They don’t care about us

One of the pillars of Western democratic societies is tolerance, particularly in issues regarding minorities who have different opinions and lifestyles from the rest of the society. Minorities’ different opinions, though strange for the majority, are normally respected. It is believed this is a right for them because of a possibility of validity for those opinions. However, when it comes to Muslims,this right most of the time is rejected.

On Sunday, October 29, 2009, Swiss voters supported a proposal to ban construction of minarets on Muslim mosques, with 57% in favor of the ban. The ban was initially proposed by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). “This vote was against minarets as symbols of Islamic power,” says Martin Baltisser, SVP’s General Secretary. There are 400,000 Muslims in Switzerland, and Islam is the second largest religion. However, there are only four minarets in the whole country. Minarets are just parts of an Islamic traditional architecture for mosques remained from centuries ago. No one, in Islamic countries, regards it as a source for power. It’s mere seen from a historical and artistic point of view, and nothing more. However, there could be the danger, in Western societies, if once Muslim minorities are given the concept that minarets on a mosque is an identity for them to separate them from the rest of the society, and a tool for some to leverage in raising Muslim’s religious emotions for using it to reach their illegitimate goals.

Switzerland has been always seen as a peaceful country. The Swiss Muslims are relatively moderate people among other Muslims of the world. Even in recent years, while Islamic extremists have been targeting many parts of the world, yet, we have not witnessed any attack in that country. However, won’t the ban on construction of minarets have the risk of a reaction from the Swiss Muslim community; another reason for Muslim extremists, from around the world, to further justify the West as an enemy; and, raising hatred among moderate Muslims?

It is essential to understand Muslims’ expectations and interpretations of their identity within the western societies. When, I first opened my account on Facebook, I made “friend” with a girl, from Washington D.C. In her profile photo, she had put on a scarf that made her look like an Arab girl. I asked if where she was from. She said she was Afghan. And, when I expressed my surprise, she gave me pages of lectures that, yes, she was a Muslim and Muslim girls must be like this and that. I was more surprised when I saw that how an Afghan girl from Washington D.C. was giving me lecture about Islam, while I have grown up in one of the most religious cities among Islamic countries, and one of the centers of Islamic fundamentalism. In fact, she did not know much about how girls behave in Islamic countries; and it seemed she did not care either. Because, the contradiction is this that in Islamic countries, girls, by their own will or from fear, do not put their photos on a public Website to show off themselves with their scarves! Actually, scarf for that girl was a symbol for the identity by which she had a chance to express herself in the society, from which she had been once rejected. The more the society was banning her from scarf, the more she would be determinant to wear it. Similarly, it seems this is what the French secular government does. By not allowing girls to dress in the way to demonstrate a religious identity in the public sphere, it teaches them that scarf is an identity for the isolated minority group they are living in.

Scarf and minarets are nothing but parts of women’s clothing and Islamic architectural heritage. They are similar to any other kinds of things like them. It would be funny to talk about their danger, the same way it is funny when, in some Islamic countries like Iran, necktie is considered dangerous for the society. Nor scarf neither necktie is dangerous; even if they are considered as symbols for Islamic and Western identity. Even, it is expected they are welcomed as examples of diversity in a Western society; what that essentially makes the Western countries distinguished as democratic and pluralistic societies. However, when minority groups, like Muslims in western societies, are not tolerated for their lifestyles, they will tend to separate themselves from the rest of the society. They will start building their own identities, in the form of clothing in a special way or building minarets; and become isolated more and more in their own communities. In spite of geographically living in a modern Western country, they are living in an island, far from the society.

In Islamic countries, that I have ever lived, people normally do not care about minarets, in their routine lives, as they have become as normal as part of a building. In whole of my life, I do not recall I have ever stopped in front of a mosque and look at its minarets, with pride, and said, yes, this is the reason of my existence! I am wondering to know who tells Muslims in Western societies that minarets are so important.

The ban of construction of minarets in Switzerland is an example, illustrating, how integration of Muslim communities in Western societies is more complicated than other minorities. In addition, it clearly demonstrates how misunderstandings could be easily made. I think most of those young Muslims, who are absorbed in extremist groups, have once experienced a failed effort in being integrated and accepted as citizens of a society, which tolerance is not respected towards them.

I did it

Yeah, I wrote another article.

Another one

Well, I won't surrender. I will write another article.

"A Crazy Semester"

Indeed.

Watch your steps online!

This post has already been published here. However, I added some more words, more analyses, and I did a bit more research on it. So, here is what I have come up with.

“Do not do something in private that you are ashamed of demonstrating it in public,” Said the 14th century Persian poet, Hafiz Shirazi. Hafiz has many moral maxims, in his poems, about honesty. However, if Hafiz knew how to search Google to get information about a person, would he still put his time in inviting people to be honest?

Thanks to the Internet, we can find information of any kind. Just type a few words, and click. Online networking, as a phenomenon on the Internet, has created many opportunities in expanding social relationships. On the other hand, the more you are networking, the more you are decreasing your privacy.

Social networking Websites have given us the opportunity to be connected with each other. For instance, I “follow”, and am being “followed” by, Barack Obama and Britney Spears on my Twitter account. Twitter is a “social networking and micro-blogging service” that allows to post your status within 140 characters. It is a convenient way of getting information about everything. It has also created potential opportunities for businesses to build relationship with their customers. By using Twitter search engine, businesses may find their customers’ concerns about their products, or seek opportunities to develop new products. Since the “tweet” (the so-called status updates) is limited to 140 characters, you need to use the words as efficiently as possible.

On my Facebook account, I am a “friend” of Dr. Barnett Rubin. He is an expert on Afghanistan. I know he has no time to talk to me in person. However, I have chatted with him via Facebook several times, and taken advantage of his opinions on Afghanistan issues. Thus, I have made many friends, even among celebrities, whom I’ve always had the dream of having a chance to talk to.

In the professional arena, “social networking sites are exploding in popularity, as people look to connect with pretty much everyone they know...” LinkedIn, a “professional networking site”, has provided employment opportunities. According to Site Analytic, the number of LinkedIn’s unique visitors has been doubled since last year, getting 14,241,651 people for the month of August 2009. On LinkedIn, you can connect to people in your field of expertise. Also, you can seek job opportunities through expanding the number of your “connections”.

However, when you look at the other side of the coin, you will understand how fast you are disseminating your personal information to everyone; something inevitable, in online social networking. You post your photos on Facebook, update your status, share videos, news, links, etc. Just imagine how easy it is getting into the depth of your personality, through all this information; it would be terrifying!

Facebook is concerned about the privacy of their users. The Facebook Privacy Policy says, “We understand you may not want everyone in the world to have the information you share…” However, this claim is opposing the philosophy of Facebook’s functions. In its nature, Facebook is a “data mining company… that seeks to open and/or disseminate private information to third parties for commercial purposes…” According to the Privacy Policy:

“… these third party advertisers may […] download cookies to your computer […] to personalize advertising content.”

What Facebook wants is “to make as much information as possible on Facebook public.” On July 01, 2009, Facebook made some changes in the privacy setting of the Website, providing an option as “everyone”. By choosing that, you would allow all people on the Web to access your information. Of course, this is what, not only Facebook, but also any other social networking Website requires; putting your things in public.

Being on the Web is risky. It is not always about inadequate privacy policies of social networking Websites. Sometimes, it’s you who is not careful about what is being said or done. For example, imagine you are applying for a job. The employer does a search for your name on Google. A lot of information, photos, and texts, by your name, are being up. Okay, there would be no problem if they are just good things. But, what if, you’ve, someday, shared a porn photo or video? Or, after applying for the job, you blog that you “hate the job and you just have to get that!” However, “Google never forgets.” Then, can you imagine what the reaction of that employer would be towards you?

Online networking is a gift by the Internet. Yet it has its own advantages, and disadvantages. It depends on us as how we want to use it. However, one thing should never be forgotten: You need to be careful in your online life, as if, there is always an eye watching you!

Teens become entrepreneur

Who says age matters in the age of Silicon Valley? Read how kids become entrepreneur.

The Shadow of Skirts

“The shadow of Queen Soraya Tarzi Hanim’s skirts still haunts Kabul policy circles more than three-quarters of a century after her sartorial ensemble shook Afghan society.” (Jacinto, L. (2006). Abandoning the Wardrobe and Reclaiming Religion in the Discourse on Afghan Women's Islamic Rights. Journal of Women in Culture & Society, 32(1), 9. Retrieved September 29, 2009, from Academic Source Complete (EBSCOhost Research Databases)) Queen Soraya, in 1927, accompanied King Amanullah on a great trip to Europe, Egypt, and India. After returning to Afghanistan, she appeared in the Loya Jirga (grand assembly) in Paghman with the King. A history had begun. August 29, 2009; Afghan presidential election: Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the presidential candidate, appears in public to give his vote, while his wife is accompanying him.

For Afghans, it has always been a unique experience to see their president’s wife in public. On the other hand, some of the most considerable momentums in the last century of Afghanistan’s history have been or related to this experience.

Soraya Tarzai Hanim was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1899. In Damascus, she learned modern western values. In 1913, Prince Amanullah met Soraya Tarzai and married her. Soraya Tarzai became the Queen of Afghanistan, and the only wife of King Amanullah, breaking the centuries of tradition of polygamy.

King Amanullah campaigned against the veil. "Islam does not require women to cover their bodies or wear any special kind of veil," said the King to Afghan elders, in the Loya Jirga in Paghman. Then, Queen Soraya, who was present in the speech, tore off her veil in public and the wives of other officials present at the meeting followed this example. “Thus, he struck at the roots of conservative Islam by removing the veil from the women…” (Dupree, L. (1997). Afghanistan. Karachi, Pakistan: 1997.) The Queen took part in hunting parties, military parades and other official ceremonies, with the King. During the War of Independence, she visited the tents of the wounded soldiers. She went with the King in rebellious provinces. “Do not think… that our nation needs only men to serve it,” she said in an Independence Day address to Afghan Women in 1926. “Women should also take their part as women did in the early years of Islam.” (Jacinto L., pp. 13-14.)

After eighty years from the time Queen Soraya challenged Afghan traditional society by unveiling in the historic Loya Girga, we were about to experience it once more. Dr. Abdullah is participating in the election with his wife. After the communist rule and about three decades of war in Afghanistan, this is the first time that an Afghan leader shocks the public by showing up to vote with his wife and his son. “Men and women in this country have a responsibility and it's the destiny of everybody, not just men in this country,” said Dr. Abdullah, after he voted.

‘Wearing an Iranian-style scarf, a green coat and black pants, Dr. Abdullah’s wife came up with a more politic response: “Women make up 50 per cent of Afghan society and [my presence] is to give a message to Afghan women to take part in the elections.”’

Queen Soraya and King Amanullah started the reform process in Afghanistan. They put themselves and their kingdom into danger with their beliefs. Finally, when the reform programs “increased in momentum”, in 1928, tribesmen revolted against the King, and burned down the King’s palace. (Dupree L., p. 452.) The kingdom of Amanullah collapsed, and he remained in exile until he died in 1960 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Queen Soraya lived when just two decades of the Twentieth century had passed. Afghanistan had not yet experienced many modern thoughts, ideologies, and technologies. Although, we are in 2009, if I want to know the name of Dr. Abdullah’s wife, I search the Internet and find nothing! I ask some people: “Nobody knows, and those who know wouldn’t tell you,” a fellow classmate said.

When Journalists ask the presidential candidate why he had not brought his daughters to the polling station, Dr. Abdullah said, “I have brought my son to give him the impression of democracy and voting for the presidency in our country I haven’t brought my daughters because they were not at home.”

For about eight years, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan; he knows well how to diplomatically respond to such questions.

alone

It's 7:45 at office. I am not alone. Chopin is talking to me.

Persia in The Story of Civilization

One of the books, which I have been always dreaming to conquer, is The Story of Civilization. For me, it is unbelievable how a single person can start and finish writing such a huge book; a book, which is even a great task to be thoroughly read. Will Durant, the writer of The Story of Civilization says,

“I wish to tell as much as I can, in as little space as I can, of the contributions that genius and labor have made to the cultural heritage of mankind—to chronicle and contemplate, in their causes, character and effects, the advances of invention […] the development of science, the wisdom of philosophy, and the achievements of arts. I do not need to be told how absurd this enterprise is, nor how immodest is its very conception; for many years of efforts have brought it to but a fifth of its completion, and have made it clear that no one mind, and no single lifetime, can adequately compass this task.”(Will Durant, The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage, New York: Simon and Schuster 1954, p. vii.)

However, he succeeded. The Story of Civilization is in 10 volumes: (1) Our oriental Heritage; (2) The Life of Greece; (3) Caesar and Christ; (4) The Age of Faith; (5) The Renaissance; (6) The Reformation; (7) The Age of Reason Begins; (8) The Age of Louis XIV; (9) The Age of Voltaire; (10) Rousseau and Revolution.

Durant in the first volume, Our Oriental Heritage, has paid attention to many primary people and civilizations that lived, invented, made, conquered, and left many things we are, today, heirs to. One of these civilizations is Persia. A chapter (VIII), comprising of 35 pages has been allocated to it. (Durant, pp. 350-385) Comparing to the role of the Persia in the history of civilization, this 35 pages, of course, cannot be considered so many. Particularly, when we compare it to the whole of the first volume, which is about to 1000 pages.

Durant starts from the Medes. Then, he follows the chapter with Cyrus, his policies, and the creation of one of the strongest empires throughout the history. Durant talks to us about Darius the Great, the people, their culture, their religion, Zarathustra, Ahura Mazda, trades, industries, and much more. In the end, like every civilization in the history, we reach to a point that the Persia has to enter into a period of decline. Darius III, the last of King of Persia, is defeated, through a several wars, against the young Macedonian conqueror, Alexander the Great. Thus, the great civilization of the Persia, which has become old enough to die, replaced with the Macedonian Empire, and becomes one of its provinces. (Ibid, p. 328)

I have been wrong

It could be strange or funny that you write on a Weblog and you expect nobody will read what you've written. It's impossible. Well, I have been feeling like this. I think I am wrong.