No matter what they say, I am forced to face the truth that I'm Not Over You....
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Veil as Protection from Strange Men
With the behavior of Arab men in Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey- it is really no wonder women wear veils and jilbabs in the Arab world. It is for religious purposes, as stated in the Koran to protect from men.
From the Quran: "O Prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to tighten them on their mantle (Jilbab), they will be recognized faster and not molested.
The Qur'an: Allah says: {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers, to bring upon them their veils (Jalabibihinna): they will be soon recognized and not molested. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful} (33:).
Living in Muslim countries for almost a year now, it is evident to me that there is deep meaning and purpose behind wearing the veil. It has beauty, power, and protection. It makes a woman beautiful in a traditional, honorable way having a strong sense of cultural identity in ones place and society. Most importantly the veil creates this social distance between the woman and man. Women will usually sit next to women on the bus and train, women have their own area in the mosque, women have their own space in the hamams, and women have their own place in society. The social distance between the man and the woman is important to confirm the religious meaning of Islam.
While the veil is common in the Muslim world, it has also been a custom for Judaism and Christianity. Before the 1960s, it was customary for Roman Catholic women to wear veils or caps in to church. Also, the Virgin Mary-the mother of Christ was veiled. The purpose of the veil was again to "guard from the sinful men."
In Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco- I have open and honest discussions with women about the meaning of the veil. The main statement, which keeps being repeated is that the veil "protects from strange men." After first hand experience with the men on the streets and just in my lives, it is evident why women wear these veils to protect from the men. The strange men with open eyes staring right at you making you feel uncomfortable and a bit guilty or shameful. It makes you feel like you are exposing something to them or they have taken a piece of your female dignity and pride.
Often, I have become accustomed to walking out on the streets veiled on days I want peace. On days, I want to hide from men and I want to get the least amount of attention as possible. It does give me a feeling of protection and sense of belonging while decreasing the amount of attention from the strange men. While both men and women wear jilbabs and the men wear caps similar to a veil, it feels like the veil holds much higher importance and value for the woman to protect her. Men will wear the cap and women wear the veil and both represent Islam and keeping covered, but the veil has something special about it....
Something about the veil makes one feel protected....
From the Quran: "O Prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to tighten them on their mantle (Jilbab), they will be recognized faster and not molested.
The Qur'an: Allah says: {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers, to bring upon them their veils (Jalabibihinna): they will be soon recognized and not molested. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful} (33:).
Living in Muslim countries for almost a year now, it is evident to me that there is deep meaning and purpose behind wearing the veil. It has beauty, power, and protection. It makes a woman beautiful in a traditional, honorable way having a strong sense of cultural identity in ones place and society. Most importantly the veil creates this social distance between the woman and man. Women will usually sit next to women on the bus and train, women have their own area in the mosque, women have their own space in the hamams, and women have their own place in society. The social distance between the man and the woman is important to confirm the religious meaning of Islam.
While the veil is common in the Muslim world, it has also been a custom for Judaism and Christianity. Before the 1960s, it was customary for Roman Catholic women to wear veils or caps in to church. Also, the Virgin Mary-the mother of Christ was veiled. The purpose of the veil was again to "guard from the sinful men."
In Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco- I have open and honest discussions with women about the meaning of the veil. The main statement, which keeps being repeated is that the veil "protects from strange men." After first hand experience with the men on the streets and just in my lives, it is evident why women wear these veils to protect from the men. The strange men with open eyes staring right at you making you feel uncomfortable and a bit guilty or shameful. It makes you feel like you are exposing something to them or they have taken a piece of your female dignity and pride.
Often, I have become accustomed to walking out on the streets veiled on days I want peace. On days, I want to hide from men and I want to get the least amount of attention as possible. It does give me a feeling of protection and sense of belonging while decreasing the amount of attention from the strange men. While both men and women wear jilbabs and the men wear caps similar to a veil, it feels like the veil holds much higher importance and value for the woman to protect her. Men will wear the cap and women wear the veil and both represent Islam and keeping covered, but the veil has something special about it....
Something about the veil makes one feel protected....
Francois Hollande, The King, And Casa
April 3, 2013
Next to my house, which is next to the Kings Palace they held the big ceremony for Francois Holland, The President of France's arrival to Morocco. The Royal red carpets were down, the flags were up, and the people were all waiting and watching. With it raining and having a student session, I was not able to make it over and watch, which is quite disappointing as it was all happening right outside my house. I have already seen the King and his palace is right next to my house, but I would have loved to see the official ceremony. Francois Holland seems to be welcomed by most and many people were talking about his arrival to Morocco. As far as his contribution, he has come to "reinvent partnership."
The relationship between France and Morocco is clearly an established partnership and Casablanca almost feels like France at times with the French schools, language, food, and culture. Although, in France it is unfortunate the treatment of Muslims and the anti-islamic hate crimes that are happening. It is interesting how their is such hatred and discrimination towards the Muslim population, but there is this "strong partnership" between countries. There are many French living in Morocco and Moroccans living in France yet there is a rivarly present between the two or perhaps misunderstanding. I hope his visit is productive and can help "reinvent a partnership" between both countries. Pris
From www.Marocpress.com
The message is clear: “We are Morocco’s first partner and we have to stay Morocco’s first partner, says the source which played down the progression in Spain’s trade with Morocco in 2012 at the expense of France as “a temporary situation”.
We have to define future cooperation actions with Morocco, “an economic partner of the future”, commented the source.
In addition to supporting the ongoing political and economic reforms, President Hollande’s visit ambitions to intensify the trend set three months ago in Rabat by the two countries’ high-level meeting co-chaired by Moroccan and French heads of government.
This meeting announced over 10 agreements, including four loan agreements worth 280 million euros, extended by the French development agency to finance development projects (Casablanca tramway, regional port, technopoles competitiveness and vocational training).
The French president will, thus, encourage French businesses operating in Morocco to continue to invest in Morocco in renewable energies, transports, urban services, youth and education, the source said.
There are over 750 affiliates of French enterprises in Morocco, including 38 that are listed on the French stock market. They employ around 120,000 persons.
Morocco is also the first destination of France’s private investments in Africa, with an amount of 5,6 billion euros in the 2000-2011 period.
The French president’s party comprises around nine ministers who will sign agreements and contracts dealing with the food industry, higher education, city development, Casablanca metro, and vocational training.
For France, Morocco is a regional hub for French enterprises wishing to develop projects in West Africa, the Mediterranean or the Maghreb.
In this context and given Morocco’s central role within its region, France grants a large importance to re-launching the Maghreban construction and Euro-Mediterranean space, focusing on projects such as the trans-Maghreban highway and the reopening of land borders between Morocco and Algeria.
President Hollande is also accompanied by over 60 heads of enterprises who will attend the Morocco-France Economic forum.
Next to my house, which is next to the Kings Palace they held the big ceremony for Francois Holland, The President of France's arrival to Morocco. The Royal red carpets were down, the flags were up, and the people were all waiting and watching. With it raining and having a student session, I was not able to make it over and watch, which is quite disappointing as it was all happening right outside my house. I have already seen the King and his palace is right next to my house, but I would have loved to see the official ceremony. Francois Holland seems to be welcomed by most and many people were talking about his arrival to Morocco. As far as his contribution, he has come to "reinvent partnership."
The relationship between France and Morocco is clearly an established partnership and Casablanca almost feels like France at times with the French schools, language, food, and culture. Although, in France it is unfortunate the treatment of Muslims and the anti-islamic hate crimes that are happening. It is interesting how their is such hatred and discrimination towards the Muslim population, but there is this "strong partnership" between countries. There are many French living in Morocco and Moroccans living in France yet there is a rivarly present between the two or perhaps misunderstanding. I hope his visit is productive and can help "reinvent a partnership" between both countries. Pris
From www.Marocpress.com
French president Francois Hollande is paying this April 3-4 a state visit to Morocco, seeking to “reinvent” partnership and new means that would maintain Morocco’s status as a “close and necessary partner” of France, sources and the Elysee say.
“French-Moroccan relations are fluid, excellent and intense both at the political level and as far as bilateral cooperation is concerned”, the sources said, adding that the stake of the visit is very important as it would allow to act so as to maintain a high-level relation and to develop it in the years and decades to come, according to the sources.The message is clear: “We are Morocco’s first partner and we have to stay Morocco’s first partner, says the source which played down the progression in Spain’s trade with Morocco in 2012 at the expense of France as “a temporary situation”.
We have to define future cooperation actions with Morocco, “an economic partner of the future”, commented the source.
In addition to supporting the ongoing political and economic reforms, President Hollande’s visit ambitions to intensify the trend set three months ago in Rabat by the two countries’ high-level meeting co-chaired by Moroccan and French heads of government.
This meeting announced over 10 agreements, including four loan agreements worth 280 million euros, extended by the French development agency to finance development projects (Casablanca tramway, regional port, technopoles competitiveness and vocational training).
The French president will, thus, encourage French businesses operating in Morocco to continue to invest in Morocco in renewable energies, transports, urban services, youth and education, the source said.
There are over 750 affiliates of French enterprises in Morocco, including 38 that are listed on the French stock market. They employ around 120,000 persons.
Morocco is also the first destination of France’s private investments in Africa, with an amount of 5,6 billion euros in the 2000-2011 period.
The French president’s party comprises around nine ministers who will sign agreements and contracts dealing with the food industry, higher education, city development, Casablanca metro, and vocational training.
For France, Morocco is a regional hub for French enterprises wishing to develop projects in West Africa, the Mediterranean or the Maghreb.
In this context and given Morocco’s central role within its region, France grants a large importance to re-launching the Maghreban construction and Euro-Mediterranean space, focusing on projects such as the trans-Maghreban highway and the reopening of land borders between Morocco and Algeria.
President Hollande is also accompanied by over 60 heads of enterprises who will attend the Morocco-France Economic forum.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Casablanca Easter 2013
Back
from the North, I had come back to work with a couple students, but I mainly
returned to celebrate Easter in my church-Notre Dame Cathedral.
Arriving
at my usual time, my normal seat was occupied.
As I looked around, I saw that each and every spot was filled. I circled
around and sat in the front near a few French couples. While I could not see
much, it was a better seat for me because I was closer to the priests and I
love to feel their presence next to mine.
It
was clearly a special day, beautiful flower arrangements were set up in the
front and most people were dressed very nice for the occasion. Africans were
wearing their traditional outfits and headpieces, which consisted of bright
colors and different kinds of patterns. The French were dressed conservatively
and two older French women wore matching beige dresses-cute. The nuns were
wearing their normal attire and they looked lovely as always. The priests were
wearing beige robes with Jesus and Mary on the back. I wore a light pink cardigan and a purple top,
but I felt underdressed. Easter is a big
day for me and one of my favorite days of the year. If this was the US, I would have bought a new
dress-most likely beige, light pink, or poca dots which I feel suit Easter the
best.
My
church does a wonderful job on special occasions and Easter was no exception. The choire sang, “Allejuiah” and everyone
waived their arms back and forth. We held each others hands and sang together
in French. Having a different angle on the church, I sat and watched the faces
of everyone so captivated and so present with the words of the priest. The
priest came around and made sure to shake everyone’s hand-as they usually
do. The choire was singing wonderfully
as usual and they were so happy and alive.
A couple of my favorite boys in the chorie were doing their usual
African dancing. The choire make it a special service and so do the
priests. They always add a bit of light
humor in the service, which I enjoy. While
I understand the common prayers by now in French, I cannot fully understand the
priest’s words, but it did not matter.
It was Easter Sunday-a day for my lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. As I sat and stared at the cross, I was happy and I was
100 percent spiritually present feeling the spirit of my higher power inside
me. It was a beautiful moment feeling our deep connection.
Easter
is celebrated all over the world from Iraq to Germany to Mexico to USA to
Morocco. This articles is amazing as it captures photos of ceremonies from
AMEN TO THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF THE YEAR
Six Feet Under
My morning
walks in Tetouan went right past the main graveyard. This graveyard was quite nice as it had the
backdrop of the mountains and was built on a hilltop. There is a long path,
which leads up to the door of the Medina. I had a few walks through this
graveyard pondering and reflecting on life and death.
One morning,
I saw a group of men all standing and chanting above a gravestone. I went closer
and saw women with tears in their eyes staring down beneath them at the deep
hole being dug in the ground. I sat
behind them just observing and listening to their chanting. A man moved over
and made space for me and I sat staring at the hole in the ground. Apparently,
the time was up for this person and they left their loved ones behind feeling
sad and probably wondering, “Why did this happen?”
Perhaps there
is no real reason for death rather it just depends on our fate. When our time is
up, our time is up and it cannot be altered by any means. Those who die have a special feeling before
it actually happens-as if they are touched by an angel. While most would not spend their time at a graveyard, I wanted to witness the Arabic funeral, but I also wanted to confront death. I stared down at the hole in the ground six feet under and appreciated my presence-standing, living, breathing and alive. I also realized I did not want to be there six feet under rather I want to live and be six feet above ground. When you come up close and personal to death, you become thankful and appreciative to be alive. But you also feel that it is just not your time yet...but time will tell when that time will come....
Spanish Service in Tetouan
In Tetouan, I
was unsure about going to see another movie as I felt like doing something
different. I passed by the church around 645pm and saw the door wide open. It was clear what I was suppose to
do-service.
There is
only one church in Tetouan with the service being in Spanish with attendees
being Italian and Spanish. It was so nice being able to understand the service and what was going on as I have become accustomed to French service. It was such a
lovely, simple service consisting of about 15 people and three priests. Two young girls were playing the guitar in
the front and singing. The priests came around and shook hands with each and
every person and I shook the hands with the nuns. There was a such a real connection and spritual presence of the priests, which felt really good.
As the service was ending, we did something different towards the end. We followed the priests around the church one by one until we reached the prayer area. This was the time to pray for those loved ones who had passed away. I was silent and I sat and observed everyone around me-the girls in the front with such beautiful stillness and spiritual presence.
It was so nice being part of a service, which again I could understand. Amen
Chefchouen Beauty Fever
Just a Beautiful day given from Up above...
The Gorgeous Waterfall Of Chef
Brazilian+ Moroccan= Zwin Friend=)
My two favorite people
Hike up to the Mosque and Sunset-again another amazing sky
Good times
Chefchouen and the Sun Setting
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