Sunday, 4 February 2007
Dr. Pamela's ENGL102 Writing and Literacy Class
ENGL 102 will be an interactive class that depends on each member for active participation. This site will be used to discuss, question, offer solutions, and respond to readings and research as we progress through the semester. Students will benefit most when actively engaged in this collaborative process.
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131 comments:
Greeting to all members of the class!
I am sure you all have heard of GE or GM crops or products. How do you feel towards such products? Are you concerned about the fact that Kuwait’s market is filled with such products? Would consume genetically modified or engineered product or crop?
Would you prefer to have these GM products labeled so that the consumer would at least know what he or she are consuming?
I think that this issue should be dealt with as we really don't know what effects GM products might have on our health short or long term. Have in mind that these products are not natural; they have been modified by humans. The question you might be asking your self at this moment is what is a genetically modified or engineered product? Well these products consist of genes that belong to a different organism, inserting a foreign gene or cell to an organism will cause significant changes to that organism. Research has showed that genetically modified organisms experience mutations and produce new enzymes that could be destructive to organism cells. Many claim that research did not show that GE food is harmful. But it is safer to say that there are no researches that show or confirm GE food is safe and has no negative side effects; Better be safe than sorry! At the end it is up to you the consumer to decide whether to consume or not to consume such product. But you need to ask your self why is the organic products industry booming in Europe, why did the US and Europe ban GE product?
I will be Happy to hear your opinion and comments about this issue
Thank you!
My regards
AMAL TAWAKULI
S00002622
Amal,
You present an interesting subject and possible research project. I have to admit that I know very little about GE or GM products. One of the major problems today lies with processed foods - we consumers simply do not realize what we are ingesting anymore. Certainly the Food and Drug Administration should deal with this issue and the consumer should force some sort of investigation into the safety of using them. Good topic! Dr. Pamela
Alaa, thanks for your comments. I hope you don't mind that I disagree with a couple points. Although there are many false accusations about the "other" from Western to Middle Eastern customs, one that you bring up is that of how Arab women are perceived as oppressed. I know this is not totally true; however, some people get confused over what is dictated by religion and what is cultural practice. For instance, for years, the newspapers in both the West and even here in Kuwait have had articles about honor killings. This is barbaric to civilized people no matter where they live. Unfortunately, the media reports this news and then others believe it is a religious phenomenon of an area. So often the media is guilty of showing only the negative which causes others to view the reality as distorted. But both Westerners and Arabs do this. That is why it is so important to realize this and to stop hating the other for what we do not understand. You brought up the Oklahoma City bombing and Timothy McVeigh (not McPhee). Well for your information, it was designated as terrorism. At first Americans believed it had to be Arabs. They were shocked to see it was their own. But that just goes to prove what I am saying right along: It doesn't mean West or Arab - it means that religious fundamentalism is the culprit. How can any human being kill another in the name of God? This is sick! God does not perpetuate killing! Man only uses that to defend his own sick mind no matter if it is McVeigh or Osama bin Laden. They both are definitely terrorists and who ever said that McVeigh was not? In America, he is labeled as a terrorist and he was executed for that crime about five years ago. Thanks for your comments - I encourage all students to blog their feelings and ideas about the issues. It is only through dialogue that people can begin to see the "other" as good and as human beings. In doing so, we will be less likely to misunderstand each other. This class is great! I love you all - keep up the good effort!
Hello all,
People tend to believe anything they see or hear out there in the world in an instant. They don't take the time to investigate the other side of an argument. I'm not saying that everyone does that but most of us do because of the great impact of other people's opinions on us and how they are expressed. A person could give a very convincing speech about one side of an argument and people could totally agree with him because of the way he speaks and the way he supports his beliefs. My topic is about how the media exaggerates immensely about something and make people believe what they want them to believe.
The media, and I am referring to the news media, sometimes frightens people. They have all those people who talk about the wars and show us graphic pictures of dead/injured people. People start to get scared about the world they are living in. My parents do not allow me to walk around my own house because they're scared I might get kidnapped by some weird looking guy wearing a ragged dishdasha with a turban on his head! They got scared because of all the kidnapping reported in the newspapers. It's okay to be cautious sometimes, but the fact that the news keeps making a big deal out of everything, people start to panic and they believe that the world is not a safe place anymore. Trust becomes rare.
The media creates conflict between the West and the Middle East. It's bad enough that us Arabs are considered to be terrorists to most Westerners, yet the media keeps showing us the works of Bin Ladin and not only that lunatic man but the ways in which they show us the on going war in Lebanon and other countries in peril. It is so exaggerated that Arabs and Westerners start to despise each other by what they see in the news.
The media overstresses on particular issues because their purpose is to make their audience interested but it's just creating more conflict than what we already have.
I hope you enjoyed my topic...
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
very nice topics so far! Kawther - you put forth some really thought-provoking ideas for us to consider....and just as Alaa had said the other day, the two sides - West and East focus on terrorism from two different mentalities. We really do have to train ourselves to seek the truth by peeling away the layers of confusion - the layers of lies that the media paints for us....I do believe that this course will encourage you all to take a stand to preserve the integrity of doing good research rather than to build our lives on total bias. Dr. Pamela
One of the issues in Kuwait that have really pricked at my skin for a long time is one that has, unfortunately, been widely and commonly neglected. That horrific issue is sexual harassment. Why is its existence and its repetitive occurrence completely and utterly ignored and even more sadly denied?
Hello everyone. I hope I find you in good health.
In approaching this sensitive issue, I am compelled to admit that I never really took it into proper consideration like we all should. Frankly, I did not even know what GM products were until Amal presented the problem at university. First and foremostly, I believe I am truthful to say that we can all be labeled as those that are oblivious to the escalaltion of GM products and their dire effect on the human body. Even when great strides are taken to lessen their threat, I do not believe we are getting anywhere. As I am taking a Biology course this semester, I can now understand why people address such issues. My professor finds it essential to the functioning of his class that he embedds an appreciation within his students for the study of Biology. I find it morose that no one is knowledgable about these topics and I consider myself to be one of them. I am exposed to these issues seeing as to how my parents are both in the medical field but I do not read more about them.
In regarding the way I feel about these products, I would have to say that they certainly do not entail good consequences. I am concerned with the fact that Kuwait has a stockpile of GM products but I feel that nothing can be done to rid us of them. Yes courses may be charted and plans outlined but can we really do anything to avoid their apparent danger? We would all like to see a world free of GM products but I believe it is far from being accomplished. This is winds down to economy and want people wish to eat. Humans are innately self-interested and will not become part of any endeavor if it does not spell their success and if it does not benefit them and serve their interests. Some may even require it to conform to their own beliefs.
As I have come to understand GM products, the notion that genes are inserted into foods to gain some added effect sickens me. It would be a rather good start if I was to stop eating them but what about the billions out there that do? In many other issues besides the maintainence of health, spreading awareness has not proved fruitful as people perform, eat, and drink the very things that will harm them. No one can deny that and I am sure everyone will agree with me on this point.
I would not basically want these products to be labelled but to be banned and again it is difficult in fact impossible to accomplish. But siche banning them seems to be out of the question, labelling them seems to be the best way to reduce risks.
The calamity caused by GM products has shifted to politics with the US banning them but it is undoubtedly have a huge effect on trade agreements and may arouse conflicts. I don't think it will turn into a full scale economic war but it can sever some aspects of economy. I hardly believe that GM products will be the driving force of destruction in Kuwait; that I attribute to obesity and the chains of fast food resteruants that seem multiply incessantly.
Personally, I cannot say I have never eaten GM products and now that I have been informed, I don't think that I shall ever stop eating them. Why? This is owing to the fact that these genes are present within foods that are indispensable to us such as tomatoes, potatoes, and what not. I may sound pessimistic but I find myself to be saying nothing but to truth but I sincerely hope for change. I will however think twice before picking up any fruit or vegetable. There is also the problem that such a few know about the potential hazard that GM products create that you cannot simply engage the storeowner or worker as to whether a certain food is a GM products. Theoretically, ending the produce and selling of GM porducts souns wonderful but we find that there is a obscure task ahead of us when we take it to the real world.
Thank you for presenting this very pertinent topic. It was very worthwhile responding to and is very enlightening. Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
February 22, 2007
Hello everyone. I have chosen to address a cultural issue and I hope it meets your approval and interest.
Our ever-changing world has endured much that has threatened its existence and which has affected generations physically and physiologically. We do acknowledge those that have pledged themselves to the welfare of this world and to its preservation however I would like to draw attention to a matter that is frightfully subtle and which has crept and nestled among us. I would sometimes hear my grandmother giving me a recollection of old times. She would describe how beautiful it all was. You would feel that you were really in an Arab society what with all the effort people put into conserving their culture. She used to say that she was cocooned in safety that is hard to find these days. At one point, she mentioned that people never closed their doors at night because of how secure it was and how trust was exchanged mutually between everyone. It is hard to believe but I know she is right. Then, just like any other elder, she would bash our languid generation and what it has come to be. I, of course, am not judgmental towards her views and rather agree with them. I believe that the elder generation lived what they "were". There is no other way to put it. Furthermore, I certainly do not find her lack of a school education a factor that makes me any better than she is.
We have a culture that is on the edge of extinction. Every political dilemma seems to find its root in our part of the world and has thus initiated a false reputation of oppression in our societies worldwide. The Middle East has been responsible for the contribution of information in a wide range of topics such as the arts, medicine, optics, mathematics, and so on and so forth and yet none of that ever comes to mind to others when the Middle East is mentioned. It is hardly their fault as that is attributed to the media which feeds them false information. That should hardly be a reason why we should forget who we are and conform to other practices and views. Moreover, I am not referring to technology; that I find to be a blessing when used for appropriate purposes. We can respect those who pertain to other cultures and be fascinated by their traditions and customs but does than mean we must abandon ours? Who is responsible? Has it come from within our societies? What steps can we take to restore our forgotten culture? What can be done to change the world's view of the Middle East however minimal the endeavor may be? I sincerely would like to know what the primary reason is behind this issue. After all, the beauty of the world rests within its diversity.
Thank you. I look forward to reading your answers to these questions. Take care and have a good break.
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
February 22, 2007
Its monday night and i, of course, finally decided to open my day planner up as i have discovered a layer of dust pilling over it through out the break. I came to realize..O crap! blogging was already due...5 days ago!! Then i recalled when i opened the site maybe 8 days ago and couldnt think of anything to write, then decided to procrastinate! But now as i sit and regret the fact that i threw my day planner to the side, i think of the many people that dont even use them. And it hits me how many more assigments would be turned in at our university if they were just used. And yes, even though i prove how unefficient they may be, by simply forgetting to blog, im convinced that they really work wonders. With the fast paced world we live in today, they make staying on task so much more easy. And for people like me, who lack memory completely, it definatly pays off!So for those who use day planners, check them! and for those who done, check into them! They really have quite a positive influence
In response to the question raised about raising children between the east and the west, im glad to say i have some first hand experience in this situation and would more more than willing to share my views.
I have spent most of my life being raised in the west, but that is not to say that my parents ever considered raising me with western values. Yes, there is a difference between the east and the west. One of the biggest differences being the attempt to raise your children happy or to raise your children for the better. To accomplish each one, there are many differneces. Culture is not as imporatnt in the west, as it has been a world that has been created for those who want to make thier own culture. And everyone around accepts this. But being raised in the east, you are taught to respect and follow your traditions and culture. Its not to be forgotten. Although this definatly has its pros of knowing your roots, its harder to make it by your teenage years with those incoming fears of peer preasure. Children in the east are raised in generally larger families and teach thier children to respect others within the household as well as the elders. You would rarely find someone in the eastern side of this world that would put thier grandmother or grandfather in a nursing home. But, as we all know, in america this is completely normal...'3ady' People are too worried about what is more convenient to make them happier.
In my personal opinion these people are trying to make happiness the end instead of the means to the end which is what it should be.
Jamila....its interesting to see how we are all influenced by our upbringing and our culture. Oddly, I never heard so much negative about the West until I moved to the Middle East. I think this is because we are all taught to believe that "our way" is the "best way" - so we discount how others live their lives. For instance, I was raised all my life in the states; however, I was definitely part of different cultures and my parents taught us their traditions. My father was Italian so we had the joy of knowing how to appreciate great Italian foods and cooking. My grandmother showed me how to use garlic in her sauce and how to make the best wedding soup. My mother's parents were from Poland and we had a whole wealth of tradition from them. Again, we learned how to cook all the polish sausages and to make cabbage rolls. My grandmother taught me how to dance the "polka" and we spent all our Christmas holidays between both sides of the family. I had over 45 cousins and we all loved our traditions. But when I hear some of you talk about the West having no tradition, I am shocked because we had the benefit of so many great traditions. Actually, maybe I am guilty too because I am sad that in Kuwait you cannot enjoy dancing and folk music as an art - what seems so normal to me. But in Kuwait there is a restriction on this. I also feel that there is so little as far as cultural stimulation. Where are the art galleries (yes there are a few small ones) and where can the kids go in this country? Do they only think of spray bottles and acting like children on Kuwait's national holidays? To the Westerner, this is very disgusting. Kuwait is such a great country and you have so much to be proud of - that it is sad to me to see it wasting away with such foolishness from its youth. So, as you can see - we do look at one another with some bias. It is not intentional but is part of our fabric. What I want to help teach all of you in this class is to be very open to your own biases. If you choose to keep them, that is your privilege. But at least be aware of them. Learning more about the "other" is very gratifying and we have so much to be thankful for - you are a great group of "thinking" students and I am proud of be part of your class. Have a good week! See you Wednesday. Dr. Pamela
Hello everyone,
Dr. Pamela, I beg to differ with some of the points you have touched on. In the Middle East, culture is not appreciated through dance and art. A society cannot be considered opressive if it imposes restrictions on dancing. The Arab world was known for it's contribution to a broad range of topics such as mathematics and the sciences as you of course know. Art was not what was generated in our societies. There may be some appreciation for art but not as much as in Europe or the United States. What truly characterized the Arab world was poetry. The Arabic language is a language of sensitivity is you will and was used to write the most beautiful poems. Our legacy is through our writing. That is what art is to us. In the Middle East, history is not enclosed in buildings for people to see. It is not something people are accustomed to here. You are right, there should be more museums but that is not the only place to get an idea about a nation's history. Kuwait might not be historic but the Middle Eastern region is and you can see it in people's eyes or in the places you go. Personally, I believe history to be intangible. You must feel it. As for dancing, it is not if importance here. We do have dancing but it is not as common as in the West. It is simply not something that reflects ourselves, ideologies, beliefs, and what not.
As for the juvenile behavior on National and Liberation Day, I wish to clarify that we all found it very disgusting. My mother told me that she had read in the newspaper that the police had confiscated the spray cans. You, I, and anyone who was driving may not have seen that happen. Also, the ministers had called for the punishment of those that imported them into Kuwait. I cannot explain why they act that way but I strongly dislike it. There are other ways to express joy but it is beyond me why they have chosen this one.
The question about the difference between raising children in the East and in the West has a simple answer. Most of the countries in the Middle East are facing recurrent wars, the recession of their economies, and depletion of their resources. The Gulf may be an exception but we must not forget that this area is politically active and so everything that happens affects the entire region and threatens it. Moreover, we are emotionally attached to nations that are constantly in plight. Children that are raised in these countries must face life's hardships most often alone. They have no direction in life and hence no life at all. On the other hand, children in the West are better off than children in East because of the overall stability, social welfare, and having strong governments. There is never an imminent threat of political wavering. In the East, that threat has been sewn into the fabric of everyday life. It is only common that a bomb should drop in Iraq and Palestine everyday. I'm not saying they enjoy it but they have learned to accept it bravely. Children in the West lead more productive and fruitful lives. Although some may address the difference of ideology or perspective, there is none more important than that of geography which directly affects anyone's way of thinking. The standard of living is the most fundamental difference between children in the East and West. Personally, I believe that there will always be a difference between those of different backgrounds. Children living in the West will not be subjected to the same things as in the East.
I do not think that the West is without tradition. On the contrary, I found it quaint how everyone in the US has ancestors that belong to a different country. Most people in the US are proud of their background and keep it alive and sometimes that causes me to question the American identity. What exactly is an American? How was "he" created? Is he a mixture of different ideals brought from other nations? Anyways, thank you for giving us the chance to respond to you Dr. Pamela. I hope I have not seemed to be lashing out; I only wished to provide truths. Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
March 2, 2007
Farah - your response is much appreciated. You, as all my students are expected to have a real voice in this class. I do not believe in sterile education where students simply and passively listen to the teacher's views and are expected to accept them. Education is a constant inquiry. I hope that for years beyond this class you all will remember that I had a goal to inspire you to think critically about what we do and say - and to realize that much of how we think is biased. We then have to decide if we want to embrace the bias. Is it serving some function for us to keep our thoughts on one course? Farah, I understand what you say about dance and art but my confusion comes in because I know that in Kuwait before the invasion, there was much dancing and singing in Kuwait. Afterward, it seemed that Kuwait stopped progressing in the arts. You are absolutely right when you say that poetry is the tradition of Arabs. Poetry has enjoyed a rich culture here in all Arab countries and it was only about 100 years ago that we began to see novels and other genres starting to develop in the Arab world. I do think there is a lot of history tied up in Middle Eastern architecture and now some Gulf countries are trying to preserve this because they too are understanding more about the value of art as being a method of preserving one's culture. I see the differences between West and East as quite interesting. I am always curious why people are not more intrigued about learning about one another. I surely am! I've loved my nine years of living in Kuwait and knowing some of the best people in the world. Of course, I am like most and am riddled with some bias too - this may stem from my Christian roots and my love for diversity and open-mindedness. Thanks for your voice!!!!!
Hello Everyone!
The west world and the Islamic world disagree in many issues in different fields. One of the conflicts that rise between westerners and Muslims is there agreement and disagreements of Darwin’s theories. The mijority of Muslims absolutely reject Darwin’s theory of human evolution (from being apes to becoming what they are today, Humans). Islam emphasize that God have created human beings and that the first humans are Adam and Eve. While the mijority of westerners believe that Darwin has presented logical explanations of the roots of humans. Westerners are teaching Darwin’s theories in school as fundamental science. But i must say that not all Westerners agree with Darwin's theories. I have decided to choose this topic for my final research. I will present both sides cases; I will approach this topic scientifically and logically. I will also consider different religions reactions to this matter.
What do you think girls about Darwin’s theories?
Do you think he has provided sufficient proof and reasoning to his theories?
My regards
Amal Tawakuli
Professor, Im sorry it took this long to get back to you in regards to the message i post of raising children. I want to emphasis my sincerest appologies for being very ignorant. You are right in one aspect, that many middle easterners look very negatively upont the west.And this is not the impression that i wanted to give. As i myself cannot stand studying here in kuwait and choose to go back to the US. Now, keep in mind that when i write, i dont only write on the behalf of an arab. I myself was raised in america most of my life. Even when i wasnt, i was in american schools. i do not take my comment back on how i said that people in america choose to be raised with happiness and many lack a certain culture. There are many people in the US who are like you as well with differnt and diverse backgrounds. And, the beauty of america is its rich diversity. But, as the newer generations come, they leave the past behind.As does any culture anywhere.But within the US there is no strong emphasis on one culture as there is in other countries. i also fimrly belive this to be a smaller city factor. I come from fort wayne indiana. Not too many people there realize that there is a world past america and this is much of my observation of the US. i will later post on my thoughts toward my research paper. Thanks
Jamila El-Dajani
S00001717
Hello Everyone!
In regards to Amal's question about Darwin’s theory of human evolution, not everyone has a religion and of course all religions differ from each other. This is why we cannot say whether this theory is right or wrong. I mean to say that if you ask a muslim, the answer you would probably get is that the theory is 100% wrong and Darwin was crazy to think of such a thing. But if you ask a person with no religion the same question, they may agree with his theory saying that this is the only logical explanation and so they believe it.
I have a Chinese friend who has no religion and when she was asked who she thought to be the creator of mankind (by my muslim friends) she replied: Nature. You could probably imagine what the reaction she got from them was but we shouldn't judge people for their beliefs. Who are we, muslims, to say that we are right in our beliefs? And who are Christians to say that they are right in what they believe? It all comes down to our religion. No one is "right" but everyone has their belief and of course everyone thinks of themself as being "right".
Dana Abdal
S00004328
Dana - what an awesome response! I am hoping to get more feedback from all of you regarding the postings. I appreciate your open-mindedness, Dana and the freedom you took to respond. The debate always exists, doesn't it? I'm happy to see that you are thinking about what we say and especially realizing how our backgrounds and our religion does determine much of what we believe. Good going! Dr. Pamela
Hello everyone,
Tradition is a form of beliefs or customs taught by one generation to the next. Culture is a pattern of human activity. Nowadays most people tend to neglect their cultures and traditions because of the influence of other countries, usually Western countries. It is obvious that we can see almost everyone in Kuwait wearing untraditional clothes that look like what people in the US would wear. Jeans? Leggings? V-neck T-shirts? Not only that, but they also look very well decorated and fancy looking, which makes them expensive because they come from high-brand stores such as Pull and Bear and Gucci. Those stores are from the West and Kuwait malls are full of them! it's evident that most countries have been influenced by the West and I'm just taking Kuwait as an example. I think we are influenced by the West an, because the West is more powerful than the Middle East politically and socially. They do have a voice and they do make themselves be heard. The US, apparently is the most powerful state in the world and therefore we follow THEIR cultures and traditions because they have become popular to us through media. We gradually start to become like them and eventually our own tradition and culture can no longer be passed to the next generation.
There are very few people who are immune to this influence and I hope that one day they could restore our culture and tradition.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Hello Everyone!
I would like to give my opinion in response to Amal's question on Darwins Theory and also in response to Dana's opinion of it. Well, nobody knows the truth behind Darwins Theory and everybody is entitled to their own opinion. However, people should not be judged in any way at all for what they believe in. Christian, Muslim Jewish or whatever. I think that I am able to relate to this concept of religion having being brought up by a Christian mother and a Muslim Father. Just like Dana said, everybody thinks they are right, this is what causes conflict. Religion is a huge cause of conflict throughout the world. If everyone just kept to themselves about their own religion then we would finally have peace!
Hello everyone:
I am so glad that my topic was found interesting by some of you. Yes I totally agree with both Lulu and Dana in that people have different opinions, beliefs and thoughts and that we should respect one another no matter who we are and what we believe in.
However, as I mentioned in my previous blog I will not focus on religion when searching and writing this research I will mostly try to build my argument logically and scientifically.
People must note that Darwin’s theories are basically theories. They were not proven to be Facts. There are some scientists who disagree with Darwin’s theories not because they are religious but simply because they found Darwin’s claims to be vulnerable, lacked explanations and found many examples and proofs that contradict his theories.
I will make sure after I complete my research and after it is corrected by Dr. Pamela to post it in this blog for class members to view and acknowledge a different perspective of this topic.
Best Regards
Amal Tawakuli
Good afternoon everyone,
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Amal's quite controversial topic. I would really like to see how everyone reacts to my thoughts. Of course, no one is obliged to accept them but I would like to see them questioned and challenged to provide a better understanding of this issue for all of us.
In joining this class and contributing to this online collaboration, I am sincerely attempting to walk around in the "other's" shoes – thinking, analyzing, and concluding matters in the very same way. As Dr. Pamela has stated in class, it is not perceived how pertinent this skill can be in reality especially when discussing an issue as sensitive as Darwin's theory. What we must first acknowledge is that religion should not be used as shield to protect us from different viewpoints. No matter what one may inform others to sway public opinion and to cause others to think a particular way in regards to his religion, the opposing side will always retaliate with their own beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, there is only one possible outcome – a stalemate. A war of words will ensue and plunge us deeper into ideological warfare. Each side is caught up in the argument of the other, constantly devising innovative ways to present a stronger point of view. Each side views its religion to be the seat of absolute truth when we know that there is no such thing. People are given what they want to hear and see.
In international relations, political tensions between nations are depicted on a much smaller scale in the game of chicken. The game basically includes two cars that are driving towards one another which could end in a head-on collision. To avoid serious injury, one of the drivers must "swerve" or back down and thus be humiliated as the "chicken". Just as in such issues, each side will hold on to their beliefs firmly and will refuse to back down. It is also true to say that even when a side knows that it is wrong, it will not admit defeat because the matter escalates into more than just winning but proving oneself to the "other". In Islam, the Theory of Evolution is objected and the reason for that objection is present within the Holy Quran. It is stated that humans were created in the best form distinguishing them from other life forms that do not possess the many qualities that humans do such as the brain. Adam and Eve, being the first humans created by God, (which is believed by Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) were not apes and did not demonstrate any signs that could have led us to believe in the presence of an animal-like nature. Therefore, Darwin's theory was met with opposition as many saw it to be offensive, aesthetic, and blasphemous. On the other hand, scientists do question the validity of his perception and have thus experimented to prove it. Personally, I believe that there is only one answer to this trying issue – there is none. So long as religion and science are intertwined, there will no be answer to the Theory of Evolution. But there will always be conflicting arguments, contradictory sources and documentations, and separate discernments of the truth.
In the Decent of Man, Darwin exhibits that humans and apes could have evolved from a common ancestor. There is no way to possibly know if that was ever true. Religion is based upon faith while science depends on logic, experimentation, and deductive reasoning. The problem with history before the invention of writing was that it was quickly lost. Because of this lack of knowledge, we will never know what the truth is and thus always harbor different beliefs. I do not think that Darwin had anticipated the impact that this theory would leave on the world. I do believe that there is no answer however because scientists have yet to take an initiative in performing several more tests to prove this theory, I would have to believe it to be false because we will not believe it until we have seen it with our very own eyes. There are some similarities between humans and apes as a result of behavioral observation. In Islam, those similarities have an explanation that I do not wish to elaborate on for fear that it may generate tense oppositions. That is another thing that religion has come to comprise; it has become so divided that even members of the same one think differently and have different elucidations of several events. Hence, I find that without more scientific findings, there will never be a concrete answer to the Theory of Evolution. Science has given us many answers in attempting to understand the world that still bewilders us to this very day. There are many questions left unanswered and riddles which are yet to be solved in this theory. All we can do is wait and see…
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
March 7, 2007
Hello,
I want to talk about veiling since I think I will be writing about it. I personally view veiling from a religious point. I believe Islam required it as it required many other things in our religion. I dont see it as a sign of oppression because Islam's intentions were the protection of women and praising them, nothing more. But people now tend to view the Hijab as everything except its real purpose.
I personally view it as a symbol of a religion. I dont think it is any different than Christians wearing the cross as a necklace or the Jews wearing thier little hats (I'm sorry, I dont know the proper name for them). Is the focus on veiling specifically because of political parties or events such as 911 or Bin Laden or are people truly concerned that Muslim women are oppressed or even forced into wearing the Hijab?
And if the Hijab was so bad, how come many Kuwaiti girls look absolutly gorgeous in it because they made it more of a fashion statement rather than a symbol of oppression.
What do you think?
Alaa Al-Zamel
# 3955
Hello,
In response to Alaa's question, yes veiling is indeed becoming more of a fashion statement rather than a symbol of oppression. But that is not to say that Kuwaiti women are only wearing it as a fashion statement, but also for their religious beliefs. Some Middle Eastern countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, force woman to veil and as some of those women do so against their will, I would think that they do not have a choice but to turn it into a fashion statement.
When I went to London last Summer, the way in which some people treated us there was out of the ordinary. Seeing my sister and aunt wearing a hijab made them treat us indifferently. This is why my answer to your question regarding why people focus on veiling, personally I think that it is due to events such as 9/11 and Bin Laden because up until recently, I do not recall having people in London acting this way. When I say "indifferently" i mean that, for example, taxi and bus drivers didn't stop for us when we wanted them to. After a hard working day, my aunt waited patiently for a taxi in order to get home but when she waved for a taxi he didn't stop. When an english woman next to her waved for a taxi he did stop! Fortunately for my aunt the woman who got the taxi to stop was extremely nice and not only did she offer to give my aunt a ride home but she even paied the taxi. My point is that not all people sterotyped us and treated us indifferently but we felt unwanted which wasn't the case a few years ago.
Of course, veiling was viewed as an oppression for as long as I could remember but as the years are passing by, people are creating new ways of viewing woman who wear the veil and it is becoming more of a political issue than a religious issue.
Dana Abdal
S00004328
As I have read so far, the last couple of blogs were about the controversy that has been ever-so-frequently been discussed in our society about veiling. True, that the West tends to look at it as a sign and label of opression, but the question is: is it really? Veiling in a sense of OBVIOUS opression is when the woman is coerced to cover up so other men don't look at her. However, it is also possible to say that it is opression in a sense of social and peer pressure to wear it in order to fit into the perfect label and clique of "the innocent virgin perfect muslim daughter" or "the perfect religious disciplining mother or wife." Does anyone agree? or Dissagree? Please feel free to criticise my random thought. Thank you.
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
Many people have written many intresting things through thier different topics, but ive noticed a common ground in each of them. Its the simple fact of how ignorant peole can be. Not only ingorant to other beliefs and ideas, but to thier own. In topics such as Darwins theory to veiling, everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. And who are we to judge who is right or wrong? As a muslim, and as all muslims should know, we are not in shoes to be judgmental for others. This is God's job. Simply any discussion within any topic may be controversial, but we need to open ourselves to understand eachother. In the Qoran is is written that God created the diversity amoung earth for us to get to know one another. This definatly leads to my topic for my research paper which is Bi-racial marriage between the middle east and the west. Although more recently people are more understanding, it i still a huge problem, especially amoung the arab culture. Im sure many girls in our class understand this prespective. Any takes?
Jamila
S00001717
I want to make a comment about "veiling" - let's think of the overall symbolic notion of veiling even before we consider any discussion about West vs East. First of all, when we think of "veiling" there is automatically a suggestion of "covering" something. Now, in symbolic terms this often tells us that we cover something to hide it. I wonder if some of the attitudes of women in the West derive from the symbolic suggestions even more so than the contemporary discussions of oppression. I was appalled today when reading my novel titled "The Swallows of Kabul" to hear the author, Yasmina Khadra writes in the voice of a female character named Zunaira. Zunaira resists the veil and specifically the "burqa" which is worn in Afghanistan. She claims that "it cancels my face and takes away my identity and turns me into an object." I was shocked to hear this from an Arab author. Of course, the author is really a male writing under a pseudonym which is also interesting. But I wonder if this truly reflects the attitude of most Afghani women or was this an exception? See, veiling is a debate even in the Arab world without any discussion of the West.
Hello Professor,
Here are my citations:
1. Editorial:
“Ignoring the Role of Women is Hindering the Arab World.” Editorial. San Antonio Express
News 25 August 2006.
2. Film:
Lawrence of Arabia. Dir. David Lean. Columbia, 1962.
3. Book: single author:
Porath, Yehoshua. In Search of Arab Unity. London: Frank Cass, 1986.
4. Reference book:
Russett, Bruce., Harvey Starr, and David Kinsella. World Politics: the Menu for Choice.
Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.
5. Signed newspaper article:
Shadid, Anthony. “Sunni-Shiite Conflicts Spread Through Arab World.” Washington Post 12
Feb. 2007: final ed.: 5A. final ed.: 6A.
It may look strange but it looks fine on MS Word with the indentation and all. I have tried to indent but I can't. If you would like, I can give you the Word document professor.Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
March 14, 2007
Sorry Professor I forget to write bonus points:
"BONUS POINTS".
Farah Al-Shamali - Bonus points
S00004165
March 14, 2007
Diwaniya
All men in Kuwait belong to a diwaniya or have their own diwaniya. The word finds its origins in the word diwan. The diwan was the office of the Amir where he met his subjects, listened to their problems and met members of the community to hold consultations with them.
Today's diwaniyas are a meeting place for men, where topics such as politics, business, the stock exchange etc are discussed. It is also a way of staying in touch with friends, exchanging ideas and keeping relationships alive in today's fast paced life.
Diwaniya is normally a large reception room within or outside the main house, with all facilities to make family or friends comfortable including tea and snacks.
The diwaniyas are a barometre of public opinion, a unique institution that has existed throughout the history of Kuwait.
dalal Al-armali
The Bedouin
The Bedouins were, and are known, for their hospitality, pride, honour, courage and endurance. Their precarious, wandering existence demanded these traits as they tended their camels, sheep and goats, protected their extended family and honoured tribal allegiances. The Bedu women wove the black tents in which they lived. These long and low tents were made of strips woven out of goat's hair or sheep's wool or a mixture of both. The Bedouin's livestock was also a mobile source of fresh meat. Besides livestock and dairy products, the woven items made by the women and known as 'sadu' work, were an important source of income.
don't you think that is niss to do every thing in your life by our self.
thnkyou for reading :)
dalal al-armali
Many people in Kuwait still believe superstition that came from our grandparents and the old days. I will tell you about three superstitions.
First of all, if there is some thing broken, it will prevent something bad from happening. For example, when I broke a glass in my grandmother house, I afraid that she shouts at me, but she just said its okay. You have bad thing, but the bad thing is broken.
In addition, there is something they call it the afternoon donkey “homart al gayla” that has human body and a donkey hade. Mothers in Kuwait tell their children, if “go out in the afternoon alone, it will come for you”.
Moreover, people in Kuwait they use to believe the eye. For example, if you said “wow you have a very nice car without saying” “mashaa Allah” they tell you say “mashaa Allah” because thy afraid of eye. If the car has something not good in it, they said that is from your eye.
In conclusion, people in Kuwait still believe superstition which it came from the past.
dalal al-armali
Hello everyone,
It would be much appreciated if you could comment on this issue:
The Arab community is always known to be divided and in incessant disagreement when dealing in matters of politics. In some respects, that is true. However, some have reason to believe that there is a possibility that Arabs may one day unite to gain their independence that was stripped from them. I intend to tackle this question in my research paper and I would like to see what your thoughts are on the matter.If you are a firm believer that Arab unity will never be achieved, attempt to forget that for a while and consider the other side.
- What factors unite Arabs?
- What diplomatic steps can Arabs take to resolve their issues?
If you insist on the assertion that they will never unite, would you be so kind as to explain why?
Thank you very much for your time.
Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
S00004165
March 16, 2007
Hello everyone,
Farah- I do not quite understand what your topic is about however, I think what you are trying to say is that Arabs do have the ability to unite as a nation. Aren't they already united? I'm sorry to say that I do not understand much of the political status of the Arabs today. Yet, it seems to me that there is a division, where half of the Arab world are having disagreements against each other, when the other half are doing just fine. For example, we had the civil war in Lebanon, which was a conflict between Arabs themselves. On the other hand, the Arab coutries are not very much united nor are they in a major disagreement with each other. Take Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as an example. These two coutries are perfectly fine being next to each other even when there is less activity going on between them.
In my opinion, I believe that Arabs do have the possibility to unite and to be a greater power through discussion and being more of an ally than just a neighbour.
I hope I helped you with your topic.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Hello,
My research topic is 'veiling' and I would like to hear some of your ideas on the opposition of my thesis statement:
In the past, many westerners considered veiled women as damsels in distress, but today, in light of the turmoil of war and terrorism, they regard the veil as a political statement.
Any general comments about my topic are welcome.
Thank you!
Dana Abdal
S00004328
Hello Everyone!
Dana- I think our topics are along the same lines. I do agree with you that in the past muslim women were perceived by the west as 'damsels in distress'. However a lot has changed nowadays. Veiling has been an important issue for concern, and is causing many problems worldwide. The West are looking at veiled muslim women as 'terrorists' and I'm not saying every single Western person believes that! But, muslim women are facing many difficulties these days. For example, muslim girls in France who attend public schools are no longer allowed to wear their head scarves and many have been expelled from schools. As the French president Jacque Chirac said that "the wearing of religious symbols threatened the cohesion of the French people and France's separation of church and state" This is one example that muslims all over the world are facing difficuties for wearing the veil.
lulu boushahri
s00003772
Hello Everyone! I hope all of you are enjoying the weekend so far!
Lulu- In response to your comments about the veiling and how it is perceived on a global point of view, I would like to add a little more to that subject. Like you have mentioned above, the French president Jacque Chirac said that "the wearing of religious symbols threatened the cohesion of the French people and France's separation of church and state." Not that it is my opinion, but I thought of this possibility when discussing this topic with a colleague of mine: could it possibly be that the banning wearing religious symbols (i.e. the veil) and it being frowned upon is because to not have those women attract any attention and be harmed by those who are less knowledgeable and intellectual; those who are ignorant. Maybe, just maybe, it is because women wearing the veil are seen as "terrorists," that the French government would like to avoid this violence and prejudice to the fullest within its society.
Just a thought.
Dalal Alsharhan
S00001967
I acutally am keeping this breif. I cant have much input on my topic of biracial marriages because i honestly cant find much good research. Thats what i wanna ask you guys about. If there is any kind of source that anyone would know about please let me know. Im having alot of trouble finding proper sources such as books or journals. I also cant find much online. Most of the papers written are about biracial marriages as in black african americans and white americans. So please let me know if you guys know of anything. Thanks!!
Jamila
S00001717
Jamila, the research about black/while biracial children is fine to use. Your research can show that the general acceptance of children to these marriages is difficult. Biracial means any two races so you don't necessarily have to focus on Arab/American. However, in addition to good research, you could interview some people you know who are biracial and get a composite of their ideas. Good Luck.
As for the topic of veiling, I hope I did not make a mistake by approving so many theses for this topic. I want you girls to explore many corners for research. Your topics need to be significantly different if you are using "veiling" - so be careful on this. I need to see your twist on this issue. Also, do not make too many assumptions. I keep hearing that the West looks at veiled women as terrorists and this is very untrue. Perhaps there are some but that is not enough to build an argument. Try to find a positive twist too. I may have wanted to show how veiled women are also highly educated, success-oriented, manage and own companies, have entered politics - much to the surprize of some Western thinkers.
Again, good luck!
Jamila - I want to make clear what I said earlier. Your thesis can be related to Arab/American children of biracial marriages - supported by interviews and some local research; however, the global picture on biracial marriages can be gleaned from the general research on this topic no matter what the race.
Hello everyone:
I had a really bad day today. I am ill and I was busy all day doing my assignment and corrections. I have just completed the work. I almost forgot to blog but thank God I remembered but I am 1 hour late.
There are a lot of cases that occurred in the last few years that relate to freedom of speech in the West. Do you girls think the West is using double standards when it comes to freedom of speech? Meaning they allow absolute freedom in some areas and strict limitations and censorship in other areas? Can anyone give an example?
Should freedom of speech be regulated? Some might exploit this freedom to harm or offend others. But people are entitled to have a say and express their thoughts, opinion and beliefs and they should be given the freedom to do so. I believe freedom of speech is necessary as long as it does not insult any members of the society and as long as it does not have damaging consequences. I totally refuse using double standards when it comes to freedom of speech. If there is an absolute freedom of speech then it should be applied in all areas and on all people.
Regards
Amal Tawakuli
Hello everyone. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.
The topic of the veil seems to be incessantly discussed therefore seeing as to how I am the only veiled one in class, I would think that my input would matter.
When Allah called for women to veil more than a thousand years ago, we had never expected that it would turn into a heated debate that dictates foreign policy. Never did we suppose that it would kindle tension and abhorrence among nations. Veiling is viewed as a sign of oppression from the West however all the legitimate reason as to why they do see it that way will culminate to one single conclusion: it is nothing more than ignorance. People do not have the right to deem the practices, or in this case tangible elements, of a society, hash and repressive. We may think it is valid but it is an infringement on the mutual respect we hold for one another. I will not deny that some Westerners are greatly informed on the hijab and do not diverge into politics when referring to it. If we were to carefully analyze the allegations that the West would offer in defense of their claims, there is always a possible chance of retaliation and clarification. For example, the veil is perceived as a sign of manifestation of patriarchal dominance. I would ask people who seem to not only suggest but assert these statements: how did you figure that out? How can a piece of cloth instigate male supremacy? As you can see, the questions clearly speak for themselves and the weaknesses in the argument are rapidly revealed. I believe the reason why Muslim women are viewed in this way is owing to the terrorist attacks that have been largely associated with Muslims. We cannot blame Westerners for feeling the way they do but it has cost us the respect of the global community towards us. We are guilty by association and it is going to take more than sermons, lectures, and debates to disentangle the matter. As much as I attempt to locate any oppressive factors of the veil, I simple cannot and it has nothing to do with being a Muslim women. I take the position of the “other” and look at it through their eyes. What is so wrong? Why has it sparked global opposition? As to all the talk about whether Muslim women have the choice of wearing the hijab, I am here to say that they do. Allah did not come upon women forcing them to wear the hijab at an early age. Each sect of Islam has something to say about that issue and personally, in my own sect, a girl should be wearing her hijab by the age of 15. Is that a symbol of backwardness? Muslim women can be nonchalant and carefree about the hijab but in the end IT IS AN OBLIGATION. They should not wear the veil until they are FULLY CONVINCED and only then should they wear the hijab. But that does not mean that they should use that as an excuse and hold off wearing the hijab to when they are 50. That is called being stubborn and taking matters for what they aren’t. When I look at how Muslim women are treated in countries like France or the UK, I pity these women for being victims of ignorance. I do not blame the West for thinking this way but rather blame myself, my country, my people for not clarifying matters. Due to that, the West had to draw its own conclusion and naturally they would be wrong. I also blame our societies for readily taking all Westerners as ignorant about the matter. That is simply not true for some know more about it than we do due to research. To recall an incident that I have been through in relation to the veil, I had traveled with my family to Budapest, Hungary approximately 2 years ago. Whenever I would walk out into the street, I would be bombarded by stares wherever I went. Now I of course expected it but certainly not in this degree. I really felt like Harry Potter only they were not too keen on making my acquaintance and I knew that they found the veil quite odd.
Dana, I do not get what you said about Muslim women wearing a veil being damsels in distress. I do not understand how you can perceive the veil as initiating a sense of helplessness that therefore causes women to seek help. I assure that is entirely not the case. That cliché does not apply to Muslim women. You should say the notion of veiling was accepted by the global community before the terrorist attacks. By saying they are damsels in distress; you are not really differentiating between their situation before and after the beginning of the war on terrorism. What I understand from it is that Muslim women have cried for help as damsels in distress do that. Muslim women never were and never are in distress. I’m sure you know that.
I wish you all the best of luck with this and I hope you have found my comment beneficial. Take care and see you all very soon.
Farah Al-Shamali
March 23, 2007
S00004165
Hello Dr. Pamela,
Referring to the book you have read, I have found in many book actually that women tend to challenge the hijab but I just can't understand why. Is it all for the media? Is challenging a deep-rooted practice considered good in the West? I do not know and would like your opinion on the matter. Furthermore, I once read an essay written by an Iranian student about the hijab and I believed the title to clearly express her opinion – Shrouded in Contradiction. Gelareh Asayesh grew up in Iran before moving to Florida. She talks about growing up in Tehran and recalling an incident he saw concerning two Iranian women. Here is the excerpt:
“Sister, what kind of get-up is this?” a woman in black, one of a pair, asks me one summer day on the Caspian shore. I am standing in line to ride a gondola up a mountain, where I’ll savor some ice cream along with vistas of sea and forest. Women in chadors [long black covering] sand wilting in the heat, faces gleaming with sweat. Women in makeup and clunky heels wear knee-length jackets with pants, their hair daringly exposed beneath sheer scarves.
None have been more daring that I. I’ve wound my scarf into a turban, leaving my neck bare to the breeze. The woman in black are a government employee paid to police public morals. “Fix your scarf at once!” she snaps.
“But I’m hot,” I say.
“You’re hot?” she exclaims. “Don’t you think we all are?”
I start unwinding my makeshift turban. “The men aren’t hot,” I mutter.
Her companion looks at me in shocked reproach. “Sister, this isn’t about men and women,” she says, shaking her head. “This is about Islam.”
Professor, I would like to know what you think of this dialogue. I see it as rather exaggerated. I know I cannot say that unless I’ve been to Iran and I have. Women were not treated in that way at least it wasn’t what I saw. What people fail to understand is that in Iran the hijab is enforced which is wrong which Islam isn’t as the women stated in the excerpt. Therefore, my mother had explained to me that the veil in Iran is simply a way of what we call “sitir” in Arabic meaning to protect oneself from harm. My family knows an Iranian family and one of the women’s hijab always fell to her shoulders and she would always calmly put it back on. Of course there are many things I do not know and it is not my place to state what I am not sure of. Thank you and I hope to read a response from you soon.
Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
March 23, 2007
S00004165
Hello everyone:
I am sure most of you are familiar with my topic since we have discussed before.
This is my thesis
While many suggest that there is sufficient reasoning and strong support that backup Darwin’s theories, others find Darwin’s theories vulnerable; they consist of scientific and logical flaws, leaving many points unexplained and vague. In my research I will try to convince Darwin's supporters of his theories' vulnerability by refuting the theories and presenting their flaws.
(Note to Dr. Pamela: I have made some modifications to the thesis to reduce it’s size)
My questions to you girls are:
1- Do you know what Darwin is proposing in his theories?
2- Do you support the theories or are you against them?
3- Do you know of any evidence that could support Darwin's theories or that could refute them?
If you have some other comments, please feel free to express them.
Best regards
Amal Tawakuli
S00002622
Hey guys, this is my thesis statement, let me know what you guys think. I would really like to hear some input on what you guys have. For some reason im having some seriouse difficulty with this paper.I cant get my word together properly.
“O people, we have created you from a male and a female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous of you” (49:13)”-Quran. As important at it may be, not only in Islam for people to get together, it is not always looked highly upon by many cultures. Although many may try to maintain their traditions and culture, it is inevitable in today’s society to be diversified and not find yourself learning and accepting other aspects of other people’s societies. Marriage has always been a difficulty when two people of completely different races come together. There are many benefits to be being brought together with people of different ideas, but there are also negative aspects. And, although many Arabs may become racist when it comes to this aspect, they should look back into their religion and get to know each other as it says. I will be talking about the advantages and disadvantages of being raised in a home of Middle Eastern and Western background. Biracial marriages create much confusion in a child's identity through culture conflicts and loss of traditional activity as is evident in Arab and American marriages.
Questions for you guys:
1. Are any of you biracial?
2. Do you think that it would be confusing to your identity if you were biracial?
3. How do you guys feel about marrying a guy from a different race. exmpl..kuwaiti to a non kuwaiti man...
While Amal was freaking out about forgetting to blog, I forgot. Even though it is way too late I'm going to submit it anyway.
I asked around about what people think about the Islamic veil, they all say its mainly because its placed upon muslim women. They say it creates a sense of diffrentation between males and females. Do they not consider that males also have regulations on what they wear? Even though the males regulations arent as strict as the women's, men also choose to abide or not abide by them. I myself dont wear a veil, but I highly respect women that do and in the right way of course. I think everyone should respect it because they are proud to be muslims and are showing it to the world.
thank you
-sorry its late
Alaa AlZamel
Thesis: Just like the Christian cross and the Jewish yamaka, the Islamic veil is another sign of religious beliefs rather than oppression as assumed by many Westerners.
Questions:
1. considering the veil is only placed amongst muslim women therefore is it a sign of oppresion, the Jewish yamaka is only placed upon men. Are Jewish men oppressed? Or is the whole fuss about the veil political?
2. Does the veil, in your point of view, symbolize religion or other political, fashion, cultural symbols?
3. Do you, Arabs, think the veil is a sign of oppresion? Being people that lived with it and know, it usually means you understand it a bit more. So what do you think of the veil?
4. Because the veil is a religious issue, should we question what god intended us to do because of the westernizing of the world?
Jameela, I'm not biracial, but I wouldnt marry a non-kuwaiti for several reeasons.
1. Different cultures require a lot of compromise between traditions and values. I myself am very stubborn when it comes to my culture, family, and tradition. I wouldnt want to change any of it for anyone.
2.In the Kuwaiti society it isnt very acceptable. We have this theory of "whats wrong with the kuwaiti men/women? why marry a foreigner?" People that marry foreigners are frowned upon.
3. I myself enjoy being accepted in society. I like going by the norms, I dont go out of my way to be different. So why go through the hassle? Plus my dad isnt very understanding when it comes to this issue in particular.
loved the topic!
Thesis: Although many Westerners consider the veiled Eastern woman as a sign of oppression, in reality, the veil has become a significant identity symbol that has many positive attributes.
1. Do you think that veiled women have the ability to be equal to the men and to gain a strong political and social power?
2. How does the veil give the womana significant identity? Or do you think that it covers her identity?
3. Can you name any positive qualities of a veil?
Thank you
Kawther A. Sadeq
My cell phone was ringing non-stop, the smell of the traffic and truck diesel was making me nauseous, and my impatience did not make things any more jovial. I was on my way to meet my mother and my aunts at Al-Salhiya Complex in the city and the timing could not be better for a traffic jam. It was Friday, ergo meaning that all the household workers were on holiday and were being herded like sheep by police officers near the Sheraton round-about, which by the way happens to be the most aggravating round-about in all of Kuwait. Trying to soothe my frustration, I selected my iPod to my Tchaikovsky play list and practiced some of my yoga breathing exercises, that is of course until I realized I was still in the middle of traffic and I was deeply breathing in the smell of bus fuel. Finally, after almost forty-five minutes of mere torture, I arrived at the end of the round-about and towards a, finally, open space. As I started zooming down the road, I spotted what looked like an underprivileged Indian couple with three very young children and they looked like they were waiting for an extremely long time to try and cross the street. Despite all of my frustration, impatience and my still-nagging phone, I brought my bolting Mini Cooper to a complete stop and signaled for the overjoyed yet surprised couple to go ahead and cross the street. All of a sudden, I realized that at that moment all my displeasures disappeared and the only thing I felt was merciful and satisfied, just by looking at those cute little brown-faced children smile cheerfully and gratefully like they don’t have a care in the world. And then, the couple’s smile of gratitude reached into me and, not to be so self-absorbed, but they made me feel like a hero who had just saved their family. At that moment, all the traffic, all the nauseating fumes and the anger, were drained away with a smile of gratitude.
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
Thesis: In the past, many Westerners considered veiled women as damsels in distress, but today, in light of the turmoil of war and terrorism, they regard the veil as a political statement.
Just to clarify my thesis, I am talking about how the ways in which people view the veil have changed after events such as September 11th.
Questions:
1. Do you agree that Westerners view the veil differently after terrorist attacks?
2. Why do you think the veil is a big issue when it is simply a religious symbol just like many others such as the cross?
3. Do you think that Muslims are a reason for the ignorance of Westerners towards the veil, because we have failed to clarify the reasons behind the veil to them?
Any other comments that can help me with my topic will be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Kay: The veil gives identity to the woman. She is expressing what she believes to the world. She is proud of who she is and what the veil represents so she wants to show it to the world.
Also, the veil has many qualities such as being a great symbol of our religion. It is also a sheild from many thigs. Primarily, if your wearing the veil in the correct way, you wont be bothered by the many annoying teenagers around you.
Dana: I think the west started viewing the veil in general after 9/11. I dont think they had pinpointed a million misleading meanings to the veil before the 9/11 attacks. Politics gets in the middle of everything. Who ever thought that an innocent religous symbol of protection would make people think women are oppressed?
In response to Jamila, no I am not biracial but I dont think it would be confusing to my identity if i was. On the contrary, someone who is biracial would have the advantage of being more open-minded towards both his/her races as that person would have grown up with the understanding of two different societies.
In regards to your third question, no i would not consider marrying a man from a different race but only because of our society: In kuwait, If the man is not Kuwaiti then the children will be treated as foreigners. The main issue though, is the one that Ala'a has stated about it not being acceptable in the Kuwaiti society.
Love your topic by the way. GOOD LUCK!!
Dana Abdal
S00004328
Alaa - I think the whole fuss about the veil is actually political, because i do not recall having Westerners point out the veil as much as they do nowadays. There is so much going on in regards to the veil in countries other than the Middle East; for example, in France, they are banning head scarves from being worn in schools.
In my point of veiw, the veil symbolizes religion but looking at how it is being worn today, it looks more like a fashion statement rather than a religious symbol.
In addition, i do not see the veil as a sign of oppresion. On the contrary,(This can help you too Kawther with the third question you asked) it allows women who wear it to be free from being looked at by men for what they appear to be rather than their true personalities (what's on the inside) and be treated with respect.
As for your final question: of course we shouldn't question what god intended us to do because of the Westernizing of the world because if everyone in the world questioned their beliefs due to some other society's opinions, then we will end up with nothing to believe in!
Dana Abdal
S00004328
Hello Everyone! Hope all of you are enjoying your week so far! I know that lately everybody around campus is going crazy waiting for spring break =D
Well anyways, this is my topic & thesis:
TOPIC: "Moral Values V.S. Social Obligations in the Middle East and the West"
THESIS STATEMENT: Social obligations tend to influence many decisions made in the Middle East regardless of one's religious affiliation or moral values; however, the experience of making personal choices such is common with Westerners, contributes to one's growth as an individual.
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
hello everyone, ok i havent blogged before because i have no idea how blogging works but hey im a fast learner it took me 3 days to learn how to work this out :p
ok so my thesis is:
Diwaniyas in Kuwait are a double-edged sword that represent both a positive and negative social reality; as a result, Westerners that are familiar with the diwaniya concept often think that they are just a place for men to escape responsibilities, when actually diwaniyas have more advantages than disadvantages.
1. Does anyone know any books or references on the Diwaniya and its affects on the Kuwaiti society, because the ones i found from the library talk briefly and generally bout the Diwaniya.
2. Why do you think the diwaniya is important, to us kuwaities? And What makes it so important?
3. Arent Diwaniyas like Unions in the United States, or organisations for certain people? because unions help out fellow 'members' in the union?
4. If youre not Kuwaiti, do men in your country have something similar to diwaniyas? And how important are they?
thank you very much and ill try to answer your questions too :)
Hello Again!
DANA: I have answered your questions below:
1. Do you agree that Westerners view the veil differently after terrorist attacks?
Of course Westerners view the veil differently after the September 11 attacks; who wouldn't? These terrorist claimed that they are fighting for religion, and the veil is a symbol of belonging to that particular religion. What are they going to think? Of course, some Westerners are either going to panic, prejudge or hate on that woman who wears it. The painful viewpoint of the veil and Islam stereotype tends to spread out like venom in the veins of the Western people all around the world. Who's to blame? It is those terrorist who call themselves "men of God" who are to blame for the corruption and distortion of Islam.
2. Why do you think the veil is a big issue when it is simply a religious symbol just like many others such as the cross?
Mentioned above.
PLUS, Cross-wearing Christians were not known for blowing people up in planes for the sake of their religion.
3. Do you think that Muslims are a reason for the ignorance of Westerners towards the veil, because we have failed to clarify the reasons behind the veil to them?
No, I do not think that the reasons behind the veil need to be clarified any further, and that is because I believe that it is obvious that the veil is an Islamic symbol. Muslims are not responsible for the ignorance of Westerners toward the veil. We know all about Christianity and Judaism, but they didn't have to TEACH us or CLARIFY anything to us, we learned for ourselves, and they should do the same.
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
Hussa! I answered some of your questions!
1. Does anyone know any books or references on the Diwaniya and its affects on the Kuwaiti society, because the ones i found from the library talk briefly and generally bout the Diwaniya.
Sorry, no I do not know of any books on Diwaniya.
2. Why do you think the diwaniya is important, to us kuwaities? And What makes it so important?
Diwaniya is considered as something important to Kuwaitis because it is a part of their culture and it has been practiced for hundreds of years before. Another reason why some Kuwaiti men may think it is important is because it gives them a time of the day when they could all just relax and socialize.
3. Arent Diwaniyas like Unions in the United States, or organisations for certain people? because unions help out fellow 'members' in the union?
No, I do not think that Diwaniyas are similar to organizations because they do not accept anyone or everyone, and it is for men only, whereas most organizations are open to the public.
4. If youre not Kuwaiti, do men in your country have something similar to diwaniyas? And how important are they?
I am Kuwaiti! "Ana Kuwaitiya!!"
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
Hello Everyone!
I would like to pose just a couple of questions to pick at your brain while gaining knowledge for my research! Sweet! aren't I? However, the good news is, is that i think you will find these questions quite interesting! And i HIGHLY encourage all of you to answer (if only briefly) the questions.
1. Would you rather protect your reputation (and act like everyone else)? Or act according to your beliefs (no matter what anyone says)?
2. Why?
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
hey dalal i love your question!
i for one believe that everyone is free to do what they want if its not hurting anyone else, and thats how i try to live my life but then again since Kuwait is a small country and a very well i dunno 'judgemental?' society, i try to blend in but i wouldnt be hypocitical about it..for example, if someone asked me about something that i believe in and i know that they dont, i wont be hypocritical about it and criticise it i would actually tell them how i truely believe.
A great example here would be girls and smoking. and how its seen as 'taboo' but then again alot of girls do it.. you know what i mean? i hope u do cuz im dead tired and i think you lost me hehe if u dont get it,tell me
Hussa: Diwaneya's are extremely important. I think diwaneya's are a great place for men. They go there after a long day, relax with their family and friends. It also provides some free time for their wives!
Dalal: I'de rather balance between the two. What I believe in usually is common with our society, there are a few areas though that arent very well integrated in society yet. I dont hide them, I'm just not as open about them with people I know are going to have a hard time accepting them. But if they ask me about them, I wont lie because I dont think I'm doing anything wrong.
hello everyone!
here is my thesis:
In the past, veiled women in the Muslim world were perceived by Westerners as simply passive human beings in a male-dominated society; however, these days veiled women are increasingly known to be well-educated productive models of society that are helping to change the negative attitude towards them.
1.can anyone help give me an example of a well-educated muslim women who is a productive model of society?
2.is there a difference in the muslim world nowadays seeing that women have more rights? and is it for better or for worse?
dana
i can help by answering some of your questions for you.
1.along with everybody else, i believe that westerners do view the veil differently after terrorist attacks, mostly because the hijackers were 'muslims'. im not saying that every single westerner believes that when they see a veiled women but in the west the general views on veiled muslim women are negative.
2. even though the veil is a religious symbol just like the christian cross, many people find the veil to be extremeley suspicious, especially the ones that cover the entire body along with the face, the 'burka'. i am able to add to that because in an article i read recently a man dressed as a muslim women wore a burka to fool the british police and he was infact a terror suspect who escaped! i can give you the article if you want!
hope that helped :)
jamila
in response to your questions
no i am not biracial and i dont believe that it would be confusing to a persons identity if they were from different cultures. for example my mother is english and my father is kuwaiti therefore i have grown up learning about BOTH cultures, even though i have lived in kuwait most of my life, i still celebrate all the christian holidays like christmas and easter aswell because my mother does. and i also celebrate eid and ramadhan because my dad does! it is interesting to be raised by two different cultures because you grow up having different views and being slightly more open minded. and i wouldnt have a problem marrying someone from a different culture and i think that people who have been raised from two cultures will find it easier to marry people from different cultures. even though im not sure that my dad would agree with this but he did marry a foreigner, but hes a man and that does make a HUGE difference in kuwait!
hope that helped. :)
Lulu:
How are you? I hope all is well with your studies and your research paper. I am going to answer your questions and so I hope that my answers will be accommodating to your research.
1. Can anyone help give me an example of well-educated Muslim women who is a productive model of society?
To tell you the truth, no I cannot, and this is just me. But do you know why? Because these well-educated Muslim women that you see and interact with on a daily basis are not given the appropriate praise that they aught to, nor do they receive the kind of opportunities and recognition for their works as men do. Why? You may ask, well that is a question I do not have the answer to.
2. Is there a difference in the Muslim world nowadays seeing that women have more rights? And is it for better or for worse?
If there is a difference in the Muslim world today because the women have more rights, it is not as noticeable as it should be (unless we are talking about Kuwait), but Kuwait does not represent a majority of the Muslim nation and it certainly does not represent the AVERAGE Muslim nation.
Dalal F. Alsharhan
S00001967
Lulu: There are many muslim women who have their rights and are very influencail in the world. In kuwait specifically you can look at woman activists such as Shaikha Al-Nusif and Lolwah Al-Mulla. In the middle east, maybe you can consider princess Rania. I think people who are excersising their rights are becoming more influencial by the minute. But, most women dont feel like going through the hassle to get something, so they still seem rightless.
dalal
Hi Alaa In my opinion, before we talk about the women right in Kuwait or in the Arab world and in united state or in the west we should but in our mind when did Kuwait has been independent and when the united state independent date, what I mien is we can not do in years what they do in centuries.
dalal al-armali
Hi
Dalal I rather act according to my beliefs but with out disturbed other people and not against my religion because I’m not living alone in this world so I have to respect other people, for example women rights some people in Kuwait are against women right and some of them are with it. I believe in women right so I can’t said for people who against it that I against it to!!! But I will tell them my point of view and respect their point of view.
Dalal al-armali
hi:)
this is my thesis:
Although some Middle Eastern families are concerned about the negative influences that are embraced by their children who seek higher education in the Western world, some Western ideas may actually enable these students to improve the standards of doing business while building a stronger commitment to serve their countries after they return.
*can you give me some site or soures that help me in my resarch paper?
dalal al-armali
hi
if you want to know your Body mass index to determin your "fatness, thinness or Ok ness"
BMI= WEIGHT IN Kgs
______________
height in m
if
less than 15 emaciated
15-19 underweight
19-25 avrage
25-27 overweight
27-30 overweight with risk
30-40 overweight with high risk
40+ morbidly obese.
i read it in health and fitness book and i like to share itwith you :)
dalal al-aramli
Wow, so i just wrote something really long and it just got completely deleted! that is the most frustrating feeling in the world!!!GRRR...anyway moving along..trying to rethink now.
Vieling-to lulu- Look into the causes of bad reputation of the viel and islam. The media is unbelivably influential and i personally belive that this is where most of peoples knowledge comes from. Not that cnn should be credible as a source, but it is well respected and listend to. Also, its not like arabs are taking any initative to correct this misconceptions. We have terrible PR..So check out the media aspect.
As for the topic of diweniyas. i think by dalal. Do a couple of interviews. They might help you out. I know it may be hard to find some good research. Our library is still new and lacking many good books..Also considering the fact that many books are banned from the country.
use these ideas now, i will blog again later because im sooo irritated i lost all my writting :(
---i know u guys will understand!
Dala, ok first off, i tired that height weight thing, and it showed 43 which makes me morbidly obese!! i know i have a lil belly, but im definately not morbidly obese!
ok now as far as your paper an thesis of arabs studying in the west. Do you ever think that if they were taught the right morals and values from the start then they wouldnt be so 'corrupted'. I know people that go to the states and behave better than ever. I mean, hey i came to kuwait and my behavior is far worse than i ever acted in the states!! So we really cant always blame being a way from the root culture as a bad thing...
Jamila El-Dajani
Hello everyone!
Thesis: Although many Westerners consider the veiled Eastern woman as a sign of oppression, in reality, the veil has become a significant identity symbol that has many positive attributes.
1. Do you think that veiled women have the ability to be equal to the men and to gain a strong political and social power?
2. How does the veil give the woman a significant identity? Or do you think that it covers her identity?
3. Can you name any positive qualities of a veil?
This is my response to Kawther A. Sadeq to your questions:
1-I don’t see why the veil should prevent women from gaining strong political position or influence and have an effective role in society unless the community is preventing veiled women from doing so. The veil is not an obstacle and does not prevent women physically and intellectually from achieving their ambitions. Living examples prove that a Muslim woman wearing the hijaab could succeed and reach the highest levels of education and career positions. I am sure you girls know many examples.
2-We Muslims are proud of whom we are and I believe the veil is the perfect way to show our pride. The veil does cover the physical appearance of women to some extent but at the same time it enforces the appearance of women’s personality and intelligence. Leaving no chance for anyone to judge them based on their looks and physical shape.
3-I think I have mentioned some when responding to question 2. The veil is a sign of modesty and simplicity. It diverts women from seeking for superficial physical appearance and helps them in valuing decency and moral values over the attractions of materialism.
Amal Tawakuli
S00002622
Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing fine.
My thesis is as follows:
Due to the growing influence of the media, many stereotypical allegations have been made about the perception of Arab unity, mainly owing to the Arab-Israeli conflict and more recently the Sunni/Shi’a conflict in Lebanon; however, the dominant language, culture, and history of the region have strengthened many Arabs who are determined to make necessary changes.
I will be looking at the factors that may unite Arabs in the future. Although people say there is no hope that Arabs will ever unite, this thesis statement does.
Questions:
1.What can be said of the current conflicts occurring in the Middle East? Although they are negative, can they be considered positive in regards to the cooperation of Arab states and their unification against the aggressor?
2.Which seems more hypocritical – the media networks in the Middle East or the West? Which perceives the situation in the Middle East the best?
3.Many find that one thing that may prosper the Arab World would be to give Shi’a their deprived rights as they are gaining political power in the Middle East. Do you think it would make a difference?
4.The status of women is a reason behind the deterioration of the Middle East however subtle it may be. Would solving it put us on the road to progress?
5.Is the West correct in assuming or even asserting that Arab states will never unite? Why or why not?
Thank you.
Farah Al-Shamali
March 29, 2007
S00004165
Answers to Amal’s questions:
1- Do you know what Darwin is proposing in his theories?
In his theories, Darwin is proposing the theory of evolution which states that humans and animals have come from the same ancestral background. He also speaks of how man evolved over time. Darwin also discusses natural selection – that not every species will survive.
2- Do you support the theories or are you against them?
I would be lying if I say that I am with them but also to say that I am against them. Honestly, I am waiting for the evidence that scientists say they will acquire due to extensive research and experimentation. Overall, I do disagree with it because it is essentially not how man was created according to many religions, not only Islam. However, I do take the scientific part into consideration and would not reject any new logical finding on the matter.
3- Do you know of any evidence that could support Darwin's theories or that could refute them?
Evidence that supports Darwin’s theories: similar characteristics shared between humans and members of the ape family.
Evidence that refutes Darwin’s theories: religious writings (in which Adam and Eve were created by God and did not evolve from being apes). In the Quran, there are statements such as humans were created in the “best form and were blessed with the gift of the brain.
P.S.: Professor, the time may say 7:00 but believe me it is really 6:00. I’ve checked with all the clocks and watches I have. There is something wrong with the timing in the website. Thank you. :)
Answers to Ala’a’s questions:
1. Considering the veil is only placed amongst Muslim women therefore is it a sign of oppression, the Jewish yamaka is only placed upon men. Are Jewish men oppressed? Or is the whole fuss about the veil political?
I would definitely find the fuss about the veil political. Deep down, people that think the veil is oppressive know it isn’t. It is just another way to stab the Middle East which is perceived as a home of terrorists. Not everyone thinks that of course and I greatly respect them. Islam has largely been considered a religion and ideology of hate and subjugation and so criticizing the veil is only a part of Islam that people wish to find invalid in Islam.
2. Does the veil, in your point of view, symbolize religion or other political, fashion, cultural symbols?
I believe it symbolizes a culture. As you all know, Arabian culture is quite conservative and I don’t mean that statement create a negative connotation. There is more of a religious adherence here than in the West. Religion is a huge part of whom we are as Arabs and that definitely cannot be denied. Therefore, the hijab or veil has become a normal part of ourselves and hence a part of our culture.
3. Do you, Arabs, think the veil is a sign of oppression? Being people that lived with it and know, it usually means you understand it a bit more. So what do you think of the veil?
I think that no matter what people may deduct about the veil, it really serves one purpose and one purpose alone: protection. We know of course that women are constantly manipulated and taken advantage of. Women who wear tight clothing that attracts unwanted attention are bringing trouble to themselves. With the veil comes the obligation to dress loosely to ward off eyes hence protecting women from any crisis that might ensue. Furthermore, reputation is a serious issue in the Middle East. A woman with a bad one is not likely to get far in her society.
4. Because the veil is a religious issue, should we question what God intended us to do because of the westernizing of the world?
I do not understand the question. Would you kindly rephrase it?
The time of posting is 6:29. :)
Answers to Jamila’s questions:
1. Are any of you biracial?
No I am not biracial.
2. Do you think that it would be confusing to your identity if you were biracial?
No I do not think it would be confusing because I personally like to open myself to other cultures. Just as some Arabs have parents from two different Arab states, some people have parents from two different races. It may sound like there is a difference but there really isn’t. Half/half Arabs, for example, are also subject to different cultures, accents, clothes, foods, etc owing to the distinctions found among Arab states. It really is not convoluted in my perspective and can be rather enjoyable.
3. How do you guys feel about marrying a guy from a different race. exmpl..kuwaiti to a non kuwaiti man...
I may not have a problem with it but everything we do must conform to our society’s beliefs and I do not believe marrying from another nationality is one of them. I would be alright with it as long as the person is Muslim seeing as to how Muslim women can only marry Muslim men. I do not know if this always true but I feel that people from the Gulf will rarely marry other Arabs and people from the Levant will marry all Arabs which I consider to be the right way to go. We are all Arabs and we share a common background and culture. Intermarrying should not be a problem. Again, personal views do not really matter in our society as marriage does not happen without the entire family’s consent.
The time of posting is: 6:43 :)
Hello Ladies! It's been a pleasure to read all of your entries. By the way, don't worry about the time on this site - as I am not able to fix it. Something in either the blog site or my computer but you will all get the credit you deserve. I think it is very important to give feedback on one another's questions. You know, I may have some books and other sources some of you can borrow. If you are interested, give me a ring and pick them up at my place. I can't carry them with all my other books/folders to AUK but you are welcome to check them out. Call me at 980-3079 if you are interested. One book is by Miriam Cooke titled Women Claim Islam. This author is very supportive of Arab women writers and sympathetic to their efforts of self-expression. In the books she writes: "Images we have of each other are part of the baggage we bring to dialogue. Sometimes we are at the mercy of our image; sometimes we hide behind it; sometimes we act as though neither of us had an image of the other.....the more the image interposes itself between the addresser and the addressee, the more community-defined will be the individual identity." She further states that "Muslim women's physicalappearance becomes a crucial element in the observer's interpretation of whether the cohesiveness of the international Islamic community is a good or a bad thing. During the hajj, gender differences seem to disappear: we see men and women together circumambulating the Kaaba, all dressed in the same simple white cloth. That women in what are assumed to be highly segregated societies dress exactly the same as the men and participate equally with them in all the rituals shows how democratic Islam can be." There is a lot of good material is this book. Another book by Leila Ahmed is titled Women and Gender in Islam. This is a serious and independent-minded analysis of its subject (title). There is a whole chapter titled "Discourse of the Veil" In this chapter, Ahmed relates a comment made by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who observed the veil and used it herself. Therefore she was able to assert that it was not "the oppressive custom her compatriots believed it to be and in fact it gave women a kind of liberty, for it enabled them not to be recognized". There is a lot more of course but I will send this and write more later so that I don't lose it like someone else did. Dr. Pamela
(continued) There is a chapter in Ahmed's book also that focuses on "Social and Intellectual Change" - it begins with this: "In the early nineteenth century the societies of the Middle East began to undergo a fundamental social transformation. Economic encroachment by the West and entrammelment in the global economy, the emergence of "modern" states in the region, and the domination, formal or informal, of much of the area by European colonial powers in the late 19th century and early 20th century formed the overarching economic and political parameters of the transformation. As early as the first decades of the 19th century some women, particularly rural workers and lower-class women in countries, such as Egypt and Syria, where European-made goods had made inroads, undoubtedly suffered as a consequence of the shifting economic and political patters. For women in general the effects of European political and cultural encroachment were complicated and, in certain respects, decidedly negative." There is also a book called the Nawal El Saadawi reader. This is a controversial book but respected much in women's studies. There is a chapter titled "Women Organizing for Change" and "Creative Women in Changing Societies" which provide some good feedback in some of your research papers. She claims that "philosophers and thinkers were blinded by their 'patriarchal cataract' and class optics, that their sight and their insight could not penetrate the time significance of the myth of Adam and Eve. Eve took the first step towards the tree of knowledge. She was therefore a dynamic force liftin Adam up to new heights for which she had paved the way. Yet she was the 'sin' of rhte 'fall' depicted in the Old Testament, from which Christianity and Islam inherited the myth which made Eve the origin of all sin" - of course let me remind you that Nawal El-Saadawi is considered a more liberal and radical Egyptian woman who has actually been criticized for her beliefs; however, many scholars also hail her brave step forward to speak up for women's issues in the Middle East.
As for the veil discussion, there is a lot of material out there - Newsweek and Time Magazines ahve had front covers dedicated to this topic. I'll tell you, I have seen some of the most gorgeous girls and ladies walking through the malls or even on campus here who veil. The gems and sparkles that adorn the veils have given ladies a chance to personalize their cover - making it easier for them to express themselves while others can admire their good taste. Actually, some ladies and girls are so gorgeous with their veils I don't know how anyone can actually criticize this. I think what the West is more cautious about are the more conservative types who veil and dress in the traditional clothing - with not a shred of hair showing. I think they too should be respected; however they are not the attractive type that we see more and more in contemporary society. I wonder how this became such a debate in the world anyhow. What's the big deal? When we respect people for their own beliefs, we are on our way to a more peaceful global society. Anyhow, good luck and happy writing and researching!
Oh the editorial response: Be sure to attach a copy of the article to the back of your response. Remember to summarize the response in the first paragraph and then write your personal response to that.
Maasalama. Dr. Pamela
Hussa: A response to your #3 question: Men do not have diwaniyas in the USA. However there are many clubs that people belong to - but this is both men and women. In the USA, it is not expected so much that women stay at home with the children any more than the men - even though it happens sometimes. As for clubs: The Rotary Club is a service organization worldwide where men and now women are able to be sponsored in by another member. Rotarians raise money to give for special causes such as eyeglasses for the poor. They usually meet once a week in a restaurant, have dinner and then a meeting. There is the GFWC - General Federation of Women's Clubs in every city in the USA. Women meet once a month for the purpose of raising money to do community service - pay for new street signs, donate to the ambulance fund, raise money for scholarships, etc. I often hear women say "This is my one time a month that is mine and it is time for my husband to stay home with the kids" - there are many men's organizations like the Shriners. They raise money for the Children's Hospital. There are more too. But the difference between these and a diwaniya are different. These clubs have meetings either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. They last about 2 hours. They all have a purpose to serve others, not themselves. I hope this helps - you can also research the clubs and compare to diwaniyas.
Farah, I like your response to Jamila's questions. This shows that there are different experiences for all biracial children. It can be a positive experience or negative.
Amal, the Darwin research is interesting as it provokes some controversy and causes us to stand up to say what we believe. Of course some people will not speak out about it because they don't feel comfortable saying their real concerns on a public forum like this. As for me being a Westerner, I can say pretty much what I believe. I personally do believe in Darwin's theories; however, that does not mean that I don't believe in God's creation. We can never omit God. He is omniscient and the creator of our universe. However, I don't believe that things are necessarily black and white. I don't buy into the theory that we must either believe in Darwin or not. There is a lot of sound evidence out there scientifically that points to the overwhelming probability of evolution. I personally have such a strong faith and belief in God that I also know that He had to have had something to do about creating the universe and all of us. How could we all be accidents? No way. I just see it as millions of years of God's plan unraveling. I also heard many times that the Biblical stories of Genesis in the Bible are meant to explain the beginning of time because people have a need to know "How did we all get here?" Of course, this is all opinion - which you asked for in the first place.
That's all for now.....see you soon. Dr. Pamela
Farah:
To clarify my last question, the veil was intended to be a way of protecting women, but due to western ideas, it is hurting women in western cultures. Does this make us question God's intentions with the veil ?
Here is another question about the veil. This was asked by a student of mine about five years ago. I was looking through some old research papers and noticed that the student (Bosnian) had asked this question: "Since men and women are born with the cover of hair on their heads or at least with the ability to grow hair, how can we know that God wants some women to cover their hair?" She posed this question in her research although she could have done a stronger job of illustrating that idea, it still reminds me that this "veiling" concept is rooted in culture as to how people relate to it. Of course, culture is often embraced by religious conviction too - so what we believe is part of that. I feel we must embrace our beliefs in pride - whether it is in veiling or in praying or in how we respect and treat other people. All of this is significant in God's vision of us.
hello everyone!
here is my thesis:
In the past, veiled women in the Muslim world were perceived by Westerners as simply passive human beings in a male-dominated society; however, these days veiled women are increasingly known to be well-educated productive models of society that are helping to change the negative attitude towards them.
1.can anyone help give me an example of a well-educated muslim women who is a productive model of society?
2.is there a difference in the muslim world nowadays seeing that women have more rights? and is it for better or for worse?
Lulu Boushahri
Lulu-
1. There are many well-educated Muslim women who are productive models of society. However, the ones in my head are not veiled woman. For example, we have queen Rania of Jordan.
2. Yes there is a difference in the Muslim world. Women have more power and control than they ever did before and this could be a good thing as well as a bad thing. It's a good thing, for women have more freedom in their lives, which is fair and also their opinions would matter to the world. They would become something rather than nothing. They would feel like they have a purpose. However, it is possible that women can become dominant over the men and this could create conflict between men and women, seeing that the Qura'an stated that the man always comes first, this could be a problem to the Islamic world.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Dana said...
Thesis: In the past, many Westerners considered veiled women as damsels in distress, but today, in light of the turmoil of war and terrorism, they regard the veil as a political statement.
Just to clarify my thesis, I am talking about how the ways in which people view the veil have changed after events such as September 11th.
Questions:
1. Do you agree that Westerners view the veil differently after terrorist attacks?
2. Why do you think the veil is a big issue when it is simply a religious symbol just like many others such as the cross?
3. Do you think that Muslims are a reason for the ignorance of Westerners towards the veil, because we have failed to clarify the reasons behind the veil to them?
Any other comments that can help me with my topic will be much appreciated.
Thanks!
25 March 2007 14:04
1. Yes they do, because before there was no conflict between the Arab terrorists and Westerners. However, seeing as those Arab terrorists attacked the West, of course the majority of the West would be frightened of the rest of the Arabs. They would generalize them all into terrorists, hate them and seeing as the veiled woman is easy to spot as a Muslim Arab, they would think that she is a terrorist.
2. I think that because the West assume themselves to be the superior countries (Great Powers), then they have the power to make the veil a big issue. However, the Arab countries are obviously weaker than the West and so they do not have the power to make a big issue out of something in the West.
3. Even if we do clarify the reasons the veil is worn, there will still be a lot of Westerners thinking that it is wrong to wear the veil. In fact, many Westerners nowadays are for the veil even if they don’t wear it, they respect it and there are Westerns who think that the veil is just a sign of oppression. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Kay,Dana,and all of you - I think that many people of all cultures have a touch of xenophobia - fear of the "other" country/culture/religion/ethnicity when they have not been exposed to those traditions. I've lived in the West and here in the Middle East. I sometimes feel that I am in a "vice" when I end up defending both sides. Although it is true that SOME Westerners disagree with the veil, I also hear stories from here about Westerners that is far fetched. I heard one day that all American women are immoral and too "easy". This is a false accusation too. I am a very moral person and I know many Americans who are moral. But who defines "morality?" Perhaps one group would say it is immoral to show your hair or to wear a sleeveless shirt out in public; however, another person may see that as ridiculous. Does it really mean that one is more immoral than the other? It is the same with veiling. Some see veiling as a sign of purity and commitment. Some see it as unfair. In one of my research papers I recall a discussion on how the Middle East creates constructs that are external - meaning that the male expects women to cover so that he won't lust over her. The West, on the other hand, according to the research, has built-in internal measures. Unless the man is a pervert (and we know there are plenty), he internalizes his sexual drive as part of a civilized community - thereby HE must control himself rather than put that responsibility on the woman. Now, whether we buy into this thinking or not, we have to realize that there has already been much discussion about these issues. So when we take a stance, we should definitely ask "why?" and then explore all avenues. Good Luck
Did you guys know that in hebrew the name Adam means 'red dirt' As in adam was made from red dirt/soil..../earth...
Just thought it might be a fun fact foryou guys. I randomly found it in some reasearch.
Jamila
S00001717
in response to amals questions
1. unfortunately, veiled women are far from having the ability to be equal to men particularly in islam as men are commonly known as being superior and having a great deal of power. however i believe that nowadays women are slowly but successfully gaining access to strong political and social power, for example women in kuwait have recently been allowed to vote, this took a while for it to come into effect but eventually it did!
2 & 3. the veil gives women both a sign of identity and covers their identity too. veiled women can be seen as being mysterious, and they are not really exposed to the world so they dont really have a sense of identity, in the west they are looked at as being passive and without a voice. on the other hand in the muslim world the veil is an extremely positive quality to have as veiled women are seen as 'good' muslims and it also stops men for harassing them but nowadays that has slightly changed as the veil is more of a fashion statement! so there are both sides to your questions!
hope that helped :)
Alaa, I can now see where you are coming from. Now that you mention it, it is perfectly fine to question God's intention with the hijab. You, of course, and any Muslim would know that such thinking is completely discouraged in our societies. There is however no harm in questioning our religion because we will grow even more attached to it when we understand why it makes us do that things we do. There must be a reason why we do them and finding those reasons will make us show more appreciation for our religion. Therefore, this is one thing we may question in our religion. If we come to analyze the alternatives that we formulate regarding God's true intentions for the hijab, this is, more or less, what we may come up with:
1. It does not only protect women but also men. It protects them from wrongdoing such as sexual assault and such. Any woman that is going to dress in a way that reveals her body should expect anything. We have seen this happen many times in the past; very rarely does this happen to a woman wearing a hijab or just generally wearing loose-fitting clothing. Sexual harassment is a huge problem in urban settings.
2. The hijab can also be viewed as a sign of piety or religion devotion. It isn't only in Islam; women in Christianity and Judaism also cover their heads. They want to be closer to God and that cannot happen if they are dressing tightly tempting men.
I honestly believe that the primary reason behind the hijab is protection. We should not look at what the West thinks and conclude that what they assume or assert about the hijab is right and we the people who wear it and know it are wrong. There can be many allegations about what the hijab is, why Muslim women wear it, and how oppressive it can be. These allegations can come from anywhere but no one will understand it more than the Muslims. It is ignorance and people cannot be blamed for it. We, ourselves, do not comprehend the Western world enough. We may have misunderstood some things. This is all due to the media which is the true catalyst that causes these conflicts to happen. We, as Muslims, know what the purpose of the hijab is and that is to protect women from harm. Nothing will change it.
I hope I have helped.
Take care and have a great weekend.
Farah Al-Shamali
April 4, 2007
S00004165
Hello Dr. Pamela,
I hope I can have the complete freedom in answering the question your Bosnian student posed. I will divide my answer into point form.
1. The information that she states before asking the question (“Since men and women are born with the cover of hair on their heads or at least with the ability to grow hair…”) has nothing whatsoever to do with the question following it (“…how can we know that God wants some women to cover their hair?”)
2. Describing hair as a “cover” cannot be seen as a true comparison. I don’t believe that the student had thought about what the statement means. She is saying that hair serves the same purpose that the hijab does. That is simply not true.
3. She does not understand that the hijab is not only about hair. In fact, it has little to do with hair. It’s about the body and not revealing it for men to see. This point is constantly stated and is greatly understood.
4. We can not “know” if God wanted women to cover their hair. In Islam, that is a fact and is stated in the Holy Quran. I presume that she is not Muslim therefore she doesn’t know that Allah had stated in the Quran that women must wear the hijab when they are convinced but it doesn’t mean they should hold off doing it until they are 50.
5. Women that do not dress presentably are generally not given as much respect as those who are. That is a given fact and can be perceived anywhere. I do not mean to suggest that all Muslim women dress presentably, some do and some don’t. It’s the same way anywhere else in the world, some do and some don’t.
6. Having the “ability” to grow hair has nothing to do with whether God wants us to cover it. The questionable is really incomprehensible to me. Again, it has nothing to do with the hair. The veil is an obligation on Muslim women whether they have hair or whether they are bald. It surpasses the issue of having or not having hair; the veil is a protection from what may befall women that decide to show off their bodies in public.
7. Nowadays, the veil or generally, covering up, has become culturally implanted in our societies. I believe there is no fault in criticizing those who do dress awfully because in the end, there are hurting themselves. In the end, the people who criticize do so because it is not right and because they care about where these societies are going.
Thank you for posting this question Professor.
Have a great vacation.
Farah Al-Shamali
April 4. 2007
S00004165
I do agree with Farah that the veil has nothing to do with the hair. In fact, the hair is one part of the woman's body that needs to be covered by the veil and not the head. Even if the woman is bald, she still needs to wear the veil, for it is the formal Islamic clothing, including the coverage of the rest of the body (excluding the face and hands). The veil is mainly about modesty and the protection from men who harass the women. The veil is worn by the woman and not the man because it creates a stable environment in the society where the man does not have the chance to "check out" the woman since she is covering herself up. The man is usually the one who takes precedence over women in the Islamic world and therefore he is allowed to wear whatever he wants as long as he covers his lower body properly. However, that does not mean that the woman is insignificant. The veiled woman is respected by the men around her. Nowadays, men usually harass women who create a fashion statement out of the veil. That is because it is obvious that they are not wearing the appropriate Islamic veil. On the other hand, the women who wear the veil in a modest way, cannot be seen harassed by men; in fact, they are respected and appreciated by most people around them in the Islamic world. Of course, in most European countries, the veiled woman is usually accused as being a terrorist due to political reasons.
All in all, the veiled woman is identified as a Muslim woman who respects her religion and is asking to be respected by others.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Thank you for your support Kawther. I think it is necessary to make it known to the worldwide community that the concept of veiling has nothing to do with hair. It's more of a state of being if you will than a mere piece of cloth. Thank you again.
Take care and have a great vacation.
Farah Al-Shamali
April 5, 2007
S00004165
Hello everyone!
Finally I got access to the blog site. For some reason I wasn't able to send my blog! But anyway...
Lulu, to answer your question about a well-educated muslim women who is a productive model of society, you can talk about Masouma Al-Mubarak.
Hussa, here are some answers to your questions:
2. Why do you think the diwaniya is important, to us kuwaities? And What makes it so important?
For men, it is where they go to spend time with their friends and play card games. They also enjoy talking about political issues. The diwaniya is also a place where they gather to watch important events on T.V. such as football matches.
Although the diwaniya is more popular amongst men, there actually are diwaniyas for women. It has a similar concept of the mens' diwaniya in that the women gather to sit around and talk and enjoy themselves.
What makes it important is that it allows men/women who need to escape from their daily duties to just go there and 'hang out' and spend time with their friends. Also, it is a great chance to meet new people.
3. Arent Diwaniyas like Unions in the United States, or organisations for certain people? because unions help out fellow 'members' in the union?
Yes i do think that it is like a Union. As i stated, diwaniya is a place to meet new people. As they make new friends, they also help each other out which is similar to helping a Union 'member'.
Hello every one:
Anyway, I totally agree with Farah. The Hijab (Veil) should not be materialized as this will reduce its significance and cover its true meaning and purpose. Seeing the Hijab (veil) as a physical entity (material) is the reason why as mentioned by Lulu the veil is becoming of a fashion statement.
A point worth noting is that Darwin’s theories deny the existence of God. They state that life came about by coincidence from chemical components and that evolution is the cause of our existence. Yes, believers in God can accept that living organisms went through slight physical and biological changes to cope with new environmental conditions but to believe that we human evolved from apes or that all creature share the same ancestors is far from true and no evidence exist that prove so.
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Regards
Amal Tawakuli
S00002622
There are many useful preparation students can do to combat test anxiety. First of all, students should study their subjects daily; such as, doing their home work and reviewing their lessons, also student should mange their time equally each day to avoid over loud subjects . More over, students should be optimistic with their studying. For example, students who think that they will do well in the exam or they can do it properly will feel confident. Optimistic students will do very well in the exam, but the pessimistic student will be afraid from the exam and will not do very well in the test. In addition, they will have to study every day so that their brain will be ready to recognize the information quickly. In conclusion, I think students should prepare their self physically and emotionally to avoid and combat anxiety.
Were back from the break and I honestly can say I need another 2 weeks min. ! Anyway, the article were doing is really interesting. I never knew how much a positive attitude can contribute to a persons life. I researched an article and it says that a positive attitude is actually a type of medicine doctors recommend because it helps a lot.
Alaa Al-Zamel
Hello,
I agree with Dalal. I must add that a daily planner is VERY useful. When I was doing my IGs I refused to use a daily planner and I ended up cramming everything to the last minute. But people learn from their mistakes. You cannot learn something until you have gotten it wrong at least once. Only then do you realize that it is wrong and you start doing it right.
Without a daily planner I find myself procrastinating and I spend most nights finishing off my work. But now that I use a daily planner I find myself to be more organized and it is very helful.
Thank you!
Dana Abdal
S00004328
Hello:
I just wanted to say that I really liked the article which we have recently done an editorial response to.
I do think that being satisfied and thankful for what you have has a significant role in making you happy.
I have many things I am thankful for. I am grateful for the diversity and variety that are the characteristics of our world; the wide range of different species, different people, different colors, different objects of different states (solid, liquid and gaseous) and the diversity in the food we consume. I am thankful for the diversity among people. Diversity in race, nationality, opinion and religion is beautiful and everyone should appreciate this diversity in others and respect people no matter who they are. Just imagine being surrounded by people who are a copy of you. Life will be boring, meaningless. You will not be challenged and will not experience the different interactions and relationships that build you personality and make you enjoy life.
I would also like to send my condolences to the families of the students who died in the latest shooting in Virginia, USA. I do not understand why such horrible events happen in American schools and universities, where innocent students come to learn and try to build their career paths to benefit and return to their societies? Let us pray that this will never happen again not in the USA or any where else in the world.
Regards
Amal Tawakuli
S00002622
Amal has mentioned a point that I would like to expand on. I agree with her when she says that being different is what makes life interesting. We become who we are by picking on the things that others around us do. For example, we grab a little bit of the personalities of our friends, families and other people we're surrounded by and from that, we create our own personality. If every person in the world had the same personality and feelings then that would make life so predictable because then everyone would be thinking alike and different ideas would not be shared because everybody has the same idea. Therefore, the world would not change. For example, if there was no Einstein then a lot of the theories in sciences would not have been explored and if there was no Alexander Graham Bell then we would not be having phones and so on and so forth. The different people and personalities are what make the difference either bad or good. The world is, as it is today, "spiced up" or made more interesting and controversial because of different people, ethics, cultures and traditions.
Hello everyone,
I do agree with Kay that uniformity in personality can create a rather dull world. It is amazing to me how, given the great number of people on this planet, everyone possesses a different mindsets and projects different ideas into their surroundings. I beg to differ on “grabbing” personalities from our families and friends. Our personalities are what make us unique and distinguish us from many. Some people encounter traumas that make them stronger individuals. Although they may receive aid from loved ones, they come to develop their own characters through self-discovery. That brings me to the occurrence of mistakes in people’s lives. James Joyce had once said that “mistakes are the portals of discovery.” I strongly believe in this claim and can apply it to myself at times. Learning and extracting morals from mistakes acts as a shield for future incidents.
Some of you may find this odd but my reading of the article was slightly negative. I do agree with the incremental steps she’s created for her readers to gain happier, more productive lives. However, she fails to realize that negative changes are a natural part of life. Please do not assert that I am a pessimistic person. It is just something I believe she should have included. Just as we are learning to incorporate oppositions with our research papers, Mia Ponzo should include how life can be at times. It is not always rainbows and butterflies; we always encounter problems. Otherwise, I think the article is a good initiative to create positive energy in our societies.
Farah Al-Shamali
April 19, 2007
S00004165
After considering this article and formulating my opinion about it, i would like to ask this question to you all:
Do you believe that there should be an equilibrium in life? (good and bad things). Is it necessary to live?
I know that being optimistic is trait we should all have but how do you all feel about the unhappy things in life. Do we actually need it to survive? Does it serve some psychological or mental purpose?
Thank you. I was just wondering about this since I last blogged.
Take care. :D
Farah Al-Shamali
April 20, 2007
S00004165
hello everyone :)
i agree with what amal has said about everybody being different and as well as what kay said about uniformity. it is completely true that if everyone were the same the world would be boring! i love meeting new people and learning about different cultures, i think it is very interesting to see how others live their lives compared to how we live ours, i love unique people and unique things, places etc. kay is entirely correct with what she said about if everyone were the same there wouldn't be any new ideas and everybody would think alike. we wouldn't have all these famous people, actors singers comedians or all the intelligent people who thought of important creations.
also
i really like the article we are reading in class at the moment because it is such a happy article, it's one of those "feel good" articles and what mia ponzo has said is entirely true. i myself am a very optimistic person and tend to look on the bright side of things. anyway mia ponzo is right when she says that those who help others will find there money returned to them doubled the amount as person, i think it is very important for a person to be generous, selfish people go nowhere in life, you have to give to others first then people may give to you.
lulu boushahri
S00003772
Farah, I really like what you pointed out when talking about taking good with the bad. In life i think there is an equilibrium of the two. Life comes with both and i think an even amount. There was a quote i heard once. 'If your going through hell, keep going' Even when bad things are happening to you, something good may come of it. If things are going too well, then dont be too disapointed if along come some rocky edges.
Example: me getting engaged. Everything was going absolutly perfect, then finally, the bump started to come in. But everything has a bit of both. It wouldnt be wedding planning if it was all gravy.
Also, to add to my topic. I want to point something else out to those who claimed bi-racial marriages werent so bad. My engagment alone has opened my eyes to much more than i thought it would. my fiance is saudi. That alone is such a big difference from the palestinian half that i am. Just to have one of our parties there are dilemas on which tradions to use. Due to such issues, my own mother is not approving. Things are not as easy as we had even hoped. Mixing races is not as easy as many may think.
Jamila El-Dajani
S00001717
Hello everyone,
I would like to talk about us. Humans. Humans are the most selfish beings on earth. I was talking with my brother about this topic. I told him that I have amazing friends that would do anything for me and he said, "they wouldn't die for you." I thought about it and I wasn't sure if they would either. They would call me when I feel bad; they would 'kidnap' me from my home when I don't feel like staying at home. They would 'feed' me when I'm hungry but they would probably not die for me. Maybe it's because of fear of death or maybe it's because they're not ready to leave earth. Either way, sometimes people can become way too selfish.
We are all selfish, by the way. We use a lot of electricity because we have gotten used to it and we don't want to give it up. We use power stations to conduct electricity to heat up our homes, and make electrical appliances work. These power stations give out sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that go into the air. The prevailing wind pushes this polluted air away from the source and the oxides merge with clouds. The oxides come down onto the Earth as acids in rain. This is called Acid Rain. Acid rain is very harmful to the environment. It makes the trees grow slower and it pollutes the lakes and streams and kills the fish. It dilapidates buildings and valuable monuments and it is also harmful to human health; it causes damage to the lungs and the eyes.
The fumes that the cars emit contributes to the cause of global warming. Do we really want the Earth to flood?
Are we slowly building our own death?
A lot of us humans do not want to share our goods with other poor countries such as Southern Africa and India, where many children are dying because of drinking the water that we flush from our toilets and because of bad diet and different kinds of diseases. Many of us do not even go there to give them help.
We are all humans and what's confusing me is that many of us are not helping the other when all we have is each other.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Finally I can access the blog site. I've been trying all day. In expanding on what Kay has proposed as a topic about humans and how selfish they are. Another "trait" shall we say about humans is their extreme prejudice towards those not from their own race. Yes we promote equality but is anyone actually doing it? It sickens me the way some people treat others according to their racial background, even at university. I've noticed it numerous times. I consider these people to be mentally down because mistreating people serves no purpose. People have nothing better to do than condescend to others. I have no clue why some students in school consider it such a chore to so much as smile to the cleaning staff. Why put on that mask of hatred? Some give the excuse that they only look or talk to their friends. That is crazy. Everyone deserves to be acknowledged. I've noticed that many people in Kuwait take their "servants" for granted. I do not to think of them as servants because they are people who should be respected no matter what occupation they may have. It is truly beautiful to have an open mind and accept people of all races because it creates serenity. Another thing I am greatly against is the principle of being "guilty by association." In the age of terrorism we are living, we tend to put the blame on an entire population knowing, more often times than not, that it is wrong. Yes George Bush has made mistakes but does that mean the American people have made the same mistakes as well? The same goes for Iraq, Syria, Cuba, and other countries that have been governed by a dictatorship. Being an Arab, I admit that I succumbed to the beliefs of the people around me: that the US was the devil. Now with my adoption of more liberal views, I now see that the American people are amazing people with a government that hasn't been capable of making the right decisions which created an image of abhorrence from the world towards the United States. We can't just accept what we are told; think it through. Does it make sense? If not, where does it go wrong?
Even in our Arab communities, there is unbelievable racial discrimination that I like to think of it like a competition: Who's the best Arab? The Arabian Gulf? The Levant? Northern Africa? I can't believe how this is all people have on their minds when we are living one crisis after the other with no way out of them. How naive can people be? Wars have already cost the Arab people the steadiness of their diplomatic relations with one another, why add oil to the fire by discrimination? We are all humans and should be treated as such before anything else - not what nationality we are. So often have I spoken to people who keep on blabbing about the nerve of that nationality and how typically rude another was. I don't believe in anything being typical of a nationality - we are individuals with different qualities, whether good or bad. I always say that whenever the world gets rid of stereotypes, it'll be a much better place. Yeah sure having war gone would be great but the stereotypes would still exist and a cold social war will ensue.
Philosophically speaking, we will always meet people in our lives that don't exactly go on our nice list. One cannot help but run into these people at one point in their lives; the key is to know how to handle them or as far as I'm concerned, not handle them. Why should I waste my time over someone who is making a fuss over any old thing? It's not worth it. I also find that some things should be considered when someone is mean to you. Don't directly despise a person just because they said one bad thing unless it is personal. After taking History 203 and reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, I implement his principles on handling others and here is an excerpt that summarizes his views on the matter of looking on the bright side of people and not just dismissing them as awful people:
"When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can't tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own - not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are obstructions."
Take care everyone. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Farah Al-Shamali
May 3, 2007
S00004165
I agree with Kawther on the topic about humans being selfish. There are many people in the world who have less than what we have and we are not helping them. We are not sharing what we have with poor people. In fact, we are taking more than what we need. For example, we use more water than what is needed and sometimes we use it for useless things like fountains for decoration. We are not being fair to the rest of the world. They are suffering from hunger and diseases such as malaria. Most of them are young children and we are somehow just watching them die. Are we really that heartless? I wish I could do something to change the world and make it fair but I guess one person doesn't make a difference after all. However, there are people who have contributed in helping poor people such as Bono and Opera. They have given them clothes, built school and hospitals to improve poor countries.
Why can't there be more people like them?
Dana Abdal
S00004328
We've seen the concept of magic propagated through the film industry but does it really exist? In Islam, it is said that it does and is practiced by some people. While looking through the daily news on Yahoo, I came across this article. I thought it would be interesting to have everyone read it.
HYDERABAD, India (Reuters) - An elderly Indian husband and wife were burnt to death after villagers accused them of practicing black magic, tied them together on a pyre and set them on fire, police said Thursday.
"The aged couple died screaming for help," said police superintendent P.V. Sunil Kumar.
Sayanna, 70, and his 61-year-old wife, Pochamma, were set ablaze after being doused with kerosene.
Both were farm laborers near the southern city of Hyderabad who also practiced traditional medicine. Police have arrested six villagers for the incident.
Belief in black magic is common in some parts of rural India, despite the country's robust economic growth and cutting-edge high-technology industries.
Dozens of women are murdered each year after being accused of witchcraft.
Last year, a barber in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh killed his four-year-old son by slitting his throat with a razor after the man started seeing visions of the Hindu goddess Kali demanding a sacrifice.
What do you think after reading it? Why do you think that magic is never used for good purposes?
Take care.
Farah Al-Shamali
May 4, 2007
S00004165
"I CAN'T!" is usually the first sentence that escapes one's lips when asked, "Why can't you just be yourself?" Is the "journey to be oneself" really the riskiest journey of all? Yes it most positively is. Being oneself is not an easy task to undertake, but it is the most difficult and "riskiest" by far. One may be asked for the answer to "this deep insecurity we all feel," but answer lies in maintaining the truest and purest identity. The insecurity and uncertainty takes hold of us because we refuse to reveal our true selves to one another, for we all have a blunt fear of being the rejected outcast in our society, thus making it harder for us to even find motivation to discover our bare and unscathed character.
All my life, I did not dream of being like everyone else, of getting married in a gown made of gold or purchasing a car driven by Madonna. I have dreamt of living a life of my own: where everything I possess would be the result of my own sweat and backbreaking work, where I can put a smile on the face of the poor and needy, where I can make a difference in the world and create a way for it to live in unison. In my life, I am continuously on the journey of finding myself. The journey to find oneself is most definitely the riskiest of all journeys, for I have learned that some people will hurt you, and intentionally. However I also learned that one must work to maintain their true and authentic self with others. I must continue to push myself to believe in others and in my own strengths of what I can offer those around me. However, as grueling as it may be to scope out the truth and to avoid awkward shifts on the journey to find myself, it is my responsibility to keep my eyes open and to just "run my race" without paying attention to negative distractions.
How may one answer a question that has no definite answer? When I think of the risks that lie ahead of me as I embark on the adventure of discovering and becoming myself, I believe there may be many things of which I know nothing. All that I know is that it will continue to take me by surprise, like my past experiences have. There is always going to be those who will try and divert your path into what may be "debauchery" and those who may strive to corrupt you, abuse you and take advantage of you, but this is what makes this journey all the more extraordinary and worthy, for it is most certainly the riskiest of all journeys, this journey to be oneself.
Dalal Alsharhan
S00001967
Everyday, I wake up to the beautiful soft chirping of the house sparrows outside my window, sadly, however, that and stray cats that exist all over the streets of Kuwait are the closest I come to witnessing any sort of wildlife in Kuwait. Sometimes, I wonder, why do we rarely find any sort of life other than humans here in Kuwait? Whether in the city or even in the desert?! Obviously, we all know that the Iraqi invasion on Kuwait, which is also described as the worst and most drastic environmental crisis ever recorded in the history of the world, plays a fairly large role in the scarce disappearance of the wildlife in Kuwait, but could there be more to this?
Due to the horrific aftermath of the Desert Storm, it has been quite clear to the Kuwaiti people that it has been one of the most important factors in the deterioration of Kuwait's wildlife. With the toxic fumes, the blindingly dark smoke, and the oil wells blasting into flames, the wildlife and marine life in Kuwait were found to be in severe jeopardy. Kuwait was known to be extremely rich in wild life from the dessert fox to the mighty caracal, a type of wild cat, but unfortunately, with the war all these stunning creatures were quickly devoured by the huge amounts of pollution in the air.
Regrettably, it has been stated that some seabird species called waders have reduced by almost 100% than normal during the peak of the war and oil spills. Not only that, but because of the drastic temperature drop due to the smoke's absorption of the sun radiation by 75-80%, the seawater temperatures of the Gulf has killed more marine life than the oil spills themselves.
Evidently, the majority of the people have come to conclude that the burning of the oil wells during the invasion was the only factor responsible for the demolishment of the wildlife and marine life here in Kuwait. However, it seems that there are many other reasons behind the radical deaths of all those creatures. One of the reasons is the heavy, loud, startling and ruthlessly destructive machines used in the war, which happen to be extremely hazardous to not only wildlife, but to all kinds of life in their surroundings.
It is known that one of the desert's most graceful animals and who the Arabs used to call "safeenat al-sahara'a", meaning the desert's ship, is the almighty camel. Although "domesticated," the camel has been an original Arabian Desert animal for many centuries and it has come to be truly treasured by the ancient Arabs and till this day. During the Gulf war, many camels and other livestock were killed as a result of landmines, bombs, and also the smoke, which has affected their respiratory, blood, and immune system.
Some animals that have existed in Kuwait, however, did extinct or are on the verge of it, for example the Desert Wolf, even though it has reportedly been spotted near residential area recently. Also some of the almost endangered species of Kuwait are the "wild cat" and the Desert fox. Unfortunately, it has not been resolved as to their sudden endangerment than the Gulf War, but, then again, isn't the world's worst environmental catastrophe enough reason to wipe out a handful of wild species?
According to the web encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Kuwait had approximately a total of twenty-eight mammals habituating its deserts, and eight of those have been proven to have been either extremely endangered or extinct. Some of these mammals are: the Desert wolf, the caracal lynx, the cheetah, the Arabian Oryx, the sand gazelle, and the cape hare.
To regretfully conclude, Kuwait has not made any effort to protect the wild, even after the war, and it has not considered "reintroducing" the endangered species to desert as a priority or of any importance for that matter. It is true that Desert Storm has cost tens of billions of dollars and much effort to clean up afterwards, but it is not a reason to disregard the importance of wildlife to a country. Personally, I think that it is very sad and unfortunate that the many beautiful creatures that were originated on our sands were not and still are not receiving the care, protection and tending that they deserve.
Does anyone agree/disagree? Please respond if you have any sort of opinion about this. Thanks & hope you all had a nice weekend!
Dalal Alsharhan
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Hello girls. I have to admit that you have really impressed me with your recent entries. I am reading your comments about life and humans and selfishness and praise your willingness to be so honest. I can hear your voices very vividly as you write passionately about your concerns about life. I am moved at your maturity and your expression. I am touched by your collaborative nature. God bless you all. Dr. Pamela
As a computer science student I feel obliged to show the significance of using computers ethically to other users. Here is a research which I have made in this topic, which was useful for me and I am sure it will be to for other computer users.
Computer technology has expanded rapidly and significantly. Computers are involved in all aspects of human life; they process and offer all kinds of services for human and human are relying and depending on them in almost everything. Along with this expansion, ethical issues related to computers have occurred. Computer abuses and crimes are spreading and affecting our lives. Computer technology raises unique ethical issues thus computer ethics is a necessary field of study.
One reason why computer ethics study is important is because the majority of computer professionals are unprepared to deal effectively with ethical issues that arise in their workplace and could not recognize ethical issues; they also lack ethical sensitivity. This matter raised concerns and lead to the call for ethical content in computer science and engineering programs to educate those preparing for careers in computing about the significance of ethics in such field. But at the same time computer ethics curriculum should be academic not political and should not create an environment where bias could overwhelm inquiry. Scientists, engineers and computing students should be taught the meaning of responsible conduct and the reasoned and principled process by which reflective moral judgments are rendered. For this reason there must be a unique domain for computer ethics distinct from the domain for moral education, distinct even from the domains of other professional and applied ethics,
Why is the study of computer ethics necessary? Level one: because it will make us behave like responsible professionals. Level two: it will teach us how to avoid computer abuse and catastrophes. Level three: because the advancement of computer technology will continue to create policy vacuum. Level four: computing permanently transforms certain ethical issues to the degree that their alteration requires independent study. Level five: computing technology creates and will continue to create novel ethical issues that require special studies. There are special issues and problems that are unique to the computer ethics field; this means that these problems are characterized by the primary and essential involvement of computer technology, exploit some unique property of that technology and would not have arisen without the essential involvement of computer technology. The unique properties of computers that cause unique ethical problems and issues: 1- uniquely stored: world stored in a computer might become corrupted or might be loss which might result in loss of important and critical information. 2- Uniquely malleable: computers are very general purpose machines; they can be molded to perform unethical functions. 3- Uniquely complex: thus it is only possible in practice to test few boundary values, for all the others, scientists use values believed to be representative. This might result in miss prediction or imprecise measurements which in turn create ethical problems. 4- Uniquely fast: rapid changes in processes controlled and conducted by computers causing ethical changes such as, human might be incapable to catch up with rapid changes which in turn result in losses or even harmful consequences. 5- Uniquely cheap: because computers are able to perform millions of operations in a second, which creates the opportunity of small theft by diminishing return. 6- Uniquely cloned: computers can make exact copies; this has created problems such as software theft or piracy. 7- Uniquely discrete: discontinuous and disproportionate connection between cause and effect; meaning, we can not tell what effects our actions will have on computers. 8- Uniquely coded: encryption and failing to have records of design and data could deprive people from information and burry cultures.
In conclusion, it is necessary to design a suitable curriculum for the study of computer ethics and it should be conducted by educational institutions to reduce the effect of computer ethical issues and problems they cause. The discipline would also enable computer scientists and engineers to recognize and handle such problems to protect people and preserve their rights and at the time perform our obligations and duties ethically as computer scientists and engineers.
Hello everyone:
I have been thinking about this question and made some researche to find an answer but I was not very successful.
The question is: why are there two versions of some American books? A version sold only in the USA and Canada and another sold outside to other countries. Having in mind, that the second version is not allowed to be sold in America.
Is there a particular reason for this? Are other countries doing the same thing?
What is the difference between the two versions of the book? Does one have more information than the other? Is the other version censored?
Regards
Amal Tawakuli
I have been astounded and utterly frustrated at the news that has been circulating around the university:
The majors of Anthropology and Sociology and History and International Studies have not been liscenced.
From this, we can understand that anyone who wishes to pursue a degree in these subjects will not have an oppurtunity to be hired by any institution anywhere in the world. What I don't understand is why everyone finds them irrelevant to Kuwaiti society. I understand that business and management are "the majors" in Kuwait but they should not lessen the importance of others. How is Kuwait expected to flourish on the world stage if it does not promote the emeregence of open-minded, diplomatic individuals? Being in an extremely sensitive region, Kuwait needs these people sooner rather than later.
How can Kuwait be considered a democracy if does not allow a citizen's most basic right of choosing his or her own path in education. As they say, we must always "go with the flow" and the flow at the moment is liberalism. Our societies are purely conservative which will not help Kuwait when interacting with other nations. I'm not saying we should change who we are but we should stretch the rules of diplomacy a little farther.
I had once stood against what people, notably historical figures, have said about Arabs but from what I'm seeing, I'm having second thoughts.
Here is a link to some of the quotes:
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/arabs/
P.S.: The first I find to be greatly disrespectful.
Farah Al-Shamali
May 14, 2007
S00004165
Random topic.
Its getting really hot and whenever we wear anything it takes us about 15 min to feel so disgustinly sweaty and in desperate need for a shower. Thats ok, thats my humans invented airconditions. But what are we supposed to do with our cars when we park them for a couple of hours while were in class? I come back to my car and feel like a fried chicken! ITS HOT! Ok so they put Valet parking, but that isnt conveniet for everyone. Do you guys think they should build shades in the parking for our own health.
Alaa Al-Zamel
Amal, I do not know what you mean about two versions of a book. Be specific because i am not sure what you are referring to. Sometimes there are different publishers of a book. For instance a book published by ABC Publishers in 1990 may be published again and updated in 2007 by XYZ Publishers. But I don't understand what books you refer to when you mention some are sold in the USA and some are sold outside only. Please explain.
Farah, your complaint is understandable; however, remember not to stereotype your own people. The Arabs are not to blame for what you perceive is ultra-conservatism. I think it is more political. Since being in Kuwait, I realize that certain tribes garner more power than others. Their fundamental ideas are forced down the throats of those who prefer more freedom and liberalism. However, in such a small country as Kuwait, as in any democratic society, the majority voice rules. As far as the "majors" being offered at AUK, I think it is more a university situation than a societal situation. Certain courses were added after the Kuwaiti accreditation. The others you mention should eventually be accredited too but will have to go through the process. It is good that you take the liberty to voice your concerns; however, remember that you can be very constructive as a result of it. What can YOU do about what you perceive as the problem? How can YOU be an active voice?
Hello everyone,
I agree with Farah when she complains about how many Kuwaitis prefer the Kuwaiti society to study the same type of education, which is mostly about business and management. However, I do not agree with Dr. Pamela when she says that the majority rules. Even if there are few people who agree on one thing, it doesn't mean that they should be neglected and forced to join the opinion of the majority of the society. Having different opinions and different ideas makes each individual unique and that is what matters. On the other hand, trying to create one community that thinks the same and has one opinion is like turning into Communism. People should be able to express their opinions AND should be able to be heard, because who knows, they might end up making a difference in a country. Few people who have a certain opinion about something may be able to change the minds of what the majority of the people think. It is important for people to be allowed to have more freedom in expressing the way they want to lead their life, and this includes the type of education they choose.
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
hello everyone
i agree with kay when she says that "having different opinions and different ideas makes each individual unique." it is extremely common for the majority of kuwaiti students to choose a business major, because of this most students in kuwait are all following the same path. however i do not believe that "the majority rules." given that kuwait is a small country even though the majority of students choose business majors it does not rule out all the other majors. students who choose other majors are unique and help to make a difference in the community. also, many students follow in the footsteps of their parents and as we all know most parents have their own business! so if students begin to take other majors like anthropology and sociology it will make a difference in the kuwaiti society, however the ministry of education needs to realise how these majors are important, therefore university students need to raise awareness of this. just imagine what it would be like if every single person chose a business major! it would be completely boring!
lulu boushahri
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Kay, I just want to clarify something that you quoted me as saying - that "the majority rules". I appreciate any comment you make - but I don't want my words taken out of context. When I read your disagreement of my quote you made it sound as though I am promoting a "majority rules" agenda when actually what I said is that this is how a democratic society is generally run. To clarify: ok, in the USA, Canada, and most Western countries, the people vote for who they want to serve in specific leadership roles. Now, that does not mean that I agree with the vote or that I believe this is always the best method. I never suggested that anyone should be "forced to join the opinion of others" as your comment suggests. I, above many people, believe in freedom of speech and expression. That is why I am happy that you take the liberty to agree or disagree - and that I can also do the same. When Lulu argues that Kuwait students all tend to major in business and that they should consider being unique individuals, I agree with this. I would never promote a "majority rules" attitude. My goodness, this is totally OPPOSITE of my belief system! Please be sure to read the context of what someone is writing before you agree or disagree with the comments. If you go back to my comments, you will see that I was simply trying to offer an explanation as to how many societies or communities operate. They get their power from a majority rule. Like it or not, that is the way it is. Can we change it? Absolutely. Can we dislike it? Sure. One man or woman can change the world for better or worse. Thanks for your comments! Dr. Pam
Hello. Hope you are all having a great weekend!
What do you think of abortion? Is it right or wrong? Personally, I'm strongly against it. Putting aside religious reasons, I think that it is just immoral (excluding some rare cases) to have an abortion. Why would you get pregnant if you don’t plan on raising a child? Having an abortion is like killing your child (i.e. killing a human).
The rare cases where I agree that abortion is the solution are when the woman is threatened by the pregnancy or after she has been raped.
But if the baby is believed to be unhealthy and not able to survive after it has been born, I don’t think that abortion is the answer. There is a reason for every person born regardless of the amount of time they spend on earth.
Feel free to agree/disagree.
Thanks!
Dana Abdal
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I apologize Dr. Pamela. I didn't mean to misquote you. I re-read your previous comment and I realize I made a mistake.
Kawther A. Sadeq
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Hello everybody:
I have finally published my editorial response in the Kuwait Times! It is a good feeling.
I would also like to say to Team # 2 'GOOD JOB' for an excellent CD.
My published article is about summer jobs and voluntary work. A study was made in Kuwait, which revealed that students working in the summer or volunteering in social institutions have better communication and team work skills. I totally agree with the study. In 2006, I have volunteered in a care home for the elderly and I cannot express the benefits I earned from working there. The study has also emphasized that work experiences make students more responsible, reliable and competent. I think students in Kuwait should take advantage of voluntary work and summer jobs to learn more about the careers they tend to pursue. Work experiences provide insight into the career of your choice. Students will gain knowledge and skills that can only be attained at the workplace or when dealing with real life situations.
Regards
Amal
Hello everyone:
It is kind of sad that this might be my last blog. This blog site was one way to express my thoughts and opinions about ENGL 102 and the topics we discussed during the class. I also found it very useful in learning about what other girls think and had to say. I would like to take advantage of my last blog to share the experiences I had in the class ENGL 102 and to evaluate my progress. Yes, I have invested a lot of work and effort in completing assignments for this class but now that I am at the end of the semester, I feel that I benefited a lot from this class and gained better analytical and writing skills. ENGL 102 not only improved my English language, it also taught me to look at the world and at the many controversial issues there are out there from a neutral view and perspective. I have a better understanding of what the other thinks and why ones might think that way. I have a better appreciation for diversity, especially among humans. I think diversity in this world we live in is a blessing.
Another very rewarding experience I had in ENGL 102 is getting a paper of mine published. For the first time in my life I had an editorial response published in a local news paper. My parents and my instructor were proud of me. It made in a way a more confident person.
The course has also taught me to appreciate and respect others’ work by citing their work in a proper manner and developing a correct works cited page, thus giving credit for those who ought to get it.
One very positive privilege Dr. Pamela has given to all of her students is the ability to revise their work, thus improving their grades. I feel that it also enabled me to learn from my mistakes and resolve them.
At the end, I would like to wish every body a good life and a nice summer. I would also like to thank Dr. Pamela for her dedication and her effort to help us. From my experience with her, I found that she truly cared about her students. I would also like to thank my group members. I know we have gone through difficult times but we all learned from this experience. I am grateful for what everybody has done in this class.
Good luck girls with your exams.
Thank you!
Amal Tawakuli
S00002622
Evaluation:
My overall evaluation of this course is undecided actually. I think we were overwhelmed with the amount of papers to write, editorials, revisions and projects. It ws hard to handle with all our other classes. But on the positive side, we did get to revise anything we did which gave us a second chance to fix whatever we did. Writing a paper isnt a time consuming task for me anymore because we wrote so many that 2 pages of typing is a peice of cake now.
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best, I would give this class a 9 because I really worked hard. I also think my work is going to be reflected on my grades. On a pleasure scale it probably ranked somewhere arouond 5.5-6.
Overall, I benefited from this class in various ways and got to meet new people.
Thank you
I dont even know where i could begin with this blog. Weather its what i really learned, or what i benefited from. The class over all was alot of hard work and very time consuming. As much as it frustrated me and drove me nuts, it payed off. I truely enjoyed the fact of being able to submit our assigments in twice. Not for the fact that it raised our grade, but because we really did learn from it. The intresting part of our english class though, was that we had alot of focus on the differences between the middle east and the west. I lived in the states and came to study in kuwait just for the experience of living in kuwait. It definately was not AUK that brought me here. And one thing i truly recommend to everyone in this class is to travel. We did all of these research papers based on alot of other peoples research. But one thing i tried to do in my paper is use interviews from what i really saw. We can always read books and study anything in school. But real life experience is always different. That is when you truly learn the differences and understand because you are living it. I used to be such a patriot to the arab race while living in the states just because of the fact that i had to defend my minority. But, of course we eventually we have to question what we are deffending. I learned more about myself while living here in kuwait and even better, i learned about alot of other people. It was a very worthwhile investment. Live. Learn. Become.
Jamila El-Dajani
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I really appreciate your input. Yes, actually it was a lot of work. I suppose I still reflect back to the few teachers who inspired me the most. They were tough. They had high expectations. They were passionate about their roles. Actually one reason I decided to become a teacher is the result of the gifts that were given to me when I was young. I felt the only way I could repay them for their hard work and effort was to do something similar. I do appreciate that you discuss the amount of work you did. I hope that this is said with a sense of what you have accomplished rather than the work itself. My goal is that you take something away from the class. You will have your research papers; you'll have your DVDs; you'll have copies of your blogs if you want to print them; you'll have the skills you've developed; you'll have your "voices" which is the most important. I value your "voices" most of all. No one can ever take that from you. I leave you with this: be like the young eagle that goes to the edge of the cliff - he contemplates only for a second - but in spite of his fear of whether or not his wings will work, he jumps. It is only then when he discovers that he can soar. God bless all of you. Go in peace. Dr. Pamela
Just last Friday, a thought crossed my mind: this country has gone through so much trauma during the Iraqi invasion, especially our parents, and that my peers and I were just too young to remember. So I decided to interview my father and learn about his experience to able to observe this tragedy through his eyes. When the wave of shock and sorrow stuck Kuwait's fine desert lands, Faisal Abdulmohsen Al-Sharhan was just an ordinary husband and father of three young children.
Q: How did you learn about what was happening?
A: I was asleep at that time, and then I heard some noise outside, so I went down outside and saw a guy standing far away and he was wearing a military uniform. He yelled at me and asked, "Where are you going?!"
So I said," I was just looking and wanted to find out what this sound is, coming from afar."
He said, "It is only a matter of one hour or so and then everything will settle and everything will be quiet, now go back home!"
I, then, realized that the man with whom I spoke to was a member of the Iraqi army. I went into shock and then I believed that our country was under invasion.
I was afraid and so I listened to him and went back home to warn my family and tell them not to leave the house until we are sure of the news on TV or the radio. And then we turned on the radio and sat in the living room with everybody to find out what is going on.
Q: What did you do after that?
A: After that, I was scared for my children, so I went back upstairs to bring them down, safely, just so everyone stays together. I didn't want any member missing and far from my control.
Q: How did you feel at that time?
A: I felt anxious and felt worried about my family and our safety and wondering what will happen next.
Q: What was your first priority, the first thing on your mind?
A: My first priority was to keep my family and children around me, to keep them safe and to not let them go outside.
Q: Other than your encounter with that Iraqi soldier, what other contact have you made with the Iraqi army?
A: It was the only contact I have made with the Iraqi army and it was the last one.
Q: Did you stay in Kuwait during the occupation?
A: We stayed around nine days at home, and I sometimes tried to go to the mosque to pray, but most of the roads were empty and there were check points everywhere with Iraqi armies. So, the situation was not comfortable for us and my family and we decided to leave Kuwait.
Q: How did you survive at first? During those nine days in Kuwait? What did you eat and how did you live?
A: We usually have plenty of food at home in the kitchen, and plus, we tried to buy the necessities from the nearby supermarket from time to time. And we survived those nine days, and we also tried to save some food for the future, because we did not know if we were capable of leaving Kuwait or we had to stay.
Q: How did you live at that time in Kuwait? Where did you live?
A: We stayed at our house, it was safe.
Q: Where did you go after you left Kuwait?
A: We decided to go to Bahrain, because my older brother was married to a Bahraini lady from the royal family so decided to go there because at least we had someone to receive us.
Q: How did you reach Bahrain?
A: We decided in the afternoon to go to Bahrain, we prepared our cars and put our necessary clothes and some food for the way. We were around four cars and we went through the desert, through the Saudi Arabian border, not the legal one, but the Khafji one, across the desert. On our way, around the time of sunset, we saw two Iraqi army tankers, so when we saw them, we hid in front of our cars until they passed. Fortunately, they didn't see us, and we tried to keep the children quiet because we didn't want the Iraqi army to find out about us. So, after sunset, we switched off our car lights, and we went across the Saudi Arabian border until we reached the Khafji border. And then we handled immigration documents and then Saudi Arabian officers gave us free car fuel. We continued through Saudi Arabia until we reached halfway to Bahrain, and it was very late, around 4 in the early morning and we were suffering and we were very tired. We stopped the cars near a petrol station and stayed for nearly two hours, just relaxing but not sleeping because we were too tired. We stayed until sun rise and then we continued on our way to Bahrain. We reached Bahrain at around 7 early in the morning, many Bahrainis received us on the bridge at the border and they welcomed us. They asked us if we wanted to go to their houses and offered to provide us shelter, but we told them that our family was there already. Then we met my brother and went to the embassy and they arranged temporary accommodation at a Bahraini hotel. After that, our Bahraini friends arranged a few rental houses in a compound to our family, and we stayed there until the liberation day, which was approximately 7 months later.
Q: Did any thing particularly interesting happen on your way to Bahrain?
A: Yes (laughs), there's a story about my daughter, she was very small, around three years-old at that time, and when we decided to go through the Saudi Arabian border, our back car window was open. Usually, when I start the car, I close all windows for safety, and so the desert dust doesn't get inside the car. So I closed the window, and I didn't realize my daughter's head was outside, until she screamed to me. Then I realized that I closed the window on her neck, it was a big shock to me and we always laugh when we remember that time.
Q: What did you do once you arrived in Bahrain? How did you feel emotionally?
A: Emotionally? I decided in my mind that I will keep my family in a safe situation and provide everything for them, and then to go back home to defend our country from the enemy, the Iraqis and try to help the people there.
Q: How did you stay informed during the occupation? How did you get the news?
A: We got the news from the T.V. and CNN was the main station providing us with information and details of the invasion.
Q: Was that in Bahrain or Kuwait?
A: We were staying in Bahrain so we got the information there. While in Bahrain, our embassy asked if any Kuwaitis wanted to volunteer to join the Kuwaiti army and enter Kuwait.
Q: Was your wife okay with this?
A: Yes of course! She encouraged me too! So I decided to join the Kuwaiti army and to train in the Bahraini army camp for a month, and then they took us to Saudi Arabia to defend with the Kuwaiti army. After that, when we heard about the liberation, we entered Kuwait, and found our country covered with dark smoke, even in mid day and then, we found out that this smoke was from the burning of the wells. So I stayed in the camp with the Kuwaiti army for around a week, and I took permission to go visit my mother-in-law to check up on her. She was shocked, and it was a big surprise for them, because when I knocked on the door I was wearing my military uniform and was holding up my pistol. They hugged me and they were very happy to see me safely, and they asked me about my family.
Q: How did you explain the situation to your children in the first place? How did you explain the invasion, the Iraqis, the dark skies and all the violence?
A: It was a big story for them. When I went back to them, we sat together and I tried to tell them the whole story about Kuwait, what I saw, the smoke, the burning of the wells, and the destruction of our big house in Shuwaikh, where everything was stolen, including the furniture, the chandeliers, our clothes and the carpets. But, also, I told them that everything will be alright, that we will build our country better than the past, and that we still have our government who will help us build our country together better and better.
Q: What was your reaction to the Kuwaiti government's response to the invasion?
A: First of all, I was mad because it was their responsibility to do something to keep the citizens safe, but after the invasion, I realized that the members of the Iraqi army, their military and their equipment, compared to our country I understood that we couldn't have stopped them. They also had much experience with wars, whereas we, as a peaceful and small country, did not have the capability or the equipment to face them.
Q: What was your reaction to the international response to the invasion?
A: the first three days, everybody was just shocked, but after that, there was a good reaction, especially from the United Nations, except for the Arab countries, some of which were against our judgment, which made me very mad.
Q: What problems did you encounter upon returning to normal life?
A: From the beginning, from the moment we came back home, we knew it was not going to be easy to go back to normal, and I know and I believe that everything needs time. To destroy things is very easy, but to build, it takes time.
Q: What impact did the invasion have on you and your family?
A: I think we learned a very good lesson from the invasion, and we have to know that the good things never stay as they are, because sometimes you have good days and sometimes you have bad days. We learned not to take anything for granted and we thanked God that all our family members were safe except for one, whom was taken as P.O.W., was lost in Iraq, and he never came back.
Q: Who was he? How was he related to you?
A: He was my cousin
Q: How old was he?
A: When the Iraqi army took him from the mosque that day, I think he was around 35 years-old.
Q: So was he older or younger than you at the time?
A: He was younger than me and he was married with five children.
Q: What were the long-term effects that are still here today?
A: The worst thing was the impression that the Iraqi military was an army, when they really were thieves, they came to our country and they stole everything, furniture, cars, and even human beings
Q: Is there anything you would like to add this interview?
A: The invasion happened and now its history and we have to learn from it. We never depended on the Arab countries to defend us, but we have to depend on our citizens to do that.
Very interesting blogs! Dalal, the interview with your father is fantastic - providing us with a real personal account of one person who lived through the anxiety of the invasion. For me, it brings to life the account that I witnessed from my living room via CNN news - never expecting at that time to be living in this great country. Thanks to you and your father for the interview. Dr. Pamela
This class has been very challenging and interesting. The first week of this class, I felt like I will never be able to do all the work. However, I proved myself wrong and this class showed me how much I can do and how good I can do. I liked many things about this class, such as the revisions that enabled us to learn from our mistakes. I liked how we were introduced to new ways of research and how to cite them properly. It made me feel like I was accomplishing something big when I do the hard research, especially right now when everything is over and I can look back at the things we've done because it amazes me to realize how much I have improved my writing skills and thinking skills. More importantly, this class made it clear to me that looking at both sides of an argument is what makes a good author. Being biased does not help at all because if we don't look at the other side of the argument then we will never be able to understand what is going on exactly. Therefore, we need to know both sides of an argument so that we could form our own opinions and support it with credible sources. Overall, this class may have been overwhelming; however, it was what made it interesting and useful.
Have a great summer everyone :)
Kawther A. Sadeq
S00004498
Hello everyone!
It's kind of sad that this is the last blog for this class. I gotta say, it's been a great pleasure working with all you girls this semester.
This class has definitely strengthened my research skills, and taught me how to write with as little bias as possible in my work. Although I was taught to do the Works Cited page in English 101, I have to say that English 102 has made it a lot clearer for me. This class has also helped me become even more open minded when it comes to looking at the "other".
Having done a lot of work, and yes, it was tiring sometimes, but it definitely did pay off. Especially the final project, it was very self-fulfilling to see what we have produced throughout the semester and I hadn't realized it until the final project was made.
My favourite task was the Multi-media project as it allowed me to boast my computer skills and have fun, whilst producing a video of purpose.
Putting all the hard work aside, English 102 was a fun class. It felt more like a place where we would come and sit together as friends and discuss topics, rather than a classroom where the teacher/professor was in charge and the student had to follow instructions.
Wish you all the best and have a great summer !!
Dana Abdal
S00004328
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