Why I am Not Surprised! Or, the Cowardly Heretic!

During my second and final encounter with Assef Chawkat, the one that sealed my fate, as it were, the desk of the Illustrious General was covered with black and yellow files and old law books with small white cardboard bookmarks sticking from their sides. The General has done his homework it seems. He has researched all the old law books in search of legal ways for intimidating activists while avoiding recourse to the discredited emergency laws and security courts. Continue reading “Why I am Not Surprised! Or, the Cowardly Heretic!” →

Capitol Heresies!

I will be appearing in Capitol Hill tomorrow to speak at a conference on Immigration, Integration and Identity. My little intervention will focus on the issue of Integration & Introspection. My main point can be summarized as follows:

To facilitate the integration of Muslim communities in the traditional redoubts of western culture and civilization, namely Europe and the US, each side needs to be self-critical and not just critical of the other. But in truth, and while some criticism along these lines seems to be taking place among western intellectuals and policymakers, we are seeing little serious introspection on part of the Muslim communities involved. This seems to be one of the main driving forces behind the growing frustration of certain figures and groups in the West, both Muslim and non-Muslim. The result: many have begun to vent their frustration in ways that are simply too confrontational and sensational to allow for viable dialogue.

Happiness, Nostalgia & Longing!

I have always been driven to do the right and decent thing. And my standards are seldom self-serving. I often find myself having to go against my own wishes and desires, against some of my own internal predispositions even, to do what appears to me right and decent by the “traditional” if not “universal” standards for these things, albeit filtered through my personal experiences. After all, ignoring my desires and wishes is one thing, but I cannot ignore the dictates of reason conscience. Continue reading “Happiness, Nostalgia & Longing!” →

A Feast Full of Lies & Cannibals!

With the head of the Syrian parliament announcing the formation of a committee in charge of formulating a new elections law, the “reform process” in the country is really proceeding along. Soon, we will have another born-obsolete elections law to be shelved next to the born-useless party laws, which in turn sits pretty cozy next to the born-redundant NGO laws, all to the ennoblement and joy of all those wonderful committee members who worked so hard to surpass our wildest expectations and prove that they are even more stupid that we had ever dared think. Continue reading →