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:

Pakistan Appeal

Dear Friends,

We are trying to ship used clothes (good condition only) from Bahrain to Pakistan for flood victims.

Gulf Air has graciously accepted to provide free cargo service from Bahrain to Islamabad. We have arranged the collection and distribution in the area worst affected by the recent floods.

In this regard we require the following:

· Ladies Shalwar Kameez
· Ladies Dupata and Chaddar
· Gents Shalwar Kameez
· Children clothes both girls and boys
· Shawls
· Bed Sheets (single and double)
· Utensils only plastic, melamine or aluminum

Due to limitation of time and to save time in sorting ,we will appreciate the following:

· Only above mentioned items are donated;
· The clothes are packed and folded in plastic bags clearly mentioning the clothes in above categories
· Please also provide hard board cartons if clothes are in large quantities
· The clothes can be dropped at the following address from Thursday 12 August 2010 to Sunday 15 August 2010 (Please note the items will be shipped by 17th August 2010):

· House Number 649,Road 1720, Sar 0517. Contact (Mansoora 39266286, Faiqa 17793898)
· Villa Number 5 & 8- Noor Garden Barbar Contact (Tehmina 39188094, Madiha 37774880)
· House Number 1161,Road 6025,Block 360, Zinj (Shaima 39669798)

For any information or clarification, please contact the following:

· Mohammed Haroon 39453561
· Hussain Lalani 39440314
· Rehan Ashraf -39935581
· Saad Asghar Ali - 39441626

Please spread the word and contribute generously for this humane effort.

Desert Rain: Floods in Jeddah

Last week saw lots of rain in the Gulf and floods in Jeddah. Someone was kind enough to send me these photos. Can't quite believe this is what Jeddah looked like after the rain. Here's a full news article

When I was a kid I was fascinated when I was informed most people died in the desert from the rain. Now maybe I now know where or why that happens. This place is usually full of sand and doesn't see rain from one year to the next.


Update, Saturday 5th Dec:
113 people have died in Jeddah, as a direct result of the rains last week. The Saudi media writes about it here





If you are in Jeddah and can help out with home suplies, food, school supplies, clothing, home appliances and/or money please call Miss Rasha Hifzi: 054 163 9486.

They also need people with 4 wheel drives to help deliver the items. If you can help with this please call Miss Sumaya: 050 551 7277.