This class has been very in-depth and different than expected. Going into the class I had taken a lot of classes about the region I expected more of the same. Though I did get more of the same as far as the political dynamics of the region. What I found most interesting was the cultural deep dive. Such as when Spain was apart of the Arab world or the Dum Tree in Sudan and the clash of old vs. New. The most interesting of the cultural depths was the Yacoubian Building which gave a multitude of perspectives on the region itself. By far the best part of the class was the trip into DC visiting embassies was so interesting and with a really cool talk from the Egyptian ambassador, I can say that was very very very different than what I expected. Overall I didn’t expect a lot from this class and I am surprised by all that I have learned and experienced.
Arab-American Writers
Today’s Lecture by Prof. Shalal-Esa was intriguing and new to me. The idea of focusing on the writing of Arab American authors was different. The understanding that these authors made content about all sorts of topics was great to hear but made the hyper-focus on the fact that they are Arab made the topic confusing. What I found most interesting was the perspective of Arabs of Arab society and of Arab perspective of other things. Such as the poetry which attempted to fight against the stereotypes like
“Hijab Scene 7 – Poem by Mohja Kahf
“No, I’m not bald under the scarf No, I’m not from that country where women can’t drive cars No, I would not like to defect I’m already American But thank you for offering What else do you need to know relevant to my buying insurance, opening a bank account, reserving a seat on a flight? Yes, I speak English Yes, I carry explosives They’re called words And if you don’t get up Off your assumptions They’re going to blow you away”
The challenging of the stereotypical questions and assumptions is powerful and emphatic. It was also hard to hear that even now it is difficult to get any anti-Israel material in print because of the monopoly on the market of publishing.
Overall the entire lecture and focus of study by Prof. Shalal-Esa was an interesting introduction to a new way of thinking to keep in mind next time I’m looking for a perspective change.
Famous Arab Americans
Let’s talk about Sam Maloof, who’s Sam Maloof you ask? Let me share with you a brief excerpt of this mans life. Samuel Solomon Maloof, a member of the large Maalouf family, in Chino, California, to Lebanese immigrants. After finishing high school, Maloof was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941, soon promoted from private to master sergeant. Being the child of Lebanese immigrants he learned Arabic at a young age as well as Spanish from a Hispanic maid all before learning English.
Sam Maloof was after his service in the military a well-regarded Woodworker, began designing and hand-making custom furniture in the 1950’s. He became recognized for his outstanding and unique designs and superb workmanship. His work has been shown in many famous locations including Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Most of his work was furniture.
Stylistically he chose a more fluid look to his work; 
I thought Sam Maloof would be an interesting choice for a famous Arab American because the obscurity of being famous as a woodworker was inherently fascinating to me. 
His art style is closer to sculpture design than a practical design. His style earned him a genius grant and both Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan have owned Maloof rockers. All in all this man though obscurely famous nonetheless still a relevant feature in the history of famous Arab Americans.
Dr. Leahy lecture
The issues that Dr. Leahy covered in her talk today started with the Oslo Accords and their roots for the issue of Palestine. Following the background of this, she gave her talk mostly concerning rule of law in relation to Palestine given its importance to the region and this showed us the relation to the US to the United States. The United States as she talked about is a massive supported or even some could say a puppet of Israel. No matter how peace talks come about in through our hand we will inevitably support the Isreali’s because of there massive influence here.
Some have called the Palestinian Crisis a key to peace in the middle east. noting that the issue has been a point of contention for many extremist groups and even states in the form of Iran. So if we were to find a solution to the issue of Palestine then it would be the harbinger of the peace in the region.
Dr. Leahy gave us an overview of Israel’s actions within Palestine and their propensity to break international laws, some of them being the overreaction in Lebanon or Gaza, where there was a quote from someone saying it was “an eye for an eyelash”. Which does well to summarize the actions of Isreal. All in all, I do agree with what she had to say given the sheer lack of room to argue against the actions of Isreal and the United States because of the number of facts pertaining to the issue. So yeah good talk, much appreciated.
A solution for Palestine
This is easily the hardest question to ask anyone and I mean it. There are top dogs on this problem and have been for at least 40 years. Knowing all that I know about the issue lets begin by laying out the facts.
Isreal has been a state since 1948, there are countless Isreali settlers within the west bank and Gaza is under constant siege. The neighboring countries are keener on working with Isreal than to search for a solution for Palestine. So we would have to look at outsiders like the European Union. Oh look at that they have a migrant crisis looks like they’re busy. Okay potentially then the United States, wait they acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal well… that’s not going to help. Then our Savior must be Russia then wait they don’t want to help either. Great well lets maybe see it as a more optimistic solution.
This is going to sound weird but potentially Palestinian assimilation into Israel and giving the rest of the west bank and Gaza to Israel making Palestinians citizens may be the best option for long-term peace. Give Palestinians government positions and slowly but surely come together in peace.
Another solution could be maybe and probably never going to happen but Jordan takes the west bank and Egypt takes Gaza and bada bing bada boom you’ve got yourself “autonomy” sort of because well at least they’re free of Isreal but this wouldn’t work in the west bank because, THANKS SETTLERS.
All in all the idea of an independent Palestine is as close to reality as the ottoman empire coming back into being. Shout out to ERDOGAN and his dictatorship telling off the Israelis. I really have to delete this post one day when I want to work in politics.
UPA Benifit Concert
The thing I like about these blogs is the fact that I know you, Dr. Esa are the only one who will probably read this. So, with that in mind, I could probably write some weird stuff and it’d be between you and me. Anyways, I can’t lie I went to this concert not excited about having to waste my time before studying for my test tomorrow. Though now that I’m out of it. I don’t think I’ve experienced a time in my life where I thought the time went by much too fast.
So during the concert I noticed a few things, Arabs talk with their hands in an adorable manner and the Oud is my new favorite instrument not only for the name but the really unique noise you get out of it. 
I mean just look at this thing what an interesting shape.
The way you can see and feel the passion in the faces and movements of the individuals performing is spectacular. Being that I have literally no clue on how to play any instrument so I’m beyond impressed by not only my man on the Oud but also the Drums. Let us not fail to remember that this guy pulled 4 different drums out and played I believe 3 of them in a single song, talk about a multi-talented guy.
Okay, now that I have gushed about the instruments lets talk about my favorite part of the night. Listening to one of the most angelic voices that ever blessed my ears. The shocking difference of styles of singing, as stated in the readings which I can now fully appreciate
“The human voice-the most ancient of instruments-figures prominently in the music of the Middle East. Vocal techniques are significantly different from those in the West. greatly exploring the sliding qualities which were mentioned earlier and utilizing all the quarter and microtones available to the voice”
Well, let me tell you she harnessed those tones to make something incredible. I would bet 100 dollars that if I understood or knew more of the songs than, I would have gushed like the lot of you did in the crowd.
Okay, Now I need to go study I hope this was sufficient though it was more of an opinion piece than a reflection. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to experience this it was a lot of fun.
Arab Musicians
The Musicians I chose for this project is a Palestinian Rap group/band. The Group is called DAM. I was recommended to this group a couple of months ago and have become a pretty big fan since. Especially the song I have linked down below
The group formed in the early 2000’s following the second intifada within Israel/Palestine. There are three members of the group Tamer Nafar, Suhell Nafar and Mahmoud Jreri. Suhell is the little brother of Tamer. All three are Arab Israeli’s a large minority group within Israel from the town of Lod. in 2000 Tamer had released his first official single “Min al Ta lal Alef lal M E R – From the T to the A to the M E R” over the R. Kelly’s instrumental feat Nas “Have you ever thought” the song hit number one charts in all of the Arab radios bringing DAM to the Palestinian mainstream and making them the group with the largest following and to a non stop shows. After this release the Palestinian Hip Hop scene started to spread, studios were opened and workshops for self-expression though rhymes started around. Around 2001, after a Palestinian suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, a few Extremist Israelis gathered around the Hassan Beck mosque in Yafa throwing stones at it and screaming Death to the Arabs, and Terrorists, DAM released their breakthrough single “Min Erhabi?
Min Erhabi, is the song I’ve chosen to focus on because not only is it rhythmically satisfying but, it is also lyrically genius and deep. It’s easily one of my favorite songs despite the harsh realities of the lyrics which can be seen translated in the video. The essence of the song as mentioned before talks of the sentiment of Palestinians when being fronted by the accusations of terrorism and the rationalization.
Whether you agree or disagree with the message there is still some truth to the lyrics, that the plight of Palestinians is that of David and Goliath; Yes I do understand the irony of the role switch in this situation.
Dam hasn’t produced anything major in the past six years, yet they do occasionally perform their older songs. Along with their music, they have created several documentaries one called Channels of rage which discusses the friendship between Subliminal, an Israeli Jew, and Tamer Nafar, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, as the events of the second intifada unfold.
Overall I think Dam has done well to give a new to express the feelings of Arabs in the region as well as expressing their own personal views of the Isreal-Palestine Conflict.
Femtochemistry a Zewail Science
Having an assignment surrounding Arabs who have contributed to the world in some way seems to neglect the fact that there’s like a ton of people who are Arab and have contributed to the world. Example, Steve Jobs though adopted by Americans he was Syrian by blood. That’s just one of like a ton that I can think of off the top of my head. For the purpose of this assignment, I decided to go with Nobel prize winners because that seemed fun.
What you encounter when you google that is Yasser Arafat, Sadat, and this guy Ahmed H. Zewail and a few others but I clicked on Ahmed’s name and had no clue as to what Femtochemistry was, so with my interest peaked I googled it and oh boy guess who has a new favorite field of science.
Femtochemistry for those who are not Ahmed is the area of physical chemistry that studies chemical reactions on extremely short timescales in order to study the very act of atoms within molecules rearranging themselves to form new molecules. The research done was accomplished by using a laser to detect the femtoseconds during a chemical reaction a femtosecond that is, one quadrillionth, or one-millionth of one billionth, of a second.
Ahmed himself was a pioneer of this new science and the potential that this research could contain is immense controlling chemical reactions as they happen what a spectacular thought could you stop things from rusting could you cure illnesses on an atomic level. I literally have no idea because I don’t understand the science behind it but, it’s pretty amazing to know someone did and that he was graciously awarded for his curiosity receiving the Nobel prize in 1999.
Ahmed H. Zewail born in 1946 in Damanhour, Egypt. Some would call this a pretty turbulent time in Egypt’s history given the Wars and egotistical rulers. Ahmed gained his bachelor of science and master of science in chemistry at Alexandria University, then moving to the States to finish his Ph.D. at U-Penn. As mentioned his key work was in femtochemistry he’s even known as the father of it, so as you can probably assume he was pretty important. Ahmed passed away in 2016 at the age of 70.
Read this Nobel Prize report and try to understand how smart this man was it will blow your mind. http://www.zewail.caltech.edu/JChemEduc.pdf
I may have only briefly mentioned that he’s Arab and that’s what this is all about but I’d like to make the point that he was a great and accomplished scientist before anything else and to know he’s also Arab is just a nice little side fact.
Now having read about him I can honestly say I would have loved to hear him talk about his research. Mixing chemistry and Physics is pretty amazing and his contributions to society will outlive us all.
R.I.P Ahmed H. Zewail 1946-2016 
“When I was a child, I thought of my Delta town as the center of the
universe, but now I realize how little I know about the universe. As a
child, I thought I was immortal, but now I recognize how limited a time
we all have. As a child, success meant scoring A on every exam, but
now I take it to mean good health, close family and friends, achieve-
ments in my work, and helping others.”
Syria; Why is this still happening?
Pouring through Jazeera English articles and finding nothing positive. One may argue articles of the Demise of ISIS as it was formally known, is a good thing but a snuffed out life is still a life lost.
Syria in the west is seen as this hotbed of extremism and anti-American sentiment. Rather in the case of Syria its a struggle for survival. Individuals trapped between evils, The Assad regime or ISIS. If you chose neither then you chose violence from all parties. Are you a Kurd then you are gonna have an even worse time. Chose to join the FSA (Free Syrian Army)? You’ve just made yourself an enemy of Russia. Try and flee the world rejects you. What do you do when your government gasses you and your neighbors are beheading people and foreign governments do nothing but bomb you. This is Syria a prison no safe place, and no way out.
The article I’ve read and chose to focus on surrounds the chemical attack committed by the Syrian government on its own people last Saturday.
I’d say supposedly but even the U.S has accused them of the action already. The actions are atrocious and the idea of suffocating to death when you’re just trying to get through your day is debilitating.
The most interesting section of this article though brief is when Heather Nauery a State Department spokesman said via Twitter on Thursday;
“Russia is making the wrong choice by not exercising its unique influence. To allow [the] Syria regime to use chemical weapons against its own people is unconscionable. We will pursue accountability,”
I find this interesting because on the surface civilian level the Trump Administration has taken a very light hand approach to dealing with Russia, and so presumably this is an empty accusation. If Russia remains allied to Assad no real direct action will come via the U.S.
The whole Syria situation is just so deplorable and it’s not just local actors to blame but international this has been one of the most poorly taken care of conflicts in recent history.
“In conclusion”: I wish there was a conclusion to be talked about but this conflict is just continuing to with more war crimes and atrocities to come. I cant finish this post because this conflict isn’t finis…
The Arab World
The Arab World, a class offered at McDaniel. The Arab World, a place of much controversy and speculation.
My knowledge of the Arab world is good now but could be better. I’d like to begin with the fact that prior to college my understanding of Islam and the Arab world was at a bare minimum Thinking that Iraq was just apart of Iran. I know now that I was just poorly taught in a very conservative place. Now, I know that the Arab Isreali Wars are region defining. I’m aware that the prophet Muhammad in 622 a.d brought the Arab world together from its tribal nature. I have a minor understanding of the effects of British and French colonialism on the region. I also have done a good amount of research on the topics of Syria post-Nassar era and Palestine’s intertwined history with Israel.
The reason I chose to take this course was due to a requirement for my major as well as a deep interest in the cultures and communities “Arabs” encompass. From the Maghreb to Iraq I wanna know what is happening and what makes the people of these places tick. My expectations for the class are the same I have for every class; I want to expand my knowledge of the Arab World. With knowledge comes understanding with understanding comes empathy.
As far as 9/11 is concerned I was only three years old at the time. So I remember very little. Being from the Western United States also made me very detached from the event. Growing up in a rural mining community I had no idea what an Arab was and only when I was 13 and played my first Call of Duty game did I know that Arabs were people who were apparently enemies of the United States. Obviously, as time went on and I became less ignorant, but 9/11 never had a big effect on my life besides increased security at the airport. If I didn’t know what an Arab was I truly had no clue what a Muslim was until I was a teenager. Learning briefly in history class about Islam I thought it just as strange as any religion being that I was raised areligious.
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