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According to Jordan’s national news service, Petra, Jordanian policewoman are currently being trained to ride motorcycles. Is not that just too cool? It seems we are soon going to see Jordanian policewomen zipping about on motorbikes on the streets of the Kingdom. Neat! Hat tip: [Salam] |
Archive for October, 2006
Snapshot: Jordanian policewomen on motorbikes
October 30th, 2006Khochkhach: A powerful Tunisian flick that challenges taboos
October 29th, 2006
Last night we drove down Wisconsin Ave. into northwest DC to watch the Tunisian film Khochkhach (Fleur d’oubli) accompanied by Leilouta, her husband and blogger Freedom for Egyptians. The movie was running as part of the Arabian Sights Film Festival, now in full swing.
I enjoyed Khochkhach a great deal for a number of reasons: the engaging script, the powerful acting and the beautiful Tunisian scenery. The movie’s major theme revolves around the misery of a woman trapped in a sexless marriage to a secretly homosexual husband. To alleviate her pain, the protagonist Zakia seeks pleasure in Khochkhach tea, primarily used in Tunis in the early 1940’s to ease the pain of women after child birth and to put newborns to sleep. Since Khochkhach tea is derived from poppy plants, it was quite effective. As Zakiah’s desperation grows so does an addiction. She reaches rock bottom and ends up in an asylum.
Based on a true story, the movie boldly crosses red lines in the Arab world by discussing taboo issues such as a woman’s need for sexual fulfillment and homosexuality.
According to director Salam Baccar, who was present for a Q&A after the movie, the issue of homosexuality was not taken lightly by the Arabic press. She explained that many reviewers could not fathom the concept of an aristocratic, virile Tunisian man who is homosexual. Another interesting point Baccar brought up during the discussion was the fact that there is a very limited market for Tunisian movies, as the Arab market is dominated by Egyptian movies. As a result the market for this movie is first and foremost Tunisia and then Europe, especially France. But Baccar said she is still struggling to find a distributor and hoping to market her movie to the rest of the west.
Finally, it is also worth noting that Badiaa Abdallah, who played Zakia, did a fantastic job in conveying a woman’s journey of sorrow and then, ultimate peace. If you ever get the chance to see this movie, do not hesitate. It is so beautifully done and conveys a very potent message.
Muna Njiem responds to debate about role in Umniah sale
October 27th, 2006My previous post about Muna Njiem’s bid for ITU Secretary General has generated a little bit of a debate about her role in the sale of Jordanian mobile operator Umniah. As a result of some of that discussion, her election team left a comment on this blog today linking to an official response from her about her role in the sale. For those interested, here is the link to the official response. Her closing comment is here as one quick highlight:
Can’t comment on the "resale"; as it took place after my tenure with TRC, as I left to concentrate on my campaign for ITU SecGen.
To read more about the controversy unleashed last July over the sale, make sure to check out Khalaf’s detailed post .
Khalaf, who left a note on Njiem’s site about Umniah, has also just posted regarding her response. Although he regards the reply as "really the official line, which states that the opening of the communications market is better for the consumer," he does close out by wishing her luck and thanking her for "the professional response to the voices of the blogosphere." Khalaf’s full post is available here.
UPDATE: Muna Nejem left a follow-up comment on Khalaf’s post, saying: "I want to thank all of you for taking the time to visit my site and for the show of support. The Umniah licensing is exactly what I stated; clean, pure and simple. It was done by transparent "due process" and with the approval of Council of ministers at every step. I am at your disposal, at a later stage, to hold a meeting w/all who are interested from you to explain things in the minutest details. I thank you again, and promise all of you that I never compromise on honesty and honor, and I set extremely high standards for honesty and honor for myself. God, the Almighty, is always watching every small deed we do.
You are the future, and I believe in you. I lead by example and pray to God, and with your support that together we will do our utmost to serve humanity at large, to the best of our capabilities."
Jordanian Muna Nijem runs for ITU Secretary General
October 25th, 2006
Jordanian IT expert Muna Nijem is currently in the running for the position of Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU). According to ITU’s official website, the unit is an international organization headquartered in Geneva that operates within the United Nations System, where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services.
Muna Nijem was chairman and CEO of Jordan’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). Before that she worked with the UN and other international organizations. Here is a link to her biography. On her website, Nijem explains her plans for the ITU, saying:
If elected, I will not lose sight of key elements of the ITU’s mission. In particular, I will focus on how the ITU can help Members to employ ICT as an engine for building a better future for all nations, rich and poor, developed and developing, technologically advanced or emerging. While I know that no one can predict the future, I can commit to providing the leadership that the ITU needs to fulfill its mission.
It is worth noting that Nijem is the the first woman candidate for this position and the only candidate from Asia. I wish her the best of luck. Her appointment would sure put Jordan on the global IT map.
3rd anniversary snapshots
October 22nd, 2006
In what is becoming a rapidly evolving tradition each anniversary, we left town last weekend to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. Our first anniversary was celebrated in Dubai, while the second was in New York. This year, our destination of choice was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia is pretty neat, feeling somehow like a young town with a number of quaint streets laden with European-style pubs and off-beat shops. It also has tremendous significance in American history, as the city is home to Independence Hall, where the American constitution was signed, the Liberty Bell, the first US Post Office, and the home of Betsy Ross, who is said to have sewn the first US flag, among other things.
Touring on a bus that converted into a boat was an exciting way to see the city and the Delaware River. While on the tour, our guide showed us Will Smith’s house, right on the river. According to our guide, the residents of Philly know Smith is in town when they see flags mounted outside the house. Smith’s dad, who lives in the house year-round, puts out the flags whenever his son comes home. I guess this makes life for Smith’s stalkers much easier. Anyway, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Petra short-listed for ‘new’ seven wonders of world list
October 19th, 2006
The Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan has been short-listed for the new seven wonders of the world. The original list included 200 sites; the short-list now stands at 21. The vote is being organized by a non-profit Swiss foundation called New7Wonders, which specializes in the preservation, restoration and promotion of monuments. The results of the voting will be announced on July 7, 2007, in Lisbon. Here’s how 7wonders describes Petra:
On the edge of the Arabian Desert, nestled away in the mountains south of the Dead Sea, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modeled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.
This is so wonderful. I just voted on-line. As part of the voting system you have to choose seven sites. In addition to Petra, I voted for Hagia Sophia and Alhambra, two places I visited and fell in love with as well. Come on guys, vote for Petra now.
The picture in this post was taken by the super-talented husband. It’s part of a Jordan photo album that can be viewed here.
Hat tip: [Jordanblogger]
Will ‘Terror has no religion’ campaign make a difference?
October 17th, 2006
A contributor on the ABC News’ blog drew my attention to an anti-terrorism TV ad dubbed "Suicidal Terror" [see below] from a campaign entitled Terror has no religion that is currently running on TV channels and in newspapers across the Middle East. The blogger saw the TV ad while stationed in Amman. He says:
I was flipping around Arab Satellite channels in Amman last week and I noticed something rare — a slick Hollywood-style TV ad. The standard of TV production in the Middle East stinks –- lots of bad lighting and make-up. So when a very polished ad popped up it grabbed my attention. In graphic detail, the spot shows the aftermath of a suicide bombing. Clearly, the aim is to try and dissuade would-be suicide bombers.
The special effects, the acting and general production value was so clearly NOT locally produced. It seemed very "Hollywood." Sure enough, the ads are made in America. They are part of a massive multi-million dollar campaign to win ‘hearts and minds’ in the Arab world. The production company based in LA, called 900 Frames, says it got money from some moderate Iraqis who would like to remain anonymous.
I skimmed through the campaign website and I must say it looks impressive. But it begs several questions. Will these ads make a difference? Will they make potential suicide bombers think twice before committing their fatal act? One can only hope.The blog’s author is skeptical, however.
Sadly, these ads appear to miss the mark. Sure they get your attention but they do look VERY American and will likely be viewed with plenty of skepticism, seen as mere propaganda. More importantly, all the ads are based on one message, "Terror Has No Religion" and suicide bombing runs counter Islam.
In my humble opinion, in today’s world any effort to stop the current bloodshed in places like Iraq should be applauded regardless of the party endorsing the effort. What really matters is ending the carnage once and for all. The ad in question is below, but you can click here to visit the site and see the rest.
On censoring books
October 15th, 2006
Diala Khasawneh writes in The Jordan Times about book censorship in Jordan, recounting a story that happened to her years ago when she was traveling with her mother across the borders from Beirut to Amman:
The original officer, his superior and a couple of curious men were now hovering around our car. We were being questioned about these books. Telling them the box had several books, some on art others on psychology, was not sufficient. They wanted to look through the box, see every single book. I had to tell them the title, a brief of the content and leaf through each one, by the third book my mother had lost it. "I am a professor, a teacher, I have material to teach students, a university, academia, research, knowledge …. She, my daughter, is a student, at school, reading, studying… What do you expect us to have in the car?…. What do you expect us to own?"
Books were simply not an easy item to smuggle through to Jordan. To be honest, we knew that. We had anticipated it, but still, the truth is, we are continuously shocked by it. I always hide books I bring back home from travel. I always distribute the music CDs in my suitcase and very carefully wrap the films. I am always worried they will be confiscated for censorship. Although there is a "procedure," but in most cases one never sees these items again. Books are the drugs of Jordan.
A similar incident happened to me some years ago when I tried to ship my books from London to Amman. I went to Queen Alia Airport one month after my arrival in Amman to pick up about three boxes of books. Of course, I had to go through the censorship department, which consisted of one man in an office. The man, who had a cigarette dangling from his lip, flipped through the pages of every book I had packed into my boxes. I had to explain to "the inspector" that I was a student and that these were academic books I bought when I was studying in London. This did not convince him. He continued flipping through the books, which were mostly about media and journalism. I guess he found them somehow threatening. I waited patiently until he realized that I was not trying to smuggle anything that might endanger our society. Fortunately, that day, I was allowed to reclaim my books.
So while the jaded thirty-year-old in me blogs about book censorship in Jordan, there is a young motivated Jordanian who blogs about ways to encourage Jordanians to read. The jaded part of me somehow finds it easier to identify with Diala, who says:
Today in Jordan, the censorship institution destroys the books confiscated. They are all collected and regularly destroyed. Piles and piles of words and images, of histories and fiction, of truths and lies condemned with capital punishment. Books are the witches of today. Burnt to death at the stake. The books burn to ashes. The books are burning towards our death. We are at a standstill. The world moves on. We are sinking in the quick sand of ignorance. Our rivers are pitch black. We do not remember their original color and are too afraid to imagine.
… than with Lina who wants to start a campaign to encourage people to read. The jaded part of me believes that we first need to examine the root cause behind the mediocre number of readers in Jordan. I say let’s start with abolishing the censorship department. In this day and time — where anything can be accessed with no sweat — this department is simply a waste of space. Hat tip: [Euroarabe]
Williamsburg: A trip back to colonial times
October 13th, 2006
One of the most unique places I have visited in this country so far is Williamsburg, Virginia. What made this place special for me is it the vast amount of history associated with it. During our two-day visit there a few weeks back, I received a crash-course in American history.
Thanks to our quick museums tours, I got to know about the Revolutionary War, the victory in Yorktown, the Boston tea party, what taxation without representation is all about and the daily doings of the early immigrants who formed the first colonies.
Visiting Jamestown, which is right down the road from Williamsburg, was pretty eye opening as well. I laid my eyes upon the original location of the first colony that gave birth to what is now the United States. It was exciting to see the early haunts of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas, two characters that for awhile I thought of as mere fiction.
Downtown Williamsburg was the most enchanting part of it all. It was a bit surreal for me to wander down cobblestone streets alongside people dressed in colonial clothes, speaking in colonial accents, while listening to colonial music and eating colonial food. It was a trip back in time in every sense of the word.
Dining in Williamsburg was out of this world, as we savored a colonial dinner in the dark using only candles for lighting — just like the good old days. Overall, it was a memorable trip. I will let the pictures — taken by the super talented husband — speak for themselves.
Female journalists to be honored for their courage
October 12th, 2006
Four female journalists will be honored this month in New York City, DC and Los Angeles for their courage. Among them is my dear friend Jill Carroll, who was held hostage in Iraq for nearly three months. Lebanese journalist May Chidiac, who survived an assassiantion attempt last year, will also be honored. Also among the feted is Gao YU from China, who has been jailed twice for her reporting. The award is being presented by the International Women’s Media Foundation. This is a description of what the award is all about:
The only awards program exclusively for international women journalists, the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Awards honor women journalists who have shown extraordinary strength of character and integrity while reporting the news under dangerous or difficult circumstances. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a woman journalist who has a pioneering spirit and whose determination has paved the way for future generations of women in the media.
Kudos to all these wonderful journalists for their bravery and resolve. You can find a full list of award recipients here.
