Million Words Memoir. 100 Contributers. Endless
“Wadihaj”: Coming to America from My Muslim Village
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Draft Contents:
PART ONE: VILLAGE YEARS
PART TWO: CITY YEARS
PART THREE: TRAVELS, EAST AND WEST
PART FOUR: COMING TO AMERICA
PART FIVE: TERRORISM AND ISLAM
PART SIX: RETURN TO VILLAGE
PART SEVEN: FULL CIRCLE
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PART ONE: THE VILLAGE YEARS:
CHAPTER 1: CIVILIZATIONS:
1. PHARAONIC CIVILIZATION
Aunt Banato: My Pharaonic “Guide.” Jebel Barkal: “Zib Alfir’oun” (Pharaoh’s Penis). Nuri: Tombs Under Water. Defuffa: “Khawajya” (White Woman) Ghoal. Tabo: Jumping Over Pharaohs statues. Simit: Sobek’s Semen for Women. Tombos: “Aqjindi” Fertility God. Meroe: Kandakas in the Bible. Book: Western Antiquity Thieves. Book: Tahraqa Saved Jerusalem Jews. Book: Black-Pharaohs and Black-Americans.
2. CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION
Ahmed Baraka: Christianity “Expert.” Faras: Christianity Capital. Kom Ombo: Coptic Cathedral. Faras Cathedral: Excavation. Poland: Visiting Faras Excavators. Old Dongola: Visiting Christian Makuria Capital. Soba; Visiting Christian Alodia Capital. British Toynbee vs. Sudanese A. Al-Tayeb: Christians’ Burden.
3. ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
I was Muslim Before Conception: My Father Intercourse’s Prayer. Book: Nubian Muslim Childbirth. My Birth. My Circumcision. My Name: 150 million Mohammads. Salih, A Prophet: Visiting Madai’n Salih in Saudi Arabia. Muslim Names: More Religious Than Christian Names. Studying Islam: After 9/11 Attacks.
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CHAPTER 2: TRIBES:
1.KABABISH, MY FATHER’S TRIBE
Book: Talal Asad. Book: Al-Tayeb M. Al-Tayeb. Book: A.A. Ibrahim. Book: Hassan Najeela. Book: Mansfield Parkyns. Kababish and Liquor. Kababish Songs. Kababish Islam. A. M. Salih: Taloudi, My “Grandfather” and the British. Wad Rakha Fighting the British.
2. BIDAIRIYA, MY MOTHER’S TRIBE
Al-Affad: Visit, 100 Years Later. Book: Ahmed Al-Shahi, The Shaigiya. Hasan M. Salih: Visiting Nuri. Uncle Bashari: A Proud Bidairi. Visiting Al-Khandaq: Bidairiya-Shaigiya Battle. Bidairiya and Liquor. Bidairiya’s Songs. Bidairiya’s Islam.
3. THE NUBIANS
My Family and the Nubians. “Al-Molook”: Danagla-Nubians’ Kings. Nubians’ Islam: Weak? Nubians’ Liquor and Songs. Black-Americans and Nubians. Book: Henry Louis Gates: Black Nubians. Book: John McWhorter: Blacks’ Color Obsession. American Nubians: Boston’s Nubian.
4. THE FALALEEH
Thanks to the Falaleeh: Built My School. Who Are the Falaleeh? The Mamlukes: Escape from Egypt. The Bahooties: Main Group. Prophet’s Blood Connection? The Ashraf (Nobles)? Falaleeh’s Culture.
5. SLAVE-DESCENDENTS
Abdul-Hadi: Discrimination. Bilal: Muslim’s Pride. Sudan: Slavery Memories. Francis Deng: Inferiority Complex. John Garang: Arab Racism. M.I. Nuqud: Reconciliation. Mansour Khalid: Punishment. Salman Salman: Lest We Forget.
6. GYPSIES
Who Are the Gypsies? Fathi Al-Halabi. “Wada’iya” (Fortune Teller). Monkey Dancers. Al-Hilali Story. Visiting Gypsies in Poland.
— — — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 3: MY FAMILY
1.MY FATHER, THE VILLAGE’S SHAMAN
His Name: Many Mohammads. Westernizing My Name: Keep Changing. How Father Met Mother. Marriage Boycott (Like Mine 30-Years Later) Father’s Westernization: Islam’s Tolerance. “Yellow Books”. God’s 99 Names. A Prayer for Everything. Angeles. Devils. Chanting the Prophet. Native Medicine. Curing the Villagers. “Al-Ain” (Evil Eye). Bones of “Hodhod” (Hoopoe)
2. MY GRANDMOTHER, THE FAMILY’S MATRIARCH
Cousins’ Marriage: Al-Noor and Al-Noor. Her Brother, The British Security Guard.
Gifts From Britain. Gifts From Al-Affad. “Al-Barakawi” Tree: From Al-Affad to Wadihaj. Me, “Man of the House”. “Ahaji” (Bedtime Stories). Coffee From Scratch. Coffee Songs. Accommodating Western Culture.
— — — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 4: WADIHAJ VILLAGE
1.” KHALWA” (MADRASA)
The Word “Khalwa”. My “Khalwa”, My Kindergarten. Sheikh Munawwar, My Teacher. A Day in the “Khalwa.” “Sibha” (Praying Beads). “Madeeh” (Prophet’s Praising Poetry). “Seera” (Prophet’s History). “Moulid Al-Nabi” (Prophet’s Birthday). “Thikr” (Religious Dancing).
2.SUFISM
Khatmiya Sufism: Abdallah Fadol: “Sha’i Lillah Ya Mirghani.” Idrisyia Sufism: Uncle Younis: “Al-Salat Al-Azeemiya.” Mahdiya Sufism: Ali Jarallah: “Ratib Al-Mahdi.” What is Sufism? Book: R.S. O’Fahey: “Ibn Idris.” Book: Ali Salih Karrar: “The Sufi Brotherhoods in the Sudan.” Book: Haim Shaked: “The Life of the Sudanese Mahdi.”
3. CULTURE:
Family. Sex. Women Circumcision. The “Zar.” Marriage. Children. Farmers, Businessmen. A Day in the Village. A Day in the “Souq” (Market). Ramadan. Eid. Haj. Proverbs. Evil and Counter-Evil.
4. WESTERNIZATION
Father Family’s British Connection. Mother Family’s British Connection. My First “Khawajat” (White People). Fantasies About “Al-Khawajiya” (The White Woman). British Sex Jokes. British Afternoon Tea. British Gifts. British Education. British Telegraph. British Nile Ships. British Railways. Native Medicine, British Medicine. First Village Radio. BBC Arabic News. Uncle Bashari: London’s Excitement and Pride.
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 4: POLITICS;
1. BRITISH RULE:
Jackson Pasha. British Power. The Trek. The Court. Fun Time. Sudanese Assistants. “Khawajat” (White Men). “Khawajiyat” (White Women). Superiority and Inferiority Complexes. British Women and Sudanese Men. British Women and Sudanese Women. Native Servants Helping British Women. British Medicine. British Education. “Bahkt Al-Roda”. Ejoying British Achievements. The Quran vs. The British. British Novels vs. American Novels, (British Character vs. American Character).
— — — — — — — — — -
2. EGYPTIAN RULE
My First Egyptian: “Qoftan” and “Tarboosh”. Uncle Younis: Egyptian Newspapers. Wali: Egyptian Magazines. Morsi: Egyptian Women Fantasies. Osman: King Farouk’s Cook. King Farouk’s Rule. King Farouk’s Islam. “Wa’az” (Preaching). Mohamed Mukhtar: Sharia Laws. Abdul-Basit Abduil-Samat’s Quoran Recitation. Al-Bowaisary Praising the Prophet. Shawqi Praising the Prophet. “Arabian Nights.” “Nights” Women. “Nights” Slaves. “Nights” Christians. “Nights” Jews. Shadia’s Songs: Egyptian Nationalism.
— — — — — — — — — — —
3. NATIONALISM AND INDEPENDENCE
Thanks to the British. “Auld Lang Syne.” My Father’s Nationalism. Uncle Hassan’s Nationalism. Uncle Abdu’s Nationalism. Nationalist School Plays Justice Islamic Plays. Nationalism Poetry. Arabs’ Freedom Poetry. Egyptian Nationalism. Teacher Farouk, The Communist. Teacher Amin, The Islamist. Teacher Tamim, The Liberal. My Liberalism. Uncle Awad, The Leftist. Listening to Communists. Independence Day Celebrations.
4. OTHER VILLAGERS:
Abdalla Altayeb. Jamal M. Ahmed. Altayeb Salih. S.A. Alhardalo. M.I. Abu-Salim. A.I. Abu Shouk. Talha Gibri. Ga’afar Abbas. Lukman Ahmed. A.M. Sheikh Idris. A.R. Mohammd Salih. M.Y. Wardi. Sabri M. Ali. A. A. Alsheik. A.S. Girais. A.I. Ahmed. Muddathir Abdul-Rahim. Ahmed Khair. Barakat Balla. Al-Khidir Haroon. Tariq Al-Taib. Ga’afar Hamid Albasheer.
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PART TWO: CITY YEARS
CHAPTER 6: EDUCATION:
1.HIGH SCHOOL (Wadi Seidna):
A. British Culture: Teachers. Curriculums. “Khawajat” (white people). “Khawajiyat” (white women).
B. Arabic Culture:Teachers. Curriculums. No women students. Boys sex. Big Moniem. “Martin Luther.”
C. Mentor-teachers: British Harvey. Christian Theodora. Islamist Al-Hawwari.
D. Me: Cultural shock. Rebel. Choices. Decisions.
E. Self-Analysis: 4 S’s: Smart. Serious. “Sympatico.” Superior
Wadi Seidna Secondary School: British Teachers.
2.UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM:
A. Western Culture: Study with women. Curriculum: Democracy. Capitalism. Communism.
B. Western mentor-teachers: American Duncan. American Ford.
C. American Library: “Paradise.” Chants for America.
D. “Alsahafa” translator: “Time”, “Newsweek”, “IHT.”
E. Westernization: German Club. Swedish Dreams. “Khawajiyat.”
— — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 7: JOURNALISM:
1. “Alsahafa” Newspaper:
A. Background: Intermediate school, high school, university
B. Foreign Editor
C. Embassies: Western. Communist. Arab: Liberal and Traditional
D. Westernization: BBC. Reuters. Books: “Fanny Hill” “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” “Middle East History.”
E. Americanization: “Time.” “Newsweek.” American Cultural Center.
F. Critical of US: Israel. Vietnam. Women Feminism. American “Zonooj” (Negroes).
G. OTHER JOURNALISTS:
A. Mukhtar. I. Alataani. B. Mohamed Sa’id. M.M. Salih. Idris Hasan. M.S.M. Alhasan. Yahia Alawad. Mahmoud Galander. S. Mihaisi. Y. Alshanbali.
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 8: CITY
A.City Culture Shock: Inferiority complex. Jokes. Other new-comers.
B. Urbanized: Sports. Songs. Movies: Egyptian. American.
C. City “Aristocrats”:
D. Christians. Jews. European Immigrants.
E. Secularization: No Prayers. No Ramadan. No Mosques. First liquor. First prostitute.
F. Men-Women Relations. Sexism. Prostitution. Homosexuality.
G. OTHERS:
Shawqi Badri. Hilal Sadati. Mansour Khalid. B.M. Alhawati. Abdul-Rahman Alamin. A.A.Ibrahim. A.O. Almubarak. Kamal Mowafi. Faisal M. Salih
— — — — — — — — — -
.
CHAPTER 9: ISLAM VS. WESTERNIZATION
ISLAM:
1. Egyptian Influence: Afghani. Abdu. Al-Banna. Gutub. Khalid. Huwaidi. Haddara.
2. Sudanese: Alturabi. M.M.Taha. Abdul-Samad. Babikir Karrar. Altayeb M. Altayeb. Omer.Taha. Badri. Ghanouchi. Al-Shati.
Communists (Mahjoub. Nuqud. Makki). Socialists (B. Karrar). Buddhist (Mustafa). Existentialists (Al-Hilo).
3. Visiting Places: Omdurman: Qareeballa, British PhD. Hamad-Alneel Tomb.Tayba: “Azraq”. Tabat: Abdel-Mahmoud. Om Dawanban: Wad-Bador. Tuti: Arbab Al-Aqad. Labab: The Mahdi’s Birthplace. Train Trip: Nuqudalla the Mahdist. Arkawit: Digna Conquering the British. “Khartoum” Film: Killing British General Gordon.
WESTERNIZATION:
1. Egyptian Influence: Westernized Egyptians: T. Hussein. Zaki Mubarak. Altahtawi. T. Alhakim. Y. Hakki. Aljandool (Taha).
2. Westernized Sudanese: S. Nugdalla. Abdalla Altayeb. A. Salih. A. Abu-Sine. Kh. Haroun. Tariq Altayeb
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 10: ARABISM VS. AFRICANISM
1.ARABISM:
Outside Influence:
A. Books: Al-Husari. Hussein. Al-Aqqad. Al-Hakeem. Mahfooz. Abanoodi. Sharqawi. Hakki. Nasser. Haikal. Aflaq. Louis Awad.
B. Interviews: Gabbani. Mahmoud. Jumblat. Aziz. Jaheen. Al-Haj. Shawi. Awad.
Sudanese Arabism:
(1) Poems/Songs.
(2) Debates:
2.AFRICANISM:
A. Books: “African Nationalism.” “Negritude” “The Wretched.” “Black Skin.” My B.Sc. thesis: African Unity.
B. Interviews: Al-Hassan. Ibrahim. Al-Faitoori. Abbakar. Ahmed.
C. Poems/Songs: Kabli. Makeba (S.Africa).
3. NORTH VS. SOUTH:
A. First Southerner I met, in village.
B. My M.Sc. thesis on South.
C. Covering South: War, Peace.
D. Muslims’ arrogance. Muslims in denial.
E. Killing Southerners: Big Moneim.
— — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 11: CIVILIAN RULE VS. MILITARY RULE.
1.Outside Influence; Egypt. Region. Others.
2. Sudanese:
A. First Democracy (1955–1958). Me very nationalist.
B. First Military (1958–1964). Me avoided domestic politics
C. Second Democracy (1964–1969). Me enjoyed “the Golden 1/2 Decade.”
D. Second Military (1969–1985). Me avoided domestic politics. Left to America.
E. Third Democracy (1985–1989).
F. Third Military (1989–2019): Islamist.
G. Fourth Democracy/Fourth Military. Civil War (2019 — present).
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PART THREE: TRAVELS, EAST AND WEST
CHAPTER 12: VISITING MUSLIMS:
Indonesia: Dutch Colonialism. Somalia: Italian Colonialism. The Gulf: Portuguese Colonialism. Algeria: French Colonialism. Ethiopia: Islam vs. Christianity. Nigeria: Islam vs. Christianity. Uganda: Islam vs. Christianity. Kenya: Islam vs. Christianity. India: Islam vs. Hinduism. South Korea: Islam vs. Buddhism. Pakistan: Strong Islam. Iran: Westernized Islam. Saudi Arabia: Birthplace of Islam.
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 13: VISITING EUROPE:
Russia vs. Islam. Poland vs. Islam. Hungary vs. Islam. Austria: Muslims Rule. Bulgaria: Muslims Rule. Greece: Muslims Rule. Turkey: Ottoman Empire. Italy: Reckoning Somalia. Portugal: Reckoning the Gulf. Spain: Reckoning Andalusia. Britain: Reckoning Sudan. France: Reckoning Algeria. Belgium: Reckoning Congo. Holland: Reckoning Indonesia. Germany: Reckoning Africa. Scandinavia: Reckoning Islam. Caribbean Cruises: The West Playground. Latin America: “The Other West.”
CHAPTER 14: OTHERS’ TRAVELS: A. Salih: West and Arabs. Osman: Saudi Arabia
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PART FOUR: COMING TO AMERICA
CHAPTER 15: A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND:
A. A Foreigner’s Inferiority Complex.
B. Individualism: No ‘Salamu Alaikum.” No “Azan” (Call to Prayer)
C. “Alkhawaja” (White Man): Power. “Alkhawajiya” (White Woman): Beauty.
D. Crimes. Guns. Land of the Plenty.
E. Films: “Coming to America”; “Good Morning, Vietnam”; “Gandhi”; “Platoon” ; “E.T.”; “Indiana Jones” ; “Batman” ; “Star Wars”.
F. Towards a Just Country: Watergate. Iran-gate.
G. Technology: Xerox. Fax. Color TV. Stereo. Cassette recorder.
H. Christianity: What makes America tick?
I. Secularism: But, “Under God.”
J. Rationalism: But, emotions: fear, love, hate.
K. Capitalism: My Failed Investments.
— — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 16: AMERICAN CIVILIZATION: VISITED PLACES:
Plymouth Rock: The Pilgrims. Jamestown; 1607 Settlement. Mount Vernon: George Washington. Monticello: Thomas Jefferson. Statue of Liberty: Freedom. Ellis Island: Nation of Immigrants. Wall Street: Money Power. Cape Lajon: Military Power. National Cathedral: Religion. Kennedy Center: Idealism. Smithsonian: Science and Technology. FBI: Law and Order. The Bahamas: Columbus Arrival. St. Augustine, Florida: 1565 Settlement. Boston: Mary Dyer, Quaker. Salem: Witch Trial. Cherokee, NC: Natives. Springfield, MA: Puritanism. Boston: Winthrop Grave. National Archives: Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights. Hodgenville, Kentucky: Lincoln Birth. Springfield, Illinois: Lincoln Library. Washington: FDR
Ford Cars: Hard Work. Disney: Hard Fun. Cruise Ships: Western Civilization Microcosm: Genuinely. Civility. Quietness. Silence — Praying?
— — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 17: FOUR AMERICAN FRIENDS:
White Man. White Woman. Secret Muslim White. Jew.
— — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 18: COVERING POLITICS:
Carter. Reagan. Senators Fulbright, Abourezk, Percy, Biden.
— — — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 19: COVERING RACE:
A. Indiana University: Africans vs. Black Americans.
B. Muhammad Ali. Louis Farrakhan. Warih Deen Muhammad
C. Jessie Jackson vs. Ronald Reagan. “African-Americans.”
D. Blacks Inferiority Complex vs. Whites Superiority Complex.
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 20: COVERING MEN-WOMEN RELATIONS;
A. Indiana University: Nudity. “Free Sex.”
B. Sexual Harassment.
C. What Do Women Want?
D. Men Homosexuality; Women Homosexuality.
— — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 21: COVERING ARABS AND MUSLIMS:
A. Edward Said. Clovis Maksoud. Nofel. Senator Abu-Rizk. Saudi Prince Bandar.
B. Me and Arab-Americans: Puzzled. Racism?
C. Books: “The Arab Mind”; “Who is an Arab?” “Covering Islam”
D. Muslims: Black Muslims. ‘Da’awa” (Spreading Islam).
E. Visiting Arabs: Alqusaibi. Alradwi. Mansour. Salibi.
— — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 22: COVERING OTHERS FOREINGERS;
A. British: Friend (Update: Village “Khawaja”).
B. French: “Let us eat pate.”
C. Italian: “Our pizza”
D. German: “We will rise again.”
E. Korean: Visit. Proud Asians.
F. Vietnamese: Ex-General. Barbers.
G. Chinese: Love/Hate. Whitening. “Dangerous”.
H. Japanese: Super-White.
I. Somalis: Proud of Islam.
J. Ethiopians: Christianity Helps.
K. Turks: “The Ottomans Will Rise Again.”
L. Iranians: “Hollywood’s Sunset Blv. Shahs.”
M. Pakistanis: Proud of Islam
N. Sudanese: Stay or Return?
— — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 23: OTHERS ON AMERICA
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CHAPTER 24: FAMILY
A. Wife: “Khawajiya” (White Woman), Christian. Conservative. Love Letters. Quiet/Shy. Disciplined. Hard work. Parents: Rejection, Acceptance. Foreigner/Nice.
B. Three Children: Bi-Racial. Their Birth vs. My Birth. Their Kindergarten vs. My “Khalwa”. Their Schools vs. My Schools.
C. Race: Black and Whites
D. Growing-up: Kindergarten. Elementary School. Burke Lake Park. South Run Rec. Swimming. Baseball. Basketball. Soccer. Dance. Florida. Boone, NC.
E. Religion:
1.Porch classes: Moses’ 10 Commandments. Jesus’ 10. Koran’s 10.
2. Mosques: Pakistani. Saudi. Afghani.
3. Churches: UU. Baptist. Catholic. Methodist.
4. Synagogues: But, no to school.
5. Hindu Temples: Goddesses. Food.
6. Buddhist Temples: Buddha. Food.
7. Satan Temple: But didn’t take them
8. Arab Coptic: Smoke. Pita Oven
9. Occasions: Christmas. Eid. Halloween. Lent. The Dead Day.
10. Secular/Religious Prayers: Grace. Bed-time. “Start Your Day.”
11. Cooking Food: Cultures. Religions (Jewish).
— — — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 25: PROBLEMS:
A. STAY OR RETURN? Foreigners: Fear of, Fear From. Language: A Word A Day. Inter-Foreigners: Envy. Home Memories: Moon light in my porsh. Sudan’s Military Rule and Poverty vs. America’s Wealth and Freedom.
B. AMERICAN CITIZEN:
The day. Proud: Carry Passport. Try Anthem. “America the Beautiful.” My Chants about America. Books: Jefferson. Tocqueville. Paine. Webster. “Manifesto Destiny” “City-on-Hill.” “American Dream.” American Greatness: Fall of Nixon. Fall of Communism: Havel’s visit. Me Reagan “supporter.”
C. CONFUSION:AND DISAPPOINTMENT:
Sudanese or American? Goodbye Sudan’s Passport. African, not Black. US Military Intervention in the Gulf: “Kill Them.” Arabs: Anger. Depression. Psych. US Politicians: Bought a book: “Cynicism”.
D. FOREIGNER FOREVER: Sudan’s Memories. Nativism. Handicapped: Language, Sports, Literature, Arts.
E. Self-Analysis: Serious? Yes. Smart? No. “Sympatico”? Yes/No. Superior? No.
F. VALIUM, LIBRIUM. ATIVAN.
1. Tension-Headache: Dr .Philaforte: “Enjoy Your Children.”
2. High BP: Dr. A: “Relax.”
3. Psychologist: Dr. Sue: “In Your Head.”
4. Psychiatric: Dr. Stein: “Mental Disorder?”
G. COUNSELING:
1. Group Counseling: Dr. Samuel: Stress Management.
2. Single Counseling: Dr. White: “No Religion Please.”
3. Religious Counseling: Rev. Lyndon Johnson: Center Prayer.
4. Catholic Counseling: Confessions.
5. Return to Mosque: Counseling. Prayers.
G. YOGA:
1. UU Church: Spiritualism/Stress Management.
2. South Run: Water Yoga
3. Wakefield: Breathing. Aromatherapy.
4. Springfield: Steaming Yoga.
5. Fairfax: Screaming. Crying.
H. SUFFISM?
1. What is “hum, hum”?
2. “Peace, peace.” “Jesus, Jesus.”
3. Update Village Chanting: “Hai” and “Qayoom.”
4. Asian Muslims: Malaysians, Indonesians.
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PART FIVE: TERRORISM AND ISLAM
CHAPTER 27: 9/11 ATTACKS:
1. Where was I? Uncontrollable cry; don’t know why.
2. Checking Neighbors.
3. My Son’s Op-Ed: “Dad Crying on the Phone.”
4. Churches: Methodist: Patriotism + Spirituality. UU: Concern.
5. Others: Where were you?
— — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 28: GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM (GWOT)
A. Afghanistan Invasion.
B. Iraq Invasion.
C. Americans: With. Against.
D. Muslims: With. Against. Here. There.
E. Fear: FBI. DHS.
F. “Christian GWOT.”
G. Reading bin Laden at the White House.
H. INTERVIEWS: Koreans: “Christian GWOT.” CIA Torture and Our Dog. “Deutschland Uber Alle.” “Blacks GWOT.” “Jewish GWOT.
I: CONFRONTATIONS: Confronting General Boykin. Confronting Kofi Annan. Confronting Colin Powell. Confronting Condoleezza Rice.
J. AMERICAN JOURNALISTS: Respect, Despise: Maher. Donahue. Helen. Jennings. Arnett.
K. HEALTH: High Blood Pressure. Start of Diabetes.
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 29: DOMESTIC WAR ON TERRORISM (DWOT)
Patriot Act. “See Something, …” “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest). “Elaborately Checked.” My Pentagon Scare. Watching GWOT’s Films. When NPR Interviewed Me. NSA Spying on my father?
— — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 30: STUDY OF RELIGIONS
A. BACKGROUND:
Religions and Wars. Europe. Western Christian Colonialization. British “Christian” Rule of Sudan. Book: “Sacred Causes.”
B. RELIGION AND GWOT:
“Good vs. Evil”. “God Told Me.” Christian Filsm. “Cocoon”. “Love Your Children”
C. EXPLORING RELIGIONS:
Centering Prayer. Washington Interfaith. Unitarian Universalist Church. Christian Friends and Ramadan. Christian Family Reunion. Facing Crosses, Big and Small. Weekend in a Monastery. Fasting Ramadan in the Monastery. “Muslim First, American Third”. Mosque-Church Weekend. Carrying a Big Cross. Feeding The Homeless. Celebrating Lent at a Church. First Synagogue visit. Celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Celebrating Yom Kippur. Celebrating Passover. Celebrating Buddha’s Birthday.
— — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 31: RETURN TO THE QURAN: DIRECT STUDY:
A.Muslims: Fear. Confusion. Depression. Contradictions. Denials. Inferiority Complex.
B. Direct study of Quran: No “Fatwas.” No “Ulama” (Scholars). No Politics. Straight to God; No Prophet Mohammad.
C. First Books: French Muslim Garoudi. British Ex-Nun Armstrong.
D. Listening. Greenway, Boone, NC, Burke Lake Park, VA. From Cassette to I Phone. Abdul-Samad “Tajweed” Reciting. Surprises: God in my ear. God’s Power. Repetitions.
E. Issues:
2/3 about Christianity, Judaism. ½ about Jews; mostly negative. American Misconceptions about Quran. Criticism of Quran. Women. Slavery. No Secularism. Terrorism or Jihad? Not all “Moslimoon”(Muslims) are “Mominoon” (Faithful). Quran Addresses “Mominoon,” never “Moslimoon.” Exclusivity/Superiority. Muslim Feminists.
— — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 32: PRIDE AND ARROGANCE
A. Why Pride and Arrogance? New identity. Writing in “The Washington Post” and others. Muslim First, American Second. My Color Has Nothing To Do With My Identity. Faith is The Core of My Identity. First demonstration: Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan. Somalia. Palestine. The White House Jihad. “Allahu Akbar” Jokes. Arrogance in the Quran? Islamophobia: My Islamophobia. Tweeting My Arrogance.
B. OPINIONS: Politicians: Corruption. Journalists: Hypocrisy. Blacks: Color Obsession. Jews: US Foreign Policy. Immigrants: “The Meek.” Women Femininity vs. Men Masculinity. Gay Marriage. Crimes. Drugs. Moralism: Me, Towards Higher Moral Grounds (HMG).
— — — — — — — — — — -
CHAPTER 33: OTHERS: SUDANESE:
A. Immigrants.
B. Second Generation.
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PART SIX: RETURN TO THE VILLAGE:
CHAPTER 34: RETURN TO THE VILLAGE
UP DATE: ISLAM VS. WESTERNIZATION
1. Father’s “Western” death: Day of mourning. Last Ramadan Fasting.
2. Visit Graves: Grandfathers: Idris, Taloudi, Bashari. Grandmother Bit Ali. Abu-Yousif. Sheikh Munawar. Kourtawi. Abdul-Hadi.
3. Visit Al-Qa’ab, Father’s origins.
4. Visit Al-Affad, Mother’s origins.
5. Culture: Cellphone. Satellite TV: Hoola watching “Payton Place.”
6. Power of Religion: “Alsalamu Alaikum”: Village vs. Washington,
7. Old Hoolla Watching Japanese Wrestling on satellite TV. War on
8. Terrorism. “Why Hate America?”
9. Cure for Coronavirus. Father vs Father-in-Law. Mother vs. Mother-in-Law.
— — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 35: RETURN TO THE CITY: UP DATE: ISLAM VS. WESTERNIZATION.
1. Update: Village-City Conflict: Family.
2. Update: Islam vs. Westernization. Western Technology. Westernized Elite. Leaving to the West.
3. Update: Arabism vs. Africanism. Oil Arabs. Leaving to the Gulf.
4. Update Civil Rule vs. Military rule. Islamist Military Rule.
5. Update: North vs. South: South Secession; Blame US
— — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 36: RETURN TO THE REGION: UP DATE: ISLAM VS. WESTERNIZATION.
1.Update: Saudi Arabia, Gulf: Powers: Money. Faith.
2. Update: Egypt: Islamic Awakening. Setback.
3. Update: Lebanon: Arabism: Race. Gender. Politics. Corruption. East/West.
4. Update: African Countries: Democracy. Technology. China
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CHAPTER 37: OTHERS RETURNING TO VILLAGES, COUNTRIES AND REGION
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CHAPTER 38: FAMILY UPDATE:
1. Children: Son: Relative Morality. Writer. First Daughter: Women’s Rights. Second Daughter: Political Correctness
2. Wife: Non-Racial Identity. Non-Racial Marriage. Cultural Differences. Typical American (in this order): Faith, Freedom, Rationalism, Individualism, Hard Work, Hard Fun, Quietness, Silence — Praying?
3. Race: First TV Shows: “Black. White.” The Nigger-Word. Barack Obama: Inferiority Complex. Obama and my son.
4. My Family and Terrorism.
5. My Father, a Terrorist? Americans and My Father (Responses in “The Washington Post”).
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PART SEVEN: FULL CIRCLE:
CHPATER 39: RETURN TO SUFISM
A. Sufism in the US.
B. Return to Sufism. Return to the Quran — Again. “Al-Rooh” (The Spirit).
C. Second Daughter’s “Sufism.”
D. More Pride, Less Anger. Mindfulness. Spiritualism. Conscious/Subconscious. Aura. Hormones. Universalism. Artificial Intelligence.
— — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 40: TWO FAMILIES:
A. Father vs. American Father-in-Law.
B. Mother vs. American Mother-in-Law.
C. Brother vs. American Brother-in-Law.
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CHAPTER 41: VISITING JERUSALEM.
Judaism. Christianity. Islam
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CHAPTER 42: AMERICA’S EXCEPTIONALISM:
A. American System: Freedom. American Politics: Controversial.
B. American Past: Controversial, American Future Bright
C. American Racism Gone, American Color-blindism
D. BUT: DOMESTIC: CRIMES. DRUNGS. GAMBLING. LESS MARRIAGE
E. BUT: FOREIGN: ISRAEL. CHINA. RUSSIA. DICTATORS
F. UP DATE: CRUISES. This Great Western Civilization. Caribbean: Whites vs. Blacks European: Cathedrals. Castles. Museums. Battlefields. Freedom. Individualism. Secularism. Rationalism. Technology.
G. Demure: No Denial. Submit, but not Faithful.
— — — — — — — — — —
CHAPTER 43: QURAN’S EXCEPTIONALISM:
1. Update Quran Power (“WMD”):
3.Update Cruises: Listening to Koran Among Bikini Women.
4 Update GWOT. Guantanamo: “Kafir, Don’t Touch Koran.”
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CHAPTER 44: OLD AGE. ILLNESS. DEATH
A. DEATH: In My Village. In Saudi Arabia. In the US.
B. DEATH OF FRIENDS: S. Al-Sayed. A. Batran. A. Al-Malik. A. Osman. A. Khair. A.A. Albashir. M.B, Hamid. K. Mowafi. Pakistani Siddiqi. Arab Nationalist Maksoud. Egyptian Journalist Maddah. THEIR AMERICAN CHILDREN.
C. OTHERS EULOGIZING OTHERS.
D. MY DEATH: Resigned to Death. Health. Death News. Funeral Will. Funeral Celebration. Grave-stone Writings.
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MY FUNERAL CELEBRAION
(Written in 2010, not published)
Mohammad Ali Salih
Recently, Rabbi Bruce Aft, of Adat Reyim Jewish synagogue, near where I live in Burke, VA, a suburb of Washington, DC, was receptive when I asked him whether, when I die, my casket could be brought to the synagogue for prayers.
He first asked whether I was expecting to die soon, and I said No.
He told me an ancient Jewish story about Nathan the Wise who had a ring that made him pious, and when his three children fought over who was going to inherit it, he secretly made two identical rings and gave a ring to each of the sons, and told them that the most pious of them would be the owner of the real ring.
The Rabbi’s point was that it was up to Jews, Christians and Muslims to prove which religion is closer to God — after a pause, he added, “We will help you” (about my request to bring my casket to the synagogue to be prayed on).
I went home and added the synagogue to a list of other nearby worshiping places that I would like to have my casket taken to for prayers.
When my three children were young, and as part of my efforts to teach them to think freely in this most free society in the history of mankind, I took them to different religious places near our home for 30 years: Accotink Unitarian-Universalist church, Burke United Methodist church, Adat Reyim synagogue, Mustafa Islamic Center, Gurdwara Sahib Sikh temple, Durga Hindu temple, Ekoji Buddhist temple, Nativity Catholic Church and St. Mark Coptic Arabic Church.
All these places are within five miles of each other and of Fairfax Memorial Park burial grounds. Clearly, it will be a logistical nightmare to carry a casket in and out of nine places, so I opted for the first four.
But the message is the same: (1) to have my children take me, for the first and last time, to religious places that I took them to. (2) To register a Muslim immigrant’s appreciation for freedom of religion in America.
I would like not to follow the Muslim practice of burying the dead as soon as possible, and preferably before sun-set. Instead, select a day, preferably Saturday or Sunday, plan a schedule, and send advance notices to the above worship places and to the local media so as to gather people from different faiths to “celebrate.”
Hopefully, an inexpensive and simple casket will make it easy to carry in and out. (Also, a simple white sheet wrap; no suit, no viewing, thank you).
If there will be a Muslim who will not want to enter a synagogue, a Jew who will not want to enter a church or a Hindu who will not want to enter a mosque, they can wait outside.
At the open-minded Unitarian-Universalist Church, I would like to have people sing what was my children’s favorite hymn, “All the Colors,” which apparently appealed to their half-black-half-white racial mix. (For the sake of more diversity, how about the hymn’s Spanish version too?) Also, “Alhamdulilah,” a Muslim hymn adopted by this welcoming church.
At the Methodist church, I would like to have people sing my favorite Christian hymn: “Amazing Grace” and repeat “When this flesh and heart shall fail. And mortal life shall cease. I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.”
At the Jewish temple, this is my favorite, using transliteration: “Eyn keylo-heynu. Mi heylo-heynu. Nodeh leylo-heynu. Baruh Eloheynu. Ata hu Eloheynu” (There is none like our God. Who is like our God? Let us thank our God. Let us praise our God. You are our God). And repeat what I found easy: “Adonai Eloheynu. Adonai Ehad” (The Lord is our God. The Lord is One).
At Mustafa Islamic Center, verses from the Koran that reflect tolerance of other religions, like: “Those who believe in the Koran, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans, and whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does righteous deeds, their reward is with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they grieve.”
Last, the burial.
At the Islamic section of King David Memorial Gardens, in Falls Church. I would like to have a large marble tombstone, divided into two, with these engravings:
1.With symbols of: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Unitarian-Universalist: “Symbols of religious places, in Fairfax County, he took his young children to. To enjoy American freedom, and to promote tolerance.”
2. With White House Banner: “Since 1980, occasional White House Silent Jihad, with signs: “WHAT IS ISLAM?” And “WHAT IS TERRORISM?” And “Until I Die!”
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