliance with Saddam.
-In 1990, Pipes seemed to endorse a similar proposal, dismissing the underlying assumption of the road map and the failed Oslo peace process. He wrote that it was "either naïve or duplicitous" to think that two states could exist between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Now, according to his website, Pipes believes that a two-state solution could work, but only after a complete Palestinian surrender.
-In 1990, Pipes said: "Western European societies are unprepared for the massive immigration of brown-skinned peoples cooking strange foods and maintaining different standards of hygiene... All immigrants bring exotic customs and attitudes, but Muslim customs are more troublesome than most.
-Post 9/11, Pipes said” There is no escaping the unfortunate fact that Muslim government employees in law enforcement, the military, and the diplomatic corps need to be watched for connections to terrorism, as do Muslim chaplains in prisons and the armed forces. Muslim visitors and immigrants must undergo additional background checks. Mosques require a scrutiny beyond that applied to churches, synagogues and temples. Muslim schools require increased oversight to ascertain what is being taught to children”.
-In 2003, Pipes said that the Israeli military must force what he describes as a "change of heart" by the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza -- a sapping of the Palestinian will to fight which can lead to a complete surrender. "How is a change of heart achieved? It is achieved by an Israeli victory and a Palestinian defeat," Pipes continued. "The Palestinians need to be defeated even more than Israel needs to defeat them.". Few days after Pipes spouted these previous disturbing comments President Bush nominated Pipes to the board of the United States Institute of Peace, a Congressionally sponsored think tank dedicated to "the peaceful resolution of international conflicts".

And Back to our “Japanese internment” subject, Pipes failed to explain why he defamed and attacked Gamal Abdel Nasser in this particular issue.. i.e. “the Jews imprisonment and forced immigration from Egypt after the 1967 war”. Egypt was in war with Israel and according to Pipes principle of racial profiling it was “sensible” for the Egyptian Government to kick the Jews out. While many progressive and liberal Arabs/Egyptians defined this policy by Nasser’s regime as ruthless and unjust, Pipes and Malkin along with other right wingnuts are still defenders of these policies as it serves their own goals. Can you say “Neo-Fascists”?

This is just another example of Daniel Pipes hypocrisy and bigotry that became a common theme for the right-wing conservatives.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

2005-01-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

The of 7th January is the Eastern Orthodox Christmas, that includes the Coptic, Greek, Russian and Armenian orthodox Churches. Historically, the first ever Christmas (in all sects) was celebrated in Alexandria, Egypt in the year 200 AD.

Nawal El Saadawi for President?

2005-01-05T01:11:00.000-08:00

I got a couple of emails from guys asking me whom would I vote for in the Egyptian election 2005 (that's if we had a miracle constitution change), since our current constitution states that no one can be a candidate for elections without the prior approval of two thirds of a Parliament, and since our Parliament members are more than 90% NDP (President Mubarak's party) then this is just wishful thinking!

So, they gave me a list of names of people liable to run for presidency, among these names you can find, Amr Moussa, Saad Eldin Ibrahim, Nawal El Saadawi, Khaled Mohey Eldin and Abdel Halim Qandil.

Personally I think as Egyptians we could do better than that, where are the Younger people, we need new progressive thoughts and visions (but not Gamal Mubarak's)
So, I narrowed my choices into two and they are Amr Moussa and Nawal El Saadawi... and why I rejected the others? Well, I believe Saad Eddin Ibrahim is a big flip-flopper a la Kerry style, In the sixties he was a Nasserite traveled to the US and he returned a capitalist, he opposed to the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty, later on he welcomed it, and now he's an advocate for a complete neutralization of relations with Israel. One day he affiliates himself with minorities issues, and he throws stones at Islamists but the other day he affiliates himself with a reconciliation program with the "Muslims Brotherhood" . I don't know what grounds he stands on now and although his political agenda is superb I don't want to choose a guy and find him affiliating himself with the Church of Satan the nextday.

And as for Qandil, it is simple hes a guy whos hanging to old thoughts refusing to move forward and refusing to see the light beyond Nasser.

As For Khaled Mohey Eldeen, no thank you we don't want a communist state.

Which bring us to Amr Moussa, I think hes an okay guy, I respect him and hes got an incredibly good charisma, plus he takes no bullshit from the US nor Israel. He also advocates for an Arab unity through timid principles and ideas, which what we really need right now. But I can't get over his affiliation with the current regime as a former Foreign Minister and as the current Secretary General of the Arab League.

As for Nawal El Saadawi, she is a leading Egyptian feminist, sociologist, medical doctor and militant writer on Arab women's problems. She is one of the most widely translated contemporary Egyptian writers, shes liberal and very tough at the same time (I like that), plus she fiercely campaigned against American imperialism in Iraq. Her electoral program is excellent, check it out in this Link
Her setbacks apart from that she looks like she dropped her broomstick before posing for this photo (I'm sorry that was cheap shot) she sometimes reaches extreme levels with her feminist rolls, which might question her credibility at some topics. Also some accusations are that she ventured into some religious topics that she knew nothing about and started declaring statement as an expertise.

Finally, in my opinion Nawal's resume is much more attractive than others, that's why I would go for her till someone better shows up, plus I believe that we need a woman's touch these days for a change, after our men failed us miserably in the past 46 years! (And before that of course)

Dr. Saadawi and her husband Sherif Hetata

Reply to the Sandmonkey’s ranting (part 2)

2005-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

” After that Egypt fought against Israel 3 more wars and in every war we ended up losing, and yes, that includes the Yom Kippur war. We lost that one MaGdee blah blah blah till Everything you know you just heard from someone else and you repeat like a parrot. But, that’s ok, as I said, you don’t know any better. Anyway..”

Okay, since you have deicide to take up the side of the Israeli story and since most English references to this war were derived from this side. I will play along and take up your facts about this war! The celebrations that hurts you so much are called the “6th of October day” or “the Crossing day”… now bring out your facts and check them out one by one... what happened on the 6th of October 1973? probably you’re going to say “evil” “sneaky” Egyptians launched an attack on innocent Israel while they are celebrating their feast... which is true somehow but what they did on that day was considered victory by all means, Berlieve line was destroyed and the canal was crossed and we moved about 20km inside Sinai... after 12 victorious days (running out of strategic supply) the table had turned on us and after the infamous “American Airlift” the IDF led by Sharon created the so-called “gap” was due to a strategic errors from Sadat (read General Saad el Shazly book) meanwhile they could’ve overcome this gap easily. Now, after that the complete run-out of supply and the failure of the Soviet support to reach Egypt on time, we had to accept the American seize fire proposal and made us go for the “el Kilo 101 negotiations” with Israelis. Now, let’s see the outcome of the war in casualties we exceeded the Israelis but if winning or losing the war is measured by casualties than the American must have won the Vietnam War, so let’s refer to the territorial gains, where we took back the canal and 10 km of the land. Plus the shock impact of this war led us to peace negotiations of 78 where we got our lands back. So what do you honestly think did we win the war or lost it? Or I’m just pleasing myself… you’ll go for the latter I’m sure. As much as it will hurt you to believe it I’m a pro-peace with Israel, I respect institutions like Gush-Shalom and Peace now! But I never myself pro-Israel because Israel doesn’t need my support (I acknowledge their right to existence there as it became a fact so there is no need to deny it) no matter you’re going to say or give me any biblical or historical facts… Israelis already have their own state while the Palestinians don’t so I support Palesistinians and any Israelis who want peace! And I never judge an entire group of people by their leaders’ mistakes. So, you don’t find me cursing Jews for the mistakes of their Zionist leaders. And surprise surprise I even have some Jewish Israeli friends to prove it and surprise again they agree on my views too!

“So where were the Palestinians in the middle of all that someone might ask? Did they fight in any of those 4 wars? You know, volunteer or send money or something? Nope, nope and nope. They could’ve caused some sort of uprising when the Yom Kippur war started and thus completely messed the Israelis up with an attack from inside as well as outside, but they didn’t. They chose not to! Why bother, the Egyptians will do it! There is an actual saying that period MaGdee, I am not sure you know it, but it went like this: “The Arabs will fight Israel until the last Egyptian soldier”! We lost 100,000 Egyptians in those wars MaGdee, and we didn’t even get a thank you.”

Israelis came to Palestine and took lands that didn’t belong to them, period. I don’t care if Palestinians were hiding under rocks (which didn’t happen by the way check your history on more time). We were under constant threats even if we accepted the UN separation resolution back in 1948. (How can we accept proposal made by series of imperialist forces to divide a part of the Arabs lands?) Here I’m having a Zionist state next to me along with some hard-liners who believe in the “Greater Israel” while I'm fighting Western imperialism, it’s not another conspiracy theory I assure “Greater Israel “ ideology is true and existed on popular bases among Israelis back in the 40’s 50’s but now only few minority believe in it. (Did you ever wonder why Israelis settlers cried their eyes out when they were driven out of Sinai?) Did you ever stop and think if the Israeli occupation in Sinai and other Arab lands was based on security procedures as they claim why did they build settlements and civil communities?
Why did lose 100,000 Egyptians? Because of the mistakes made by previous dictator regimes, but that doesn’t change the nobility of the struggle and the cause of our unity! even if some leaders did let us down through history. So do you think being a pro-Israeli brings back the 100,000 Egyptians killed on their hands?

“Instead we were- and still are- called Traitors and cowards by those we fought for and who did not fight. You know who the Palestinians and Yasser Arafat were fighting in the 1970’s? King Hussein of Jordan. Yes, other Arabs you freakin moron”

I agree, we were called traitors by few and almost the entire Arab leaders boycotted us for our peace initiative… but do you truly think that was the entire Arab population view… even if some ignorant believed that. Is that a reason to hold a grudge on Arabs and hate everything which is Arabic? You mentioned King Hussein of Jordan, the Benedict Arnold of modern Arab history, the man who went and told the Israelis the exact time of 1973, luckily no one ever took him seriously. And don’t revert to profanity again!

“The Palestinians didn’t start the Intifadah until 1984, almost 40 years after the War of Israel. By that time Israel was its own country with institutions and generations of people born and raised there, thus having as much right of the land as the Palestinians did. You know what were the Palestinians doing all that time? They were kidnapping planes and killing athletes, u know, stuff that TERRORISTS DO!”

I don’t support terrorism… I don’t support any civilian killings but I understand desperation and desperation could result in foolish actions according to this bizarre adage “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter!” But terrorism is not Intifada although it clinched within it through some parts of history!
Still there are brave "freedom fighters" in Palestine along with other respected activists.

“And if we chose to ignore all that MaGdee, like you and your friends chose to, the 1990’s and the 2001-2003 attacks are proof enough for your ass… blah blah blah till “Give us the land and we won’t try to kill you”? That’s thug mentality MaGdee, and can only work if the Palestinians were more powerful then the Israelis, which they are not.

Profanity once again! I'm a Zamalek resident but I do have a sharp tongue of a Bola2 resident, so please don’t provoke me I’m very well aware of your dirty words! Nope, we don’t want them out of the region anymore this ideology changed over years… maybe that was in the beginning but we had every goddamn reason to do so! You are right about one thing we never capitalized the Israeli peace camp, simply because they are being shut down by the Zionist extremists... like they did with Uri Avenry and Mordechai Vanunueu.

“But do you really wanna know what made me Pro-Israel MaGdee? You really do? It was the Taba bombings. I am taking it a little personally because I was there with my friends at Ras Shaitan, and I left half an hour before the bomb went off, and had to go back and get the rest of my friends who were hiding in a beach cabin afraid of terrorists coming to kill them.”

It was a tragedy. Ironically, I was in Dahab at that time watching the entire thing on TV while the cops were surrounding the entire town, later on I saw an Israeli whom I knew from a group friends crying while holding his bags ready to leave, so I went to him and as a gesture we exchanged condolences and do you know what did he say to me? “I blame it all on that pig Sharon”. Maybe he was humoring me but I don’t think anyone at that time is capable of that. I never denied Palestinian violence and terrorism but you should never deny the Israelis state terrorism.
And since you are such a sentimental person don't you take it personally when you saw the footages of children who were died or injured because of US bombing in Iraq? Or when an Israeli soldier placed a bullet in an 8 years old school girl?

“But I do recognize that he is capable of it. And as for the topic of Sharon’s ass, to tell you the truth I never really checked it out. You apparently did. I guess that says something about you now, doesn’t it my friend?”

You recognize Sharon is capable of peace. Even Israelis don’t believe that but they just play along for the sake of public image. And you don’t have to check to see Sharon’s ass its right there in your face taking the entire TV space, but what does it say about my “friend”? Or I’m detecting a homosexuality accusation followed by homophobia, doesn’t that contradicts your libertarian views lol

“As for supporting Bush, it may come off as a shocker to you, but traditionally egyptians have always supported the republican candidate, this year being the only exception. For the 1980, 1984, 1988 ,1992, 1996, and 2000 campaigns the arabs and egyptians in the USA have voted overwhelmingly republican and that sentiment was shared and echoed by the arabs all over the middle-east. Whether you publically admit it or not, you know you wanted Bush to win in the 2000 elections, cause you oh so feared a Jew in the white house. blah blah blah till voting republican once again. I guess that makes us all supporters of the most "right wing US government in history". Scary, huh?”

Yep, scary but dont count me in with your right-wing supporters (in case you are stupid enough not to realize my centrist but left leaning views) and I know all about Arabs supporting the Repukes, as conservatives support conservatives (usually) until the conflicts of interests erupt... again you keep assuming stuff like I’m following the mainstream... I never supported Democrats nor Republicans they are same species different methods... I always go for the underdog like Ralph Nader (even I don't agree with some of his views). As for Bush he’s religious nutcase backed up by some other ultra-religious nuts... you know the same kind of people I’m fighting against here in Egypt!

“Ohh, and can you please support that statement next time, instead of just parrotting a line from Fahrenheit 9/11? I understand that you must have seen it like 5 times and have it memorized by now, but please do your own research and don't believe everything that Michael Moore says to be truth written in stone. That man, believe it or not, had an agenda and he told you everything you wanted to hear and took your money in retrun. They have a name for people like you my friend and its SUCKER!”

Again with you assumptions… you made up an entire scenario in your brain trying to imagine what I stand for, but you failed again. I never saw Fahrenheit 9/11 and I’ll never will... Michael Moron is a publicity stunt man! I only saw his “Bowling for Columbine” and I laughed at his ridiculous methods of reporting! My views about Moore are shared by all my friends and we just use him to tease the likes of you!

As for exposing me you did a great of exposing yourself my friend along the way… your views as an alleged “libertarian” were not clear but you made yourself very obvious thank you again.

Have some peanuts and return to your cage!

Reply to the Sandmonkey’s ranting

2005-01-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

A day a go I posted a comment on the http://egyptiansandmonkey.blogspot.com telling the sandmonkey honestly what I think of his blog.. so he came up with a long boring response (he’s got much time on his tail I think lol) I was willing to let go.. but definitely this kiddo stepped into dangerous grounds here, so here you are some C&P’s from his post along with my replies (WARNING even longer and boring reply than his):-

Dearest Maimoon,

As I told you before I’m happy we keep amusing each other...

“Thank you for the incredibly humorous comments you left me the other day. I have had the biggest laugh cause of your post, so thanks for that! I have been waiting on one of you to get some balls and come over here and say something”

You’re most welcome I give out stand-up comedy routines too, if you like! Oh yeah I have balls but the question is what do you have?

“However, I must say I was a little disappointed by it. I mean, I expected you to come over here and do some rambling and not have an actual argument to pose or anything, and i was right as usual”

Right about what exactly? I wasn’t even arguing with you... I left a simple comment about your blog describtion in case you haven’t noticed!

“But to actually do that without leaving the name of your blog or even an e-mail so I can return the favor, well, MaGdee, that’s kind of a pussy thing to do. God forbid I come over your blog and expose you for the idiot you are. If I didn’t know any better I would say that you are afraid of me. Hmm…”

I left you my profile... it’s up for you to do the rest, it’s not my job to ease up things for you. It would be a pussy thing if I posted as “anonymous” but I didn’t. “Afraid” lol oh yeah sand monkeys can be scary hehehehe

“However, I am kinda curious, why did you exactly decide to come over here and ramble without a point?”

I found you through a ridiclous post of yours on another blog and I decided to pay a you a visit. You don’t mind, or do you?

“I mean, did you like tell everyone you knew who reads this that you are going to come over and “Put me in my place” or something?

No, I didn’t unlike you I don’t brag about my heroic actions lol and I didn’t come to put in your place because you’ve already done that by yourself... hello you’re a sand monkey!

Are you satisfied being the group’s cowardly hero? If that’s the case, then congrats my friend for a mission accomplished. Unfortunately you have shown yourself off to be a complete idiot in the mean time, and I am writing this post to explain to you why that is!”

Cowardly hero? An oxymoron description, you sure have your ways around words... but my mission is not accomplished yet at least a la George Dubya way. Did I really show that I’m a complete idiot? Why, because I didn't call myself a sandmonkey?

“I know people like you MaGdee, and I have to say that you are a complete cliché. “Ohh, darn, Sandmonkey and Big Pharaoh have opinions that are at variance with my own. Can’t have that now can we”?

Nope, you think you know people like me but you know nothing about me and about Arabs and Egyptians although you allegedly lived most of your life here in Egypt as you. You and Big Pharaoh have the right to spout any bullshit you like but I also have the right to ridicule it whenever I feel like it

“It’s not like you think for yourself or anything, you just repeat what everyone around you tells you and for that I pity you. You just don’t know any better”

Unlike you I don’t just bring out a bunch of rednecks to think for me and I label it as my own views. All I do here is expressing what I feel and my views are based on things I see with my own eyes and my own judgments are based upon my carefulness for my heritage, people and culture.

“Let’s see, you (and alleged others) called me a “self-hating idiot”, which is really what you are my friend. I wish I was self-hating, then I wouldn’t care that much about how bad we- as Arabs- have fucked ourselves over”

No, my “friend” you assume that I don’t care about “how bad we-as-Arabs-have-fucked-ourselves over”... If you followed any on my comment here on any other blogs you would've known that I’m advocating for extreme changes and reformations in every thing in our lives here as Egyptians or Arabs. I only believe that these changes should within the pattern of our culture and heritage and by our own hands and our own sacrifices not by some foreigners with questionable intentions. And since your kind is affliating-yourself-with-foreigners type of freaks, you end up fucking no one else but yourselves in the end! Don't use profanity with me again, ok?

“Apparently wanting democracy and change make me self-hating.”

Nope, but calling yourself a sandmonkey and justifying how cynical you are about it while cheerleading to people throwing bombs over other fellow Arabs makes you one. In order for you not to rush for a broken-record right-wing comment, I also call people who cheer up terrorists who kill civilians in Iraq, Palestine and Israel as self-hating Arabs/Egyptians (you’re not different).

“I always thought I loved my country- Egypt that is- and wanted it to get better. And while I may be not doing much but rant on a blog, at least I am doing something. I have some ideas and solutions on how we could improve the shitty situation of our country. Do you?

You always thought that you loved your country!!!!, that’s rich, so now what? do you dislike your country?.. there’s no reason whatsoever that exists to make you lose your love for your country even when its run by corrupted American supported dictators... you fight for your country with your own ideas and efforts, not hiding under the wing of a world superpower spouting their own ideology. And just like you my blog is still running fresh and I haven’t had the opportunity yet to share any of my “ideas and solutions” to improve out the shitty situation. And by the way I don’t think cheerleading for Bush and co. is considered ideas and solutions.

Have you ever done anything besides bitching about how things are fucked up and then changed the subject? And what are you defending exactly MaGdee? Do you even know?

LOL You don’t know me and nice try by the way, but I won’t reveal who am I for now for security reasons but let’s just say my name is common in the activsits scene here and "amn el dawla" records and I’m not shitting or making this up! Yes I know what I’m defending; I’m defending my country nationalist identity from the likes of you!
Let me ask you this, who are you reaching out for with your blog, as you already mentioned you are trying to change things in Egypt, so I suppose you're addressing Egyptians (same goes to GM's blog )? Egyptians, nope I don't think so, I haven't seen any there, just many foreigners who appluad your stupidty and glad that they found a puppy who approves them! Are you actually talking to Egyptians or did you convince yourself of doing that??

“Ohh and the reason why I didn’t call myself a “SandNi****” is because I actually do know some black people that would kick your ass for using that word. I can introduce you to them one day, although I am not sure that you would walk away alive afterwards. I didn’t know about Dune coon or raghead though. Those are new to me. I will add them to the “Sandmonkey” post just for you. And for my “Redneck” friends as well. Gotta keep them happy, you know? I can’t help but wonder though, how much of a racist are you MaGdee? You know calling people Ni***rs and rednecks? Calling people names MaGdee isn’t very nice! Didn’t your mommy teach you that? Guess not! Anyway…”

Oh no, you’re not running this politically correct roll on me! Well, if you wanna do it right next time maybe you should consider using the terms “Africans” or “African Americans” not “black people” as it became less likely used these days. Hahaha about walking alive with it… FYI I spent some time in the states mainly in NYC and around California, for few months I shared a home with a very lovely African American family in Inglewood... do you know Ingelwood? Actually, the term “Sandnigger” popped out on numerous occasions by me and others there… and guess what I walked away alive... because people are sane enough to know that I didn’t invent the term, in fact your “redneck” friends did! So please don’t intimidate me with your buddies again. And do you even know the definition of “racist”?... a “redneck” is not racial slur because its term called on a bunch of ignorant and racist white farmers in the south, the term was used to describe their sunburn necks… so it’s not racist but merely sarcastic! And I didn’t call anyone the “N” word, so don’t pur words in my mouth… didn’t your momma teach you that? Obviously she didn’t teach you anything lol

“You know, like being able to debate ideas, hold democratic elections, freedom of speech, religious freedom, Tolerance for other cultures and religions. You know, crazy radical notions like that. But you, of course as the defender of everything egyptian, Arabic and Islamic, are against all that, right?

So, I’m a defender of everything Egyptian, Arabic and Islamic? lol You assume too much which is bad for your health and you reach to some ridiculous accusations and stupid conclusion. Again, check my post before you spout idiotic accusations like these!! Do you think you have any room for debate? Your posts are just smears on anything you dislike!

“As for being Pro-Israel, well, that really came later, but taking the logical road there started a while ago. Let’s debate the facts, shall we? When the Jews started immigrating there after World War II, they started buying lots of the land from the Palestinians there, who were more then happy to sell it. After a while, the Hagannah’s and other Israeli terrorist groups like the Stern group started bombing stuff and kicked the British out. Did the Palestinians, who saw “their” land getting occupied get up and fight for it? Nope. Ran away and asked everyone else to fight for them instead, and that of course started the 1948 war which Egypt of course fought in and lost”

Now, lets discuss your so called “logical road”... you’re accusing Palestinans of selling their lands… well yeah it did happen when you live in poverty under occupation (British) and some foreigners comes along flashing lots of money in your face, you usually take the money! Imagine a foreign investor who bought a land from you and then later he proclaimed his own state above this land! Palestinians didn’t watch their lands get occupied but they were fighting the British occupation and then some other intruders sneaked from behind them starting making their own state… and you have to read more history books about Palestinian resistance to learn how and when it started… and a certain Sheikh called el-Huessini rings a bell... probably famous in the Zionist media by the “Nazi Imam” as he aligned himself with the Adolf Hitler (Sadat also did that when he was fighting British occupation)… not because he was in love with the Nazi ideology but only because of the adage “enemy of my enemy is my friend” (an adage that I hate) but its probably being used by the entire world including yourself in which you align yourself with a conservative ideology while claiming to be a libertarian! And also used by your American heartthrobs while supporting Bin laden and Al-Qaida against the Soviets in the 80’s... and while using the same technique in supporting “Saddam” against Iran also back in the 80’s… yeah that Reagan was one hell of a guy (do you hang his poster above your bed? lol)

We the “Brainwashed” people…

2005-01-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

In any argument with psyched up right-wing Americans or their right-wing followers along with some of the so called Arab neo-liberals, the first thing they try do is to slander us of by calling us “brainwashed”, then they say we are “puppets” and our brains are being stuffed by illicit “Propaganda” spouted by our “puppeteers”. They also whine that the nasty devious “Al-Jazeera News” folks are shaping out our thoughts with their poisonous propaganda (while they are watching Fox News lol). Not to mention their usual smear on our religion and culture, and they defend their bigotry by saying it was innocently said within the pattern of their care to reform us, this is common theme to their arguments.

Now you be the judge, The following are examples of reforms that what we call for in our Arab lands and since I’m Egyptian I’ll point out specifically and briefly about Egypt:- (not in any particular order)

1- Democracy and the end of authoritarian rule.
2- Free Elections both parliamentary and presidential.
3- Separation of Religion and State.
4- Freedom of Speech.
5- Freedom of Religion.
6- Women’s Rights.
7- Economic reformations.
8- Human Rights.
9- End of discrimination between minorities.
10- Abiding of our heritage and culture.
11- Equality in every socio-economic aspect.

Do they really sound that bad??? Except for the last point, in which right-wingers might argue that it’s a socialist/communist rant!

The real boiling point here comes when we argue that all of these reformations can only be achieved by us as Egyptians whether through civil peaceful movements or civil disobediences BUT not through American impositions and American cruise missiles!
But, how do we dare to say that? Obviously, in their dictionary it’s wrong to become an Egyptian Nationalist or an Arab Nationalist while it’s okay for them to become a Neocon nationalist or a Zionist (Jewish nationalist). Is it really bad to clinch to your heritage and culture? All they want to do is to shut us up and make us submit to their plans, like some Belgium right-wing hack said on some other Egyptian blog “Arabs you need to swallow your pride” (he failed to mention before or after each meal)

We are not opposing to anything American as they may argue, we love to share and learn from them, we have a lot to learn from Americans and the West, as the US didn’t become the world first power by being stupid. But there’s a big difference between learning and sharing and being forced to learn and not allowed to share.

I opposed to the war on Iraq for many reasons but my main reason remains simply because I’m against any use of force which is not applied in self-defense cases (The case was made that Iraq didn’t attack the USA and it wasn’t an imminent threat). Pro-war people will argue that I love Saddam and I hated to see him go, but of course that’s not the case as I’m totally against Saddam and Bin Laden (I blame them for all the atrocities in Arab lands along with other Arab leaders). I also believe that if the US really wanted to oust Saddam from the beginning, they really could’ve made it through many other ways than dusting Iraq to the ground, as they have the power, the money, the knowledge and the CIA to do it!

I also came to believe that the pro-war people are divided into several groups:-

1- Naïve folks who believe that the true reason behind the war is to bring democracy and freedom to Iraq and Iraqis
2- Hateful bigots who are just happy to see Muslims and Arabs getting killed.
3- Supremacists, Imperialists, Neocons etc. who know the true reasons behind the war.
4- Idiots who blame Islam and Arabs for everything bad in this world.
5- People who just like to see the US flexing muscles.
6- People within our societies who hate pan-Arabism and Islamic culture.

I’m sorry but I really don’t find myself in any of these previous groups, I’m sorry if I can’t please the war-fetishists. I'm sorry if I don't believe in the intentions of the US foreign policies since they support every goddamn dictator in our region. And if being against the Arab dictators and calling for changes by our own hands means that I’m “Brainwashed” than I’m happy to be called so... bring on more detergents and add some bleach.

Homesick before leaving home

2005-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

I consider myself an Egyptianist, I actually love everything in Egypt whether it’s good or bad, from the sunny sandy beaches to the chaotic-traffic of Cairo, from our ancient history to “Akhtarana lak” TV show(lol). And Why not? Ancient Egyptians considered the land of Egypt to be their Heaven so maybe this feeling passed along generations. But what I love the most about Egypt is the warmth of the people; Egyptians are like no other people on this planet... I’ve dealt with so many different nationalities and cultures as I traveled a lot and also through my work but I’ve never met any people who are as funny, emotional and friendly as the Egyptians (you can call me biased anytime you want now).

Even the annoying Egyptians (government officials, microbus drivers, street beggars etc) whom could be so irritating, that it drives out of your mind that you wish you were a character out of Grand Theft Auto (VG) with a .50 caliber machine gun and running the streets like a loose canon.

As I’m on the verge of traveling again on a work-study trip to England, so I keep recalling all the bad things in Egypt to help me ease up this upcoming homesickness, although it’s a short trip (two months only). As any normal Egyptian I keep whining about all the screwed up things that we have here as I frequently compare ourselves to other countries (Western mostly). You might think it’s an easy job, giving the fact we are a mess of a country.

Basically when we land in a foreign country (especailly European or American), we get series of culture shocks followed by different self-questions like.. why this country is so green? Why the traffic is so organized? Why the buses don’t look Sardine cans? People actually walk on sidewalks? Can they make fun of their President on TV? Why I’m breathing fresh air? and these sort of stuff... And you keep drooling in admiration for the blessings of these countries.

But in the end no matter how well you've adapted and how many friends you made in any foreign country, you keep longing for that day. The day you set foot in Cairo airport and you start stumbling into the masses of people, where you are coldly greeted by the Check-in officer who throws your passport away to his assistant, to run a check for any criminal or military records that you might have and keeps you waiting for 15 minutes while you bitterly watch the foreigners passing by in less than one minute (sometimes they are granted the Visa too)… it’s the day when the men who bring you the luggage cart blackmail you for tips (and they won’t settle for anything but Dollars or Euros or else they would give you a screwed up cart)... it’s the day when the customs officers almost strip search you for a Camcorder or a VCR!! and you end up paying triple the price of your Discman in customs. (They assure us that this won’t happen again with the new customs laws... I’m gonna give it a try)... it’s the day when you become shocked with the amount of crowded people waiting in the arrival hall (usually from 5 to 10 persons are waiting to pick up one family member or a friend)... it’s the day when you search the entire Egyptair duty-free shop for a bottle of Kaluha or bottle of Armadale Vodka and you end up with 4 bottles of “Finlandia” (cheap vodka) in order not to waste your 24h passport quota (a personal dilemma not a general one lol)... it’s the day when the tears start pouring from your eyes from a home culture shock and you start questioning whether you’ve made up the right decision by returning to this country or not... it’s also day when you face the counter-culture shocks while you're driving your way home from the airport.

But all the doubts and fury ends up when you find yourself surrounded with the welcoming warmth of the hugs and kisses of your family, friends, soul-mate and even your building porter... and this when you feel like screaming your lungs out with “bahebek ya masr” I love you Egypt.

Help the Tsunami Victims

2004-12-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry but I'm on vacation (I just feel bad saying that) but it wouldn't stop me from taking these few minutes to make this appeal to all of you!
Donate anything for the victims of this horrifying disaster... there are few links for you to do that:-

Islamic Relief
International Committee of the Red Cross
American Red Cross

For more information on other donation centers:-

Help Tsunami Victims
The SEA-EAT blog

Egyptian Elections 2005

2004-12-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

Since President Mubarak declared in June his intention to run for a fifth presidency term (run alone obviously) and the entire Egyptian opposition were banging their heads on the wall. Screaming their throats out for another choice, and they all agreed that it’s enough, along with the petitions and the various statements many intellectuals decided to transfer their anger into action...
Few weeks ago around 300 people demonstrated in Cairo against the possibility of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak running for a fifth term in office, denouncing what they called a "hereditary presidency".
In Egypt where the demonstrations in public places are banned, it was the first opposition gathering on institutional reform, an issue that the Egyptian government has said was not its highest priority.
Under the supervison of several hundred helmeted anti-riot police armed with truncheons, protestors held up banners scrawled with: "No to hereditary power," "No to a fifth mandate," and "No to Mubarak, his party and his son."
And unlike it was rumored that the whole thing was organized by the “Muslim Brotherhood”, official MB spokesman declared that they didn’t take part in this demo. Rumors say it was because of the participation of Nawal Saawdawi.
Many others groups are also decided to take their opposition out of the closet, groups such as “People’s Peaceful Front For the Rescue of Egypt”,long name I know but it can be shortened to “SALAM”.

NDP (National Democratic Party) (the ruling party of Egypt) spokesmen appeared on TV channels, saying that this demonstration is a proof of the democratic atmosphere Egyptians are witnessing under Mubarak's regime and the NDP, when everyone is free to speak and say his opinion. This is the gift for president Mubarak to the Egyptians “democracy”. (oh my god I’m touched by their generosity ... I think I’m gonna cry)

Project for the New American Century and the Neocons

2004-12-21T22:29:00.000-08:00

I've always thought that secret societies and devious groups who seek world domination and a new world order are the products of conspiracy theories, fantasies and James Bond movies alone. But it seems that there are such groups in reality, only they are not secret anymore nor they are called devious groups (duh!), but they are rather called “think tanks” or in this case “stink tanks”. The Project for the new American Century (PNAC) is one those so-called “think tanks” political agenda. Its basic aim is for an “American global leadership” through fair means or fouls. The project is founded by a group of intellectuals and politicians most notably are William Kristol, Jeb Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Cheney, Charles Krauthammer, Steve Forbes, Richard Perle and Elliot Abrams, (Did you notice how many of them are the decision-makers in the current American government?) they are what we refer to as the neoconservatives which are made-up of mostly Jewish Democrats and leftists who changed their path to the “right” side (or the wrong side depending on your perception). Their basic principles are to establish a Reganite style of strong military power, imposing foreign policies, and challenging any country against American interests and values. In other words they want to impose the USA on the entire globe by a new movement of timid imperialism.

It might sound reasonable in case you argue that people are free to dominantly think and share their madness with the world. But it becomes unreasonable when their madness is turned into action by the current American government. Post 9/11 and feeding on this tragedy, this group was given a starting point to spread its ideology of domination, through the “war on terrorism” which was justifiable at the beginning (because the USA was attacked by Al-Qaida who resort in Afghanistan) but it became merely a camouflage for their global ideology forcing when it moved to Iraq. Real terrorist like Bin Laden and Co. are still running free, even the radical Taliban are still having strong movement going in Afghanistan... so what did the war on terrorism achieve until now? Nothing but creating more terrorists. You may say we got rid of Saddam and Taliban which is a good thing? well yeah, but on what costs??? It's like freeing the world from Jason (Friday the 13th) by unleashing Hannibal Lecter!!

They are also a pro-Zionist organization believing in Israel (whether it’s religiously or politically) to be the only democracy in the Middle-East and supporting it will fulfill the American aspiration in the region. In contrast to the "old" Conservatives, the Neoconservatives had often come from a liberal Jewish background. Instead of being anti-Semitic, they were rabidly pro-Israel.

“Israel has been and remains America’s staunchest ally against international terrorism, especially in the Middle East. The United States should fully support our fellow democracy in its fight against terrorism. We should insist that the Palestinian Authority put a stop to terrorism emanating from territories under its control and imprison those planning terrorist attacks against Israel. Until the Palestinian Authority moves against terror, the United States should provide it no further assistance” a Letter from PNAC to George W. Bush.

They are failing to notice Israel state sponsored terrorism against Palestinian civilians through their constant bombings of civilians and home demolishing techniques. Check the death tolls of the Palestinian civilians against those of the Palestinian militants.
If you have a good stomach to go through their entire website you will notice that their global agenda policies are moving one by one, as they were named by their Barbie doll Bush the so-called axis of evil... Iraq, next is Iran and North Korea... followed for sure by Syria and who knows maybe we are going to be next here in Egypt, in case Mubarak (already blacklisted for opposing the war on Iraq to please the public opinion) decided to have different policies than the ones dictated by the US (I don't think so too).
Finally, those evil folks while they are waving their democracy and freedom slogans (or missiles) they are still in support of dictatorships all the way from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait till Pakistan.

Here's a good link exposing the PNAC evil project of new imperialism!

Liberated?

2004-12-19T22:47:00.000-08:00

Mustafa Adnan (2 years old), got his left leg cut off after his family house collapsed over him (probably mistaken for a Zaraqawi terrorist) due to the US bombing in Fallujah.

Rosetta got stoned?

2004-12-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

I would like to start first by explaining what is the "Rosetta Stone" . It is an ancient Egyptian stone found by the French Napoleon troops in the year 1799 in a small town in Egypt called Rosetta (Rashid in Arabic). The stone was written in two languages "Ancient Egyptian" and "Greek" using three scripts (hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek). After many years of studying the Rosetta Stone and other examples of ancient Egyptian writing, Jean-François Champollion deciphered hieroglyphics in 1822. It was considered an opportunity for modern Egyptians and the rest of the world to learn a lot from ancient Egyptian history. The stone cherished many scientific and sentimental values to the Egyptians.

The Rosetta stone now rests in the fancy halls of the British Museum since 1802 as it was taken by our former colonists the British from our also former colonists the French (goddamn imperialists lol). While many Egyptians who can not afford to travel to England to watch their heritage, the Rosetta Stone is being displayed to appease the foreigners only and wealthy Egyptians who are curious about their culture. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) led by the brave Dr. Zahi Hawass decided to demand the British government to return the stone to its homeland. Their brave attempt failed by the refusal of the Brits, but when Dr. Hawass compromised and asked for its return as a loan for only three months to be part of a display in an exhibition, the Brits again refused but this time with a grudge. The British press slandered Dr. Hawass, accusing him of holding a grudge against the UK that dates back to occupation time, and they also accused him of applying discriminating policies against the British expeditions working in Egypt. Relating to an incident which caused all the stir, where a British Egyptologist Dr. Fletcher who was banned from working in Egypt. Dr. Hawass defended himself from the accusations, arguing that there's no such thing called a grudge in archaeology, and he also commented on the Dr. Fletcher incident by saying that she did break the SCA guidelines and rules for working in Egypt, while there are 300 foreign expeditions working accordingly to these guidelines all around Egypt.

You see how the Western media successfully twisted the story from the Egyptians being the victims of the British government arrogance into becoming the oppressors. It seems that old imperialists thoughts still hangs deeply with some of the "lads" up there.

I will take this opportunity to vow in solidarity with Dr. Zahi Hawass on his noble mission to bring all the stolen Egyptian artifacts back to homeland. Dr. Hawass is a respected international figure and we take pride in him as an honorable Egyptian. I will soon talk about his great work and biography in another post.

As seen on the Big Pharaoh blog

2004-12-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

I've been plugging for a while now the mouths of the rednecks, war-fetishists, neocons and the other crazy right-wing hypocrites, whom were nesting in the (not so) Big Pharaoh blog. And due to the huge demands by my fans (I'm exaggerating of course) whether Egyptians or non-Egyptians, I decided to join in the blogosphere. Here you go... my thoughts... enjoy or hate!