Comments on: Visiting The Baqa’a Refugee Camp http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/ A Jordanian Blog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:56:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ana http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-131492 Ana Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:10:08 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-131492 Here is a short (4 min) Explore documentary on the Boxing Club of Baqa'a, which you may not have had a chance to visit on your trip -- featuring Faraj Mahmoud Darwish, one of the best lightweight boxers in Jordan. http://explore.org/explore/middleeast/films/171 Enjoy! Explore.org, an arm of the Annenberg Foundation, goes beyond mere grant giving and travels to the places where courageous non-profit leaders are making a difference, documenting their work through films and photography. Here is a short (4 min) Explore documentary on the Boxing Club of Baqa’a, which you may not have had a chance to visit on your trip — featuring Faraj Mahmoud Darwish, one of the best lightweight boxers in Jordan.

http://explore.org/explore/middleeast/films/171

Enjoy!

Explore.org, an arm of the Annenberg Foundation, goes beyond mere grant giving and travels to the places where courageous non-profit leaders are making a difference, documenting their work through films and photography.

]]> By: mo http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92664 mo Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:17:21 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92664 jazak Allah khair jazak Allah khair

]]> By: A http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92639 A Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:43:47 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92639 First of all, may Allah bless your efforts in Ramadan. I am really struck by the way Amman is so divided by class. I would highly recommend that people from both sides of the divide attempt to know what is on the other side. Honestly, people should take their kids to the camps for shopping, eating, making friends, etc. First of all, may Allah bless your efforts in Ramadan.

I am really struck by the way Amman is so divided by class. I would highly recommend that people from both sides of the divide attempt to know what is on the other side. Honestly, people should take their kids to the camps for shopping, eating, making friends, etc.

]]> By: Pheras Hilal http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92224 Pheras Hilal Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:43:41 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92224 That's some really good work Naseem, great job! Frankly, your efforts aren't really just a drop in an ocean, I still think that even if such a project is still done on a small-scale, it can make a difference, and it become some sort of catalyst to bring up similar projects to the forefront. But I still think that it would be good to have the donors in touch directly with the receivers; everybody can use a bit of a reality check. Baqaa needs to realize that it is not alone in this, and Amman needs to get out of its bubble. That’s some really good work Naseem, great job! Frankly, your efforts aren’t really just a drop in an ocean, I still think that even if such a project is still done on a small-scale, it can make a difference, and it become some sort of catalyst to bring up similar projects to the forefront. But I still think that it would be good to have the donors in touch directly with the receivers; everybody can use a bit of a reality check. Baqaa needs to realize that it is not alone in this, and Amman needs to get out of its bubble.

]]> By: Mohammad http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92203 Mohammad Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:58:35 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92203 You are absolutely right Naseem. It is not all or none, we can certainly improve things a lot even if the ultimate solution is still far, far ahead. You are absolutely right Naseem. It is not all or none, we can certainly improve things a lot even if the ultimate solution is still far, far ahead.

]]> By: Hareega http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92194 Hareega Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:16:51 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92194 Thanks a lot for pointing out that there is a Jordan different than the one in Amman. My mother worked in an UNRWA school In Baq'a for more than ten years and everyday she had a story of a child living in a miserable condition. The tragedies there are endless. Thanks a lot for pointing out that there is a Jordan different than the one in Amman. My mother worked in an UNRWA school In Baq’a for more than ten years and everyday she had a story of a child living in a miserable condition. The tragedies there are endless.

]]> By: Nas http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92161 Nas Sun, 07 Oct 2007 22:12:33 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92161 Thanks for all the comments and points of views. All are appreciated. <b>Mohammad:</b> I agree with everything you said, even the last part in theory. But if finding a solution to camp like baqa'a camp lies in finding a fair solution to the Palestinian cause, specifically the right of return, then they (and we) will be waiting a very, very long time. unfortunately. Thanks for all the comments and points of views. All are appreciated.

Mohammad: I agree with everything you said, even the last part in theory. But if finding a solution to camp like baqa’a camp lies in finding a fair solution to the Palestinian cause, specifically the right of return, then they (and we) will be waiting a very, very long time.

unfortunately.

]]> By: Mohammad http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92157 Mohammad Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:07:12 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92157 Good description of the conditions of the Camp, although there is some "tourist" tinge to it, not to undermine the great effort of the group and their genuine intentions. An important point is that charity is only a temporizing measure. Much more is needed so that someone from western Amman does not find Baq'a, which is a 30 minute drive, a differnet planet. Unfotunately things in Jordan, as in most of the world, are moving in a direction where the huge gap is only growing bigger. The economic aspect, as important as it is, must not eclipse the other sides of the story, especially as it pertains to refugee camps. These are not simply poor villages with deteriorating conditions, the camps are the product of the displacement of people from their homes, and this fact is still very relevant after 40 (or 59) years. The problems of these people will not be solved without finding a fair solution to the Palestinian cause. Good description of the conditions of the Camp, although there is some “tourist” tinge to it, not to undermine the great effort of the group and their genuine intentions.

An important point is that charity is only a temporizing measure. Much more is needed so that someone from western Amman does not find Baq’a, which is a 30 minute drive, a differnet planet. Unfotunately things in Jordan, as in most of the world, are moving in a direction where the huge gap is only growing bigger.

The economic aspect, as important as it is, must not eclipse the other sides of the story, especially as it pertains to refugee camps. These are not simply poor villages with deteriorating conditions, the camps are the product of the displacement of people from their homes, and this fact is still very relevant after 40 (or 59) years. The problems of these people will not be solved without finding a fair solution to the Palestinian cause.

]]> By: Bilal - Black Jack :) http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92124 Bilal - Black Jack :) Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:38:20 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92124 Nas, I personally believe this is the best article I have read on your blog. This is what a true blogging is all about. God bless your efforts. Nas, I personally believe this is the best article I have read on your blog.

This is what a true blogging is all about. God bless your efforts.

]]> By: Qwaider قويدر http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92106 Qwaider قويدر Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:00:19 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92106 Somehow, people pass by, thinking (and hoping) they won't catch the image with the side of their eye. It's like how people turn their face from death. They want to forget, they want to go on with their life as if nothing has happened Trying to forget, the guilt ... The obligation towards other humans, and being grateful for what we have! Blessed efforts Nas... Somehow, people pass by, thinking (and hoping) they won’t catch the image with the side of their eye.
It’s like how people turn their face from death. They want to forget, they want to go on with their life as if nothing has happened

Trying to forget, the guilt … The obligation towards other humans, and being grateful for what we have!

Blessed efforts Nas…

]]> By: In a Palestinian Camp « Friends Seminary - The Making of the Middle East http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92045 In a Palestinian Camp « Friends Seminary - The Making of the Middle East Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:35:29 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92045 [...] a Palestinian Camp Jump to Comments On Wednesday, one of the blogs that Helena Cobban showed was The Black Iris, which is mostly aboutaffairs in Jordan.  As we just discussed in class the other day, Jordan is a country with few economic resources.  It also has few cities that were ever major cultural centers in the Arab world.  In the last few years, the economy of Jordan has been improving.  Much of that improvement is connected to the war in Iraq.  Lots of military and civilian officials are based in Amman, since the situation in Iraq is so dangerous.  In a post today on The Black Iris, Naseem Tarawnah describes his recent visit to the Palestinian refugee camp Baqa’a to bring supplies and donations.  He gives a good sense of life in the camps and the difficulties under which most Palestinians live.  The Baqa’a camp was an emergency camp set up in 1968 after the second wave of Palestinian refugees came to Jordan. Nearly 40 years later, it is now home to well over 100,000 people, the majority of which are registered as refugees. The birth rate is very high and so is unemployment. Many of the residents travel to Amman to find work. You actually don’t need statistics to believe any of this as a simple 4 hour visit will do, but I recommend you Google it to find out more.To clear one thing up, most people who are not aware of these realities will tend to picture a camp consisting of tents. Although all refugee camps start out that way, the longer they last, the more they begin to turn into a village. All the homes are made of stone like ordinary village homes of Jordan, but the one difference is, none of them have roofs. The camp is still technically land belonging to the Jordanian government so by not having a roof, you are not claiming it as your own. Hence, pretty much all the homes are covered with what we locally call “zinco” sheets. Some of the more unfortunate homes are made entirely out of these sheets as well as lumber. [...] [...] a Palestinian Camp Jump to Comments On Wednesday, one of the blogs that Helena Cobban showed was The Black Iris, which is mostly aboutaffairs in Jordan.  As we just discussed in class the other day, Jordan is a country with few economic resources.  It also has few cities that were ever major cultural centers in the Arab world.  In the last few years, the economy of Jordan has been improving.  Much of that improvement is connected to the war in Iraq.  Lots of military and civilian officials are based in Amman, since the situation in Iraq is so dangerous.  In a post today on The Black Iris, Naseem Tarawnah describes his recent visit to the Palestinian refugee camp Baqa’a to bring supplies and donations.  He gives a good sense of life in the camps and the difficulties under which most Palestinians live.  The Baqa’a camp was an emergency camp set up in 1968 after the second wave of Palestinian refugees came to Jordan. Nearly 40 years later, it is now home to well over 100,000 people, the majority of which are registered as refugees. The birth rate is very high and so is unemployment. Many of the residents travel to Amman to find work. You actually don’t need statistics to believe any of this as a simple 4 hour visit will do, but I recommend you Google it to find out more.To clear one thing up, most people who are not aware of these realities will tend to picture a camp consisting of tents. Although all refugee camps start out that way, the longer they last, the more they begin to turn into a village. All the homes are made of stone like ordinary village homes of Jordan, but the one difference is, none of them have roofs. The camp is still technically land belonging to the Jordanian government so by not having a roof, you are not claiming it as your own. Hence, pretty much all the homes are covered with what we locally call “zinco” sheets. Some of the more unfortunate homes are made entirely out of these sheets as well as lumber. [...]

]]> By: 7ala http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92040 7ala Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:01:05 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2007/10/07/visiting-the-baqaa-refugee-camp/#comment-92040 Oh my God , we live in another world!!!! Great post ya Naseem, its your best post ever! Ya3teekom alf 3afyeh w allah ybarek fikom. Oh my God , we live in another world!!!!

Great post ya Naseem, its your best post ever!

Ya3teekom alf 3afyeh w allah ybarek fikom.

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