Author Archives: 50% Syrian

About 50% Syrian

What is identity? I was raised Arab (of varying origins), with a Syrian mother, and Moroccan, Lebanese and Tunisian great grandfathers and grandmothers. I always felt 50% Syrian, and this percentage mattered to me more than anything else. Love of my life, my late Sufi grandmother, is Syrian... all her bedtime stories were about her life in Damascus. Damascus is where the heart dwells.

What will Claudia Rosett wear when Syria sues her for slandering its First Lady?

Posted on April 7, 2011

Claudia Rosett is is journalist-in-residence at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Describing her as a journalist is a bit inaccurate. She is a spin-doctor and propagandist. A pro-Israel propagandist. She recently wrote an article sensationally dubbed, “What Should … Continue reading →

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(open letter to Qardawi from Syrian priest) رسالة مفتوحة من كاهن سوري إلى القرضاوي

Posted on April 4, 2011

Al-Nahar newspaper published an open letter by Father Elias Zahlawi, addressing Al-Qardawi. رسالة مفتوحة من كاهن سوري إلى القرضاوي أحييك تحية إيمانية في الله الواحد الأحد، الذي تدين الأكوان كلها، بوجودها، لكلمته المبدعة، والذي سيقف كل حي عاقل بين يديه … Continue reading →

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Why there are so many ‘athiests/skeptics’ these days…

Posted on April 3, 2011

When a self-assigned so-called man of religion like Mr. Qardawi appears on TV and pollutes the waves with his non-sense, it is only natural for people to run away from religion, because what they hear, see and read by the … Continue reading →

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الجهاد المخادع

Posted on April 3, 2011

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ((يوقفون – يعني الملائكة – بين يدي الله ويشهدون – يعني للعبد بالعمل الصالح المخلَصِ لله – فيقول لهم: أنتم الحفظة على عمل عبدي وأنا الرقيب على ما في قلبه إنه لم يردني … Continue reading →

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إلى القرضاوي: سيدنا محمد (صلعم) لم يعلم العلماء المسلمين الجبن

Posted on April 3, 2011

من أبراجهم العاجية يهيجون الناس ويتركون الموت لغيرهم… ألا وهم المنافقون رسالة مفتوحة إلى السيد القرضاوي:0 منبر يوم الجمعة هو منبر سيدنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وله آداب وحرمة. لم يصلنا عن رسول الله صلعم أنه وقف يوما مخاطبا … Continue reading →

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The problem with Facebook, social media, and this generation

Posted on March 28, 2011

I have been following up with the “load of crap” on Facebook, especially that concerning Syria. I got offended – as a person – by both the lack of intellect, depth, or hindsight by both sides of the equation. Although … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in General | Tagged | 8 Comments

Do you believe in your intuition? then follow your heart!

Posted on March 21, 2011

I had one of the most intense experiences in my life this past week. I thank God I went out of it in one piece. I was basically paying a lot of effort to go against my heart. The further … Continue reading →

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How different are liberals really from religious fundamentalists?

Posted on March 4, 2011

By the looks of it, liberals stand on one end of the spectrum, while religious fundamentalists are on the other. But I believe both are fundamentalists in their own ways. Both are control freaks, and both exercise discrimination and oppressive … Continue reading →

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I {heart} Howl’s Moving Castle

Posted on February 17, 2011

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is a must-watch Japanese animation. Loaded with a lot of meaning and a beautiful imagination, this 2004 film features Billy Crystal’s funny voice in one of the characters. The script is so witty; … Continue reading →

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A leader is someone who has a built-in Judgement Day

Posted on February 15, 2011

We travel through life as a consciousness. This consciousness or awareness starts primitive. It looks after its own interest: Give me milk, give me food, give me cuddling. Then it grows, it looks after self-image: tell me I’m beautiful, tell … Continue reading →

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A spiritual experience: Sufi dhikr at Muhieddine Mosque ~ by Simon Burns

Posted on February 15, 2011

Fantastic article! A spiritual experience: Sufi dhikr at Muhieddine Mosque by Simon Burns The circle of men falls silent. A string of prayer beads swings from the creased hand of a gray-bearded sheikh, all else is still. For an instant … Continue reading →

Posted in Sufism & Syria | Tagged | 2 Comments