Weekly Report 3

At first, when thinking of musicians related to the Arab World, I thought of the Jazz singer formerly known as Cat Stevens. The reason that I though of this British jazz singer was that some years ago he converted to Islam after having been raised Greek Orthodox, and subsequently changed his name. His name is now Yusuf Islam, though he still answers to the name under which he operated through most of his carrier. I speak of him now as a sort of "honorable mention", being an outsider who adopted Arab culture and uses this stance not only in his music carrier, but also in his activism in support of education (which has been the legacy of Muslim culture for many years).

Being that Yusuf does not hail from an Arab nation, I thought I would explore names with which I was completely unfamiliar and listen to Arabic music (with translation, of coarse). It was in this exploration that I ran across Asala Nasri. Asala is a Syrian- born popular artist from Damascus, who has over 4,000,000 views on youtube with regard to her songs. She is not the first in her family to display musical talent however, as her father, Mostafa Nasri was a well known Syrian composer and singer. Unfortunately, when Asala was only 17, her father passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Thereafter, Asala helped to raise her siblings. Just five years later, Asala produced her first studio album. Since that time, she has produced 22 albums and she has a truly beautiful voice! Religiously, she identifies as a Sunni Muslim and now holds citizenship in Bahrain (which she was granted by the king, himself). Her Syrian passport however was revoked in 2014 due to her criticism of Syrian president Bashar al Assad. At the time of this action taken by the Syrian government, she was place under house arrest. She was just before this point named the United Nations Ambassador for Peace in the Middle East. While it is likely much to the disdain of the Syrain government, she remains one of the most popular performers in there region. She now hosts a television show in Dubai called Soula, and lives happily with her four children. Many of the love songs that her writes appear to be love songs in nature, singing of both love and the pain of having been left, amongst other themes. Her music seems to utilize traditional Arab musical style and instruments and is absolutely beautiful!

Below is one of her most popular songs, Qad al Harouf : 

English translation:

As many letters spell out the names of those in love, I love you.

As many seconds, days and years as time is made of, I love you.

As many letters spell out the names of those in love, I love you.

As many seconds, days and years as time is made of, I love you.

As many worries there nest in people’s hearts,

As many eyes deprived of rest turn dark,

As many worries there nest in people’s hearts,

As many eyes deprived of rest turn dark,

As much as my heart protested your passion’s fire,

As much as my night bemoaned your absence here,

As much as my heart protested your passion’s fire,

As much as my night bemoaned your absence here,

As many letters spell the world’s lovers’ names,

As many tears spill from the eyes of those in pain,

As many letters spell the world’s lovers’ names,

As many tears spill from the eyes of those in pain,

I love you.

Why is the moon so precious to me?

Perhaps because in its soft light and distance there’s something of you

Why does the winter sadden my heart?

Perhaps because, in its stern chill there’s also something of you

Why is the moon so precious to me?

Perhaps because in its soft light and distance there’s something of you

Why does the winter sadden my heart?

Perhaps because, in its stern chill there’s also something of you

Why do I love the clouds’ milky glow?

Perhaps because, like my heart, to you they are close

Why does the rain torment me so?

Perhaps because, like my tears, it makes your absence worse

Why do I love the clouds’ milky glow?

Perhaps because, like my heart, to you they are close

Why does the rain torment me so?

Perhaps because, like my tears, it makes your absence worse

When you are far, why must I be

Afraid for me, afraid for you, and also of you?

When you are far, why must I be

Afraid for me, afraid for you, and also of you?

Why, when I gaze up at the stars and see so many, do I feel such envy?

Why, why, when I gaze up at the stars and see so many, do I feel such envy?

Why, when I gaze up at the stars and see so many, do I feel such envy?

Perhaps because, to the extent of the sky, and all the stars,

I love you, I love you, aaah, I love you.

As much as my heart protested your passion’s fire,

As much as my night bemoaned your absence here,

As much as my heart protested your passion’s fire,

As much as my night bemoaned your absence here,

As many letters spell the world’s lovers’ names,

As many tears spill from the eyes of those in pain,

As many letters spell the world’s lovers’ names,

As many tears spill from the eyes of those in pain,

I love you.

My heart and my eyes, what does it mean

If the tears stream from my eyes because of you one day?

What does it mean when you soothe

All of my fears and yet your comfort causes me pain?

My heart and my eyes, what does it mean

If the tears stream from my eyes because of you one day?

What does it mean when you soothe

All of my fears and yet your comfort causes me pain?

What does it mean when the night forbids sleep?

What does it mean when distance cuts deep?

What does it mean when the night forbids sleep?

What does it mean when distance cuts deep?

What does it mean when I run away

And, missing you so much, come back one day?

What does it mean when I run away

And, missing you so much, come back one day?

What does it mean when we throw insults

At one another, and then beg forgiveness?

What does it mean when we throw insults

At one another, and then beg forgiveness?

What does it mean when I tell you that

As many letters spell out the names of those who love,

I love you.

Arabic: 

قَدّ اِلْحُرُوفْ إِلْلِى فى أَسَامِى الْعَاشِقِينْ بَحَبَّكْ

قَدّ اِلثَّوَانِى وِ الدَّقَايِق وِ السِّنِين بَحَبَّك

آه قد الحروف اللى فى اسامى العاشقين بحبك

قد الثوانى و الدقايق و السنين بحبك

قَدّ اِلْهُمُومْ إِلْلِى فِى قُلُوبْ إِلْبَشَرْ

قَدّ اِلعَيُونْ إِللِى كَاحَلْهَا السَّهَرْ

قَدّ اِلْهُمُومْ إِلْلِى فِى قُلُوبْ إِلْبَشَرْ

قَدّ اِلعَيُونْ إِللِى كَاحَلْهَا السَّهَرْ

قَدِّ مَا قَلْبِى اشْتَكَى مِن نَارْ حُبَّكْ

قَدِّ مَا لِيلِى حَكَى عَنْ طُولْ بُعدَكْ

قد ما قلبى اشتكى من نار حبك

قد ما ليلى حكى عن طول بعدك

قَدّ اِلْحُرُوفْ إِلْلِى فى أَسَامِى الْعَاشِقِينْ

قَدّ اِلدُّمُوعَ إِلْلِى فى عَيُونْ إِلْمَجْرُوحِينْ

قد الحروف اللى فى اسامى العاشقين

قد الدموع اللى فى عيون المجروحين

أَنَا بَحَبَّكْ

.................

لِيهْ إِلْقُمَرْ غَالِى عَلَيَّه يِمْكِنْ عَشَانِ فِى نُورُه و بُعُدُهُ فِيهْ حَاجَه مِنَّكْ

لِيهْ إِلشِّتَا فِى قَلْبِى حَزِينْ يِمْكِنْ عَشَانِ بَرْدُه فى قَسَاوْتُهُ فِيهْ حَاجَه مِنَّكْ

ليه القمر غالى عليه يمكن عشان فى نوره وبعده فيه حاجه منك

ليه الشتا فى قلبى حزين يمكن عشان برده فى قساوته فيه حاجه منك

لِيهْ إِلسَّحَابْ بَعْشَق بَياضُه يِمْكِنْ عَشَان زَىِّ قَلْبِى فِى قُرْبِى مِنَّكْ

لِيهْ إِلْمَطَرْ بِيصْعَبْ عَلَيَّه يِمْكِنْ عَشَان زَىِّ دَمَعى فِى بُعدِى عَنِّى

ليه السحاب بعشق بياضه يمكن عشان زى قلبى فى قربى منك

ليه المطر بيصعب عليه يمكن عشان زى دمعى فى بعدى عنى

لِيهْ لَمَّا تِبْعَدْ عَنْ عَينَيَّه بَخَافْ عَلَيَّه و بَخَافْ عَلَيْكْ عَلَيْكْ وْ بَرْدُه مِنَّكْ

ليه لما تبعد عن عينيه بخاف عليه و بخاف عليك عليك و برده منك

.......................

لِيهْ لَمَّا اشُوفْ فِى السَّمَا نُجُومْ كِتِيرْ مِنْهَا بَغِيرْ

ليه ليه لما اشوف فى السما نجوم كتير منها بغير

ليه لما اشوف فى السما نجوم كتير منها بغير

يِمْكِنْ عَشَان قَدّ اِلسَّمَا وْ قَدّ اِلنُجُومْ بَحَبَّكْ بحبك آآآه بحبك

قد ما قلبى اشتكى من نار حبك

قد ما ليلى حكى عن طول بعدك

قد ما قلبى اشتكى من نار حبك

قد ما ليلى حكى عن طول بعدك

قَدّ اِلْحُرُوفْ إِلْلِى فى أَسَامِى الْعَاشِقِينْ

قَدّ اِلدُّمُوعَ إِلْلِى فى عَيُونْ إِلْمَجْرُوحِينْ

قد الحروف اللى فى اسامى العاشقين

قد الدموع اللى فى عيون المجروحين

أَنَا بَحَبَّكْ

.................

قَلْبِى وعَينَيَّه يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ دَمَعَه نِزْلِتْ مِنْ عَينَيَّه فَيُومْ عَلَيَّه

يِجْرَى إِيهْ إِيهْ لَوْ طُمِّنَكْ خُوفِى عَلَيْكْ وْخُفِتْ يَااا قَاسِى عَلَيَّه

قلبى وعينيه يجرى ايه لو دمعه نزلت من عينيه فيوم عليه

يجرى ايه ايه لو طمنك خوفى عليك وخفت ياااقاسى عليه

يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ لِيلَه جَرَّبْتْ اِلسُّهَادْ

يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ عَذِّبَكْ طُولْ البِعَاد

يجرى ايه لو ليله جربت السهاد

يجرى ايه لو عذبك طول البعاد

يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ يُومْ هَجَرْتَكْ وُجِيتْ تَانِى يُومْ قُلْتِلِى إِنِّى وَحَشْتَكْ

يجرى اييه لو يوم هجرتك وجيت تانى يوم قلتلى انى وحشتك

يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ عَاتِبْتَكْ وَعَاتِبْتِبْنِى وِسَامَحْتِنِى وِسَامَحْتِ نَفْسَكْ

آه يجرى ايه لو عاتبتك وعاتبتبنى وسامحتنى وسامحت نفسك

آه يجرى ايه لو عاتبتك وعاتبتبنى وسامحتنى وسامحت نفسك

آه يِجْرَى إِيهْ لَوْ قُلْتِلِى

قد الحروف اللى فى اسامى العاشقين بحبك بحبك بحبك

Web Sources Cited:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assala_Nasri

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/24/Lebanon-detains-Syrian-diva-singer-Assala-Nasri.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-5ZIidERWE

http://lyricstranslate.com/en/ad-el-heroof-qad-al-harouf-many-letters-rhyming.html

Reflection 2

As a philosophy student, I have wanted to visit Athens, as it was once the intellectual center of the western world. It would be an incredible experience to walk where Plato and Socrates did and sit where they established the first known academy! After Dr. Deveny’s lecture today, I have added yet another great city of antiquity to that list: Cordoba. Since I left the lecture for my ride home, I imagined all of the things that Arab society contributed to Spain (and therefore Europe), that would be missing from my daily life had they not made it to Spain. Among the things that I had not imagined would be included in that list are agricultural items; many of which I buy at my local grocery store on a regular bases. This is one of hundreds of examples of the mixture of cultures present due to periods of migration such as the invasion of Spain. Also in common with the great ancient city of Athens is the ruins of the small city that once stood just outside of Cordoba which held the grand palace of the Caliph of Al-Andalus (a region in Spain often called Andalusia), Abd ar-Rahman III: Medina Azahara. Though it is no longer possible due to the re-conquest of Spain that began in 720, it would have been an amazing sight to see these great sites prior to their destruction or the building of other building on the foundations of the originals.

Thankfully, the great mosque of Cordoba lies protected within the Basilica to this very day. On can still go to Cordoba and see the traditional Muslim architecture such as the arches within the mosque and the Alfiz above the entrance to the mosque. Also, mentioned in Islam: An Empire of Faith, are the gold-adorned words of the Qur’an written in Arabic (as this is a sacred language to Islam). Also, as one who has studied very little Spanish, it is incredible to see the code switching that is present within the Spanish language today as a result of the influence of Arab culture in Spain. All of the words in the language beginning with the prefix “al” are absolutely words of such influence and I am certain that there are many other examples. Another excellent example of code switching was in the poetic example given to us by Dr. Deveny in the form of a song. Not only was this a linguistic example but also an example of the ways that art was effected by the cultural mix. The song (and therefore poem) is known as "Jarcha de la Moaxaha". "Jarcha", being a short Spanish poem (probably about 4 lines) and "moaxaha" being a term for a longer Arabic poem. And all of this being written by Jehuda Halevi: a Jewish author! This shows that this region was not only influenced by Spanish and Arab culture, but also Hebrew culture. Therefore, yet again, the three Abrahamic faiths find themselves in (often) successful coexistence.  Had I the time to have asked a question of Dr. Deveny withing the class period, it would have been one of Greek influence in Arab architecture and . I can see parallels visually that the Arab people seemed to have improved on as many of their structures from this period still stand in excellent condition today.

Also, a thought on Abd ar-Rahman: I feel as though the acceptance of a Caliph (formerly called the Umayyad Emirate) that was said to have had red hair and blue eyes is yet another example of the acceptance of Islam, regardless of the background of the individual; perhaps very like the example of Ishmael being the son of a handmaiden rather than the wife of Abraham. It is very interesting that all of these major cultural events having to do with the re-conquest of Spain came to its end in what would be known as perhaps the biggest year for Spain in terms of conquest: 1492. How much of Latin American countries and cultures have similar Arab influence (beyond language)? 
  This lecture will provide food for thought for quite some time, I am sure!

Weekly Report 2

What an amazing gift it is to have open access to education in your country without having to worry about the threat of violence in response to such a noble endeavor. I study philosophy and what some of the best-known philosophers are so known for is their willingness to speak against power. It is however rather easy to imagine an eloquent, well-educated person doing this that is of age. But imagine doing this as 15-year-old girl against a powerful extremist group, willing to resort to violence. This is the very heroic act that moved the Taliban to vote to kill Malala Yousafzai, a young girl from Pakistan with a fierce commitment to the education of all people; particularly women.

On October 9, 2012, masked men boarded a bus that contained Malala and several of her friends on the way home from school. The men asked for her by name and as she presented herself, they shot her in the head. She was transferred to a hospital in England that specialized in military injuries to recover, where her family would join her. This crime shocked her home country and the world and this led to two million people signing a “right to education” petition causing the government to ratify a right guaranteeing a right to education.  What violent extremists meant to silence a movement caused by a brave young woman ignited a global movement of support for women’s education.

In a world in which Arab culture has been wrongly portrayed as extremist across the board, Malala and those like her show the true heart of Arab culture; a culture that in history, led the world in education and intellectual advancement. This also displays the true nature of Islam in its dedication to the equality of people. Malala was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace on December 10, 2014. She now rightly sits among those individuals honored for the advancement of humanity through education and peace.

Sources Cited:

https://www.malala.org/malalas-story

http://www.azquotes.com/quote/915620

Weekly Report 1

It seems as though the lines between “good guys” and “bad guys” are becoming further blurred as the civil war in Syria rages on. The BBC reports that this civil war began in March of 2011 between the government of Basar al Assad and the rebels who would like to see Assad's leadership come to an end. Also, amid all of this fighting between these groups is the rise of the so called “Islamic State” (IS), who the rebels and the Syrian government now both find themselves fighting, as well as each other. The same article from the BBC (December 2015) also reports that due to "close ties" with the Syrian government, Russia has begun bombing areas of Syria in resistance to both the rebels and now IS. This article from the BBC was published as a means to get one caught up on the latest happenings of the Syrian Civil war and the events surrounding it, and furthermore, it was published specifically for children. It offers video reports on each of the themes discussed and offers advice for those young people upset by such news.

Deutsche Welle however, recently reported that Russia has no intention of stopping its attacks on Syria. Like all great ministries of propaganda, Russia has begun releasing videos to their news stations depicting brave Russian soldiers in the fight against terrorism. Deutsche Welle says that, “It feels like 90 percent of the best airtime is filled with Syria coverage. Most reports show Russian airstrikes, but no critical questions are asked; people just cheer frenetically. To Russians sitting on a couch in front of the television, this war is a media war: entertainment.” While it is true that all governments throughout the history of war and media seemed to have engaged in similar “white-washing” of war, there are certain events which Russia still does not account for. One such event that is mentioned in this report is the shelling of hospitals and schools. While Russia does not claim responsibility for these events, Deutsche Welle reported previously of the eyewitness accounts of those working for Doctors without borders. Perhaps someone should explain to the Russian government that engaging innocents in conflict is not ever heroic.

While refugees fleeing this madness find their way into surrounding nations and Europe, the United States seems to remain relatively inactive to offer aid. They have stated that they have removed the aid once offered to rebels so that the equipment given does not fall into the wrong hands but other than this; there is great hesitancy to offer help. Hopefully we will follow our responsibility to help those pushed out of their homelands due to this crisis. Surely if Germany can take in over 1,000,000 refugees, we can manage something.

Sources Cited:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16979186

http://www.dw.com/en/russia-to-continue-bombing-syria/a-19052660