Muntasir Mamun's Blog

Arabs wear Prada!
Masakin Sheraton, Cairo
16th Jan 2009

My obsession made me travel to Cairo twice due to the history of human civilization and the ancient cultural phenomenon of Egypt and especially for the book named “The Alchemist”. I am not too old to snap back my childhood memories of text book stories on Pharaoh and Pyramids. It was written, this is the land where civilization begun and so far one of these are elder of its kind.

This time, after the New Year eve I was flying from southern hemisphere to the far north, Middle East and the North of Africa. I had promises to keep paying back my sponsors money which I have received from an Egyptian telecom giant “Orascom”. Other wise I would never thought of visiting this place during the WAR time. Which I got to know before I reached here. All of the in flight news papers were showing the massacre in Philistine. From Melbourne to Kuala lampur, Bangkok to Doha. The two weeks of genocidal activity proves that nothing is impossible, if you have the power, you can use it in any ways you want.

I was following the city life of Cairo from the pedestrian by river Nile. I never climb so high before to meet some one except meeting God in the mountains. It was 27th floor of very posh Southern Tower of Nile Tower. We came up with everything within a very short time and she was showing me the way out to the elevator and stopped by a Christmas tree. It was kind of pale though but was still having the ornamentals on it. “Have you ever seen Christmas tree before?” she was wondering after asking this question. I know it was just out of blue as that tree was beside of our way out and we had to talk n walk on for a while. She was kind and generous corporate lady, so I dint miss interpret her asking. Yes, I am lucky enough to see such a colorful element before – I replied. I was happy to know among nearly 7-8% of Christian population Christmas tree is visible in here which is may not be so common in else where.

I had to look for a city map of cairo so that I can ride on my bicycle and can reduce my cost of transport though its like a hell of a place to try anything with any type of two wheelers. After security check I followed the escalator of very elegant Tower Mall to find out book store or travel desk (I was so fool!). I have found nothing but very expensive and exclusive shops of outfits and footwear’s. Strong fragrances of coffee and perfumes caught my attention to lead me to that source. Flock of executives were enjoying there meal and chatting loud. I found some ladies were caring their purse having a red strip on it and some guys having the same stripe on their shoes. Yes its Prada. They wear Prada on their daily life and surly they must be having positions in the business or any of its kinds who rules!

I am having a couch at my friends place, with a cable connected TV! I was flattered to have his hospitality and facilities I am having. I found nearly 200 channels on the TV including FoxMovies, CNN, BBC and Aljazaara and rest of them are half nude Arab speaking either music or general channels. During my last trip I was fond of Zoom, Dubai based channel that grabs my all attention and most of the time while I was in hotel. No it’s not an English channel, its lurid presentation of woman through music was so illusive; I could hardly turn my eyes off the screen. They were singing in that language which most of us forced to learn (I have sentenced to take one year spoken and written Arabic course during my bachelor) or at least to read. Oh hell, God communicated with us though this language! Its holly for us, the Muslims. No matter How fast I flick around the channels I have to see them while finding news on war. I was keener on learning the stands of neighboring states of philistines.

Number rose up to four digits within last 24 hours, ya they are dying so fast. They are paying for all of us. I don’t know whether they are dying in the name of religion or not, they are dying. To support them I don’t need to be a religious pig in the name of Islam or Judaism. They are just another human being bottled in a place where they can hardly run. Egypt and Israel blocking both side of tail shaped territory named Gaza. From 27th December to till today death toll is increasing.

But where is the precaution? Where are those Islamic leaders? No one come up with anything so far. You don’t need to be Muslim to help those 7 million peoples of Philistines, it’s a question of radical humanity. Where are the Arabs? Where are Egyptians? Where are Saudis? They are the strongest among others in Middle East and North of Africa.

Being a Muslim, I was always dreaming of visiting the Holly Land of Islam, I wish to follow the trail of Mohammad, the way he traveled from Macca to Madina. I always wish to be a pilgrimage of Hajj. But now I can hardly feel it any more. Its impossible to theorize the act and stand of Arabs states concerning the current situation of Philistine.

So far they haven’t got any common idea to way out to trim down the war cloud. No one wish to sets another joint force against Israel from the Arab world but every one like me was waiting for a decision they could come up with a bilateral seize fire.

I don’t know where is the patriotism of shooting some handmade local rockets to southern Israel to trigger them to lead genocide. Its fanatic in the name of humanity as you are impotent to defend your peoples. As Islam itself means peace then why they are acting so fool by being killed?

One of my friends told me to stand on the street of Cairo to protest the war, indeed I would love to do that, I walked every corner of city heart of the very first day, I wonder, I haven’t found anything. Cairo is just having full space of usual life. Nile is flowing, street vendors are selling bread, cars are buzzing the horns, back street boys are smoking and ruling classes cherishing their life and making it more comfortable by wearing Prada. No one wants to get dirt on it.

cairo, egypt, worldtour, war