One Dream Done: Arundhati Roy

The Indian author Arundhati Roy speaks at the Sharjah International Book Fair. Duncan Chard for the National.

Roy against the machine

Maryam Ismail

Nov 13, 2012 

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Normally, arriving 30 minutes early for a Sharjah book fair event at the Sharjah Expo Centre's huge conference hall would guarantee you a seat, but not this time. Every chair except for two rows of reserved seating was taken; the walls of the auditorium were lined with people. A few minutes and about a hundred people later, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the president of the Emirates Publishing Association, presented Arundhati Roy to a standing ovation.

Earlier that day, when I spoke to Roy, we talked about her work as a writer, her books and her experiences as an activist, championing human rights, environment issues and the anti-globalisation movement.
Her activities have not been without controversy. Vocal in her opposition to her country's nuclear policy, its ambitions of becoming a free market and the issue of Kashmir (she supports its independence) have incurred the wrath of Indian nationalists, and after she spent two months visiting the Maoist rebels in the Indian forests in 2010, highlighting the plight of India's tribal people, the Adivasis, she was accused of being a national traitor.

However, she dismisses the idea that she's any kind of activist.
"I don't even know what an activist is," she says. "I don't know why people keep saying that I am an activist as if I'm walking around, carrying a banner all the time. I write because I have a space in which I can be heard and that is what I do. I write about my society and its issues."
Prior to meeting her, I expected the 50-year-old writer to be a fierce woman, full of angst and anger, but instead I found that she possesses both the infinite tenderness of a mother and the reckless rage of a suicide bomber, to paraphrase from The God of Small Things. Wearing a burnt orange cotton sari with an olive green blouse and long, white beads, she is a gracious woman who seems so instantly familiar that you want to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. And while her countenance may make you stop in your tracks, watch out: she carries a pen filled with the ink of ire.

In her work, she is known for focusing on the uneven tug of war between global capitalism and those under its feet. When The God of Small Things won the Booker Prize and sent Roy's international profile skyrocketing, she used the clout to unleash a blaze of dissent against India's nuclear ambitions, political corruption and the marginalisation of its poor and powerless.

The God of Small Things, which centres on the lives of twins, a boy and a girl, growing up in Aymanam Kerala - where Roy herself grew up - is a book that gives you butterflies in your stomach; it's filled with tastes, smells and sounds. It brings coolness to your skin and a twinge of pain to your heart. Remarkably, I can still conjure up these images after having read the book only once, 14 years ago, in 1998.
Roy is the daughter of a Syrian Christian mother and a Bengali Hindu. Her mother moved her family to Aymanam after divorcing Roy's father. It was an experience, Roy says, that strongly influenced her writing of The God of Small Things.

"In the Syrian Christian community, I grew up as an outsider," she recalls. "People would say: 'Why don't you go back to your father?' Then, there was the caste system, albeit a hidden one, but nonetheless very rigid. In retrospect, it was the battle to understand who you are."
The caste system is an issue that's obviously close to Roy's heart. But is there anything that can be done to change the national consciousness?

"The debate about changing the society's mindset began with Bhimrao Ramaji Ambedkar [the architect of the Indian constitution] and [Mahatma] Gandhi. The constitution was a compromise where caste was institutionalised. People like to think of Gandhi as someone that was against the caste system, but this is a lie. Gandhi himself believed in the caste system. He said that the untouchables should remain scavengers and Brahmins should take care of the spiritual needs of society - that every caste should remain where it is, but we should respect them.

"There is such intellectual dishonesty going around in India concerning him and his history. He is a fascinating figure, but he should not be someone that we cannot question or talk about - this is wrong."
Another cause Roy is associated with is anti-globalisation, a topic which she has written about extensively. Does she think her work, together with that of others such as Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and Howard Zinn are collectively making a chink in the globalisation machine's armour?
"I think it's hard to say," she says. "There is a chink in the machine, but I don't know if it is because of our work. The machine is creating such enormous disparity, such enormous violence, that there is bound to be a blowback. How can I take credit for that? I don't know."

The God of Small Things has yet to be followed by a second novel but, after 14 years, she confirms that another is on its way. An attempt to squeeze out some details is met with a sly chuckle.
"I am writing a new novel, but when I finish it, it will be as much as a surprise to me as it is to you."
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Crafty Gemini: Sewing Stretch Fabrics

Crafty Gemini is my new fav for learning to sew and advice on crafts.

Yes, this is a tad away from my normally, politically charged gloomy self. Yes, I do think about other things. Like sewing. Shopping is just too depressing. I went to H&M's just to have a look at the sales and found a. clothes that were too hot to wear after January and b. skirts that make better head bands because, hummm, use your imagination. So, I am making my kids clothes. A knit dress and a long shimmery gown. Pictures might be forthcoming. Anyway, I'd like to hook you on to my girl Crafty Gemini- Vanessa Wilson who is no joke. I found her when I was looking for a video on YouTube on how to make homemade soaps. I had found some other videos, but hers were clear and precise. She even has a phone app!

Ya gotta love her.

Hoping for Change-Sigh

This is something that I wrote in 2010. Although things are a little different from back then, some things are are worst. Back then, we were just worried about impossibilities, like the entire population of America having its water supply compromised by terrorist,  but now that the Muslims are asserting their right self determination along their own values, it's time to bring out the ammo. Libya was the first trial and now Mali; just when we thought the war was over. Obama, said that the war on terror was over, then he said, he got Osama, then Al Qaida was weakened. An now what is the excuse? Ya Rabb, musaidinah!

Time to move on America

Maryam Ismail / 9 April 2010

People in our part of the world love to say, ‘the Jews control everything in America… All of the US presidents are Jews excluding Barack Obama; he has other problems’. Conspiracy theories make me laugh. That was until I listened to the two speeches given at this year’s annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) meeting.

Then the entire scenario unfolded before me like the end of the film, Ocean’s 12. Suddenly, everything I’ve ever seen had a new meaning. It became clear, that words like insurgent, terrorist, and militant were selectively taken from the word wall of Zionism. Placing these words into an ultra-mediated discourse has made them almost as ubiquitous as milk and sugar.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and US Congress member Eric Cantor, took the team teaching approach, in giving their version of Israeli history, 101 and 102. Netanyahu played expert historian, and participant of the death-defying struggle of his people, painting the bloody and arduous history of the Jews of the past three millennia across a global canvas.

Next, Cantor, gave his introduction to modern US Jewish history which recounted the tale of 20,000 German-Jewish children on a ship who were denied entry to the US and were sent back to Germany, because Congress refused to pass a bill granting them entry. To make up for it, we see the end result, the state of Israel. Then we got to the real point of their speeches: Palestine, Islam, and terror.  I don’t know if it’s delusion or blindness, when Netanyahu spoke about Israel’s attempt at peace with Palestinians while at the same time saying that they have no right to their homes in Jerusalem.  “Amen” added Cantor.

Suddenly, Netanyahu’s geography got funky. He compared my home state of New Jersey (one of the smallest states in the US), to Israel. Building a scenario where Iran and Hezbollah (which he says has 60,000 missiles) were ready to pounce on this innocent and beleaguered mouse (Israel) which is already scratched and bruised. New Jersey is not Israel.

Trenton, the capitol of New Jersey couldn’t defend itself against Iran or Hezbollah. However, Israel with its endless source of conscripted military and white phosphorus, US-made and donated technology and weaponry, could and often does, annihilate anyone that has threatened it.

That’s my spin on it, but it won’t be coming to a movie theatre near you any time soon.

My jaw dropped when Cantor laid out his 12-step media plan to keep the world focused on the US “war on terror.” “From Yemen to Afghanistan to Pakistan, terrorists are not going to lay down their arms against America if we abandon Israel. We must do everything possible to hold the media accountable and empower our communities at home with an understanding of the true nature of our shared struggle with Israel.” 

Suddenly, that 1950’s film, the Blob came to mind. As if there isn’t enough hype and hysteria surrounding the world of Muslims, it seems that this is just the beginning.

First, the story was of 19 mad men, allegedly all from the Arab world. Then they somehow had a connection to Afghanistan. Then anthrax. Then old vials of Ricin were found in a refrigerator in Iraq. Now there’s this talk of American wannabe terrorists. You see how it goes from a little rock with a ball of jelly in it into a bloodthirsty monster devouring humankind?  Cantor does a remake with a mental montage of his version of Muslim world: “The American people know who stands with us in our fight against terrorism; we know who wept at candlelight vigils when America was attacked on 9-11 (I shed a tear for my friends in the WTC basement) and we know who sends teams of doctors and millions of dollars halfway around the world to save lives in Haiti.

"In the same way, we Americans also know who teaches their children to emulate suicide bombers (hmmm); who danced and tossed candy around in the streets on 9-11 celebrating that horrible day (A Fox News re-mix). And we do know who names their boulevards, schools and their public squares after terrorists," Cantor proclaimed. 

Am I the only person who believes this guy has gone off his rocker and is tired of this spiel?  It’s time to think differently, to stop rehashing this rhetoric. We have to think of the global common good. This constant search for bad guys is not healthy. No disrespect to those who’ve died and are dying in this mess, but a death is a death and everyone cries when their loved ones are gone.

In the words of the great comedian, Bernie Mac, “America, let’s move on.”  I hate to say it, but if we don’t there’ll be no end of the Jihad Janes, Petey the Petrol throwers, and Wally Wahhabis, because this theme is coming back home, ‘if you’re not down with the latest theme on terror, you’ve got to be a terrorist.’

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/opinion/2010/April/opinion_April48.xml&section=opinion&col

Prayer in Mall Masjids: Where Did Everybody Go?

What’s going on? I’ve noticed that in terms of the malls, there are less women praying along with their children in the Mall masjids. I also had a similar experience during this 2012 Sharjajh International book fair where it’s claimed that there were 70,000 visitors a day. Yet, in the past, during the prayer times, it was almost impossible especially on the women's side. Even if you when to pray up to fifteen minutes early, their was no place in the bathroom, in the masjid and even in the halls. However, this time, as I sat there waiting for the Maghrib athan, I sat there all alone. Finally as I was leaving there were about three people coming to pray. Even during other times there were very few people praying. The same thing with Asr prayer yesterday in Sahara Center. It was Friday and the mall wasn't very crowded, but there were lots of people there and yet, during Asr prayer there was only about 10 or 12 people praying. In the past, during this time, you’d have to wait for enough people to stop just so you could get out of the mosque (it’s prohibited to pass in front of someone praying).And now, their was only one person praying behind me in the second row. 

Why is this? Now, when there are seemingly more and more Islamic classes, but less people praying. Also, there is the problem of fajr. Perhaps it's two things, those who pray have left the malls. They have decided these are places of fitna. They are in a way, how many awful songs have I heard describing acts that would land you in jail if you talked about them in public? Then despite the signs asking people to please where respective clothing, in some cases, even though, some might think that these signs are for non-Muslims, there are some Muslims who are guilty of dressing inappropriately. 

Then there is also, the factor of the 3ddy culture, where Islamic values are not held in the respect that they deserve. There's a demand for respectful clothing, but there are very few places that sell them I went to H&M to look for a shirt for my muhajjabet daughter, and found a mini skirt that would make a nice head piece for her. Yanni, that it was that small. In the past, I would see Emirati girls wearing their traditional jilbabs, they were beautiful and covering well. Now, it very rare. I am not blaming them. It's just perhaps that they feel that it's an old thing. Then they should buy they latest fashions. Allahu 3llum. The other is that there are very few options and if they have money, why shouldn't they spend it on their kids. Why shouldn't these kids dress like the ones they see on those kids on the MBC channels? 

There is a slow withdrawal of the Islamic presence. 

It’s been two years now that they've stopped the Fajr prayer on the loudspeakers, now we can hear only athan and iqamah, the call to wake up and the call to stand for prayer. What does this mean? I am no sure, what I do know is that it can not lead to any good. Perhaps people will let it go, but as Emiratis struggle to keep their culture in tact, but how can they when much of this culture is linked to Islam? Without Islam what will be left of Emirati culture? Without prayer, what kind of hope will be left for a better future? I am of the opinion that it’s taqwa of the people that has kept UAE strong, prosperous, and thriving. It is also, the same thing that made Turkey rise within the past few years. Without it, it was a disaster, and without it and/or with its decline, it has had awful results. 

There Is No Comfort in Death

©2012 Maryam Ismail

Within the past month or so, African Americans have been killed either by police or self-defenders protected under the law.  Trayvon Martin was killed on February 26^th, According to a New York Times report, on March 24^th, in Pasadena,  California, Kendrec  McDade was shot at eight times and killed as he reached for his waistband, believing their lives were in danger. In Chicago, on March 22^nd, Rekia Boyd died after being shot in the head by an off duty police officer while hanging out in the park. These murders have pierced the heart of the African American community.

Add to this the murder of Shaima Alawadhi or racial profiling of Muslim students and mosque goers, and you have a common thread.  These are two groups of people that we (those who are participating within the structure of white supremacy) are not comfortable with you around us the way you presently, look, act, dress, talk or pray, etc.  In essence until you change so that we aren’t afraid of you, you shouldn’t be here.

 At the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, on Saturday, Wajahat Ali, head researcher of the report, Fear Inc., stated that “Before it was Arabs or Muslims, but now Islam is the enemy.”  Knowing that this sentiment is pervasive, the story of Shaima Al Awadhi remains at the lower end of the spectrum in terms of coverage.

Also, the murder of Shaima Al Awadhi has seeming been pushed aside by the coverage of Martin and other killings of African Americans because, unlike hers, it’s a single incident. Another reason is that although some are suspecting her death as a probable hate crime it’s not one that involves the state or laws that justify vigilante justice which are now being used in incidents where racism comes into play.

 Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that hate crimes against Muslims don’t happen. I’ve seen it happen shortly after 911. A man attacked a woman in the supermarket claiming that she (the representative of all Muslims world-wide) blew up the World Trade Center.  Little did he know that she had back up, my husband and his friends and I created such a fuss that the guy and his wife were escorted out of the store. The owners, the Corrado Brothers of Corrado’s in Clifton, New Jersey, were not going to let anyone disturb their customers. They were among the few that I’ve seen who would stand up for Muslims during that time.

The Martin case, has caused such outrage is mostly because of the circumstances around it clearly point to wrong doing. A kid visiting a relative in gated community, and was then approached by someone who didn’t live there. Listening to the recording of the phone call made by Martin’s killer to 9-1-1, we hear him being told, to not follow Martin; basically, leave him alone.

 I don’t know what went through George Zimmerman’s mind as he followed Martin. What I do know is that Martin’s death is a lynching. One that in the eyes of the law, is ok. It’s as Wild West as you could get; if you don’t like the way someone looks you can just kill him and get to go home.

“Stereotypes of a black man misunderstood, but it’s still all good,” rapper The Notorious B.I.G so aptly put it. But it wasn’t all good.

This is was especially the case in aftermath of the seemingly endless brutal violence in New York City duringthe 1990’s. Eleanor Bumpers, Michael Griffith, Gavin Cato, Aamadu Diallo are some of the names of the fallen. In retrospect, can’t help but see a pattern between what happened to him and New York during the tenure of Mayor David Dinkins and these final days of the Obama administration.

 Dinkins, the first African American mayor of New York City, whose skin color and history (race) proved to be more salt in old wounds then a healing balm of the African Americans living there.  Most of you may not know the many names of those who died during that decade in New York City alone, but they represent the terror of the 1990’s. Many were victims of perception. In 1994, Dinkins was followed by Rudolph  Guliani. He had a different approach he used paddy wagons that rounded up everyone who look like they didn’t belong on the streets of New York.

During the Guliani administration, 1999,  Ahmadu Diallo a Guinean college student,  was shot 41 times by off-duty New York police officers as he reached for his wallet (they assumed it was a gun).  Initially, his killers were indicted by a Bronx grand jury, but after a ‘change of venue’ which moved the trial to Albany, where they were acquitted.

 This Saturday on the Melissa Harris Perry Show, Diallo’s mother came out to speak about the similarities between the killing of her son and Trayvon Martin. One element has been the attempts to portray Trayvon in a negative light, something that Kadiatou Diallo called “Heartbreaking. First suffering the loss of a child, then having to go out and defend his honor.”

I have two sons in the US, both African American and Muslim and I pray every day for their safety. I listened to the terrifying howling of what is now being said to be the voice of Trayvon Martin, and then, I heard the sound of a gunshot. I felt it bounce off my heart. After that, I didn’t hear anymore howling. 

Some Old School: Remembering the Nakba Everywhere

Cliches in The Hurt Locker

Maryam Ismail (AT HOME) / 30 March 2010

The film The Hurt Locker is an infomercial for the war on terror, reiterating the one-sided portrayal of US soldiers as self-sacrificing and hardworking. Iraqis in the film however are corrupt, sneaky, and cowardly. Conversely, this film made by a woman, had only one woman in it whose lines don’t amount to a single paragraph.

The voices of the women, especially those affected by the war are hard to find. It’s time to create an oral history of victims of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, Palestine, Lebanon. In this project there can be no wailing, chest pounding, grovelling, moaning or bizarre conspiracy theories.  Just voices of women, girls, and mothers-whose voices have been locked up in the sort of media ventriloquism of aid workers, documentary makers, UN officials, and powerless 
peace activists.

The traditional media outlets of AP, UPI, Reuters, as well as other global players have split the discourse into two sides colouring one hero and the other terrorist and for the most part, both are male. To spice up this black and white canvas, there are stories of Iraqi women and girls being forced into prostitution or unwanted refugees who’ve been rejected as asylum seekers. But what about those who remain behind? How do they cope with the battalions of missionaries, social reformers, and cultural opportunists coming to ‘save them’? 

I found a warm fuzzy story about happy refugees who’ve made peace with their predicament and the suffering on the web site, Teacherstv. This video about Iraqi refugee children in Syria, was reminiscent of the 18^th century polemics of the happy slave, when no one is happy. But it’s human nature to take the worst situation and do the best you can with it. In my search for videos about Iraqi moms, I found a horrendous video from Parents TV promoting a children organisation called Campfire USA. Armed with a scheme called ‘Operation Iraqi children’, Campfire USA organised a school supplies drive for Iraqi children. readmore 

The End of M Magazine and My Life articles

Sniff, I can't believe it. It's over, just like that. Two weeks ago, I got an email from my beloved editor that M Magazine was being canceled effective immediately. The line was that "They did survey and the audiences wanted something different."

I don't know what the real story is, but it just was done in such a way that made me wonder.

Anyway, it will mean that I will be working on my anthology, currently entitled From Alaska to Mongolia, but I'm thinking about changing this. The idea was to write about the experiences of Muslims around the globe.

But let me ask you guys, What do you want to know about the Muslim world?

Please spare me the silly questions such as those about 4 wives, 70k virgins, and stoning and loss of limbs. Google it if you are dying to know.

Just think of this entry as the question box.

Ask away.