tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34820564925223241792024-03-13T03:00:30.632-07:00Notes by Noon - مذكرات نونNoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-25402580513167941232023-04-28T12:18:00.078-07:002023-05-02T11:20:51.673-07:00It Is Ok Not To Be Ok<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmaZxjve0nvtpx-XBa2uBHBU1o8663HTMlwElHYf1ILLocNIVl_7lmHzRy4zC14ezfow2E9yp_WssjifcKRr493s1E_GRtoke-VWbkhAqlPhCQNqRRBIUU86jMPz6ljhSvd5z3J6d81rlYSHzhrDXPozS_Qto7KicgONysqq81E12sE6nly-wMqV_/s960/Image%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmaZxjve0nvtpx-XBa2uBHBU1o8663HTMlwElHYf1ILLocNIVl_7lmHzRy4zC14ezfow2E9yp_WssjifcKRr493s1E_GRtoke-VWbkhAqlPhCQNqRRBIUU86jMPz6ljhSvd5z3J6d81rlYSHzhrDXPozS_Qto7KicgONysqq81E12sE6nly-wMqV_/w225-h400/Image%202.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We all have our ups and downs in life. That is normal, who doesn't? But sometimes in our life there is a time when we get stuck, and feel down and cannot bounce up again. We feel down due to many causes. Sometimes the reasons are clear why we may feel this way. Either because we had just lost a loved one, or just had a baby, or because we just moved away from home…etc. But sometimes we feel depressed and we don’t know why or that what we are experiencing is actually a depression. </p><p><br /></p><p>This happened to me recently. I have had my share of ups and downs in life, and with God’s help I had sailed through them. Six months ago, I moved again and settled somewhere I had lived before and considered home for a long time, so it wasn’t new. The kids had settled well and started school, work, and I was left home alone. I suddenly felt a huge void. That feeling of emptiness was overwhelming. I started feeling down, exhausted and tired all the time. I felt that I didn’t want to do anything anymore because everything felt like a huge effort. I didn’t want to cook nor take care of anyone. I was heavy hearted and wanted to be left alone and spend all day in bed. I didn’t want to talk to anyone nor meet anyone, so I secluded myself. I just wanted to stay home, all the time. Everyday felt like the day before and the day after. I gradually lost the zest in life, felt numb and lost my appetite, not just for food but for everything. I lost weight and became lethargic and weak. This happened over 3 months. I didn’t realize then what I was going through was a depression. I wasn’t ready to talk to anyone until I figured out what was happening to me, what was wrong and why I felt that way.</p><p> </p><p>I finally opened up and spoke to a friend, who was close but lived far away. I felt safe opening up to her and she helped me realize that what I was experiencing was a depression because she had gone through it herself after moving countries. I realized then that I had multiple reasons to feel that way. It could’ve been due to the move, although I had been moving around countries, literally all my life. But I honestly felt a sense of stability in our last move because I thought it would be the last one, and suddenly that feeling was taken away from me. I had some gastrointestinal issues which my friend pointed could also manifest into a depression. I was also going through an existential crisis because as my kids were older and independent I suddenly felt like an empty nester. Everyone in my family was going on with their lives while I reflected on mine and felt a huge void. I felt unfulfilled, like I hadn’t accomplished anything nor made a difference. I was also probably going through Perimenopause since I’m at that age. Nobody ever mentions that depression is also a side effect to the many changes happening to you. In addition I later discovered after doing some blood tests, that I had a severe Vitamin D deficiency. All of the above reasons can lead to a depression and I had all of them and hence a severe one.</p><p><br /></p><p>My family noticed I wasn’t my active bubbly self and so did my close friends. I wasn't ready to open up and I shunned everyone around me. It took me a while to figure out what I was going through. Admitting to myself that I wasn’t alright and reaching out and talking to my friend helped me understand that. When I finally figured out what it was and why I was feeling that way, I started feeling a bit better. I also started doing something about it. I needed to get myself out of that downward spiral. After doing some self reflection, I realized I had some unaccomplished dreams that I wanted to pursue, and that gave me hope and purpose. </p><p><br /></p><p>I always wanted to be an artist and to study Art, and I believe it is never too late to pursue your dreams. I had just met an artist friend who always inspired me with her work, and she told me about an interesting workshop she was joining. So, I signed myself up to this Artists’ Workshop to unblock my creativity which motivated me to pursue my dream and turn it into action. Among the tools is keeping a morning journal and going on an Artist date by myself, for an hour each week, to do something fun. I got some art supplies and made myself a working corner at home. I put a plan on motion and am working towards achieving my goal, one art piece at a time. I started painting and joining different art workshops to improve my techniques and I regularly visit different art exhibitions for inspiration. I gradually started resuming my family duties, going out, meeting my friends, socializing and I recovered my zest for life and am back to my normal self. I reached out to my family and my closest friends and told them what I was going through and I felt that I had to share this here too. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>Many of us are ashamed to admit that we are struggling or admit to ourselves that we are weak or vulnerable let alone telling others. But it is ok not to feel ok. We sometimes can’t face things alone and need someone to support us. We should always let someone know that we are not feeling ok. We should reach out for help, as depression could be a dark, long and lonely journey. There is nothing wrong in asking for help and explaining to your loved ones what you are going through. Mental illness is like any physical illness that needs to be addressed and dealt with. There is no shame in acknowledging that and seeking help. You are not alone.</p><div><br /></div>NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-16885602791453466472021-10-26T03:51:00.004-07:002023-05-01T03:43:57.277-07:00Yemen... unraveled facts about my beautiful homeland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yemen... unraveled facts about my beautiful homeland</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeJSEtNGyMC-SZ8T0DAZj-IGtFZUqf-x1TAMu2AdSPOBuo2i4SmfG0o8p2ar9bDSzfwVy3Xm-gcq0Nn-IQ4MldKtlKduJ-oIvrYceWT5_Kmdajky6Uf6knTid5FY5ocwzXQ5ISQxhIUE/s1600/yemen_10.jpg" style="color: #d78787; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeJSEtNGyMC-SZ8T0DAZj-IGtFZUqf-x1TAMu2AdSPOBuo2i4SmfG0o8p2ar9bDSzfwVy3Xm-gcq0Nn-IQ4MldKtlKduJ-oIvrYceWT5_Kmdajky6Uf6knTid5FY5ocwzXQ5ISQxhIUE/s320/yemen_10.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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What do you know about Yemen besides being a land in turmoil which has been covering the news headlines? What else do you know besides what you heard about it being the poorest country in the Arab world, the Arab Peninsula Al-Qaeda's base, the ancestral home of Osama Bin Laden, its people are heavily armed and chew </span></span><a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2012/01/qat-yemens-epidemic.html" style="color: #d78787; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none;">Qat</a><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">?</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Let me tell you a few facts about my country which you probably didn't know:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Yemen is the one of the oldest civilizations in the world and it's history dates back to the first millenium B.C and was commonly known as</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">"</span>Arabia Felix" meaning </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Fortunate Arabia or Happy Arabia. A name which was given to it by the<i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Greek geographer Ptolemy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. I</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">t acquired this name because of its high mountains which attracted rain, making it more fertile than most of the Arabian peninsula. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Four of the <a href="http://www.thesalmons.org/lynn/wh-yemen.html" style="color: #d78787; text-decoration: none;">world heritage sites</a> are in Yemen, in Sanaa, Shibam, Socatra and Zabid. T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">he capital Sanaa, itself is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.shebatourism.com/images/y_logo_1.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d78787; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.shebatourism.com/images/y_logo_1.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border: none; position: relative;" width="153" /></a><a href="http://www.yemeninindia.com/Images/Bilquise%20Thorne1.JPG" style="color: #d78787; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://www.yemeninindia.com/Images/Bilquise%20Thorne1.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many do not know that Yemen was ruled by two queens. Prior to Islam Yemen was ruled by Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran and after Islam by Queen Arwa bint Ahm</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">ed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-spacing: 2px; line-height: 13px;">Al-Sulaihi <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(1048- 1138)</span>who</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> ruled Yemen for fifty-five years.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Once Yemen used to be famous for it's coffee and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> was the center of the world's coffee trade.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> It</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> was in fact </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">one of the first countries to introduce coffee to Europe. Four centuries ago, it began to export its own coffee brand out of the port of Mocha, a town on the Red Sea and so the coffee became known by the name of this port: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mocha,_Yemen" style="color: #d78787; text-decoration: none;">Mocha</a>.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="133" src="http://keancoffee.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/yemen-1.jpg?w=500&h=334" width="200" /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3593402626_238b14a828.jpg" style="color: #d78787; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3593402626_238b14a828.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Yemen is best known for its variety and high quality of honey. Sidr Honey from Wadi Doan in Yemen is considered one of the finest and most expensive honeys in the world.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 15px;">The unique architecture of Yemen is what distinguishes it from any other country. The </span><a href="http://www.yemen-today.com/go/investigations/7311.html" style="color: #d78787; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none;">Qamariya</a><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> is a symbol of Yemeni architecture,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"> it is t<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">he </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">distinctive and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> decorative multicolored stained-glass windows that </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">adorns</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> Yemen’s buildings.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi532YxT7_pZ8dt2L8xDpELw9gkGozhHgVv0_iapCONzxitJ3QpMUzYowH64LOVqhetHt-T4C1KHNsP3WVXo_WQ6h6q5sH5mw93GZh5lDTpkN_j9nf5JylcUoDE8RUNsn1eAY_9Cw9NRT8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="142" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi532YxT7_pZ8dt2L8xDpELw9gkGozhHgVv0_iapCONzxitJ3QpMUzYowH64LOVqhetHt-T4C1KHNsP3WVXo_WQ6h6q5sH5mw93GZh5lDTpkN_j9nf5JylcUoDE8RUNsn1eAY_9Cw9NRT8/" width="320" /></a></div></div>
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The oldest sky skyscrapers in the world are in Yemen in Shibam <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">in the Hadramut province</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"> and consist of 500 mud-built tower houses, some of them reaching 11 floors high. Shibam is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">often called</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"> "the Manhattan of the desert"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"> and is a UNESCO world heritage site</span>.</div><div style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div>
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Yemen is also famous for it's ethnic<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> silver jewelry which is h</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-spacing: 2px;">andmade, has timeless designs and also made with rare and genuine beads which are highly collectible items.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div>
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Yemenis, contrary to what had been portrayed by the media are among the most friendly and hospitable people. The massive marches that marked Yemen's revolution is a testimony to how peaceful the people are. Despite the continuous crackdown and violence by security and military forces they continued to march peacefully demanding a regime change and hoping for a better future.</span></span><br />
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Finally, Yemen is rich with beautiful, spectacular scenery and is famous for it's high mountains and green valleys, it </span></span><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: right;">also offers adventure tourism.</span><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> I hope you visit and see for yourself ... one day.</span></span></div><div style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
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This is an open invitation for you to visit Yemen. </div>
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Peace</div>
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</div>NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-8190154052615269552016-02-27T02:16:00.003-08:002017-02-13T13:02:51.777-08:00A Grieving Mother's Note<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_2cI33-Y56liMSal73pGuT15cv_U-RenKcx67qzK9MuLuvFq8_1qNUZr6ruov0xOXNv505HwPWMvWvCe4516Gq1wnzBjcFjUxLPYzMPbc6DBfJ5oUx_V3a4Xw9-2vp7Mo0GoeHWxt0M/s1600/99bbc156615ae75bc27a5646b5497da4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_2cI33-Y56liMSal73pGuT15cv_U-RenKcx67qzK9MuLuvFq8_1qNUZr6ruov0xOXNv505HwPWMvWvCe4516Gq1wnzBjcFjUxLPYzMPbc6DBfJ5oUx_V3a4Xw9-2vp7Mo0GoeHWxt0M/s400/99bbc156615ae75bc27a5646b5497da4.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ten long years have passed since February 27th, 2006, the tragic day we lost our child, a day that marked our lives forever.<br />
<br />
Today is the 10th anniversary of the day I lost my beloved little son Ali, the day a part of me died forever. Not a day has gone by when I don't think of him. I wake up everyday ,since that day, knowing I will never be able to see my son again, at least not in this life. I know I will never be able to hold him, hug him, kiss him or watch him grow and that yearning tears me apart. Yet, I carry him in my heart everywhere I go. I feel him in every corner of our home. I picture him beside his brothers and sister. I imagine him walking along every child who should be now his age.<br />
<br />
Despite all the years that have passed the pain is just as raw. It only takes a memory of the loss to trigger it and bring it back to the surface again. It is like a wound that has been covered with tissue, but any small scratch can make it bleed again. They say time heals everything, I somehow agree, but this kind of pain doesn't heal nor does it get better with time. Ten years later, it is still intense, there to stay and will never go away. I just learned through my faith in God to accept it and endure it as the years go by.<br />
<br />
A wise man said "grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve." The experience of grief when losing a child is lifelong. During the funeral I was numb with pain, then I fell into a depression and went through all its stages. The only thing that kept me going was my faith and my two dear children. I had to pull myself together and function for them. I was on autopilot going through the motions of daily life, but inside I was still falling apart.<br />
<br />
Over the years I mastered how to control my pain. It is only like today that I allow myself to grieve like every mother would and should. I allow myself to unleash the pain and let go of all my emotions, to cry and let the tears wash some of the pain away. The vivid memory of every detail in that day keeps replaying in my head and all the emotions it stirs come up to the surface once again. The heaviness in my heart no longer is contained, it is an overwhelming physical pain that flows all over my body. This day I prefer to spend it alone, so I can let my guard down. There is no one to upset and I can just feel.<br />
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Whenever I talk about Ali or someone mentions him, my eyes instantly fill with tears but my heart is warmed with joy that he is never forgotten. Hence, his sweet memory brings a tear in my eye but a smile in my heart. I never dreamt of Ali, except once a few months after the funeral. I dreamt that he was offering me a cup of water. In Islam dreaming of water is a sign of happiness, peace and prosperity. I have never dreamt of him since, throughout these years. I guess he is very present in my conscious that he doesn't appear in my subconscious.<br />
<br />
I decided to make the dream of Ali and his memory be my inspiration to do as much good in this world and to spread happiness and peace. I pray that one day I will be reunited with my little angel up in heaven. Until that day comes he his living in my heart, in my mind, and in every breath that I take.<br />
<br />
I want to thank on this day my family and friends who stood by me in this painful time, along my journey, but most of all I want to thank my dear husband, who was experiencing the same pain yet managed to be my rock and support me through it all. God bless you all.<br />
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-32691126818077063092015-11-11T14:24:00.000-08:002015-12-02T22:58:07.939-08:00Visiting Syrian Refugees in Jordan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "times";">Imagine waking up without
your bed, finding yourself sleeping on the floor instead. Imagine if there was
no ceiling or concrete walls to shelter you, only a tent or a caravan if you
are fortunate. Imagine having lost everything you own, including all or some of
your family, relatives or friends. This is what millions of Syrian have
experienced since the uprising began in March 2011. Syrians, who lost
their homes and means of livelihood, were forced to flee the war in their
homeland crossing into neighbouring countries to seek safety and shelter and have since became <a href="https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria-turkey/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis">refugees</a></span><span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "times"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE1tzUIgLnSSsXckRG-IjiZFclzyFt_XyOQpUm3vtyk0Q_gD54Lzy3OYIT_wp8L7tzVTCFzhem8buFdyFJyGLLZkW5xz_RVQ2qB5AvHxt5qVIYpCmd-gXdmHd1UKhdX8hYy04_svn77I/s400/IMG_5799.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Syrian refugees informal tented settlements</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">According to <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/syrias-refugee-crisis-in-numbers/">Amnesty International</a>, more than<b> 4 million</b> refugees from Syria <b>(95%)</b> are
in just five countries Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lebanon hosts approximately <b>1.2
million</b> refugees from Syria which amounts to around one in five
people in the country<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jordan hosts about <b>650,000</b> refugees
from Syria, which amounts to about 10% of the population<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Turkey hosts <b>1.9 million</b> refugees
from Syria, more than any other country worldwide<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iraq where <b>3 million</b> people
have been internally displaced in the last 18 months hosts <b>249,463 </b>refugees
from Syria<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Egypt hosts <b>132,375</b> refugees
from Syria<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #404040;">Over the past years, despite
its own socio and economic challenges, Jordan has been hosting a large number
of refugees from Palestine, Iraq, and in the past 4 years from Syria.</span><span style="background: white; color: #464646;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #404040;">Approximately 80 percent of Syrian refugees in Jordan live in
informal tented settlements among host communities in urban areas in the
north of Jordan, while the remaining 20 percent live in </span><span style="background: white; color: blue;"><a href="http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/settlement.php?id=208&country=107&region=74"><span style="color: blue;">Zaatari</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #404040;"> (considered to be the second largest refugee camp in
the world), Marjeeb al-Fahood, Cyber City and </span><span style="background: white; color: blue;"><a href="http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/settlement.php?id=251&country=107&region=73"><span style="color: blue;">Azraq</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #404040;"> camps, built on land provided by the Jordanian
authorities.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #404040;">The UN humanitarian appeal for Syrian refugees is only <a href="http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=107">45% funded</a>. Due to the shortage in funding the most vunerble Syrian refugees in Jordan recive approximately <b>JD20 a month</b>, the equivalent of <b>$28</b>, which is <b>less than $1 a day</b>. Hence, more than 80% of Syrian refugees in Jordan are <b>living below the local poverty line</b>. Syrian refugees also struggle in Jordan to find jobs to help them survive, since it is illegal for most of them to work as per the Jordanian law, so they accept low paying and odd jobs that Jordanians usually would not fill. If they are caught, they risk being deported back to Syria and hence some children have been forced to work as a result to secure food for their families.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbIVCrD9qWl1TdLComzskJoSaewJlSqnUcs_UT6vfr6uqI_UZkY3eUd3kPuMovcpS2gNeEDP-3S5B4xGXiOKNjmOR4169IN-x0XdeeA6dWoGlr0wG2KiaMEt_O37hCRza62XuzN59U5A/s1600/Syrian+Refugees.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbIVCrD9qWl1TdLComzskJoSaewJlSqnUcs_UT6vfr6uqI_UZkY3eUd3kPuMovcpS2gNeEDP-3S5B4xGXiOKNjmOR4169IN-x0XdeeA6dWoGlr0wG2KiaMEt_O37hCRza62XuzN59U5A/s400/Syrian+Refugees.tiff" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">UNHCR Report on Registered Syrian Refugees in Nov. 1, 2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">Three of my friends and I travelled to Jordan, on the first week of November 2015, as volunteers to support Syrian refugees there and witness first hand the conditions they were living in. Since visiting the formal gated Zaatari and Azraq camps required government permission, we were only able to visit the informal tented settlements in both Azraq and Zaatari. Our itinerary was arranged by Catherine Ashcroft, Resource Mobilisation Specialist, Consultant to Mercy Corps and Founder of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelpingSyrianRefugeesJordan/">Helping Refugees in Jordan </a>(HRJ) whom we have been collaborating with for the past year. Catherine is also a mother of three and above all a humanitarian who has dedicated her time and effort for this cause and her motto is "if a child needs shoes, it doesn't matter where they are born." She has transformed her garage into a deposit point for donations such as clothing, shoes, blankets, mattresses, heaters, wheelchairs...etc and her living room has become a small bazaar selling handicrafts, scarves and carpets to raise funds. Last year Catherine's projects has been able to raise almost half a million dollars. One hundred and two trucks, one ton each, carrying blankets, clothes and shoes, food boxes and school furniture were transported to refugees across Jordan, without any administrative charges. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifr2lnQGQdrhBUcNtd0md8-cHvbbDXuDKIVNHsE0QH8WOwJ_ehXKzNXH8gcQ4boSgMZVz1qeOhp9GO5URYziqCCMC5EGihlBwcl43clZXf4HAzIMzS-w0NWAmxBeWJdD0LOOkbyN4OMQ/s1600/IMG_5969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifr2lnQGQdrhBUcNtd0md8-cHvbbDXuDKIVNHsE0QH8WOwJ_ehXKzNXH8gcQ4boSgMZVz1qeOhp9GO5URYziqCCMC5EGihlBwcl43clZXf4HAzIMzS-w0NWAmxBeWJdD0LOOkbyN4OMQ/s400/IMG_5969.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Catherine Ashcroft</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDRHx8GF2aR-qjf57jM0LUkzQHrmANn072qq5IN5bf2pmd1UDocQXfb2WviSKxKI3bTY5ca0B6zzn4LSyu_lCcIRyVw-NT2EWh9pWfIr_anogVgRWdWovAFaQpgLbDCE1FvxnjCU9fds/s1600/IMG_5750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDRHx8GF2aR-qjf57jM0LUkzQHrmANn072qq5IN5bf2pmd1UDocQXfb2WviSKxKI3bTY5ca0B6zzn4LSyu_lCcIRyVw-NT2EWh9pWfIr_anogVgRWdWovAFaQpgLbDCE1FvxnjCU9fds/s320/IMG_5750.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Carpets and local handicrafts for sale to raise funds</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFmdOFNNIGyWEeBbeOTB1enOwtZB3XJfxGNfZLHTvQYKlMuyny5CWUX89Qgb1mip2zLvcviXLB8pU-xZ3RWwqih7eiAAE2ctH8PlqYDEgloEPV_MEoCUP529kwS6jLXXvmyutB4bLFpY/s1600/IMG_5760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFmdOFNNIGyWEeBbeOTB1enOwtZB3XJfxGNfZLHTvQYKlMuyny5CWUX89Qgb1mip2zLvcviXLB8pU-xZ3RWwqih7eiAAE2ctH8PlqYDEgloEPV_MEoCUP529kwS6jLXXvmyutB4bLFpY/s400/IMG_5760.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Maher, a Syrian refugee working for HRJ and MercyCorps<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Clothes sorted and labeled for distribution</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKSagXs1xc6qMmMbRLepwtMw-lP5gehBMZo6Xjd_t2iJ1adByX5l_n56VLOZDZRt9BeU-9_gbrnSGjhczzH7qs9NuKamBGDnPkQd58aYH82RlP3eD5Y3TIAEpSya-IvfPLlSiXy3D2Gg/s1600/IMG_5971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKSagXs1xc6qMmMbRLepwtMw-lP5gehBMZo6Xjd_t2iJ1adByX5l_n56VLOZDZRt9BeU-9_gbrnSGjhczzH7qs9NuKamBGDnPkQd58aYH82RlP3eD5Y3TIAEpSya-IvfPLlSiXy3D2Gg/s400/IMG_5971.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Heaters, blanket and wheelchairs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Day 1</b> we travelled to Azraq in Northern Jordan and visited a school built with the help of donations collected by HRJ and Mercy Corps and is</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> run in collaboration with the Azraq Women Association. It consisted of 4 caravan classrooms from grade 1 to 4, a small playground in the middle, and a fifth caravan that was serving as a sewing training center. The students attending the school were Syrian refugees living in houses in the village as well as some Jordanians. New donations to HJR allowed for the construction of a library and workshop hall on a floor above an existing office building.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NTcf4cv_Ktq83EmJcSRgE942YdMPo_4dhYKb-OrlTQnvzZ4gDZKSKCNh_cJFr74ffB19jYOACO8OFXfZikbRLUlRCtacccBfRu7cuEQEA2xKN_fDsDmYEe41MlFR8LcYlGfo1VowcKs/s1600/IMG_5643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NTcf4cv_Ktq83EmJcSRgE942YdMPo_4dhYKb-OrlTQnvzZ4gDZKSKCNh_cJFr74ffB19jYOACO8OFXfZikbRLUlRCtacccBfRu7cuEQEA2xKN_fDsDmYEe41MlFR8LcYlGfo1VowcKs/s400/IMG_5643.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">A sewing center, part of the vocational training programs for women</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We then went to visit a new site which was being prepared to include more tented classrooms and caravans. We were told by the head of the Azraq Women's Association that the area would be used in the morning as a school for students from year 5 to 7, and in the afternoon used for workshops and a vocational project that would secure 26 job opportunities for Syrian refugees. Jobs such as selling homemade food, traditional handicrafts...etc, would generate income and help improve the living conditions of Syrian refugees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sSonYRstvkPtC3c5rEfss59cdIqbHZP2IOJzlW9b667brPTSCERcdNwEGwBHc2O0-WS-ZOcUQXM_pV_9csYZsG24-vFqwBM1KQtspwjCyjh6yklwd_3Gml4HWy1mHJQOSHe19WvRj0U/s1600/IMG_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sSonYRstvkPtC3c5rEfss59cdIqbHZP2IOJzlW9b667brPTSCERcdNwEGwBHc2O0-WS-ZOcUQXM_pV_9csYZsG24-vFqwBM1KQtspwjCyjh6yklwd_3Gml4HWy1mHJQOSHe19WvRj0U/s400/IMG_5674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVa8vtFO2hkf4S19X-A7tL50g_UwJKIvYwaPrqlJjF5TauiGtBgjxPr8WeMErVhG3tRf9-RPG1Zg6QrSqzbxXVUppsENrB9h7YFXqEFRvO099yWpi_Irv9rKl_72Cbx9ToMPd3eeVXps/s1600/IMG_5678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVa8vtFO2hkf4S19X-A7tL50g_UwJKIvYwaPrqlJjF5TauiGtBgjxPr8WeMErVhG3tRf9-RPG1Zg6QrSqzbxXVUppsENrB9h7YFXqEFRvO099yWpi_Irv9rKl_72Cbx9ToMPd3eeVXps/s400/IMG_5678.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Later that afternoon we visited an informal tented settlement in Nothern Azraq, in a farm 25 km away from the school which we visited in the morning. A few tents were in that farm and they sheltered several families each. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were all overwhelmed by the miserable living conditions we witnessed. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was an obvious lack of sanitation and medical care and some of the children's growth was stunted due to malnourishment. It was heart breaking to see how these people were surviving with almost nothing. Yet we felt the eagerness of the children to resume their education as we sat in a tented school which was being prepared for them. Many had been out of school for the past 4 years but were excitedly seated around us recounting what they still remembered. The distance and off road journey made this area harder to access. UNICEF was able to provide them with 2 teachers only who could visit them twice a week. We left that camp heavy hearted feeling that the support from our donations was just a drop in the ocean.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">A tented school set up by HJR & Marcy Corps in Northern Azraq</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Syrian refugees inside their new school in a Northern Azraq farm</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Day 2</b> early in the morning we stopped at Catherine's house and loaded one of the cars with jackets, shoes, heaters and powder milk before we headed to Zaatari village to distribute them. When we reached the village we stopped at a local society called White Hands for Social Development and were briefed about its activities to support Syrian refugees and the local community, such as micro loans for small businesses and awareness workshops. We were joined by its head to visit some of the settlements there. The first tented settlement we visited was in the middle of nowhere with a tank serving as the only water source for all the families living in the scattered tents around it. Despite the living conditions they were subject to, the children still greeted us with a smile. They had already been dismissed from school since we arrived after mid-day so we visited an empty classroom and saw the children's colourful drawings on its walls. As we drove away, we saw the men being dropped off by a pickup after a day's work in the fields. I wondered how much did they earn that day?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jackets and coats for children</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktNO2_0egd-qOF1_WJEPYkXdlNThZpQP5vy7JppGsmiHPTYLri-FQ5rGIDoFvSIlrvauVqBYTrcCUicG1WNJmLj2NwmLf-AVmFFGF8rpQBs3qX0W9yjA8qHOYSjOQGEXBq4WcrJdZ0U/s1600/IMG_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktNO2_0egd-qOF1_WJEPYkXdlNThZpQP5vy7JppGsmiHPTYLri-FQ5rGIDoFvSIlrvauVqBYTrcCUicG1WNJmLj2NwmLf-AVmFFGF8rpQBs3qX0W9yjA8qHOYSjOQGEXBq4WcrJdZ0U/s400/IMG_5800.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A water tank serving many families in the tented settlement </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Syrian refugee children smiling against the odds</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRPwBMSnAzTueBdmLThFVLIKkIxgOyexLHHkMmVRB8kmH_hQKM5Q7DjDZvWK8qgAMaq3_BudOfSje7TPiQ9u_2Yv-JmJobvZPOkqHu9ioShS-Lh3juEv76fVu6c8AJY1NlSVTzlhM6T4/s1600/IMG_5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRPwBMSnAzTueBdmLThFVLIKkIxgOyexLHHkMmVRB8kmH_hQKM5Q7DjDZvWK8qgAMaq3_BudOfSje7TPiQ9u_2Yv-JmJobvZPOkqHu9ioShS-Lh3juEv76fVu6c8AJY1NlSVTzlhM6T4/s400/IMG_5837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A tented school by HJR from the inside</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN25XLsfWon_ZTUsNeH8kOWHNoZRAgUBFxYM1w4Iq-EVK_b2QHgd7UEWjqf2K1Ul2X7JFGllghsmo8QRif4Q-_llYZNSsKlaOTarlW3gMR8fFWhQhRZ_KTauInf4r2BGVeBeO9WRfGWkQ/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Artwork by Syrian refugee children</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Afterwards we visited another informal tented settlement in a private gated farm. We delivered some heaters and checked on the progress in another tented school. The children were dressed in winter clothing yet didn't have socks nor shoes to face the cold weather. The tents didn't look like they would survive a heavy rain, let alone the harsh winter ahead either. As we were heading back to Amman, there was news forecast of a storm hitting the area in the next few days. We were daunted by that thought, but were recently comforted by Catherine that the</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d;">tented schools we had visited were all waterproofed with extra tarpaulin and ropes before the storms hit last week</span>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Syrian Refugee boys standing in front of what is now their home</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another tented school by HRJ from the inside</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Day 3</b> we had two meetings scheduled. The first meeting was with Eng. Raed Nimri, Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director for Jordan. Mercy Corps is funded by the United Nations and US agencies and has been <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/jordan">working in Jordan</a> since 2003. It has developed a network cooperating with 175 local community based organisations since they have better reach and more accurate data. Mercy Corps have been focusing on the Syrian crisis in the past 4 years, helping secure the immediate needs of vulnerable Syrian refugees and has built 4 health centres across Jordan requested by the communities. We were briefed on the various projects Mercy Corps is currently working on, including the <a href="http://nolostgeneration.org/">No Lost Generation Campaign</a>. Their main focus currently is the winterisation of Syrian refugees in order to prepare them for the harsh winter ahead. HRJ acts as a gap filler for Mercy Corps when its standardised program can't provide a certain need, because it has a quicker process and donations reach those in need directly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our second meeting was with Lina Farouqi, Regional Director of <a href="http://www.mecinstitute.org/#!jordan/c3hb">Middle East Children's Institute</a> (MECI), an NGO which was founded in New York in 2005 and has been operating in Jordan since late 2013. MECI provides an informal education for Syrian refugee children in Jordan and helps out of school Jordanian children catch up and return to the educational system. They presently run after school programs, 3 days a week, in 9 schools with 5 classes in each, in different locations across Jordan, mainly in Irbid, Ramtha and Salt. A portion of HRJ donation goes o MECI to support the education of Syrian refugees.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Shahd's haunting look embodies the Syrian refugee crisis</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before going to Jordan I had been following news about the Syrian refugee crisis and was familiar with their hardship but what we witnessed in Jordan during our short visit was truly devastating. Syrian refugees in the informal settlements were in need of proper shelter, food and clothing. Health and education were secondary needs. Yet, what struck me the most was the condition of the children, Syria's future generation. They not only needed proper homes, but proper health care and a formal education. Many of the children had been out of school for years. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What future would these children have?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had wondered why would some families choose to leave the established gated refugee camps, set up by the Jordanian government and UNHCR, and opt to live in the informal tented settlements with barely any support. I soon realised</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that life in the camps wasn't much of a life. These camps were overcrowded, limiting in job opportunities and generally not safe. They felt trapped, insecure and desperate, yet they were sadly escaping from one hardship to another. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the conflict enters its firth year, and as the situation deteriorates and becomes more desperate for Syrian refugees, the hope for their return is starting to fade. After visiting these informal settlements and hearing about living conditions in the gated camps, it is now understandable why <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ea4bbfc-845f-11e5-8e80-1574112844fd.html#axzz3r6WSFzwC">some choose to risk everything and cross hazardous waters to find better living conditions in Europe</a>. The driving force is their hope to secure a better future for their children, a formal education, job opportunities and an extra income that they could send to their relatives back in Syria. Some are so desperate that they even <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34504418">opted to return to Syria</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; line-height: 15.6px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">It isn't enough to just feel sympathy for Syrian refugees, it is our duty to help them. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; line-height: 15.6px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">You can help sponsor a Syrian refugee family = JD 100 per month, JD 600 for six months, JD1200 for a year, o</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;">r sponsor a teacher to teach Syrian refugees = JD 250 per month, times 9 months for a scholastic year. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "verdana" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; line-height: 15.6px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;">To support Catherine Ashcroft efforts in providing the necessary help to Syrian refugees in Jordan d</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;">onate through <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/5kgcu0/donate">GoFundMe</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;">ensuring that 100% of the donations received are spent in essential supplies for the refugees. Catherine welcomes volunteer donors who are also willing to donate their time and effort for this cause. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times"; line-height: normal;"><i><b>"Because the Syrian crisis isn't over. Because children's lives are at stake. Because they deserve better than this. Because it's not too late. Because they are the future of Syria."</b></i></span></span></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-85562866600082061832015-02-15T05:50:00.001-08:002023-05-01T03:40:28.080-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Education is </div>
NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-54868211406154798742015-02-14T06:33:00.001-08:002015-02-14T06:35:30.554-08:00What is love...?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It is February 14th again ... that day of the year where people express their emotions to their loved ones with cards, chocolate, flowers, teddy bears or various gifts, while some others prefer expressing it with meaningful gestures. Well, I have to be honest, Valentine was a special day to me too when I was much younger, but as I grew older...and wiser, I felt it was more of a "Hallmark" commercial occasion. It made me think, do we really need an annual day to remind ourselves to tell our loved ones that we love them? That we are blessed to have them in our lives? And that they mean a lot to us?<br />
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Expressing our love to those who matter should be done on a daily basis. We should go further than that, if not everyday than at least today. We should show and express our love to others beyond our families and friends. We should extend our love to fellow human beings. We should live by the teaching of "love to others what you love to yourself."<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">As a parent and mother, I want the best for my children. I want them to be safe, nurtured and nourished. I want them to have a good education, follow their dreams and make a positive change in this world. As a human being, I want that for all the children in the world and I wish that all parents can fulfill that.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Instead of the animosity, hatred and violence we are witnessing today, let us start spreading love, peace and tolerance around the world. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Let us start by caring for those beyond our circles, by offering a helping hand, by creating awareness, by donating for those in need and by offering whatever is in our power to make others lives better. That to me is also...LOVE.</span></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-72839025914138617182014-06-28T22:24:00.003-07:002014-06-29T00:32:37.992-07:00The Holy Month of Ramadan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Who hasn’t heard of the month
of Ramadan? Well, if you haven’t and are curious to know what it is all about, I will shed light on what Ramadan is and why
is it Holy to Muslims. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ramadan is the ninth month of
the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Islamic Lunar Calendar</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, and is observed by more than 1 billion <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Muslims</span> across the world. It is
the month in which Muslims fast during the hours of daylight. Ramadan is Holy
to Muslims because it was during this month that the Quran was revealed to
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), in the night known as Laillat-ul-Qadr. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The word Ramadan derives from
the word ‘Ramada’ which means intense heat and dryness, the feeling Muslims
experience during fasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year
Ramadan will be in the middle of summer and is expected to begin on June 28<sup>th</sup>
or 29<sup>th</sup>, depending on the viewing of the crescent of Ramadan. </span><span style="background: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Muslims celebrate the arrival
of the holy month by greeting each other with phrases such as "Ramadan
Karim" i.e Ramadan is generous or "Ramadan Mubarak" which means
Ramadan is blessed.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Fasting
is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims in Ramadan abstain from food,
drink, smoking and any physical relation between married couples from the first
ray of sunlight till sunset. However, Ramadan is much more than just not eating
and drinking. During Ramadan Muslims refrain themselves in many ways, every
part of the body observes the fast and is restrained. The tongue must be
restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must be restrained from looking
at anything inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hand must
be restrained from touching anything that doesn’t belong to it. The ears must
be restrained from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must be
restrained from going towards anything sinful. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ramadan
is a spiritual month, a time to purify the soul and refocus attention on God.
It is a time for Muslims to be more submissive whereby they purify their
behavior by trying to give up bad habits and attempting to be better persons.
They </span><span style="background: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">practice
good manners and speech, increase their good deeds, give more charity,
intensify prayers and spend more time reading the Holy Quran.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By experiencing hunger and thirst during
Ramadan, Muslims mentally and physically feel what those who are underprivileged, who
have little to eat every day of the year, go through. By gaining this
awareness, Muslims sympathize with them and tend to be more generous towards
them throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just before sunrise, the Fajr
prayer, it is common to have a meal known as “Suhoor’ and directly after
sunset, Maghreb prayer, the fast is broken with the main meal that is called
“Iftar.” This meal is a special time that Muslims often share with family or
friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The poor and the needy are
also looked after during the month. Large tents in the streets or near mosques
distribute free meals to those in need. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ramadan has a special atmosphere. It is
a time that brings families and communities together, through the Iftar
gatherings. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In summary Ramadan is a time
to practice self-restraint; learn patience and perseverance, a time to cleanse the
body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God. It
teaches lessons of equality, empathy and humility. It is a social
system, which brings people together, makes people do good deeds and have more
feelings for each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wishing those of you who observe the month a blessed and
peaceful Ramadan, and may God accept all our fasting and prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-26132749770685186952014-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:002017-02-15T10:28:12.062-08:00A Painful Loss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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As a blogger, I usually turn to writing to get things out of my system. Writing has helped me in the healing process in many of my most painful moments. But lately, l was hurting to the point that I just couldn't get myself to sit down and write. It is only now that I was finally able to write these words.<br />
<br />
The last time my mother hugged and kissed me was a year ago, in April, at the
departure terminal of Cairo International Airport. I had left the kids
with my husband during the spring break,
and travelled to spend quality time with my mother for a week. That was the last time
I saw her standing and talking. Had I known it was going to be the last time
she would kiss and hug me, I would have held on to that dear embrace for much longer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been nearly four weeks since I lost my dear mother<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(May God have mercy on her soul). It is a
very painful loss that I am still struggling with today, although I am very
familiar with the pain of loosing a parent. Twenty years ago I lost my dear
father to Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. My father was diagnosed in Cleveland Ohio
and was told he had 4-7 years to live but he fortunately survived for 11 years.
Although we knew he had a terminal illness, and suffered a lot towards the end
of his life, it was nevertheless extremely painful to loose him. I was young
then, and it felt like the ground I was standing on was suddenly taken away
from me. My father was a strong man, yet a very affectionate and loving parent
and twenty years later, it still hurts and I still miss him very much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My mother’s loss was caused by a sudden and massive brain
stroke, something I had hoped she would recover from. Friends told me stories
of their parents getting their life back after a stroke and I was hoping and
praying that would be the case with my mother too. It was an extremely painful and
stressful three months which she spent most of in the intensive care unit of
three different hospitals. She survived several operations and procedures that
were necessary to save her life. I was beside my mother throughout her struggle and saw
how strong she was enduring it all. With each hospital visit, I felt a drill was digging
through my heart as I watched her suffer. My mother was gentle, kind hearted and a
very devoted parent. I used to think I got my strength from my father, but I only realised then that I had learned all the patience and strength from her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I prayed hard to God to have mercy on her, grant her
recovery and put an end to her suffering. I had so much hope she would pull through, or
perhaps I was in denial that I would loose her too. My husband and sister kept advising me to
hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I certainly did hope for the best, but I wasn’t able to prepare for the worst. I admit, the child in me wasn't ready to let go of the only parent I had left. As a Muslim, I accept and believe that <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/search?q=truth">death is the ultimate truth</a> and that this life is just a journey and short one too, yet my heart would skip a beat, the few times when I was back home, every time my sisters called, dreading to hear the sad news. It would
have been extremely devastating had I been away and got to know of my mothers loss
through a long distance call, but luckily I was there by her side too when the
moment came. God had answered my prayers and I got to give her the last wash, wrap
her in her shroud and give her the last kiss before we prayed for her and put
her to her final resting place. I was blessed and that gave me great comfort and peace.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter how old or young you are, there is nothing that can prepare you for the loss of a parent nor the pain that follows. It is a pain that you have to learn to live with. I<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> pray that God has mercy on both my parents and </span>hope my hurting eases with time...until I am reunited with them again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Your memory is my keepsake, with which I'll never part.</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart, forever and always"</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-60537710413131812672014-05-04T02:13:00.000-07:002014-05-05T02:21:51.526-07:00A Birthday Thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I keep wondering what is special about a birthday and why celebrate it? I understand when you're a child, your parents are excited to see you grow and throw you a party so you can blow the candles with your little friends. But as you mature</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> I see it pointless.<br />A birthday marks the day you are getting older, wiser sure, but why celebrate it? Isn't it bad enough that all your friends and acquaintances, some of whom you might not have heard from during the year, remind you of that through a call, a message or a post on your Facebook wall?! </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On a more serious note, I personally think that birthdays are a time to think how have we spent the days of our lives. How much time have we wasted? How many opportunities did we miss to learn and improve ourselves? It is not a time to regret as much as it is to reflect and reach self awareness. How many changes do we need to make to be better people? How has our life benefitted others or made a difference in their lives? How has our journey been so far and how are we preparing for our final destination?<br />I don't want to sound like a party pooper, I just wanted to share my thoughts. Having said all that, I wish to sincerely thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday (including Google) and I wish you all, a life full of health, hope, happiness, and above all humanity.</span><br />
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-68307757177829191812014-03-20T09:44:00.004-07:002014-03-21T01:52:41.039-07:00كل يوم هو عيدك يا أمي<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><b>أمي الحبيبه،</b></i></div>
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<i><b>يا آعز من روحي، اكتب لك اليوم هذه السطور بينما الكل يحتفل بعيد الام و كأن كل يوم ليس عيدك يا أمي. وجودك في حياتنا هو العيد بعينه. في كل عام في مثل هذا اليوم اتصل بك عبر البحار و القارات لأسمع صوتك الحنون واطمئن على صحتك و استمع الى اخبارك كما افعل كل بضعة ايام.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> آه يا أمي... كم هو صعب و مرير بعدي عنك كل هذه الاعوام، و بالأخص الاسابيع الماضيه، فقد كانت هي الأصعب.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> أحمد الله عز وجل الذي كتب لك النجاة و بفضل بركة الدعاء رد القضاء وادعوه في كل سجده ان يبعد عنك كل مكروه و يمن عليك بالشفاء.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>اكتب لك هذه الأسطر يا أمي لأبوح لك ما في قلبي ولا أعلم متى ستتمكني من قرأتها بينما انت طريحة الفراش و</b></i><i><b>عين الله ترعاك</b></i><i><b>.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>سامحيني ايتها الغاليه اني مقصره في حقك و لست بجوارك و انت في هذه الحال. مهما حاولت جاهده في رحلاتي الاخيره ان اكون بجوارك واقضي اطول وقت معك فلا زلت مقصره فهذا كله لا يساوي قطره مما قمت به من أجلي.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> سامحي بعدي عنك يا أمي بسبب ظروف الحياة، يعلم الله كم انا متألمه و ممزقه و اعد الساعات والدقائق و الثواني لأكون بجوارك مجدداً لأقبل رأسك و يديك و قدميك و اطلب رضاك. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>سامحيني يا امي ان كنت قد اغضبتك يوماً عن عمد او غير عمد. سامحيني عن كل يوم تمنيتي او طلبتي شيئاً و لم احققه لك، سامحيني يا أمي ان كنت يوماً قد خيبت لك رجاء أو رديت عليك بجفاء، فلا اطلب من هذه الدنيا سوى رضاك التام عني.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>علمتيني يا امي بحنانك و دفئك و عفوك و عطائك الدائم المعنى الحقيقي للأمومه. </b></i><i><b>علمتيني بعزيمتك وجلدك و ايمانك و صبرك كيف اكون انسانه قويه.</b></i><br />
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<i><b> لا ادري ماذا اهديك اليوم مقابل كل ما فعلتي من اجلنا غير ان</b></i><i><b> ابتهل الى الله بالدعاء و الرجاء ان يشفيك و يعافيك ويحفظك لنا.</b></i><i><b> لوكان بمقدوري يا أمي ان اقدم لك صحتي كهديه لفعلت و ما ترددت للحظه.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>كل يوم و انت بخير يا أعز الحبايب، حفظك الله ورعاك دوماً يا أمي و شفاك من كل داء أو ألم و البسك ثوب العافيه. </b></i></div>
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*رجاء لكل من يقرأ هذه الصفحه ان يدعوا لأمي و كل الامهات الاتي يصارعن المرض. شفاهن الله جميعاً و حفظهن.</div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-57696204324393523822014-01-25T22:40:00.000-08:002014-01-31T23:43:46.837-08:00A Day in Jebel Amman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">I lived in Amman for two years and a half and have since visited it several times, so it was nice to be back once again for the <a href="http://ab14.globalvoicesonline.org/english">Arab Bloggers Meeting</a>. I spent my first day </span><span style="text-align: left;">w</span><span style="text-align: left;">ith a close and art loving friend </span><span style="text-align: left;">in the part I missed most, Jebel Amman</span><span style="text-align: left;">. Our first stop was at Sufra Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Jebel Amman, which offered a wide variety of jordanian appetizers and main courses accompanied with freshly baked bread just out of the 'tanour'.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The making of the bread in the 'tanour'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional tea with miramieh (Sage leaves)</td></tr>
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It was a nice sunny day, not too cold, so it was perfect weather for us to enjoy an afternoon walk in the quiet streets of Jebel Amman. Our first destination was to the art gallery <a href="http://www.nabadartgallery.com/public/main_english.aspx?page_ID=309&Menu_ID=29"><b>Nabad</b></a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side street of Rainbow street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely orange tree at the entrance of Nabad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artworks by Architect and Designer Jamal Joucka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An illuminating artwork by Jamal Joucka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautifully crafted piece by Artist Abeer Seikaly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal artwork by Iraqi artist Himat Mohammed Ali</td></tr>
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We stopped to enjoy the view from one of the roof tops before entering <a href="http://www.wildjordancafe-jo.com/about.htm"><b>Wild Jordan</b></a>. The beautiful structure was built by architect Ammar Kammash.<br />
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Wild Jordan is a socio-economic and eco-tourism division of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, it has a gift store and a cafe offering light and healthy snacks overlooking Jebel Amman.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the material present in the building is eco-friendly and recycled</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">A graffiti on the staircase leading to the Soap House</td></tr>
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Our third destination was to <b>the Soap House</b>, which was set in a beautifully restored old house with a great view of Jebel Amman. The aromatic soaps and creams were made from all-natural ingredients ranging from olive oil, orange, lemon, honey, lavender, rosemary, sea minerals and salts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful display of the range of products</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO-zkGfLA8XmSQDBkZk04HI4SCG6vjD6skRUUzOrYZXH-o2COR9gyt_AxNju1pNSJIWIl1EDlkvn3rNE913Xi5CNWC4-ynhHLiPBLCAKgYxZGlDKdsTpJvUDpL_fUe8Bm2lZ254epn5U/s1600/IMG_6667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO-zkGfLA8XmSQDBkZk04HI4SCG6vjD6skRUUzOrYZXH-o2COR9gyt_AxNju1pNSJIWIl1EDlkvn3rNE913Xi5CNWC4-ynhHLiPBLCAKgYxZGlDKdsTpJvUDpL_fUe8Bm2lZ254epn5U/s1600/IMG_6667.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colorful and aromatic range of soaps</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.jordanriver.jo/?q=content/jrcep/jordan-river-designs-project"><b>Jordan River Design</b></a> and <a href="http://www.jordanriver.jo/?q=content/jrcep/bani-hamida-project"><b>Bani Hamida</b></a> are a landmark in Jebel Amman and one of my all time favorite desitnations, so I couldn't miss it. The embroidery project was set up in 1988, offering women in the area an extra income to embroider traditional and contemporary home furnishing, gift items and artifacts preserving the local heritage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLbRKaMbVer6VqBgoSY7qT6366sNGOZhQoAQfiFwK7vLyCtGSd5hcrXPfImTrezsA7Kd5MsoA_QzTvDTjDhIVawmLIxL0xDxXnfxdNOScSPPnTMFPkVaY9wFE3lYWQtumdr7b38Hxy0I/s1600/IMG_6620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLbRKaMbVer6VqBgoSY7qT6366sNGOZhQoAQfiFwK7vLyCtGSd5hcrXPfImTrezsA7Kd5MsoA_QzTvDTjDhIVawmLIxL0xDxXnfxdNOScSPPnTMFPkVaY9wFE3lYWQtumdr7b38Hxy0I/s1600/IMG_6620.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtUzntKW1xRs5we61SBGTkmVQokrFXCb8f7QTzGoWmjpOc8oPMqXTnMKYpKrC3v-A1lFK9PWISZtlKmqEZKXwQVwdWBGn4g4Bdh3pk6egArGwJIhR7obwqCaUJydCGaX57izhkEzArbE/s1600/IMG_6621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtUzntKW1xRs5we61SBGTkmVQokrFXCb8f7QTzGoWmjpOc8oPMqXTnMKYpKrC3v-A1lFK9PWISZtlKmqEZKXwQVwdWBGn4g4Bdh3pk6egArGwJIhR7obwqCaUJydCGaX57izhkEzArbE/s1600/IMG_6621.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand made baskets and artifacts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIaAo70Ot6ZoghH6eiWoXnz34FCD1Pt7y5Y12UW8nRXMpZvKtCs3mFjTzXJ58uiUPrFhChi4AwctGSu80JmFtwEqprXVEmsN6opJ2U_HkRyBDcrnmhidp5RBezMAuCChEzK_uJou_RdA/s1600/IMG_6622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIaAo70Ot6ZoghH6eiWoXnz34FCD1Pt7y5Y12UW8nRXMpZvKtCs3mFjTzXJ58uiUPrFhChi4AwctGSu80JmFtwEqprXVEmsN6opJ2U_HkRyBDcrnmhidp5RBezMAuCChEzK_uJou_RdA/s1600/IMG_6622.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand made bed sheets with traditional and contemporary designs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtm3aRjpFrvR3oqdGoKrOsy7l2YkFGDHOU7Q6QcQUO5EbZJeDRpaIFI_aFuztq3zYAnwl-MGLA7uE-0A5YtROKxpkhpMTzXE63w5cliJGAkSTwTf-jkvOi2_WI4opRYFzm8JtcgvkXtA/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtm3aRjpFrvR3oqdGoKrOsy7l2YkFGDHOU7Q6QcQUO5EbZJeDRpaIFI_aFuztq3zYAnwl-MGLA7uE-0A5YtROKxpkhpMTzXE63w5cliJGAkSTwTf-jkvOi2_WI4opRYFzm8JtcgvkXtA/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bani Hamida hand made rugs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfOuKTP-XsArmrTiKyE-TBAQ_7q34OlcTlA_yPFdxFaR41oBw7X-_5CQ8yISe3JLfxDWJjazNlPif2QdxW-F0JGcVkwSDp8jdn78TMk-d1U8J8af4FVPMlXftSl3yzQxkhEF_8RGu_0g/s1600/IMG_6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfOuKTP-XsArmrTiKyE-TBAQ_7q34OlcTlA_yPFdxFaR41oBw7X-_5CQ8yISe3JLfxDWJjazNlPif2QdxW-F0JGcVkwSDp8jdn78TMk-d1U8J8af4FVPMlXftSl3yzQxkhEF_8RGu_0g/s1600/IMG_6635.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand embroidered cushions reflecting the heritage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNff0-94sfqtEsVXMC8kwKYfi5wiatPuC4s2acsQHBf4eh9bkvWZPObAyWdqImIjl59Z6eYd2X01V99B4LDCpGcSZMlzKe7GOsgiVepxOuY8dZLcHcrkvV3S5J-T_Nq75q-KX3yvxCb9o/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNff0-94sfqtEsVXMC8kwKYfi5wiatPuC4s2acsQHBf4eh9bkvWZPObAyWdqImIjl59Z6eYd2X01V99B4LDCpGcSZMlzKe7GOsgiVepxOuY8dZLcHcrkvV3S5J-T_Nq75q-KX3yvxCb9o/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um Kalthoum themed cushions</td></tr>
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Our last stop was at the <b>Jacandra Art Gallery</b>, where I fell in love with the photography work of Charlotta Sparre, Sweden's Ambassador to Jordan, who was re-assigned recently to Egypt. With an exquisite style she produced a beautiful collection of photos from the Arab cities she had visited. I added Cairo and the East and West Bank to <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2012/07/yemen-art-talent.html">my art collection</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx777dlzBhIS9tnqBkiQn2oBTODcmOUIsPX6GUHuKkyxKFApQqTYcGr0fqXN8BJaITWWLfSs69PFETY8RApaf7k-bCHbR7haw-bMkgmpBc5HGz366oBg6fsJdFKX2uvCIrZLeIbfbzOs/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx777dlzBhIS9tnqBkiQn2oBTODcmOUIsPX6GUHuKkyxKFApQqTYcGr0fqXN8BJaITWWLfSs69PFETY8RApaf7k-bCHbR7haw-bMkgmpBc5HGz366oBg6fsJdFKX2uvCIrZLeIbfbzOs/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" height="504" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH9rSq9kYv80g-UAv9CNQdtovmwacbDSKHDJ5QIUxd3LWoOP_3vKvwl4T1_aFCkPaO5gnMYLHTeJELvcc-gILaqLxCKV5yfvAlMSr9tjfKcPuROc_qRBC_V_tdSx7IOn_d7teb9oogjs/s1600/IMG_6676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH9rSq9kYv80g-UAv9CNQdtovmwacbDSKHDJ5QIUxd3LWoOP_3vKvwl4T1_aFCkPaO5gnMYLHTeJELvcc-gILaqLxCKV5yfvAlMSr9tjfKcPuROc_qRBC_V_tdSx7IOn_d7teb9oogjs/s1600/IMG_6676.JPG" height="457" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The East and West Bank (Palestine)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmNhluC1Xl5UIa5-zqMZ8oweKcHfwLh4tEaKrpVW_J2NoPpkRVhSFdFsLxLUwWC1LrrXOl18cotPTrD1Iy2O52UlAlOJNFgax65NKUkWRpp2c1VeckH8PMBuXfi5HISkaAp2kLj8E5zg/s1600/IMG_6680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmNhluC1Xl5UIa5-zqMZ8oweKcHfwLh4tEaKrpVW_J2NoPpkRVhSFdFsLxLUwWC1LrrXOl18cotPTrD1Iy2O52UlAlOJNFgax65NKUkWRpp2c1VeckH8PMBuXfi5HISkaAp2kLj8E5zg/s1600/IMG_6680.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beirut</td></tr>
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I hope you enjoyed the walk by reading this post and hope you get to visit Amman, if you haven't already and experience it yourself too. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">I wrote these lines on my flight back home after an amazing week in Amman, reflecting back at the inspiring group of people I spent the last couple of days with, the activists, artists, bloggers, editors, journalist, visual tools and digital security experts along with all the organizers, </span><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">sponsors</span><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">, and facilitators.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">It was the first time for me to attend an Arab Blogger's Meeting and although I hadn't met many of the participants physically before, through our interaction </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">over the years</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"> our virtual connection had been well established. There was an air of familiarity, comradeship and solidarity which laid the basis for new friendships. Sadly, there were <a href="http://ab14.globalvoicesonline.org/2014/01/1400">activists and bloggers</a> who were absent either due to unjust incarceration or shameful red tape which prevented them from being physically there, yet their presence was very much felt amongst us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5a-FWLLnhWzS6_NFkZjAwPkEZ5HhgMeEjBsTPe6sXxmdEeOQhzoGCSG6EubjTMqHUt8uxa6bTW0JNRYAIvCgc7CpjxM1IfbOvLnr6hNfCfjTvN0w6fs1hXnpijdQedxKKn3qLvktm2M/s1600/1010577_10152182406111217_34687165_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5a-FWLLnhWzS6_NFkZjAwPkEZ5HhgMeEjBsTPe6sXxmdEeOQhzoGCSG6EubjTMqHUt8uxa6bTW0JNRYAIvCgc7CpjxM1IfbOvLnr6hNfCfjTvN0w6fs1hXnpijdQedxKKn3qLvktm2M/s1600/1010577_10152182406111217_34687165_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Unfortunately, I caught a cold in my first day in Amman which I spent catching up with close and longtime friends and <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2014/01/a-day-in-jebel-amman.html">walking through the old streets of the city</a> I lived in and loved. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Ironically I developed laryngitis and started my first Global Voices event, which I looked so forward to, without a voice! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">The circle time with our remarkable MC Mohammed Alqaq was a fun time which we all looked forward to, for warming up and getting energized for the long day ahead. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">I had never thought about the advantages of being cloned until I was faced with the tough choice of determining which track I wanted to follow for the next 3 days of the closed sessions.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">On the first day, I chose the digital security track and through the afternoon clinics offered, we learnt about internet security, how to choose a strong password, how to protect the hard drive and were given a list of other valuable tips. Some of the very helpful team of experts even extended their offer to be in touch to guide anyone through the process, if needed.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">On the second day, I switched to the Visual Tools track. As a writer I always appreciated the power of words but the visual tools team taught us ways to pair that with strong visuals to make our storytelling more impactful. Through one of the fun and creative exercises we did, we learnt that Palestinians love having eggs for breakfast and hence "Palestine Eggsists."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0QpIxFOA-DX6F7qJ_0z7YX_P3y4qhuYlb2Z9IVaTW8VXAIbpgyIbtwVu5HIuwfjn7waZCw2v3cuiqCQE0JlBkz17PYun8nmykBRk4UTs-rat7guM3DDyDwHPuVQutx-jmyPYn5ummbI/s1600/IMG_6721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0QpIxFOA-DX6F7qJ_0z7YX_P3y4qhuYlb2Z9IVaTW8VXAIbpgyIbtwVu5HIuwfjn7waZCw2v3cuiqCQE0JlBkz17PYun8nmykBRk4UTs-rat7guM3DDyDwHPuVQutx-jmyPYn5ummbI/s1600/IMG_6721.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">In the afternoon tracks we sought help from experts in fields we needed advice and tips in. Dina Elhawary from Midan gave us tips on news fact checking and verification. We also learned more about the struggle in Syria from the personal recount of the brave Marcell Shewaro from Aleppo and more stories were shared by Laila Nashwati's "<a href="http://www.syriauntold.com/">Syria Untold</a>," Ahmed Jedou briefed us about the ongoing struggle and multiple challenges facing Mauritania. Abir Kopty and Ramzy Jaber among others were fine examples of Palestine's dedicated youth using their knowledge, expertise and resources to champion for the Palestinian cause. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">The artists amongst us were the positive and creative vibe, and their </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">spontaneous </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">performance was always welcomed.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">The brainstorming sessions, </span><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">discussions</span><span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">, interactions, inspirations and the overall motivational boost the meeting gave us was among the many things that made it </span><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">outstanding. We plan to keep that momentum by</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;"> developing a platform for more concrete and consistent collaboration among us.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"> </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">I was humbled by the experience and knowledge, inspired by the dedication and determination, and touched by the human interaction and solidarity that were shared in the Arab Blogger's Meeting, all of which can not be captured in words. All I can say to conclude is that it was an enriching and extraordinary experience and I look forward to be invited in future Arab Bloggers Meeting, hopefully in<b> a country where all Arabs</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><b> are welcome.</b></span><br />
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-39037823907943867162013-12-30T04:23:00.000-08:002013-12-30T04:23:41.922-08:00Another Year is Ending<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Once again we have reached the end of the year and about to
begin a new one. It is that time of year where wishes of happiness, heath and
success are exchanged. It is a time to recapitulate the events of the year, the
happy and joyous ones as well as the sad and tragic ones. It is also a chance to reflect
on our personal journey. As Muslims, we believe that this life, no matter how comfortable or short, hard or long, is but a journey to the eternal one, the Hereafter.</div>
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In the Holy Quran, Surat Al'Ana'am, Chapter 6, verse 32, Allah
says:</div>
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"<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the
home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?</i></b>"</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَلَلدَّارُ الآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
Therefore, no matter what faith you believe in or
what calendar you follow, one thing is for certain and that is
at some point, this journey will end just as this year is ending. What we
do in the coming year and the rest of our life will determine our final
destination. Worldly matters or personal ego often sway us but we should not
loose sight of what matters. We are all humans, created equally and must live together on this earth peacefully. We should struggle to improve our character, be better human beings, strive to help one other, reach out to those in need and try to make a difference in someone else's life. We should try giving without expecting anything in return. Most of all we should try our best to make the world we live in a better place for all of us.<br />
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On that note, I wish you all blessings and peace in the coming year and in everyday of your lives.</div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-25389653833964353572013-10-30T08:26:00.000-07:002013-10-30T10:16:58.846-07:00Yemen’s Great Expectations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement was considered as the best option for Yemen to transfer power "peacefully" and save it from slipping into a civil war and a "bloody Syria scenario. Many discontented Yemenis had no option but to accept it and had high hopes in a National Dialogue Conference that would lay the road map for Yemen's future. There is so much at stake for Yemenis and the "Friends of Yemen" who backed the GCC agreement, all of whom would not want to see it fail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">International backers of the GCC agreement which laid out the mechanism for the transfer of power in Yemen, ending president Ali Abdullah Saleh 33 year rule and outlining the phases of the 2-year transitional period, are eager to present Yemen as a successful model for the Arab spring. Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference has been described as “the most genuine, transparent and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusive deliberate process the Arab region has ever witnessed” according to the United Nation Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal BenOmar who has been shuttling between N</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ew York and Sana’a to facilitate the conference. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"With dialogue we make the future" is the motto of Yemen's National Dialogue Conference, which consists of 565 delegates representing different factions of Yemen’s political spectrum, including the marginalized youth activists and women, civil society representatives, Huthis, and Hiraki Southern movement. It formed into 9 working groups to forge a national consensus for Yemen’s plan for the future, draft its constitution and pave the way to the 2014 presidential elections. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many Yemenis disagree about its acclaimed success so far and have grown wary and disappointed with the process. There is a general feeling of ambiguity and apprehension surrounding the outcome of the National Dialogue Conference among Yemenis, which is very different in comparison to the hopeful vibes projected by the UN special advisor and in the statements by the "Friends of Yemen".</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Originally set to begin in mid November, Yemen’s National Dialogue finally started in March 18, 2013. It had been scheduled to end six months later on September 18</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, yet further delays, disputes and withdraws caused it to be delayed even further by “one, two, or three months, but not more” as Mr. Abu-Baker Al-Qirbi, Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was quoted saying. In fact, the National Conference continues to drag on struggling to overcome the challenge of appeasing Yemen’s political elite while the human living conditions of millions of Yemeni citizens continues to deteriorate. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of the members residing in the capital Sana’a are compensated $100 per day, those residing outside it are compensated $180 per day while sessions are being held in the five star Movenpick hotel. All of which raises speculation regarding the delegate’s, enjoying such benefits, commitment and eagerness to have the NDC end anytime soon. The apparent reluctance in achieving a consensus and the evident delay in the decision-making has broken confidence in the process altogether. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Six months later, many issues discussed among the various working groups are not yet finalized, such as setting 18 years as the legal marriage age, the 30% quota for women in the three branches of government and the most challenging southern issue remains unresolved. There is evidently a lot of friction and resistance in the conference between existing partisan, political, tribal elite who are safeguarding their own interests and the 40 independent youth who are genuinely seeking to bring about real change for the country. The discontented Huthis and Hiraki factions frequent withdrawals, the last one during the plenary session prior to the Eid break make it unclear whether they will continue or cause the dialogue to fail and what will the final structure be of the suggested federal state to solve the Southern issue. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as the National Dialogue has been turbulent, Yemen’s transitional period has not been as smooth as expected nor hoped for. Over the past two years, Yemen has witnessed an unprecedented record of military assassinations, car bombings, destruction of oil pipe lines and electricity cables, kidnapping of foreigners and Yemenis, in addition to an increase in US drone strikes. Power outages as a result have been reported for days rather than hours in many parts of the country adding more obscurity to the challenging living conditions. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The political process and focus of the negotiation in the National Dialogue Conference moving forward overshadowed the security situation, humanitarian issues and economic reality that Yemen is undergoing. Nearly half of Yemen’s 24 million population (10.5 million) do not have enough food, most (13.1 million) do not have access to safe water and sanitation, 431,000 are displaced and nearly half of Yemen’s children under five years (2 million) are stunted and 1 million are acutely malnourished. Yemenis live on $2 a day, illiteracy rate of both sexes (15 years and above) is almost 40%</span></span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unemployment among the youth is at 40% and the country ranks last at 136 in the <a href="http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2013/">Global gender gap</a>, 156 out of 176 n the <a href="http://transparency.org/country#YEM">Transparency International 2013 Corruption Index</a> and 6</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the 2013 <a href="http://ffp.statesindex.org/rankings">Failed States Index</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Besides the overzealous outcomes hoped from the NDC in resolving national issues resulting from 30 years of conflict, mismanagement and corruption, Yemen is also faced with the challenge of restoring political security and economic stability which is required to improve the lives of millions of Yemenis who struggle daily due to the lack of access to food, water, electricity, fuel, health services, education and employment. Yemenis are looking hopefully to the NDC to improve their lives, without any further delays.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some observers consider the NDC a failure so far, while others feel there is so much at stake now that if it does not succeed and without an alternative plan B, the country risks slipping into a civil war. Yet the NDC is not only faced with many challenges to reach its targets, once it concludes, the real challenge will be in passing the recommend laws and agreements in a GPC (General People’s Conference, Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh’ s ruling party) and Islah (Conservative Party) dominated parliament. Accountability, political commitment and a strong government are needed to implement the desired outcomes. It is therefore not in Yemen’s interest to have any further delays since the road to change is still arduous and long and many Yemenis are losing patience in the process. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-7739970533366324122013-10-23T00:22:00.002-07:002014-01-05T12:26:59.814-08:00US Drones Killed Her Family, Does Anyone Care?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333332; font-family: proxima-nova, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Nada", a young girl who survived the US military strike on the community of <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/yemen-images-missile-and-cluster-munitions-point-us-role-fatal-attack-2010-06-04">al-Majalah in Yemen</a>, in a film still from “<a href="http://dirtywars.org/">Dirty Wars”</a></span></span></td></tr>
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She walked out and gazed at the clear blue sky,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her eyes searched, filled with tears,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Painful memories mixed with fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The tragedy happened when she was only three.</div>
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Yet the cries, the fire, the horror she can still hear, feel and see.</div>
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Missile strikes burnt her house and obliterated her entire family.<br />
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She was the only survivor who managed to flee.</div>
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Her caring father and loving mother are no longer there.</div>
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Brothers, sisters, even cousins she played with all vanished, how was that fair?</div>
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She has become a lonely orphan with a heartbreaking stare,</div>
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Nothing left for her but anguish and nightmares; more than a child can bear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She wondered, US missiles and drones strikes kill indiscriminately causing pain and despair,<br />
Claim to target "terrorists" which her family wasn't, but does anyone care?</div>
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Can anyone stop them, speak out against them, does anyone
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This is the story of many families in Yemen for you to share.</div>
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Thank you for reading it and for the time you can spare,</div>
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to speak up for them and show them WE CARE. </div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-19991125306316626842013-10-16T05:32:00.001-07:002013-10-18T13:03:24.988-07:00What Human Rights Do Yemenis Have?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am a Yemeni blogger participating in <a href="http://blogactionday.org/">Blog Action Day 2013</a>, which aims each year to raise awareness about a global topic. The topic selected this year is Human Rights. As far as I know, I am the only Yemeni blogger <a href="http://blogactionday.org/participants/#.Ul5tgGQqdvY">participating</a> this year. Hence, I will be writing about human rights in my country, but let us first get a general understanding of what human rights are by watching this short video which lists the 30 articles in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.<br />
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Now I seriously wonder how many of these <a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/">universal rights</a> do Yemenis actually have or even realize that they are entitled to. Since this is a blog post I will keep it short and just pinpoint a few of them here.<br />
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While <b>food and shelter are a basic human right</b> the UN estimates that more than 10 million people — nearly half of the population — goes hungry or are short of food. Child malnutrition rates are among the highest in the world with close to half of Yemen’s children under the age of five are stunted. Some people in Yemen do not even have houses and are forced to<a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report/94129/yemen-living-in-a-cave-cut-off-from-aid"> live in caves</a>.<br />
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While people have the <b>right to education</b>, illiteracy rate in Yemen is among the highest in the region, 60% for women and 30% for men. Public schools in the capital Sanaa and in many cities are in appalling conditions while there aren't enough schools in many rural areas. Children seeking an education have to walk for miles to reach schools in neighboring towns. Due to economic and social reasons girls education are cut short and are forced by their families to marry. According to<a href="http://according%20to%20hrw%2050%25%20of%20girls%20in%20yemen%20marry%20before%20the%20age%20of%2018%2C%20and%2015%25%20marry%20before%20the%20age%20of%2014./"> HRW</a> 50% of girls in Yemen marry before the age of 18, and 15% marry before the age of 14. In some cases they were as young as 8. There have been many cases of victims of child marriage in Yemen who die in their wedding night from bleeding while others lose their lives while giving birth.<br />
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While <b>freedom of opinion and expression is a right</b>, <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/09/19/yemen-journalists-under-attack">journalist in Yemen </a>are under threat for speaking their mind and reporting on violations. And while article 12 and 20 state "<b>no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile" </b>and<b> "everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association"</b>, many youth activist in the 2011 revolution who peacefully marched demanding a better life and a change of the regime were killed, arrested and tortured while some are still forcibly disappeared.<br />
<br />
Article 18 clearly states that everyone has the<b> right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion </b>yet religion has often been misused in Yemen by radical religious cleric as a tool to declare those who challenge the fundamentalist norms as infidels in order to intimidate and silence them.<br />
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"Everyone has the <b>right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services</b>..." as stated in article 25, yet the average Yemeni has none of those rights and the list goes on and on. </div>
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Two years after Yemen's 2011 revolution calling for change, the living conditions of most Yemenis unfortunately deteriorated. Electricity power blackouts across the country have been reported not only for long hours in a day but for days. Yemenis have also been suffering from a shortage in water, fuel and food supply which have been greatly affected due to the economic conditions that the country is undergoing which is putting the lives of many at risk. Therefore the sad reality is that while citizens of the world are demanding more human rights, citizens in Yemen are still struggling today, not only for their basic human rights such as eduction and healthcare - let alone the struggle for democracy, freedom and social equality - but for basic necessities such as food, water and electricity. </div>
NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-7567051872036202842013-10-16T05:31:00.001-07:002013-10-18T13:12:04.445-07:00Where Are the Rights of Egypt's Most Vulnerable Children? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today is <a href="http://blogactionday.org/">Blog Action Day 2013</a>, an event in which bloggers around the world write on the same day about the same global topic to help raise awareness. So far 1,975 blogs from 124 countries across 26 languages are <a href="http://blogactionday.org/participants/#.Ul5tgGQqdvY">participating</a>. This year the topic selected is Human Rights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Pages/WhatareHumanRights.aspx">Human Rights</a> according to the United Nations, are inherent to all human beings regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. I choose to focus on the rights of, or rather the lack of, the most vulnerable children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am writing this post to draw attention to the plight of the most abused, deprived and vulnerable children in Egypt who's childhood, dreams and innocence have been stollen and rights have been negated. Egypt's street children are children who have been doomed to a life of verbal, physical and sexual abuse, from the minute they were born until their often tragic death. These children are primarily victims of an abusive parent or family whom they have escaped from to the streets, and are also victims of a society that turned it's back on them by ostracizing and rejecting them instead of caring for and supporting them. They are children who have been forced to a harsh life in the streets begging, selling small items, trafficking in drugs or been subject to prostitution in order to survive. In their struggle to live they have been exposed to addiction, exploitation, humiliation, rape and violence by various adults, family members and strangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This post called "<a href="http://nellyali.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/street-children-the-shackles-of-vulnerability/">Street Children: The Shackles of Vulnerability</a> vividly paints some of the horrors that these children</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> endure in their short yet miserable life. Many heart breaking stories are recounted in this </span><a href="http://nellyali.wordpress.com/category/street-children/" style="font-family: inherit;">blog post</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by </span><a href="https://twitter.com/nellyali" style="font-family: inherit;">Nelly Ali</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, a lecturer and Childhood Studies PhD candidate with a big heart who dedicates a lot of her time and effort to street children in Egypt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although there are no official statistics, it has been estimated that there are around <a href="http://www.egypt.iom.int/Doc/Street%20children%20profile.pdf">two million street children in Egypt</a> according to a 2011 study, conducted by Egypt’s National Center for Social and Criminological Research (NSCR). One thing is for certain though, these numbers have grown over the past two years and continue to do so. Street children are marginalized and treated as outcast by society and often neglected by the government. They are mostly aided by NGOs and charities which are often supported by compassionate individuals engaged in civil society work. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ijW47ax6fKCfVvAXcghLWME_SGSvSrKLTf16mc2bAft7Jj3fD3ifBi34c2RfGgenKN2-CihBzuD235iTwQ72y_pqdcoyM3cE5O75Uh4h2v0mpvWLmMuZzn1dp1kgoyPtz7aD6TP6fmA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ijW47ax6fKCfVvAXcghLWME_SGSvSrKLTf16mc2bAft7Jj3fD3ifBi34c2RfGgenKN2-CihBzuD235iTwQ72y_pqdcoyM3cE5O75Uh4h2v0mpvWLmMuZzn1dp1kgoyPtz7aD6TP6fmA/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We should all ask ourselves these questions: Don't these children have the right to a better life? Don't they too have the right to safety, shelter, health and education among other things, yet above all the right to be cared for and loved? Don't we all have a </span>responsibility towards them,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to make their life better? Let us work together to improve their living condition. Your contribution is crucial to achieve that. Here is what we can do for them:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Offer a smile, a gentle touch or a casual conversation to a street child you encounter. That in itself can mean a lot to them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Research which NGOs help street children and get involved.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seek shelters for street children and find ways to support them </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit street children in shelters and show them that they are loved and cared for by visiting them periodically.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Campaign to exert pressure on the government to build more shelters for street children and design rehabilitative programs in order to integrate them into the society.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Help raise awareness about their plight through articles, blogs, podcasts, and videos.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Above all, let's not just feel sorry for them, lets take action!</span></li>
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More links:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.unicef.org/egypt/protection_4397.html">http://www.unicef.org/egypt/protection_4397.html</a><a href="http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/14/street-children-what-they-are-not/">http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/14/street-children-what-they-are-not/</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/14/street-children-what-they-are-not/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/04/14/street-children-what-they-are-not/</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://middleeastvoices.voanews.com/2013/04/voices-egypts-street-children-victims-of-political-instability-50572/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://middleeastvoices.voanews.com/2013/04/voices-egypts-street-children-victims-of-political-instability-50572/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd4UkkYr69k&noredirect=1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd4UkkYr69k&noredirect=1</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://nellyali.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/nelly-ali-fighting-for-cairos-street-children-and-mothers-bertelsmann-future-challenges/">http://nellyali.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/nelly-ali-fighting-for-cairos-street-children-and-mothers-bertelsmann-future-challenges/</a>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-51846590696468228832013-09-14T22:26:00.004-07:002013-09-15T01:36:14.200-07:00Another Birthday...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Yesterday my whole body was aching with pain, I was feeling down and could hardly function or get out of bed. I had no idea why I was feeling so sad. I hadn't used my computer and had no will to and was unaware of the date. Yet, today I realized why there was that heaviness in my heart resonating throughout my body. It was September 14th...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXjPg9DDT35WEehI8nTq7qfeXmUL39DiiXTy8Y7F6CdcOtAbUyFTgEG3uf0N4yybYBJt02TDjzUBwzo8Vo5OqKblrsOjOnrpj7uvrEXdtoIkwiZrWEfW37kKJX_GhaCcmguxEepFajwM/s1600/946377_10151897517671217_673529032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXjPg9DDT35WEehI8nTq7qfeXmUL39DiiXTy8Y7F6CdcOtAbUyFTgEG3uf0N4yybYBJt02TDjzUBwzo8Vo5OqKblrsOjOnrpj7uvrEXdtoIkwiZrWEfW37kKJX_GhaCcmguxEepFajwM/s1600/946377_10151897517671217_673529032_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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September 14, 2004, was a bright shiny day in Montreal, Canada. I was beaming with joy as I held my healthy newborn. The whole family gathered around the hospital bed to greet him as he smiled back at them. Yes, my newborn smiled as he filled our lives with joy...<br />
<br />
The happiness of that day weighs heavily on me today, seven years after he passed away. How does a mother mourn the loss of her child on his birthday? There is no easy way, they are all painful.<br />
It is fascinating how the human mind works. This year mine choose to block the date, yet my heart grieved nevertheless. Indeed, the heart of a mother never forgets...<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Although you are not here, and in my mind you are always my little toddler, I still imagine you growing. Yesterday you would've turned 9 and probably started 3rd grade. We would've gathered around a birthday cake with your friends and sang you "happy birthday". After you blew your candles, I would've given you a big kiss and hug. Oh how I wish I can...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">But I know you are in a far better place now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Happy birthday my little angel. I miss you...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Related links:</span></span><br />
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-of-mother.html" style="background-color: white; color: #d78787; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">A Tribute To My Son</a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post_14.html" style="color: #d78787; text-decoration: none;">اشتقت اليك</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2012/02/eulogy-for-my-son.html#comment-form" style="color: #d78787; text-decoration: none;">For My Little Angel</a></div>
<br /></div>
NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-13141932461095737882013-09-11T02:35:00.000-07:002013-09-11T12:53:40.424-07:00Life Is Short...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last Thursday, September 5th I had just returned home from a late night movie and logged on to twitter to check what was happening in the world, while I was offline. I started tweeting my reactions about the scary movie I had just watched, "The Conjuring", when I received a tweet informing me that someone I knew passed away. </div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/NoonArabia">@NoonArabia</a> Sorry, I don't know this person but just read he died of a heart attack & his last tweet was an RT of yours: <a href="https://twitter.com/imothanaYemen">@imothanaYemen</a><br />
— Stop Agitprop (@StopAgitprop) <a href="https://twitter.com/StopAgitprop/statuses/375693866449395712">September 5, 2013</a></blockquote>
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That was the shocking way I sadly learned about the death of our <a href="http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/09/07/yemen-mourns-ibrahim-mothana-one-of-its-finest-youth/">24 year old friend and fellow activist</a>. Ibrahim Mothana, was a healthy promising young man who died peacefully in his sleep. I read posts and messages people wrote to mourn him as I also wrote about his tragic loss throughout the week. I was overwhelmed with pain for his loss as were many others, friends, family and acquaintances from <a href="http://storify.com/noonarabia/yemen-mourns-ibrahim-mothana">around the world</a>.<br />
<br />
Last week also a well known Egyptian celebrity, <a href="https://twitter.com/DrBassemYoussef">Dr. Bassem Youssef</a> lost his mother and yesterday he published a touching <a href="http://tahrirsquared.com/node/5765">tribute</a> to mourn her. (Original Arabic article <a href="http://shorouknews.com/columns/view.aspx?cdate=10092013&id=28a4d270-56a3-4865-b4c8-d6e282c071eb">here</a>). His words moved me to tears and made me reflect once again on this daunting subject.<br />
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Indeed it is always painful when one is confronted with death. I have lost friends and relatives and have witnessed many friends loose their loved ones too. I am very familiar with death. I sadly lost <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2013/05/one-in-million.html">my father</a> and more painfully and tragically I lost <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2011/09/notes-of-mother.html">my child</a>. Yet last week I was shaken by death once again.<br />
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Ibrahim's death was similar in a way to my own loss. It was sad, sudden and very tragic. How does one expect a 24 year old to suddenly pass away when he has his whole life ahead of him...or even a 1 year old? Yet death is the common visitor who knows no age, comes unannounced and often unexpected. As a Muslim, I respect and accept that and believe that is God's will, yet it is painful to deal with nevertheless.<br />
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<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/search?q=truth">Death is the ultimate truth</a> that we often forget. I didn't write this post to reflect on death, nor share my wisdom, I did that previously. I am writing this post to remind ourselves that we should not take life or people for granted. We should let those people who matter to us know that we love and appreciate them at every chance we have. We should let them know today, while they are amongst us, how much we care about them and are glad to have them in our lives.<br />
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This morning I read this quote and it resonated and I decided to share it with everyone:<br />
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Life is too short and death doesn't give second chances. Make sure you express your emotions to those you care about so that you have no remorse.</div>
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Therefore if you are a friend or relative reading this, I want you to know that I care about you and I am truly blessed and grateful to have you in my life. </div>
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Peace</div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-33075749837362592512013-09-06T01:08:00.000-07:002013-09-10T02:10:53.077-07:00In Remembrance of Yemen's Ibrahim @imothanaYemen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ibrahim Mothana (Oct, 23, 1988 - Sept, 5, 2013)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBiICKPzwetknUoOGIWf5eB7OXBjvYcOYhJRYhiniR-BAyhK6zsuai-B-qFQO-oHVNr9qX2HxMUllt4IWhoEd7eQTC6AU_130ltN0ZWWwE7YDz6h7GLFNc09HcNnZRIZfCM0lgDxNxrE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBiICKPzwetknUoOGIWf5eB7OXBjvYcOYhJRYhiniR-BAyhK6zsuai-B-qFQO-oHVNr9qX2HxMUllt4IWhoEd7eQTC6AU_130ltN0ZWWwE7YDz6h7GLFNc09HcNnZRIZfCM0lgDxNxrE/s200/photo.JPG" width="144" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: .Helvetica NeueUI;">Today I am sadly mourning the death of a friend I got to know through twitter as </span><a href="https://twitter.com/imothanaYemen" style="color: #222222;">@imothanaYemen</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: .Helvetica NeueUI;">. Although I never met him personally, only virtually, he was one of those people who cross our timelines and into our lives and leave a huge impression. Ibrahim Mothana was a young 24 year old prominent activist and writer from Yemen whom I first followed on twitter and was very impressed by his depth and wisdom at such a young age. He was the Co-founder of Watan Party and Arab Thought Foundation 2011 ambassador.</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">Although Ibrahim was not a founding member of </span><a href="http://supportyemen.org/">@SupportYemen</a><span style="color: #222222;">, he certainly was an honorary one, contributing to </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2D8qFkYwWc">debates</a><span style="color: #222222;"> and moderating google hangout discussions with the independent youth in Yemen's national conference, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAxIEuvHXAE">part1</a><span style="color: #222222;">, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IeupM9z7YI">part2</a><span style="color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMe8O6SJf-g">part3</a><span style="color: #222222;"> (Arabic).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 21px;">Ibrahim</span> was a brilliant speaker, a great thinker, a gentle friendly person, a witty character who inspired us in so many ways. He did so much for Yemen in his short lived, yet impactful, life and had hoped to accomplish much more. His dreams for Yemen were bigger than life. Ibrahim's sudden death is truly a great loss for the country and for all those who knew him. He died peacefully in his sleep. May God have mercy on his soul and may he rest in peace. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a link to a TedxSanaa talk by Ibrahim in Arabic: </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a piece he wrote about his hopes as an Arab youth activist: <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/08/18/arab.youth.solidarity/index.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://edition.cnn.com/2011/<wbr></wbr>OPINION/08/18/arab.youth.<wbr></wbr>solidarity/index.html</a></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is his testimony to US senate about drones: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/01/ibrahim-mothana-yemen-drones-obama" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/</a><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/01/ibrahim-mothana-yemen-drones-obama" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">commentisfree/2013/may/01/<wbr></wbr>ibrahim-mothana-yemen-drones-<wbr></wbr>obama</a></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an Op-Ed he wrote in the New York Times about the impact and morality of drone strikes in Yemen: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/opinion/how-drones-help-al-qaeda.html?_r=1&">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/opinion/how-drones-help-al-qaeda.html?_r=1&</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will never forget Ibrahim's sense of humor in explaining Yemen's politics as a monopoly game:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nor his Alicyclopedia explaining the many powerful Ali's in Yemen:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nlopYrkmS9ZBC0cszWRSweQuI27nqwXTwy1rIa7v1fZFGB7reU-C6Lq7A1YvSA7psE1DYMLQsX3_4usmw0Eb8r-AjduMKckc2aoqAkH78_D95X6J-q8peo9jIj7ZxJHT5wMOlCF1hYE/s1600/207927_10151224966783523_567847323_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nlopYrkmS9ZBC0cszWRSweQuI27nqwXTwy1rIa7v1fZFGB7reU-C6Lq7A1YvSA7psE1DYMLQsX3_4usmw0Eb8r-AjduMKckc2aoqAkH78_D95X6J-q8peo9jIj7ZxJHT5wMOlCF1hYE/s320/207927_10151224966783523_567847323_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">Nor the work of foreign journalists in Yemen:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLquPf6XtBl9A_kIK6uAhlT5pa1SsqEFX8jQ-rdpOJijB9fEFeo7fVNEV68ix4SRM2OlizCCjG4oBx0V5_DcSGkpJm6FiotJTewLCsoAkY58UOiZnLkuEuY5TG12zKPlY7wnYtjB_MxLo/s1600/376758_10151159474198523_209686708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLquPf6XtBl9A_kIK6uAhlT5pa1SsqEFX8jQ-rdpOJijB9fEFeo7fVNEV68ix4SRM2OlizCCjG4oBx0V5_DcSGkpJm6FiotJTewLCsoAkY58UOiZnLkuEuY5TG12zKPlY7wnYtjB_MxLo/s320/376758_10151159474198523_209686708_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">This is a summary of who he was as posted in his </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/imothana" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">linked-in</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;"> profile:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">"Ibrahim is a 24-year old writer, activist and social entrepreneur from Yemen. He started writing at the age of 12 and his commentary has been featured in numerous publications, most notably, The New York Times, CNN and Aljazeera English. Ibrahim is a co-founder of Watan Party and Yemen Enlightenment Debate.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">Ibrahim has successfully worked in launching many projects and initiatives, and implemented several awareness creation programs in local communities around Yemen. He gained considerable experience working and volunteering with many national and international organizations, including the UNESCO, World Bank, Arab Thought Foundation, Human Rights Watch and many others. He was the youngest international monitor in the 2006 presidential and local elections in Yemen, as well as the 2012 presidential election in Egypt and the Public National Council election in Libya. He has a voluntary work experience in Ethiopia, India, Japan, Germany and other countries.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">In 2010, Ibrahim became the youngest member of the Arab Thought Foundation Advisory Committee, which is constituted of a group of distinguished business and academic intellectuals from the Arab World, providing the foundation with guidance on its operation and a range of critical matters. Ibrahim is also an Arab Thought Youth Ambassador, a Global Changemaker, Oxfam Action Partner, Swedish Institute YLVP alumnus and a UNESCO young ESD voice. He was a speaker at many international events, including the UNESCO general conference, World Economic Forum on the Middle East, Istanbul World Forum, Jeddah Economic Forum, the Yemen in Transition conference at Harvard University and the Tällberg Forum.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">Ibrahim studied Business Management at the University of Science and Technology and is currently studying Social Innovation at Lund University in Sweden. He successfully completed courses in different fields and holds two diplomas from the United Nations University in Tokyo and Amman."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15px;"><i> <span style="color: #222222;"><b>Good bye my friend, gone so young, yet never forgotten...</b></span></i></span></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-6264694887747123802013-06-28T12:25:00.001-07:002013-06-28T12:25:31.350-07:00بين الأمومة والنشاط الاجتماعي<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ناشطات في صنعاء (تصوير بنجاما فياسك)</div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">أولويتي في الحياة كانت دائما أسرتي حتى أقتحم الربيع العربي عائلتنا. أنا وزوجي كلانا أخذتنا الثورات الحاصلة في بلدينا مصر واليمن. وكوننا كلانا في الغربة، تابعنا الأحداث عن كثب عبر شاشات التلفاز والكمبيوتر. شعرت أنه من واجبي المساهمة في ثورة اليمن بمشاركة العالم ما كان يدور في اليمن لاسيما في ظل التعتيم الإعلامي والتهميش الواضح لثورته.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">كان ذلك عندما قررت الاضطلاع بدور آخر، إلى جانب دوري كزوجة وأم على الدوام. أصبحت ناشطة إلكترونية، بدأت أغرد الأخبار (أنشرها على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي <a href="https://twitter.com/NoonArabia" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">التويتر</a>)، أترجم المقالات وأشارك في إدارة صفحة أخباريّة بالإنجليزية على الفيس بوك. أقضي الساعات الطوال في النهار وأسهر الليالي العديدة لصيقة جهاز الكمبيوتر المحمول لتغطية عمليات قتل المعتصمين ونشر مقاطع الفيديو. في بعض الأحيان كان السهر المتواصل إلى صباح اليوم التالي تحديا كوني على موعد مع توصيل أولادي إلى المدرسة أو إعداد وجبة مناسبة لهم.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">بسبب البعد عن الوطن، طغى علي شعور واجب خدمة بلدي بأي وسيلة أقتدر عليها، والتي كانت عن طريق الكتابة. ولذلك، أنشأت <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">مدونة</a> خاصة بي، أقوم بنشر وتدوين المقالات والتقيت بمجموعة مذهلة من اليمنيين وأسسنا معاً مجموعة </span><a href="http://supportyemen.org/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">Support Yemen</a><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (مبادرة إعلامية تسلط الضوء على القضايا الهامة في اليمن). يجب أن أعترف أن الثورة جعلتني أعي أشياء كثيرة. لقد عرفتني بالعديد من الناشطين الملهمين اليمنيين والعرب الذين لم أكن لأتعرف عليهم بدون الثورة بأي طريقة أخرى وجعلتني أكتشف هوايتي للكتابة.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">كوني أما وأتمنى أن أساهم في صناعة مستقبل أفضل وأكثر إشراقا لأطفال اليمن ضاعف ذلك أيضا من رغبتي في الدعوة إلى التغيير ومنذ ذلك الحين واصلت المهمة. شرحت لأطفالي أهميّة ما كنت أقوم به بالنسبة لي كإنسان، وبالنسبة لبلدي وللعالم. في الغالب أقوم بمشاركة أولادي الكبار منشوراتي لتوعيتهم بالظلم الحاصل حول العالم وأعلمهم لماذا لا ينبغي أن نكون سلبيين تجاه ذلك وأن علينا الدعوة للتغيير. ينبغي أن نعمل ما نستطيع، وقتما نستطيع، عبر إلزام أنفسنا قضايا مختلفة. بالرغم أن أسرتي تقدر وتدعم ما أقوم به، ولكنهم دفعوا ثمن عامي الأول من النشاط وقطعا أنهم لم يسروا.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">كنت أناضل أثناء الثورة بين تغطية أخبار اليمن بشكل متواصل على مدار الساعة والأسبوع وبين منح أطفالي الانتباه المعتاد بشكل غير منقوص. واستغرق ذلك وقتا لإيجاد التوازن الصحيح بين أدوار الزوجة، الأم والناشطة. وبالرغم من أنه لا يزال عندي نهم على تويتر،أسست روتين وأدير وقتي الآن بشكل أفضل.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">إلى جانب تمكين أطفالنا من القراءة والكتابة، حل المعادلات ومعرفة كيف، لماذا، وأين تدور الأرض حول نفساها، نحن بحاجة لتعليمهم الحياة وأهمية النشاط الاجتماعي لصناعة عالم يسوده السلام لنا جميعا. ومن دورنا كأمهات غرس القيم الصحيحة في أطفالنا وأن نربيهم كمواطنين عالميين عبر تعليمهم قضايا العالم. أريد أطفالي يكبرون وهم على علم بان الأسرة شي هام للشخص ولكنهم أيضا بحاجة أن يرعوا أسر الآخرين في عالمنا. أريدهم إن يعلموا ويقدروا بان تكون ناشطة وأم مهمة صعبة، لكن يجب على احد القيام بذلك!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">تم <a href="http://www.lavoixduyemen.com/ar/2013/06/16/between-motherhood-and-activism-ar/3773/">نشر</a> هذا المقال اولاً في صوت اليمن يوم 16 يونيو، 2013</span></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-32350017282697010502013-06-28T12:17:00.002-07:002013-06-28T12:20:32.234-07:00Between Motherhood and Activism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyZ5uShSILLN2gHKHUbfgsTLAKHo4bg7TrMX7DXxopbw3Xr6wRvQhH2_dWFboFYG1gaWl3I8n7r5405QjSQ8dOVHexb1squPQu03vX3MpJmtvEoEcMtvSGRD5ow3agqRqGjZkDuSaK2A/s1024/women-activists-in-Sanaa-1024x687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ff5f6c; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyZ5uShSILLN2gHKHUbfgsTLAKHo4bg7TrMX7DXxopbw3Xr6wRvQhH2_dWFboFYG1gaWl3I8n7r5405QjSQ8dOVHexb1squPQu03vX3MpJmtvEoEcMtvSGRD5ow3agqRqGjZkDuSaK2A/s320/women-activists-in-Sanaa-1024x687.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #999999; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; line-height: 18px;">Women activists in Sana’a (photo Benjamin Wiacek)</span></td></tr>
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My priority in life has always been my family until the Arab spring crashed into our household. Both my husband and I were taken by the revolutions happening in our countries, Egypt and Yemen. Since we were away from both, we followed the events closely through our TV and computer screens. I felt it was my duty to contribute to Yemen’s revolution, by sharing with the world what was happening in Yemen, especially since there was a media blackout and clear marginalization of it’s revolution.</div>
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That is when I decided to assume another role, besides that of wife and full time mother. I became an online activist, I started <a href="https://twitter.com/NoonArabia" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">tweeting</a> news, translating articles and co-managing a Facebook news page in English. I spent long hours in the day and stayed up many nights glued to the laptop reporting on killings of protesters and sharing videos. At times it was challenging to be fully awake the next morning to drop my kids to school or cook a proper meal.</div>
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From the diaspora, I was overwhelmed with the sense of obligation to serve my country through the only means I could, which was writing. So, I started my own <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">blog</a>, I wrote posts and articles and got together with an amazing group of Yemenis and co-founded <a href="http://supportyemen.org/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Support Yemen</em></a> (a media initiative highlighting important issues in Yemen). I have to admit the revolution made me aware of many things. It introduced me to many inspirational Arab and Yemeni activists whom I would never have met otherwise and made me discover my passion for writing.</div>
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Being a mother and hoping to provide Yemen’s children with a better and brighter future also magnified my desire to advocate for change and hence I continued my work. I explained to my kids why what I was doing was important for me as a human, for my country and for the world. I often share my posts with my elder kids to make them aware of the injustices happening around the world and teach them why we should not be passive about them but advocate towards changing them. We should do what we can, when we can, by committing ourselves to various causes. Although my family appreciated and supported what I was doing, they paid the price of my first year of activism and they certainly were not pleased.</div>
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During the revolution, I struggled between covering Yemen’s news 24/7 and giving my kids my usual undivided attention. It took me a while to find the right balance between my roles as wife, mother and activist. Although I am still an avid tweeter, I established a routine and now manage my time better.</div>
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Besides enabling our children to read, write, do equations and know how, why and when the earth turns around, we need to teach them about life and the importance of social activism to make it a peaceful world for all of us. It is our roles as mothers to instill in our children the right values and raise them as global citizens by teaching them about world causes. I want my kids to grow up knowing that one’s family is important but that they also need to care about other families in our world. I want them to know and appreciate that being an activist mom is a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!</div>
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This article was first <a href="http://www.lavoixduyemen.com/en/2013/06/16/between-motherhood-and-activism/3771/" style="color: #d78787; text-decoration: none;">published</a> in La Voix Du Yemen on June 16, 2013</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Cet article est également disponible en </span><a href="http://www.lavoixduyemen.com/2013/06/16/etre-mere-et-activiste/3766/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">Français</a><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">هذا المقال متوفر أيضا باللغة </span><a href="http://www.lavoixduyemen.com/ar/2013/06/16/between-motherhood-and-activism-ar/3773/" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s ease; border: 0px; color: #b30000; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s ease; vertical-align: baseline;">العربية</a></div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-76189787711564280662013-05-15T05:18:00.001-07:002013-05-23T12:53:23.141-07:00An Open Letter to President Obama from a Yemeni Citizen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear President Obama,<br />
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We the people of the Middle East were jubilant when you won the elections the first time and became president, because you had promised change. You gave us all hope that a different policy towards the Middle East is possible when you gave that remarkable speech at Cairo University. You said and I quote “I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.”<br />
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Hence, I am writing you this open letter not knowing if it will even reach you, yet hoping that somehow my words eventually will. I write to you this letter as a Yemeni citizen whose country has been subject to multiple drone strikes for the past four years since you took office. Experts and activists have written, spoke, tweeted and blogged extensively about their rejection to the use of drones in targeting suspected militants and how it is counterproductive.<br />
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All Yemenis are against terrorism and condemn Al-Qaeda, yet are also against the violent and unethical use of predator drones in combating them. We are against the death of civilians, whom you refer to as collateral damage in the “war against terror.” We are against the long-term effects on their communities and their lives. We are against any extrajudicial killings. What happened to “the suspect is innocent until proven guilty”? Why are “suspected” militants all sentenced to death by a remote control? Why can’t they be captured instead, when they can easily be so? And why don’t they deserve a just trial?<br />
Your CIA Director and former counterterrorism advisor John Brennan said in his speech last April at the Woodrow Wilson Center that drone strikes are "ethical" because of "the unprecedented ability of remotely piloted aircraft to precisely target a military objective while minimizing collateral damage; one could argue that never before has there been a weapon that allows us to distinguish more effectively between an al Qaeda terrorist and innocent civilians." I beg to disagree and so would the families of many innocent civilians whose loved ones have been killed by drone strikes in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia.<br />
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<a href="http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/opinion/victor-argo-yemen-after-saleh-drones-kill-morality_12603" style="color: #cd0000; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"></a>You might believe that drone strikes make the US safer because a few key targets were killed, let me assure you that there is more hostility now in Yemen against the US because of these attacks. They have not stopped al-Qaeda, but have rather helped them expand and gain sympathy. Despite our President endorsing the use of drones, many of us in Yemen strongly reject them and consider them a violation of our country’s sovereignty and disrespect to the rule of law. The drone program is “terrorizing” my people and is having counterproductive long-term effects. Not only does it kill and injure innocent civilians, it also traumatizes the entire population. One never knows where the next drone will strike nor how many innocent victims it will kill.<br />
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The strikes from Predator and Reaper drones firing powerful hellfire missiles caused the deaths and injury of many civilians, including women and children. They have devastated many lives and destructed and demolished many homes in my country.<br />
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Dear President Obama, violence only breeds more violence<strong>.</strong> The US counter-terrorism policy in Yemen needs to be re-evaluated by addressing the socio-economic underlying causes that produce terror, rather than focusing solely on the fight against Al-Qaeda and continuing with the drone attacks, which kill innocent civilians, alienates, angers and aggravates the general Yemeni public and gives extremists a motive to join militant groups. Yemen needs development and democracy not drones to counter terrorism. Work with Yemen to eliminate the root cause of extremism; do not exterminate its people.<br />
Finally I would like to conclude that continuing the current counter terrorism policy is disastrous not only for my country Yemen, but for other countries as well, suffering from the extensive use of lethal drone strikes which illegally and immorally kill many lives and greatly increases resentment towards the US. The use of predator drones as a counter terrorism policy is not in the interest of the American people, and it surely is not in the best interest of the people of Yemen.<br />
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Best regards,<br />
A Yemeni citizen<br />
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* This letter was first published on May 8th, 2013 in <a href="http://www.yourmiddleeast.com/opinion/noonarabia-open-letter-to-president-obama_14865">YourMiddleEast</a> </div>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-47871033598114645672013-05-11T17:07:00.001-07:002022-07-25T08:00:37.825-07:00One In A Million<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On May 12th, 1994 I lost my father to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in a London Hospital after a long and painful struggle with this illness. The doctors who diagnosed him in 1983, in Cleveland Hospital had predicted for him to live 4-7 years, but my father was a warrior and survived for 11 years.<br />
Although it has been 19 years, the pain of losing him is very much felt. Every year around this time, I struggle to remember the exact day we lost him, as if my brain wants to erase that day. He is very present in my life and every time I look at my kids, I wish they had the chance to meet their grandfather and know for themselves what a great and loving person he was.<br />
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My father was a great dad and I never got to thank him for the many things he did for us. So I am writing this post to list some of the things I want to thank him for.<br />
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Thank you dad for being a kind loving father and for teaching us what love and affection meant by expressing to us almost daily how much you loved us. Thank you for teaching us what compassion and humbleness meant by helping others and being simple and down to earth no matter what your status was. Thank you for teaching us to stand for what is right no matter what the consequences were by criticizing what is wrong and telling it to their faces.<br />
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Thank you for investing in our education, not only by sending us to the best schools but by teaching us to appreciate education by telling us how you struggled to attain yours. Thank you for making us love Arabic through the poetry you wrote and reading to us those written by others. Although we were in foreign countries and American schools you insisted we have Arabic tutors and in college you filled our summers with articles to translate from the Herald Tribune and Newsweek. We hated it then but appreciate it and are grateful for it now. Thank you for raising us as Arabs in the Western societies we lived in and as Muslims without telling us what sect we belong to.<br />
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Thank you for making us love our country by keeping us connected and sending us back home every summer and for insisting we have no house-help, so we can learn household duties and responsibility. Thank you for making us love to travel and explore the world by flying to different countries and cities and for allowing us to go on school trips.<br />
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Thank you for being a progressive man in a conservative society and not giving in to the pressure of your uncles and cousins who demanded you make us wear a <a href="http://www.yemenna.com/upload/4/veil_shrshaf.jpg">sharshaf</a> and cover our faces when we returned to live in Yemen. Thank you for being proud of having three girls in a patriarchal society and not making us feel inferior and for teaching my elder sister how to drive. She was one of the first few females to drive in Yemen back in the early 80's. It was novelty in the North, especially in our home town in Dhamar. Thank you for raising us well and giving us the confidence and strength to face the world. We were so lucky and proud to have a father like you. Dad, you are one in a million.<br />
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No amount of words can express to you how thankful I am. Thank you for everything. I miss you so much.<br />
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<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2012/05/blog-post.html">رجلٌ ليس كسائر الرجال</a></h3>
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3482056492522324179.post-90483447548370637902013-02-27T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-26T15:03:15.431-08:00It's February Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">February to many is the month of love, the month of someone's special birthday, the month of a special anniversary, and in the last two years it has become the month of revolutions. It is all of those to me and something more intense. It is the month I dread most of the year because in it <a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-of-mother.html">a part of me died</a>, seven years ago, and since then I have died a thousand deaths. It is the month I fall apart, where the</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> heaviness in my heart transmits to the rest of my body p</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">aralyzing</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> all my senses. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In this month, it is as if</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> my mind sends a message to my body to let go of trying hard to hold it together throughout the year. I become numb with pain and can hardly function as usual. Not only does my heart ache but my whole body as well, the pain reaches my bones. I become hyper sensitive to the pain I carry all year round. The tears that I struggle to store for 11 months, come easily flowing with the slightest memory of my loss, not that I ever forget it. The anguish I keep deep in my heart, comes to the </span>surface and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">becomes exceedingly and unbearably painful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">On February, I tend to withdraw from my social circles and immerse myself in my grief. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">No words of support or sympathy, although much appreciated, ease the pain. Contrary to my sociable nature, I turn into a reclusive during the upcoming days to face my woes in solitude. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Then comes that fateful day, February 27th. The </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">day of the year I faced pain in it's most </span></span>excruciating <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">form.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> The sequence of events of that tragic day keeps replaying in my head. I give myself permission on this day to be just a mother who is submerged in her sorrow, finding comfort in grieving the loss of her child. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">I pray, I write and I let go of all my emotions, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">surrendering to the painful feeling digging deep in my heart</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"> by letting go of my emotions and shedding all my tears. I allow myself to feel hurt, the way a parent who lost a child would.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">As a wise friend said:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i><b>Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness.</b></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i><b> It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.</b></i>"</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">So, I permit myself to do just that on this day, which helps me cope with pain the rest of the year. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">I normally manage my emotions considerably well. I am blessed with faith which keeps me strong and with a </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">great family and the most</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"> supportive friends, which I am thankful for, and who are always there for me all year long. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Having faith helped me come in terms with my loss, but the pain certainly and </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">permanently</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> persists and I have come to accept it as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">A Dr. I visited last week asked me the routine question "and how many children do you have?" And it felt as if she had just pressed a fresh wound, I tearfully replied, "I have four, and one of them is in heaven." She was moved and asked in concern if I had someone to talk to, I told her "I have God." It is He who gives me the strength to live with my pain. It is Him who I am thankful for everything. It is Him who gives and Him who takes, to Him we belong and to Him we shall all return. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I am not an expert in psychology. I am just a grieving mother who is sharing her mechanism of dealing with pain. I wrote this post to explain to my friends, whom I usually withdraw from this month, what I struggle with this time of year, hoping they forgive and understand me and hoping someone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">going through something similar can perhaps benefit from it.</span></span><br />
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Related links:<br />
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2011/09/notes-of-mother.html">A Tribute To My Son</a><br />
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<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post_14.html">اشتقت اليك</a></h3>
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2012/02/eulogy-for-my-son.html">For My Little Angel</a><br />
<a href="http://notesbynoon.blogspot.ae/2013/09/nine-years.html">Another Birthday…</a><br />
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NoonArabiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17873973970415349797noreply@blogger.com1