Silversmithing

A Bahraini silversmith with more than half a century of experience has voiced concerns that the craft he loves is on the verge of dying out.
Abdul Razaq Al Roomy plies his trade in the Bab Al Bahrain area of Manama suq, having opened his shop in 1963.

However, the 79-year-old father-of-five warned that a lack of interest in the silver industry, the introduction of machinery and a drop in business over the past decade were threatening the craft’s survival.
“The craft will not be preserved as today’s youth choose to take easy jobs,” he told the GDN.
“They are not interested in a silver-making career, but they will also get bored as we don’t get a lot of customers. No one will take my place after I am gone as my only son is an academic doctor.”

Mr Al Roomy, who is originally from Iraq, said the introduction of machinery had a major impact on the profession – directly affecting the income of highly skilled silversmiths.

“We didn’t have machines back then like they do now, hence it was difficult to create a piece of jewellery and took some time,” he said.
He explained that meant the work of silversmiths was becoming less and less
appreciated.
“In the past, customers appreciated handmade work and used to pay me more if they liked a piece,” he recalled.
“Today, customers don’t value the handiwork and ask me to reduce the price of jewellery.”

Mr Al Roomy, who was trained in the silversmith craft by his father and uncle from the age of 15, described how he used to work 19-hour days to create the perfect handcrafted pieces.
“It’s the only profession I ever had,” he said.
“I used to work from 4am until 11pm and only stopped for my lunch break. But for the last 10 years I work for two hours a day because of my health, age and mostly the number of customers, which dropped dramatically.”

He first came to Bahrain as a 10-year-old and described how he would sometimes spend days creating complicated pieces, carving decorations such as palm trees and calligraphy onto silver jewellery. To this day he continues to use the same tools he learnt to use as a teenager, such as iron scissors and a hammer, to create jewellery and ornaments such as dhows.

“In the first years of opening the shop, we carved jewellery with black silver – which made us the first to come up with such jewellery at that time,” recalled Mr Al Roomy.

“I’d carve palm trees and writings on rings, some of which I still keep as memories,” he said.

Taken from the GULF DAILY NEWS

Attitudes to work

Sent from a Saudi friend who thought it highly amusing to describe his work ethic thus:

Japanese attitude for work
"If one can do it, I can do it.
If no one can do it, I must do it."

Middle Eastern attitude for work
"Wal-la-hi if someone can do it, let him do it.
If no one can do it, ya-habibi how can I do it?"

Qunicy Jones makes Arabic Charity Record with Badr Jafar

Rabat, Morocco (CNN) -- Quincy Jones has joined some of the biggest names in Arab music to produce a charity single aimed at helping a new generation of artists and musicians.

Artists involved include Lebanese star Majida El Roumi, who wrote the lyrics; Moroccan-born Grammy-winning producer RedOne, who co-produced the track with Jones; Kadim Al Sahir, from Iraq; Saber El Rebai from Tunisia; Amr Diab, from Egypt and Asma Lmnawar, from Morocco.

Jones, who first toured the Middle East and North Africa in 1953 with the jazz musician Lionel Hampton, said: "I have long been a vocal proponent of music and the arts being a great asset in building bridges between people and cultures."

The money raised will help finance educational arts and culture scholarships and projects for children in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Arabic lyrics, written by Roumi, are aimed to provide a beacon of solidarity and hope for the region, the organizers said.

Think Pink HOG ride, Bahrain, 2011

Here's video footage of the Think Pink, HOG ride in Bahrain last week. Uploaded here not only to promote the boys, but because there's some decent footage of the roads and buildings here in Bahrain. Well done and Keep it up boys:

Saudi Princess Interview with Piers Morgan

HH Princess Ameerah Al Taweel being interviewed on women's rights in Saudi Arabia by Piers Morgan on CNN:

Saudi Weekend Drivers

When people tell me the driving on the M25 is terrible/ terrifying/ impossible I can't quite work out what they're worried about. How about this? Pretty impressive by all accounts ...

Dance Dabke

Image taken from FLICKER

Dabke (also spelt dabka and dabkeh, pronouced dab-k’ mening, ‘stamping of the feet’) is the national dance of Lebanon, but also is popular in Iraq, Palestine and Syria. It's a folk dance which is usually performed in lines

Photo taken from FLICKR

Here's the flash mob Beirut airport version:

Khobis Flattened Bread

Flat unleavened bread or Khobiz/ Khobis [co-bis] is one of the masters or key staples of a Gulf diet. Here's a YouTube which explains how it's made and how to eat it:

Shisha Sleep

Time to sleep:

Islam from Another Perspective

Here's a Pakistani praying outside the White House and the hastle he receives because of his choice of prayer ground:

Key cross cultural point: nothing you respect should be thrown to the ground, it becomes dirty and indicates a lack of repsect for the item touching the ground. Hense the shoe throwing at President Bush {see wgaw: PRESIDENT BUSH  and  SHOE THROWING} being such an insult.

Making Sense of Bahrain

A direct copy and paste, SUHAIL ALGOSAIBI writes below about trying to make sense of all the hate and the madness in Bahrain following the crisis which took place in March

"I recently had dinner with a CNN crew, who had just finished interviewing me and a few others about the so-called “Arab Spring”, and the role social media played in it.

They had been to Tunisia and Egypt before coming to Bahrain, and they told me how different Bahrain was from those two countries. They seemed genuinely confused. I think this was the first conflict they covered where there was no obvious victim and no obvious villain. They asked me lots and lots of questions during the dinner, and I tried to answer as best I could – and as fairly as I could.

Since that dinner I’ve been reflecting more on the recent crisis. And was trying to make sense of some of the events, and more importantly, I was trying to understand all this hate that I keep seeing online. Some of which was aggressively directed at me – from both sides!

The Dictionary Definition of Polarisation
I think Bahrain’s indomitable Foreign Minister, Sh. Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, described it best when he said people are polarised. Here’s the dictionary definition of “Polarise” from my Mac: “[verb] divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.” I like the “two sharply contrasting” bit. Basically, it’s “either you’re with me, or against me.” There can be no in between. If you’re not fully on my side I will hate you, slander you and personally attack you. And if you’re with me, I’ll love you, support you and protect you.

Rather sad, don’t you think?

Honestly, this is not the Bahrain I know and grew up in. Though I don’t condone the polarisation and extremism, I try very hard to understand where it’s coming from. I try not to judge and not to force my opinions on others.

Anyway, today’s post is about trying to understand and explain some of this polarisation and hate that we see today. And as I’ve said many times before, I don’t claim to fully know all the facts, nor to understand this crisis 100% (frankly I don’t think anyone does).

Where The Protestors’ Frustration/Anger/Hate is Coming From
There is a not insignificant Shia section of society that – rightly or wrongly – feel marginalised in our society. They feel victimised, and have been feeling like this for a long time – for generations.

They feel that they are not given their full rights as Bahraini citizens. Not only that, but they feel they are being intentionally marginalised. Also, they feel discriminated against and disrespected by the Interior Ministry. They feel their human rights are not met, and they also feel like the government is trying to dilute their numbers through the “sunnification” of the population, by giving Sunni Arabs and Asians Bahraini citizenship.

It is my belief that for a small portion of this section of society, this perception has morphed into loathing and blind rage (possibly caused/encouraged/fuelled/endorsed by outside interference). The object of this blind rage was the government and the ruling family, who they perceive as being responsible for the supposed mess they are in.

And for these people, the end justified the means. And the means included exaggerating, lying, fabricating, attacking, and doing whatever else helped their cause, and the rest of the population be damned! They wanted nothing but the total removal of the current regime, and some even wanted nothing but a Royal blood bath. But it is my contention that not all protestors wanted this, and that not all protestors were rioters. But admittedly, the lines were vague. Who can untangle that web?

The hate of the extremists spilled over into hating all those who supported the government, and did not see things from their perspective. When the recent crackdown started, they felt even more victimised and saw it as the government’s excuse to commit further alleged crimes against them. Which of course lead to more hate, and more polarisation. They just could not comprehend how someone could not see things from their perspective.

Where the pro-government Frustration/Anger/Hate Is Coming From
I think the views of most Sunnis (wallahu A’lam) can be summarised as follows; they also had some frustrations with the government, but they don’t believe in getting it through protests and blatant disrespect for the law. I think most believed that a person’s rights should be sought through the current system, and not by replacing it completely. (Arguably though, they are not suffering as much as the people in the other camp).

When they look at their Shia brethren, they see that members of their society are among the wealthiest in the country, and that they have reached the highest echelons in the government and the private sector. They wonder why they feel victimised. They also wonder why (supposedly) so many poor Shia men marry several wives and have lots of children, and then complain about their lot in life. Many Sunnis are bewildered by what they perceive as the Shia “Culture of Victimhood”.

Many Sunnis were afraid for their safety during the protests. They seethed while they saw the rioters running amuck. They hated their king and the ruling family being openly insulted like this. They could not understand the perceived duality of the protesters (peaceful yet violent).

The extreme Sunnis hated the protestors and their leaders. And that hate spilled over into hating virtually all Shias. And the fact that the Opposition leaders did not condemn the violent acts, nor try to rein them in, only made matters worse.

They perceived them as ungrateful, disloyal, Iran-loving traitors, who should be punished severely. And they hated everyone who even showed a tiny shred of support or sympathy for them. They genuinely could not understand how anyone could not see things from their perspective.

They hated the perceived arrogance of the opposition leaders, and they couldn’t wait for revenge.

And boy did they get it!

Welcome to The Mother Of All Crackdowns
You know the story, the government lost patience with the protestors/rioters. When they realised that this was more than just a peaceful request for reform, and saw Iran’s fingerprints all over the movement, they cracked down with all their might. Everyone and anyone who showed support for the protestors was a suspect. And the spate of arrests started.

Now the extreme Sunnis rejoiced. It was party time! “Take that you evil traitors!” was the theme. And that! And that! …

The conflict became personal with the rioters on one side, and security forces and the army on the other. While the protesters brazenly defied law and order, attacked people, fabricated attacks against themselves at the same time acted like victims, the government forces seethed (Remember that several of the opposition leaders have received multiple Royal pardons in the past). The protestors won the first round, but the second was won by the government forces, by knock out! Some reportedly enjoyed releasing their frustrations at road check points.

Meanwhile, the moderates cried.

Their voices were mostly unheard, and they had hoped that this could be resolved peacefully. They kept waiting for wise men to prevail. And they still wait.

Some Personal Reflections…
The other day an anti-government acquaintance told me how he was mistreated by the security personnel at a checkpoint. He said “where did all this hate and rudeness come from?” I resisted the temptation of reminding him of the “down with Al-Khalifa” placards at the Pearl roundabout, and the loathing that came from the rioters. Loathing begets loathing. It should never have, but the conflict became personal. Very personal.

My point is that crack downs by definition are brutal. Who’s ever heard of a gentle crack down? When national security is threatened, security forces are not too concerned with constitutional rights. Especially with rioters who were this cunning.

Let me give you an example. A Bahraini friend told me this story many years ago. He was walking down a street in Paris, when suddenly a police van stopped next to him. Several policemen grabbed him violently, and threw him into the van. As I recall, he was beaten and taken to the police station. Poor man was totally confused and wondering what was going on. Later he learnt that a “Moroccan looking” man was suspected of planting a bomb in a Metro Station on the street he was walking along.

Many hours later the police realised they had the wrong man, and let him go. Without a even a hint of an apology! I don’t relay this story to justify anyone’s behaviour, but I do want to point out that when national security is threatened, security forces see red. There are more examples of this in the West, most notably in the US after 9/11, where stories of constitutional/human rights abuses are plentiful.

Do Shias Have More Loyalty To Iran Than to Bahrain?
No, absolutely not! There are a few things I want to say about this. First, if you had asked me at the start of this crisis whether I thought Iran was involved I would have laughed. Today I am convinced that Iran is involved. But I’d be lying if I said I know exactly how. The prevalent theory is that Iran had some sort of long-term sinister plot in Bahrain, which they tried to bring forward when the protests happened. Also, it is said that some of the opposition leaders have very close ties to Iran and/or Hezbollah. I don’t usually believe in conspiracies, but as I mentioned in a previous blog post, I do think Iran is involved.

Having said that however, I think the vast majority of protestors did not know of the Iran involvement. And I think that few of them actually felt more loyal to Iran than to Bahrain.

As for the general Shia population, I know they have no loyalty or affinity to Iran. Besides, why would a multi-generational Arab feel any loyalty to a country who’s language he doesn’t even speak? I think it’s cruel to paint all our Shia brethren with the same, broad brush.

Why I Refuse to Hate
Look, like many others during this crisis I got angry. I was angry at the rioters for making me feel unsafe, and making me worry about my family. I was angry that my business got affected and that I make heavy losses since the crisis began. I can go on an on.

But I refuse to hate.

What’s the point? It’s in the past now, the government won and the rioters were exposed. Will me hating really add value? Let the extremists and haters hate, I will have none of it. I’d rather work on rebuilding our country.

So What’s All This Talk of Forgiveness?
I think my last couple of blog posts confused some people. So maybe some clarification is in order. Personally, not only do I not hate the protesters/rioters, I choose to forgive them.

But as I explained in my last blog post, forgiveness does not mean I condone the actions of the rioters that broke the law. Nor does it mean that they should not receive their just punishment – quite the contrary, I think they should. Justice should prevail, and the law should be applied to everyone who broke it during the crisis.

Forgiveness is about making peace within yourself, and not letting the actions of others affect you and the way you think and behave. I’d rather focus on the future, not the past.

And I humbly ask you to do the same."

Will adding more hate really help matters? What kind of country do you want our children to live in? I keep hearing from both sides how “we will never forget…”, you don’t have to forget, but you can choose to forgive and let go. Forgiving does not mean forgetting. It means moving on.

Misunderstanding Islam

Here are various people contemplating the thought, "What do you think people misunderstand most about Islam?" Answers seem to be realistic and non-inflamatory:



Nothing is mentioned in the youtube above to the obvious next question, "How can this misconception be overcome?" This appears to be dealt with on a small scale wishlist in the following youtube:



Unfortunately it seems to me both miss the most important question of all, given the current cirucumstances in Bahrain, Libya, Yemen and Jordan:
"What can Muslims do to remove misunderstanding between the different sects, groups and/or beliefs within Islam?"


Both youtube videsos have been taken from the website: MUSLIM VOICES

Bahrain Unite

Bahraini rappers, DJ Outlaw, The Mystro, Flipperachi and May Alqasim have joined together to produce a unity track with a single called “Bahrain Unite”.

As it says on the website, AMMARO the song aims to bring people from all over the island together. It, "doesn't matter if you're Sunni, Shiaa, Christian, Indian, Arab, English, man, woman, boy or girl, whoever you are or wherever you are from, we all make up one Bahrain."

Vocals by: Flipp, May AlQasim, Mohammed Janahi, Rashid Hanthal, Hamad AlFardan
Oud by: Ahmed AlHermi
Bass by: Yasser AlBanna
Track Arranged & Produced by: DJ Outlaw
Video Filmed & Directed by: Ammaro Productions
Additional Footage by: Fardan Raffii
Video Editing by: Elements Productions

Bahrain Burial Mounds

A'ali is located in the middle of Bahrain island, south of Isa town and north of Riffa [Latitude: 26.149011N Longitude: 50.511364E] and is famous for its burial mounds. These are considered to make up the largest prehistoric graveyard in the world (suggested numbers range from betweej 70,000 and 180,000) and date from between 3000 BC and AD 600.

The burial chamber in A'ali cemeteries consists of two rooms, one directly on top of the other. Built of dried adobe, plastered on the inside, and clad with limestone. The walls of the lower room were perpendicular, while those of the upper room were somewhat inclined near the ceiling.

Occasionally, the aisle would extend along the grave outside the northern and southern walls. The size of the grave would range from small to large. One specific grave was 40 feet long, 6 feet wide and 18 feet high.

The burial grounds are surrounded on the outside by a wall of large rocks located several yards from the base of the mounds.

Here's Mahmood {see MAHAMOODS DEN} explaining what they mean to him:

Wadah Khafar and the Middle Eastern Change Process

Palestinian, Wadah Khanfar, the head of Al Jazeera, talks on TED about the changes currently going on in the Arab world, states his views:

Hilter & the Bahrain Grand Prix 2011

A parody and hopefully some light relief in a very stuck situation (the youbtube does contain swearing).

BTW, would someone please tell me why the international media still continue to call the Pearl Roundabout 'Pearl Square'? Sounds like some international conspiracy ...

Bahrain Protests

For days I have wanted to write something about what is happening in Bahrain, but am finding it impossible to put my feelings of sadness into words.

Right now, like many others I am watching, waiting and wondering what on earth will happen next.

Dear Universe,
Please bless Bahrain with good energy, to bring healing and balance to this beautiful Island and its special people, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thank You.
Amen x

What is the Difference Between Arabs and Iranians?

Maz Jobrani is an Iranian-born, American comedian {see: MAZ JOBRANI} and forms part of the comedy group, 'Axis of Evil' {see: AXIS OF EVIL}

Jobrani's jokes focus on race, while outwardly poking fun at his own ethnic group, Iranians.

Here he explains the differences which exist between Arabs and Iranians, from his point of view:

Mecca's Metro MM

The city of Mecca has installed a rail system, known as 'Metro Mecca', using Chinese built trains with the aim of easing crowding for the approximately 2.5 million Hajj pilgrims who visit each year (the world's largest annual gathering of people).

During its first phase, Mecca Metro will link Mecca to Mina, Mount Arafat, and Muzdalifa, the holy sites visited by pilgrims retracing the steps of the Prophet Muhammad and Abraham {see wgaw: WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF HAJJ?} 

One of the 12 lime green trains built to ease congestion of the 2.5 million pilgrims

According to the Associated Press the 18 km railway is currently only open to GCC nationals. Later in 2011, when the system becomes fully operational, non-GCC nationals will be able to ride the trains.

Men ride the newly opened Mecca Metro, November 2010

The US$2 billion rail system is currently operating at around 35 percent capacity; there are around 12 lime green trains, each of which can carry approx. 3,000 people. It is thought when the system is fully operational, later in 2011 around 500,000 pilgrims will be transported around Mecca using Metro Mecca.


Information and photos taken from the National Geographic, November 17, 2010

Saffron, Zaffron

"Your lips drop sweetness like honeycomb, my bride,

syrup and milk are under your tongue,

and your dress had the scent of Lebanon.

Your cheeks are an orchard of pomegranates,

an orchard full of rare fruits,

spikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon." 

Song of Solomon

Saffron [saf-fron] the spice used in oh-so-many Arabic dishes, originates from the saffron crocus, a plant which bears just three stigmas.

Described as tasting like metallic honey with grassy or hay-like notes, fresh saffron stamens are vivid crimson in colour, contain a slight moistness and elasticity. The stamens are picked and once dried are added to food and textiles to produce a rich luminous yellow-orange colour:

Cost
Saffron has long been the world's most expensive spice and is sold by weight. Saffron prices range from around US$1,100 /kg (wholesale) to US$11,000 /kg (retail), equvialent to £5,500 or €7,500 per kilogram. Saffron costs £3.80 for a ½ gram in one UK supermarket, which translates into £7,600 per kilo

"A man who is stingy with saffron is capable of seducing his own grandmother."

Norman Douglas,

English Writer (1868-1952)

Picking Saffron
Half a kilo of dry saffron requires the picking of 50,000 to 75,000 flowers (about the size of a football field)

and is said to take around 20 hours. Stigmas are picked, dried and then stored in airtight containers.

Saffron is graded by crocin (colour), picrocrocin (taste), and safranal (fragrance). Additional extras such as, 'floral waste content' and inorganic material for example, 'ash' also dertmine the grade.

Grading standards are set by the International Organization for Standardization, with ISO 3632 being used only to describe saffron's colour intensity.

Location
Most saffron is grown in an area of land which streches from the Mediterranean to Kashmir. Around 300 tonnes of saffron are produced worldwide each year, with Iran having the largest harvest (94 percent of world production).

America, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Azerbaijan, India and China all produce saffron too, see map below:

N.B. the darker the colour red, the more saffron is grown (pink indicates very small quantities)


Saffron in Food
Saffron is widely used to flavour rice and meat dishes in Iranian (Persian), Arab, Central Asian, Pakistani, Indian and Turkish food, with various methods being used to extract the colour and flavour:

1 - toast; dry roast the saffron and then soak in warmed milk for about half an hour, but this can be extended to two hours. Infusion is then added to the dish
2 - soak; add saffron to warm water for about half an hour and then tip the entire contents into the food/dish
3 - add the stamens to the food directly.

"I must have saffron to colour the warden pies;

mace; dates? none, that's out of my note;

nutmegs, seven; a race or two of ginger,

but that I may beg;

four pound of prunes, and as many of raisins o' the sun."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Act IV, scene III, 'The Winter's Tale'

Saffron Rice
2 cups basmati rice
1 teaspoon saffron threads + 3 tablespoons boiling water
6 tablespoons butter
several cinnamon sticks
1 cup finely chopped onion (fried until golden)
2 teaspoons salt
6 - 8 cardamoms, cracked open

Place the saffron in a small bowl and cover with 3 tablespoons of boiling water. Soak for 30 minutes.

Wash rice until the water runs clear {see wgaw: COOKING RICE CAN TAKE SOME TIME}, put in boiling water and wait until the rice is just past al-dente.

While the rice is cooking, saute the onions until they turn slightly brown (golden)

Boil the rice until it is almost soft, but has a slightly hard bit in the middle. Remove the rice from the ring and put in a sieve. Wash the rice with cold water to stop it cooking

Dry the saucepan and add butter, ghee or margarine to the bottom of the pan and put on the ring to warm.  Add the cardamons, cinamon and the saffron and its soaking water

When the fat is melted, put the rice in the pan and warm on a low heat for an hour or so

Fluff and serve hot.


Saffron Tea
Tea is brewed as normal; tea is placed in a tea pot, however the smallest ammount of saffron is infused with the tea leaves.  Brew for upto 20 minutes and pour into small glass tea cups, with sugar being added to taste.  Leave the saffron threads in the liquid.

Storing Saffron
Because saffron is sensitive to light and moisture it should be stored in a container away from sunlight. Saffron easily absorbs other flavors and odours - be sure to clean any container before you use it to store saffron.

Historical Uses of Saffron
Saffron-based pigments were used as dyes and have been found in 50,000 year-old cave paintings in in Iran and Iraq.  Saffron has also been used as a fabric dye; Buddhist monks in India adopted saffron-coloured robes. However, the robes were not dyed with costly saffron but turmeric, a less expensive dye, or jackfruit.

Saffron threads would be scattered across beds and mixed into hot teas as a curative for bouts of melancholy. Historically, saffron's use as a drugging agent and aphrodisiac were feared.

During his Asian campaigns, Alexander the Great used saffron in his baths as a curative for battle wounds. Alexander's troops imitated the practice
Medicinally saffron has long been part of the traditional healing tradition; Sumerians used saffron in their remedies and magical potions.

Apparently modern medicine uses saffron as both an anticarcinogenic (cancer-suppressing) agent, as well as an anti-mutagenic (mutation-preventing).  Early studies show that saffron may protect the eyes from retinal stress and slow down macular degeneration.


Saffron Translated
Arabic 'Zaferan'
Farsi 'Zefrun' (in Persian,'zarparan' means a flower with a stigma which has a value equvialent to gold)
French 'Safrane'
Indian 'Zuffron'
Italian 'Zaferano'
Spanish 'Azafran'
Tamil 'Gnaazhal poo'
Turkish 'Zefrun'

Hajj 1953 - around Jeddah

Here is the final set of photographs from the July 1953 edition of the National Geographic magazine, showing areas of Jeddah during the Hajj

Hajj 1953 - Praying

Again, more images from the National Geographic from 1953. This time the photos show images of pilgrims praying in Mecca. I've also included a National Geographic video from YouTube which explains what happens when a person goes on the Hajj {see wgaw: HAJJ}.

A Muslim man who has completed the obligatory Hajj is known as Hajji [Haj-jee] whilst a Muslim woman is known as Hajjia [haj-jee-ah]