Paradox of illiteracy and evolution..

I had never laughed or found it funny..

Paradox of illiteracy and evolution..

He is a poor street tea-vendor in Nairobi,

who used to walk almost naked with bear feet,

who dreamed to look as urban as seen on TV,

purchased 2^nd hand cloth,

and spent time to wash and iron,

then worn and walked proudly to serve his customers..

Certainly; his attire and outfit had changed in few days..

Certainly; his son will be a literate, an urban and a venture capitalist..!!

The Southern World..

Making wider sense..

Africa, Sudan, Cultures and Urbanism are great subjects for fictions, while realities are further greater concern for People, Governments and NGOs..
Challenges are greater than any expressions, threaten with inevitable natural and political cleansings..
Lots had been fabricated to suffocate the simple truth of the Southern World..
The collapse of referrals and intellectual road maps is unrecoverable despite the $ spend on development..
Corruption of people, regimes and epistemia is remarkably contagious, sensational and slippery as well..

Resultant: fast growing uncertainties lead to fierce competitions producing unprecedented atrocities..
It is a helplessly pessimistic vision to predict a future, despite the wonderful smiles of innocent kids.. and wishful thinking of the good people..!

A PhD Holder..

This why it is undoubtedly meaningful not call PhD holders: Doctors, and who would seek or insist for, is considered unreliable..!

Worldwide, except among Arabs, Africans and Western Asians; the academic degree is not socially active nor mentioned.. Remarkable persons are appreciated for their contribution for the public and common good, whereas most are only a Diploma holders..

I believe the trend to honor the PhD holders came from the famous Egyptian academic expeditions to Western Europe in 1880th.. Returnees were celebrated, and were also eager to influence the public by their catches of urbanism and political development.. Their only way, within the flood of Ottoman Decorations, was to appreciate their degrees to be ear-catching.. Their syndicate had developed the concept, which slowly spread all over.. to become a public phenomenon..

Since 1970th, it became a social decoration and an employment path rather than an epistemic excellence or advances..

This is why both academia and professionalism had severely deteriorated.. The phenomenon is more observed in Egypt, with more than 30 universities and more than 3000 PhD holders are decorated every year, while all socioeconomic and political foundations are collapsing more than anywhere else..!

During the times of Kufi Anan, United Nations became the favorite employer for PhD holders, which had not only disturbed HR processing and cost of operations, but also had created a massive rush for serious, cheap or fake degrees to be obtained.. This is while the serious academic institutes had suffered contracted funds and elevated tuition fees..

Thankfully, public and private donations had enabled preserving the seriousness of the research work..

Thankfully that Ban Ki Mon had dramatically changed the processing, and focused on professional degrees among all UN community, which would inspire the world..

Regretfully, PhD became a degree that does not worth its own Plaque..!

Pity..!

African & Balck Art..

Exaggeration and challenging the limits are modern urban characteristics for both African and Black people.. Maybe this is a normal reaction of bitter marginalization.. Maybe this is the handy way to show off in times of mass media.. Maybe these are fruits of unknown historical or cultural seeds.. Or maybe just meaningless physical fantasies..

In Africa and among Black people, fewer are the serious social studies or skillful expertise to understand both referrals and evolutions of these communities.. With high rates of poverty, illiteracy and illnesses, people are incapable to seek more than their basic physical needs and commodities.. Art and performances are always mirrors of our intellectual capacities..

The extremes of both vulgarity and naivety are well observed whenever you go across the continent..  Sympathy and solidarity is not that great to stabilize the communities.. Rivals are common scene as extracted from the tribal history and practices.. Power and authority shape politics and social grading, rather than wealth or knowledge..

The interests run by Investors and venture capitalism have no vacancy for humane interventions or long term planned developments.. Nothing encourages any serious attempts to change the long term lasting injustices and abuses among the people themselves.. It is not only a matter of reflections to times of atrocities, but social culture that goes deep in time when African used to sell their natives to foreigners.. Or to the recent one, whereas rural slavery is common in countryside and jungles..

Between the self condemnation and others accusations lay great divide of sustainable civilization..!

ISS African Futures Project

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is a pan-African applied policy research institute headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa with offices in Cape Town, South Africa, Nairobi, Kenya,  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Dakar, Senegal. The ISS is an established think tank working in the area of African human security. It seeks to mainstream human security perspectives into public policy processes and to influence decision makers within Africa and beyond. The objective of the Institute is to add critical balance and objectivity by providing timely, empirical research and contextual analysis of relevant human security issues to policy makers, area specialists, advocacy groups, and the media.

The ISS was founded in 1991 by the current Executive Director, Dr. Jakkie Cilliers and P. B. Mertz as the Institute for Defence Policy, which was renamed in 1996 as the Institute for Security Studies.

http://www.iss.co.za/default.php

UBUNTU

"An anthropologist proposed a game to African tribe kids. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits.

When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats.

When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?

UBUNTU in the Xhosa culture means:

"I am because we are"

Thanks to Mohamed Ayoub Fadlallah for Sharing 

The Crisis in Sudan..

Iddris Dibbi, Chadian President paid $25 million dowry to the Janjaweed daughter; Amani Musa Hilal

Latest; a Visionary had called it as three folds: Economic, Political and Spiritual..

This is new, as “Spiritual” is a controversial and indefinite term; rarely used in political analysis; unless promoting for particular “Totalitarian” themes; which is very likely in today’s Sudan..

Not only the Sudanese, but most of the “3rd or Underworld” are anxious for roles and events; which can bring their names to Newsrooms and Talk-shows.. Since the revolutionary mass media techniques carried on the (Cable-News-Network) CNN in early 1990th, the whole world gradually evolves into PR-Addiction, and Fame-Psychopath..

Politicians and Leaders are no more seeking logic to address the followers, but flashes and loudspeakers, associated with expertise on body language, eloquent phrases and shocking tactics.. (Last night the heartless Putin was in tears for the inevitable winning presidential elections..) The term “Business” had invaded everything; from your personal business at a "Toilet", to macro one at the UN.. Business modeling with investment, risk and branding profiles are swiftly available for any buyer.. “Professionalism on Sale” became the slogan of 21st century; whereas anyone can own a Satellite TV channel for 100,000 Dollars, a Tabloid for 60,000 Dollars or a Hit-DVD for 20,000 Dollars..

Rasha Rasheed was carried on a Howadah to her Wedding..

Sudan is no different, despite how the literate Sudanese “preferred” to call themselves and their country as “Different”.. A phrase that is prostitutionally used by every “Amr & Zaid” (Arabic alternate for Deck & Harry).. All political cults and activists had repeated these “Historical” slogan in some way or another.. Certainly it had fit the times of defining a nation, not the times of managing it..! A product introduced by the “Gordon Collage” affiliates; who had "unintentionally" ruined our epistemia..!

Logic tells, whenever you exaggerate distinction; you are probably the most common..!! Literate Sudanese (including the blogger himself) usually use eloquent words and phrases that are no match to the deteriorated HDI rate (Human Development Index).. Politicians had been caught within the “Westminster Practices” since the first scholarships to UK.. Oldies listened to the BBC; Adults listened to the outspoken local peers; but Youngsters listen to no one..!! No one truly listens to the world we share; while excitement would top any discussion, critique or question on the Sudan.. As how the country slipped into “Partitions” all social models had dramatically collapsed; despite the hilarious advocacy on how "Better" Arabs or Africans we are..!

The Agriculture Minister; A Bureaucratic Tycon without records..!

Despite the pride of how “Readers” we are; the true problem in Sudan that we are too ordinary, to realize it..!!
Being a Reader does not necessarily mean being a “Knowledgeable..”

We have all wrongdoings of the others.. We practice all goodness alike the others.. We are not on top of any world; but probably at the bottom of most.. Not a matter of scriptures; but Indexes and data..!!

Unless we come down to earth; we shall never stand up, nor run.. (Forget about flying) We need to admit how “Naked” we became..
We need to listen to the jokes on our vulnerability..
We need to practically condemn the sale of “Amani Musa Hilal”, the Howdah of “Rusha Rasheed”, and the notorious "Abdul-Halim Al-Mutafi"..
We need to admit how truly corrupt we became..

Corruption comes down from public offices to bedrooms.. Where a spouse don’t question the resources of a provider; while the kids are resultants of trade-off rather than matrimonial love..!!

Our crisis in Sudan is “intellectual”..
It will last as long as how arrogant and ignorant we shall persist..
It will only defuse when realties replace virtual statements, Visionary replaces Journalism phenomenon; and reading-rates collapse..!!

الأزمة في السودان

قدم الرئيس التشادي ادريس دبيي مبلغ 25 مليون دولار مهراً لإبنة زعيم الجنجويد ؛ أماني موسى هلال

مؤخراً ، اعتبر أحد الكتاب أن الأزمة في السودان ذات ثلاثة أبعاد: اقتصادية وسياسية وروحية

لعل هذا من قبل التجديد ؛ حيث أن "الروحية أو المعنوية" اصطلاح غير محدد ومثير للجدل ، ولم يسبق استخدامه في التحليل السياسي الا من أجل الترويج للأفكار الشمولية ، والتي ليست غريبة عن السودان اليوم

ليس فقط في السودان ، ولكن في معظم بلدان العالم الثالث أو العالم الأدنى ، يتوق الجميع للأحداث والأدوار التي يمكن أن تجلب أسمائهم إلى غرف الأخبار وبرامج الحوار ، منذ ثورة الإعلام التقني على شبكات السي ان ان في 1990 فقد تطور العالم كله على نحو تدريجي إلى ادمان الشهرة والعلاقات العامة

أصبح الساسة والقادة لا يستخدمون المنطق في مخاطبة أنصارهم ولكن وميض الكاميرات ومكبرات الصوت في ترابط وثيق بالتعامل مع لغة الجسد والعبارات البليغة وتكتيكات الصدمة .. في الليلة الماضية كان بوتين قلب الأسد يذرف الدموع بعد اعلان فوزه المتوقع في الانتخابات الرئاسية
مصطلح "الأعمال" صار يغزو كل شيء من همّك الشخصي في المرحاض وإلى المستوى الدولي في الأمم المتحدة.. نماذج تنفيذ الأعمال مع تقديرات الاستثمار والمخاطر والدعاية متوفرة لحظياً لأي مشتري
 أصبح "الاحتراف للبيع" شعار القرن 21 ، في حين يمكن لأي شخص أن يمتلك قناة فضائية بمبلغ 100,000 دولار أو صحيفة صفراء بمبلغ 60,000 دولار أو يصدر اسطوانة أغاني بمبلغ 20,000 دولار

لقد تم زفاف رشا رشيد على هودج يحمله رجال إلى عريسها

السودان ليس مختلف ، على الرغم من المتعلمين السودانيين يفضلون وصف أنفسهم وبلدهم بالاختلاف عن الآخريين ، وهي عبارة تم استخدامها على نحو مشين من قبل كل عمرو وزيد (البديل العربي لديك وهاري) لقد رددت جميع الطوائف والناشطين السياسيين هذا الشعار التاريخي بطريقة أو بأخرى.. من المؤكد انه قد تناسب مع زمن تعريف الأمة ، وليس مع ادارتها
 انه المنتج غير المقصود الذي قدمه منتسبي كلية جوردون ، وللسخرية ، فإنه قد خرب التطور المعرفي في السودان

المنطق يقول ، كلما صار التمييز مبالغاً فيه ؛ فالمرء على الارجح هو الأكثر شيوعاً

عادةً ما يستخدم السودانيون ممن يعرفون القراءة والكتابة (بما في ذلك المدون نفسه) الكلمات البليغة والعبارات المنمقة والتي لا تتطابق مع مؤشرات التنمية البشرية المتدهورة
منذ أولى المنح الدراسية في المملكة المتحدة ، وقد سقط سياسييو السودان رهينة ممارسات وستمنستر
استمع الآباء بشغف الى هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية ؛ استمع البالغين الى أقرانهم في الداخل ، ولكن رفض اليافعيين الجدد الاستماع إلى أي شخص

لا احد يستمع فعلاً إلى العالم الذي نعيش فيه ، في حين أن الإثارة والحدة ستقود أي مناقشة أو نقد أو سؤال عن السودان

كيف انزلق هذا البلد الى التشرذم بينما تنهار جميع النماذج الاجتماعية على نحو درامي كبير وعلى الرغم من الدعوات والافكار الهزلية حول كيفية كوننا أفضل العرب أو الأفارقة

وزير الزراعة والغابات ذو العلاقات الحكومية والانتهازية والتي لا سجلات لها

على الرغم من اعتزازنا بكوننا أكثر الناس قراءةً ، فان المشكلة الحقيقية في السودان هي أننا عاديين للغاية ، فكون المرء قارئاً لا يعني بالضرورة كونه مطلعاً

لدينا كل الأخطاء مثل الآخرين .. نمارس كل الخير مثل الآخرين

نحن لسنا على رأس أي عالم ، ولكن ربما في الجزء السفلي من معظمه

ليست مسألة شعارات منمقة ولكن مؤشرات وبيانات

اذا لم نعترف بأخطاءنا لن نستطيع الوقوف أبداً

نحن بحاجة الى الاعتراف كيف أصبحنا عراة

نحن بحاجة إلى الاستماع إلى النكات عن مساؤنا

نحن بحاجة إلى إدانة عملية لصفقة أماني موسى هلال ولهودج رشا الرشيد ولسوء سمعة عبد الحليم المتعافي

نحن بحاجة الى الاعتراف كيف أصبحنا فاسدين

الفساد ينتشر من المكاتب العامة الى غرف النوم.. حيث الزوجات لا يتسألون عن كيفية مدخول أزواجهم ، في حين أن الأطفال صاروا محصلة تبادل منفعي بدلا من المحبة الزوجية

أزمتنا في السودان هى فكرية

وسوف تستمر طالما استمرت العنجهية والجهل

قد يمكن نزع الفتيل عندما نستبدل الاحلام الافتراضية بالواقع أو الصحافة بالرؤية أو نتوقف عن القراءة

Critical Case in a Wrong Time..!

The Mass-Graves of African Refugees in Sinai-Egypt 2011..

http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=94294

EGYPT: Refugees hit by discrimination, violence amid heightened nationalism

CAIRO, 24 November 2011 (IRIN)
Refugees living in the Egyptian capital Cairo have faced more discrimination and less help from the authorities since a popular uprising overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak, according to community leaders.

Personal safety on Cairo's streets has worsened for Egyptians and foreigners alike since the protests in January and February, which have been re-ignited in recent days - but refugees have been particularly vulnerable.

"Generally, there's no security on the streets," said Klovirt Jalo, chairman of Nuba Mountains International Association, a community organization for the Nuba of Sudan in Cairo.

Although violent incidents have decreased in recent months, incidents of harassment and discrimination towards refugees have not returned to pre-January levels, said Omar, a Somali refugee, who preferred a pseudonym because of the nature of his work. As police crack down on what Egyptian protesters are now calling a second revolution, the situation for refugees could deteriorate.

Refugees who spoke to Agnes Czajka, a professor at the American University in Cairo, during research she conducted in the summer, said they feared violence and harassment would increase during the elections due on 28 November.

Jalo said the police had been less than willing to deal with incidents reported by refugees or undocumented migrants since January. He cited a recent hit-and-run case in which a Sudanese woman was killed. "The police did not believe us," he said, so no police report could be filed.

Before the January protests, Omar said, "if you paid a bribe, the police would help you. Now, they'll keep the bribe and do nothing."

The African Palestinians..

 The hurt within is about the double siege these folk are living within: One by Israelis, the 2nd by their skin..!! Can you "Taste" such a feeling..?

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=418097797876
North vs. South, Black vs. White, Upper vs. Lower, etc.. it is part of the humane legacy; which bitterly can't live without..!! Yes, a fact we should not deny, but to accept and have to live with.. It is one of the few documentaries addressing the issue in simplicity and straightforwardness..

http://www.redhillfilms.com/africanpalestinian.htm
In the Moslem quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City very near one of the great doors to the Dome of the Rock compound is the African Palestinian community. Viewers journey through the Damascus Gate, passing the Via Dolorosa and an Israeli ID checkpoint to find the African Palestinian quarter. The filmed meeting is with one of the community’s leaders, Ali Jiddah. Ali is an expressive analyst of the conditions Palestinians live under and speaks of the psychological, economic and political damage being caused by the continued Israeli occupation. He refers to the separation wall from a perspective of having lived his entire life behind occupation and prison walls. Ali also gives a brief history of the African Palestinians living in Jerusalem, and the film includes still photographs of members of this community.

http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1378
Currently some forty African Palestinian families live inside the old city, many of whom reside within 50 feet of the center. Upon talking with Adam, the center’s young director, one gets a sense of how proud the community is of its identity. “Many of our ancestors were pious Muslims who came from across Africa to defend Al-Aqsa from military conquest,” I was told by Adam and others in the center. “They stayed and married and their children grew up here. “We are as Palestinian as anyone else but we also remember and our proud of where are great grandfathers came from and sometimes visit or stay in touch with our other family members in Africa.” Aside from the various wars which brought Muslims from Africa to safeguard the sanctity of its Muslim Holy Sites, other Africans settled in Palestine after spiritual pilgrimages to the land’s various holy sites, including of course the Al Aqsa Mosque.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=416911
The African Palestinians that I have been most acquainted with are located in the old city of Jerusalem, with an estimated 80 to 95 families, not people but families living in the old Mamluk-era prison, on both sides of an alley way in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem, abutting up against one of the major doorways of The Noble Sanctuary. So this old Mamluk-era prison was given to the African Palestinians by an earlier Sheik. And the families were given the title, somewhat official, of guardians of the mosque because of their proximity to the major doorway. OK, those folks have pretty much remained there in the Muslim quarter. But their relatives are founded largely in Jericho, but also in Jenin, Rafah and in other places and also the refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon. Especially young African Palestinians who were refugees from the 1967 war. So we see, and we bump into, and we meet African Palestinians not just in the old city, but also in Jericho.