… And you, my friend, shall say "wa alaykum al-salam". This week has been nothing less than insightful and riveting!
I've grown ridiculously spoiled here at the Beach Rotana, and am due to write a letter to hotel chains across the Americas in regards to their 'relaxed' customer service! My schedule has picked up quite a bit, making it even more necessary for me to put myself on a decent sleep schedule! After occasionally swimming in the Arabic sea, stealing wifi by the pool, ordering room service at odd hours, walking the mall frequently, and enjoying housekeeping services TWICE a day—I'm BEAT! No seriously, as many of you may know, I've entered the United Arab Emirates during their Holy month of Ramadan. During this month they focus very heavily on the 5 Pillars of Islam, but one especially: Siyam, or fasting. Because of this – restaurants are closed throughout the day until sundown. Leaving us Americans access to the coveted – bottle of water, stolen breakfast banana, or leftover bag of Doritos. I might have even lost a Kilo(gram) since my arrival! J
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| Sheikh Zayed Mosque |
Lastly, yesterday morning – as it is now around 6am here – we visited the WORLD renowned Sheikh Zayed Mosque, known to the locals as the Grand Mosque. It was breathtaking. I learned so much about the religion of Islam, and the people as a whole, and I'm blown away. The Emirate are very receptive, open, and exquisite. Among those things they are proud of who they are and what they stand for as a nation… The mosque you see was conceived by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the late 1980's. He wanted a place where his people could worship, and visitors around the World can come in peace and share in Allah's glory. Entrance is completely free… Building of this landmark took ten years to after conception to even begin, and is still being completed till this very day. A better description and many more photos can be found on my Facebook if you'd like.
As per the usual, I have a comment, which is actually a probing question, intended to get deep into the psyche of Shaquela.
ReplyDeleteCan there be a true respect and appreciation (of the culture, a people, or you, personally), without first being some understanding? I get the principle of respect for all people, but even that comes from an understanding of differences in opinion, lifestyle, and the like, no? Soooo...while anyone can respect you as a young and succesful black woman, how many of those same people will truly respect the woman who is Shaquela V. Johnson, with all her intricacies intact? Only someone who also understands you...at least to an extent.
Wa alaykum al-salam, sister girl... ;-)
I understand what you're saying completely. I do agree that there has to have been some sense of cognizance -- but I think this argument is sort of like the whole ‘chicken or the egg’ theory, my dear. Can you have genuine understanding of me or my lifestyle if you didn’t respect me as an individual first? If you didn’t appreciate me, would you ‘understand’ where it was that I was coming from, or my beliefs? I’ll be honest with you, I don’t delve into people that I don’t respect and/or appreciate. You’ve said it before, there are some that don’t deserve your energy (because there is usually a lack of respect or something about them that you don’t appreciate) – and you can’t necessarily say that you break your neck to comprehend those individuals and what they’re going through, who they are, etc.
ReplyDeleteOoooo...called me out on my ish. So true - some people I just don't even believe deserve my energy. And sometimes I don't think that is necessarily a true reflection on THEM, just something about the interaction, or lack of connection between the two of us. Which, I suppose, can probably be traced to the appreciation aspect.
ReplyDeleteIn any event - yes, the chicken or the egg...spontaneous existence is my take ;-)
I'm glad that discussion took place...
Wow, Shaquela! This is great, I am soooo happy for you! Who says you shouldn't be a writer/critic for the New York Times? Love how you are keeping up with us "Westerners". Do you see yourself traveling to neighboring countries/continents on holiday breaks?
ReplyDelete