we have to start some where.

But seriously Its not that I don’t believe there is a lot of gray around us, it would be ignorant to claim that, all I’m saying here is that we need to have a strong belief in our core issue….I remember attending an event where Azmi Bshara made a speech soon after Sep-11. In the middle of the fear and paranoia that gripped America back then (and still today to an extent) he said something that I believe is extremely important, he said that the Palestinian (and Arab)cause is just at its core, you should not fear when you speak about it and defend it, you should not flex or bend to accommodate the artificial realities being created around you. It is similar to the discussion we hear, if we are afraid then the terrorists have won, it is so true, except the definition of terrorists for us is the exact opposite here.

I was fortunate enough to read and review it a few years ago:
http://www.black-iris.com/2005/12/26/arab-voices-speak-review/

You claim that there is nothing that Arabs can do to change the West’s perception of Islam and Arabs. I disagree. To hold to such an attitude is to throw up one’s hands and say, “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it so why fix anything?”

For some reason i’m using those two words a lot these days lol

Ola: it does have its advantages

Khaled and Um Omar: you make a very valid point however, to be fair, she does that do that already. the difference here is that this is more publicized for all the obvious reasons (youtube, global, etc). and as for religion, like i said in my post, it’s tricky territory, however i don’t think she’s done a poor job before, i think she’s been incredibly (and sometimes deliberately) misunderstood. in any case, i don’t believe, by rule of thumb, that any official should speak in the name of islam if they are not an authority on the subject. it also saves a lot of hassle for themselves.

nasim: good job bro

I am also worried about how she will answer some religious questions, since she has done a poor job in the past representing correct Islam.

Despite the fact that almost the same stereotypes are going to be brought up over and over, i’m sure she will get asked about a whole variety of issues that will be quite challenging. I hope she handles it all well.

Good move, a better one would be talking to our own people, addresing our own issues, cleaning house as they say it.

Why not talking to Jordanians about honor killing, Gulfans about mistreatment of Asian Expats…

I think it wold be more fruitful if first talked to us Arabs about our own mishaps.

Inflation, education, racism, radicalism, women…..

Once we acheive some sort of progress inhouse, it is time to look out and ask outsiders WHATSUP!

But that’s just my 2Cents.

Peace