I think my apologizing to my blog visitors is turning into a bad habit. I've pretty much decided I wont apologize again :)
Jokes aside, a lot has been going on the past few days. I haven't really posted anything substantial, so hopefully this posting will fulfill my desire to inform and enlighten my friends and strangers alike. Well, strangers more, because apparently, i've been going through the statistics of who visits my blog, and it just so happens that most of my visitors happen to be those folks who do random google searches for anything from
George Clooney's Syriana (he deserved the Oscar!), to Danish cartoons.
For those of you who have gotten fed up with my postings about interesting events happening all over New York City, I regret to inform you that this posting will be primarily about them.
So let's start from the present and work our way backwards.
Last night there was a film screening organized by the
Middle Eastern Students Organization(MESO) at the
CUNY Graduate Center. The movie was a documentary about Umm Kulthoum (Kul-soom), the nightingale of the Middle East. I had heard so much about her, but had never really heard her sing. She had quite a voice!
I missed the first half, but the second half was pretty interesting. This lady was almost single-handedly responsible for resolving some mega crises in the Middle East and monarchs and sovereigns came from far and away to hear her sing. Eventually, they also showered her with awards and recognition the likes of which people could never imagine. Every Thursday she would sing on the radio and all of the Arab world would leave what they were doing to listen to her.
I couldnt help but draw parallels with Pakistan's own "Queen of Melody", Noor Jehan. While Umm Kulthoum passed away in 1975 and brought 4 million Egyptians pouring into the streets for her funeral, Noor Jehan died just a few years ago in 2000. Both were in their mid-70's when they passed away, had a singing career of at least a half century, were popular outside their country's borders, sang nationalistic and patriotic songs, and were icons revered for their sense of fashion and style.
All I could think about during the movie was how similar these women were. And there are many more out there. Lebanon has a national singer as well. India has Lata Mangeshkar. The United States had Ella Fitzgerald and now has Aretha Franklin. These women defined an era and were much more than just celebrities in the conventional sense of the word.
So, upon returning home and still in awe of these legendary figures, I decided i'd check my email and then listen to some old music. I was obviously getting nostalgic. Lo and behold, who do I get an email from? The progeny of one of South Asia's most respected music composers. Now, mind you, i'm not a HUGE South Asian music buff, but when I heard who his grandfather was, I was left speechless.
He was writing to me in regards to an article I published online a few years ago at a progressive South Asian portal called
"Chowk", which literally translates to crossing, or roundabout. I posted it to my blog when I initially started blogging so i'll
link it here for your convenience, but he basically wrote to compliment me on it. Now, I've been fortunate to have gotten compliments on it from many people, including my Uncle, who happens to be an accomplished singer and having worked with some of Pakistan's best artists himself. But receiving this email and praise was a privilge unlike any other.
Anyway, so you can tell I was obviously on sky nine. It was great!
But - what goes up, must come down.
I tried searching for the exact posting, but couldnt see where a guy named Tim posted a comment - just yesterday. And what was the comment? An
article from some
shady Christian organization that was basically comparing the suffering between Christ and Muhammad and how that dictates the reaction of each religion's adherents when either messenger is defiled and disgraced. I was horrified!
At first I thought, wow. My blog's gotten places I never dreamed of! Then I thought, oh boy. Here comes a fued with the right-wingers. But I neglected to respond. Obviously because I couldnt even find the damn posting he must've "responded" to, but also because it was going to fall on deaf ears. No one preaches to the choir! (Pun intended)
Instead, for your convenience, i'm going to
link the article right here. Happy reading!
Last week's Women and Development event at the
Institute for International Education was wonderful. This might be weird for some guys, but I didnt mind the fact that I was one of three men in the audience. The room was full of women! My friday went well.
Honestly speaking though, i should stop attending such events because I already know the argument, and I know what the issue is. What made this event interesting though, was that there was a particular speaker I was interested in: Devaki Jain.
Jain is a development economist from Bangalore, India and is a sweet woman who's getting some pretty radical thoughts for a woman well into her 60's. As she was presenting her concluding remarks to the dozens of people present, Jain very timidly recommended that the United Nations not physically remain in the United States. The audience wasnt exactly taken aback, but may have actually thought the idea was a good one. The US has been holding the UN hostage for too long, and the situation is actually fast deteriorating. The US is cutting funding from countless programs and now with John Bolton as US Ambassador to the UN, the future is only as bright as a twinkling star.
Jain, who told me I reminded her of her son, then informed me after the panel that moving the UN elsewhere was not pragmatic according to higher-ups in the UN, as many governments had invested heavily in property in New York City. If that's the argument, then I must say it's pretty North-centric. As it is, countries from the global south are probably having a hard time trying to pay for the outrageous rents and perks that come with being a govt. representative based in NYC, so moving the UN would actually be favorable for dozens of countries. But who cares about them, right? They don't hold sway over the UN anyway.
Then there was the
UNA/Pakistani Mission event where the Pakistani Ambassador spoke about strengthening the UN's role in development. Over 100 people attended and it was a great evening. All attendees loved the Pakistan House and the hospitality accorded them. I was happy at least Pakistan had a good image
somehwere.
Anyway, much else has happened but i'm tired of thinking and typing simultaneously. Let me go listen to some good 'ol South Asian sufi music by the sufi diva herself, Abida Parveen...
