Hey friends,
I am quite excited by all of your comments on my recent two articles. I felt like I needed to clarify my article on love. Some people are confused as to what kind of love I am talking about. So, here is a clearer definition of what 'love' means to me.
There are several kind of loves:
1. Love # 1: The kind of love you have for your parents and family members- the non-sexual kind of love
2. Love # 2: The kind of love you have friends: male or female- which is purely platonic, non-sexual kind of love
2. Love # 2: The kind of love you have for the opposite sex- the romantic stuff
3. Love # 3: The kind of love you have for God- the awesome reverence and fear of God
So, in other words, the way I love my God would be different from the way I love my sister. The way I love my girlfriend, for example, would be different from the way I love my dad. So keeping that in mind, the original definition of what loves means to me is when someone is ready to die for someone they love, that is the ultimate, the zenith, of what love is to me! Now, there are several ways we can show our love to one another, and following is my guideline as to how we can do that. Keep in mind, these ways to love someone is not based on sexual love, it can also be platonic love. Keep also in mind, the various kind of people who you love, not just your potential girl/ boyfriend, but also your siblings, school friends, friends at work, relatives, cousins etc etc.
Acceptance
Means receiving one another willingly and unconditionally, especially when one's behavior has been less than perfect. It might mean opening up our hearts to one another without regard to their faults, weaknesses or struggles. I think of a friend who has indulged in prostitution. I can go the easy way and say "you are out of my life because of the way you live." But, I choose to continue to love this friend. It is because I want the best for him.
Affection
Means expressing care and love through appropriate physical touch and loving words. Simple things, like a hug to your dad, a pat on the back of a friend, or simply saying I care for you to your girlfriend.
Approval
Means acknowledging and expressing gratefulness for another's qualities. Some of the qualities can include, but not limited to: boldness, compassion, diligence, humility, joy, love, loyalty, honestly, punctuality, obedience, understanding, virtue, wisdom and so on.
Attention (Care)
Means conveying appropriate interest, concern and care for one another, taking thought of another, or basically entering into another's world. Might mean to give up some of our own time, to spend time with someone else. Like, I sometimes give up my time to go watch a movie with my sister because she is dying to see it. Its when I don't complain when my mom wants to go shopping, because that is my way of showing love to her. It is when I accompany a friend to his first painting exhibition to support him and his ideas.
Comfort
Means responding to a hurting or a disappopinted person with words, feelings and touch. Hurting with friends in midst of their grief, sadness or disappointment. When a friend of mine recently went through a difficult time, in which she spent so much of her time and energy and tears in, I was equally as disappointed with her. My heart too wept with her. It was not enough for me to say "I am sorry." I sent her my thoughts, encouragement and helped her deal with her disappointment. My article on "why do bad things happen to good people" was a tribute to her and her situation. That's my way of showing love.
Encouragement
Means urging and persisting someone to reach for their goals. It might mean to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. It might mean encouraging someone to kick the bad habit, being there with them, and trying to get them to give up the bad habits. It would certainly mean expressing confidence in their abilities, and reminding them why they took the task which they did. A friend who was going through an IVF, to try for a baby, was dreading it. I reminded her why she had to go through it. I encouraged her, reminded her time and again of the end results and respected her opinions and goals. I was with her on her goal/ mission.
Respect
Means valuing and regarding one another highly; treating one another as important. It means to honor one another. A guy has to honor and respect his girlfriend, and vice versa. Too often I see guys being an angel when they are with girls, but behind their backs, in company of their male friends, doesn't show respect and honor to the girl. It also means respecting one another's interests, values and opinions.
Support
Means coming alongside the person you love, supporting them gently and helping them through their struggles or difficult time. It might mean looking for ways to share their burdens. I remember, when some of my friends would have difficult preparing reports for their final projects, I would help them out, support them and help lighten the loads for them.
So there you have it. It's quite lengthy, but this is my blueprint for loving someone. It's not enough to say "I love you." Loving someone is doing more than just saying; it require actions. Which is why, love to me is when someone loves someone so much that they would sacrifice their life for them.
Thanks for bearing with me!
Mansur
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
Islam and Music?
Hey everyone,
One of the most often debated issues is music and Islam. There are like so many opinions as to what is permissible and what isn't. A Sunni will tell you one thing, and a Sufi will tell you another. A Muslim in the UK will tell you one thing, a Muslim in Bangladesh will tell you one. There are black Muslims who sing rap Islamic songs, and there those in the Eastern world who shun music of all kinds. It is no doubt a debatable issue.
I think for me, music is allowed, as long as it is within boundaries. There are two things that you cannot let happen with music. It should not distract you enough to keep you away from your prayers and your focus on God, and secondly, it should not contain lyrics that can contribute to a person's nature to be corrupt. I mean, I do not listen to music which glorifies sex and eroticism. I do not listen to rappers who talk about girls in a very degrading manner. They talk about girls as if they are objects created purely for men's desire. I hate those kind of songs. Then, I don't listen to those songs that can make you go into a trance. I remember watching a TV programme one time on Sufism, and the music and the chanting was so effective, that I almost literally went into a trance. So, I mean, everyone knows their boundaries and limits, and so everyone can be their own judge as to what they can and what they cannot listen. I basically don't listen to music that go against my principles of what's right and what's wrong. What may be unacceptable to me, may very well be acceptable to someone else, so my theory may not apply to you.
I am going to give you three examples. One is a Pakistani singer, Junaid Jamshed, who made pop music very popular in the early 90s. His one song, Dil Dil Pakistan has reached to such popular heights people sing it like it is the national anthem. He made a lot of music, and in the latte part of the 90s, when he split up with his group, he became extremely popular by going solo. Somewhere along the road, he found Islam, and thus started to keep a beard and wear trousers above his ankles. He continued to sing songs, love songs, on TV and stages whilst he had a huge beard. He claimed that he does not approve of music, and he was only singing now because he had a contract to fulfill. Yeah, like you uphold the contract higher than the Islamic ruling.
The other person, Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), has shunned his life of a rock star when he became a Muslim. He went low for a while, and then re-emerged singing and making new music. In fact, the above website claims that his new song "holds the promise of a fantastic return to secular music." I had a chance to observe him talk one time when he came to my university campus. Half way through, he started singing some of his own songs, which he had produced when he was a Christian. Some of the more Islamic students actually got up and left the hall. They were offended. But Cat Stevens sang his songs, and even produces music. In fact, there are two songs that I have of him on my iPod: Mother Father Brother Sister and I Have No Cannons That Roar. They are amazing songs.
I am sure you all must have heard of Sami Yusuf as well. His song on the Prophet (pbuh) is extremely popular. In fact, the owner of the internet cafe from where I am typing this plays it all the time. Yusuf is another example of a Muslim, making songs with music. I remember when I was at the gym in Jeddah, and Sami Yusuf's song was playing on the TV. One of the guy there got really offended and actually left the room. He claimed that it was wrong for a Muslim to sing about the Prophet (pbuh) in like a proper song format with music and all. I was like, "well, if it is music that is not corrupting you in your nature, and is actually encouraging you to be more Islamic, what's wrong with that?" His reply: "it's music and its haraam!"
From Ahmed's article on the emergence of an Arabic pop video involving a Muslim girl, in a hijab, dancing along with the male singer in the video, got me extremely curious. What the girl's doing, is it right? Is it Islamic for her to be covered up and be involved in a video? Does this mean that there will be more pop videos with girls in hijab? Does this mean it would be easier for those girls in hijab to appear in videos? If she is wrong, how could the video be aired on all the Arabic music channels? I am not sure what the answer is, but I would love to know what it is!
Maybe you all can help me out!
Mansur
One of the most often debated issues is music and Islam. There are like so many opinions as to what is permissible and what isn't. A Sunni will tell you one thing, and a Sufi will tell you another. A Muslim in the UK will tell you one thing, a Muslim in Bangladesh will tell you one. There are black Muslims who sing rap Islamic songs, and there those in the Eastern world who shun music of all kinds. It is no doubt a debatable issue.
I think for me, music is allowed, as long as it is within boundaries. There are two things that you cannot let happen with music. It should not distract you enough to keep you away from your prayers and your focus on God, and secondly, it should not contain lyrics that can contribute to a person's nature to be corrupt. I mean, I do not listen to music which glorifies sex and eroticism. I do not listen to rappers who talk about girls in a very degrading manner. They talk about girls as if they are objects created purely for men's desire. I hate those kind of songs. Then, I don't listen to those songs that can make you go into a trance. I remember watching a TV programme one time on Sufism, and the music and the chanting was so effective, that I almost literally went into a trance. So, I mean, everyone knows their boundaries and limits, and so everyone can be their own judge as to what they can and what they cannot listen. I basically don't listen to music that go against my principles of what's right and what's wrong. What may be unacceptable to me, may very well be acceptable to someone else, so my theory may not apply to you.
I am going to give you three examples. One is a Pakistani singer, Junaid Jamshed, who made pop music very popular in the early 90s. His one song, Dil Dil Pakistan has reached to such popular heights people sing it like it is the national anthem. He made a lot of music, and in the latte part of the 90s, when he split up with his group, he became extremely popular by going solo. Somewhere along the road, he found Islam, and thus started to keep a beard and wear trousers above his ankles. He continued to sing songs, love songs, on TV and stages whilst he had a huge beard. He claimed that he does not approve of music, and he was only singing now because he had a contract to fulfill. Yeah, like you uphold the contract higher than the Islamic ruling.
The other person, Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), has shunned his life of a rock star when he became a Muslim. He went low for a while, and then re-emerged singing and making new music. In fact, the above website claims that his new song "holds the promise of a fantastic return to secular music." I had a chance to observe him talk one time when he came to my university campus. Half way through, he started singing some of his own songs, which he had produced when he was a Christian. Some of the more Islamic students actually got up and left the hall. They were offended. But Cat Stevens sang his songs, and even produces music. In fact, there are two songs that I have of him on my iPod: Mother Father Brother Sister and I Have No Cannons That Roar. They are amazing songs.
I am sure you all must have heard of Sami Yusuf as well. His song on the Prophet (pbuh) is extremely popular. In fact, the owner of the internet cafe from where I am typing this plays it all the time. Yusuf is another example of a Muslim, making songs with music. I remember when I was at the gym in Jeddah, and Sami Yusuf's song was playing on the TV. One of the guy there got really offended and actually left the room. He claimed that it was wrong for a Muslim to sing about the Prophet (pbuh) in like a proper song format with music and all. I was like, "well, if it is music that is not corrupting you in your nature, and is actually encouraging you to be more Islamic, what's wrong with that?" His reply: "it's music and its haraam!"
From Ahmed's article on the emergence of an Arabic pop video involving a Muslim girl, in a hijab, dancing along with the male singer in the video, got me extremely curious. What the girl's doing, is it right? Is it Islamic for her to be covered up and be involved in a video? Does this mean that there will be more pop videos with girls in hijab? Does this mean it would be easier for those girls in hijab to appear in videos? If she is wrong, how could the video be aired on all the Arabic music channels? I am not sure what the answer is, but I would love to know what it is!
Maybe you all can help me out!
Mansur
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Black Abayas and White Thobes
Hey everyone,
There has been something on my mind here, which I have been meaning to ask people. I used to ask the women in my university, and they would not have a clear answer for me.
In this part of the world, the temperatures can be extreme. There are official rules in Saudi and UAE that if the temperatures hit 50 C then it's a day off from work. Of course, no one officially declares the temperature to be 50c.
The traditional dress for the men is White thobes/ dishdasha. It is white, cotton and actually quite cool to wear. You don't feel hot in it, and are very comfortable in that dress. On top of that, it's white, and we all know white reflects the heat. So a man stays cool.
On the other hand, a women, who ventures out, has to wear an abaya in Saudi. Now, what I don't understand is why her abaya is black. Of all the colors, her abaya has to be black! We all know black absorbs heat, so why does a woman has to endure that? I know in other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Turkey, women wear other colors as well. Why can't that dress code be adapted here? I mean, I actually feel sorry for women, who are wearing their normal clothes, and then covered up with the black abaya. Please don't tell me that they are comfortable in that! I know that because almost everyone who I talked to here complained about that.
I wonder if the black color was adopted by the men in this part of the world to make it difficult for women to venture out? Was it a deliberate action to make it balck to discourage women from going out, and be in 'purdah' all the time? I wonder if the same attitude still prevails when the Saudi lawmakers still cannot let women vote and drive?
Just some food for thought!
Mansur
There has been something on my mind here, which I have been meaning to ask people. I used to ask the women in my university, and they would not have a clear answer for me.
In this part of the world, the temperatures can be extreme. There are official rules in Saudi and UAE that if the temperatures hit 50 C then it's a day off from work. Of course, no one officially declares the temperature to be 50c.
The traditional dress for the men is White thobes/ dishdasha. It is white, cotton and actually quite cool to wear. You don't feel hot in it, and are very comfortable in that dress. On top of that, it's white, and we all know white reflects the heat. So a man stays cool.
On the other hand, a women, who ventures out, has to wear an abaya in Saudi. Now, what I don't understand is why her abaya is black. Of all the colors, her abaya has to be black! We all know black absorbs heat, so why does a woman has to endure that? I know in other Muslim countries, like Indonesia and Turkey, women wear other colors as well. Why can't that dress code be adapted here? I mean, I actually feel sorry for women, who are wearing their normal clothes, and then covered up with the black abaya. Please don't tell me that they are comfortable in that! I know that because almost everyone who I talked to here complained about that.
I wonder if the black color was adopted by the men in this part of the world to make it difficult for women to venture out? Was it a deliberate action to make it balck to discourage women from going out, and be in 'purdah' all the time? I wonder if the same attitude still prevails when the Saudi lawmakers still cannot let women vote and drive?
Just some food for thought!
Mansur
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Sun-Tanned Me
Hi everyone,
I went to the beach recently, and I got myself a real good tan. Now I am like red all over. Someone recently even asked me if I put on some make-up to make my cheeks red, and I was like NO! It's the sun tan effect! He was embarrased! So, now my neck and upper back is hurting me, because it is burnt. But somehow, my skin looks fresher and healthier.
Burnt-by-the-sun,
Mansur
I went to the beach recently, and I got myself a real good tan. Now I am like red all over. Someone recently even asked me if I put on some make-up to make my cheeks red, and I was like NO! It's the sun tan effect! He was embarrased! So, now my neck and upper back is hurting me, because it is burnt. But somehow, my skin looks fresher and healthier.
Burnt-by-the-sun,
Mansur
Love?
Hey friends,
I was thinking deeply last night as I lay in my bed: what is love? When do I know when someone loves me? Is it simply when someone says I love you? Is it when someone does something for you when you least expect it? Is it when there is chemistry between two that its love? What is love anyway?
The dictionary defines love as:
1. A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.
2. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
3. An intense emotional attachment, as for a pet or treasured object.
4. A person who is the object of deep or intense affection or attraction; beloved. Often used as a term of endearment.
I mean, sure love means all those things, but when can I know that it is love for me, personally. I finally came to the conclusion just before I drifted off to sleep. For me, I can know that somone loves me when that someone is ready to lay down her/ his life for me. I think that is the greatest act of love that someone can perform to show one's love for someone else. I am not asking for everyone to lay down their life, but I think when you come to an understanding with a friend, wife, husband, brother, sister or anyone else, to the point where you know the other person is ready to lay down their life for you, that is when you can know the other person loves you!
In other words: sacrificial love!
Any thoughts?
Mansur
I was thinking deeply last night as I lay in my bed: what is love? When do I know when someone loves me? Is it simply when someone says I love you? Is it when someone does something for you when you least expect it? Is it when there is chemistry between two that its love? What is love anyway?
The dictionary defines love as:
1. A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.
2. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
3. An intense emotional attachment, as for a pet or treasured object.
4. A person who is the object of deep or intense affection or attraction; beloved. Often used as a term of endearment.
I mean, sure love means all those things, but when can I know that it is love for me, personally. I finally came to the conclusion just before I drifted off to sleep. For me, I can know that somone loves me when that someone is ready to lay down her/ his life for me. I think that is the greatest act of love that someone can perform to show one's love for someone else. I am not asking for everyone to lay down their life, but I think when you come to an understanding with a friend, wife, husband, brother, sister or anyone else, to the point where you know the other person is ready to lay down their life for you, that is when you can know the other person loves you!
In other words: sacrificial love!
Any thoughts?
Mansur
Diet Pepsi or Diet Coke?
Hey everyone,
At one time, in Saudi Arabia, there was only Pepsi available. Coke was not available, and I am not sure whether it was banned or simply not available. So I grew up drinking Pepsi. But, lo and behold, Coke made a splash in the Kingdom. Coke was seen as something pure American! So, I went through a phase where I would drink Coke, and then Pepsi and alternate. I could not tell the difference between the two. If you pour Coke and Pepsi in two cups and not tell me, I would not be able to decipher which one is which. But overtime, as I became more conscious of my weight, I started to drink Diet Coke, because Diet Pepsi tasted funny. So, Diet Coke it was. But just a few days ago, I was at the mini-market, and the fridge holding Coke drinks was broken, and I was resorted to taking Diet Pepsi. I had that drink after a long time! Diet Pepsi tasted so much better. There was faint taste of something sweet, that made Diet Coke taste bland. So, as of today, I am switching over to Diet Pepsi, or as my Arab friends would say, Diet Bebsi!
Mansur
At one time, in Saudi Arabia, there was only Pepsi available. Coke was not available, and I am not sure whether it was banned or simply not available. So I grew up drinking Pepsi. But, lo and behold, Coke made a splash in the Kingdom. Coke was seen as something pure American! So, I went through a phase where I would drink Coke, and then Pepsi and alternate. I could not tell the difference between the two. If you pour Coke and Pepsi in two cups and not tell me, I would not be able to decipher which one is which. But overtime, as I became more conscious of my weight, I started to drink Diet Coke, because Diet Pepsi tasted funny. So, Diet Coke it was. But just a few days ago, I was at the mini-market, and the fridge holding Coke drinks was broken, and I was resorted to taking Diet Pepsi. I had that drink after a long time! Diet Pepsi tasted so much better. There was faint taste of something sweet, that made Diet Coke taste bland. So, as of today, I am switching over to Diet Pepsi, or as my Arab friends would say, Diet Bebsi!
Mansur
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
To Goatee or Not to Goatee
Hey all,
For about a week now, I have been keeping a goatee. I don't know yet if I like it or not. I thought I would shave it off today, but I did not. Something is compelling me to keep it. Maybe it is the two girls who said I look nicer with it! ;)
So, I would need opinions from you all. I want to send you a before and after pic of me without and with a goatee... and you can then tell me if I should keep it or not.
So, if you are interested in helping me, drop me your comment, or email here and I will send you the pictures.
Thanks!
Mansur
For about a week now, I have been keeping a goatee. I don't know yet if I like it or not. I thought I would shave it off today, but I did not. Something is compelling me to keep it. Maybe it is the two girls who said I look nicer with it! ;)
So, I would need opinions from you all. I want to send you a before and after pic of me without and with a goatee... and you can then tell me if I should keep it or not.
So, if you are interested in helping me, drop me your comment, or email here and I will send you the pictures.
Thanks!
Mansur
Monday, April 25, 2005
Bumping Pedestrians
Hey all,
Have you ever walked down a street, and faced another pedestrian walking down towards you on the same path line as you? When you reach close, you take a step to your right, and so does the other person. You take another step to the left, because you think he will go right, but he also takes a step the other way, and eventually, you nearly miss the other guy! What is the right way to avoid that? I am asking because today I bumped into somone and I bumped into him hard!!
Mansur
Have you ever walked down a street, and faced another pedestrian walking down towards you on the same path line as you? When you reach close, you take a step to your right, and so does the other person. You take another step to the left, because you think he will go right, but he also takes a step the other way, and eventually, you nearly miss the other guy! What is the right way to avoid that? I am asking because today I bumped into somone and I bumped into him hard!!
Mansur
Pakistani Christians in Saudi Arabia
Hey friends,
This piece of news article shocked me so much. I don't know if the Saudi Press covered it or not, but I was certainly upset about it. I mean, as a Pakistani, I am ashamed to say that this is how Saudi Arabia treats it guests. I still don't understand why Saudi Arabia doesn't allow for freedom of religion in people's own homes. I mean, how many is too many people? Is there a certain of number of people that are allowed to meet? What is the cut off point? How can Saudi Arabia even think of not allowing its guests to practice their own faith? And then these very people/ government talk about how Islam is a tolerant religion and talk about how Jews lived peacefully under the rule of Islam. I am sorry to say, I don't see any tolerance here.
I know some of the people will tell me: Mansur, Saudi Arabia has a policy of not allowing freedom of worship in a large gathering; People are free to do so individually, but not in groups. What I don't understand is how these very people(the Saudi government) can enjoy the freedom given to them to build mosques and Islamic art galleries in the Western world, and enjoy the freedom of worship in other countries, yet won't allow non-Muslims to practice their own faith.
As a Pakistani, I am sad for the Pakistani who were detained simply because they were practicing their own faith!
Region Saudi Arabia
Published: 24/4/2005, 06:39 (UAE)
40 Pakistani Christians held for holding prayers
Reuters
Riyadh:
Saudi Arabia has detained 40 Pakistani Christians for holding prayers at a house in the kingdom, where practicality any religion other than Islam is illegal, newspapers said yesterday.
A group of men, women and children were attending the service in the capital Riyadh when police raided the house, Al Jazeera newspaper said.
It said authorities also found Christian tapes and books.
Another Saudi daily, Al Yaum, said the raid took place on Friday while a Pakistani preacher was delivering a sermon. It was not clear what measures might be taken against the group.
Saudi authorities were not immediately available to comment.
There are around six million foreigners in the conservative kingdom, which has a population of 23 million, including many Christians from Europe, North America, Asia and other Arab states.
Mansur
This piece of news article shocked me so much. I don't know if the Saudi Press covered it or not, but I was certainly upset about it. I mean, as a Pakistani, I am ashamed to say that this is how Saudi Arabia treats it guests. I still don't understand why Saudi Arabia doesn't allow for freedom of religion in people's own homes. I mean, how many is too many people? Is there a certain of number of people that are allowed to meet? What is the cut off point? How can Saudi Arabia even think of not allowing its guests to practice their own faith? And then these very people/ government talk about how Islam is a tolerant religion and talk about how Jews lived peacefully under the rule of Islam. I am sorry to say, I don't see any tolerance here.
I know some of the people will tell me: Mansur, Saudi Arabia has a policy of not allowing freedom of worship in a large gathering; People are free to do so individually, but not in groups. What I don't understand is how these very people(the Saudi government) can enjoy the freedom given to them to build mosques and Islamic art galleries in the Western world, and enjoy the freedom of worship in other countries, yet won't allow non-Muslims to practice their own faith.
As a Pakistani, I am sad for the Pakistani who were detained simply because they were practicing their own faith!
Region Saudi Arabia
Published: 24/4/2005, 06:39 (UAE)
40 Pakistani Christians held for holding prayers
Reuters
Riyadh:
Saudi Arabia has detained 40 Pakistani Christians for holding prayers at a house in the kingdom, where practicality any religion other than Islam is illegal, newspapers said yesterday.
A group of men, women and children were attending the service in the capital Riyadh when police raided the house, Al Jazeera newspaper said.
It said authorities also found Christian tapes and books.
Another Saudi daily, Al Yaum, said the raid took place on Friday while a Pakistani preacher was delivering a sermon. It was not clear what measures might be taken against the group.
Saudi authorities were not immediately available to comment.
There are around six million foreigners in the conservative kingdom, which has a population of 23 million, including many Christians from Europe, North America, Asia and other Arab states.
Mansur
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Etiquette
Hi friends,
Two things happened to me in the elevator today plus other things I see!
1. I was waiting on ground floor for the lift. A kid and his two sisters came out, and I went in. The sisters were looking at me when they were leaving. It turns out that the kid had pushed all the button on the elevator. So I had to stop on floors 1 and 2 before I got to my floor. How Rude!
2. I was coming down the elevator, and got to the ground floor. As the doors opened, a man was guiding a woman into the elevator. He had his arm stretched out, guiding the woman into the elevator. They both saw me, and both continued to walk in. I had to walk out, and I walked out at the same time the woman was walking in. She did not even stop to think to let the passenger off the elevator. How Rude!
3. Some one else is using my door mat! How Rude!
4. Some people disrespect public property; like some kids put up stickers on elevator doors and in passageways. They made scratches on elevator's interiors. How rude!
5. People bang their main doors. People leave garbage outside their doors, complete with smell emanating, when there is a garbage chute available on each floor. How Rude!
There is something called "etiquette" which I guess people don't realy put to use here!
Mansur
Two things happened to me in the elevator today plus other things I see!
1. I was waiting on ground floor for the lift. A kid and his two sisters came out, and I went in. The sisters were looking at me when they were leaving. It turns out that the kid had pushed all the button on the elevator. So I had to stop on floors 1 and 2 before I got to my floor. How Rude!
2. I was coming down the elevator, and got to the ground floor. As the doors opened, a man was guiding a woman into the elevator. He had his arm stretched out, guiding the woman into the elevator. They both saw me, and both continued to walk in. I had to walk out, and I walked out at the same time the woman was walking in. She did not even stop to think to let the passenger off the elevator. How Rude!
3. Some one else is using my door mat! How Rude!
4. Some people disrespect public property; like some kids put up stickers on elevator doors and in passageways. They made scratches on elevator's interiors. How rude!
5. People bang their main doors. People leave garbage outside their doors, complete with smell emanating, when there is a garbage chute available on each floor. How Rude!
There is something called "etiquette" which I guess people don't realy put to use here!
Mansur
Saudi News
Hey everyone,
Since I have lived in Jeddah, I thought I would share some Saudi news with you. I might seem biased, but these articles make me wonder if Saudi society will ever change or stay the same way it was when I was growing up! I try to find positive news in the media, but no help!
Saudi winner of Star Academy detained by Religious Police for handshaking and taking congrtulatory kisses from his fans in Riyadh.
In other news:
A liberal contestant in the municpal elections in Jeddah, feels he has to keep a beard to win the elections. "This is neither democracy nor equal opportunity," Qamlu said. "Who has given them such power to determine whom should the electorate choose. For the next election, I must grow a beard in order to get elected."
Ciao,
Mansur
Since I have lived in Jeddah, I thought I would share some Saudi news with you. I might seem biased, but these articles make me wonder if Saudi society will ever change or stay the same way it was when I was growing up! I try to find positive news in the media, but no help!
Saudi winner of Star Academy detained by Religious Police for handshaking and taking congrtulatory kisses from his fans in Riyadh.
In other news:
A liberal contestant in the municpal elections in Jeddah, feels he has to keep a beard to win the elections. "This is neither democracy nor equal opportunity," Qamlu said. "Who has given them such power to determine whom should the electorate choose. For the next election, I must grow a beard in order to get elected."
Ciao,
Mansur
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Hi friends,
A recent event with a friend of mine prompted me to write this piece. I will not disclose what happened to my friend, but it is something that makes me and other people wonder: why do bad things happen to good people?
Maybe we are not good people, since I believe we all are sinners. I mean, you have to admit it with me, no one here has not escaped from sinning at one time or another, which is why repentance is such an amazing thing we have.
Ok, enough of joking.
I can begin with my own case. Why am I born deaf? I can see so many other problems people face and can ask the same question. Why was my friend from Uni here raped? Why does a child die senselessly in Iraq? Why does a mother find out she cannot have children? Why do parents lose their only son in a car accident? Why does an honest student fails the test while the cheater passes with flying colors? Why does a hard-working business men is refused a job while the nephew of the owner gets the job? I can go on and on, but that's the not the point.
Here is why I think we people go through such times.
Life is a Test and We are Being Taught Something:
We are being constantly tested by God. How else can we build a strong faith in God if we are not challenged by difficult times? We go through such times because God is teaching us a lesson. Like that honest school boy who fails a test and sees the cheater pass. God may very well be teaching him patience, to control his anger. If we lived a life with no problems that would be extremely boring, and there would be no way to mature in one's faith. If we keep that perspective in mind, we can appreciate the lessons we learn in our lives. Satan/ Shaitan is out there, and he can play mind games with us. The negative thoughts we have can very well be planted by Satan.
We go through tough times because God is refining us. It's something similar to something you would see at a metalwork factory. Iron there is refined through fire, so it can become pure and free from impurities. In the same way, we are being refined by God, so we can become more pure and free from the things that drag us down. I don't think the bad things that happen is a punishment from God. He doesn't inflict something bad on someone who does a bad thing.
However, what is important here is not what we go through, but if we are faithful to Him. The thing is: how do we respond to God? Do we shout in frustration and anger at God? Or do we accept whatever is in God's will and say thank you for giving me this opportunity to show me something so I can learn something about myself? I mean, I can whine about why God did not give me perfect working ears, but I don't do that. It is because I have seen that maybe God wants me to someone who is more patient in listening to people. It's not a mistake today that people tell me I am a great listener. Maybe if I had perfect hearing, I would not be willing to people as well as I do today.
So, I don't have the definite answers as to why these things happen. But I hope my insight might help you all see your life in a different perspective. I know when bad things happen, we feel like the whole world is against us; the One up above is for us.
Rejoice people; you have only one life to live, only one life, so make the most of it!
Mansur
A recent event with a friend of mine prompted me to write this piece. I will not disclose what happened to my friend, but it is something that makes me and other people wonder: why do bad things happen to good people?
Maybe we are not good people, since I believe we all are sinners. I mean, you have to admit it with me, no one here has not escaped from sinning at one time or another, which is why repentance is such an amazing thing we have.
Ok, enough of joking.
I can begin with my own case. Why am I born deaf? I can see so many other problems people face and can ask the same question. Why was my friend from Uni here raped? Why does a child die senselessly in Iraq? Why does a mother find out she cannot have children? Why do parents lose their only son in a car accident? Why does an honest student fails the test while the cheater passes with flying colors? Why does a hard-working business men is refused a job while the nephew of the owner gets the job? I can go on and on, but that's the not the point.
Here is why I think we people go through such times.
Life is a Test and We are Being Taught Something:
We are being constantly tested by God. How else can we build a strong faith in God if we are not challenged by difficult times? We go through such times because God is teaching us a lesson. Like that honest school boy who fails a test and sees the cheater pass. God may very well be teaching him patience, to control his anger. If we lived a life with no problems that would be extremely boring, and there would be no way to mature in one's faith. If we keep that perspective in mind, we can appreciate the lessons we learn in our lives. Satan/ Shaitan is out there, and he can play mind games with us. The negative thoughts we have can very well be planted by Satan.
We go through tough times because God is refining us. It's something similar to something you would see at a metalwork factory. Iron there is refined through fire, so it can become pure and free from impurities. In the same way, we are being refined by God, so we can become more pure and free from the things that drag us down. I don't think the bad things that happen is a punishment from God. He doesn't inflict something bad on someone who does a bad thing.
However, what is important here is not what we go through, but if we are faithful to Him. The thing is: how do we respond to God? Do we shout in frustration and anger at God? Or do we accept whatever is in God's will and say thank you for giving me this opportunity to show me something so I can learn something about myself? I mean, I can whine about why God did not give me perfect working ears, but I don't do that. It is because I have seen that maybe God wants me to someone who is more patient in listening to people. It's not a mistake today that people tell me I am a great listener. Maybe if I had perfect hearing, I would not be willing to people as well as I do today.
So, I don't have the definite answers as to why these things happen. But I hope my insight might help you all see your life in a different perspective. I know when bad things happen, we feel like the whole world is against us; the One up above is for us.
Rejoice people; you have only one life to live, only one life, so make the most of it!
Mansur
Friday, April 22, 2005
Dream Jobs
Hey friends,
I was passing by some fo the buildings today ang got thinking about the so many shops there: barbers, laundries, grocery shops, tailors, plants, vegetables, cafeterias amidst so many others. I was wondering how happy they would be in their job. I am sure they would be happy in the sense that they are at least holding a job and not one of the many unemployed out there. But sometimes I think they might be wondering of how they would like to be in a better job. The true joy is when I see someone who is truly happy in their job. I see some people who are really unhappy in their jobs, and that's unfortunately they are stuck with.
However, when I was growing up I went through a phase where I had dream jobs in my mind. Here they are:
1. Chef- was told cooking is for women, not men, and if you see, maor chefs around the world are men! Hah!
2. Pilot- was told I need to have perfect eyesight
3. Environmentalist- the usual "what will the people say mansur?"
4. Working in an orphanage- "you will not get paid enough!"
5. Working with deaf children- I spent a month learning how to sign language
6. Dentistry- for which I even studied a year of at college
7. Architecture- this was never something I thought of when I was a kid, but somehow fell into my lap at the right place at the right time
Still sometimes I think I want to do something different.
8. Cabin crew- for the sole purpose of travelling
9. Hospitality and Travel management
10. Employee at a major theme park
11. Taster at a chocolate factory
12. Employee at GAP, for the clothes
However, my ultimate job would be:
13. The employee at a major theme park who gets to test the big thrill rides before the park opens up!!
Mansur
I was passing by some fo the buildings today ang got thinking about the so many shops there: barbers, laundries, grocery shops, tailors, plants, vegetables, cafeterias amidst so many others. I was wondering how happy they would be in their job. I am sure they would be happy in the sense that they are at least holding a job and not one of the many unemployed out there. But sometimes I think they might be wondering of how they would like to be in a better job. The true joy is when I see someone who is truly happy in their job. I see some people who are really unhappy in their jobs, and that's unfortunately they are stuck with.
However, when I was growing up I went through a phase where I had dream jobs in my mind. Here they are:
1. Chef- was told cooking is for women, not men, and if you see, maor chefs around the world are men! Hah!
2. Pilot- was told I need to have perfect eyesight
3. Environmentalist- the usual "what will the people say mansur?"
4. Working in an orphanage- "you will not get paid enough!"
5. Working with deaf children- I spent a month learning how to sign language
6. Dentistry- for which I even studied a year of at college
7. Architecture- this was never something I thought of when I was a kid, but somehow fell into my lap at the right place at the right time
Still sometimes I think I want to do something different.
8. Cabin crew- for the sole purpose of travelling
9. Hospitality and Travel management
10. Employee at a major theme park
11. Taster at a chocolate factory
12. Employee at GAP, for the clothes
However, my ultimate job would be:
13. The employee at a major theme park who gets to test the big thrill rides before the park opens up!!
Mansur
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Angry Neighbor
Hey friends,
About two nights ago, I saw that my door mat was extremely dirty. I was suspicious that my neighbor is using it. I mean, I see stuff on my door mat which I know I have not brought in. I wish I could install a secret camera to see who else is using the doormat.
So that particular night, I got out of my flat, and brushed off the excess dirt off my door mat. Once I got the huge amount of dirt off, I got out my dust buster. I started it. WHOOOOOOOOOOM! The noise that dustbusters make! I was doing it casually for about 30 seconds, when my neighbr opened his front door. He was standing there in his shorts, hair ruffled up, with a huge belly hanging over his boxers. He started making angry faces. he pointed to his watch. No words were said. I understood what he was saying to me.
I quietly picked up my dustbuster and walked back into my flat. I saw from my peep hole. My neighbor went back in, I quickly went out and picked up the remaining dust with the dsut and pan. Finally.
And today, I see the same kind of dirt on my door mat which I know clearly know did not come from under my shoes!
Aaaaaaaaaargh!!
Mansur
About two nights ago, I saw that my door mat was extremely dirty. I was suspicious that my neighbor is using it. I mean, I see stuff on my door mat which I know I have not brought in. I wish I could install a secret camera to see who else is using the doormat.
So that particular night, I got out of my flat, and brushed off the excess dirt off my door mat. Once I got the huge amount of dirt off, I got out my dust buster. I started it. WHOOOOOOOOOOM! The noise that dustbusters make! I was doing it casually for about 30 seconds, when my neighbr opened his front door. He was standing there in his shorts, hair ruffled up, with a huge belly hanging over his boxers. He started making angry faces. he pointed to his watch. No words were said. I understood what he was saying to me.
I quietly picked up my dustbuster and walked back into my flat. I saw from my peep hole. My neighbor went back in, I quickly went out and picked up the remaining dust with the dsut and pan. Finally.
And today, I see the same kind of dirt on my door mat which I know clearly know did not come from under my shoes!
Aaaaaaaaaargh!!
Mansur
The Terminal, Jazz Music and Gay!
Hey everyone,
Just some random musings!
1. I just saw The Terminal, with Tom Hanks and one of the most feel-good movies I have seen in a long time. Tom Hanks is my favorite Hollywood actor (Cast Away, Forrest Gump, Big, Sleepless in Seattle etc). This is so great because of two reasons: the concept of waiting for the right person/moment to happen in one's life. Second, letting go of ego, to be egoless!
2. I have been wanting to listen to Jazz music for a long time, but just get really confused at the music stores. Do any one of you know which Jazz music is good. I like the slow, soulful type, something you can just put on and relax. If there is one Jazz album which I should buy, which one would it be? Help me please!
3. I have a friend who is gay. Although he does not announce it to the world, people can immediately tell he is gay: manner of speaking, way of walking, extremely sensitive. I meet him because he has confided some things to me and I feel like I am in a position where I can help him and make him realize being gay is not the answer. The problem is that when we two hang out, people look at us as if we are boyfriends or something? Do I continue to hang out? Should I meet him in private (which I think is wrong!)? Should I just stick to telephone conversations only? Help me please!
Mansur
Just some random musings!
1. I just saw The Terminal, with Tom Hanks and one of the most feel-good movies I have seen in a long time. Tom Hanks is my favorite Hollywood actor (Cast Away, Forrest Gump, Big, Sleepless in Seattle etc). This is so great because of two reasons: the concept of waiting for the right person/moment to happen in one's life. Second, letting go of ego, to be egoless!
2. I have been wanting to listen to Jazz music for a long time, but just get really confused at the music stores. Do any one of you know which Jazz music is good. I like the slow, soulful type, something you can just put on and relax. If there is one Jazz album which I should buy, which one would it be? Help me please!
3. I have a friend who is gay. Although he does not announce it to the world, people can immediately tell he is gay: manner of speaking, way of walking, extremely sensitive. I meet him because he has confided some things to me and I feel like I am in a position where I can help him and make him realize being gay is not the answer. The problem is that when we two hang out, people look at us as if we are boyfriends or something? Do I continue to hang out? Should I meet him in private (which I think is wrong!)? Should I just stick to telephone conversations only? Help me please!
Mansur
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Masculinity and Machismo
Hey everyone,
Continuing in from the previous article, I also think there is a huge difference between Masculinity and Machismo, and in today's world, I think the meaning of the two has been confused and blurred. So here is what I think.
Masculinity:
Of or relating to men or boys; male.
Suggestive or characteristic of a man; mannish.
Machismo (macho):
A strong or exaggerated sense of masculinity stressing attributes such as physical courage, virility, domination of women, and aggressiveness.
An exaggerated sense of strength or toughness.
What we see often in today's media is machismo. We men think women want guys who are tough, will bungee jump for them, climb mountains, go deep sea diving and so on. We think that the skinny guys, who are somewhat confined to their books and job have no chance with the women. We think women are attracted to well built bodies only, thereby forcing men to hit the gym. Guys, nothing could be further from the truth.
Women are looking for masculine men, all right, and they are not looking for tough, big built muscular men! There is a clear fine line between the two meanings. Being masculine means we men celebrate our being men: we take pride in the fact we are men. Being macho means we subvert and twist the meaning of being men, and go to the further extreme where we are in the gym all day long, ride roughly on the streets, talk brashly and so on.
In one simple sentence: women look for masculine men who are manly enough to be sensitive enough for them!
Good luck guys!
Mansur
Continuing in from the previous article, I also think there is a huge difference between Masculinity and Machismo, and in today's world, I think the meaning of the two has been confused and blurred. So here is what I think.
Masculinity:
Of or relating to men or boys; male.
Suggestive or characteristic of a man; mannish.
Machismo (macho):
A strong or exaggerated sense of masculinity stressing attributes such as physical courage, virility, domination of women, and aggressiveness.
An exaggerated sense of strength or toughness.
What we see often in today's media is machismo. We men think women want guys who are tough, will bungee jump for them, climb mountains, go deep sea diving and so on. We think that the skinny guys, who are somewhat confined to their books and job have no chance with the women. We think women are attracted to well built bodies only, thereby forcing men to hit the gym. Guys, nothing could be further from the truth.
Women are looking for masculine men, all right, and they are not looking for tough, big built muscular men! There is a clear fine line between the two meanings. Being masculine means we men celebrate our being men: we take pride in the fact we are men. Being macho means we subvert and twist the meaning of being men, and go to the further extreme where we are in the gym all day long, ride roughly on the streets, talk brashly and so on.
In one simple sentence: women look for masculine men who are manly enough to be sensitive enough for them!
Good luck guys!
Mansur
Relationships!
Hey everyone,
It's nice to be back after a while!
I recently saw movie called Hitch, and that was all about Hitch giving ideas to men on how to successfully meet and date women and eventually get involved. I don't want to get into the movie, although I did think it was too idealistic and sugary. Things don't happen between men and women as magically as the movie would have us believe.
The truth is that the very nature of meeting men and women is a very complex issue. Most of the times the guys and girls would go out to impress the opposite sex, and many times are unsuccessful. I can remember when I was in High School, there were four couples in my class who we all thought were madly in love with one another. Come graduation time, all of them have split up. So why did you all hang out in the first place? When in High School, I think it is more cooler to have friends who are girls as opposed to having girlfriends. Most guys, moreso than the girls, are still immature in High School. They are still teenagers, with raging hormones, and girls, if you are out there, these guys don't look at you with respect: they look at you some kind of sexual objects, like a prized trophy who they can show off to others!
I am not saying everyone is like that; there are some genuine guys out there who genuinely seek out girls to date. Which brings us to another issue: dating. Is dating all right? I think it is, as long as the motives and context are sincere. I mean, I would not date a girl, hang out with here one-to-one, in some secluded area for the sole purpose of just hanging out. But I know some people who date in groups and whose motives are pure: they are looking for a potential spouse.
I think one important thing to keep in mind is that the girl/ guy you date could very well be someone else's wife/ husband. Don't believe what the movies have to tell you about dating, relationships and love, because that is very shallow and only a short term thing. I strictly believe in no sex before marriage, yet some of my friends out there clearly think so otherwise: we are gonna get married anyways, so why can't we have sex? We have been going out for four years, so sex feels all right! What's wrong with sex, we love each other! Folks, you are not married, that's the problem. What if something happens few days before marriage and fate leads you two somewhere else?
I can speak for myself. All the qualities that I would look for in my wife, are those qualities which I feel I possess. I would want my wife to be someone who has not dated and been involved in numerous relationships. I want keep myself pure for my wife, and I would like my future wife to do the same for me.
All right guys, I better sign off before someone claims I fell down from Heaven!
Mansur
It's nice to be back after a while!
I recently saw movie called Hitch, and that was all about Hitch giving ideas to men on how to successfully meet and date women and eventually get involved. I don't want to get into the movie, although I did think it was too idealistic and sugary. Things don't happen between men and women as magically as the movie would have us believe.
The truth is that the very nature of meeting men and women is a very complex issue. Most of the times the guys and girls would go out to impress the opposite sex, and many times are unsuccessful. I can remember when I was in High School, there were four couples in my class who we all thought were madly in love with one another. Come graduation time, all of them have split up. So why did you all hang out in the first place? When in High School, I think it is more cooler to have friends who are girls as opposed to having girlfriends. Most guys, moreso than the girls, are still immature in High School. They are still teenagers, with raging hormones, and girls, if you are out there, these guys don't look at you with respect: they look at you some kind of sexual objects, like a prized trophy who they can show off to others!
I am not saying everyone is like that; there are some genuine guys out there who genuinely seek out girls to date. Which brings us to another issue: dating. Is dating all right? I think it is, as long as the motives and context are sincere. I mean, I would not date a girl, hang out with here one-to-one, in some secluded area for the sole purpose of just hanging out. But I know some people who date in groups and whose motives are pure: they are looking for a potential spouse.
I think one important thing to keep in mind is that the girl/ guy you date could very well be someone else's wife/ husband. Don't believe what the movies have to tell you about dating, relationships and love, because that is very shallow and only a short term thing. I strictly believe in no sex before marriage, yet some of my friends out there clearly think so otherwise: we are gonna get married anyways, so why can't we have sex? We have been going out for four years, so sex feels all right! What's wrong with sex, we love each other! Folks, you are not married, that's the problem. What if something happens few days before marriage and fate leads you two somewhere else?
I can speak for myself. All the qualities that I would look for in my wife, are those qualities which I feel I possess. I would want my wife to be someone who has not dated and been involved in numerous relationships. I want keep myself pure for my wife, and I would like my future wife to do the same for me.
All right guys, I better sign off before someone claims I fell down from Heaven!
Mansur
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Long Break
Hey everyone,
I have been away from this blog for a while now. My sister is here visiting me and I have been been busy hanging out with her. I have been to the City Center Mall both in Dubai and Sharjah and watched several movies with her as well. We saw Zeher (** out of *****), Hitch (*** out of *****) and Hum Tum on the DVD (**** out of *****), prior to which we made chicken fajitas, potatos wdges and nachos with melted cheese! I can sit down and write the reviews of all these movies, but what I wanted to talk about was the issues of relationships as depicted in Hitch and Hum Tum. Somehow I wish the makers of these kind of films stick to reality-- young minds are very impressionable and I wish they would realize that movies dont necessarily depict reality.
Anyway, I will be away from my Blog for a while.
Have a great day!
Mansur
I have been away from this blog for a while now. My sister is here visiting me and I have been been busy hanging out with her. I have been to the City Center Mall both in Dubai and Sharjah and watched several movies with her as well. We saw Zeher (** out of *****), Hitch (*** out of *****) and Hum Tum on the DVD (**** out of *****), prior to which we made chicken fajitas, potatos wdges and nachos with melted cheese! I can sit down and write the reviews of all these movies, but what I wanted to talk about was the issues of relationships as depicted in Hitch and Hum Tum. Somehow I wish the makers of these kind of films stick to reality-- young minds are very impressionable and I wish they would realize that movies dont necessarily depict reality.
Anyway, I will be away from my Blog for a while.
Have a great day!
Mansur
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
McDonaldization of Jeddah
Hey friends,
I finished reading the book, Why Do People Hate America, and there is one passage I have to share with you.
"So there is an architecture and a geographical space associated with burgers. When McDonald's opens a branch in Red Square in Moscow, or the Forbidden City in Beijing, or in the Holy City of Mecca, it changes the architecture as well as the special dynamics of the city. The city - any city- is an expression of a culture's values and ideals, hopes and aspirations, social outlook and behavior. As such, cities are far more than mere form- more than roads and buildings, bricks and mortar; they are images of a society's perception of its destiny. So the appearance of numerous American fast food restaurants in a city transforms the cityscape as well as its inhabitants' perceptions of themselves. American-led globalization, by imposing a single set of American standards, is increasingly transforming cities of developing countries in monuments to the American will to power. Traditional architecture is bulldozed to be replaced by featureless brickworks, multi lane roads, shopping malls, hotels and fast food joints. Most cities in the more affluent part of the Third World look like Dallas or theme park extensions of Los Angeles.
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, for example, was a historic city with a distinctive character that always impressed visitors. It consisted of a network of remarkable tall houses that made ingenious use of the local meteorological conditions: the uppermost floors were designed to catch the sea breeze, which created upwards draughts with regular temperature differentials; the overarching, open, louvered windows filtered out the sun's glare but allowed air to circulate freely in the rooms; the surrounding flat terraces with wooden grilles permitted the movement of any cool air currets on the hottest of summer nights. These traditional houses showed what power of imagination and craftsmanship in indigenous buildings could achieve.
American influence and big business brought American city planning and architecture to Saudi Arabia; and soon Jeddah became a poor replica of Houston. Narrow streets and alleyways gave way to high, wide, sun-baked roads and over-heated concreted monstrosity. Traditional architecture, age-old souks, Saudi cafes- all disappeared to be replaced by shopping malls, fast food restaurants, theme parks and hotels. Americanization has meted out an even worse fate to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam, where there are not streets left for anyone to walk on.
American planners, consultants and architects have turned Mecca- which is, of course, the focus for 1.3 billion Muslims of the planet who face towards the city during their daily five prayers- into a third-rate American city, in which tunnels, flyovers, spaghetti junctions and multilane motorways compete for attention with gaudy hotels and the ubiquitous hotels.
The hatred of America that many Saudis exhibit has little to do with the often cited American military presence in 'holy areas' - in fact, American troops are hundreds of miles to the north of what are traditionally considered the holy areas, the cities of Mecca and Medina. It stems more from the fact that fabric of traditional Saudi life has been torn apart by Americanization and replaced with centralized, mass produced monotony. Saudi cities do not reflect the history, culture, traditions or values of the Arabiab Peninsula- they sic homilies to the American way of life."
I can substitute Jeddah with other cities, most certainly like Dubai. Its scary. Dubai has no identity. They show the Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers as their representation. These icons do not represent the people or their values, they represent power, wealth and prestige.
Have a nice day,
Mansur
I finished reading the book, Why Do People Hate America, and there is one passage I have to share with you.
"So there is an architecture and a geographical space associated with burgers. When McDonald's opens a branch in Red Square in Moscow, or the Forbidden City in Beijing, or in the Holy City of Mecca, it changes the architecture as well as the special dynamics of the city. The city - any city- is an expression of a culture's values and ideals, hopes and aspirations, social outlook and behavior. As such, cities are far more than mere form- more than roads and buildings, bricks and mortar; they are images of a society's perception of its destiny. So the appearance of numerous American fast food restaurants in a city transforms the cityscape as well as its inhabitants' perceptions of themselves. American-led globalization, by imposing a single set of American standards, is increasingly transforming cities of developing countries in monuments to the American will to power. Traditional architecture is bulldozed to be replaced by featureless brickworks, multi lane roads, shopping malls, hotels and fast food joints. Most cities in the more affluent part of the Third World look like Dallas or theme park extensions of Los Angeles.
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, for example, was a historic city with a distinctive character that always impressed visitors. It consisted of a network of remarkable tall houses that made ingenious use of the local meteorological conditions: the uppermost floors were designed to catch the sea breeze, which created upwards draughts with regular temperature differentials; the overarching, open, louvered windows filtered out the sun's glare but allowed air to circulate freely in the rooms; the surrounding flat terraces with wooden grilles permitted the movement of any cool air currets on the hottest of summer nights. These traditional houses showed what power of imagination and craftsmanship in indigenous buildings could achieve.
American influence and big business brought American city planning and architecture to Saudi Arabia; and soon Jeddah became a poor replica of Houston. Narrow streets and alleyways gave way to high, wide, sun-baked roads and over-heated concreted monstrosity. Traditional architecture, age-old souks, Saudi cafes- all disappeared to be replaced by shopping malls, fast food restaurants, theme parks and hotels. Americanization has meted out an even worse fate to Mecca, the holiest city of Islam, where there are not streets left for anyone to walk on.
American planners, consultants and architects have turned Mecca- which is, of course, the focus for 1.3 billion Muslims of the planet who face towards the city during their daily five prayers- into a third-rate American city, in which tunnels, flyovers, spaghetti junctions and multilane motorways compete for attention with gaudy hotels and the ubiquitous hotels.
The hatred of America that many Saudis exhibit has little to do with the often cited American military presence in 'holy areas' - in fact, American troops are hundreds of miles to the north of what are traditionally considered the holy areas, the cities of Mecca and Medina. It stems more from the fact that fabric of traditional Saudi life has been torn apart by Americanization and replaced with centralized, mass produced monotony. Saudi cities do not reflect the history, culture, traditions or values of the Arabiab Peninsula- they sic homilies to the American way of life."
I can substitute Jeddah with other cities, most certainly like Dubai. Its scary. Dubai has no identity. They show the Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers as their representation. These icons do not represent the people or their values, they represent power, wealth and prestige.
Have a nice day,
Mansur
Monday, April 11, 2005
Favorite Destination Places
Hey you guys,
I was watching Inside the Middle East on CNN and the presenter was covering the Jordan region, in particular the Dead Sea region. There were images of people afloat on the water without the aid of any floating devices or lifejackets. That one image brought back loads of my magical moments on vacations abroad. So here are my favorite moments, in no particular order!
1. Floating on the Dead Sea, Jordan
2. Shopping at Hamadiya Souk, Damascus, Syria
3. Strolling at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, USA
4. Casinos and Theme Parks at Las Vegas, USA
5. Road trip from Waco to Lubbock, Texas
6. Skiing on Swiss Alps, Europe
7. Strolling at Leciester Sqaure/ Picadilly Circus, London
8. Camping outdoors at Fairy Meadows, Gilgit, Pakistan
9. Riding gondolas at Venice, Italy
10. Riding Nemesis at Alton Towers, UK
These are my favorite holiday moments. There are loads of others as well, such as my times in Malaysia and Singapore as well as in Kenya (which I dont remember very well, just glimpses!) However, there are several cities that stand out as my favorites. Remember, I am talking about holiday spots here, otherwise on top of the list would be Jeddah, Saudi Arabia!
1. San Francisco, USA
2. Damascus, Syria
3. Las Vegas, USA
4. Lahore, Pakistan
5. London, UK
My parents are going to Morocco and Spain this summer. They invited me as well. I just cannot go. I am tied up here. *sigh*
Mansur
I was watching Inside the Middle East on CNN and the presenter was covering the Jordan region, in particular the Dead Sea region. There were images of people afloat on the water without the aid of any floating devices or lifejackets. That one image brought back loads of my magical moments on vacations abroad. So here are my favorite moments, in no particular order!
1. Floating on the Dead Sea, Jordan
2. Shopping at Hamadiya Souk, Damascus, Syria
3. Strolling at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, USA
4. Casinos and Theme Parks at Las Vegas, USA
5. Road trip from Waco to Lubbock, Texas
6. Skiing on Swiss Alps, Europe
7. Strolling at Leciester Sqaure/ Picadilly Circus, London
8. Camping outdoors at Fairy Meadows, Gilgit, Pakistan
9. Riding gondolas at Venice, Italy
10. Riding Nemesis at Alton Towers, UK
These are my favorite holiday moments. There are loads of others as well, such as my times in Malaysia and Singapore as well as in Kenya (which I dont remember very well, just glimpses!) However, there are several cities that stand out as my favorites. Remember, I am talking about holiday spots here, otherwise on top of the list would be Jeddah, Saudi Arabia!
1. San Francisco, USA
2. Damascus, Syria
3. Las Vegas, USA
4. Lahore, Pakistan
5. London, UK
My parents are going to Morocco and Spain this summer. They invited me as well. I just cannot go. I am tied up here. *sigh*
Mansur
Women in Bikinis
Hi friends,
We all know what Islam teaches us about lowering our gazes when we see members of the opposite sex, right? Well, check this out: women in bikinis have a huge male crowd checking them out in Ajman Open Beach!
Ok, so let the women enjoy their so-called freedom, why do the men have to go and stare at them? Go away! I know there is something in all of us to seek out the pleasures of the flesh, to seek out what is forbidden to us, but we can overcome that attitude through our understanding of what God wants from us. The same goes for the women by the way. I also see one too many girls in abayas checking out the men. I can list so many instances in Jeddah and Dubai, where I have seen these young women in abayas, hidden behind the veils, checking out the men. Gosh! I am not making a general statement, for I know there are genuine girls out there in abayas, but I am talking out of experience.
Anyway, this article is hilarious, and it just shows how weak men are in their nature to control their selfish desires.
Mansur
We all know what Islam teaches us about lowering our gazes when we see members of the opposite sex, right? Well, check this out: women in bikinis have a huge male crowd checking them out in Ajman Open Beach!
Ok, so let the women enjoy their so-called freedom, why do the men have to go and stare at them? Go away! I know there is something in all of us to seek out the pleasures of the flesh, to seek out what is forbidden to us, but we can overcome that attitude through our understanding of what God wants from us. The same goes for the women by the way. I also see one too many girls in abayas checking out the men. I can list so many instances in Jeddah and Dubai, where I have seen these young women in abayas, hidden behind the veils, checking out the men. Gosh! I am not making a general statement, for I know there are genuine girls out there in abayas, but I am talking out of experience.
Anyway, this article is hilarious, and it just shows how weak men are in their nature to control their selfish desires.
Mansur
Compulsion in Religion?
Hey everyone,
This piece of local news grabbed my attention today. A 15 year old girl committed suicide. I have heard of cases where people commit suicide, but a 15 year old girl, why?
It turns out that her mom got really upset when the girl left the home without her hijab (headscarf). You can read the article for more details, but I can pretty much imagine what the girl must have went through. I know because there were two girls in my university who went through the same thing as well as one of my cousins, and a friend.
All these four girls I knew were brought up wearing hijab from the early years. They grew up wearing the hijab whenever they left home. One of the girls, Ms Nada, from my university, came crying up to me and several of my friends as we were sitting in the group. She wanted to talk to one of the girls in the group and left the group with her. We got wondering what the matter was.
Several days later, the girl from our group told us that Ms. Nada had a fight with her parents because she did not want to wear the hijab anymore. Ms. Nada felt like that the hijab was forced upon her and that she had no desire. She felt like she was living a lie and was deceiving herself. She felt worse because she would feel guilty doing things while in hijab. So Ms. Nada had a huge fight with her parents and the following week later, we all saw that Ms. Nada would come to classes without her hijab. A lot of the people were disgusted by her actions: why the heck would she remove her hijab? She is a bad Muslim, many would say. But Ms. Nada went on happily with her life. She felt free. She felt like as if no one was compelling her to do anything. She would raise the verse from the Quran again and again: There is no compulsion in religion, and would defend her actions with that one verse.
The same thing happened to another student on campus, as well as with my cousin and friend. They all claimed that they were forced into hijab and that they had no choice in the option of whether to wear it or not. They all claimed that the mothers said that hijab is not an option, it is mandatory. I only read this newspaper article and wonder how many more girls there are out there like her! I have been in one too many arguments about whether boys and girls should be forced into doing Islamic things. I am of the opinion that these boys and girls should be taught the Faith, but the ultimate choice should be left up to them. I dont agree of forcing young boys and girls to do Islamic things forcefully, against their wishes, because that only creates tension and somewhat dislike for what they are doing. These young boy and girls have impressionable minds, and they should be able to make their own choice once they are mature.
I myself have been told so many times: Go to the mosque all five times; Raise your jeans above your ankles; Wear the white cap when going to a mosque; Don't listen to western music and so on. I tell them the same thing: There is no compulsion in religion; don't compel me to do things that you deem is correct. When someone tells me to raise my jeans in a mosque, I point out to him to tell the ten others standing in front of me to go tell them also. When someone tells me to not listen to music or that singing is forbidden, I tell them to tell Cat Stevens to stop singing first. When someone tells me to the mosque five times daily, I tell them to tell that to his household first before preaching to others.
Mansur
This piece of local news grabbed my attention today. A 15 year old girl committed suicide. I have heard of cases where people commit suicide, but a 15 year old girl, why?
It turns out that her mom got really upset when the girl left the home without her hijab (headscarf). You can read the article for more details, but I can pretty much imagine what the girl must have went through. I know because there were two girls in my university who went through the same thing as well as one of my cousins, and a friend.
All these four girls I knew were brought up wearing hijab from the early years. They grew up wearing the hijab whenever they left home. One of the girls, Ms Nada, from my university, came crying up to me and several of my friends as we were sitting in the group. She wanted to talk to one of the girls in the group and left the group with her. We got wondering what the matter was.
Several days later, the girl from our group told us that Ms. Nada had a fight with her parents because she did not want to wear the hijab anymore. Ms. Nada felt like that the hijab was forced upon her and that she had no desire. She felt like she was living a lie and was deceiving herself. She felt worse because she would feel guilty doing things while in hijab. So Ms. Nada had a huge fight with her parents and the following week later, we all saw that Ms. Nada would come to classes without her hijab. A lot of the people were disgusted by her actions: why the heck would she remove her hijab? She is a bad Muslim, many would say. But Ms. Nada went on happily with her life. She felt free. She felt like as if no one was compelling her to do anything. She would raise the verse from the Quran again and again: There is no compulsion in religion, and would defend her actions with that one verse.
The same thing happened to another student on campus, as well as with my cousin and friend. They all claimed that they were forced into hijab and that they had no choice in the option of whether to wear it or not. They all claimed that the mothers said that hijab is not an option, it is mandatory. I only read this newspaper article and wonder how many more girls there are out there like her! I have been in one too many arguments about whether boys and girls should be forced into doing Islamic things. I am of the opinion that these boys and girls should be taught the Faith, but the ultimate choice should be left up to them. I dont agree of forcing young boys and girls to do Islamic things forcefully, against their wishes, because that only creates tension and somewhat dislike for what they are doing. These young boy and girls have impressionable minds, and they should be able to make their own choice once they are mature.
I myself have been told so many times: Go to the mosque all five times; Raise your jeans above your ankles; Wear the white cap when going to a mosque; Don't listen to western music and so on. I tell them the same thing: There is no compulsion in religion; don't compel me to do things that you deem is correct. When someone tells me to raise my jeans in a mosque, I point out to him to tell the ten others standing in front of me to go tell them also. When someone tells me to not listen to music or that singing is forbidden, I tell them to tell Cat Stevens to stop singing first. When someone tells me to the mosque five times daily, I tell them to tell that to his household first before preaching to others.
Mansur
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Why Pink?
Hi friends,
I decided to change my blog color to Pink. Don't panic! It's not a sign of feminity or being gay-ness. It's in honor of my favorite cartoon character: The Pink Panther!
I grew up watching Pink Panther on tv in Saudi. I use to love him. I wanted to be like him. When my family took the European vacation, I had my pink panther soft toy with me the whole time. He would be with me in the car, in the boat, on the Eiffel tower, in the Louvre museum, in the gondolas, on Mont Blanc--- where ever I was, pink panther was there with me.
I think Pink Panther is the coolest cat out there, moreso than Garfield, Felix the Cat, Tom (and Jerry), Heathcliff, Top Cat, Hello Kitty--- Pink Panther beats them all hands down. Plus, no other cartoon has got the coolest theme tune to it. Henry Mancini, who did the original Pink Panther tune is a genius. I loved Pink Panther so much, I would rock my baby sister sleep to the Pink Panther tune! (It worked!)
So, I recently purchased the new DVD set of Pink Panther cartoons; all 124 episodes, and re-lived my childhood memories!
Pink Panther rulez!
Mansur
I decided to change my blog color to Pink. Don't panic! It's not a sign of feminity or being gay-ness. It's in honor of my favorite cartoon character: The Pink Panther!
I grew up watching Pink Panther on tv in Saudi. I use to love him. I wanted to be like him. When my family took the European vacation, I had my pink panther soft toy with me the whole time. He would be with me in the car, in the boat, on the Eiffel tower, in the Louvre museum, in the gondolas, on Mont Blanc--- where ever I was, pink panther was there with me.
I think Pink Panther is the coolest cat out there, moreso than Garfield, Felix the Cat, Tom (and Jerry), Heathcliff, Top Cat, Hello Kitty--- Pink Panther beats them all hands down. Plus, no other cartoon has got the coolest theme tune to it. Henry Mancini, who did the original Pink Panther tune is a genius. I loved Pink Panther so much, I would rock my baby sister sleep to the Pink Panther tune! (It worked!)
So, I recently purchased the new DVD set of Pink Panther cartoons; all 124 episodes, and re-lived my childhood memories!
Pink Panther rulez!
Mansur
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Loneliness
Hey all,
Have you ever felt lonely? Not lonely as is 'where are my friends?' but real lonely.
It's the kind of feeling you need from someone-- emotionally, physically, mentally, and maybe spiritually. It's the kind of feeling where when you come home, you want a pat on your back telling you 'well done.' Its the kind of feeling where you want to share happiness, and no one is there. Its when you want to shed a tear and tell someone what you are going through, but you cannot because no one is there. Its the kind of feeling where you feel rejected and hurt, and no one is there to help you get up on your two feet. It's the kind of feeling where no one appreicates all that you do. It's that moment when you are making chicken fajitas, and start wondering, 'who the heck am I making this for?' Its the kind of feeling where you are out shopping, and you want someone to be there to help you in your choice. I guess I can go on and on but wont.
If I can say so, I think loneliness is a big disease out there!
Mansur
Have you ever felt lonely? Not lonely as is 'where are my friends?' but real lonely.
It's the kind of feeling you need from someone-- emotionally, physically, mentally, and maybe spiritually. It's the kind of feeling where when you come home, you want a pat on your back telling you 'well done.' Its the kind of feeling where you want to share happiness, and no one is there. Its when you want to shed a tear and tell someone what you are going through, but you cannot because no one is there. Its the kind of feeling where you feel rejected and hurt, and no one is there to help you get up on your two feet. It's the kind of feeling where no one appreicates all that you do. It's that moment when you are making chicken fajitas, and start wondering, 'who the heck am I making this for?' Its the kind of feeling where you are out shopping, and you want someone to be there to help you in your choice. I guess I can go on and on but wont.
If I can say so, I think loneliness is a big disease out there!
Mansur
Pavrotti Concert- Comments
Hey everyone,
The Pavrotti concert was so highly publicized, it almost became the "event of the year" kind of thing. Tickets were sold out fast. People were put on waiting list for the tickets. There have been cases of people being bumped off the waiting list to sell the tickets to those were who already at the box office. When the new batch of tickets came in, 100s of the people lined up at the Spinneys supermarket, where the line went outside of the market, around the block. People were excited about this Farwell Pavrotti concert.
So, I think the letters to the editors in the Gulf News proved to me how great and awesome this concert was, not!
Let's hope Westlife and Destiny's Child prove to be better shows. I remember when Westlife came two years ago. 99% of the people there were 9 to 14 years old girls! Goes to show who their real fanbase are! :)
In fact, I think I was really lucky to be able to see the Bryan Adams concert, which was a great one, hassle-free one, and quite an enjoyable and energetic one!
Take care you all--- you did not miss anything with Pavrotti!
Mansur
The Pavrotti concert was so highly publicized, it almost became the "event of the year" kind of thing. Tickets were sold out fast. People were put on waiting list for the tickets. There have been cases of people being bumped off the waiting list to sell the tickets to those were who already at the box office. When the new batch of tickets came in, 100s of the people lined up at the Spinneys supermarket, where the line went outside of the market, around the block. People were excited about this Farwell Pavrotti concert.
So, I think the letters to the editors in the Gulf News proved to me how great and awesome this concert was, not!
Let's hope Westlife and Destiny's Child prove to be better shows. I remember when Westlife came two years ago. 99% of the people there were 9 to 14 years old girls! Goes to show who their real fanbase are! :)
In fact, I think I was really lucky to be able to see the Bryan Adams concert, which was a great one, hassle-free one, and quite an enjoyable and energetic one!
Take care you all--- you did not miss anything with Pavrotti!
Mansur
Friday, April 08, 2005
Dubai = Events Galore!
Hey everyone,
I just thought I'd give you all of whats happening in Dubai:
* 7th April, 2005
Luciano Pavrotti has his final farewell concert
*7th April to 7th June 2005
Sharjah Biennial Arts Exhibition which showcases over 70 differnt artists, painters and sculptors' works, and it is mostly contemporary art
* 14th April, 2005
Westlife, the Irish boyband plays here
* 26th April, 2005
Gloria Gaynor, of "I Will Survive" fame and Sister Sledge have a joint concert
*12th May, 2005
Destiny's Child have their concert
*Movies at Wafi Rooftop (every Sunday)
Two movies are shown back-to-back at the rooftop. I may go on the 17th April one, where they will show The Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!
*Book Bazaar, 27th to 29thApril, 2005
Medicines Sans Frontieres are having their annual book bazaar. I will defintely be there!
*Clubs to visit (weekends only)
Tangerine @ Fairmont Hotel, Amnesia @ Hard Rock cafe, Mix @ Grand Hyatt, Trilogy @ Madinat Jumeirah, Zinc @ Sheikh Zayed Road
Ok, so anyone planning to come to Dubai in the month of April and May, shall know that there is lots happening here. By the way, I am only going to the book bazaar and the Movies at the Rooftop! No clubs for me! :)
Have a nice evening,
Mansur
I just thought I'd give you all of whats happening in Dubai:
* 7th April, 2005
Luciano Pavrotti has his final farewell concert
*7th April to 7th June 2005
Sharjah Biennial Arts Exhibition which showcases over 70 differnt artists, painters and sculptors' works, and it is mostly contemporary art
* 14th April, 2005
Westlife, the Irish boyband plays here
* 26th April, 2005
Gloria Gaynor, of "I Will Survive" fame and Sister Sledge have a joint concert
*12th May, 2005
Destiny's Child have their concert
*Movies at Wafi Rooftop (every Sunday)
Two movies are shown back-to-back at the rooftop. I may go on the 17th April one, where they will show The Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!
*Book Bazaar, 27th to 29thApril, 2005
Medicines Sans Frontieres are having their annual book bazaar. I will defintely be there!
*Clubs to visit (weekends only)
Tangerine @ Fairmont Hotel, Amnesia @ Hard Rock cafe, Mix @ Grand Hyatt, Trilogy @ Madinat Jumeirah, Zinc @ Sheikh Zayed Road
Ok, so anyone planning to come to Dubai in the month of April and May, shall know that there is lots happening here. By the way, I am only going to the book bazaar and the Movies at the Rooftop! No clubs for me! :)
Have a nice evening,
Mansur
Monday, April 04, 2005
Dove on Ceiling
This is something I saw in university on the ceiling of my dorm room. It was right after I got up from bed, that I saw this shape on the ceiling. I saw it for as long as I could. I took the picture from my cam-phone. It clearly looks to me like it is a dove. (This picture is not altered in any way at all!)
Random Happenings
Hey everyone,
Some quick news:
1. There is a new Coffee House and Sweets shop opening below my building. Its looks classy.
2. I took Happy Meal from McDonalds and I got the Sega video game. I took the football one.
3. My dad is coming in town today.
4. My sister is coming to Dubai next week.
5. I saw some awesome shoes at Milano which I have been meaning to get.
6. I am hungry for Chilis.
7. I made chocolate cake for my friends, and it was great!
8. McDonalds was playing Hero by Enrique when I went in today!
9. I had an accident in a taxi last week.
10. I miss Jeddah!
Mansur
Some quick news:
1. There is a new Coffee House and Sweets shop opening below my building. Its looks classy.
2. I took Happy Meal from McDonalds and I got the Sega video game. I took the football one.
3. My dad is coming in town today.
4. My sister is coming to Dubai next week.
5. I saw some awesome shoes at Milano which I have been meaning to get.
6. I am hungry for Chilis.
7. I made chocolate cake for my friends, and it was great!
8. McDonalds was playing Hero by Enrique when I went in today!
9. I had an accident in a taxi last week.
10. I miss Jeddah!
Mansur
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Slamming Taxi Doors!
Hey everyone,
When the movie The Ring 2 was released here in Dubai this past weekend, my friend and I decided to go watch it. We two are horror movies buffs and are not scared easily. She called me up and we decided to go for the 9pm show. It is 8pm now. I quickly hung up, changed my clothes and got my wallet and ran out to the main street. I needed to get a taxi, go to her house and from there go to the movie theatre.
So I am standing on the main street. It is Friday evening, 8pm. There is a lot of traffic. I stop one taxi and get in. "Sahara Center please." He shakes his head and says he cannot go. Aargh! I get out, and find another taxi in five minutes. I get in: Sahara Center please. He shakes his head as well. I get so annoyed. "Why can't you go man?" He tells me that the traffic is too much and he is not going that way. I get out. it is 820, gosh, only 40 more mins to the movie. I need to go to my friend's hosue first and then to the cinema. I hope we can make it for the movie. I finally find another taxi at 830, and when I approach the door to open it, the driver quickly locks it. I bend down and ask him what the problem is. He asked me: where are you going? Sahara center I said. He just drove off; no explanations. That's really rude of him!
840pm, I find another taxi. 20 minutes to the movie. I get in the car. I look at the driver, sympathetically, and told him to go to Sahara Center as I was late already. What this driver did was lie to me.
"I have another passenger waiting for me," he said.
"Oh yeah, where is he? I dont see anyone!"
"He is waiting for me at Rolla, I need to go there."
"So why did you stop to pick me up?" I asked him.
"Just get out of the car now," he said sternly.
"What, I am not getting off! You tell me why did you pick me up, and then tell me there is another passenger. It is obvious you dont want to go to Sahara Center," I said to him.
"I am NOT going to Sahara Center."
I got so mad. I got out of the car and I slammed the door into his face. I was so furious. So many taxis, no one is going where I want to go and only 15 minutes for the movie. This is pathetic. I turned away from the taxi, and suddenly I heard loud honking. It was a continous BEEP-BEEP-BEEEEEEP! Gosh, thats so annoying. I wasnt looking towards the car that was honking. For several minutes, the honking went on. I turned around to see what the deal was, and I saw something so horrible. I saw the taxi driver raising his arm at me. I knew what that meant. He was asking me to f*** off, basically. I got more annoyed. I dont swear or anything, so quietly, in my heart I said, God forgive that man for his rudeness.
So I came home that night, and I realized that I was the one who was the rude one. I should not have slammed the door at his face. It is his car, his livelihood, and I had no right to slam the door of the car. I did not respect his property, and I was not being patient and calm about the situation. I displayed anger and frustration. I was so mad at myself then. I needed to reconcile with my feelings and understand why I did what I did.
By the way, I got the taxi uimmediately after this particular taxi and got to my friend's place-- and we did not watch the movie for some other reason!
Mansur
When the movie The Ring 2 was released here in Dubai this past weekend, my friend and I decided to go watch it. We two are horror movies buffs and are not scared easily. She called me up and we decided to go for the 9pm show. It is 8pm now. I quickly hung up, changed my clothes and got my wallet and ran out to the main street. I needed to get a taxi, go to her house and from there go to the movie theatre.
So I am standing on the main street. It is Friday evening, 8pm. There is a lot of traffic. I stop one taxi and get in. "Sahara Center please." He shakes his head and says he cannot go. Aargh! I get out, and find another taxi in five minutes. I get in: Sahara Center please. He shakes his head as well. I get so annoyed. "Why can't you go man?" He tells me that the traffic is too much and he is not going that way. I get out. it is 820, gosh, only 40 more mins to the movie. I need to go to my friend's hosue first and then to the cinema. I hope we can make it for the movie. I finally find another taxi at 830, and when I approach the door to open it, the driver quickly locks it. I bend down and ask him what the problem is. He asked me: where are you going? Sahara center I said. He just drove off; no explanations. That's really rude of him!
840pm, I find another taxi. 20 minutes to the movie. I get in the car. I look at the driver, sympathetically, and told him to go to Sahara Center as I was late already. What this driver did was lie to me.
"I have another passenger waiting for me," he said.
"Oh yeah, where is he? I dont see anyone!"
"He is waiting for me at Rolla, I need to go there."
"So why did you stop to pick me up?" I asked him.
"Just get out of the car now," he said sternly.
"What, I am not getting off! You tell me why did you pick me up, and then tell me there is another passenger. It is obvious you dont want to go to Sahara Center," I said to him.
"I am NOT going to Sahara Center."
I got so mad. I got out of the car and I slammed the door into his face. I was so furious. So many taxis, no one is going where I want to go and only 15 minutes for the movie. This is pathetic. I turned away from the taxi, and suddenly I heard loud honking. It was a continous BEEP-BEEP-BEEEEEEP! Gosh, thats so annoying. I wasnt looking towards the car that was honking. For several minutes, the honking went on. I turned around to see what the deal was, and I saw something so horrible. I saw the taxi driver raising his arm at me. I knew what that meant. He was asking me to f*** off, basically. I got more annoyed. I dont swear or anything, so quietly, in my heart I said, God forgive that man for his rudeness.
So I came home that night, and I realized that I was the one who was the rude one. I should not have slammed the door at his face. It is his car, his livelihood, and I had no right to slam the door of the car. I did not respect his property, and I was not being patient and calm about the situation. I displayed anger and frustration. I was so mad at myself then. I needed to reconcile with my feelings and understand why I did what I did.
By the way, I got the taxi uimmediately after this particular taxi and got to my friend's place-- and we did not watch the movie for some other reason!
Mansur
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Happy To Be Back!
Hey everyone,
Its awesome to be back blogging. With so much support and love shown to me by you all, I am delighted to know that there are people out there who actually read my stuff! I count on your support and encouragement to help me go on, otherwise I would have resorted to writing in my journal. One day, you shall be proud as well, as I will publish my books in the future.
Yes friends, I have two books that I have written that I will publish one day in the future! I am currently working on my third one now, and once that is done, I think it will be enough. No one in this small world knows that I have written two books. I did not announce the fact, but here I am. Since the world does not read my blog, I am revealing something to the precious few who do read it! Like I said, one day they will be published and I will not forget to mention you all who read my stuff!!
Since the nature of the books is personal, I cannot and do not want to reveal anything just yet. I can imagine you all buzzing about in curiosity as to the nature of my books, so feel free to ask me any thing thats on your mind and then I will see if I can answer your queries.
Take care you all!
Mansur
Its awesome to be back blogging. With so much support and love shown to me by you all, I am delighted to know that there are people out there who actually read my stuff! I count on your support and encouragement to help me go on, otherwise I would have resorted to writing in my journal. One day, you shall be proud as well, as I will publish my books in the future.
Yes friends, I have two books that I have written that I will publish one day in the future! I am currently working on my third one now, and once that is done, I think it will be enough. No one in this small world knows that I have written two books. I did not announce the fact, but here I am. Since the world does not read my blog, I am revealing something to the precious few who do read it! Like I said, one day they will be published and I will not forget to mention you all who read my stuff!!
Since the nature of the books is personal, I cannot and do not want to reveal anything just yet. I can imagine you all buzzing about in curiosity as to the nature of my books, so feel free to ask me any thing thats on your mind and then I will see if I can answer your queries.
Take care you all!
Mansur
Life of Mansur?
Hello everyone,
This is a poll to indicate to me whether I should continue to write or not. Please take the time to vote-- remember you have the RIGHT to vote, so exercise your right!
Vote here!
Thanks a million,
Mansur
This is a poll to indicate to me whether I should continue to write or not. Please take the time to vote-- remember you have the RIGHT to vote, so exercise your right!
Vote here!
Thanks a million,
Mansur
Friday, April 01, 2005
April Fool's day
Hey everyone,
Check this out:
"OH MY GOD!!! DONT DO IT MANSUR... WHATEVER WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DO!GASP??? "-- Anonymous
"PLZ don't close it...i'm a faithful reader of your blog. i really enjoy your posts.. "-- Anonymous
"I don't think it's a good idea. Don't keep writing for people, write for yourself, and I think the blog is just perfect for such thing. "-- Ahmed
"i will kill myself if u close ur blog---pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease dont close it! pretty please! pleeeeease--- i promise to leave comments for you--- what will it take for you to continue to keep writing! pleeease--- you can see how desperate i am----p--l---ee----a----s----e!!!!!!!!!! "-- Anonymous
"hey no fair come on....this is the only link i have with u...dont finish it off....i promise to write more comments....come on pls....."--- H.A
Depsite this, I also received one frantic phone call from Australia, asking me if I was really closing down my blog.
Guys, chill out-- I dont know what part of the world you all are in, but today is April 1st. So April Fool's Day!
I dont think I can ever close my blog. Like Ahmed said, I should write for myself, and honestly, I played this prank to see how many people wanted me to continue writing! I was targetting for at least 10 people to write to me... which did not happen.
So dont fret, I am here, I never went away.
Will write loads more stuff right here @ Life of Mansur!
See ya!
Mansur
Check this out:
"OH MY GOD!!! DONT DO IT MANSUR... WHATEVER WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DO!GASP??? "-- Anonymous
"PLZ don't close it...i'm a faithful reader of your blog. i really enjoy your posts.. "-- Anonymous
"I don't think it's a good idea. Don't keep writing for people, write for yourself, and I think the blog is just perfect for such thing. "-- Ahmed
"i will kill myself if u close ur blog---pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease dont close it! pretty please! pleeeeease--- i promise to leave comments for you--- what will it take for you to continue to keep writing! pleeease--- you can see how desperate i am----p--l---ee----a----s----e!!!!!!!!!! "-- Anonymous
"hey no fair come on....this is the only link i have with u...dont finish it off....i promise to write more comments....come on pls....."--- H.A
Depsite this, I also received one frantic phone call from Australia, asking me if I was really closing down my blog.
Guys, chill out-- I dont know what part of the world you all are in, but today is April 1st. So April Fool's Day!
I dont think I can ever close my blog. Like Ahmed said, I should write for myself, and honestly, I played this prank to see how many people wanted me to continue writing! I was targetting for at least 10 people to write to me... which did not happen.
So dont fret, I am here, I never went away.
Will write loads more stuff right here @ Life of Mansur!
See ya!
Mansur
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