At this moment, Democracy is overrated. We are not ready for it. Regimes across the Middle east will make sure we are "not ready" and that Political Islam is thriving yet in check, to promote the notion of "Either us or the Islamists”

Democratic political system that guarantees personal and minorities rights, is the only path for modernity and prosperity in the Middle East. Unfortunately those who believe in such system, are weak, and trapped between a much bigger global game of power and brutal regimes.

Do we commit suicide and fight losing battles with powerful regimes? Could we, at this moment, compete with Political Islam? The answer in my mind is No, not before the idea of liberal politics is allowed to find roots in the minds of the masses. Would the governments allow it? NO.

What can we do then? The answer in my mind is to keep doing what we are doing: Promote liberal thought, Promote the notion of Freedom, personal rights, Art, Education, religious tolerance…we should pursue this goal even if it was through established regimes institutions…After all, the goal is to cure the minds, and open it up, so that when the moment of truth arrives we would not be vulnerable to chaos and repressive theocracies. So enough of politics, enough of Aljazeera, and let's do it on a grass-root level..Let's take credit for it, and enjoy its fruits...

'Noun- the mystical letter'



When i arrived at the main gate over looking the Nile river , i knew i am about to enter a mystic place...
The steps leading to her 'atelier' in the floating boat isolated me from the noise of the city .
Her music was so relaxing that i felt the water of the river touching the boat following the same rythem...moving among her paintings,of men spinning and dancing ,as if trying to charge the world with additional energy..trying to unite with the universe... i felt the power of their souls.
Rana Chalabi: a syrian artist that moved around from place to another, seeking answers for her questions ..finally she found the answer within her self...
the Chineese ink is her favourite ,with which she turns the white pages into a continous movement of sufi people ..
Her mission is to present the arabic letter as a concept ..revealing the history behind these symbols that we use daily without even understanding the creativity that shaped them ...
Rana chalabi doesnt need to sign her artwork....her concept and style are too enique to be mistaken .

photpgrapher: Marwan Musselmani

Ok, I am on it...I am implementing the new policy of being good citizen.....Sex and city is actually good..but not as good as watching Chahd Barmada on Future TV..

There are only two churches dedicated to this great saint: the original church of St. Elian in Homs, Syria, and the church of St. Ellien in Brownsville, PA. The relics of the holy doctor Elian, are kept inside a marble sarcophagus inside the south apse. The eyes of today’s visitors are irresistibly drawn to the impressive neo-Byzantine paintings made by the Romanian artists Gavril and Miha Morasan, whose work concluded the renovation of the church in the early 1970s1. In May 1970, while cleaning the walls before applying a fresh layer of plaster, wall paintings came to light inside and near the south apse, which were soon after restored by the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums. they contains Arab and Greek scripts dating back to the twelfth century AD and even as far back as the sixth century.. The pictures are of this church in Homs.

Snow in Hims is always a joy. I remember as a boy the first time I woke up and saw the white color everywhere. I felt more relaxed, peaceful, and optimistic.People playing with snow were more friendly...I remember that even throwing strangers with snow balls was welcomed by them ...Although just looking at a stranger in the eye in the summertime is an invitation for a fight .. Certainly snow has his own effect on us.
The old people of Hims still remember when it snowed continuously for 40 days during the 30's (not sure)...At the time, all day to day life activities stopped ...People who witnessed it call it The big snow storm (el-taljeh el kbereh) or the 40-day snow storm (taljet al arb3een) . I still recall my father's aunt dating some events and some birthday dates with by reference to the big storm. On this she would say: her cousin was born before taljet el-arbi’en...or: her friend postponed her wedding because of it....I want to invite all people, especially those who live in hot climate neighboring countries and say: bring your children even in the winter to Homs; give them the chance to experience this peaceful feeling. .because Ii still feel good when I remember that white view of my country.
I included some photos taken in Hims during the 60's and 70's. Hope you like it!

Post card sent from Hims in 1929!