Rights in Islam, have no color or nationality

Sometimes just because of looks, people get you all wrong.

  As I walked on a narrow sidewalk  along Jamal Abdul Nasser, a woman and her two children were coming towards my way. I guess rules of etiquette would mean that someone gives way, I thought that since there were three of them standing side by side, the mother would tell the two children to get in front of her or behind her and for a single file line so that we could all share the walkway without endangering ourselves walking in the street and oncoming traffic. This was not the case however, she decided that it was better to push against and nearly smashing me into her son.

I’ve faced this sort of petty violence against myself as many people assume so many things about me. In this particular case, the women was Indian and was determined not to be bullied by an Arab, which she perceived me to be. I’ve seen this sort of behavior time and time again. One time a doctor assumed that I was Emirati and had pushed my way into her office without an appointment, but I had been sent there from emergency. She didn’t care, she began shouting at me and refused to see me and sent me to the other doctor, who nevertheless was kind and thorough in doing his duty. So much for doctors helping people.

 Now those are my perceptions, however it could be another element to it-the Muslim non-Muslim factor. This usually occurs within the Indian context where some non-Indians just refuse to talk to you regardless of who you are or what you do. This was the case of my neighbor across the street, whose friend who used give me cold looks each time, we chatted. I tried to smile at her. Both were Indians and both were non-Muslims. Of course I had my assumptions, perhaps she didn’t want to talk to Muslims, since she was Hindu and the other, friendlier, woman, a Catholic. However, the non-smiler did come around after two years of my nodding her way. I guess perseverance is the key.  Without asking, I haven't a clue why she chose not speak to me for such a long time. 

All American Muslims must be spies.

This is one theme that bubbles up often out of nowhere, without provocation. I would love to think that this is just me, who has suffered from this, however, I’ve heard it so often, even I began suspect certain people after a while.

What does a spy look like? I have no clue. However, some may suspect Americans especially if they are white and Muslim. Suhaib Webb is a white convert to Islam from Oklahoma, who found Islam while studying in California. He them went on around the Muslim world studying Islam and later on, teaching it. However, he has complained more than once of been accused of being a spy and being spied on. This is in part in some ways from the notion, of Islam being as a step down and especially those who are white. I’ve often heard of whites suffering after becoming Muslim, so much so that they often have to leave their families. So, being called a spy is often becomes extremely painful.

Then you have people like me, whose overt curiosity and sociological background forces me to ask a lot of questions in order to understand how people function within the society. Living in UAE, were people often live within sort of closed bubbles, it makes everyone seem fascinating, especially for me. So, I too have had the moniker of spy attached to me as well. I’m not white, but I am still
American.

Of course looking to others to give you your rights in this world should be is almost like looking for applause for taking out the trash.  Allah is the only one who can give you your rights. This is the social politics of UAE, many people run on assumptions. Also, when dealing with you, they often suspect acts of kindness or even a ‘salaam’. But this I am told is just the signs of the end of days. Allah protect us from evil and harm during these trials.

I remember the woman who teaches my daughters Quran at the masjid, forbade them coming too early asking them, “Aren’t you afraid that the Indian men will get you?” Meanwhile she never got the hint that my husband is Indian and my daughters are too.  How may Arab mothers have I heard threaten their children with the evil ‘Hindi’ man who is going to get them and do them harm?

Shaytan is an equal opportunity, employer. He reaches out to everyone, in every language and those who respond, come from all walks of life.

Then, while shopping, the sales lady told my daughter, “You have to be careful about touching everything, there are many Indians around and they are very dirty.” I hear it all of the time. However, whenever I got to Majaz Park, It’s not the Indians who are eating a million pumpkin seeds and throwing their shells on the ground. Nor is it the Indians who bring cups, food, plates and tissues and not even bother to dispose of them properly.

Then I hear many Arabs say, “Oh, those Indian children are so polite and respectful.” It is true. Then again, fear and racism makes you polite doesn’t it?

In Fredrick Douglass’ autobiography, he describes his master beating him when he was a slave. Then I remember the shocked I felt while reading the words that I have often hear African American used130 years later. Black people beat their children using the same language. Then when you think of the unbridled cruelty of the Israeli government towards Palestinians, it is also, in some way the same cruelty if not worst than that they suffered from while living in Nazi Germany.

Similarly, there are millions of South Asians, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis who who live and work in UAE. Many of them are Muslims. Yet, many are so careless with giving them their rights according to Islam. The UAE national anthem says, “Our faith is Islam and Quran is our guide.” There are many proofs that there are many who believe this, but there are also, many that show that there is some doubt.

Islam came to end cruelty, to stop violence. However, it can only do so if one uses it and the model provided to us from our beloved Prophet Muhammad Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Imagine the ajer multiplied by millions with justice and safety, that comes when people treat each other well, think the best of each person they meet, and do their best to help each other. This is not some fairy tale, it is the promise of Islam and a command from Allah. 

There is no doubt that UAE has been showered with many blessings, I pray that Allah continues to shower his niamah, barakat, and rizq upon this oasis in the desert. 

Can Somebody Bail Me Out in This New Wal-Mart Economy?

 I originally wrote this in 2009 for the National newspaper in Abu Dhabi, but it is till very much relevant today, given the recent catastrophe in Bangladesh and the attitude that wreaks havoc on the lives of workers and how corporations get away with murder. 

Today I went to the supermarket and got the feeling that perhaps they were actually selling super-food, since the prices seemed to have doubled since I last bought a box of croissants.  Instead of seeming like the place to bargain hunt, it was like being in a bodega in Brooklyn where the prices are usually double of those in the big chain stores. Well, if buying bulk isn’t the best bet, then what? I think that I am going to invest in some whole wheat flour and go back to my Copious Carrots Inc. days when I made baked goods and sold them on the side. Only this time I will be my very own premier customer. Times are hard.

Also, I got a call from a friend asking me did my husband still have a job. Another’s husband just lost his, sending her into the labor market. When you are not a Maddoff it seems that there is very little place on this great big earth for us serfs to eek out a decent living? Don’t worry, I won’t start lamenting on how Marx was right, while he did have some good points. I’ll just say that somebody will be making a killing on spoons while the rest of us are standing in soup lines. Since this is UAE, let’s hope for harees since it sticks to your ribs.

I can’t say that I’m sad when high-rollers take a hit, but what about the globalized workers? Living in the UAE, where some people live off only 600 dirham’s a month, often wonder, what is happening to them? The billionaires, who are suffering now, are not becoming homeless, losing their aspirations to live a better life. What about the aunty in India, living in a banana leaf hut, waiting on money from the Gulf? Now that it’s dried up? You know those execu-thieves should be made to give the money they stole to the poor and moved into a banana leaf hut and see how they like it.  What caused all of this? Let’s just say, the Wal-Mart effect. Where businesses do everything they can to turn a buck, crushing whoever is in their way. But now that the good times are gone (for some) they are crying broke too. But are they really?

It’s funny, that now even biggie corps are looking down in the mouth. Even the mega brand Wal-Mart, has announced that it will being laying-off some of its staff a few weeks ago. This came as a shock to me because in January, in a tiny, side bar, column in the back pages of the Financial Times, there was a report, that Wal-Mart, despite all of the hand wringing about the global economic disaster, has risen from a well stocked storm cellar (no pun intended), with their executives boasting how they have managed to “expand sales despite the slump in consumer spending. And that their “high efficiency model” helped the economy to “play into their hands.”  I’ll bet.

 So, could their recent claims of poverty have to do with the words “corporate bailout”?  Why not, it’s the great American way. But is this fair? Should they be allowed to do so? Is anybody even looking into their books?  Given Wal-Mart’s history of perennial economic, bliss which appears to be an Aztec Empire-inspired economic model where at the bottom of their mountain of money lays mound of corpses and body parts. Hence, this matter definitely needs to be investigated, because the Wal-Mart Economic model is leading to the disintegration of work and wages for many.

Most of Wal-Mart’s success is built on the near million outsourced product manufacturers creating products in floating factories, called export processing zones. (EPZ’s), workers are sometimes, locked in factories, or closed in military-like barracks, guarded in secrecy that rivals the CIA, working in 16 hour shifts. Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, are their main sources of global employees, targeting especially girls and women, who make up the majority of this labor source. These were the ones globalization was to benefit, and now look at who’s getting the handout? While factory workers in China go back to the farm. Where is Stiglitz now that we need him?

Wal-Mart’s reputation at home is not much better. In the internet film, Wal-Mart: the High Cost of Low Prices illustrates, the other ingredient that has help the retailer to make a killing. With Guantanamo-like tactics, its employees suffer starvation where they bypass lunch hours because they could not afford to eat and eat their dinner at soup kitchens. As a lobby, it won a suit which prevented workers from unionizing and getting paid healthcare. The problem is in some small US towns Wal-Mart is the only employer. Really how much were they paying them in the first place? Will the cuts even make a dent? Can it really be that much in the red?

Wal-Mart, like the rest of America likes getting the free stuff; USDA free cheese (given out in the 80’s), food stamps, or free lunches (there was a camp using free government lunches, but they were charging $500 per child), you don’t have to be too broke or have a conscious either to get in on the goods. Just look at what happened on Black Friday.

Black Friday is the most coveted day in the US retail industry, where the night before, Wal-Mart, shoppers looking for the best deals, camped out side of Valley Stream store, all night, doors opened at 5 am. The 2000 horde, of rabid shoppers, stampeded into the store, killing one man, and injuring several others, including a woman in her eighth month of pregnancy.

 This madness almost turned into massacre when the store management announced that the store was closing, in order to care for the injured and out of respect for their fallen co-worker, one enraged shopper, said, “I’ve been here since yesterday morning.” I can imagine the rest of them, cursing and joking their way through the aisles, dryly rebuking the announcement, “So what he’s dead, I didn’t wait all night to get a plasma TV for nothing.” American selfishness is mind-boggling indicator of the disease of materialistic greed is perhaps what is really at the root of this global crisis, where big corporations win and we regular folks wonder what’s next.

Feeling of family fades as expatriates scattered to the wind

Maryam Ismail

Mar 6, 2012 

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/feeling-of-family-fades-as-expatriates-scattered-to-the-wind

Two weeks ago, I was helping my husband's sister pack the fragments of her life to ship back to India. Her husband had lost his job and felt there was no use in trying for another one here, since he might make the same or better money back home. So, with only 90 minutes to go, my sister-in-law was trying to stuff every sticker, glass bangle, saucer and hairpin in a box, turning the move into a travelling scrapbook.

And yet, they left so much behind. Two wardrobes, a bed and a kitchen filled with spices, dishes and a stove. It was more than enough for the next person to come in and start cooking. As I helped her sort out everything, I felt a sense of dread. What will I do if I'm the next to go?

In the airport my daughters burst into tears as they wrapped their arms around their "Chachi", or auntie in Tamil, one last time. Next was the turn of my husband's other sister. Embracing, the sisters both used the ends of their sheilas to sop up their tears.

My nephew, my daughters' last cousin here, blinked back tears; nevertheless, he put on his widest smile. He left waving and calling out to his cousins for the entire length of the line to the X-ray machines.

Seeing my daughter, leaning against the wall to hide her sobs, I wanted to grab her and run away from this pain. Such is life for many expatriates, wherever they may be. Family and friends come and go. We all know our turn will come as well, but we pretend like it's never going to happen.

But now it has happened to us. Our family once included 35 members all living within walking distance of one another; we are now six in Sharjah and five in Abu Dhabi. The past three years have been devastating.

This last departure seemed almost like a funeral, where the family tries to get over it quickly, close the box, toss on some dirt and move on. This was my husband's approach, but he was sad too. With his big sister gone, there was one less person to joke and giggle with and to share the stories of their childhood.

Back when we were all together, I'd sit there and watch how he and his mother, sisters and brothers would roar with laughter. And even though I didn't understand a word of it, I didn't care, because I knew it made him happy.

It also saved me from cooking: I'm an American. My mother bought KFC, Gino's and Hardee's every Friday. It might sound like neglect, but from the age of 10 I mostly ate hot dogs roasted on a fork, scrambled eggs, backyard barbecue, and chicken and dumplings with salad. We rarely ate rice, which is a thrice-daily staple in any South Indian home.

With my husband's sister gone, I will have to do all the cooking. This is another tragedy. South Indian cooking is a science and a skill that I don't have, and one which I do not care to learn. It's mind-boggling hard.

My mother-in-law and her daughters can make about 50 dishes with rice, all of them taking about two days. "It's easy," they would tease. Yeah, it's easy to come over and eat it, but not to make it.

One such creation is dosa, made from fermented, ground rice and coconut milk. This crunchy pancake is my youngest daughter's favourite. Every time we visited Chachi she would beg for it. It didn't matter; the batter would be ready.

Now, who will make dosa for my girls? Who will make all of my husband's favourite south Indian dishes? My sister-in-law and her husband have offered to host us in their new home, but five hours on a plane once a year is heartbreaking.

For us, it's the UAE; for others, it's somewhere else. As the search for a better life spreads us across the world, I somehow feel like an old Roman citizen of the empire, where one could move from the Iberian Peninsula to the Levant. These days we call it globalisation. Back then, when your time was up, you were thrown to the lions. This time, it's to the four winds.

As I watched Chachi disappear out of sight, I wanted to cry too. I'll miss her. My sister took care of my girls like they were her own. But most of all, I'll miss the times we spent together, laughing and chatting, and eating dosas.

Maryam Ismail is a teacher based in both the US and the UAE

Fire tragedies leave many homeless and friendless

Maryam Ismail

Feb 20, 2012 

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/fire-tragedies-leave-many-homeless-and-friendless#full

My daughter shouted from her room: "Look out the window". Then, I saw the fog of smoke. My junior investigative reporting team (my daughters), went down to see what was going on and brought back a report along with several pictures: the fire was in "Danger Building".

Danger Building got its infamous name after the 2005 Iranian earthquake, when the frightening aftershocks, which made the building shake considerably, sent its residents running outside. On January 10, the residents of Danger Building were out on the streets again, this time escaping from a fire.

From 6am on Friday until Saturday morning, there was almost no one out to help the families that had taken refuge in their cars, corridors of the surrounding buildings, and on the grassy slope supporting the exits on Al Khan Bridge, as they watched their building smolder and burn.

"Have the building owners or management come to see the residents?" I asked. "No. It's Friday...who cares about us?" one resident, Riya, told me. These words stopped me in my tracks. Why does she feel this way? Is it true? I got my answer, when no one responded to those who needed help. I decided to put social media to the test and sent out messages on Twitter and Facebook to several charities and other local organisations that do occasional charity campaigns, but got no reply.

Where were the aid agencies and volunteers who could assist them that chilly, cloudy morning? Why do some cases get more attention than others? Charity can't be about some lending a hand only if the tragedy merits a multi-page, glossy-coloured photo-op, pats on the backs, and international praise.

As the blaze raged, management was mute, but quickly found its voice when it came to matters of money. When some residents decided to cancel their newly signed contracts and asked for their cheques back, the building management had the nerve to demand three months rent.

Fifteen days later, another fire, but this time, the tragedy is multiplied. Over 100 families are homeless, having lost everything. This time, help was forthcoming. And unlike at Danger Building, during the second fire at Al Baker Tower, there were volunteers taking names and numbers. Perhaps it was because Al Baker Tower was only two years old; but then, the question is how did such a new building burn so fast? Looking at the torched skeleton of the building, I thought about all of those who lost everything. Luckily for them there was some help.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi is heading a campaign, in collaboration with several other businesses and charities, to give some assistance to the victims of this devastating tragedy. They are collecting clothes and household items, and assisting people with temporary shelter. This campaign lasted only a week; it will take many many more to recover fully.

How did these two fires start? Were there any fire safety mechanisms in place? Fire drills? In my building, there isn't any. I have a fire extinguisher in my kitchen but I need to practice using it. Mohamed Shakkir, an architect with Haruia Associates, told me that sometimes the building owners will ask that in order to cut costs that the fire exits be removed.

Here are a few tips. If your building has fire exits practice a fire drill with your family. Learn the easiest path out of your building, and keep your important papers and money ready incase you need to leave in a hurry. Ask schools to have a fire safety week. Perhaps with some of these prevention methods, fires can be stopped or their severity lessened. Don't rely on building management.

So where do ordinary expatriates go when they find themselves homeless? Who will come to their aid? Only a few friends, I've learned. When it comes to rent, contracts, and real estate management, tenants are thrown to the lions. It seems heartless that even days later, residents are still homeless. Where will they eat and sleep? How will they get to work and school?

The UAE has many millionaires, businesses and charities helping people around the world.

But charity begins at home. With mercy and care, we can grow together. Without them, we're just individual grains of sand tossed around by the uncaring winds of circumstance.

The weight piles on, but options for losing it are scarce

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/the-weight-piles-on-but-options-for-losing-it-are-scarce

Maryam Ismail

Nov 15, 2011 

I really thought I would get some exercise when the taxi fares went up, but I didn't. I just stayed home and gained weight. I won't embarrass myself by saying how much, but I will say that it has caused me a mountain of health problems. And when my doctor announced, "Your ideal weight is 65 kgs," I thought, okay, so where do I buy the ticket to this destination? Because that's the only way that I'm getting there.

Losing weight in the UAE is just too hard.

Gyms for women are rare and expensive and even some of the fancy-schmancy ones need a class on getting rid of mold and mildew. "No one exercises in the UAE," says Lama Yamout, a diabetes educator for Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals.

I met her at Sharjah's Kuwaiti Hospital, where she held an impromptu class on diabetes management. "You must at least walk for 30 minutes five days a week," she advised. It's easier said than done.

Someone in Sharjah had the right idea when they put some exercise equipment in Al Majaz Park. It was great. Women, some in abayas, jilbabs and the Turkish hijabs called pardessus were out there every day working up a sweat, with their children in tow getting some exercise too.

Women want to exercise and need a place to do so. In a Muslim society one idea would be to put a ladies-only exercise section in the park, instead of putting it right in the middle, in full view of peeping Toms. Better yet, why not give the guys their own parks full of equipment? Parks fitted out with a cricket pitch, a football pitch, some rowing machines and a track for walking or running might save a lot of trouble on both sides of the fence. Putting exercise equipment in parks is a great idea but it needs some culturally sensitive urban planning.

Recently, the UAE Government announced an extra Dh144 million for the Ministry of Health. I hope some of this is for preventive health care.

How many times have I heard that the UAE is the diabetes capital of the world? There are so many awareness campaigns, including the Dubai Diabetes Walk on November 25. If only there were a walk like that for us all to take part in every day.

Walking is great exercise for all, but a walking revolution will require better places to walk. There should be walking spaces for pedestrians, lanes for bikers, and access for wheelchairs. Fortunately some neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi, and some higher-end Dubai locations such as the International Financial Centre, do have ample places to walk. But what about the other emirates?

One organisation that might offer some ideas, if not solutions, is the US-based National Complete Streets Coalition, which aims at creating more public spaces to encourage walking, biking and wheelchair access. I'd add baby-pushchair access also; how many times have I seen mothers pushing their babies down the middle of the street because there is no usable side walk?

Also, in a car culture such as the UAE's, walking is stigmatised. I remember suggesting to a friend that we could walk to lose weight. She said: "An Emirati walking? People will look at me."

Perhaps this attitude is tied to a recent Abu Dhabi Gallup Center finding that individuals aged 15-29 are likely to suffer from as much pain as those aged 30-44.

The attitude towards physical fitness has to change. The US National Center for Biking and Walking says children and adolescents need one hour of daily physical activity, and adults at least 2.5 hours weekly.

Look at the time a child spends sitting: as much as four hours on the school bus, five hours in school, three hours doing homework, three more watching TV or playing computer games or surfing the net. Total: up to 15 hours of not moving. There is a dire need for places for kids to play and walk.

In Majaz Park, meanwhile, there are a few climbing frames and two play areas - hardly enough for an area of 30,000 people.

With just some small changes, the UAE could become one of the healthiest nations on Earth.

But that goal will take effort and education, and also requires the resolve for us to incorporate community-orientated design features into our cities.

Physical activity should be a natural part of everyone's daily routine, not a special event that requires a nice T-shirt and a donation.

Maryam Ismail is a sociologist and teacher who divides her time between the US and the UAE