Sectarian, Ethnic and Mob Violence – By Majid Al Suleimany 1

For Sunday July 29th 2012

 My Website – www.majidall.com

 Between Us Only! 

Ethnic and Sectarian Violence! 

  • The world suffers now not because of evil people– but because of good people that have decided to remain silent – Albert Einstein
  •  All actions are judged by the motive prompting themThe Islamic Sayings – The Hadith
  • The search for someone to blame is always successful! – Robert Half

I was watching this Al Jazeera TV interview where the Bangladeshi President was being queried as to why they were sending back the Rohingyas – and her replying that her country was already full of Refugees – and they did not have space for anymore – and that it was not ‘her country’s problems’!

Images Assam India Violence

It is with a heavy heart, great sorrow and sadness to note the new ‘in-thing’ of ethnic and sectarian violence – that is now springing up in some parts of the world! I say with sadness and sorrow because most of these peoples affected are just themselves, gullible, unsuspecting poor naïve people – being used and utilized by others so-called ‘politicians and leaders’ of all sorts – for their own hidden agendas, manifest and innuendos!

What makes it more sad, tragic and pathetic is that the people involved in these violence are themselves always poor, needy and desperate lots – but are being used as targets and pawns of the ‘mischief and trouble-makers’ at the top. They are used like ‘dummies-puppets-on-strings’ by their controllers and their manipulators cum designers.

Images Rohingyas Burma Violence

That these things can happen in this Muslim Holy Fasting month makes it all the more sadder and more tragic. Not that we have enough in defined within borders of people still rising in the Arab Spring – like now in Syria and others – and or in another countries struck by economic strangulation and woes – but now within countries like in Myannamar (Burma), India, Nigeria, Iraq, Pakistan – and several others too!

Some Quotes on Mob Violence:-

  • Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary – Gandhi
  • Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived – Abraham Lincoln
  • The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out  – Chinese Proverb
  • What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another? – Alan Paton
  • Who overcomes by force hath overcome but half his foe – John Milton

The REAL Religiouspeople and Scholars at least – if not the Politicians – are expected and required to do much more than just disinterests and apathy – or even as is being suggested in some places – that they are even led –  either directly or on the sidelines – by the so-called ‘Religious cum Political Leaders’ too!

The Secular, The Professionals, The Intellectuals, NGOs, the People outside their own countries – should indeed speak out! Now before everyone become the Losers!

And all these mob, sectarian and ethnic violence? For what? And for what reason and purpose? For what purpose, will and intention? What is there to be gained by using such poor innocent naïve trusting people for these whimsical, crude, unethical and unprincipled – hidden or even wide open agendas?

.Not only they are discrediting themselves, their ethnic groupings – but even the society and the nations that they represent – or supposed to represent. One of the signs that are said of the ‘end of the world’ is that when you hear somebody has died – you in turn feel jealous and envious – that it was not you that had died! I can associate this feeling and inclination – seeing how bad things have become now in the world – all the doom, despair, decadence, malaise and disasters that we are facing now!

To the extent that one just starts to think loud – in shock and awe – what job and responsibilities that are awaiting for our Great Prophet Jesus Christ – Nabih Issa – on his coming to save the world for ourselves – and from ourselves – seeing all that is going around now. I am convinced that all the Great Prophets are turning in their graves now – seeing all that is going on now.

Believe me – even that what you would call as ‘nature worshippers’ of trees, rivers, sun, moon – and whatever you may have – have the same outlook, focus, will and intentions – that human beings should live together ‘as one’ in peace and harmony. They even believe in preserving nature as it is – and that even for example – not to to disturb migratory ants on the ground – giving them wide space and non-interference to do their bit! They can easily shame and disgrace us by these outlooks and practices.

There are some tribes in deep Africa that I know that do not hunt animals – because they feel they are to share the world with them – but eat only wild fruits and berries – or in the worst case scenarios – would eat only those wild animals that have died – if they must eat to survive – and live on!

Yet if you go and ask them if it is all right to go to your neighbour’s house or village – and kill them for no other reason but based on ethnicities – and so-called Religions – they will consider you dangerous, as mental and psychologically unbalanced – and people need to be protected around you and that you will interact – and interface with.

A long time ago in that distant land this type of believer told me to move my feet – because I was trampling on some black ants! It shocked me to smithereens – and here I was thinking in my mind and heart – that I was ‘better than this so-called Big Baobab tree believer!

The people who are suffering are themselves – the needy, hungry and desperate themselves. One such poor person going out to cause maximum harm, damage, maiming and killing of another himself of the same lots and in suffering – in mob violence – and xenophobic rampage and violence – tinted with so-called religious and ethnicity divide and polarisation.

It is a bloody shame to the so-called Religious and National Leaders to allow such things to happen – and continue to happen in their countries – especially to those that are quick to come out to blame the others as the cause of the violence – with their hidden agendas, manifest and focuses.

A Great Wise Arab Leader had said – The friends of today can be the enemies of tomorrow – and the enemies of today can be the friends of tomorrow! I think it is high time that we Arabs and Muslims prioratised and analysed in truth, sincerity and in being genuine and truthful – that are now our REAL friends and those that are not – and we do our duties, responsibly and what is required for us to do – for our future, history, legacy and destiny – and remembering all the recent events happening all around us now – before it is too late for everyone.

May Allah God Protect and Preserve us all – May The Good Lord Direct and Show us the Right Ways and Path – Amin Amen

Take Care!

By: 

Majid Al Suleimany

Flying Your Own Wings! By Majid Al Suleimany Reply

Outlook!

 Flying Your Own Wings!

We have all heard about birds of a feather – fly together! But flying your own wings? It just means using just your own wings to fly – not depending on anyone else to fly – and doing it your way only!

  •  The birds fly – because they know they can – Anon
  • A Successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him - David Brinkley
  • You can succed if nobody else believes it, but you can never succeed if you don’t believe in yourself – William Boetcker
  • Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do, then what one can do - Lin Yutang
  • Everyday I wake up a little afraid. Only a fool is never afraid - Ron Meyer
  • There are no coincidences in life. Everything is for a reason – Orchids and Thoughts
  • Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you – Madeline Bridges
  • Don’t expect life to be fair! - Orchids and Thoughts
  • Sometime ago when I was in my lowest of depressions and frustrations in life – a good German friend of mine had sent me the following message – which I will share with you today! He just said – QuoteI must say that some of your mails hit the nail right on the head – and I really enjoyed reading them. Some have been too emotional for the “German” Reader’. I don’t think that you should give up now! Why would you ever give up a passion?

 If you marry a woman, you start loving her passionately, she is giving you the greatest gift a man can receive- kids, she is there for you as your wife, friend, advisor, mother, sister and not to forget as your passion. Can you imagine waking up one day and telling her: I don’t love you anymore passionately?

 No, because passion is a value that you cannot loose or give up! Don’t give up writing. Take a break, take a deep breath and rediscover your passion. Love your passion as you did the first day, as passion is a part of you and you need it. Take care my friend! Unquote.

 A good Indian old friend of mine said the same words to me – which I will also share with you - Quote - In everyone’s life there are ups and downs, especially in a writer’s life. Many times people don’t take them seriously.  Some may say writers are eccentric, others may say he is a rebel. Such adjectives are suffered by many Writers, such is the world of letters. 

You will be remembered somewhere in the world sometime even after you are gone, when people happen to see your book and your name. As a friend my sincere advice is do not stop writing – and just do not give up now – out of all times!Unquote.

 In the Holy books, we have read of how even Great Prophets like our own Great Prophet (SAW) and Moses (Prophet Musa – RA) in few weak times of their lives went despondent and despairing – at one or other times in their lives.  And then we have other Great Prophets like Jacob (Ayoub) and Joseph (Yousuf) – who suffered against great odds and trials in life – but did not give up faith in God always! Records and History books are full of other great men and women in life that went similar.

 

The Author and His Books

Although writing for me is my hobby – since I was 14 years old – my passion and the motive in keeping me going on in life – it was not my first ambition in life. I had always wanted to be a Pilot first and paramount – writing and journalism came a clear second! But I never knew I had eyes problems till when I wanted to join the Air Force in that distant land – for Pilots being trained in Canada.

 I had ended – after my studies in UK – to join as a Human Resources Professional – in that oil company. The rest that happened after opting out for early retirement – going into a bust business – and what started as a weekly columnist 9 years ago to a full fletched author of five books – two being in Arab Management – and the 6th one near completion on Road Safety Stories (Novel Type) now! More details at my new website – www.majidalsuleimany.com

 What started – as an ambition to be a Pilot – had ended up to be something else. I guess there are could be also retired – or still flying – Pilots out there – and who are now as avid Authors and Writers too! God – how I envy them – getting the best of two things that you really had wanted in life?

 My pretty Indian Literature Lecturer in High School told me – a great Miss F from Goa –  Life is like a stage!. Sometimes we are endowed with roles and characters that we had never aspired to. But the best thing that you can do – and a great credit to yourself – is to play that role well! You are very right – Miss F!

Happy 4th of July Greetings to the American fans. May Allah God Protect and Preserve us all – Amin Amen  Take Care!

By: -

 Majid Al Suleimany

The Doha Mall Fire – by Majid Al Suleimany 1

For Sunday June 3rd 2012

 Between Us Only! (Outlook)

The Doha Mall Disaster. 

  • The ink of the Scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyrThe Hadith (Islamic Sayings).
  • Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine – and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusementThe Hadith.
  • That person will not enter Paradise who hath one atom of pride in his heart! – Again The Hadith.
  • Commonsense is not so common – Voltaire.
  • Words once printed, have a life of their own – Carol Burnett
  • Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it – George Santayana
  • I’m dying - one of the three Filipino teachers trapped in the fire told her aunt in a text message – before she succumbed to her death.
  • The children are trapped, the smoke is too thick – Another Filipino teacher to her husband.

Below Images – Villaggio Mall – Doha Qatar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images – Tne Triplets that Perished in the fire – and their Parents (New Zealand)

I was reading this article about the fire that had broken out last Monday at the nursery school in the Qatari capital Doha in the city’s Villaggio Mall. In a press conference held in the city on Monday evening – the Qatar’s Government confirmed that 19 had perished: 13 children, four teachers and two civil defence workers. A further 17 people were injured in the fire – four of them children and a number of civil defence workers.

No explanation over how the fire had started has yet been provided. The victims included people from Spain, Japan, the Philippines, Benin and Arab countries – not including Qatar, the officials said.

Two-year old triplets from New Zealand – Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes – have also been confirmed as being among those that were left dead after this huge fire at this shopping mall. “Lillie, Jackson and Willsher came into this world together and were inseparable as siblings, best friends and the joy of our life,” the heart-broken and the tragic couple said in a statement to the Press at the place – and to consoling friends.

More Images Below

Amongst the alleged lapses (1) Mall employees not acting fast enough when the fire erupted – (2) Fire alarms did not go off or rang faintly – (3) No emergency exists at place of fire – (4) No drawings available – (5) The kindergarten was not known to have existed nor was legally sanctioned to be in this mall – (6) Some of the sprinklers in the mall malfunctioned and fire exit doors were locked – and several others.

It is definitely a great tragedy and one can but just imagine the terrible grief and agony that their parents – and the other victims’ families – are facing now – when such young innocent lives are swept away and lost in this way.

About two years back, I was going to this Mall to check on if any of my books were sold still yet at this shopping mall in town. I had written an article about this – because I forgot where I had parked my car. The Omani young boy and girl had really helped me out to locate the car – after pointing it out to them in the security cameras.

It was then easy for them to give me a lift in their car trolley to my parked car. What really impressed me the most was first for them to identify myself as the real owner of the car – and seeing all these cameras watching all the scenes going on – which I would assume there were no blind corners or invisible places not covered by the cameras! It was a great wake-up call for me on the realities and practicalities of life. Sometimes in life we think we know everything – and no one can fool us – but there is still out there far much to learn still – and catch up!

Zakheir Mall Oman Images Below

In the week before that we had the incident at Zakher Mall too in town. We see every day about places that have mysteriously have caught fires – and the usual culprit is blamed to be an electric short circuit. Like in many people – I used to be sarcastic and cynical on this – until I saw it live – at one of the places I used to work when the ceiling lights caught fire – presumably because they have been kept on running for too long – day in and day out.

Like we the Arabs like to say also always in this thing – from the stomach of evil came blessings – and that is how my last Arab Management book – A Cry For Help! – came into being – www.myown-ebooks.com. It was another wake-up call for me on human foibles, vanity and weaknesses – vileness, deceit and betrayals – and truthfully nothing more surprised me any more – even the ominous and sort of prophesied in the book one year later – the Arab Spring Uprisings – and thus the title of the book in a cry for help!

 

It is well understandable that some maybe asking at this particular juncture where is the relationship and the correlation between a mall fire and my books – and perhaps am just finding excuses to propagate and push my books at any possibility? Let me connect the dots and in explaining myself here – if you will give me the chance to do so!

The question that I need to pose here is this. Why do we take things for granted and for surety that nothing can or may happen – until it really does happen – and it does – and again we are caught surprised and unawares – again and again – and all go into fire-fighting and reactive mode? What is this curse on us now? Instead of being pragmatic and active – and as we all know prevention is far better than cure – and if even the cure will work – and if not too late already – or the damage and repercussions have already taken place?

How many times people have written about employees being unhappy at the workplaces? How many times people have written – and spoken too – about how we carry our young children to schools – and how they are being treated in schools too? Accidents about to happen – as the headings go! Even the nurseries and the kindergarten are not spared even! Even live photos and videos are shown – yet we do not still see! It goes in to one ear and out from the other! Till something dastardly and big happens – and the learning curve is again short lived. Till the next time!

There are same or similar situations existing in the Private Schools – and perhaps even in the public schools – and possibly in our own malls too. There are private schools in residential areas – and near homes of residences of people – exposing them to great risks and dangers!

Please forgive me because I am not an Engineer – nor an Architecture or HSE expert or advisor. All I know is writing job descriptions and human resources policies and procedures books. And columns and books – more as a hobby, interest and passion. I did not even attend book-writing or journalist courses – so even in that I just stumbled into writing – and cannot in the real sense of the world put claims to be an expert either!

But let us use some of the faculties given to us by The Lord – our common senses, brains, judgments, analysis and evaluations – our own consciences – of what is right or wrong – our intuitions and perceptions – and whatever else! Till a tragedy or happening will occur than reactively – after the event and in fire fighting – we are all then propelled into action and dynamism.

I personally think it is this fatalistic and do-not-care-a-damn – and do-not-want-to-hear-anything-from-anyone – and also this let-them-wait-and-suffer traits in all of us that is as the main cause of all the problems facing us now and with us – and will be far more with us – if we still continue in these ways and behaviours.

I also hold this my strong view that many of our problems today arise mainly from the ‘poor type and weak personality behaviours and characters people’ – that are in their positions now – not because they are good, competent and capable – but are there merely  more to ‘follow the line – not to rock the boat’ syndrome. They are there just to ensure to ‘keep the lid on’ – ‘just stays on’. They come with ‘killer instincts’ survival – like the sharks – that will attack anything coming near them – even their own – and even if not an adversary or enemy for that matter! Even that person who just wants to say Hello to him!

Lord Have the mercy on all of us – and Protect and Preserve us all – Amin Amen.

Take Care! 

By: - 

Majid Al Suleimany