Across Syria & Inside Homs

Al-Rawdha Cafe, Part II

2007-06-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Thoughts of an anonymous reader:

I was born in Homs a very long time ago, but, when I read some of the entries and comments, I can't help but see the Homsi spirit and humor coming out.I love this blog, and I want to see more, thank you Amr and Haider I bet I know your parents.I will never forget the Raouda cafe, on sundays, we used to go as a family and sit in the family section, there is no hommos or foul that comes close to that taste, and I will never forget the smell of the wet sand in that cafe, it is ingrained in my memory, and when I think of Homs, I think of that amazing smell, the combination of wet sand, tobacco and the fragrance of flowers.when I was a young woman, we used to take a horse drawn carriage to the Raouda on Sundays with my grandparents.another interesting memory, the other part of the Raouda, where the men gathered to play backgammon, smoke and drink coffee, and which was forbidden to me as a young woman, I cannot stand it, now that I am an old woman and crazy still, when I go next summer with my 2 beautiful daughters, first thing we are doing is crashing the men's section of the Raouda, most of my elderly male relatives are dead now, and the ones of my generation know I always wanted to do that..

Al-Rawdha Cafe, Homs

2007-02-26T19:40:00.000-08:00

In-Doors

Out-Doors

Al-Rawda Cafe was and still is right at the heart of the social life in Homs. Merchants, workers, and students meet over tea, coffee, or smoke. they play cards, make business deals, and gossip. Sounds like fun? In the summer time I used to go there with some of my friends like Haider Droubi, Muhammad and Wael Atassi, and Abdullah Tulaimat. it was a fun change from hanging out the Al- Safir" Hotel . Good memories.

Homs & the Sun

2007-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Vase

2007-02-17T17:47:00.000-08:00

Vase, Byzantine era, found in Homs, Syria

Julia Domna Historical Restaurant, Homs

2007-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Zeharawi Histrorical Residence, Homs

2007-01-26T09:29:00.000-08:00

The Crowd

2006-11-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

I took this pic in Paris in 2005 , i was watching some protest demonstration in the street...all people were watching ,,,i looked around ,,and wondered if there is any other activity going on beside this demonstration....then i saw them...a complete picture of life...of a couple.. laughing..single people staring at the outside..to the unknow...shocked ..scared ..
and around me people shouting and demanding some change in their salries..maybe their attitude...maybe the way people looked at them.

The noise of the street and the eager of the girl chatting ..the distance between the two singles....the old man head looking back from centuries ago ,,,not losing his calmness and temper infront of people dressed in a 10-USD,cheap green,100% polyster T-shirts, along with sun glasses not designed for pirates ,but for the elite who wink when they say (ray-ban) .

I love this pic...i thought about sharing it with you,,,i dont have much to say now ...
Paris ...merci.

Shanghai…Contemporary Red

2006-10-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Well. Obviously the red color was so dominant,only there I understood why bulls get so irritated when seeing this color, actually only there I realized how beautifully this color can be used .

That huge giant sleeping there, somewhere in the far ..who speaks no English ..who uses thousands of simplified symbols that he calls alphabet. Who believes in yoga, massages and Chinese acupuncture..Who in his silent hardworking built an empire of devoted citizens ,,building huge bridges ,,yet producing refined products under the name of GUCCI.

He is called the FAR EAST, we are called MIDDLE EAST….and they are called the WEST….I wonder where is the MIDDLE WEST….i guess it doesn’t exist ,better we stop calling each other with geographical names.

Well…as we say in Arabic..’the one who gets in the middle of a fight ,,trying to stop it, receives most of the kicks’ … maybe this is what is happening to us..

That giant who is supposed to be a communist country ,,,well at least in shanghai ,is not …signs of globalization is scattered every where ..starting from elegant cars and restaurant…to huge entertainment centers and shopping malls…trendy shops to sophisticated lounges full of people…but guess what …they all wear something red ….even if it is a necklace..
It is a balance between being so modern ,,yet preserving their own heritage…it is a healthy mixture that the middle east should understand to stop getting lost and dizzy between what some people want us to look like and what others want to keep as our identity…guys ..We can be so modern ,,yet with a dominant color ..that stands up for our identity ,,as middleasterns…but we lack the wisdom and understanding …being busy discussing silly political-financial conflicts, I guess the old people new about the sophistication of those cultures,. I guess we all need to go there and see some different theories of building a nation,,a nation that is so eastern .

The only thing that I didn’t know before, is that people have to pay fees (0.9 $) to get into the grand temples…that’s why they weren’t so crowded..and most of the people were of a middle class back ground…maybe the poor should have their own temples. Maybe only inside their own bodies …that’s what makes their faith so personal and available anywhere ..even in public transportation.

well...there is one more thing ..i was told that their bodies don't "çonsume "Alcohol proprly..when they drink they start walking and walking and walking ….they get wasted so easily…they try to get rid of the Alcohol in their bodies…but for vain,,only then I knew why they were going in circles ,going upstairs and down stairs as if they were looking for their watches that fell down…well… only then i knew why i was getting dizzy...it was their movement .

Shanghai..where modern buildings look over the old temples..where the noise of the wild night life is next door to the calm spas and treatment centers…where bicycles park in front of trendy shops…where people speak silently….

…As I said ,,,they have their own way of being a modern nation..maybe we should consider their theories as much as we consider the western experiment.

Keep an eye on china ..it might be the next power…..

I leave you with my pictures…my reddish ones…

Didnt i tell you red is everywhere!!...even at the back yard of a temple..well ..this was exposed anyway!!!!

Syrian Actress Sulafa Memar

2006-10-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

History and Politics And The TV In Ramadan

2006-10-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Aiman Tulaimat just posted an interesting artlicle on his new blog Watanan, here is the full text:

Ramadan has just started and with it began a marathon of TV series that will occupy some of us till the early morning hours. Similar to those of previous years, they are tackling themes that are strongly tied to the troubles of the Arab World. Some series deal with political corruption, these are usually the mildest of all and are sometimes funny. On the other hand, we have historical dramas that deal with particular eras or particular figures. In addition to educating the viewers about the historical content, they try to use the past as a magnifying glass of contemporary political matters, particularly the failures of the political leadership in the Middle East. The productions are sometimes very large and lavish. They are hard to follow but at the ends they are frequently intellectually pleasing.
The most traumatic of all the series are the ones dealing with terrorism. I have been following two. The first one was set in Syria. It was very painful to watch, lots of tears and lots of body parts. In yesterday's episode, the leader of the terrorist cell wanted to use his stepdaughter to blow up a government building. She was 6-7 years old! The scene of strapping her with explosives was hard to watch. Due to a series of coincidences, the police foiled the attack, arrested all the bad guys and saved the little girl. The second show was set in multiple countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and England. The characters were from a larger number of Arab countries. The terrorists are more sophisticated and run a complex organization. Many of them had been in Afghanistan and are now living in some of the Arab states or the UK. So far, there has been some snapshots into their psyche that will, I assume, influence how the plot unfolds. I think that this will be the most rewarding of the two, but let us wait and see, or watch.
I would like to advise all US law makers, politicians, CIA, FBI, NSA, and the White House to watch all these programs. They will give them great insight on the real troubles of the Arab World and how the locals view them. I think that the insight will be larger than that given in any CIA report or expert testimony and will cost much less, 39 dollar per month for the satellite subscription, a TV and someone to translate!
You can post your comments here.

Top: Syrian Actress Sulafa Memar

A Point of view .

2006-10-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

Syrian Artist : Rana Chalabi.

Muhammad's sword-

Pope Benedict XVI

By:Uri Avner (author, activist and heads the Israeli peace movement "Gush Shalom"). http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15089.htm 09/24/06

"China : GO EAST. "..soon

2006-09-28T02:04:00.000-07:00

China-2006 'well..thanks for the taxi driver who slowed down to allow me to shoot this one '

Ramadan kareem - Happy Ramadan.

2006-09-25T03:21:00.001-07:00

Arabian Details , Dubai - 2005

Sir.Elton: Lets make history on...Again

2006-09-14T04:35:00.000-07:00

'the New Middle East'

Well…No one is against having a new middle east ,the same way no one is against having a new car, a new house ,maybe a new city.
The concept is accepted by most of the middle easterners, But what is this ‘New Middle East’ they are talking about ??? Or should I say ‘The Great Middle East’?

This concept is not new to our east, the Ottoman empire collapsed when the world war 1 was over, and the Ottoman territory was divided among the European great powers of the world .,a plan for what was called a ‘new middle east’ was agreed upon ,which is the one we live in nowadays .

Well, some of us might say : if only we constructed it based on more liberty, or on more conservation ,or even on more unity between the Arabs who woke up in the morning on the sight of around 22 countries existing instead of one vast ottoman empire, with a small state called Israel breathing in the heart of the east.

Well the reality is that no one at that time knew about this plan, nor about its contents…unfortunately nowadays the same is happening ,we feel something is coming in the horizon but we cant identify its features. but we are afraid ,,and not sure about it .

The funny thing is that this project was always imposed on the east by the great power of the world, while the Arab countries are busy with internal conflicts and issues that keeps them blind of the wind flying over to their side.

The issue is that any great power that might come later (some say it is China),shall do the same and submit its plan of a new middle east ,the same way the untied states is doing now, and the same way Europe did before.

Preventing any change to happen is just a shallow idea, modernization is a relative issue and can hold a lot of positive sides if we did it with our own hands, in our own way,and not waiting for others to come and impose it.

It is time for Arabs to understand and see the whole picture clearly, other wise, the story will repeat it self and we will be building an east where our children and grandchildren will live and say :' if only our grandfathers noticed and avoided this and that !!!!'

It is not that complicated, the same procedure was followed before by the great powers, the sad news is that we are about to follow the same one our grandfathers did.

For more check http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Eastern_theatre_of_World_War_I

Some one said :' the pain we are witnessing is the pain of birth of a new middle east,'

I say : 'take it easy !!! .who told you it is time for giving birth…this should be controlled by nature . Not force ..Unless you want to change it into an abortion..cos we dont ...we want the child to live ..healthy...'

WATANAN....Attack in Damascus

2006-09-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

Aiman Tulaimat, President of Turath (Arab cultural center in Chicago), just posted an interesting artlicle on his new blog Watanan,

here is the full text:

Attack in Damascus

The attack on the US embassy in Damascus brought back old memories. Ten years ago I stood there inline to submit my documents to get a visa to come to the US. I know every corner of that block. But yesterday's attack made me realize, that even my memories are not safe from the attacks of extremist. It also reinforces in my mind the need to partner with Syria in the fight against extremism and the push for peace in the Middle East.
I would like to introduce a cenario, a sort of a political future fiction, politofuturofiction! After the attack on the US embassy, someone in the US administration would say: "eureka! Syria is also a victim of extremism, it had been and remains mostly secular, the public is moderate, and the government has a long experience in dealing with and fighting extremism. We -the US- should have Syria on our side." This staffer, and let us call him Joe, does some research and discovers that Syria's strongest grievance is the Golan heights. Joe is also concerned about the growing giant called China. Joes discovered that the Arab World with its human, economic, and geopolitical resources is the only possible partner that can help the US stand still against China, Europe is get very old and Russia might partner with China! Joe feels an urgency because he read a report that in
2030 China might become richer than the US. Joe concluded after lots of reading
that it is crucial to resolve the remaining issues of the Middle East conflict to focus on China. Joe develops a plan to bring Syia inline with the US. It goes like this: convince Israel to give the heights back, Assad makes a Sadat-like visit to Tel Aviv, Syria and Israel sign a peace agreement that include enough water for Israel, Israel withdraws from the heights, Syria through its links with Hezbollah and Hamas forces disarmament, in return Israel withdraws from the
West Bank and Gaza, the Lebanese battle out their differences and reach a stable
form of government after significant concessions. Then, Syria turns around helps
the US solving the Iraq problem. Joe concluded that Syria is the only Arab country that can occupy the vacuum in Iraq once the US forces leave because of its location, size of its military, and because it can deal with Iran more than any other Arab country. Syria's presence in Iraq will satisfy the other Arab allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and will calm their concerns about the increasing strength of Iran and its reach into Iraq. A strong Syrian-Egyptian-Saudi alliance in Iraq will stand against Iran and force its cooperation. Joe present his findings to his superiors, they like it, implement it, it becomes a reality.
Joe gets the Nobel prize for peace and retires in Damascus!
Joe, where are you...
You can post your comments here.

A Norrow Street at the Souk, Homs Syria

2006-09-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

The Old Roofed Souk, Homs, Syria

2006-09-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

WATANAN

2006-09-08T01:08:00.000-07:00

Below, is a recent post by Aiman at Watanan, if you got answers to any of his questions then leave him a comment here.

What I Would Really Want You to Do

To tell you the truth, I named this blog "watanan" because I am worried about my identity. Many Arabs living in America or any other western nation probably share my worry that stems from the chance of a war between my homes. At this point in history, the West has Arabs and Muslims under the microscope; they are seen as the enemy. This vision is created and perpetuated daily by a complex process of misinformation to which the immigrant Arab and Muslim communities in the West have been effectively silent. If you were paying attention to the news, the drums of war have begun. The US has increased the number of its troops in Iraq and shipped new weapons to Israel. British and American troops have moved from hot spots in Iraq and are probably at the Iranian and Syrian borders. Israel has developed a new brigade to attack Syria and Iran and is investing heavily in improving the safety of its shelters. Britain, Canada, and Australia have been recruiting aggressively into their militaries. Even Saudi Arabia has recently received new fighter jets from France. The US had secured French and now German support against Iran. Can you hear the drums now.So, what should you do? Should you just stay tuned, as the war comes to a theater near you, or maybe to your bedroom TV! Or should you "do something." I recommend the later, because watching TV can probably increased your weight! The least you can do is to EDUCATE the people around you about the misinformation directed at them, ask them to stop watching TV, and MOTIVATE them to say "no to war, no to any war".This brings me back to my little blog. I would like you to send me answers about few questions: how can you become a citizen of the west with roots in the east? How will you cope with a large scale war against Arab or Muslim nations? And what should Arabs and Muslims living in west do to bring peace and prevent war? Please, ask your friends that might have an opinion to participate. I would like your participation to be in a paragraph form and to include answers to all of my questions. I will post all your opinions on my blog to have a living archive of our voices. Lastly, I believe that there are better fields that we
should send our men and women to than the fields of battle.

The Syrian Heights: The Occupied Golan

2006-09-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

After dark in the old city, Homs, Syria

2006-09-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

Racing against Time..But without hearing the starting whistle...

2006-09-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

I woke up few weeks ago in a different mood; the truth was that an essential 'check point' was infront of me.

I received many calls from friends who knew me for decades, What they said about themselves was exactly what I was going through..

I received some calls from people who knew me for weeks...months…but we do communicate….mentally.

I received an overseas phone call ,informing me how stupid I am, How lonely my life will be ,How good I can act as a ‘loser’…I respect her honesty..her care...and appreciate no further comments about this issue....

I received a flower bouquet with no name attached…thanks.

I had a smashing ‘surprise party’…I am more than thankful to my friends….

3 decades had passed just like this ‘zoeeeeeeeeeee’, just before I realized that something is passing…I was the only one that day hearing all the clock towers of all the cities announcing ‘ heee….sleeping head…another decade had passed’

The hardest thing in life is to face your own self ,to accept it ,to Accept our real capabilities..Always facing others…analyzing them …accepting them…is much easier….
But the universal truth that time is running, regardless of our approval …is uncontrollable…..undefeatable…All of us think in a certain point that we are the center of this world….believe me…we all do, But we don’t realize it until later…

Being young,.indepandant..single…and healthy….is not easy….this is when most people…think they are the center of the world…The Human being is a very confusing creature…created based on a smart ,self-repairing system…..A smart chip had been planted at the back of his neck…that’s why he can’t see it …but he can feel it …This software enables him to recover most of his parts automatically…to recharge his inner battery.. and recycle all life experiences, turning them into a useful product...a useful implementation…
The fact that this chip can’t recover itself automatically is the shocking reality…The fact that we are part of a bigger system and not the center of the world is the awakening call….The fact that he/she is made of contradiction, flesh and soul…hate and love …sadness and happiness…and above all fear and confidence… Is the secret behind the existence of this life…’you will break down soon….but you are not allowed to do it in your own way’

too many things are running in my head……as I said another ‘check point’.

I took those photos lately..trying desperately to picture the sun...the exact reality of it ..but i failed..by trying so...i was so arrogant and self centerd...at the end i had to use the clouds as a mediator.
What is going on?..where is that smart chip?…will we ever be able to control it ?Or when we do control it ,will we regret doing so ? I think what keeps us going ahead is our search of an answer to this question...which we should never answer…maybe it is better for us.. this way…

Someone wrote:’In the end it will be okay,,,if it is not not okay,,so it is not the end’ ..i find it funny...and silly...

Cheer up freinds....it will be ok in the end..if it is not ok...we will change the meaning of 'ok'.

Shhhhhhhhh.....

2006-08-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

'Details of my living area- 2006'

Turn off the light....Let the Middle east sleep Safe and sound for one night...at least for one night ..tomorrow is another day...Shhhhhh

They left in pain,He was left in pain.....

2006-08-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

listen to Music

www.beirutletters.org

Brotherly Lessons

2006-08-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

Listen to Ziad Rahbani's wisedom

Also try his Commandments

" Hajeh 3ad " = Enough

2006-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today’s war seems to be coming to an end. An end that preludes to yet a new war, be it within the Lebanese themselves or a renewed war with Israel.

I, am not going to take sides here, I will just hope that people in both ends, would compromise on a lasting and viable peace to end this never ending conflict.

To the Israelis, I would say, peaceful neighborhood will not come about by destroying your neighborhood.

And To the Arab powers, I would say, any fight, should be about the people. And before you go to war, the safety and the lives of people should be your number one priority.

Let’s reach a deal (men shan allah) that would stop this misery, and would make this world, a better and safer, place for all of us.

I SHALL SPEAK NO MORE.

2006-08-02T02:35:00.000-07:00

She told him to let it go,not to live his life in pain,she asked him to promise her that he will go back to school ,that he will be a doctor..to have a family...to have his own children.

She told him to leave pain behind,cos no one can go on with this much anger and frustration in his heart.

Do you think that he will be able to do so?do you think he can promise his dear mother that he will be alright after she died in his arms.suffering in pain,colored in red ?

I Doubt it!!!!

Then we ask : why the hell we have all this violance in the middle east..such a stupidity to ask such a question !!!!!!!!

i pitty the human race,including my self.

Dear Friends

2006-07-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

Due to work, school, and other overwhelming responsibilities, I will no longer be posting here at Across Syria. Luckily Across Syria lives on, as my dearest childhood friend Haider will continue to post making it even a better place.. ...Damn, I am already late to work… ..Amr

Update: keep an eye on this new Syrian Blog. It is not only good, it is "family", show your support.

http://watanan.blogspot.com/

Here is a a glimpse:

Dissociations
I don’t want to choose between mourning the dead and awaiting their call. I don’t want to fake a smile as I walk down the isle to buy my steak. Can I sleep as they battle the thunders of war? Can I shine my shoes as they march a dirt road? Can I turn my AC on and play with my son? Can I kiss my wife goodbye? Can I be the hunter and the prey? Can I be the victor and the loser? Can I be an American if my mother lives in Beirut?

SAVE OUR HUMANITY....PEOPLE !!!!

2006-07-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

'this had been called self defense!!!!!!'

the angels are bleeding today,not only because Lebanon is being raped at the moment,not only because the great power of the wolrd blessed that,not only cos the brothers and sisters turned away their sight from the crying beauty of the east,not only cos I can hear the scream of people running in all directions,not only cos children are crying ,lost and don’t understand what is goin on,and why their parents are not replying,not standing up to lift them up from the ground ,not only cos the old people are cursing themselves for bringing their children to this world,,not only cos mothers are confused deciding which child to save since they cant save the whole family,not only cos their cities and villages turned out to be their graves,not only cos streets are being used as a roman battle field with lions,not only because humans arebeing killed like sheep in slaughter house,but also because the humanity is falling down.

When god created earth,created adam,then eve,then mouses,then jesus,then mohamad,then all these creaturs called human beings….he didn’t plan that those creatures will turn into walking devils.

Without trying to make sense of what is happening,I read the news:

-Israel sends her commandos to the villages of the south…..

-The Lebanese government accuses Israel of using unconventional (internationally banned) weapons and bombs….

And I leave my imagination to describe what is happening ……….I remembered the pictures of Qana massacre http://www.nizar.net/english/qana.htm that happened a couple of years ago in the same south, for the same people, by the same party.

To all the inhuman creatures in the world: today is your festival….keep on supporting or being silent.

To all the human beings in the world: defend Lebanon…defend your humanity.

To any one who though that what is going on is a porn movie,and that the pain is only screams of pleasure,to whoever stopped by and started masturbating while watching:

This is a rape scenary,not a porn one, and you are sick.

To whoever wants to know the reality,to whoever dares to see reality,whoever wants to act:
http://www.mirvat.blogspot.com/
http://www.lebanonexpats.org/
http://www.aljazeera.com/

http://lebanonheartblogs.blogspot.com

http://stopdestroyinglebanon.com/

to whoever wants to make a change....your participation could save lives:

1.Tuesday... July 18 , Washington DC: Lebanese Rally to Protest Ongoing attacks on LEBANON

2.Peaceful Rally to Protest Ongoing Israeli Violence in LebanonWHEN: Tuesday July 18, 2006 from 5-7pmWHERE: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW –in front of the White House Take Metro to McPherson Square

3.July 16 - MontrealJuly 16 - OttawaJuly 17 - San FranciscoJuly 18 - Washington DCJuly 18- New York/July 19 - Boston, for details : http://lebanonheartblogs.blogspot.com

LEBANON SHALL NEVER DIE........

Across Syria Recommends

2006-07-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Beirut, Levant

2006-07-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Fouad Ajami

2006-07-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Racist

On Charlie rose talk show, Fouad Ajami, a lebanese american professor at Johns Hopkins University said;

"It does not really matter in the Arab World if someone raises a secular banner or a religous banner, i mean with these people(Arabs) it is the same phenonmenon aka Arab radicalism"

and to Dan Rather of CBS he said:

"Well you have to realize that we Arabs are scum and cannot live in peace with others"

I say:

"telhas.."

Damascus, Levant

2006-07-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

Lebanon..Ya Hilou

2006-07-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

Syria and Lebanon share common history, geography, and culture...almost every home in Lebanon has family ties in Syria.

Today, We, Across Syira, stand by the Lebanease People..We are extremely distressed to see Beirut and other lebanese towns getting bombed.

We urge the people of Israel, to pressure their goverment to stop the excessive use of force against civilian targets (bridges, airports, cities) to prevent the loss of incconet lives and private property.

We hope that the crisis in Lebnon will end soon, so lebanese people could live in peace.

1st picture: Byblos, Lebanon.

2nd picture : A man carries a baby as he crosses to Beirut past a damaged bridge that was destroyed after Israeli warplanes targeted it late Wednesday in the town of Damour, south of Beirut, Lebanon

Amr's 10++ Homsi commandments

2006-07-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have always thought that Beirut and Istanbul are the best cities in the world. The reason was that it is where the charming East meets the modern West best.. Kind of a sexy marriage.

Sexy? Maybe, troublesome marriage? Seems like it!!

See many “moderns” in the Middle East in general and the Levant in particular seems to suffer from a sever lack of ethical standards. It seems that ethics was left out during the wedding ceremony. (laugh)

So here is my advice to the new generation of Arab "Moderns".

1) Judging people and Stereotyping, are still needed in this life; they are useful..just keep the use of them to a minimum.
2) You could be naughty but don’t be trashy, and yes you need to use a condom.
3) Have fun ; you need to loosen up; Dance; just don’t lie or hurt others in the process. Boys: playing a bad boy.. Girls: playing hard to get... Both are makeup we put on; use it and quickly lose it.
4) Try to enjoy the essentials of life (food, books, work, music, friends, fashion, Art, family and loved ones) that’s what’s called culture.
5) Education is important; Experience is even more important.
6) Don’t be a slave to money; instead make it work for you.
7) Be respectful to all and help needy people..old peopele too..Be Nice...
8) Be honest, appreciate it and reward it. Hypocracy is aweful. Girls: Don't fake chastity with your potential husbands, this is simply awful deception. and girls: yes anal sex & blowjobs is SEX, therefore you are not quite a vergin anymore! Guys: don't sleep arround like whores and then marry a vergin!!
9) Life is a sport; if you fail at times take it easy.
10) Commitment is a very serious affair, and yes marriage is unfortunatly (or furtunatly) a commitment. you need to be up to it..No gray area here.
11) Don't middle in politics; it is dirty; Just vote (once we have elections) and don't forget to rant and complain, it makes things better..
12) MCdonalds tastes aweful; HipHop could be vulgur; Haifa Wehbeh looks slutty;Don't be taken away.. Modernize your culture; don't change your culture.
13) Work hard; or look as if you are working hard..It is important
14) Men and Women are equal,
15) Men are not banks; women are not whores; devide the labor.
16) Guys. you dont have to pay the bill everytime you go in a date, unless it is really important for you to score;
17) Don't suck up..Have some self-respect. Sons and daughters of generals & politician could be cool ! but remember this is blood money.
18) Friendship with "same sex' buddies is enriching..Frindship with "other sex" buddies, is assuring, educational, and often flirtious...just beware of the difference.
19) Appreciate talent and genuinity; always try new things; never be afraid to question your conceptions and beliefs; just don't over do it.
20) Goodness, is never a sign of weekenss; Don't make enemies; Crush your enemies ..yet remeber that forgivenss is a virtue, if ever possible.
21) Admit your mistakes...regret them ..learn to apologize...apology is widely accepted. If you Keep repeating your mistakes!! you are a Jerk/Bitch.
22) Always sorround your self with people who have a lot to lose...Example: In Syria Seducing a women under 21, Or being seduced by one, followed by intercourse is looked at as rape by judges if the girl ever complains. got the point!!??? careful son...
24) Gossip is flattering...Accept it. you are now famous!!
25) Don't do what the Romans don't do. Accept local norms and culture; girls..Don't rebel unless you need to...Dating a street thug is not quite libertarian. Remember Freedom is responsiblity.
26) Stay down to earth; don't take your self too seriosuly...Seriously you are not that important...Be modest...it is still attractive (to those who matter)..
27) Be critical of others when they are bad. it's kind of a "checks and balances" system, Jerks/bitches will call it "being judgemntal" don't believe them,
28) Having kids is a selfish act (enjoyable too) done by the parantes. DO NOT ever think of your self as a burden to your parantes...
29) Don't forget to take risks...take Calculated risks if you want to be safe..it is key to success.
30)Family is still the best establishment created by mankind, Girls: stop looking for a better deal ,,you are approaching 40 ; Guys, you will never be rich enough ..settle down..you are bold.

Really guys and girls, If you do all the above and people still talk shit about you then hell with them..

Did I miss out on something important?

Top: Sky Bar in Beirut, Lebanon

Racing against Time..without hearing the starting whistle...

2006-07-10T00:21:00.000-07:00

I woke up few weeks ago in a different mood; the truth was that an essential 'check point' was infront of me …

I received many calls from friends who knew me for decades. What they said about themselves was exactly what I was going through..
I received some calls from people who knew me for weeks...months…but we do communicate….mentally.
I received an overseas phone call ,informing me how stupid I am. How lonely my life will be .How good I can act as a ‘loser’…

I received a flower bouquet with no name attached…thanks.

I had a smashing ‘surprise party’…I am more than thankful to my friends….

3 decades had passed just like this ‘zoeeeeeeeeeee’, just before I realized that something is passing…
I was the only one today hearing the clock towers of all the cities announcing ‘ heee….sleeping head…another decade had passed’

The hardest thing in life is to face your own self…accepting it ,Accepting our real capabilities..
Always facing others…analyzing them …accepting them…is much easier….

But the universal truth that time is running, regardless of your approval …is uncontrollable…..undefeatable…
All of us think in a certain point that we are the center of this world….believe me…we all do. But we don’t realize it until later…
Being young,.indepandant..single…and healthy….is not easy….this is when most people…think they are the center of the world…

The Human being is a very confusing creature…created based on a smart ,self-repairing system…..
A smart chip had been planted at the back of his neck…that’s why he can’t see it …but he can feel it …

This software enables him to recover most of his parts automatically…to recharge his inner battery.. and recycle all life experiences, turning them into a useful product...a useful implementation…

The fact that this chip can’t recover itself automatically is the shocking reality…
The fact that we are part of a bigger system and not the center of the world is the awakening call….

The fact that he/she is made of contradiction, flesh and soul…hate and love …sadness and happiness…and above all fear and confidence… Is the secret behind the existence of this life…’you will break down soon….but you are not allowed to do it in your own way’

Too many things are running in my head……as I said another ‘check point’.

I took those photos lately..trying desperately to picture the sun...the exact reality of it ..but i failed..by trying so...i was so arrogant and self centerd...i had to use the clouds as a mediator.

What is going on?..where is that smart chip?…will we ever be able to control it ?
Or when we do control it ,will we regret doing so ?

I think what keeps us going ahead is the search of an answer answer for this question,which we should never answer…maybe it is better for us.. this way…
Someone wrote:’In the end it will be okay,,,if it is not not okay,,so it is not the end’ ..i find it funny...and silly...

Cheer up freinds....it will be ok in the end..if it is not ok...we will change the meaning of 'ok'.

Who's an Arab?

2006-06-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

I was asked this question by an American friend and to my own surprise; the answer was not an easy one.

I promised my friend to do some research on the matter and share the answer with everyone here on the blog.

Biblical Times!!

The term Arab, in Biblical times, referred to tribal people of the Syrian and Arabian Desert. At that time, Today’s so called “Arab World”, was inhabited by the following people:

Northen Semites:

Linguistics: Spoke various Semitic languages.

Geographics : In Today’s countries: Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Northen Arabia and Hijaz.

Southern Semites:

Linguistics:Spoke various Semitic languages

Geographics: In Southern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen

Egyptians:

Linguistics: Spoke Egyptian with Coptic as its last revelation.

Geographics: Egypt!!

Berbers

Linguistics:(Spoke the Berber Langauge)

Geographics: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco

Greeco-Roman Times!!!

Helinistic Culture Flourished, Urban Population used the greek langauge along side Aramaic (semitic language and that of Jesus Christ). some but little Ethnic Greeks (from Greece and Anatolia) intermixed with locals in Syria & Co. and Egypt.

Muslims

After the Arab Muslim conquest Arab tribes not only conquered the lands of their fellow smites brothers. But also spread through Egypt and North Africa. Arabic Language and culture spread throughout and became dominant.

Today

In Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, and the Arabian peninsula’s states the resulting Semite blend is referred to as Ethnic Arab. Also, Arabized (especially those who live in big urban centers) Turkomen, Turksih, Chechens , Circassians, Dagestan, Bosnians, Albanians, and Kurds consider themselves Arabs.

Egyptian (Non Semites) and Semite Arab tribes mixed and Egyptians adopted Arabic language and Arab culture, today Egyptians refer to themselves also as Arabs. Similar situation occurred in North African( including Mauritania), where Berbers (Non Semites) mixed with Arabs and they also refer to themselves as Arabs. The case of Egypt and North African countries amazes me, In these countries, although are ethnically “more” Berber/Egyptians than Semites. They consider themselves to be Arabs. Today, Ethnic Semites, and Arabic-Speaking Egyptians and North Africans are what constitute the Arab World.

Some Communities in the Arab world retained their cutlrual and Religious identity. most notably are:

The Assyrians & Chaldeans

Linguistics: Although semites (Ancient Mesopotamians and Arameans mix), they retained their cultural identity..they Speak Modern Syriac (eastern Aramiac)/Arabic/Classical Syriac in church. follow the Nestorian and chaldean church.

Geographics: North eastern syria, and North Iraq.

Ethnic Syriacs

Linguistics: majority Speaks Arabic/Classical Syriac is used in church..
they are the remnants of the Aramaeans of Syria(arround Aleppo, Idelab, and Antioch), and South Turkey(mardin and Ruha) who followed to the syriac Church. It is worthy to note that the Syriac Church was heavily dismantled over the course of history into and eastern (nestorian and later chaldean, and Assyrian), and Western (later devided into , Syriac orthodox and Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Catholic, Maronite, etc.). worthy to mention is that some Syriac church followers are Arabs,, the villages of Zaidal, Sadad, and Fairouzeh are good examples.

Geographics: Small Numbers in Northen Syria, and Northen Iraq. Many came as refugess from Turkey uopon Ottomon and Kurdish Persecution..

The Kurds

Linguitics: Speak Kurdish (not a semitic langauge)/Arabic

Geographics: North eastern syria, and North Iraq.

The Turkoman (slightly different from Turkmen of Turkmenistan)

Linguistics: Speak Turkic(Azerbaijani)/Turkish/Arabic

Geographics: Mostly in Northen Iraq, the rest are compeltly arabized.

The Armenians

Linguistics: Speak Armenian (not a semitic Languge)/Arabic

Geographics: Most but not all Armenians who settled in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon did so as refugees upon Trurkish persecution.

Circassians

Linguistics: Speak North Caucasian / Arabic

Geographics: Mostly in Southern Syria and Jordan.

Special Cases:

Copts:

Linguistics: Speak Arabic

Geographics: Egypt. Although Arabized. many (but not all) Copts prefer to be called Egyptians, In refrence to the fact they did not mix with Muslims and hence with Arabs.

Maronites:

Linguistics: Speak Arabic/Classical Syriac in Church

Geographics: Moslty in Lebanon. they are Arabized Syriacs (Although some are converted Druz Arabs & other indigenous semites) settled in Lebanon mountains from Northen Syria Upon their sect's Persecution by thier mother Syriac Church . Although Arabized, and although Lebanon is a major contributor to Arab culture, birth place of Arab nationalism, and a heaven for Arab intellectuals, writers, and artisits, Today many(but not all) Maronites deny their Arab and Syrian aka Aramaean heritage and instead adopt ties to Phenocians to justify a Lebanese Ethnicity (although Phenocians predates their arrival to Lebanon and Syria by almost a 1000 years) moslty for political and religious reasons.

Black Africans

Linguistics: Arabic

Geographics: Sudan, Somalia, and to a lesser degree Mauritania: although the majority is black african (Mauritania is an exception) , the population identifies strongly with Arab culture. Arabia: Some african elements exists due to past slave trade.

What unites these people is Arab culture and Heritage. Some minorities object to the term “Arab World” and prefer the term “Arabic World”, they base their argument on the fact that what unite the people is the Language and culture and not ethnicity. They claim that if reduced to ethnicity the Arab world is reduced to historical Syria, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Syrian and Arabian Desert is to Arab countries like Spain is to Latin American Countries. Its language, culture, and religion spread creating a cultural Identity (Arab/Arabic) just like Spain spread it language, culture, and Catholicism creating a cultural Identity (Latino)

Although Arab Culture is by far the common denominator across the Arab world, Local Cultures are alive and well, Destinct Geographical entities such As Syria, Iraq, Arabia, Egypt, and Noth Africa hold within much more diversity such as in food, dress, music, customs, and traditions.

Furthermore, Today's Arab Culture is not all exclusive of others , It simply did not wipe out others' contributions, instead Arab cluture develpoed over a long period of time and absorbed other cultures such as those of the levent, Egypt, Iraq, and parts of Anatolia, along with what those encompassed of Persian, Roman, and Greek elements. This makes it no Surprise that almost all today's Arab Culture centers lie on the perimeters of the Arabian and Syrian Desert such as Cairo, Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad.

Not an easy answer, right?

Top: Bedouin woman from the Syrian Desert

Sara Shamma.. a Prophet of Self Transparancy

2006-06-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Beauty is a relative issue…and Art is the reflection of beauty.

The history of art clearly shows the attempt of painters to define beauty, starting from the Roman era to Renaissance, the human body was exposed in its most beautiful shape, supported by the assumption that human body is a copy of the God’s own body… the absolute beauty.
Most paintings pictured the figures of Gods ,goddesses, half-gods, kings, great warriors ,and elegant women ,all surrounded with attractive impressive details to emphasize their glorious image, that can be clearly seen in Michel Angelo’s and Rafael’s work.

Decades later, especially after the industrial revolution and all the world wide movements such as the Impressionism and Dadaism, the ordinary human being became the center of the world ,with all the sadness, contradiction and real day-to-day moods, demolishing the standards of beauty that had been set before, declaring that the human body with all it is contradiction, bewilderment and joyful moods is the new standard, that can be clearly seen in Van Gogh’s ,Gauguin’s ,and Picasso’s art.

Sara Shamma,the young Syrian artist ,has her own revolutionary vision, believing in the beauty of the simple torn souls of all of us, with all the mystic, sensual ,sad , joyful, and erotic moods we go through.

She was the only Arab that was accepted in the BP portrait award 2004 in London, she deserved the fourth award.

She is the daughter of this new world, a world full of contradiction and confusing facts, through which only freedom and transparency are able to decipher them . Her characters are the ordinary people we meet everyday, we pass by them, we go out with them, sometimes we fall in love with them, but we don’t look deep

A real artist that broke all the rules, seeking the freedom of expression, brave enough to picture the naked truth buried deep inside all of us, and above all brave enough to portray her own soul.

A reporter wrote’ Sara's imagination tends towards universality that does not exclude memory. Her existentialist statement is related to the suffering of the lonely (I) rather than the (US) committed to the mass ideology’

I say 'Sara’s art is not only about human figures, it is an ‘x-ray’ scan of the human soul'.

www.sarashamma.com

Want to listen to Jesus (or close)!? Then go to Homs..or just read through

2006-06-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

In Homs, Syria, a good number of people own vacation homes in the nearby country side. In Arabic, Such a lodge is called Mazra’a.

Growing up, I spend endless summer days (and nights) at the lodge mainly swimming, barbequing, and engaging in light farming activities (I absolutely sucked at it). In the spring time the scene of the blooming almonds trees in the surrounding fields was absolutely gorgeous.

Our lodge was located at the south east corner of Homs in the so called “Villas Row” between the villages of Zaidal and Maskanah only few miles away from the city.

Driving arround Zaidal and Maskanah along with other villages such as Fairouzah and Feheileh, I discovered that they are unique not only for their blooming almonds in the spring time but also for their people.

The inhabitants of these villages are Syriac..and follow the ancient Syriac Church. One could still listen to Syriac (Eastern Aramaic language ) in their churches

Syriac is a Eastern dialect of Aramaic and akin to that spoken by Jesus Christ (western dialect), and is the language of liturgy of the Syriac Church.

Aramaic, a predecessor of Arabic, was the language of Jesus Christ, and along with Greek was the main language used by people of Syria before the arrival of Arabic speaking Islamic armies in the 7th century A.D.

to listen to some hyms in Syriac language click here and here

1st photo: a woman from Zaidal in traditional village clothing

2nd photo: Blooming almonds.

Remaining photos : Syriac text

Ain Dara; The unsolved Puzzle

2006-05-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Situated 40 Km northwest of Aleppo is the Temple of Ain Dara,dating back to the Neo-Hittite period(1300-740 B.C.) This is a very unique temple and no other temple has been found to resemble this one.

it is believed that this temple had been devoted to the goddess Ishtar, who is the Semitic goddess of fertility.
mystical figures, visionaries, prophets, often identified with the followers of the Neolithic Earth Mother, she who led men into battle or, by contrast, encouraged the fertility implicit in settlement and agriculture, who later became, by turn, Ishtar-Astarte-Anat-Artemisa,and in other civilizations,she was called :Osiris,Venous, and Aphrodite.

The main artifacts found there were two fantastically carved lions out of Basalt stone. This proves that lions used to roam Syrian territory. The other points of interest lie in the four 1-meter long footprints that you follow to the entrance of the temple, this is thought to be proof that the goddess had honored the temple by actually visiting it. Other artifacts found here include a statue of Astarte, carvings and inscriptions

the meaning of 'Ain Dara' is not known, some studies said that it means (Ain) which menas (the eye) in Aramic and Arabic, plus (dara) which means Dar (house or a home), this name is also a name of a small town in Lebanon.

Carol Miller, resident of Mexico and author of a number of books on history wrote : 'Whoever built Ain Dara, whoever created the singular temple and attended to the pilgrims who came to worship there, whoever later inhabited the grassy knoll or the valley below, whether during the Greek, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman or Arab periods, thrived on its wealth and prospered in the rich climate. Current excavations, undertaken since 1994 by a Syro-Japanese mission, are further perforating the tel with tunnels and shafts, in search of remains of all of these cultures, to complement the tumbled walls on the top of the mound, the unfinished figures of monumental lions, the scattered building blocks, the remains of dwellings. Perhaps only the yellow wild flowers in the grass or the blood-red poppies in May will ever know the truth. But they will never tell.'

It is believed that this temple is the best reserved example of the temples that existed in the era,many sketches of non existing temples were drawn based on this monument .

(all images had been downloaded from the web or scanned from other books)

NIZAR, The Jasmine trees are still crying... every summer

2006-05-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

'She sat with fear in her eyes
Contemplating the upturned cup
She said "Do not be sad, my son
You are destined to fall in love"
My son, Who sacrifices himself for his beloved,
Is a martyr'

Nizar Qabbani was born in Damascus on March 21, 1923 and began writing poetry in 1944, just one year before he began his Syrian diplomatic career which he later abandoned for his greater love,poetry.

Qabbani was revered by generations of Arabs for his sensual and romantic verse where it seemed that women were his main theme and inspiration. His poetry uses everyday language.

And of me say the fools:

I entered the lodges of women
And never left.

And they call for my hanging,

Because about the matters of my beloved

I, poetry, compose.

I never traded Like others In Hashish.

I never stole.I never killed.

I, in broad day, have loved.Have I sinned?

Qabbani published his first poem, "The Brunette had Told Me," in 1944, a year before he graduated with a law degree from the University of Damascus. The Syrian capital remained a powerful presence in his poems, most notably in "The Jasmine Scent of Damascus." In his later years, Qabbani's poems included a strong strain of antiauthoritarianism. One couplet in particular--"O Sultan, my master, if my clothes are ripped and torn it is because your dogs with claws are allowed to tear me" It is considered one of the most important that Qabbani ever wrote. This poem caused a great deal of controversy in Arab literary .

'I conquer the world with words,

conquer the mother tongue,verbs, nouns, syntax.

I sweep away the beginning of things

and with a new language

that has the music of water the message of fire

I light the coming age and stop time in your eyes

and wipe away the line

that separates time from this single moment.'

after the death of his wife ,nizzar moved to london for couple of years,alone he lived ,untill he died in 1998, his coffin was moved back to Damascus,the city that he once called 'the city of jasmine trees' , he wrote describing this ,as if he felt the scene :

I return to Damascus Riding on the backs of clouds

Riding the two most beautiful horses in the world

The horse of passion.The horse of poetry.

I return after sixty years To search for my umbilical cord,

For the Damascene barber who circumcised me,

For the midwife who tossed me in the basin under the bed

And received a gold lira from my father,

She left our houseOn that day

Her hands stained with the blood of the poem…

I return to the womb in which I was formed . . .

To the first book I read in it . . .

To the first woman who taught me The geography of love . . .

And the geography of women . . .

I return After my limbs have been strewn across all the continents

And my cough has been scattered in all the hotels

After my mother’s sheets scented with laurel soap

I have found no other bed to sleep on . . .

And after the “bride” of oil and thyme That she would roll up for me

No longer does any other "bride" in the world please me

And after the quince jam she would make with her own hands

I am no longer enthusiastic about breakfast in the morning

And after the blackberry drink that she would make

No other wine intoxicates me . . .

Nizar Kabbani (Qabbani): The Extraordinary Syrian Lover

My Cairo

2006-05-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

Some Details of this city are still bouncing back to my head every now and then, memories of friends I met, of places I visited, sometimes of words we said.

The first time I landed there, The city attacked me ..With crowded streets, huge buildings, and millions of friendly faces.

The Islamic architecture, along with the French classical buildings, people from different places, different thoughts, and different colors…all mingling in a random movement, creating hundreds of questions in my head.

I still remember my first shock at the national museum, my excitement for the ‘international film festival’ to begin, my first minutes staring at Van Gogh’s original painting, my wasted hours sitting in the car staring at life out side trying to capture as much as possible of snapshots full of color and contradiction,

Those days will never come back….I still remember when I walked around the city with my friend Amr ,immediately before I left, shooting those pictures ,knowing that I just turned the page of my best days .

To the city that kept me anxious up to the maximum level….

To all my life-time freinds there : thank you…. those were the days..

Mubarakeh

2006-05-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the newly born children, People of Homs like most Syrians still follow their old traditions.

Back in the old days, and on the 5th & 6th day following the birth of a child, the child’s family held a reception (mubarakeh) for relatives and friends.

At Mubarakehs, Guests bring gifts either to the mom or to the baby. Gifts are normally jewelry or clothing. At these receptions the hosts serve deserts made of karawiah or shumrah (Shumar) herbs, both made of ground rice and herb mixture boiled in a sugary syrup and served cold or warm with a choice of nuts like pistachio, coconuts, walnut, pine nuts, or Almonds. In addition to all that and in summer time Gelato is served. Women drink coffee, eat, gossip, dance for hours....

FInally, chocolate, sugar coated almonds, Man wa salwa, or nougah are given out when guests are leaving.

Today, Syrian still follow the tradition, however, the mother no longer host hundreds of women on the 5th and 6th day, rather she waits until she regains her strength.

Baby-girl: Julia Akhras (my niece) with her grand mother (my mom!!)

Not any more

2006-05-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Syrian Artist:Nazeer Nab'a

Symmetrical he was born…Adam looked around ..
Symmetrical was his world…
Left, right…the sun stands accurate..in the middle of the zones…
Axis were devinly drawn…east,west,south and north …
The sky preached:’only with two eyes you see..
Don’t trust one eye..with balance you are strong ‘..

Blindly he followed the rules….Easily he controlled….
No mistakes were allowed…equations were approved…
‘ I set the rules’ he finally thought

Obsession…bewilderment …came on the road..
Against all his books…unbalanced was his soul

Nothing was under control…not any more…
Deep inside he looked…he revealed the inner world…
Dark tunnels were calling ..deep inside his soul

He finally revealed his body…other rules were in control…
His heart …to the left… was drawn

Shocked of his default….he moaned

Gradually he understood ..why his soul didn’t symmetrically work …

Haider 2006

Homs..

2006-05-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

Or Hammousa as we like to call it....

يا دهر قد طال البعاد عن الوطن
هل عودة ترجى وقد فات الظعن
عد بي إلى حمص ولو حشو الكفن
واهتف أتيت بعاثر مردودِ
واجعل ضريحي من حجار سودِ

Poetry: Nasib 'Aridah

Picture: Homs, Bustan Al-Dewan, Al Fadael St.; House: Farkouh Historical residence, currently Al-Agha restaurant

Arab Faces

2006-04-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Tunisian

Iraqi

Syrian

Qatari

Jordanian

Egyptian

Palestinian

Lebanese

Zanzebar...An African Andalus

2006-04-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Top: Arab Beauty from Zanzebar
Bottom: Arab Women of Zanzebar

Zenobia..An Arab Queen

2006-04-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Escape of Queen Zenobia from the battle of Emesa (Homs), Tapestry in wool and silk (height 10 ft 3 in, width 15 ft 2 in) woven in the Wauters workshop (Antwerp) 1675.

Zenobia (or Xenobia) is the daughter of Zabaai ben Selim, an Arab chieftain. The widow of Septimius Odenathus, she reigned as Queen of Palmyra and the Palmyrene Empire from 267 to 272 as regent for her infant son Vaballathus. she embarked on a campaign of conquests that eventually saw her as the ruler of much of Syria and Asia Minor. Her professed goal was to defend the Eastern portion of the Empire from Sassanid Empire, supposedly for the good of Rome, but really for her own power. By playing off Persia to the east against Rome to the west, she hoped to dominate them both.

In 269, she crushed an Egyptian who challenged Roman rule and proclaimed herself Queen of Egypt. She claimed to be descended from Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Mark Antony (and many modern historians believe she was), as well as Dido (the supposed founding queen of Carthage, according to the Aeneid) and declared herself the political heiress of both.
The Roman emperor Aurelian, with his policy of re-uniting the Roman Empire and acutely aware of the danger Zenobia posed, led a military campaign that resulted in the conquest of her kingdom in 272. Zenobia and her son were captured as they fled to seek aid from Persia. Aurelian brought her to Rome and paraded her in his triumph in 274, bound in gold chains. Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, later freed her, and granted her a villa in Tibur (now Tivoli, Italy), where she spent the rest of her life as a philosopher and socialite. Some historians (ancient and modern) believe she married a Roman senator and that they had children, so the line continued at least into the 4th century.

Syrian Home

2006-04-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

Tulaimat's Residence in Chicago, IL
Syrian Interior Designer (From Homs): Dima Turkmany Tulaimat, M.D.
Artwork by Muhammad Tulaimat
Child: Muhammad Tulaimat Jr.

Bel Arabi.

2006-04-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Article Below had been forwrded to me , no signature was there. hope you like it .

Jabri Historical Residence -Damascus

سورية هي تلك الرغبة التي تعتريك لتناول " كاسة شاي " وأنت تأكل الجبنة البيضاء البلدية

وذاك الخمول الذي يدفعك بعدوجبة الغذاء الدسمة إلى قيلولة غالية،

هي ذاك المزيج الفوضوي الذي يجري في شوارع العاصمة،آلاف من السيارات والبشر المختلطة وفق منظومة معقدةلا تستطيع أن تدركها أو تفهم آليةعملها ولكنها في النهاية تعمل، تمتزج، تتحرك، وتنفصل.........وتتلاشى الحركة في الشوارع لتبدأ الحياة في المنازل التي تحب السهر،وتبقى البيوت المتراكمة المتسلقة جبل قاسيون مضاءة حتى يطفئوها الفجر الذي يعلنه صوت الآذان.

.سورية هي فيروز في الصباح.. و" سيرة الحب " في ليل دمشقي طويل..أو موال شجي عتيق على أنغام قد حلبي .سورية.. نشرة الأخبار بين عشق الرجال وكره النساء،هي السياسة التي ندمنها دون أن نتعاطها..هي خوف صبية عائدة إلى البيت في مساء متأخر،هي حب مراهق لبنت الجيران، هي وجوه الناس التي ألفناها وقصص البيوت التي تناقلناها،هي النميمة في صبحية "نسوان "،و " قعدة " رجالية في مقهى بين طاولة الزهر وعبق الدخان..

سورية هي جلسة حول " بحرة " في دار قديم تجمعنا " قرقعة " أركيلة،عشقناها وهي ترسم تنهيدة ألم في الهواء،هي عدوى الضحك على طرفة " بايخة " تنتشر بين الأصحاب وتتمادى لتصبح قهقهة عالية لا تعبأ لا بالمكان والزمان..

سورية هي محجبة وسافرة تعيش في بيت واحد،وطبخة " شاكرية " على مائدة كريم دعا إليها كل الجيران،مسيحي ومسلم الكل يحمدون الله على النعمة ويدعون أن يحفظها من الزوال..سورية هي نزعة طفل للتسرب إلى الشارع واللعب مع أولاد الجيران،هي رائحة " الطبيخ "تفوح عند باب كل دار وقت الغذاء،وجلسة دافئة لأفراد العائلة حول مدفأة المازوت في ليلة باردة.

.سورية هي الحارة والأصحاب،المدرسة والطريق الذي " تسكعناه " مئات المرات،هو الطاولة التي درسنا عليها والغرفة التي تشاركنا بها إخوة وأخوات،هي همومنا الصغيرة التي كبرت وأحلامنا الكبيرة التي تضاءلت،هي الذكرى التي تجمعنا في الماضي والأمل بلقاء في المستقبل قد لا يكون..

سورية هي الحب القديم، هي القلب الذي خفق في صدورنا أول مرة،هي الغيرة التي اشتعلت على فتاتنا تضحك لرفيق لتترك في النفس حرق لذيذ،هي حلاوة اللقاء الذيكان وربما لن يتكرر،هي الحياة التي انتزعناها من عمر مضى واحتفظنا بها مجردذكريات..هي ضحك، بكاء، مئات الكلمات، أحاديث وصور تبعثرت في ذاكرتنايستحضرها الحنين ويحفظها الشوق ونحن نعرف بأنه لا أمل لنا في اللقاء..سوريةهي أيام عشناهافي وطن كان.. نخاف أن يضيع،سورية هي الحبيب الذي هجرناه ولم نستطع أن نعشق سواه،سورية هي الماضي الذي منه ولدناوعلينا أن نحرص لكي يكون المستقبل الذي يحيا أولادنا فيه..

سورية كلمة عندما نسمعها، تشتعل قلوبنا بالمحبة، وتدمععيوننا الحائرة فرحا وحزنا،وتتلعثم ألسنتنا مثل مراهق يريد أن يبوح لفتاته بكلمة.. "أحبك

Homsi Pope!!?? Homsi Easter!!!

2006-04-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Pope Anicetus:

Anicetus was Bishop of Rome (now called pope) from about 154 to about 167 He was a syrian from Emessa (Homs)

He lived during a time when the Church at Rome was gaining peace with the Emperor by agreeing to adopt the Roman pagan religions. This was at the protest of other churches throughout, and the hottest issue of the time was the changing of the Passover, begun by Pope Sixtus I (115-125), to the day of the pagan goddess Semiramis, called "Easter".

Pope Anicetus now argued with the other bishops the importance of sacrificing the Passover day, in order to gain greater favour with the Emperor for Christianity.

Irenaeus writes that Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, travelled to Rome to discuss the Passover controversy with Anicetus. Polycarp had been taught by the apostles, and was a disciple of the Apostle John. He tried to urge Anicetus not to align with the Easter day, but continue observing the Passover according to the Gospel, regardless of what the Emperor wants. Anicetus would not budge however, trying to persuade Polycarp for the need to change it. Polycarp said that the apostles continued observing Passover to the end, and that he did the same with the apostle John. Neither would change, and division grew.

The Church at Rome continued to grow stronger under the Emperor, and Eusebius writes that about 40 years later, Pope Victor I (189-199) wrote letters of threats to the other bishops who would not conform to the teachings of Rome regarding Easter. The Easter controversy continued, and by 325, the Roman Emperor Constantine settled the issue by officially decreeing that the Last Supper be observed on Easter, and forbid anyone from observing it on Passover.

Happy Easter

Syrian Politics for Dummies

2006-03-29T22:06:00.000-08:00

Farhan the fool, has suggested that those who want to understand the politics of Syria should read These exerts from Syria's embassador in Washington, Dr. Imad Mustapha speach at the World Affairs Council in San Francisco, this past December, and those from Soner Caqabtay, director of Turkey Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policies, artlicle:"Republic of Caution".
Farhan, claims that after you finish reading, it is a no brainer, the earth is after all flat.

Imad Mustapha:

“I am not claiming today that Syria today is a full fledged Democracy, but please do remember that democracy is unattainable Ideal in which people or nations move towards”

“Today in Syria we have a one party system, but it is not a one party system full stop. We have made a strategic decision. It has already been taken and it will be implemented in the near future…six months ago, the ruling party of Syria, the bath party, made a decision that it will allow a multiparty system in Syria as from right now, and a new law, a draft law is already been circulating in Damascus allowing the free formation of political parties in Syria. And this is the first necessary step allowing multiparty elections,

“Most spectators would say that if free elections take place today in Syria, the most probable outcome would be that fundamentalists groups will win the majorities in elections, it does not mean that because this is the case then we should not move towards democracy, what we want to do is revitalize the civil society in Syria. And I could tell you that at least in the past two or three years the margin of civil liberties has expanded considerably in Syria, and if you read sometimes that Syria is a rouge state, police, or authoritarian state. I would say to you don’t believe it, I am not saying that Syria is a democracy today, I am saying that the political system in Syria is opening up and inviting for more and more political participation by the political spectrum in Syria."

“The new law that would allow for the formation of political parties in Syria is 180 degrees different from the electoral law in Iraq....We said, no party can be formed in Syria, unless it is a party of national agenda, not ethnic or religious agenda”

“Please do remember that Syria has a good record on women empowerment, for the past 50 years, since independence women enjoyed equal rights to men in Syria… also Syria enjoys unparallel religious freedom….”

Soner Cagaptay :

"The Baath regime in Syria is no longer about socialism or Arab nationalism of the 1970s. Rather, this is a regime interested in maintaining its monopoly of Syria's wealth through a network of intertwined military and economic posts. Corruption is the largest sector of the Syrian economy, ahead of industry and tourism," explained one Western diplomat whom I met in Damascus"

"In Aleppo, the country's second largest city, I was told that the town's previous mayor owned eight brand new Mercedes cars, despite earning an official salary of $500 per month."

"Across the country, I heard similar stories. Syria is not quite a republic of fear, where people are afraid to talk about the government...Syrians freely criticize the Baath regime on issues ranging from corruption to the failure to deliver prosperity"

"A waiter at a small roadside restaurant near Homs, a conservative Sunni Arab city, testified to this fact. He said that Syria's intelligence apparatus, the mukhabbarat, has pulled out of the streets. "Accordingly, people feel free to talk about the regime in ways not possible a few years ago," he said, but then hedged his statement. "We know the mukhabbarat has only taken one step back. In other words, if we were to act, they would quickly come back to crush any opposition."

"Hence, even if the Syrians are no longer afraid of the Baath party, they are, nevertheless, cautious."

"the Baath regime is preventing liberal intellectuals from channeling popular discontent into organized dissent. Independent thinkers are harassed and intimated on a daily basis. I was told by a diplomat that outspoken liberals are jailed if they develop a habit of meeting Westerners.
With no access to the government-run media, liberals are unable to reach out to the Syrian people. Accordingly, they are unknown outside of the intellectual and expatriate circles of Damascus.

"With liberals in jail and the notable families out of politics, Islamists are flourishing, using existing networks, such as mosques and charities, to appeal to people who are fed up with the Baath regime. The Muslim Brotherhood's rhetoric of "clean religious government" is attracting many supporters, particularly in desert towns such as Deir-Zor, and the Sunni heartland.

"Supporters of democracy in Syria are between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, the regime is oppressing them; on the other hand, the Islamists are growing because they are able to avoid the government's steel claw from the security of their mosques and charities. So long as the regime refuses to make political room for the liberals and the notables, the discontent of the Syrian people will continue to energize the Islamist movements.

"If there were free elections in Syria, the Baath would not get more than 10 percent of the vote," said a cab driver in Aleppo. If things stay as they are, the Baath might as well deliver Syria on a silver tray to the Islamists. "To us, Islamists are lesser of the two evils. Better them than the West," said a senior Baath official in Damascus.

Note:

the Washington Institute for Near East Policies, is the most prominant jewish funded think-tank in washington D.C.

On the other hand, Dr. Imad Mustapha represent the view of of the Syrian goverment.

Nizar Kabbani (Qabbani): The Extraordinary Syrian Lover

2006-03-21T23:21:00.000-08:00

In tribute to Nizar Kabbani (Qabbani), and all the beautiful women of the Levant.

Top: Alicsar....A Phenocian Queen.

The Age of Innocence

2006-03-20T00:35:00.000-08:00

Sheltered I was from the crule and unforgiving world we live in. Homs, Syria where I grew up, was a microorganism, in that tiny world everything was simple and straightforward, friendships were real and profound. Love was meant to be pure and unconditional. Girls were supposed to be loving, caring and romantic. streets were filthy yet welcoming, drinking coffee was to be arround lovedones.
Today I live in San Francisco, 5 years had passed since I moved to the states...it is a different world altogether. I feel that I am growing up once again!! Friendships come and go, love became a weakness, girls turned into expenisive dates, and streets are clean yet cold, and coffee is only to keep you alert..

Did individuality made the devil in us more prominent? is it only me who is reluctantly rediscovering the world around him? or am I just waving goodbye to the age of innocence?

In black: Wael, In white: Amr

More Art From Homs By Muhammad Tulaimat

2006-03-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

No need for a signature

2006-02-22T04:43:00.000-08:00

'Noun- the mystical letter'

When i arrived at the main gate over looking the Nile river , i knew i am about to enter a mystic place...
The steps leading to her 'atelier' in the floating boat isolated me from the noise of the city .
Her music was so relaxing that i felt the water of the river touching the boat following the same rythem...moving among her paintings,of men spinning and dancing ,as if trying to charge the world with additional energy..trying to unite with the universe... i felt the power of their souls.
Rana Chalabi: a syrian artist that moved around from place to another, seeking answers for her questions ..finally she found the answer within her self...
the Chineese ink is her favourite ,with which she turns the white pages into a continous movement of sufi people ..
Her mission is to present the arabic letter as a concept ..revealing the history behind these symbols that we use daily without even understanding the creativity that shaped them ...
Rana chalabi doesnt need to sign her artwork....her concept and style are too enique to be mistaken .

'besm el-allah'

'sheikh'

'hodoor'

www.ranachalabi.com

Have a seat ,please....

2006-02-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

This 18th-century Syrian chair had been carefully designed to your full satisfaction and comfort,whatever your location,biological characteristics,and beliefs are...you will enjoy relaxing ....
have a seat ,rest your hands and tounge and let your mind lead you....

photpgrapher: Marwan Musselmani

I had a discussion 2 days ago with someone i met,who pleasently agreed to summerize the points we discussed..

this article is addressed to all people intrested in having a wider picture of the conflict that is going on ,between what we may call the east and the west ...maybe the first paragraph is more addressed to the west,mean while the second one for east, in attempt to allow the wise ones to see between the lines. it includes some facts and statements published by the elite thinkers (names mentioned),yet with a personal openion based on his reading .i hope you enjoy it as much as i did,it contains no harm to any one , just simple facts and theories.

Since the reduction of distances between the corners of the globe, and since the increase of growth of societies, and since the increase of communication between societies, the human being started looking around his environment in an attempt to define his identity.

Some Western elite thinkers opted to define the identity through determining what is different from it. Hence, developing a bi-polar system built upon “us” and “them”, or “west” and “east”. In this system, the “us” is applied to everything that relates to the superiority of the western human being. This racist point of view led the west to look at the world as divided into a superior civilized west, and an inferior undeveloped east.

Those elite thinkers of the west started a huge operation to widen the gap between the east and west. This operation was carried out by portraying the eastern human being as inferior and as a representative of evil; in contrast with a radiant picture of the western human being, the representative of good throughout the world.

The gap reached its peak when the west gave itself the right to control the east under the sign of “civilization attempt”, and calling this right “the white mans burden”. This is the school of Orientalism which lasted for decades with a goal to paint the current picture of the east in the western society’s view (Refer to ‘Orientalism’ by Edward Said).

The result of this Orientlism took shape in the form of the crusades and colonization endeavors, in an effort to control the east through continuous waves. All these waves came under different justifications, while they had the goal of control and colonization.

In a quick analysis of the last five centuries, we find that the western control project was at times under a religious cover and at other under an occupation cover; until our present time where it takes a cultural form.

- The American philosopher ‘Francis Fokoyama’ saw that the fall of the Soviet Union, along with its satellite states, the end of the cold war, and the control of the west represented in the Great power, as the end of history. The end of history meaning the end of the progress of human ideology and setting liberal democracy as the governmental standard for the whole world to follow. He also says that world conflict is at an end, save for a few skirmishes that might surface in the third world.
From this point of view, we can sense a new western control project over the east, this time, under the cover of spreading western liberal democracy, even if force is to be used to end conflict between people. Isn’t it clear that this is an introduction to a new conflict between people who support this theory and want to force it upon the world, and those who refuse this new control project?

- ‘The clash of civilizations –remaking of world order’ which is offered by the American philosopher Samuel P. Huntington, sees the world as divided into numerous cultures, and hence numerous civilizations. The world is divided into eight civilizations: Western, Confusionist, Japanese, Hindu, Orthodox, Latin America, African, and Islamic. The source of danger of this theory stems from the fact that Huntington sees a clash between all of the above civilizations, and between the Confusionest and Islamic civilizations, owing this to the inherent evil in these two civilizations, and their inability to achieve the same civilized standard enjoyed by the west.

This is politics again, opportunism by definition, the art of managing interests, but every time with a new cover under which they hide an attempt to exercise the control over others.

The presence of such pilots on the west’s ship will steer it in the direction of more disparities leading to a clash of civilizations with the east.

The printing of the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in most western countries, and in clear provocation of the Muslim emotions, if not an unorganized mistake, then it is a push by some western groups towards a greater clash of civilizations by directing a greatly calculated deed and waiting for a response, which they hope to be violent, in order for it to be used by those who exercise this control as an additional stepping stone towards the clash that they desire to happen soon.

There is no doubt that an appropriate response to this intentional insult is necessary. However, the required response must be properly calculated in order for the muslims not to fall into the trap of a violent response that the supports of the clash of civilizations are waiting for. With the muslims falling into this trap, the supporters of the clash of civilizations will get the results needed to unite themselves against what they call ‘the danger from the east’. A proper and calculated response is a duty of the muslims, which will waste this golden opportunity for who believes in the clash. In defending the prophet (PBUH), this response is at a higher level then a response fueled by emotions, and higher then economic boycotts whose effects will fade with time, bearing in mind that boycott is the accepted, peaceful expression of anger..

Why we do not see a group of enlightened thinkers coming out, a group that is familiar with the west and can speak their language, a group that can discuss this insult logically, to go as an envoy and meet with the moderates of the west and explain to them about this person that was in an unrealistic, untrue image.

It is certain that their lack of knowledge about the savior of humanity prevents them from seeing the insult they caused to his person, and to 1.5 billion muslims. If they knew him, they would only be able to love him. The west’s lack of knowledge about our religion, our prophet, and our holy places is a factor behind a deed like this, and the worst of my fears is that a similar ignorance on our side causes an uncalculated response that would have negative consequences. These emotional responses would be employed by people in different camps for their own benefits.
In our holy book (Qouran) , these issues were clearly addressed:
‘Discuss with others in better ways’
‘good and bad cant be the same ,respond in a good way,you turn your enemy into a close friend’
‘a good statement is a good tree,with a strong root,and branched into the sky,giving fruits everytime’

Hope this data enlighten our minds to what mistakes all people might fall in,bearing in mind that we live on one land ..the earth....

إلى جميع الطيور المهاجرة...

2006-02-12T01:21:00.001-08:00

Artist: Rana Chalabi

مسافر بحقيبة فارغة... وضحكة أمل تملأ وجهي
بأحلام تداعبني... جواز سفر بيدي... أأدعي معرفة دربي؟

رحلتي ابتدأت.. أعلنت فطامي.. أأغرر بنفسي؟
تجذبني أضواء في الأفق.. صور تخيلتها.. أم أصوات ناس تهذي؟
أتجه إلى ضوضاء بعيدة.. وخلفي.. .. أ عيونًا تبكي..
تتسارع خطواتي.. أصواتهم تخرج من رأسي.. أأقسو على نفسي؟
فضول طفل داخلي.. طيش شاب.. أم هروب يدفعني؟
بنظرات حائرة على وجهي.. أتسائل أمن هنا دربي؟

محطات كثيرة استهوتني.. محطات طردتني.. أهو ظاهر خوفي؟
مسافرون ارتطموا بي.. ظننتهم أهلي.. ولكن لم يتعرفوا إلى وجهي..
بين صور جمعتها.. بين عناوين حفظتها.. ولكن يا أسفي..
ظننت أنني أملك اللحظة.. لم أدرك أن الوقت يجري..
رحلة إلى الأمام ظننتها.. أسرع خطواتي.. لا أحاول التقاط نفسي..
بين صدمة الواقع.. بين غضبي.. وبين يأسي..
في آخر المطاف.. وبشعر أبيض.. وجدت نفسي عند أول خطواتي..
نظرت.. وجدت بلدي حولي.. وعيون أخرى تبكي..
عرفت أنني رجعت إلى البداية.. أدركت عندها.. كروية أرضي..

طيور مهاجرة تمر فوق رأسي.. ضحكة تهكم تملأ قلبي..

حيدر الدروبي
2006

Farhan of Homs

2006-02-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

I am still implementing my policy of not following the news. for those who asked for my opinion on the current events, I say: sorry.. I just cannot, however, I will be posting the opinions of my friend Farhan. Farhan is a crazy man from Homs (a descendant of Symeon the fool of Emesa). Farhan disagrees with most of the syrian bloggers and to that he declares:

"Oppress-stan" , does not allow the people of Good-stan to protest against corruption or rising prices.

In Logic-stan, people should know that if they were ever allowed to protest, then, they are serving the interest of "Oppress-stan"

The people of Wise-Stan, know that the interests of
Good-Stan and "Oppress-Stan" could never meet. Therefore they would not protest.

In Stupid-stan, people still went ahead and protesed.

Top: Symeon the fool

Sex & The City VS Super Star

2006-02-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am on it...I am implementing the new policy of being good citizen.....Sex and city is actually good..but not as good as watching Chahd Barmada on Future TV..

She is something isn't she? one good voice in the midst of all theis barking...3ao 3ao 3ao

You go girl..

Sheep?

2006-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

After I heard the news from Damscus today and saw how the world arround us is going grazy. I decided that I had enough...No more watching of the news.

From now on, I will set on my sofa, drink my beer, and watch sex & the city...

St. Elian of Emesa day, February 6th

2006-02-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

Coming soon, and on February 6th of each year the orthodox church arround the world celebrate the Feast Day of St. Elian of Homs, Syria.

St. Julian or Elian, was born to pagan parents in the city of Emesa, modern-day Homs, Syria, in the 3rd century. We do not know how he came to faith in Christ, but his life and death attest to the fact that he did. He became a skilled physician and surgeon. He not only gave his services for free, but he was known as a generous philanthropist. And he not only healed bodies, but led many others to faith in Christ as well. But the other doctors in the city were jealous of his skills and resented his generosity. The Roman governors were ordered to persecute Christians. Julian's father was a high-ranking officer in the city, so he arrested Bishop Silouan, Deacon Luke and Reader Mokimos, to torture them. They beat them; then dragged them through the city behind a chariot, in order to publicly terrorize the Christians. They were tortured repeatedly. Julian sneaked into the prison and tended to their wounds. There he was arrested and brought to his father, who turned him over to the governor. he witnessed the execution of Silouan, Luke and Mokimos. Then his father had him tied to a horse and dragged through the streets. He was imprisoned and tortured for months, but would not renounce the faith, instead he led all of the tormentors to Christ. Finally, his father had blacksmiths drive long spikes into Julian's head and feet. He walked to a cave outside of the city and yielded his soul into Christ's healing hands on February 6, 284. A beautiful church, St. Julian Antiochian Orthodox Church (Deir Mar Ilian), was built in Emesa in his honor. During renovations to the church in 1970, his coffin was rediscovered.

There are only two churches dedicated to this great saint: the original church of St. Elian in Homs, Syria, and the church of St. Ellien in Brownsville, PA. The relics of the holy doctor Elian, are kept inside a marble sarcophagus inside the south apse. The eyes of today’s visitors are irresistibly drawn to the impressive neo-Byzantine paintings made by the Romanian artists Gavril and Miha Morasan, whose work concluded the renovation of the church in the early 1970s1. In May 1970, while cleaning the walls before applying a fresh layer of plaster, wall paintings came to light inside and near the south apse, which were soon after restored by the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums. they contains Arab and Greek scripts dating back to the twelfth century AD and even as far back as the sixth century.. The pictures are of this church in Homs.

Hate "In the Hot Zone"

2006-02-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

The optimism and content that I felt after reading Kevin Sites’ report on Syrian bloggers are now eroding. I was peaking at the comment section of Kevin’s latest report, and short of any other, more suitable description, I have to say, I am horrified.

Horrified, that many of those who commented, were bothered by the story and bothered to see everyday people in Syira telling their stories. Would these hateres rather not see our faces? Do they prefer that in a time of conflict we die, without faces? Would that be easier on them?

Some spoke of themselves as realists, other calling people in the Middle East “sub-humans”. To those I say, I still want to keep my face. If realism dictates innocent people’ death then let them die with their faces on, and if you out here still think it is too much to offer, then god help us all.

We are not asking for much, are we?

Twisted logic in some of those who commented went like “ they hate America, they don’t want us to help them, they are terrorists, they refuse our billions and democracy, hence we should not even bother with thier stupid stories”

What I am not able is to understand is, why the hell you hate us that much? You are probably setting on your sofa drinking your beer and watching Howard Stern show…so enjoy it and leave us alone!! Cannot even tolerates a human face? or is it that you can no longer go and enslave black people so you are lashing out your hatred on the faceless Middle Easterns? I swear to god, some of you are no better than Osama benladden.

what's ironic is the people intereviewd in there reports were not "radical islaimist" on the contrary they were people that you would like to have as allies.. and for you out there who think that way, i say: if you are outraged that Ben Laden and his followers think you are infidals and deserve death, you are no better.

Wars are still to be fought in this dirty world, but at lease let's all look the enemy in the face.

NowIf your conclusion to the above is that I am just another person who hates America, then you are not only wrong, you are moron. People all around the world look up to the fought hard for American values, and trust me if it was up to you and you likes, then blacks in the south will be to this day crossed in the south.

Finally, I would like to thank you all those in the US , who enjoyed the stories brought to you from Syria, and for taking those stories simply for what they are.. stories. my hope is that those constitute the majority, although i am surprised my the shear volume of hateful comments.

Top, more faces from syria to look at.

Update: after reading some of the comments to this post, i felt un update is neceassry to clear up few things: there are no generalizations here, I personally live in the states, and I love it, americans too. I am concerned that pitty left wing-right wing battles are going too far. people mixing politics with feelings of being human. I have no illusions about the world. people are the same everywhere, and distributions of haters, i believe, is similar in all countrries. That's said, does not mean that we have to stop pointing out those haters wherever they may be. Syrians included, and on the top of the list.

Across Syria " In the Hot Zone"

2006-01-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

Today, Kevin Sites, an american journalist reporting from Syria, reported the story of three Syrian bloggers: Sarah, Ghalia, and Majd. The report also sighted our "Across Syria".

Kevin's mission is to cover every armed conflict in the world within one year to provide a clear idea of the combatants, victims, causes, and costs of each of these struggles - and their global impact.

Instead of chasing headlines and adhering to pack journalism, Kevin pledges to vigorously pursue the stories in front of and behind the conflict, the small stories that when strung together illustrate a more complete picture.

I believe Kevin, Today, did exactly that...Instead of reducing Syria to simply another zombie rouge state, he shed the light on its people, revealing Syria’s human side (which happens to be the theme of our blog).

My hope is that this kind of reporting will help the western Audience start looking at us as humans with hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and not simply a collateral damage in an upcoming “hot Zone”.

Another thing I wanted to touch on, is your comments: We are are very pleased with your comments. In fact it is what keeps us going.

Here are some of your comments (thank you):

"I am an american woman who found beauty in your blog. I don't know much about your country but I read about you on Kevin Sites web page. I trust his reporting more than most because he is more concearned with truth than making up stories. I wish you the best in your endeavers to bring your history alive to others of us whom may never know any other way.Best wishes,Loretta"
.
"Indeed that is amazing, reviving old stories and making history live once again, in our memories, E. Kaso"
.
"Just amazing, Zena"
.
"where do you get all these amazing pictures from ?, Ghalia"
.

Top: Syrian girl from Palmyra, Homs Province.

Tulaimat's Art

2006-01-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

Some of you have been asking me about the paintings thinking that they are my own. The truth of the matter is : they are my dad's.

Muhammad Tulaimat is well known syrian artisit currently living in Homs, Syria. His most recent exhibits where held in Chicago.

I hope this clarify things, enjoy.

Homs in 1897 By Schiffmann Heinrich, Reisender:

2006-01-24T22:16:00.000-08:00

Busy market street

Crowd with celebration on the road

Market

Crowd with celebration on the road

Inside Homs, Is now available through Yahoo!!!

2006-01-24T20:36:00.000-08:00

RSS, is the coolest thing ever!! Thanks to this service, I can check the blogs i enjoy reading as they are being updated. So now in the morning inseatd of checking these blogs individually, i could get a snapshot on all of them in one page: My Yahoo page!! making my morning coffee more enjoyable.

Thanks to the RSS service, You could read Syriacomment.com, Cocktail, amd across syria & Inside Homs, and other great blogs all in one place.

Here is how it work: If you have a Yahoo account then sign in into My Yahoo page. Click on Add content link, click on Add RSS by URL (located to the right of the search box) . on the new screen, enter the blog's RSS URL...this could be done by adding /atom.xml at the end of the orginal URL.

For example: http://acrosssyria.blogspot.com/ becomes http://acrosssyria.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Another example is Syria comment, where http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/syriablog/ becomes http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Joshua.M.Landis-1/syriablog/atom.xml

Click Add, and you are done!! your "My Yahoo" page will look similar to the one in the picture above!!!

Cool? well don't thank me, Thank Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Homsi?? Syrian? Levantine? Arab? Moslim? Christian?

2006-01-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

Today, I came across a post by Abo Karim, a fellow Syrian blogger. I thought the post was interesting , and decided to put some of it here:

http://levantdream.blogspot.com/

Identity or rather the multiplicity of identities, in my view, remains a fundamental problem in the Middle East. Most of us have hyphenated identities: Lebanese-Maronite-Christian, Syrian-Kurd, Egyptian-Copt and so on. How we express our hyphenated identities depends on who we are talking to and what the particular social situation is. So religious, sectarian or clan/ethnic affiliations may become the foremost identifier superseding national identity. It is these unresolved issues that have led to such paradoxes as: A secular, socialist party ........censorship................... the statue of Salahudin proudly displayed in Damascus but hundreds of thousands of Syrian kurds .......censorship........... Lebanese ...censorship.....with dueling loyalties to Iran and Lebanon to name but a few. The cause of these dueling identities are multiple including the artificial borders of modern Arab states and the real and perceived marginalization of ethnic and religious minority groups.

The concept of Arab nationalism grew during the Arab Nahda in the late 19th century fueled by Arab intellectuals returning from Europe in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. This movement was aided by the antipathy many people felt for Ottoman rule. What is unclear (at least to me) is whether this movement awakened a dormant sense of Arab identity or whether it was a foreign construct imposed from above. How, for example, did the average Damascene merchant view their counterpart in Beirut or Jerusalem? Regardless, the concept stuck through the early most of the 20th century as the Middle East was arbitrarily divided up by colonial powers. Promoting Arab nationalism remained the public stance of all Arab leaders but their self-preservation was their real stance. While they preached unity, they effectively segregated us from each other. It was easier for an Westerner to visit an Arab country than for an Arab to visit a neighboring Arab state. Arab nationalism failed because individual Arabs states failed.

So is the concept of Arabism dead? I don't think so. The concept of an Arab nation does ring true for many people on a number of levels. While the Palestinian plight was often cynically used by Arab leaders to promote their particular agendas, popular support for the Palestinians was genuine. There are also the bonds of language, religion and a shared history. Ironically, these popular bonds may be getting stronger at a time when political commentators have declared the death of Arab nationalism. Over the past two decades large numbers of people have migrated from poorer to richer Arab countries for work mixing of previously segregated and diverse Arab cultures. The other factor is the proliferation of satellite TV. Now sitting in Beirut, you can watch a vast array of channels from across the Arab world. There are call in shows, from the trivial to the serious, receiving calls from a dozen different countries. There is clearly an affinity and commonality that is being expressed among the people across the Arab world as never before. So although the political concept of Arabism and Arab identity may be dead, it is being been replaced with a genuine, grassroots Arab identity. To be sure, this does not mean that borders will melt away. After close to three generations of independence, most Arab states, however artificially drawn by the colonial powers, have now distinct identities with a historical narrative of more than half a century that is particular to each. So no matter how close Syrians are to Lebanese, each identify with a different historical and political memory. To be successful, this Arab identity has to be expansive and inclusive so that it can accommodate the vast diversity within our midst while respecting the uniqueness and independence of individual states.

Sabah, Ruba Nadda,or the Syrian women living inside

2006-01-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

When she decided to treat herself with something different the day she turned 40 by going to an indoor swiming pool,she didnt know that her life would change....although she didnt take off her veil;being a single syrian/canadian women ;but she revealed EVE living inside her upon meeting the canadian 'stranger' ADAM.
She was facing the decision of her life...fighting for her dream..or just spending the rest of her years watching life through a glass window.
SABAH, an extremly beautiful women, tought by Damascus how to cover her innocent smile by her virgin hand...how to turn the jasmine tree into a bed of roses...how to make a man's eyes cry when she is sad,torn ,and hesitant..
Arsinee Khanjian(sabah) , an armanian /eastern actress who had in her features the ancient, historic beauty of our country ,and in her soul a female that you would rather stay silent in her presence just to explore this sophosticated,refined creature.
RUBA NADDA, born in canada of a syrian origin, after moving between canada and damascus,she graduated from Newyork's prestigus TISCH school of the arts in film production .she had written,produced and directed 16 films;shown in over 450 film festivals during 5 years( sabah-2005,aadan-2004,laila-1999,damascus nights-1998,lost women story-1997) ...and above all the real charchter of sabah in the real world...a true story that spoke on behalf of many arab generations living abroad....a syrian star shinning in the movie industry .
She honored the syrian and arab audience in Dubai's international film festival(december 2005), with a wonderful film,a joyful smile,,and a charming shami accent ......
i had to step forward and greet all of them ..along with the pretty young shami actress (sabah's sister) ..guys....dont miss watching that film...SABAH..

The Spring Fests of Homs

2006-01-21T15:16:00.000-08:00

For centuries Homs was famous for its annual spring fests. These fests came to stop under the orders of the Syria Ruler General Adib Shishakly in 1953.

The annual spring fests of Homs were held on 7 consecutive Thursdays in March and April.

Each of those Thursdays developed its own character, they were called:

Khamis el Daye' (Thursday of the missing)
Khamis el Sha'noneh (can’t think of the proper translation)
Khamis el Majnooneh (Thursday of the crazy).
Khamis el Atat (Thursday of the Cats)
Khamis el Nabat (or banat), Also called Eid el Khal'a (Citadel's fest)
Khamis el Amwat (Thursday of the Dead)
Khamis el Mashayek, also called Khamis El beid (Eggs) and Khamis el-Asrar( Secrets)

Khamis El Amwat was a Day of Candy!! Store owners would come up with colorful decoration made of candy, creating at time big premeds of candy. The dead are involved in that People would give away the loved ones share of candy to the poor in the city.

Khamis el khal'a (citadel) was a fun day, it is when people go to the citadel’s hill and gather around an old well throwing stones and making wishes. If the well returned an echo of the stone hitting the bottom that made people optimistic that their wishes will come true.

The fest ends with Khamis El Mashayik, the most remembered by the Homsis, In that day, The leaders of Sufi schools followed by their students and followers would gather at Abu Al Fadael Mosque in Bestan El Diwan old quarter and would march across the streets of the city each with his colorful sufi school Flag carried on colorfully decorated Horses..

The memory of the spring fests of Homs is still vivid in the minds of the people of Homs. My Dad used to tell me all kind of stories about it, and in every spring he would get us Bashmina (an exquisite Homsi desert), and sacks of colorful candy to give out to the poor..

The picture on top was taken on Khamis El Khal'a on May 1st 1921

Romantic Illustration of Emesa, today's Homs/Syria by the great artist Louis Francois Cassas [1756-1827 ] during his journey into the Ottoman Empire 1784-1786. The artist is shown sketching the famous citadel of Emesa, surrounded by his guards and the inquisitive locals.

Paris through "Homsi" eyes

2006-01-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Just came back from Paris...the city of light as they call it...I, on the other hand, call it (or should I say call her...) the city of SEDUCTION...It is a seduction of all your senses: the eye, mouth, hand, ear, and heart...Your mouth can be incredibly used: starting from the best food, fancy wine, smoking, talking in French with a (g) instead of (r) , and above all French kissing ...A city where “moda” is different ,,,where what you wear is what you feel, is how u live, your style....A beautiful girl with a fancy short pink dress, revealing her body..along with tennis shoes with some false diamonds and a(GUCCI) written on it...putting a men's tie ..Putting her hair up in the air..smoking a cigarette and looking far.. Wondering where is her boyfriend… her dog is looking at the same direction wishing that her boyfriend will come so she wont get disappointed minutes and she is done with her cigarette.. She gets more mad..After minutes of waiting, he jumps out of a taxi with his dark blue cheep jeans...and his white Armani shirt, and a pink t-shirt under it, smoking a cigarette ...He runs to her, knowing that she will get angry and start shouting, the dog knows what will happen…he steps aside...to avoid the shouting ..once the boy is in front of her,,he looks in her eyes and smile...but the French anger cant be avoided ,,she starts eating her lips and pressing on her teeth ...then explode in some god knows what French words...he try to apologize; explaining how stupid was the taxi driver; the dog wonders away as if he is not concerned...as their voices become louder; the boy find out the only way to shut her mouth ..he rushes putting his mouth on hers; with a hot French kiss; and the vapor of their heat is flying in the cold air around their faces…silence comes back. The dog start moving ...he knows it will take more than a minute. He goes to nearby tree, lefts up his leg and piss on the tree...making less vapor than what the couple did ..then he stands still.. as if he is used to these intimate minutes...minutes and they are in the bar…you can easily recognize them inside… because he is trying to make it up for her...maybe more kissing…more hugging ...but the most important is looking straight in the eye...no wonder they call it the city of Romance.

Haider

Dubai

The Future of Syria

2006-01-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

Children From Homs

Homs. Brief Pre-islamic History

2006-01-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Early settlement:

Excavations at Homs citadel by a joint Syrian-British team has found Ceramic vessels retrieved from just above bed-rock at the base of the SE side of the tell (hill) indicates that the earliest settlement at the site goes back to the 3rd millennium BC. However, the narrowness of the archaeological areas that are safe to excavate preclude any chance of reaching these lower levels by coming down from the top of the tell, given its height of 30 m.

The city:

The history of the Homs (or Hims) as a metropolitan (city) remains obscure until the times of the Seleucid Empire which was founded after the death of Alexander the Great. During this period Sampsiceramus or Shams'alkeram, an Arab Emir reigned over Hemesa (Emesa) and Rasten ( Arethusa). In 64 BC Sampsiceramus killed Antiochus XIII the last Seleucid king, at the behest of Pompey the great. During this period the Hellenistic (greek’s word for themselves) culture flourished however Aramaic language prevailed throughout the eastern meditation as it was the language of the natives.

Roman Era:

Shams'alkeram and other local Arabian dynasties continued to rule the city during Roman Era. Emesa had a temple to the Syrian sun god El Gebal (Aramaic)(also called Elagabalus (Latin) and Heliogabalus (Greek)) Emesa was ruled by its local dynasty of priest-kings such as: Sampsigeratnus (Died: poss. 42 AD), Sohaemus possibly Azizus (54-73), Gaius Julius Alexio, King of Emesa (d78), Gaius Julius Sampsigeramus III Silas Died: abt. 120, Julius Bassianus father of Julia Domna Julia Domna (about 170-217) and Julia Maesa. Julia Domna, was among the most important women ever to exercise power behind the throne in the Roman empire the late 180s, Julia Domna married future emperor Septimius Severus they had Lucius Septimius Bassianus (Caracalla) in 188 and Publius Septimius Geta in 189. Both became Roman emperors. The town was made a Roman colony under Emperor Caracalla. A colonia status (the highest urban status in the Roman Empire)

50 AD Silver and Iron, found in Hims

Julia Domna

Emesa was also the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, better known as Elagabalus, who was a hereditary priest of the his namesake deity and succeeded his cousin Caracalla in 218 AD.

Elagabalus

Elagabalus and Sun God

Emesa was also Roman Emperor Aurelian's headquarter during his campaign against Queen Zenobia of Palmyra in 272 AD.

Late Roman era, Christianity, and Byzantine Empire:

Christianity was established in Emesa early on. Anicetus from Emesa became the bishops or Rome (later pope) from about 154 to about 167. Christianity grew in popularity until

Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Constantine (272-337). After the division of the Roman empire in 395 AD, Emesa remained part of the Byzantine Christian empire until the Arabs took over Emesa (Homs) in 636 AD.

Hercules 300 AD, found in Emesa , Marble, limestone, and tesserae,

Happy Eid every one!!

2006-01-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

Post card sent from Hims in 1929!

Snowing Fun...

2006-01-12T02:32:00.000-08:00

Snow in Hims is always a joy. I remember as a boy the first time I woke up and saw the white color everywhere. I felt more relaxed, peaceful, and optimistic.People playing with snow were more friendly...I remember that even throwing strangers with snow balls was welcomed by them ...Although just looking at a stranger in the eye in the summertime is an invitation for a fight .. Certainly snow has his own effect on us.
The old people of Hims still remember when it snowed continuously for 40 days during the 30's (not sure)...At the time, all day to day life activities stopped ...People who witnessed it call it The big snow storm (el-taljeh el kbereh) or the 40-day snow storm (taljet al arb3een) . I still recall my father's aunt dating some events and some birthday dates with by reference to the big storm. On this she would say: her cousin was born before taljet el-arbi’en...or: her friend postponed her wedding because of it....I want to invite all people, especially those who live in hot climate neighboring countries and say: bring your children even in the winter to Homs; give them the chance to experience this peaceful feeling. .because Ii still feel good when I remember that white view of my country.
I included some photos taken in Hims during the 60's and 70's. Hope you like it!

علاقتي...... مع الشجر

2005-12-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

أراك أحيانًا بين أوراق الشجر...
تركضين... تختفين بين جذوعها... دائمًا تلتصقين بخشبها
أقترب منك... أفقد الأمل في رؤيتك... تنتا بني مشاعر الألم
لم أعد أدرك حقيقتك... أأنت منهم؟... أأنت من تكلم الطبيعة؟...
فكرت كثيرًا في ماهيتك... وحاولت تدمير علاقتك بالشجر...
لم أستطع!!! كانت الأشجار دائماً تبعث بأغصانها في وجهي...
كانت الورود تبعث أشواكها في جسدي...فتهربين...
درست الطبيعة من حولك... رأيت بأم عيني تلاحمك...
عرفت أن الدنيا من حولي تقف إلى جنبك... ضدي... تحميك مني... أو من
جنس البشر
تأويك... تصد عنك جسدي... أنانية هي...
تريدك لها بمفردها.. دون أي شيء آخر... دون الإنسان... دون البحر... ودون
قلبي...
أتذكر جيداً يوم كنتما تتلاحمان... كانت الأشجار تتحرك
كانت الورود تتفتح... كنت تلجين داخلها... تصبحين جزءاً منها...
ولكني كنت مخطئاً دائماً... كانت الحقيقة أقوى من أن أصدقها...
كنت أنت الطبيعة و كانت الطبيعة ثلج داخلك... كنت ملكة عليها...
وكنت... أمها العذراء... عرفت عندها أنك لست لي
وأنما أنا إنسان كغيره يتحرك في فلكك...
كنت أنت وأنا من بعدك لاهث آخر وراء إكتشاف سرك...
تخليت عن بحثي... وآمنت أنك الطبيعة وأني لن أصل إليك...
فأنا أصلاً جزء من مملكتك...

حيدر الدروبي
2002

Citadel and town of Homs, end 19th century (Eduard Sachau)

2005-12-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Homs in Her Eyes

2005-12-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

She is a multi-talented person who managed to combine between two distinctive arts, sports and art in its literal meaning.

Intisar Bahri was born in Homs, completed her education in Aleppo to become Athletics’ teacher in one of Homs' high schools 'Granada'.

During her teaching years, she used to design Sports' Festivals in Homs and later, in Damascus as she was appointed as a Sports' Festivals Consultant.

She played lots of sports in her early age but was distinguished in Tennis. She became a member of the Syrian national team and represented Syria in Tennis events nationally and internationally. After that, Al Bahri became a member of the Syrian Tennis Federation for few years.

She, however, did not spare a moment not to be creative. That is when she directed three Pantomime plays; Aroos Al Nile, Endama Tantuk Al Hijarah and Tareeku Al Anbar.

All through her life, she had a passion towards writing poetry. That is why she finally decided to devote her time for poetry and in which she managed to publish two collections of poems so far and the third is yet to be published... Her collections are "Hurouh wa Ahjar Kareema, 1996" and "Wa Safar Nisfu Al Kallam, 2001".

Al Bahri held different symposiums in different countries; a part from Syria, such as Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan and UAE.
She has always been possessed by her love to Homs in specific and Syria in general. This love that can be showed in most of her poems as in:

أحجارك السود بالهدبين أمسحها
وأخشى عليها اللمس يجرحها
مرمية في دروب الناس... مهملة
ياليت تعلم أن القلب مطرحها

And from another poem, she wrote:

شوقي إلى الميماس يأخذني
عند شروق الشمس من نفسي
فأسَرح الآهات في جسدي
وأداعب الأحلام في رأسي
وأصب للأزهار نحل دمي
وأضم بستاني على غرسي
يا حمص... يا بلداً أهيمُ به
أنبيكِ أن البعد لا يُنسي
لا حلم لي والموج يقذف بي
ويصب ماء الملح بالكأس
إلا الرجوع إليكِ
يا وتري المشدود بين
السهم والقوس

After all, Al Bahri proved that women can be creative, hardworking and above all loving mothers.

WHEN TIME STANDS STILL

2005-12-18T01:34:00.000-08:00

AN OFFICIAL RECEPTION AT THE OLD MUNICIPALITY (SARAYA) IN HOMS AROUND 1935 DURING THE FRENCH OCCUPATION....THIS BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED BY THE NEW SARAYA LATER...THE RELIGIOUS MEN AND VIP'S OF HOMS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BACK ...WHO WAS COMING?...WHAT WERE THE DECISIONS TAKEN THAT CHANGED OUR HISTORY AT THAT DAY ?...NO ONE KNOWS ...THE CAMERA WAS THE ONLY WITNESS IN THAT MINUTE ...

THE BELOW ONES WERE TAKEN IN THE SAME YEAR...WERE THEY A RESPONSE TO THAT VISIT...OR JUST A FUNERAL....MAYBE A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL...NO ONE KNOWS..BUT THAT CAMERA MADE TIME STANDS STILL

Homs, in black and white

2005-12-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

La Citadelle

2005-12-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

Homs (Emèse) Vue de la citadelle au début de la 20ème siècle

Khalid Ibn Al-Walid Mosque in 1932

2005-12-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

Vue ancienne de la Mosquée de Khalid Ibn Al-Walid et de la cimetiére Extraite du livre (Syrie et Liban. André GEIGER, 1932. Edition B.ARTHAUD. Succ' des Editions, J. REY. Grenoble)

Amr & Haider

2005-12-16T02:14:00.000-08:00

I was so impressed by the site that Amr and Haider have been working on and in which it shows their dedication and love to Syria in general and Homs; our beloved city, in particular.It's amazing to find a window in which we all can learn more about our culture and other cultures , share our experiences and finally communicate with eachothers...

Top: Haider, Below: Amr

The Spanish Connection!!

2005-12-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

Seville, settled by Syrian junds, was customarily and affectionately referred to by Arab writers and poets of east and west alike as Hims al-Andalus, after the Syrian town of that name.Seville and its territory was known by the name of Hims, for when the lands were divided among the Arab settlers it fell to the people of Hims, in Syria, whose banner immediately follows that of the people of Damascus in the processions at Medina. Ibn Sa'îd, a thirteenth-century writer from Alcalá la Real (Granada), remarked that no eastern cities reminded him of home except for Damascus and Hama, a central Syrian town, and al Shaqundî called Granada the Damascus of al-Andalus. Not surprisingly, the Damascus scenes in the film "Lawrence of Arabia" were filmed in Seville, a city generally acknowledged to resemble traditional Damascus more than Damascus itself.

Most striking of all was the extensive Syrianization of the landscape that took place throughout the eighth century, first, through the settlement of Syrian contingents (junds) in such places as Seville and Valencia; second, through the wholesale importation of Syrian styles by the cadres of Umayyad clients who flocked to the peninsula after 756; third, by the deliberate policy of Umayyad emirs, 'Abd al-Rahmân I in particular.The introduction of Syrian agricultural systems, of hydraulic machinery used in Syria, of Syrian building techniques and decorative motifs, the deliberate importation of vegetation native to Syria -- these were among the many discrete elements that contributed to the Syrianization of Andalusi towns and countryside.

The poet Al-Rundi captures the Muslim sorrow at the loss of the city:

`O Hims (Seville), was it your predestined fate when it shot at you-That destruction observed
neither pact nor (claims to) protection? The Tyrannical hand of time has pointed at you-Time never acts justly when it makes a decision. I did not imagine that the disasters of time would blot out that beauty-Clothing its splendour with darkness. Your beauty had the charm of youth-But after being stricken it has exchanged for this ugliness and senility. O Paradise, from whose flowing streams our sins have snatched us-While sorrow and regret attend us.
O you who ask me about the disaster suffered by the Muslims there-Listen that you might hear
something that will leave a legacy of deafness. The Guardians of the Trinity have risen up-Forestall them and rouse your thoughts from heedless slumber.
How many captives have come to have their feet bound in fetters-Shattered, complaining of
abasement? And how many a suckling baby continues to be cast down-Snatched away from his mother, and has weaned in the waves (i.e thrown in the river).’

Farhan Sabbagh

2005-12-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Farhan Sabbagh is counted among the best oud players in the Arab World and he belongs to the younger generation. Born in Homs, Syria, in 1948, he studied oud at the Omar Al Khayyam Institute along with Arabic percussion instruments. He pursued further studies in classical Arabic music at the "Al-Funun Al Masrahia" Institute (Institute of Performing Arts) and later he studied composition at the Institute for Oriental Music in Cairo. He taught music at his hometown and performed as soloist in many concert and lecture tours in the Arab world. In 1972 (Damascus/Syria) he received the "Al-Farabi Prize" for composition and in 1974 a medallion for the best musicality. He has given numerous concerts in Europe as well as in the Arab World: From the Royal Albert Hall in London to the Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, to mention but a few. Sabbagh's imporvisation is very fluid and his talented modulations are quite beautiful.

You could listen to him playing by clicking on the link:
http://orientaltunes.com/realaudio/Muwashah_Nahawand-288.ram

The story behind Wednesday's "Eid El- Majaneen"

2005-12-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

Homs is the city of choice when it comes to making jokes. It is like Belgium to France in joke-making. Homsies (Hamasne) are accused of being crazy and even having an official holiday (every Wedensday and no one knows why this day) for practicing The Crazy Fest (Eid El- Majaneen). Homsies neither deny nor approve this myth. Labeling Homsies crazy has its roots deep back when the Romans decided to conquer this beautiful city, which is near Palmyra. When Homsies heard of the coming conquerors, the small city council collectively approved a rather strange solution. They put out advisories for residents to act like they were crazy, and make the Roman occupiers uncomfortable. Plans were put for Homsies to eat with full mouths, excrete out in the open in food stores (to disgust the forces and sway them from taking their food), dance, touch the foreigners' genitals, make practical jokes, and the rest was up to the Homsies imagination. The Homsies liked the idea and acted in advice, and when the coming conquerors came into the city, all the residents acted crazy, putting up a show that disgusted the coming forces, instigated empathy, and belated this city's besiege. The effects were not in the Homsies favour, for the Romans ruled Homs for decades thereafter.

Why people make jokes on us?

2005-12-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

well, one can find the answer in streets of Homs..
Hint: read the English translation ..

Hashim Atassi..a democratic president

2005-12-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

Many homsi politicians had helped shape the recent history of Syria. Due to the divisions in ideologies and interests it is difficult for people to overwhelmingly admire a certain politician.

One exception is Hashim Bey Atassi. Among all of the Syrian politicians he really stands out. People really respected the guy... Here is a summary about him

Atassi, Hashim (Bay Khalid) al- (b. 1875, Homs, Syria - d. Dec. 5, 1960, Homs), prime minister (1920, 1949) and president (1936-39, 1949-51, 1954-55) of Syria. He was an official in the Ottoman administration of Syria in his early life. In 1919 he became a member of the Syrian Congress, which in 1920 proclaimed Greater Syria an independent constitutional monarchy. As one of the nationalist leaders opposing the French occupation that followed, he was elected president of the Constituent Assembly, which, because of its adherence to the 1920 proclamation, was dissolved by the French high commissioner in May 1930. In 1936 he headed a Syrian delegation to Paris that negotiated a Franco-Syrian treaty providing for Syrian independence. A parliament was elected and he was chosen as president of the republic. However, by the end of 1938 it was obvious that the French government had no intention of ratifying the treaty; Atassi resigned in 1939. In 1949, a year of military uprisings, he was called upon to form a provisional government and to hold elections for a Constituent Assembly. In December 1950 the Assembly, under a new constitution, elected him president, but another coup led by Col. Adib ash-Shishakli followed, and Atassi resigned and parliament was dissolved in December 1951. When Shishakli's regime was overthrown by an Army revolt in February 1954, Atassi was recalled to complete his presidential term. After the 1955 elections he retired to private life in Homs. Amid the confusion and violence that often formed the background of Syrian history, he stood out as a man of sound principles dedicated to constitutional methods of government

A TOUR IN THE OLD SECTOR

2005-12-07T01:26:00.000-08:00

THE OLD BUILDINGS OF HOMS

(PHOTOGRAPHED BY: AMR TULAIMAT & HAIDER DROUBI IN 1998)

Hala Faisal...Artist from Homs

2005-12-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

Born in Syria, she became a true citizen of the world,finding her settle in New York City,after travelling all over the globe.Hala Al-Faisal is a multitalented artist performingin various type of Art Fields.Her love for painting drove her technical questto experiment with various techniques:acrilic, pastels, watercolor and oil. A woman who loves life, who writes, sings, acts, dancesand plays the piano. A woman who loves the sun but her best friend is the moon. The moon is always faithful to her, following her wherevershe goes... always wise and understanding. Hala is really concerned about the unfairness in the world,the homeless who sleeps in the streets of NYCand the Mexican workers who don't have any right,for all those who cry in Palestine and Irak, in Africaand South America.One of her impossible dreams is to turn all miseriesand unfairness of the world into a paradise.Hala has a talented charming son who also lives in NYC.She speaks many languages, arabic, russian, french,spanish, german and english.She has studied at the Damascus University, Syria. BFA in Visual Communications (1983),at the Moscow Cinema Institute, Russia.Cinema, drama and animation (1985/89),at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France.Drawing and painting (1994/95),and at the Art Students league, New York.Painting and sculpture (2000). She is currently working on a movie projectabout her life between New York and Damascus.

She produced an animated film,"Night Thief robs the Day Thief", 1989.Music is an old passion, she studied at the Conservatoryof Damascus, Violin at the tender age of 10 to 13 years old.Lately she has been studying Soprano Singing at theKoncervatorium in Germany, 2001. Ms. Faisal has taught art and lectured on art historyin Damascus and New York - Brooklyn Museum, BAM.She also taught arabic language at the New York Universityfrom February 2004 until February 2005.

يوم في حياة شاب غير عادي

2005-12-06T22:36:00.000-08:00

علياء أتاسي

رنين المنبه صباح كل يوم يقض مضجع أهل المنزل جميعهم الا المعني به، ففتحي، في اغلب الحالات، لا يستيقظ الا بعد انهاك المنبه وبعد تذكيره بأن الشهر الجاري شارف على نهايته، اي ان استلام حصيلة جهده المتمثلة في الراتب باتت قريبة. يتحامل فتحي على نفسه >أخيرا< وينهض ليبدأ يومه، فيغسل عن وجهه درن الكسل، يجترع على عجل حبة دوائه، يضع مصروفه في محفظته وسماعة >الواكمان< في اذنه ومن ثم يتأكد من انه لم ينس اهم مستلزماته: مفتاح الدار والهاتف الخليوي.يباشر فتحي عمله في تمام الساعة الثامنة والنصف صباحا، بعد ان يكون قد سلك طريقه المعتاد متوقفا خلاله في عدة محطات: اولها المخبز لشراء >قوت< يومه، تليه استراحة قصيرة امام كشك للصحف فيلقي التحية الصباحية على صاحبه ويبتاع منه جريدته، الى ان يستقر نهاية في احدى عربات مترو الانفاق والذي يضعه على بضع خطوات من باب العمل.باب العمل يفتح من جديد في الثالثة من بعد الظهر مودعا موظفيه الى يوم غد، يلملم فتحي حاجياته ويطلق بعضا من النكات الأخيرة مدخلا البهجة على نفوس زملائه ومن ثم تفترق خطاهم وتتشتت رنين الضحكات كل في صوب.المعهد الآسيوي الافريقي هي محطة فتحي التالية، فهناك يقضي هو والكثير من الطلبة الشرقيين معظم اوقاتهم، اذ توفر مكتبة المركز مكانا هادئا للمطالعة والدراسة كما تشكل الكافتيريا المجاورة لها نقطة التقاء لكل من عصفت به رياح الهجرة آتية به الى فيينا.تزدحم >اجندة< فتحي الشاب السوري الاصل الذي دخل في ربيع العشرينات منذ ثلاث سنوات، بمواعيد وظيفته >الالزامية< ودراسته الطوعية ورفقة الصحاب الاختيارية، ويومه >يمثل<، رغم فروقات يمكن عدها بالجوهرية، نموذجا لروتين شبه >عادي< في حياة شاب شرقي يقطن في الغربة ساعيا الى تحصيل العلم و>تمويل< اقامته مؤقتة كانت ام دائمة.المفارقة لا تكمن في ان فتحي لا يعيش هنا وحده كطالب جامعي، فهو حط الرحال في فيينا مع والديه قبل ثماني سنوات، ولا في انه مضطر للعمل لظروف مادية، او في تردده على مكتبة الجامعة من باب التسلية فقط، بل تكمن في اسباب >شكلية< تفسرها ملامح وجهه اللطيف القريب الى القلب بعينيه المقوستين الى اعلى واذنيه الصغيرتين واصابع يده الممتلئة اكثر من >العادة<. هذه >العلامات المميزة< كما دونت في جميع الوثائق الرسمية التي يحملها فتحي مردها ليس هويته الشخصية او >انتماؤه العرقي< بل انتماؤه منذ اللحظة الاولى التي فتح فيها عينيه مقبلا على الحياة الى فئة من يوصفون بـ >ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة<، حيث جاء فتحي الى هذا العالم حاملا >وصمة ازلية< تعرف بـ >متلازمة داون<. ومتلازمة داون هي الاسم العلمي الصحيح للاعلاقة الذهنية التي ما زال الاسم المتداول لها على الصعيد الشعبي هو وصف >منغولي<. منشأ هذا >المرض< هو المرحلة الاخيرة التي تسبق تكوين الجنين وتحديدا اثناء انقسام الكروموسومات فهو عبارة عن زيادة في عدد المورثات الصبغية عند الشخص المصاب بمتلازمة داون، بحيث يكون اجمالي المورثات الصبغة لدى الشخص 74 مورثا، بينما يكون العدد الطبيعي للشخص العادي هو 64 مورثا. ويتسبب هذا المرض في تأخر النمو الحركي والعقلي لدى المصابين به بالنسبة الى اقرانهم.وعودة الى >ابو الفتوح< فهو على الرغم من كونه في عداد من يوصفون بـ >المنغوليين< او >المعاقين< او >غير العاديين<، فان الاطار البيئي والمعيشي والوظيفي الذي تهيأ لصاحب هذه الشخصية ان يندمج ويحيا فيه، جعل منحى يومه >عاديا< الى حد يشبه يوم اي شاب >عادي<، لولا اختلاف بعض التفاصيل. اذ يلعب الاطار الذي ينشأ فيه هؤلاء دورا مفصليا في دعم حاجياتهم وتنمية مهاراتهم وتقليل الفروق بينهم وبين غيرهم بشكل يجعلهم جزءا من المجتمع المحيط يتأثرون به ويؤثرون، فينفعون وينتفعون.والمؤسسة التي يرتادها فتحي كل يوم تتبع لجهاز حكومي نمسوي يعني بتشغيل ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة وذلك عبر توظيف مقدراتهم كل بحسب المجال الذي يستطيع ان ينتج فيه وفي الحقل الذي يحبه ويتوافق مع قدراته، فمنهم من يحال تبعا لجلسات استشارية مع متخصصين الى مدارس لتعلم تنسيق الحدائق ومنهم من يتجه الى تعلم الطبخ او الموسيقى او اعمال يدوية كالنجارة او تصنيع ادوات بسيطة وغيرها. وتملي هذه المؤسسات على الانسان >المعاق< برؤيته فردا عاملا وموظفا >شبه حكوميا< حقوقا وواجبات كغيره تماما. اما الاطار الاجتماعي فهو لا يقل اهمية عن المهني وكأي شاب فان فتحي يمر في مرحلة تكوين للشخصية وتخطيط للمستقبل وهو كغيره يهوى جلسات الاصحاب و>البصبصة على الصبايا< ويستشعر سعادة غامرة في رفقة شباب >عاديين< اعتادوا بدورهم على اسلوبه >الخاص< واحبوا فيه خفة ظله واقباله على حياة تتذللها الصعاب دونما ادنى تعقيد. والمكتبة الجامعية الوارد ذكرها هي مكان اهتدى اليه عبر اخيه الاكبر سنا بحيث باتت مقصده المفضل لما تمنحه اجواؤها من احساس بأنه كغيره: يطالع على طاولاتها الصحيفة التي اشتراها متبصرا في محتواها وكأنه يجيد القراءة والكتابة ومدردشا مع >الآخرين< في المقهى المجاور. ولكأنها مدرسة نموذجية >لدمج المعاقين في المجتمع<. واخيرا فان فتحي صاحب استقلالية تبرز في شخصه المرح وآرائه واعتماده على النفس و>تعنته< احيانا اخرى، اما احلامه فهي تقليدية الى حد كبير، اذ ما زال يتطلع الى قيادة عربة ويرنو الى الحب والزواج وتأسيس عائلة، امر ما زال حتى طرحه حكرا على >غير المعاقين<. الأكيد على أية حال ان قرار والديه في الاستقرار في اوروبا لم يكن الا صحيحا، اذ قدمت له ما لم تقدمه اي دولة عربية لمواطنيها العاديين.(فيينا/ النمسا)

Yup !! we actually get snow in Homs!!

2005-12-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

I believe this is overlooking Tripoli Street..

Balconies..."Balakeen"

2005-12-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

Intersting prospective....(Homs)

Homs the windy city

2005-12-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

A Tribute to the women of Homs who made a differece.

2005-11-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

Hind Droubi passed away on Thursday 24 Nov'05:

Afro-Asian women conference . 1961

She was born in 1920. finished her school in Homs , decided to move to Damascus to finish her high school since in Homs there wasn't any, she finished her (Baccalauret- philosophy section) in 1940..where she worked as a teacher at the same school (Madrasat al-Rahbat, the Nuns' School) for a couple of years before she moved back to Homs.

She was about to get married to someone from Damascus, she didn’t .

Gardening, reading, and traveling were some of her hobbies...her garden was always the gathering place for all relatives and friends of all ages. Besides all the classical French and Arabic books, she never missed reading the most important, latest published books even during the 90's.

In 1961, she was chosen to travel to Cairo with a couple of other women from different cities to represent Syria in the Afro-Asian women international conference.

The post cards she had received from different places of the world, from friends she met abroad, or in Homs, were pieces of art for me .

Her house was the safety box where most of the family pictures and documents were kept, the pictures of Homs that she gave me were some kind of rare ones.

She was an ideal Muslim, always made sure she pays her vows to god, at the same time very open minded, believed in the women's freedom. her Islam was the one we need nowadays.

She witnessed most of the economical, political, and social events in Syria.

Although she wasn’t married and had no children, she treated the children of the big family as hers.

When I used to take the old pictures from her box. , She used to laugh and say: why would y need them, these people are all dead, and when I am dead maybe all my pictures will be thrown away.

It is important to know that she was a distinguished Homsy woman .

I kindly request from you to read al-fateha for her soul.

The above was sent to me by my freind Haider Droubi. I took the liberty to publish it. I hope It is OK with the Droubi Family.

At her home.1955

ALEXANDRIA 1954

Afro-Asian women conference. 1961

Her Garden at the Old hose

For the "HOMSick"

2005-11-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

click on the link and listen to the Sounds at the SOUK in Homs

http://travels.larp.se/syria/sy-ho-souk4.mp3

ENJOY

Julia Domna, The Philosophical Empress

2005-11-27T20:48:00.000-08:00

Julia Domna, (d. 217), second wife of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (reigned 193-211) and a powerful figure in the regime of his successor, the emperor Caracalla.

Julia was a Syrian (Domna being her Syrian name) and was the daughter of the hereditary high priest Bassianus at Emesa (now Homs) in Syria and elder sister of Julia Maesa. Domna gathered about her in Rome a group of philosophers and other intellectuals whose activities are best known through the writings of Philostratus. After Severus' death the murderous rancour of her two sons, the joint emperors Caracalla and Geta, culminated in the assassination of Geta by Caracalla in her presence (212). When Caracalla (reigned 211-217) was on campaign, he left her in control of most of the civilian administration. On the news of his murder in 217 she is said to have starved herself to death, either voluntarily or on the orders of the new emperor, Macrinus.
To cite this page :"Julia Domna" Britannica Online. http://www.eb.com:180/cgi-bin/g?DocF=micro/307/90.html [Accessed 07 February 1998]
*
The following information is taken verbatim from A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Vol. I, pp. 1063-64, by Professor William Smith & Others, London, 1890.
*
DOMNA, JULIA, daughter of Bassianus, wife of the emperor Septimius Severus, mother of Caracalla and Geta, grand-aunt of Elagabalus and Alexander.
Born of obscure parents in Emesa, she attracted the attention of her future husband long before his elevation to the purple, in consequence, we are told, of an astrological prediction, which declared that she was destined to be the wife of a sovereign. Already cherishing ambitious hopes, and trusting implicitly in the infallibility of an art in which he possessed no mean skill, Severus, after the death of Marcia, wedded the humble Syrian damsel, with no other dowry than her horoscope.
The period at which this union took place has been a matter of controversy among chronologers, since the statements of ancient authorities are contradictory and irreconcilable. Following Dion Cassius as our surest guide, we conclude that it could not have been later than A.D. 175, for he records that the marriage couch was spread in the temple of Venus, adjoining the palatium, by the empress Faustina, who in that year quitted Rome to join M. Aurelius in the east, and never returned.
Julia, being gifted with a powerful intellect and with a large measure of the adroit cunning for which her countrywomen were so celebrated, exercised at all times a powerful sway over her superstitious husband, persuaded him to take up arms against Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, thus pointing out the direct path to a throne, and, after the prophecy had been completely fulfilled, maintained her dominion unimpaired to the last.
At one point, when hard pressed by the enmity of the all-powerful Plautianus, she is said to have devoted her time almost exclusively to philosophy. By her commands Philostratus undertook to write the life of Apollonius of Tyana, and she was wont to pass whole days surrounded by troops of grammarians, rhetoricians, and sophists.
But if she studied wisdom, she certainly did not practice virtue, for her profligacy was a matter of common notoriety and reproach, and she is said even to have conspired against the life of her husband, who from gratitude, weakness, fear, or apathy, quietly tolerated her enormities.
After his death, her influence became greater than ever, and Caracalla entrusted the most important affairs of state to her administration. At the same time, she certainly possessed no control over his darker passions, for it is well known that he murdered his own brother, Geta, in her arms, and when she ventured to give way to grief for her child, the fratricide was scarcely withheld from turning the dagger against his mother also.
Upon learning the successful issue of the rebellion of Macrinus, Julia at first resolved not to survive the loss of her son and of her dignities, but having been kindly treated by the conqueror, she for a while indulged in bright anticipations. Her proceedings, however, excited a suspicion that she was tampering with the troops; she was abruptly commanded to quit Antioch, and, returning to her former resolution, she abstained from food, and perished, A.D. 217.
Her body was transported to Rome, and deposited in the sepulchre of Caius and Lucius Caesar, but afterwards removed by her sister, Maesa, along with the bones of Geta, to the cemetery of the Antonines.
There can be little doubt that Domna was her proper Syrian name, analogous to the designations of Maesa, Soaemias, and Mammaea, borne by other members of the same family. The idea that it is to be regarded as a contraction for "domina," and was employed because the latter would have been offensive to a Roman ear, scarcely requires refutation.
One accusation, of the foulest description, has been brought against this princess by several ancient historians. Spartianus and Aurelius Victor expressly affirm that Julia not only formed an incestuous connection with Caracalla, but that they were positively joined in marriage : the story is repeated by Eutropius and Orosius also, while Herodian hints at such a report, when he relates that she was nicknamed Jocasta by the licentious rabble of Alexandria.
But the silence of Dion Cassius, who was not only alive, but occupied a prominent public station during the whole reign, on the subject, is a sufficient reason for rejecting the tale altogether. It is absolutely impossible that he should have been ignorant of such a rumour, if actually in circulation, and it is equally certain, from the tone of his narrative, that he would not have suppressed it had it been deserving of the slightest credit.
On the other hand, the vouchers for the fact are in themselves totally destitute of authority upon all points which admit of doubt or controversy, and in the present case were so ill-informed as to suppose that Julia was only the step-mother of Caracalla.
Wandering with restless activity from land to land, he [Caracalla] sought to drown the recollection of his past guilt by fresh enormities. Gaul, Germany, Dacia, Thrace, Asia, Syria, and Egypt, were visited in succession, and were in succession the scene of varied and complicated atrocities. His sojourn to Alexandria was marked by a general slaughter of the inhabitants, in order to avenge certain sarcastic pleasantries in which they had indulged against himself and his mother; and the numbers of the slain were so great, that no one ventured to make known the amount, but orders were given to cast the bodies instantly into deep trenches, that the extent of the calamity might be more effectually concealed.

For those who enjoy Julia (the restaurant) in Homs

2005-11-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

Silver Denarius of Empress Julia Domna
211 AD to 217 AD
Found in Emessa (Homs, Syira)
Location: United states

Another Day in the life of a "Natour"

2005-11-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Written by yet another young Homsi woman

At 60 and more; his physique is ambiguous; like potato, he doesn't have a particular shape. He's short, though he used to be taller- yes, he knows he was taller; his shadow used to be longer when he'd walk; he noticed it shortening, like the years that fade behind the exhausted memory, as he walked under the sunlight.
He wakes up before the dawn, around twenty minutes before the sound of the 'Azzan'. He folds the colorless mattress lying on the floor, and then goes to the water hose behind the walls of what they call a bathroom; he washes up and dresses up, and wears some of the cologne his granddaughter bought him; he gets ready to go to the mosque.The mosque is right before the walls of the garden, and so he prays there five times a day.

His wife used to wake him up, but now he has learned how to do it on his own.
Ever since she passed away, he has learned how to do many things on his own.
He guards the old castle; and he lives in the small room in its garden.
His three sons got married, and his five grandchildren come to visit him every 'Eid'. His daughters in law are nice and friendly; they call him 'father', but he knows they don't really mean it.that
There isn't much about the castle that needs to be guarded, yet the sons of the former Daud Pasha, asked him to stay in the room, and kept paying him every month; their father trusted him. He wouldn't have accepted to get paid, when he knows that he isn't doing much, yet the gratitude those young men show him whenever they'd to visits their father's uninhabited castle, in respect to the pledge they paid their father before his death, made him feel that staying is his duty.
He realized the beauty of contemplation ever since 'Amina' passed away. Since then, words seemed like a windfall that he uses when communication is imposable otherwise.
He opened the door, in confidence he looked at the sky; a look that fused both faith and content; the pigeons noticed him and flew away.
Like any other day, 'Am Abdo' started this very day.

The story of a Homs native in Latin America

2005-11-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Rags to riches

Cultural ties date back centuries
By Lawrence Smallman

Brazilian journalist Marina Sarruf tells the story of 95-year-old businessman Emílio Bonduki - whose father Gabriel decided to leave the Syrian city of Homs in 1897.
A Syrian immigrant sets up hisstore in Argentina, 1915"My father said everyone wanted to come to America. He said it was easy to find a job and start a business," Bonduki says.
After working as a travelling salesman for many years, Gabriel had opened his first store by 1905 in Sao Paulo.
Emilio was born in 1909 and still remembers how he was accepted by all into Brazilian society. "It was a country that offered many opportunities. It also received immigrants with love and attention - more than we could have dared to expect," he explained.
By 1915, Gabriel had saved enough to give his son an expensive education in Syria. And after years of hard work, Emílio had become head of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, a major benefactor of the Lar Sirio Pro-Infancia orphanage and a board member for the Mao Branca Beneficent Society - which takes care of elderly people.

Mohammad Tulaimat: A World Of Childish Miniatures

2005-11-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

November 1 - 30 2005

The City of Chicago Human Relations Advisory Council on Arab Affairs presents:"Painting Exhibit of Syrian Artist Mohammad Tulaimat: A colorful exhibit of Mohammad Tulaimat's paintings, a well-known Syrian artist, will be displayed.

MOHAMMED TULAIMAT: A WORLD OF CHILDISH MINIATURE

By: Rana S. Atassi

A scratch on the wall of time…on the walls of the neighborhood…or maybe on the walls of the heart…a comfort colored with childhood, dips its brush in the charm of spontaneity and dives freely into the painting. Mohammed Tulaimat, the painter of the serene smile and dreaming eyes; when you wonder about him, you’ll find him in his paintings and his paintings in him; he resembles himself. He extremely resembles his art. You can recognize him among many artists through his transparent paintings.
He studied Civil Engineering and adored art so much that he had his own adventures in it. He was born in Homs, Syria; and took a lot of this city’s silence and serenity. Today, his artistic experiment takes another dimension of childish miniatures rich in theme and affiliation. His lines meet, then separate, differ and contrast. But the best of it is how they swing as a child swings in his first steps -he falls down then gets up again- overwhelmed with the joy of walking on his own for the first time on this Earth. The paintings travel with the sails of spontaneity and simplicity to the kingdom of colorful childhood, where the old castles touch the magic of tales and play in their fabulous playgrounds.
In Mohammed Tulaimat’s world, a little moon takes you far away. Then you come back on the wings of a young rose to find yourself, later, riding a butterfly playing with happy mythical figures which resemble nothing, but at the same time resemble us. They are close to our remote childhood. They take you to the childhood of old neighborhoods where walls are full of dancing paintings. Thus, their fragrance carries you to that sweet intimacy and warmth reminding you of childhood memories and the spirits of the place. Then suddenly, the painting evokes the same feelings of the eternal and spiritual fragrance that these places evoke.
Sometimes we wonder: does M. Tulaimat reflect spontaneously, in the painting, what his imagination produces leaving his brush to express itself freely? Or is it something ready in his mind that he wants to empty it into the painting in harmony? In both cases there comes up a world of childish miniatures with a variety of drawings and compositions that create an alphabet of overlapping letters and numbers. It’s like the scratches of a child who is learning how to read and write to sail into the world of knowledge. Other times, these miniatures become symphonic, distinct and parallel, and take you for a moment to the mihrab of intellectual contemplating and silent mystic prayer.
Finally, you stop at M. Tulaimat’s world as a station for transparent joy and an invitation for love and purity. The moment you pass by this station, you throw your cares away and sit in its shadow. Then, you get up and hit the road of life with a new pure spirit and a beautiful heart full of hope and love to face the rottenness and hostility of life.
Rana S. Atassi, Teshreen Newspaper.2001

Muhammad Tulaimat and his beloved grandson Rafik Akhras