My Many MY's

A bit less than depressed, a bit more than frustrated

2007-03-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how to start writing this. But there is too much in my head and I need to write some of it down, get it off my head. I was watching a BBC talk show on the fourth anniversary of the war on Iraq. The program had so much diversity and every point of view. War opposers included British, Iraqis, the Syrian ambassador to the UK, a British soldier's mother, and many more. War pros included again British and US officials, western young people from the audience and Iraqis. They kept talking and talking and talking. Nobody could convince the other, nor the audience, because both parties have stories that seem convincing.

But this is the talking part for the British and Americans, after this show they're gonna go sleep, wake up early in the morning for a lot to do. Maybe think which country to invade, how to change polls to their favor, change the people's attitude towards different issues. Now what do we do? On our agenda for the next morning may be to discuss the situation in the region, discuss the problem with Lebanese politics, argue who did 9/11 and how jews were outside the towers when the planes hit, curse corruption, curse Bush, curse Sharon, Olmert, and every Israeli prime minister, etc. This is the majority of Arabs' agenda. Of course, a part of them, a second part, is working hard to make a difference, each in his own way, some writing, some working (not working as in having a job), etc. This is about 10% of the Arab world. The third part, the rest, are demonstarting about why Hasan Nasrallah cares about Iran, why Saad Hariri met with I dont know who, killing each other in demonstrations, shiites and sunnis killing each other, plannign revolutions, planning bombings in every country in the world for some "religious national" cause, etc.

I dont know which part I belong to, first or second, and this is what made me frustrated. But thinking that the third part is the one that is making our image worldwide, and shaping the future of our countries makes me want to kill myself. This makes me think that the US and Israel aren't the main source of threat for our existence. "We" are the only threat, and therefore we have to stop daydreaming about a better tomorrow.

Public Awareness Ads On British Channels

2007-03-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

I really like those ads, they are a bit violent graphically, but they have very meaningful words. I think I will be collecting them in this post.

1- You don't have to be in a car to cause a crash. The moment you know they're driving. KILL the conversation.

Days in London - Part 1

2007-02-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, I went to the British Museum, one of the definitely-must-see's in London. I am not going to talk about how the museum is run so efficiently and organised to make it as easy for visitors to reach their places of interest, it is simply run by British standards (although entry is free). The thing that I liked so much about the museum was the number of children visiting, either with their families or with school trips. I couldn't but stop and stare at a 6 year old drawing an Egyptian mummy, or a 10 year old taking notes about the Rosetta stone for his school project. I was happy, that the British are able to show our civilization and history to their future generations. In other words, I was grateful to the people who stole our ancient treasures, because they know its value and know how to publicize it and we don't.

Freedom For Kareem

2007-02-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

We, as a community of Syrian bloggers, condemn the arrest and sentencing of Egyptian blogger Abdel Kareem Nabil Soliman for the peaceful expression of his dissenting views. We ask the Egyptian government to reconsider its decision to arrest and prosecute Abdel Kareem. The stated reasons for their action include the preservation of the public peace and state security, and the prevention of incitement against Islam. We contend that his arrest will achieve neither. Silencing such dissenting voices as Abdel Kareem’s, serves only to strengthen the hands of extremists who will not shy away from violence to achieve their goals. Moreover, we remind the Egyptian government that his arrest and prosecution violates at least two articles (see below) of the 1948 United Nations universal declaration of human rights to which Egypt was a signatory.

Relevant United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles:

Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Such rights for freedom of expression are also enshrined in the 1990 Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and the 2003 Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's religions.

* Reposted from the Levantine Dreamhouse

Festive Season

2006-12-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

A British friend asked me a few weeks ago whether we (muslims) celebrate Christmas in Syria? I said that Christmas and both Eids became social occasions for all Syrians. We all enjoy times when you see people happy, meeting with family and friends, and enjoying a good vacation. I personally enjoy wishing happy eids and merry christmas's, and don't feel doing this as part of my social obligation. This is not because Muslims and Christians tolerate each other in Syria, it is just our nature (till now) in which we dont care who's Muslim and who's Christian. This is one thing I really love about Syria (along with the million things I hate).

Today's events (and yesterday's and all the time's), prove that this is not the case in neighboring Lebanon. During the three years of my life that I was studying in Beirut, I learnt to categorize aquaintances into 4 according to religion and one of those was split into "ma3na" aw "dedna", so all in all, they were 5. (After February 14, 2005 things got messed up and 2 categories remained ma3na, but anyway). Still, I must honestly say that despite the fact that Lebanon is so much fractioned religiously, its people learnt to respect each other (of course this does not include war lords), and this is why they deserve respect.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Ad7a Moubarak, and a Happy New Year!

Photo: The National Gallery and the traditional Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, London.

Qana 2006

2006-07-31T00:06:00.000-07:00

Qana, July 30, 2006: Israel killed 62 civilians, including 42 children.

Really nothing to say...

(Cartoon from Annahar: Qana 2006, Israel's list of suspected "terrorists")

Tfooo!

2006-07-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Remember the spit that Kate Winslet learnt from Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic and practiced on her fiance'? I wished I had one like that so that I can use it with King Abdullah and his $1.5 billion that he gave to Lebanon, and to use the same spit on Saad Hariri who continues to prove how childish he acts, and how he has no political knowledge, no dignity, no nothing.

Anyway, we shouldn't be talking about these now. These are the times of MEN;

Allah ywafe2kon, Smedoo w na7na ma3kon.

Ahmad

2006-07-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Translated and re-published. Original Arabic text by Eve

Syrian Bloggers: Today, We Are All Lebanese

2006-07-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Today, we are all Lebanese.

Lebanon has been sentenced to death. On Wednesday 12 July, she was put in prison, and now she's being tortured.

Israel's war is with Lebanon's civilians, not Hizbollah. Nearly every person killed has been a civilian. Power stations, bridges and petrol stations have been targeted. Israel has warned residents to get out of certain villages, but bombed roads to make it difficult - and refugee convoys have been picked out for deadly air raids.

And getting out of the country is impossible now too. The airport has been destroyed, the sea ports are blockaded, and the border posts and highways have been razed to the ground.

Lebanon is held hostage to the angry Israeli war machine. And now more than ever, Syrians bloggers, just like every Syrian stand by her.

Another generation of Lebanese will know nothing but war. We can't let this happen, Again.

Today, We Are All Lebanese; Abu Fares, Ahmad, Amr, Andre, Ayman, Ayham, Bridget, Fares, Hamwy, Ihsan, Mustafa, Omar Faleh, Omar Salaymeh, Oz, Sarah, Sasa, Sharks, Soraya, Yaser, Yazan, and Annie (French).

Lebanon in Our Hearts

2006-07-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

The conflict that errupted lately was, at the beginning, a very controversial one. It may have been a mistake to give Israel an excuse to hit Lebanon. And we don't know what now are the intentions of Hezbollah's political opponents in Lebanon. Also, it is ironic to see Syria helping a government that surely hates her.

But this is Israel we're talking about, an enemy of ours till God knows when, an enemy that never liked us, and never agreed to leave us in peace and dignity. And this is Lebanon that is being hit and destructed, brothers and sisters, friends and relatives that we share a lot with, a lot!

I was so frustrated watching Lebanon being destructed, as if I was watching Damascus being hit by this cruel enemy. Away from the crazy politics that the Lebanese follow, and away from the warlords that each have a different agenda. Away from the lousy Arab politics that serves nothing of our cause. Away from those Lebanese and Syrians who thought politics will separate us. Away from all those, I think I speak for all Syrians when I say, Lebanon and its people are always in our Syrian hearts.

As we pray for peace to all the Lebanese and Lebanon, I dedicate two lines from our great Nizar Qabbani (he wrote this poem after the Lebanese civil war, tenzeker ma ten3ad):

..قومي كي بيقى العالم يا بيروت.. ونبقى نحن.. ويبقى الحب

Syrian Bloggers' Thoughts: Yazan, Abu Fares, Annie, Sold OUT, Shady, Damdom, Soraya, No One, Sharks, Ayham, Ihsan, Amr, and SyrianAngel

Give Your Vote on CNN

2006-07-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

CNN is taking a vote on whether the Israeli response is justified. At the moment the bigger percentage of the vote goes for "yes", help turn it into NO by taking the quick vote.

Look for the QUICKVOTE box to the right of the news in the page.

You can Vote Here

Lebanon against Brutal Israel

2006-07-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

What's next is really a hard question now.

All we do these days is keep changing tv channels trying to get the latest, and listening to more analysis about the situation. As I hear the news, I remember that Israel has shown unwitnessed cruelty through its history since 1948 and maybe before. They always were ruthless against civilians and never cared about casulties of innocent people. With no practical moves from the world's powers, the silence of Arab countries, and the support of the strongest nation on earth, Israel has no morals, no rules, and no red lines. They have a bloody history that they continue to write now in the very same way.

May mercy be upon all the martyrs. May God help Lebanon against this inhumane enemy.

...

2006-07-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

I hate Italy, I hate Italians, and I hope I don't meet del Piero or anyone of the del Piero family...

I hate pizza, spaghetti, and all Italian foods, no wonder their tower is leaning...

So one goal, we got it, you wanted to win, what about the second goal? hah? I am Italian, I am so great! I can play football! (!#@*?)

Thanks God I don't have a shotgun, I would have shot every happy Italian fan passing in our street, it would have been a direct shot in the head, or maybe i'll just shoot their cars' tires...

Green and Red? They don't match at all! They look ugly!

What? ro7 riyadieh my ass...

Anyway...

Bellies and Hijabs

2006-06-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

Scene 1:

You enter an elevator, so out of manners, you offer the lady standing to enter before you. She gets in and presses the button, without waiting for you! You end up waiting for the lift again, because she didn't see a necessity to go in the lift with you.
Here, we have two possibilities: 1- I am a rapist whose presence with her alone is dangerous. 2- she is a mermaid whose seducing will lead us to do whatever we can do in the next 15 seconds in the lift. So what do you think?
Both answers are wrong! She is simply a "moohajjabeh".

Scene 2:
I leave home, as I walk in the street, I feel like I am in another place in the world. There are girls whose dressing is just... never mind. In this very special occasion, (ie walking in the street in front of guys), their bellies just couldn't stay under their shirts. And other girls who are shouting from their car "Brazil, Brazil", while others are singing with "Dan Dan" at 10 p.m.

During the last few years, these two extremes found a lot of followers. People like those are alarmingly increasing in our society, and are threatening to ruin the culture of moderation that Damascus always enjoyed. I am not just acting "proud of our glorious past", but if you ask your parents, this is worse than anytime before, even when women were covered from head to toe, they were moving gradually into conservative liberty while using their heads.

Women of the two kinds above are confirming the image of women in our society as sex objects. They ar wearing and behaving as if we humans were born to have sex, and will do it just anywhere! This leads to mining the efforts that are made to make women and men equal, cause as long as one gender believes he has to change in order not to seduce the rapists out there, they'll always lack liberty and open mindness.

So till this comes to an end, we can describe Damascus by two words: Bellies and Hijabs. Same Risk, Same Disgust!

Disclaimer: What I wrote only applies to a certain percentage of mouhajjabeh's and certain percentage of girls (although I believe it is getting bigger by the day), this does not mean that I dont respect every moderate person, including many of my friends, family and aquaintances who wear hijab.

The Simpsons

2006-06-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was copying my files in order to format my PC. Part of this process included the copying of 10 GB of Simpsons episodes (only those were left, after I burnt the rest on a dozen of CDs). The rest of my files including my music were 5GB. With simple math, I realized that The Simpsons is occupying 66% of my PC activity, and I really think they earned it!

The show has been on for 17 years. Everyone in the US, and probably the world knows The Simpsons. They were turned into different kinds of merchandize, including a Simpsons Monopoly, PC and console games, clothes, and many other stuff. Many shows tried to reach the Simpsons at the top, like South Park and Family Guy, but they just couldn't. During the main Simpsons airing on Sundays on Fox, a 30 second commercial costs about $300,000!

The show is not just a comedy show, or a show for kids (certainly not for kids!), it reflects in a way what the USA is, with its good aspects and bad aspects. They make fun of how Americans think they're the best, along with making fun of Canada, Europe, Cuba, and the Arabs. It critisizes the US domination of the world, while keeping the spirit of American patriotism high at all times. It gives no limits to making fun of religion and belief, but at the same time, it shows respect to the combination of different religions that America nurtures. Well, one should give the US the credit, it is the only country in the world that can come up with something like The Simpsons.

Plus, it is really really funny! I have a good laugh when I watch the 20 minute episode, although many jokes in the episode are local jokes that I may not understand. During my university years, every meal I/we have at home should contain one or two episodes.

What else? The Simpsons team, more than 35 main characters, each one is more hilarious than the other (this felt so Arabic!). I can't really decide which is my favorite character. Ned Flanders, the religious guy with his two kids. Apu Nahaspeemapetilon, the Hindu who runs a supermarket in the US. Moe, the bartneder who's stingy and just hates life, and of course the main six Simpsons.

Well, that's enough. These were some of the thoughts of a heavy Simpsons addict. Time to get some sleep.

"We Will Be Zarqawis"

2006-06-10T04:23:00.000-07:00

Titled "He is not dead, he is alive with God, This is a wedding not a funeral", Guradian's Ghaith Abdul Ahad wrote an article about the condolence tent made by the Zarqawi family in Zarqa, Jordan. The article is pretty interesting to read, and I must say that if I were American, European, or any other non-Arab or non-muslim, I would be suspicious about this "brutal" religion, and fear the fact that every muslim child is a potential Zarqawi.

I shall quote some part of the article with some of the replies I had in mind while reading:

" A man wearing a white dishdasha came into the tent, (...) "May God receive him in heaven. He always wanted to be with the prophet and inshalah this will come true." "

He always wanted to be with the prophets, too bad he wont make it! The prophets asked us not to kill innocent people. They didn't ask us to bomb hotels and raise our children to fight everyone that stands in our way. A terrorist with such a criminal mind won't have a place with Mohamad (PBUH) or Jesus. I know this for sure!

" "His ideas are still alive," said the former militant. "People in the Middle East look at him as a model now. The black cap he wore has become a symbol and young Muslims wear it everywhere." "

This is the kind of thought that makes them do what they do, they deceive themselves by believing that people in the Middle East are with them. The fact is; even if people in the Middle East care about their rights, or care about their occupied land, or hate Israeli occupation of Arab land, or despise the American policy towards Arabs, they are not brutal, they are not narrow-minded, they think for themselves!

" Allahu Akbar ... Allahu Akbar" came the cry. "Oh, Bin Laden, don't worry, we will be Zarqawis," shouted other men. "

No Comment!

I also have something to say about the title, which is a general case in the Arab world. When someone becomes a martyr, God gives us some kind of relief that this person is going to be in heaven (not Zarqawi for sure!). But this does not mean that his death should become a wedding or a thing to celebrate, it is a day to mourn because a relative/friend was lost, it is certainly not his wedding day!

A final word, in our societies, they prefer not to talk about someone dead no matter how bad he is and often say "la tajooz 3ala al mayet ella al ra7meh (after a person is dead, the only thing spoken about him is prayers of mercy). Excuse me for this one single time, I won't do it!

4 Hours Left!

2006-06-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

4 hours left for the beginning of World Cup 2006. Already, the craze started in Damascus, you can see cafe's hanging flags of participating countries, and people putting the flag of their team on their cars and balconies. Restaurants are expecting full operating capacity during the whole period of the cup. Be prepared to hear loud noises and car horns when some team wins.

I'll be depending on these resources to follow the world cup (in addition to outside-home resources):

- Live games will be broadcasted free to air on:

ARD "Das Ertse" on Hotbird 6 / 11604 / Horizontal / 27500 / 5/6

along with encrypted:

TSR on Hotbird 7A / 11526 / Horizontal / 27500 / 3/4

TF1 and M6 on Hotbird 7A / 10911 / Vertical / 27500 / 3/4

Also, it is said that TV5 Monde Orient, on Nilesat and Arabsat, is broadcasting all the games.

- News about the cup by Syrians on Syria News

- Al Arabiya news channel has exclusive rights to the world cup news every minute.

Good luck Germany!

The Irony

2006-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

I got this forward from a friend, it looks so silly, yet so true!

What do you need to give a 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer this question:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K gives 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E gives 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
and
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E gives 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

However
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T 2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
and
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G 1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the BULLSHIT and ASS KISSING that will put you over the top!

To Hell with you ART!

2006-05-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

I wanted to talk about an issue Mustafa of Aleppous talked about. ART (Arab Radio and Television) took a decision to make great use of the said $4,000,000,000 they paid for exclusive rights to broadcast the World Cup 2006. ART didnt sell the rights to the Syrian local channel and preferred to rip off people here by forcing them to subscribe to ART or watch every match in restaurants. According to Syria News, this might have been a deal between ART and some Syrian TV officials.

I never mind clever marketing, and I believe in our saying "el tijara shatara". But this is pure monopoly people! No other options for 20 million people with almost half of them not being able to pay the 7000 SP (some say 13000) for subscribing. To hell with whatever luxury this ART brings as long as it is based on a monopoly that forces people to subscribe.

I think I'll be watching any matches home on either ZDF, RTL, ARD, TF1, or M6 on Hotbird. Theoretically speaking, they are not supposed to broadcast any matches (according to the exclusivity ART has) because Hotbird covers half the Arab world. So there might be some legal problems between them and ART. Or they might be able to compelement each other in broadcasting part of the matches each, and this mix will take our revenge from the rippers.

Whatever, No ART!

Back from the dead!

2006-05-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Finally, the mood is back for personal blogging. I stood up, tidied my blog a bit, removed some old links, changed a bit in the layout, and the blog was refreshed for reblogging!

I wasn't in the mood for blogging at all lately, though I was following every almost Syrian blog, thanks to Syria Planet. Though Syria Planet made me very lazy to comment on any blog as I read all of the new posts. My life was full of different new stuff, the thing I can't understand is how fast time is moving! Tomorrow's friday? Wasn't yesterday friday?!

Also, I am finding myself a lot of time to read financial news, analysis, listen to financial podcasts, and follow financial blogs from around the world. This month, I started to write my thoughts in fina-tech.

Other than that, World Cup 2006 is coming, Go Germany!

Welcome back to MYself!

Want Windows Live Messenger Beta Invitations?

2006-02-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

I have 3 invitations available for Windows Live Messenger Beta. If you want one, write your email or send it to my email directly (in the blogger profile), with one funny reason why you deserve this invitation. :-)

Not In Our Name

2006-02-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

Everybody said it, this is not us, nor it is our Islam. Everything that happened in the last two days in Syria and Lebanon jeoperdised the efforts muslims made to keep the protests civilised and rational.

Apologies to the people and countries hurt in the violence acts. Still, we'll keep protesting peacefully against the cartoons about our prophet Muhamad (PBUH).

Many posts about the same issue on the blogs of Ayman, Sara, Zena, Omar, Dina, Digital Oasis, Abu Hussam, Digital Oasis, Ghalia, Brian, Gottfried, Yaman and Namir

Last Day...

2006-01-29T14:08:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 30, 2006: My last day at AUB. The last days were full of studying.

It is now 12:09 a.m. and am enjoying working for the last time in the computer lab in the library.

By tomorrow (today) 10:00 a.m. I'll be done!

Everything is going on normally. But I keep reminding myself that everything I am doing now in AUB, I am doing it for the last time (last time blogging from AUB). It is just a weird feeling. I just don't know what to feel right now. For sure, I am happy that I'm done. What's the next feeling? I'll see in the next few days.

"eid"

2006-01-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

wll, first Eid away from the family, my second away from my brother Ayman, and my third away from Damascus... life couldnt get worse...

however, I decided to deal with it, ok, you have exams, and you have to stay in Beirut, just try to make the best of eid there. that's why we brought some ma3mool from famous al-Hallab. and we decided to exchange visits in order to make it an official "eid"...

i am not expecting much anyway, it is now eid's eve, and there is nothing, exept for some friends sending messages... obviously, not the best mood to write...

anyway, ad7a moobarak to anyone reading...

Top 4

2005-12-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

This thing came to my mind today. What are the four top hated charactersitics in a person or a friend? Here are the worst people you would meet organized from least worse to WORST!

1- An I-Know-Everything person: This person gets on your nerves with his I-Know-Everything attitude. You can find this case a lot in the Arab world. He still can be your friend, but try avoiding clashes when you are talking to each other.

2- An Envious person: No need to explain, he just envies any success... or even failure, be it your grades, brain, money, wit, absolutely anything. You can be close to this person, as he doesnt have anything personal against you. However, take good care.

3- A Liar, which also leads to Me7tal, Mtla3ab, and Men Ta7et La Ta7et.

4- An Earth-Revolves-Around-Me person is the worst of them all. This guy simply thinks that God wasted 6 days making him and spent the 7th making the rest of the world! He is different from a showy person; a showy person talks about his money mainly. This one just talks about himself, his family, his friends, his life, his memories, his hobbies, his interests, his thoughts, his hopes, his dreams, his jokes, etc. This is the WORST person ever! His alphabet learning started with “I” when he was young, then moved to “M” then “Y”, and then the rest of the alphabet. You just can do nothing to bear him. Whether you are sitting on the same table for dinner, or you’re best friends, sooner or later, you’re gonna explode, especially if you are a modest person by nature, you won’t be able to take it.

This is what I think, still, each human being has a different sorting for these people.

N.B. a "he" can easily be a "she" in the previous text.

AUB Elections

2005-11-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

Each year, AUB goes through the most important event of the year: its SRC (Student Representatives Committees) elections. This committee is supposed to represent students and get their problems solved. Each faculty SRC elects members for the USFC (University Student Faculty Committee), which is chaired by the president of the university and has a higher authority than SRC.

However, political parties take the elections as a political power competition. The parties with more political power on campus should win more. This year, the "Coalition for Lebanon" included the future youth (Hariri), Lebanese forces (Ga3ga3), and the socialists (Jumblatt). On the other side were the pro-Syrian Aounists, Hezbollah, Amal, Syrian Nationalists, and Wakimists.

The votes are simply traded, each party gives the other his votes. So, the Hezbollah people voted for Aounists (the same people who made effort to issue and supported the 1559!). That's why this year there was less people giving you flyers to vote for some candidate, and the independents had less hope in winning against the dominating two coalitions. The votes were already traded, and dummies had to go and vote for the "lista" they were given.

The results "ceremony" is the most important. Outside campus there is a lot of soldiers and security people and cars. Bliss street is closed for more safety. On Campus, each coalition followers stays on one side and starts the "hitafat war". Every few minutes one of the candidates comes out to the crowds from the counting room, and says whether he won or not. And we hear the cheers from the winning side.

This year's celebrations had something new. First, nobody said a word about Syria, something new after years of: "Hey w yalla Souria tla3ee barra" "Bedna n2ool el 7akika, Souria ma mentee2a". This new improvement came after efforts from Syrian figures and the Syrian Cultural Club who met with all political leaders explaining that Syria has nothing to do with this elections, and any insults to Syria will not be tolerated by Syrian AUBites. The other new thing was each party shouting against the leaders of the other party. So this year we heard new statements: "Ya Walid shoo jabak 3a Bayrout" "Aoun rja3 3a Fransa" "Saad khalleek bi Fransa" "Mr. X, Mr. X" and the two "diguised" statements were: "Mabrook Bashar!" and "Mabrook 3abbas!".

One conclusion, the Lebanese parties weren't ever divided by Syria. They just don't like and will never like each other, whether the big sister was there or not.

The Ball Is Now In Syria's Court

2005-10-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

A very interesting article by Syrian political analyst Sami Moubayed on Mideastviews.com. It is a long article showing the flows in the Mehlis report. I quote the last part:

The Syrians should stop directing their efforts at saying that the report is political. Everybody knows it is, and everybody knows that there is strong support in parts of the West for Syria to be targeted and weakened, regardless of guilt or innocence. Syria, by this rationale, is going to be punished for its excesses in Lebanon, its decision to oppose the war on Iraq, for its support the insurgency and the resistance in Palestine.

Syria fits perfectly into the culprit's cage because it is no longer an internationally strong country. Syrian commentators and officials have been shouting "foul play". But does anybody in Syria have the slightest clue on how to work through the problem?

One way is through maximum cooperation with the UN and the US. One idea would be to broadcast and publicize the interviews made by Mehlis in Damascus. Another would be to allow Mehlis to interview more Syrians in Europe. The Syrians must realize that they are at their weakest point in decades. It simply is not their day in history.

Syria will have to swim with the current, no matter where it takes it, until it reaches shore or a tree to cling to. Mehlis wants to interview certain officials outside of Syria. So be it. He wants Syria to offer maximum cooperation. Let it be. He wants Syria to hand over any Syrian officials involved in the murder.

The Syrians must also cooperate with Washington on Iraq. They must make new allies in the international community to lobby on their behalf at international forums such as the UN, and with the US.

They must digest the new reality, that they are now out of Lebanon and that times have changed. In 1920, the Syrians protested the imposition of a French Mandate on Syria. When their objections amounted to nothing and the mandate was approved by the League of Nations, the Syrians accepted their fate, knowing that a great injustice was being done to them but realizing that they were powerless to stop it.

They lay low for some time, then began working with the mandate, waiting until circumstances allowed them to rise and write the mandate into history.

The Syrians this time are not as weak as they were in 1920. They have the ability to change things and patch up with the international community. The keywords for Syria today are "cooperation" and "wisdom". If the Syrians achieve both, then they can write the Mehlis report into history as well.

But the thousands of protestors chanting anti-American slogans in the capital on Monday could make this course of action difficult: the authorities are believed to have encouraged the demonstrations, and schools allowed pupils to join in.

Totally Different Effects on The Two Sides!

2005-10-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

During the last two days, I was reading newspapers and blogs on the net, watching TV, and discussing. A lot of talking. However, I quote how a Syrian and a Lebanese felt about the report. (I, obviously, share Ayman's feelings!)

Ayman in the Damascene Blog:

Now what's next? Bad days, I guess. I don't know if Syria can avoid harmful sanctions by cooperating "fully" with the investigation team, but it should cooperate anyway, no matter what it takes. Not only because the government will be under enormous pressure it probably cannot resist, but because we Syrians need to know the truth and get rid of the stupid "I don't know" and the helpless "Allah yestor."

Ramzi in his Blah Blah:

I'm still at page 10 and I'm already feeling intense emotion, and a bitter-sweet aftertaste. Anger: at the stark cruelty of the facts. Sadness: at our loss. Vindication: we knew it & we kept it alive. Frustration: I want those bastards dragged in the streets RIGHT NOW!

Highlights from THE day!

2005-10-22T00:52:00.000-07:00

Boring highlights from the historical day:

- Are you leaving to Damascus when the Mehlis report is out?
- Yeah, I prefer to be safe at home when it is out.
- Me I will be staying in Beirut. My Mom told me to stay and keep a lot of food in my fridge!

12:30 a.m. Hani calls me. "They said the report will be out now. Turn to Al-Arabiya!".

12:40 a.m. slept while watching Al-Arabiya.

4:00 a.m. Woke up, found a missed call and a message on my cell. Looked immediately at the tv screen. Al-Arabiya discussing the report. I couldnt open my eyes. And to my bad luck the remote control fell on the floor, and the batteries fell off. But I need to watch the report! I got up and switched to Al-Jazeera. They were reading the report translated from English. The nerve destroying montone of Al-Jazeera translator made me sleep again.

10:00 a.m. Noor calls. "Meet me fast, I have the original report with no exclusions". Found out later that this was the report that was spread out "by mistake".

10:30 a.m. Reading the report.

11:40 a.m. Sitting on Main Gate on campus discussing the report.

12:15 p.m. Sitting in my room with Som3a reading the report.

1:15 p.m. Watching comments about the report with Som3a.

2:00 p.m. At Jamil's discussing the report and watching TV.

6:45 p.m. In Damascus. Discussing the report with the family.

8:00 p.m. Watching news and comments about the report.

9:00 p.m. Watching Al-Fada2iyeh Al-Sourieh "Al-Tahkeek wal Hakeekah" about the report.

12:00 a.m. The day finally ends.

My Last Semester

2005-10-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

Back to Beirut! This is my last semester in AUB. Although everyone is telling me I'll be desperately wishing for these days to come back, I am still VERY happy that I will be graduating in 15 weeks, or nearly 105 days.

Anyway, after a very long summer vacation in Damascus I'm back on the Damascus-Beirut road. I remember when I was younger and I liked to read, Yehia Jaber, the Lebanese writer dedicated his book to me with the words: "There is a love expression called the Damascus-Beirut road." Well, I don't think it is still applicable. With the new 800 SP "ta2sheeret khourouj", and the Syrian soldiers checking your private things to take anything Lebanese, this road has become a living hell!

Lebanon is much calmer now. Probably "al sookoon allathi yasbok al 3asifah". The streets are calmer, and the traffic got lighter around the city. I've been watching some Lebanese blogs lately. I don't agree with them, but they give me what the Lebanese people aren't telling us, Syrians, directly.

Anyway...

"Let There Be Shania"

2005-08-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

The 28th of August is a very special day for humanity. For on this day, Mighty God said "And let there be Shania!". God needed something to use our senses with, so he chose something that is pleasant to see, and exciting to listen to. And since, Shania Twain has been the greatest artist of mankind. This is shown in her cool, honest, real, fun, and personal songs that she writes. Her lyrics are the kind you enjoy listening to and singing, and maybe trying to follow when you have the same situation. I often remember "C'est la vie, that's life and that's how it's gonna be" when am down. And she has a song for every mood. Recently, I heard her latest song; "Shoes", in which she explains that "men are like shoes". Well, she is damn right, we are like shoes!

As for numbers and charts. Lovely Shania has the biggest selling album for a female artist, and the 6th biggest selling album of all time, catching up with the Beatles!

I didn't talk about Shania's look. I'll let my favorite pics of her talk. You can just stare at that goergeous smile forever!

Shania, what I wrote today is not enough, I'll keep updating. So that on judgement day, no one will be punished for the sin of not knowing you, and not loving you!

Happy Birthday Shania!

A Visit to the Bank

2005-08-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Today, I had the pleasure to go to one of the new opening private banks in Damascus. And since I am the "spoilt" Syrian citizen who had the chance to try Lebanese banks during my study time in Beirut, I was expecting that I will have the service I need in no time.

I went in there, there was no queue of any kind, people trying to reach the counter, and when they reach it, they start talking to the bank employee immediately. Of course, the banker either rejects them telling them to wait for their turn, or just helps them, depending on his mood. So, I said "tfaddal, beddak troo7 3al bank, endereb 7awel takhod dor!". I watched with no patience the employee teaching a trainee very slowly as the people are waiting; he doesnt explain while he's working (metel kel el 3alam), no, he has to do the the thing and then tell her, while we're waiting. He stamps the cheque and then turns his slowly head to the trainee: "Now I stamped the cheque". Then he staples the cheque, stops and turns his head back to her: "I stapled the cheque, this is a stapler". And so on... Then a man came from nowhere: "M3allem mesta3jel allah ywaff2ak", and the "helpful"banker helped him disregarding any queue or order.

Then, I kept the few curses I had in my mouth, and moved to another banker, "la2 ma beddi roo7 la 3and had, wesho bie2ta3 el nasel", so I came to the last one on the counter. Finally, she asked me, "how can I help", without any kind of smile, if she was in a silent movie, I would bet she's saying "yel3an abook"! She helped me soooo unprofessionally (not knowing how to deal with bank clients). And then I left the bank.

After I left, I was saying to myself, right, NO TIME... should be wasted trying to go there again!

Sorry, if any of the readers works there, I am talking specifically about these four people in the bank.

Exclusively Among Us...

2005-07-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Exclusively Among Us...

The Youth of Syria and Lebanon

Covenant

We will do our best to create promising and healthy relations between our nations in two independent and sovereign countries.

We will spare no effort in enriching the cultural and social interaction between the two neighboring states.

We will depend on these cultural and human founadations for building a bright future for our two peoples, which would secure prosperity and peace for the future generations of Lebanon and Syria.

This is a covenant we made at the Syrian Cultural Club at the American University of Beirut (the bad quality of the picture comes from my cell phone). We put it on campus for two days (27-28 April) and collected signatures. Many of our Lebanese and Syrian friends signed. The Lebanese who signed were from all partys, every single "with us" and "against us" party.

Today, as I see all of what's happening, I tell my Lebanese friends that I resign this covenant now. And since politicians on both sides screw everything up, let's keep it "Exclusively Among Us... The Youth of Lebanon and Syria".

God Bless London

2005-07-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

Citizens and victims of great London, I really don't know what to say. My sincere wishes for all the survivors to get well soon. May you live to enjoy your London. Enjoy its democracy, equality, and quality of living. May you enjoy it away from the beasts who couldn't stand seeing great great London. If they are from any islamic or Arab group. This is not Islam! These are not Arabs! These are not humans!

May God bless London. May all the innocent souls rest in peace.

terror in khaldeh

2005-07-03T00:55:00.001-07:00

today I knew more about the explosion that happened in Khaldeh in Beirut. If I was a Syrian I'd say it's the US and Israel. If I was Hariri, Joumblat, Yasar, and Ga3ga3, I'd definitley say "al-nizam al-amni al-lebnani al-souri" (their favorite expression). If I was a normal person, I'd say, we'll wait and see.

Today, however, my friend whose house is near Khaldeh said it was... a husband trying to kill his wife as they were going into the final procedures of divorce! Yes, that's it! That's all!

Bloggers Meetup

2005-06-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

WOW! Yesterday, we had a meeting with many of the bloggers in Syria! Yes, it was an exciting meeting! After meeting all these unique virtual people, I can relate each ones writings with his face talking. :) It was very nice meeting you all. Looking forward for the next meetup.

Finals and the Library

2005-06-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Finals in our university take a special style. Now our university library opens till 2 a.m. so that we, hard-working students, have enough time to study in a quiet place. Yet, this quiet place becomes a park after 11 p.m. During the finals, the three floors of our libraries will contain different types of students:

- Basement: you may die in there, all are studying, they came here to study. If your shoe has some kind of noise when walking, or if you breathe loudly you are not advised to go there, cause you will be getting "zawrat" from the people around you. (of course, i study here!).

- Ground Floor: medium, you can talk quietly with some interruptions from the librarian saying "Silence!". Some pretty girls will be around. But you can still be able to concentrate.

- First Floor: This floor is always crowded and noisy just like a park. If you come to this floor you come because:

1- Some friend misscalled you that there are some beautiful chicks there.

2- You are a girl who wants to have fun, and find a place to study and laugh with no restrictions.

3- You got bored from other floors and want to have fun.

4- Other sections closed and you have no choice.

When you enter, you will find so many people you know, that you may spend all your studying time "3am tsallem" till you arrive to some empty space.

Well, back to the library, now the other sections are closed, so I guess it's the first floor.

No Contacts!

2005-05-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

The last few days were pretty tiring for me. I had a cornea? infection because I slept with my contact lenses on. So, I spent the last days doing nothing but putting eyedrops, and making sure not to mix between the two eyedrops. Now they are three! Anyway, I can write too much rubbish after all this time doing nothing, so the most important is that I am getting better.

And for whoever reads this, never ever sleep with your cotact lenses on!

Our Martyrs

2005-04-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today, the 26th of April, 2005. Not a single Syrian soldier on Lebanese soil...

What may come up to minds at this time: independence, freedom, ghazaleh, mou3arada, moualat, every word in the news...

For me, I just thought about the Syrian martyrs in Lebanon. I wish they are listening now to tell them. We still remember you. We know that now nobody remembers you because of individual acts. But you were in the national army, serving our nation, so may God rest your souls.

Question

2005-04-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

I can't find an answer for this question. If the Lebanese would sacrifice their lives for their country, and they are ready now to be killed to free their country, and they NOW want to "wipe" all Syrians and their Lebanese followers. What made them rebel now not during the last 15 years?

If they despised every official that supported Syria since 1990, then why do they still love Hariri and Joumblat? If these two were the fighters for democracy and freedom since they were born, how come they flattered Syria so much through gifts and privileges to Syrian intelligence and Syrian intelligence friends and relatives?

I once heard it from a respectable Lebanese, who’s not into politics professionally. He told me: “We are corrupt, and we corrupt everyone around us, that’s why we gave a palace for this Syrian officer and some privileges to that officer. If it wasn’t from us, Syria would have never had this much authority in Lebanon.”

I am not against the Lebanese' democracy or their freedom or their very favorite word, “sovereignty”. But don’t think that if Syria, Lahhoud, and the intelligence are gone, Lebanon will be full of angels; the country includes many dirty people than these they want to “wipe”.

Lying

2005-04-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

"Only don't tell me you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and makes me very angry." Michael Corleone, Godfather (1972)

Besides that lying is the worst of bad habits, it also cuts every connection that is based on trust (ie. friednships, business, etc). The more important point is that, most of the times, when lying we try to be intelligent, right? This means that you are trusting you have a higher level of intelligence than the one you're lying to. Or that the person in front of you is stupid enough to belive you! But what if he is already smart? You are simply insulting his intelligence, and that's much more insulting than the truth whatever it was. What's even worse is that the liar doesn't know his lie has this bad effect.

That's why, I don't care how bad a friend is, he can do anything, absolutely anything, but not try to lie to me, 'cause "When you lie to me, you insult my intelligence, and this makes me very angry!"

This thought just came into my mind because I got angry of some lie, it has nothing to do with April's fool day lies.

2005-03-24T23:22:00.000-08:00

Miss Armenia and Miss Germany in the Miss Europe Finals

Miss Europe

2005-03-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Armenia’s Lusine Tovmasyan was named Runnerup in last week’s Miss Europe pageant in Paris.
Second only to Germany’s Shermine Shahrivar (who is of Iranian descent), the 19-year old Armenian beauty queen beat out competitors from 34 other countries.
Among nine jurist for the competition were fashion baron Paco Rabanne and entertainer Charles Aznavour.

For me, I wished for Miss Armenia to win, what do you think?

Clapping

2005-03-23T15:22:00.000-08:00

A new explosion took place yesterday in Lebanon. Same news, but this time, people are almost sure that this is the government trying to show that Lebanon has no security without her. Other views are saying; this is between the government and some foreign powers to support the Lebanese intelligence, but in the back shows that Lebanon needs international forces.

Me, I was so away, clapping, clapping, clapping, isnt this what the Arabs were doing the whole time in the summit?

Mother's Day

2005-03-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day far away from the family, and Mom. The day couldn't be longer, and since my residence's entrance is surrounded by two flower shops, I watched people taking flowers to their mothers each time I passed by.

Maybe when you lack the feeling, you feel everybody is so enjoying it. So, knowing that I can get Mom flowers made me feel how enjoyeable it was. I saw kids going happily with some flowers. Then a woman in her 40s taking some flowers, some two twin sisters also. It felt so lovely, yet, sad... Hmmmm

Arab Summit Scenario

2005-03-21T15:07:00.000-08:00

On Al-Jazeera, I am waiting to listen to the program about our expectations of the "kemmeh" results, here's what I have in mind:

Fisrt scene: Arab leaders sitting with smiles, shaking hands of each others and kissing, three on the cheeks from the Lebanese president, two kisses from Syrian president, 2 kisses on the same shoulder from Saudi delegate, and 7 kisses on the cheeks from Jordaninas (that's what I heard!), etc.

An Arab watching enjoys that the presidents and kings are happy together and they will finally meet his expectations and be a strong unity and make good decisions. His wife was assuring him, not to be optimistic, cause it is like each year. He curses her, and tells her that she is "moutwatee2a", "inhizamieh", "moutakahkeera"...

Second Scene: Arab leaders giving their speeches, "Israel is defeated...", "America still has the choice to go back, and rethink", "Otherwise, we've got a bunch of speeches that's gonna isolate them and we'll never talk them", we're one unity, remember?

The same poor Arab is still happy, he starts thinking where he should celebrate, in Rabat, or in Doha, we are indeed one country, and there won't be any problem, finally all our problems are over.

Third Scene: Live coverage from discussion, two minutes and an ashtray moves "unintentionally" from that king to that president saying he's a traitor, the other insults him that he's a "3ameel". The fight has nothing to do with the problems has nothing to do with the poor Arab citizens problems and expectations, it is said that it was about which is better, the new model, or the old one of SL 500? That leaderis sure the old one is, cause he didnt buy the new one. The other is sure it is the new one, becasue his son sent it to him from Germany directly, and what is nicer than a son's gift! It's a really bothering issue! Now they're fighting with everything near to their hand. Live coverage stops, and the camerman is hit by the differnet moukahabarat and bodyguards of the unity.

The poor poor Arab watches sadly. He waits before he can reserve in the restaurant for celebration. Well, maybe it's a "sa7abet seif", now they'll kiss the moustache of eah other, cause they said in their speeches that they are brothers.

Fourth Scene: Reporter: "We're back with you ladies and gentlemen live from the summit, now every three leaders sit with one party calming him, and the others are claming the other side. We think they'll be back to discussions soon, we'll keep you updated"

The Arab watches happily, drying up his tears, saying to his wife "I told you, they're all brothers after all".

Fifth Scene: Reporter: "Ladies and gentleman, we have no idea why the three day summit was shortened to one day, we are now listening to the "bayan khitami" for the summit, as you may notice, seven leaders withdrew and we may listen now live:

1- We "stress" the importance of Israel's withdrawal from the Arab lands.

2- We "ensure" you, that we love Plaestine.

3- We "certify" that we want to make one Arab free market zone by 2064.

4- We "beg" Arab countries not to make relations with Israel.

5- We "look with fear" to the crimes committed in Iraq.

6- We ask our citizens, O' Arabs, watch us in the next summit in, we really don't know when, cause to be honest, no producer agreed to produce this lousy movie once again next year!

The very poor miserable Arab citizen reminds himself, while his wife is looking at him "bi shamateh", he remembers all his feelings the same time last year, he remembers how he broke the tv, cursed the summit, hit his wife, never talked to anyone for three days, history is repeating itself for the 100th time...

Nice Weekend

2005-03-21T04:22:00.000-08:00

The last weekend was nice, finally some break to go out, or do anything. Good for me I decided to stay home on Friday night for a lovely argileh watching "7arb Lebnan" the documentary by Al-Jazeera. Why? We were told that some Syrians were hit near the famous, and favored by Syrians fast food "Barbar". They were hit by a group of people when they heard their Syrian accent, wow, and the funny thing is that noone intervened!

Anyway, then came the news of the explosion in Jdaideh, and again, enjoy another full weekend at home! It is about time to study anyway...

Lebanese for the Mood

2005-03-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Too many feelings today...

Nice morning, woke up early, went to class, no class because of the demonstration. As I was talking to a Lebanese friend, making fun of politics, talking about Lebanon, Syria, Hariri, Lahhoud and everything. Then we heard people singing No Syria, No Cry (like No Woman, No Cry), still I was in a good mood, and I said hehe, these people are fun.

Afternoon, demonstration begins, still in a good mood, putting the truth blue ribbon. We heard the speech of our colleagues and waved goodbye to the demonstrators. Everything is cool, take your lunch and go watch TV.

Evening, Bahiyyeh el Hariri speaking to the crowds, she talks about the Syrian people and there is a strong "wooooo wooooo" from the demonstrators. MOOD CHANGE ALERT!

Still evening, some voice says "Ne7na el fannaneen" with no picture of the speaker, from the voice, this must be Amal Hijazi, my favorite Arab singer. She says that we don't hate the Syrians, and there is a strong "woooo wooooo", then the mood changed completely to "very bad" till now, I wish I don't meet any single Lebanese till tomorrow.

2oum Ya Hariri

2005-03-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

"2oum ya Hariri!" I am sure many heard this lady shouting on Hariri's grave telling him to stand up and tell the people who killed him. Today, and after going to the site myself, I had some words (silently) with late PM Hariri.

2oum ya Hariri and watch how they used your death to insult our leader with very bad words on the walls of your grave, if you "2emet" you would have told them that this is not your manners, and that you are the one who said "Hani2an li Bayrout al jeel al jadeed mouzawwadan bel 3elem mou7assanan bel akhlak"!

2oum ya Hariri and see how you united your people not to love each other, but to keep hating each other and adding Syria to the list.

2oum ya Hariri and watch Syrians speaking English and French in a neighbour country just beacuse your death gave the chance for hatered to be active and hurt Syrian people.

Please 2oum ya Hariri to tell them that you became a martyr to unite Lebanon but not against Syria, because Lebanon can never ever unite against Syria. Please tell them that if 14,000 people leave their country, there is still 20 million on the borders. Tell them that these 20 million are not "kekha", they are just like them in demanding respect and "karameh", and their karameh can be insulted by Lebanese actions.

You know what Mr. Hariri? You did us a favor, cause with all this happening around us, you reminded us how much we love Syria, and how much we would sacrifice for Syria, you made me like the song "ana souri ah ya niyyali" at a time when I shouldnt be seen listening to it, you reminded us how much we love our flag and our anthem, and most important you made me realise how much we Syrians are mature and ready to build a good future for our country.

Thanks Mr. Hariri!

Very Cool Syrian Blog

2005-03-09T02:43:00.000-08:00

http://3allak.blogspot.com/

The Hunger Site

2005-02-27T03:55:00.000-08:00

# 71 – Visit http://www.thehungersite.com once a day. Every time you click on to it, the site's sponsors pay for three cups of rice for people in famine areas.

From: Ways to Make the World a Better Place (from The Guardian – Sat, January 8, 2000)

Helpless Syrians doing their best to keep their living...

2005-02-26T03:26:00.000-08:00

Syrian taxi drivers arm themselves with pictures of Hariri

By Mohammed Zaatari
Daily Star staff
Saturday, February 26, 2005

SIDON: Radwan Ajlouni, a Syrian taxi driver, arms himself with a picture of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri when entering the Lebanese territories. Hundreds of Syrian taxi drivers, like Ajlouni, have been using Hariri's image as a shield to protect themselves from anti-Syrian attacks.

After the Feb. 14 assassination of the former premier, Lebanon has witnessed a massive opposition to the Syrian presence here and blamed Syria for perpetrating the crime.
In Sidon, Hariri's hometown, angry residents attacked Syrian workers, throwing insults and stones and attacking several Syrian apartments.

At Nejmeh square in downtown Sidon, a group of men fired at the residence of a Syrian worker, leaving the foreign national seriously wounded.

According to the Interior Security Forces, more than 10 attacks have targeted homes of Syrians in Lebanon during the past week.

However, the most violent attack occurred during Tuesday's demonstration in Sidon, which gathered an estimated 13,000 people calling for a Syrian troops withdrawal from Lebanon. Some of the demonstrators attacked the residence of Syrian workers, firing their weapons and hurling stones and insults.

Interior Security Forces personnel immediately intervened and prevented the attackers from causing any more damage or harm.

According to Lebanese taxi drivers in Sidon, a significant number of Syrian workers have left the country out of fear for their personal safety.

However, some Syrians remain determined to stay in the country, such as Radwan Ajlouni. Ajlouni told The Daily Star he does not fear anyone, and added that Hariri was an Arab leader and hence supported all the Arab people, including Syrians.

Ajlouni accused Israel and the United States of perpetrating the assassination and said that Syria was innocent in the attack.

Photos from AUB Demonstration

2005-02-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

Monday February 21, 2005: People gathered at AUB MainGate then moved to the medical gate to join the crowds in the place of Hariri's assasination

A Demonstration

2005-02-22T17:50:00.000-08:00

A good day to go to university, everyone calling everyone asking whether he's going to campus today, no obvious Syrian gatherings on campus, Syrians finishing classes and going home immediately, three kisses on the cheeks rather than two two, and try to practice your French and English as much as possible today...

Date: 21 Feb 2005. A demonstration against Syria, AUBites gathered on Maingate and moved to join the bigger demonstartion in the place of PM Hariri's murder place. It was said that AUBites called from MainGate not to hurt Syrian people as they are not the ones meant by this demonstration. The sad thing is, they gathered for Hariri, and to "know the truth", but according to witnesses and photos, Hariri was the last to be remembered in this event, and the Future Youth, Hariri's followers in AUB, were the first to leave the spot and give space to the group of :"7ereyyeh Siyedeh Este2lel"!

I will publish the photos I took there soon...

The Talk of Town

2005-02-19T16:36:00.000-08:00

The talk of town, "Shoo man, when are you going to Beirut?" "Are you going to Beirut at all?" "I heard friends are leaving to Canada, others to Dubai!". And Hatem was not hit by a group of people at AUB! I just called him.