Middle East - what is happening today.

Near East or Middle East.

An oil rich region but problematic area. The Near East Countries where the Far East countries hanging tightly economically for the oil and the Suez Canal passage to Europe and the West.

The earliest civilizations in history were established in this region now known as the Middle East around 3500 BC, in Mesopotamia (Iraq), widely regarded as the cradle of civilization. The Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians and Assyrians all flourished in this region. Soon after the Sumerian civilization began, the Nile River valley of ancient Egypt was unified under the Pharaohs in the 4th millennium BC, and civilization quickly spread through the Fertile Crescent to the west coast of the Mediterranean Sea and throughout the Levant. The Phoenicians, Israelites and others later built important states in this region.

This region had been in shamble since 1948 when the British settled the Jews back to so call “Israel”. The 1967 War, Libya revolution, Iran Islamic Revolution, Iran/ Iraq war, Russian invasion of Afghanistan, Sadam invaded Kuwait, the Desert Storm, War on Terror on Afghanistan, US invasion of Iraq etc etc. All these arise due to oil, direct involvement of US in Israel, presence of US and involving with the Middle East affairs.

These regions were once colonized; the British, the French, and the Soviets departed many parts of the Middle East during and after World War II. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East states on the Arabian Peninsula generally remained unaffected by World War II. However, after the war, the following Middle states had independence restored or became independent:

• 17 October 1941 – Iran (forces of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union withdrawn)
• 22 November 1943 – Lebanon
• 1 January 1944 – Syria
• 22 May 1946 – Jordan (British mandate ended)
• 1947 – Iraq (forces of the United Kingdom withdrawn)
• 1947 – Egypt (forces of the United Kingdom withdrawn to the Suez Canal area)

The struggle between the Arabs and the Jews in Palestine culminated in the 1947 United Nations plan to partition Palestine. This plan attempted to create an Arab state and a Jewish state in the narrow space between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. While the Jewish leaders accepted it, the Arab leaders rejected this plan.

On 14 May 1948, when the British Mandate expired, the Zionist leadership declared the State of Israel. In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that immediately followed, the armies of Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia intervened and were defeated by Israel. About 800,000 Palestinians fled from areas annexed by Israel and became refugees in neighboring countries, thus creating the "Palestinian problem," which has bedeviled the region ever since. Approximately two-thirds of 758,000—866,000 of the Jews expelled or who fled from Arab lands after 1948 were absorbed and naturalized by the State of Israel.

The departure of the European powers from direct control of the region, the establishment of Israel, and the increasing importance of the oil industry, marked the creation of the modern Middle East. These developments led to a growing presence of the United States in Middle East affairs. The U.S. was the ultimate guarantor of the stability of the region, and from the 1950s the dominant force in the oil industry. When republican revolutions brought radical anti-Western regimes to power in Egypt in 1954, in Syria in 1963, in Iraq in 1968 and in Libya in 1969, the Soviet Union, seeking to open a new arena of the Cold War in the Middle East, allied itself with Arab rulers such as Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt and Saddam Hussein of Iraq. These regimes gained popular support through their promises to destroy the state of Israel, defeat the U.S. and other "western imperialists," and to bring prosperity to the Arab masses. When they failed to deliver on their promises, they became increasingly despotic.

The Europeans spoilt the region before World War II and the US screwed it up after World War II till now. The US only interested with the oil that the region produces and at the same time they strongly arm the Israelis to scare off and police the Arabs. It is an open secret that Israel has several nuclear weapons but Iran no can do.

(Fact extracted from Wikipedia but the opinion is solely mine).

Walk The Talk.

In his first public response to the Libyan crisis since Friday, Obama said the "suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and is unacceptable.'' And echoing past commanders-in-chief who have issued ultimatums before taking action, Obama declared in a brief statement at the White House Wednesday evening: "This violence must stop.''

Yes…….agreed with Obama 101% but at the same time US must pull out from Afghanistan & Iraq, stop droning Northern Pakistan and stop the Israelis with the new settlements. Just count the number of lives gone for US involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan and Gaza. US wanted to get rid of Sadam Hussein and that poor guy hanged and dead but what the hell US is still doing in Iraq? Is it not a violence act?

"The world is watching,'' Obama declared. He said the Libyan government "must be held accountable'' for violating international norms and "every standard of common decency.''

Yes……the world is watching US too. Are US not violating international norm and every standard of common decency? US invaded and went to War with Afghanistan and Iraq without the UN sanctions. US went into Iraq under the pretext of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Did US found any? In the first instance, who supplied the WMD to Sadam Hussein? US armed the Afghans to fight against the Russians and when Afghans won, US abandoned Afghanistan to ruin. There was no common decency.

And throughout this time of transition, the United States will continue to stand up for freedom, stand up for justice, and stand up for the dignity of all people.

What about the dignity of the Iraqis, Afghans and the Palestinians???

THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF US CARE TO HAVE A SECOND LOOK AT ITS FOREIGN POLICY. I am looking at the point of JUSTICE.

I HATE WAR.

The Domino Effect.

My biggest fear is the domino effect in the Middle Eastern Arab countries arising from the success of Tunisia Revolution and the current turmoil then in Cairo as posted on 2 February 2011. The Egyptians stood strong to their revolutionary demonstrations and finally topple Hosni Mubarak on 11 February 2011. That paves the way for the other Middle Eastern countries to follow suit.

The tendency, Muamar Ghadafi will go next but he prefers to die in Libya. That is his choice as he was once guided a revolution in Libya himself. On 1 September 1969 Ghadafi, then 28 years old, under a military coup disposed King Idris as-Senussi while the King was undergoing medical treatment in Turkey.

Self decorated Ghadafi, 42 years on the throne.

Today the domino effect is strongly blowing in Libya, Bahrain, and Yemen. Along with it lives unnecessary succumbed to either rubber or live bullets. Some call it “martyr”. Martyr is only when one is dead defending the religion of Islam, not dead revolting against the Government. The citizens want to bring down Monarchy and Revolution Leader to taste the freedom of Democracy. The people rise against the respective government and demand those in power to abdicate and leave the nation. Other countries in the Middle East are getting jittery unstable and worried what may come tomorrow.

Libya.

Yemen.

Baharain.

As a matter of fact no Monarchy, President and Prime Minister can please every citizens of the country. (Only Brunei can please all her citizens). No street demonstration can be peaceful because someone would take advantage and the whole so call peaceful demonstration can blare off. Eventually, the aftermath is painful to everybody and nobody gain.

The impact – the whole world will tend to suffer, that’s you and me. The price of oil will skyrocket and eventually commodity price would follow. Civil war may erupt in certain country and many more live will go. Countries where commodity prices cannot be control anymore would become a victim as the people will rise against them. The poor will suffer even worse. The mentality of the “uncivilized” and “opposition prone” is nothing but demonstrate against the government without understudying the root cause.

Definitely the year 2011, the Year of the Rabbit started very badly and Allah willing we all can ride through it with minimal impact. With rational thinking, insyaalah, we as Malaysians can do it.

I seek for democratic justice and freedom.

The Tallest Clock Tower in the World.

Obtained from flickr. (Wan Nazri facebook).

The sketch.

The Kaabah and the Clock Tower.

Taller than the Empire State Building.

The Clock face.

The Abraj Al-Bait Towers also known as the "Makkah Royal Clock Hotel Tower" is a complex under construction in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The building holds and will prevail several world records in the construction world, preferably: the tallest hotel in the world, constructed with the tallest clock tower in the world and displaying the world's largest clock faces,[1] the world's largest building floor area, and will become the second tallest building in the world upon completion in 2011 (Dubai's Burj Khalifa being the holder). The building complex is meters away from the world's largest Mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Masjid al Haram.

Upon completion, the tallest tower in the complex would stand as the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, and the tallest and largest hotel in the world, with a planned height of 610 meters (2,000 feet). It is recently the second tallest building under construction. Upon completion, the structure would have the largest floor area of any structure in the world with 1,500,000 m2 (16,150,000 sq ft) of floorspace.

This is the same as Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, in the United Arab Emirates which is also under construction. It will also surpass the Emirates Park Towers in Dubai as the world's tallest hotel.

The entire project is estimated to be completed in the autumn of 2011.

Note: I am proud to befriend the Malaysian Engineers and Technicians who are directly involved with the construction of the Clock Tower. Muslims all over the world should be proud of this modern architecture. Within five years from now, Mecca will be transform as a modern city by itself and would be connected with high speed train to/from all directions.

US Vetos UN Resolution Condemning Israeli.

I never trust this face ever since he was inaugurated as President of USA.
(For that matter, all before him).

(When all the other 14 Members all supported the Resolutions). The other 14 Members cannot be wrong.

The Obama Administration has exercised its first UN Security Council veto yet and, as expected, it was to prevent the international body from criticizing Israel’s illegal expansion of settlements in occupied territory.

The veto came after every single other member of the UNSC indicated that they supported the draft resolution, which was non-binding and only reiterated what has long been the position of the international community, that depopulating occupied territory and moving your own citizens there in government sponsored settlements is a violation of international law.

(UNSC = United Nations Security Council).

Speaking following the veto, US Ambassador Susan Rice insisted the veto should not be seen as an endorsement of the settlements, which the US “reject in the strongest terms.” Strongest, at least, until it comes to an actual vote.

Rice’s comments, then, appear to be a blatant admission of US hypocrisy on the issue, as the statement was largely in keeping with the claimed US policy on the settlements, and the claims that the veto was meant to defend the “peace talks” carries absolutely no weight nearly six months after those talks have halted completely.

My Comment: Is it fair? What type of foreign policy that US practice? The world do not need United Nations if US think others all wrong.

KRU New Mosque as at 18 February 2011.

The Mosque under construction as at 18 Feb 2011.

Not much distinctive development on the Mosque structural since the beginning of the month.

The concrete fencing at eastern perimeter had been erected. To erect on the western perimeter, the workers are relocating the present “kongsi” to the south area vacant space.

The Main Prayer Hall had been house kept and all debris had been cleared at flooring area, set to be tiled perhaps. Wiring work was in progress. The “mimbar” and the “mehrab” wall still stands as it is, no sign of any activity as yet. I heard Middle Eastern Arab is coming to calligraphic the “mehrab”. Well and good. Maybe, Malaysian Calligraphers still lacking behind and not competent enough. After 52 years of independence we still require foreign expertise.

Projected to complete and handover is now June 2011, insyaalah. As for me, I can wait even until the next General Election. I already lost the excitement.

The President fell off.

Finally on 11 February 2011 (Friday) I was in Bandung Indonesia when Hosni Mubarak relented and relinquished power as 30 years President of Egypt. He gave up and vacate the Presidential Palace after eighteen (18) days the uprising of the Egyptians. Within month, Hosni Mubarak is the second President of an Arab nation in the African continent got kicked out by a revolution.

The Angry Egyptians.

Hosni Mubarak will go down in the history book.

Down and Out.

Are we seeing more to fall?

Bandung and the Blunder.

It was booked months ago by my friend through Air Asia for a trip to Bandung and the Guest of Honor was the Mosque Imam No 2. It was the first time he was going to step on Java Island and my pleasure to chaperone him.

11 February 2011: We left for Bandung by the evening flight and touched down at Husin Sasteranegara Airport at 2000 hours local time. Took the Airport Taxi straight to Hotel Guntur which was pre booked. We had dinner by the Hotel Garden and retired early as the next day we were going to venture to an extinct volcano.

Hotel Guntur, Bandung.

12 February 2011: The rented Limo came on schedule and we drove up to the volcanic mountain of Tangkuban Prahu. It was my second visit to this place and it was no big deal. Nothing changes except the weather. I hate the local Peddlers who persistently pestering and tailing like a leech convincing to buy their stuff. Foreign Tourists would not be able to enjoy the scenic sceneries in peace as these Peddlers are really a nuisance. They waited for you even you decide to have a drink at the drinking stall. At one of the warm clothing stall outlet, I bought myself a home knitted sweater as a remembrance. I must admit it’s bloody cheap but smart bargaining is the trick and trade of the day.

The extinct crater of Tangkuban Prahu.

Imam No 2 & me at the crater fringe.

We decided luncheon at Kampong Daun. On the way, I was laughing when the Limo Driver lost his way among the mountain. Somehow we managed to get to the place and being late we were allocated to Wakaf 36 high up on the hill slope of which we had to ascend several steps along the mountain stream and waterfall. We had lunch and lazed around as the Wakaf was personalized.

Lunch at the Kampong Daun Wakaf.

Imam No 2 enjoying his lunch.

The waterfall & the mountain stream.

The flower nursery on the way down to Bandung.

After lunch we went to the Factory Outlet in town and my favorite outlet was “Secret Recipe” at Jalan Riau. Being weekend the place was crowded as residents of Jakarta and surroundings came to Bandung for weekend retreat and shopping. There were plentiful discounted branded varieties to choose from and I decided only on two branded T shirts. Have card will travel. Yuppies would love this place. Late evening we returned to the Hotel and called off the Limo Driver.

For dinner we took a Taxi to the town biggest Shopping Mall and had dinner at the Food Court. I had the chance to glimpse the live telecast between MU and Manchester City and MU make my day by beating City by 2 – 1.

The following day program would be serious shopping spree.

13 February 2011: It was a walking distance from Hotel Guntur to Pasar Baru Shopping Complex. We just had to walk across the overhead railway crossing and we were there at the Complex. Pasar Baru Complex is the six storey shopping Mecca for Malaysians. Ladies can go crazy and everything is in thousands and hundred thousand. Can be by the million depending what you purchase. A million was only RM 345 Malaysian Ringgit on that day. I normally get confused with the so many zeros. Just name it and you can get it at Pasar Baru. I accompanied my two friends to do their shopping and I was only interested to buy Women praying overall (telekong) and some batik shirts. Once I got what I wanted, I adjourned to the 6^th.Floor Food Court, sat down at the Kalimantan Stall and waited for my other two friends to continue their shopping spree. In the meantime I became the Caretaker of their shopping bags. I hate comingling among the crowd.

We decided for Nasi Padang lunch and we requested the Taxi Driver to take us to one. We rested the rest of the afternoon in the Hotel room and only out for dinner at night, to another Nasi Padang outlet. Nasi Padang outlet is the safest and cleanest place to have our food.

14 March 2011: Last day in Bandung. Once Pasar Baru opened its door and there was no hustle and bustle we did our final shopping. Here I got Shasha a swimming suit. Mid morning, we booked a Taxi to go to Toko Tiga and Palasari. Toko Tiga is a Complex selling all varieties of jeans and Palasari where you can get all type of books. At Toko Tiga I bought two jeans and at Palasari I bought a Quraan complete with translations and two maps of Kalimantan Provinces as requested by my cousin.

After lunch, we checked out and headed for the Airport for flight at 1500 hours. All set to check in when our names were not in the passengers list and did not appear in the computer systems. Counter checking, there was a BIG BLUNDER. The returning flight stated was on 14 March 2011 instead of 14 February 2011. OMG!! What do you expect me to do in Bandung for another month? All flights out by Air Asia and MAS for the next two days from Bandung were fully booked. We were stuck……….however we managed to get an alternative flight out from Jakarta on 15 February 2011, the following day at 1500 hours. We then rushed to Bandung Railway Station and managed to get three seats via Argo Paragahayan Executive Train leaving Bandung at 1630 hours, arriving Gambir Station in Jakarta at 2000 hours. We were relieved once we were on the train.

Arriving Jakarta we finally found a room at Ibis Arcadia Hotel. The Hotel is a walking distance to Garuda Nasi Padang where we had dinner. Compared to Bandung, the food in Jakarta is three times more expensive. I excused myself early, rushed back to the Hotel as the food in Bandung started to give me problem. Perhaps I had too much of “jengkol masak lemak” (jengkol is jering in Malaysia).

15 February 2011: We checked out early and the plan was to Taman Mini Indonesia, Ancol and to Airport. We managed only to Taman Mini as the road leading to Ancol was jammed due to the Public Holiday, Birthday of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). We rather played safe and headed straight to the Airport. Regret that we had to disappoint Imam No 2, maybe next time and this time we ensure to doubly counter check the return date.

Taman Mini Indonesia, Jakarta.

I just managed to talk over the phone with my ex Guthrie mate who are now base in Jakarta. Later I came to know my son was also in Jakarta on the same day.

The flight was on schedule and we landed at LCCT at about 1800 hour’s local time. I still have a valid return ticket from Bandung to LCCT on 14 March 2011. Possibly, that would be my fourth trip to Bandung. Maybe……my great paternal ancestors once came from Bandung, and my great and great paternal grandparents keep calling me to visit them. Who knows?

I love Bandung because of its weather, the Factory Outlets and you name it you got it cheap at Pasar Baru.

Chinese New Year 2011.

03 February 2011 – 04 February 2011.

I don’t really realize it came and gone. Only during the eve, the sound of fire crackers cracked the silent night. The barking of my rear neighbor’s dog in tandem with the fire crackers banging the air was tolerated. After all it only happens once a year. It was a long weekend holidays from Thursday through Sunday but to me every other day is a holiday.

There was no plan to balik kampong as the rest did as I hate the long jam at the Highway. Let the Chinese enjoy themselves on the Highway. I despise most when some stupid Drivers use the service lane to overtake when the traffic slowing down during long queue. I just cannot tolerate those inconsiderate idiots. These are the same people who actually contribute to the jam when they swerve onto the normal lane.

My son returned home, maybe KL was quiet and my darling Shasha spent Friday and Saturday with us. Therefore the house was full of giggling and mischief. I taught that cheeky little fellow how to play game on the IPad and I make her learn how to write the alphabet. She learn fast.

Kitchen Terrorist.

Learning the Alphabets. A B C D.............

Game time at the IPad.

Saturday 5 February 2011 after lunch, I received disturbing telephone call that my once opposite neighbor Ghaffar passed away due to prolong asthmatic. I attended the jenazah prayer at the Mosque and together with few close friends we chaperoned the former Motorolla Supervisor to the burial ground. The funeral lasted till close to Maghreeb.

It was an upset night when Manchester United lost to the last of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers by 2 – 1. The result broke the unbeaten run of MU in the Premier League and I suspected something fishy was going on. Pre match, the nearest contender, Arsenal had a drawn game.

Sunday 06 February 2011, the last day of the long holidays, we went out shopping at SACC Complex at Shah Alam and had lunch at the nearby PKNS Complex. In the evening, spring cleansing of the aquarium. I want to revert to my favorite species, “arowana” and the present “koi” transferred to the garden pond.

Chelsea lost to Liverpool by 0 - 1. I was happy because Liverpool is not a serious contender compared to Chelsea to be the League Champion.

I have not forgotten my Chinese friends during the New Year. Though I did not attend any of their open houses but I greeted them via the modern technology of sms.

Cairo turmoil.

The Man in the News.

I am sad and sorry it had to happen. I was in Cairo and Alexandria twice and I had expected the bomb would explode anytime. Cairo city is definitely overpopulated. Beyond my belief, there are about a million people living on top of an old graveyard. I just cannot imagine why the Government does not do anything providing ample housing for the illegal (or legal?) squatters. I woke up at 0300 hours in the morning, looked out from the Hotel room and there were people loitering aimlessly along the street at the wee hour of the morning.

Lady Peddlars.

At any place of tourist’s attraction, Peddlers haggle around. They never let you go. At the Mosque, someone would take care of your shoes but with a fee. The Nile is abundant of water but at the Restaurants, the mineral water is an additional charge. I always remember Cairo mango juice, even better than the Indian Alphonso. Travelling on the elevated highway, I was in two different worlds, the poverty and the wealthy dwelling side by side.

Bread by the roadside.

Peugot 504 and Fiat 128 are already extinct in Malaysia but in Cairo, these models still running around as Taxis. I wonder whether these two models of cars that I used to possess before had been shipped to Cairo converted as one of the ramshackle Taxis. Horses and mules still carrying goods around town. The streets are always jam packed and the honking of the horns deafens my ears. Public Toilets are always guarded, no money no pee. At one of the R & R along Cairo/ Alexandria they charged for in and out. I nearly mummified the Egyptian.

Donkey driven cart.

Tourists just come to Cairo and Alexandria and Hosni Mubarak does not have to campaign for Visit Egypt Year. It is GOD blesses country where money flows in constantly from the outside world. The world wants to see the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Mummies, Luxor, Aswan Dam and the mighty Nile. The Al Azhar University in Cairo which started as a Mardassah was founded in 970 – 972 AD is the most prestigious University in the Muslim world. Top of the Malaysian Muslims tourist’s itinerary is the visit to the Tomb of Imam Shafie. The historical heritage of Egypt goes back to the days in memorial. The Pyramids baffled Historian, Architect, Engineers, Mathematicians and me. Watching the belly dancers during dinner cruises by the Nile is an interesting clean entertainment. Probably the “dangdut” twist and shaking started from this part of the world. Alexandria – the first Library in history, the Harem Garden Palace of King Farouk and the Mediterranean Sea which separate Africa and Europe. It is a beautiful country depending where you are. Along Cairo to Alexandria they still have open desert and fertile agricultural lands.

Al Azhar University.

King Farouk Harem Palace at Alexandria.

It is now chaotic with one million Protestors on the street demanding for Hosni Mubarak to step down and flee the country. Our students in Cairo and Alexandria are interrupted and misplaced. The parents back home are worried. I am worried about Tengku Liza who just went to Alexandria to do her Medic. Prof. Dr Nor Ghani told me his two daughters are safe. I am following CNN, BBC and Aljazeera closely and getting the live update of the situation. I laud Najib’s idea of evacuating the Malaysian students by our Naval vessels patrolling the Red Sea and dispatching our three (3) Hercules. Let’s forget about the Somalian pirates for the time being. The safety of our students is of prime importance.

Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria.

Assuming Mubarak step down and leave the country, who will take over? No one can transform Egypt overnight. Then the people will go back to the street again. As it is, Egypt is already paralyzed and billions are wasted just because of one or two million people cheesed of with Hosni Mubarak. My biggest fear is the domino effect to the other Middle Eastern countries and that give the passport for the Israelis to walk in. Now you all know why the Americans are against Iran having nuclear weapons? That is the obvious reason why Malaysian government condones street demonstration.

My opinion - Hosni Mubarak should go, high time after thirty (30) years in power but give him a time frame to find the Successor. He now knows that some Egyptians had stage an uprising and a clear signal to him to vacate the Presidential Palace. In the meantime I beg the some “uncivilized” Egyptians not to destroy the Museums and the other Historical Heritage. Let it remain there for the grandchildren and the great grandchildren of the world to see.