Monday, March 29, 2004
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
The UK Foreign Office has advised people to avoid non-essential travel to a region of Syria hit by riots which have left 25 people dead.
A spokeswoman said the advice was not related to terrorism although a general warning over the danger of terrorist activity in Syria is already in place. (BBC)
From past experience whenever a travel warning is issued somehow the prediction comes true and hell breaks loose in that country if I was not too pragmatic I'd claim a conspiracy theory ... but really think of it ...Lets hope my theory is not proven true.
A spokeswoman said the advice was not related to terrorism although a general warning over the danger of terrorist activity in Syria is already in place. (BBC)
From past experience whenever a travel warning is issued somehow the prediction comes true and hell breaks loose in that country if I was not too pragmatic I'd claim a conspiracy theory ... but really think of it ...Lets hope my theory is not proven true.
The US special envoy to the Middle East has arrived in Tripoli as the first high-ranking US official to visit Libya in more than 30 years.
William Burns will meet Libyan leaders for talks aimed at continuing political dialogue between the two countries (BBC)
Yes since last week there was heightened security around the premises of the Belgian Embassy where a US diplomatic mission is located. So the Americans are here we know that. On the plus side I finally do not have to worry about a parking place in that area and about being pestered by African immigrants who are stopping over here on their way to illegal immigration to Europe. The parking area is spacious, and clear no one is forcing me to have my car washed or watched . Sometimes if you don't agree to give them a small sum your car will be busted or at the very least the paint scratched. I'm not being racist here because we Libyans come in all colours , but these poor people have entered my country illegally in the hope of saving for a better future in Europe.
William Burns will meet Libyan leaders for talks aimed at continuing political dialogue between the two countries (BBC)
Yes since last week there was heightened security around the premises of the Belgian Embassy where a US diplomatic mission is located. So the Americans are here we know that. On the plus side I finally do not have to worry about a parking place in that area and about being pestered by African immigrants who are stopping over here on their way to illegal immigration to Europe. The parking area is spacious, and clear no one is forcing me to have my car washed or watched . Sometimes if you don't agree to give them a small sum your car will be busted or at the very least the paint scratched. I'm not being racist here because we Libyans come in all colours , but these poor people have entered my country illegally in the hope of saving for a better future in Europe.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Monday, March 01, 2004
Happy Ashura !
Muharram is the First Month of the Islamic Calendar
The 10th day of Muharram, known as Yawm Al-Ashura, is the most significant day of this month.
Fasting on the Day of 3Ashura is supposed to be an expiation of sins for the previous year. Many events are attributed to this date such as that the Prophet Adam was born and his repentance was accepted on this day, the Prophet Abraham was saved from the fire, the Prophet Ishmael was delivered from the sacrifice, the Prophet Joseph was reunited with his father, the Prophet Job was cured of his illness and the Prophet Solomon was ordained as king on this day, but these assertions are not backed by accurate historical evidences. However it is mostly remembered because of the following:
When Prophet Muhammad came to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. When asked for the reason of their fasting, they replied that it was the day when God saved Prophet Moses and the Children of Israel from their enemies the Egyptians. Moses fasted to thank God and they fasted in emulation of him. So the Prophet Muhammad said “We have more of a right to Moses than you” and he ordered the Muslims to fast on that day. This fast was later abrogated with the fast of Ramadan substituted in its place but it was kept as an optional recommended fast.
The Prophet’s younger grandson Hussein was tragically martyred on 10th Muharram 61 AH/ 680 CE . As a result, the Shiites commemorate his martyrdom and give prominence to this day. But it must be remembered that Ashura was given significance and was celebrated by the Prophet Muhammad himself- hence it is pointless to claim that this day is only significant due to Hussein’s death which happened THREE decades after the Prophet’s death. Nevertheless, the heroic martyrdom of Imam Hussein is also to be remembered.
In Libya it is a happy occasion and we have our own rituals though we unfortunately do not get a day off anymore. On the eve of Ashura which for us was yesterday, we boil fava beans . Children then wear fancy/scary costumes or dress up a sort of scarecrow and go around houses , ringing bells and asking the inhabitants to give them the beans , sort of like 'trick or treat' thing.
I'll try and write down what they exactly say next time as I could not quite catch it last night ( typical Libyan dialect) .
I also took photos of the kids with their scarecrows , hope to upload it later.
Muharram is the First Month of the Islamic Calendar
The 10th day of Muharram, known as Yawm Al-Ashura, is the most significant day of this month.
Fasting on the Day of 3Ashura is supposed to be an expiation of sins for the previous year. Many events are attributed to this date such as that the Prophet Adam was born and his repentance was accepted on this day, the Prophet Abraham was saved from the fire, the Prophet Ishmael was delivered from the sacrifice, the Prophet Joseph was reunited with his father, the Prophet Job was cured of his illness and the Prophet Solomon was ordained as king on this day, but these assertions are not backed by accurate historical evidences. However it is mostly remembered because of the following:
When Prophet Muhammad came to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. When asked for the reason of their fasting, they replied that it was the day when God saved Prophet Moses and the Children of Israel from their enemies the Egyptians. Moses fasted to thank God and they fasted in emulation of him. So the Prophet Muhammad said “We have more of a right to Moses than you” and he ordered the Muslims to fast on that day. This fast was later abrogated with the fast of Ramadan substituted in its place but it was kept as an optional recommended fast.
The Prophet’s younger grandson Hussein was tragically martyred on 10th Muharram 61 AH/ 680 CE . As a result, the Shiites commemorate his martyrdom and give prominence to this day. But it must be remembered that Ashura was given significance and was celebrated by the Prophet Muhammad himself- hence it is pointless to claim that this day is only significant due to Hussein’s death which happened THREE decades after the Prophet’s death. Nevertheless, the heroic martyrdom of Imam Hussein is also to be remembered.
In Libya it is a happy occasion and we have our own rituals though we unfortunately do not get a day off anymore. On the eve of Ashura which for us was yesterday, we boil fava beans . Children then wear fancy/scary costumes or dress up a sort of scarecrow and go around houses , ringing bells and asking the inhabitants to give them the beans , sort of like 'trick or treat' thing.
I'll try and write down what they exactly say next time as I could not quite catch it last night ( typical Libyan dialect) .
I also took photos of the kids with their scarecrows , hope to upload it later.
BUSH lifts travel ban to Libya
Last week the US finally lifted a long standing travel ban for its citizens.
Ah ! looks like Bush is finally doing something right for his people after all by lifting the ban on travel to Libya. I look forward to meeting many of my American friends this summer, one big party .. Who would imagine that Americans are unable to travel where they wish isn't that ironic, supposedly 'third world' countries are the ones who curtail your freedom of travel...
And already the Oil companies are rushing back..
Last week the US finally lifted a long standing travel ban for its citizens.
Ah ! looks like Bush is finally doing something right for his people after all by lifting the ban on travel to Libya. I look forward to meeting many of my American friends this summer, one big party .. Who would imagine that Americans are unable to travel where they wish isn't that ironic, supposedly 'third world' countries are the ones who curtail your freedom of travel...
And already the Oil companies are rushing back..
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