My Bahrain

So, since some of you never knew about "Bahrain" the country where I'm from, I decided to put up some pictures and an intro. The wiki (of course) intro is:

Bahrain, officially Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: مملكة البحرين‎, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn, literally: "Kingdom of the Two Seas"), is a small island country in the Persian Gulf ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, which was officially opened on 25 November 1986. Qatar is to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain.

Picture speak more:

The first picture is how my island looks like, you've seen this on my wall in my room.

I've mentioned it was small, to make you realize how small, this following picture was taken from NASA's space shuttle, and my island is hiding somewhere in the picture - try finding it

Bahrain, time again, I've said is more liberal and modern than what is thought about in the middle east. This picture is evidence. The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first skyscraper to integrate wind turbines into its design.
This picture is of the capital Manama. Manama (Arabic: المنامة, transliteration: al-Manāma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain with an approximate population of 155,000 people. Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians and English earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.

This picture is what I want you to know more about. In the background, you might see a "hill". To me, that is the highest elevation in Bahrain, highest 122m that is Mount Dukhan.

Bahrain fort is an archaeological site located in Bahrain. It is composed of an artificial mound created by human inhabitants from 2300 BC up to the 1700's. A bit of history for you ;)

And finally my flag, the five daggers in the middle symbolize the five pillars of my religion Islam: profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms - mandatory charity to the poor, fasting, specially during Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj.

Most importantly, the flag almost uses the same colors as Canada, my new home!!!

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Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light)

Just a note:

Matisyahu in his song Jerusalem sings:

Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gonna come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do

In the Old Testament, Psalm 137

4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD
while in a foreign land?

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill .

6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.

So, I noticed it, and helped out explain the significance to a good friend of mine.

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Racist comedy? My thoughts on the issue

So – another post that might just open your eyes to the reality of my opinions. You might disregard entirely after reading this post, or, you might just be convinced. It is hard, thinking about it, to argue my point when the culture here overwhelmingly accepts comedy that brings about race in a very light manner. So, consider the reality now but be critical of it if you are to continue reading my post.

Coming to Canada, many of you by virtue of knowing me, have realized that at times, I have become uber-sensitive to certain situation wherein I take things that have said to me to a very deeper meaning that what is intended. Therefore, when I am sitting in the common room and Russell Peters is on - I sometimes am troubled. The jokes that he makes sometimes are never consolidated by the fact the he sometimes say is in the spirit of jokes. Now, don't get me wrong, some of the jokes - by virtue of response of the audience lead to the fact of the same but my realization is that I someone out there is being hurt, offended or insulted - that bothers me. Some of the jokes that he makes are generalizations that at times are not clarified as that - generalizations. Russell Peters is just an example. The reality is more important, and when I say reality, I'm talking about the reality outside the realm of the comedy world. Let me explain more.

Some of you may know about my wonderful experience when I went up to Vernon. Let me narrate it for those of you who have not heard this tale. After the Bahrain vs. New Zealand match (wherein Bahrain lost =[), I left the hotel to take some fresh air. I met two men who upon looking at me asked me where I am from. I simply responded that I am from Dubai (many of you the story of why I say that, in fact I am from Bahrain). So, one of them responded with saying: "where the f**k is that?” I responded "the middle east. Now the shock comes: the guy bluntly says: so do you have a bomb. Me realizing that he might be playing a joke, I asked him are you joking. He responds by saying, no I am serious. His friend, realizing the situation as getting out of hand tells his friend that that is not a nice thing to say. So he simply walks away.

Again, I might be taking things to a sensitive level, but I am left to wonder. So, putting things together, the reality is this: this person might or might not be a huge fan of Russell but the fact that there are some people here in Canada that thinks like that is just horrifying to me. If there is someone, around our small community at UBCO, at REZ specifically that might be racist, in some way, shape or form, society is broken down. Tying things together, the comedy that is shown on mainstream media might solidify that sadness of reality - racism. It might breed hate - if at all at a small level, hatred breeds hatred. It becomes alright, through this form to become racist, even if the intention is not prevalent. So I ask you this, is it alright? Is it alright to be in some way hypocritical when you think it is alright to laugh at racist jokes?

(Abdul) - As I am now called!

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CBC News: Budget to contain no new spending, taxes: official

No, I haven't yet posted anything that is political in nature but let me start here. For a long while, I considered myself conservative, traditional and right of center. I often pride in the institutions of government and traditions more specifically - whether here in Canada, the USA or even in my beloved Bahrain - whom His Majesty the King has installed on us in the country since 2002.

But wait, something political has happened here in Canada since my arrival that I take initiative in being critical with that most Canadian youth don't. The Right Honorable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada prorogued parliament for the second time while under a minority conservative government. Going back to basics with the issue, the first prorogation of parliament by Harper occurred because of dispute with the opposition with regards to the fiscal update by MP Flaherty. The second, more recent prorogation was for the Olympics - supposedly. So now, with another update that does not include spending - will another dispute rise? Will MP Ignatieff rise to the occasion as did Stéphane Dion the last time?

My opinion - my trust in the Conservative Party under PM Harper is in question. Let me revise that. I agree, entirely with the movement that spending must be cut in times of a recession. My simply argument is this: the USA continuous to spend, money from future generations, to "stimulate" the economy, however, what this does is dig up a bigger hole for the generations to come because the increase in the national debt. So, PM Harper's Conservative policy on spending cuts make sense to me, economically. But the trust that I lost or about to is for the general well being for Canada. Can Canada handle another dispute, parliament being prorogued and stalled - meaning legislation being stalled - legislation that is equally important in scale than the economy - crime for example. Can Canada handle another election? These are questions I pose, and I know some people already know the answer to those.

Now, you might ask why do I, (Abdul as I am now called) interested in all of this. Some may say I have no vested interest in Canada or vice versa. I am merely a "temporary resident" and I stress on the "temporary" aspect of my stay. My study permit only limits my stay until 2013, after which I am bound to leave this beautiful country. I tell you this, as long as I am here, any politics affect the country, but more importantly and significantly is that it affects us individually. It affects the business men, students - international and domestic, the nurse, the doctor and even the homeless that roam the streets at night looking for shelter. So yes, I have a vested interest to be here, even if its till 2013. The same Charter of Rights and Freedoms that is applied to citizens, apply to me - and this is why I take interest in Canadian Politics.

So, this is my rant during my Political Science class as this question is being posed: What is Sacred? Ponder on that question as I ponder on that. or think about this: Is violence the same as power? There are many questions that rise in everyday life and ask you people, you know who you are when you're reading this, to take an interest in your own politics - because one day you might just regret not having to.

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Etiquette during the playing of the national anthem

According to the official law concerning any protocol in Canada, this is what I have found:
"As a matter of respect and tradition, it is proper to stand for the playing of "O Canada" as well as for the anthem of any other nation.

It is traditional for civilian men to take off their hats during the playing of the national anthem. Women as well as children do not remove their hats on such occasions.

There is no law or behaviour governing the playing of the national anthem; it is left to the good citizenship of individuals."

Therefore, sometimes it offends me when someone talks during O Canada - but if people decide to do it, at least respect is being shown. right? (hint: sarcasm)

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Sitting in Econ

A quick update about life at UBCO. I'm sitting in UBCO's biggest (negligible) lecture hall with the famous Econ professor pretending to listen to something I have already studied at Al Noor International. Yet, I am still here, being the typical university student because it is my duty to attend and not sleep in - others might disagree with me, but its their loss of potential. Anyway, my neighbor is staring into oblivion - who knows what hes thinking about ... maybe something about a jell-0 wrestling event. Anyway, my Econ professor is starting to become hostile to students' stupidity - sad.

Until something new.

Oh. my name is now Abdul (as I am now continuously called even though it bothers me from time to time)

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AND USA wins at hockey ... again against Canada

So, just an update: USA wins their match against Canada here in Vancouver - Shoooug as someone would say

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