How it all started…

I have been living outside of my native homeland for the last 22 years. Aside from a short stint in Paris, Dublin in Ireland has been my base. Throughout these years, many were the times I found myself answering questions and explaining things about Arabs, Arabic, Islam, Muslims and the Middle East. From things like ” do you have to cover your hair when you go back home?” to ” are we all infidels according to Islam?”. Sometimes, I am debunking narratives, clarifying preconceptions, challenging stereotypes or simply educating. The more I experience life both here in Ireland and at home or anywhere else I have visited, the more I realise that humans are humans wherever you go. There are mothers obsessed with their sons in all cultures, wives bitching about their mothers in law in all cultures, single middle aged men preferring to date younger ladies in all cultures, husbands putting the dirty dishes next to the dishwasher in all cultures, family members falling out over the care of their elders or inheritance in all cultures, countryside people slagging city people and vice versa in all cultures…etc. Basically, the good, the bad and the ugly in all cultures. On a human behavioural level, there are really very little differences amongst us all. Where the differences emerge are in traditions, cultures and education, which is what makes the World the exciting place it is. If we were all exactly the same in every way, life would be so utterly boring. But with differences comes fear, and that is what I want to play a part in reducing. Fear breads intolerance, racism, hatred and ultimately injustice. I am going to try and get the Western reader more familiar with the Arab Easterner through exploring different aspects of our being. And maybe I will help the world become a slightly better place if a few more people understand each other a little bit more. Wish me luck!