Memorial lights at Ground Zero on 9/11/09. (Photo by Tony Zeoli.)

Each year since 9/11,  I have witnessed the blue lights that rise from Ground Zero, memorializing the Twin Towers and all that was lost on that day.  Each year I have watched the TV as the names of the victims of terrorism are read.  I cry along with the countless mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, husbands, wives, friends, co-workers, and strangers who weep for what our nation and our world experienced on a day that will live on in our history books.  I have visited the site on 9/11 over the years to reflect, take photos, observe the stillness of the space in such a bustling city, to cry, to think, to hope.  Here is a photo of me last year at the site taking photos and taking a moment to show the American symbol for peace.  (Note the 2 young women in the distance under my camera looking up at the lights, and the sign behind them referencing the memorial.)

That's me taking photos of the memorial lights in NYC on 9/11/09. (Photo by Tony Zeoli.)

If you’ve read my other posts about 9/11, you’ll know that my sister, brother-in-law, and cousin worked in the city on that day and that I spent the day on the phone trying to locate them.  My brother-in-law was the most challenging to find, as he worked near the site and ended up walking home to Queens without phone access during most of his walk.  His mother called from Ireland to find out if he was ok, and while my sister was safe at home with their 8 1/2 month old daughter that morning, she could not answer the question right away. Thankfully, he was safe.  So many others weren’t, and we were so grateful that he was not in harm’s way that day.

My love, Tony, witnessed the buildings burning from the rooftop of his apartment building in Brooklyn.  He saw people leap to their death and smelled the stench of death for months afterward.  He had nightmares, experienced bouts of anxiety and still has a very difficult time looking at pictures of the towers.  He was forever changed by that experience.  We all were, regardless of where we physically stood at the time of the attacks in NY and Washington DC.

As an international educator, but perhaps more importantly, as a human being, I believe that we have an urgent responsibility to work toward peace.  Nine years later, I see more dialogue about differences and hatred than perhaps ever before.  I remember that sense of community, of unity, of humanity, in the weeks and months after that horrific attack.  People helped each other.  Period. We did not ask if you were “for or against” an Islamic Center in downtown Manhattan.  We did not ask what your political affiliation was. We did not ask who you voted for, what your religion was, what your place of origin was, if you were straight or gay, if you had been laid off, if you had a home that was in foreclosure, if you required government services, if you were an immigrant, if you were here legally or otherwise – or any other questions.  We asked how we could help our fellow man/woman.  And in the days after 9/11, we did. At least in New York City, for a few months, we did.

Our American Congress promised to “stand together” and in a gesture of our unity, stood on the steps of the US Capitol and sang “God Bless America.”  Today, they are more divided than ever.  Apparently in the US, mid-term elections are more important that unity and peaceful solutions to American (and world) issues.

I have had countless debates and discussions with friends and complete strangers about the Islamic Center that will be built near Ground Zero.  Why do I support it?  Simply put: I support it because Islam did not kill all of those beautiful people on 9/11;  evil and hateful extremists, using the name of an otherwise peaceful mainstream religion, murdered those people.  They killed people of all faiths on that day, including Muslims.  But most importantly, the common denominator of that day is that people were murdered – no matter what their faith (or desire not to identify with one), religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, social status, etc.

And if we break it down, the common denominator on 9/11 is that we are all human, we all feel pain, we all love and we all need peace and unity.  And the only way to do so is to offer serious attempts at dialogue.  Politics and extremist viewpoints are not invited to the party this time.

And despite the mainstream media focusing on a country divided – I was delighted to see an example of what we are all truly capable of in this world.  This example is simple: love thy neighbor.  We should not claim that as a Christian or Muslim value, we should claim it to be a HUMAN value, as humanity is the common denominator in this life that we each live on this planet.

So, as 9/11 approaches and we honor those who were lost, we look at the faces of the people left behind in mourning, we recall the thousands of workers and volunteers who ran to the site and worked there for years to search for bodies and to begin the cleanup and rebuilding efforts, to all that came together that day – I ask you to watch this incredible example of what we are capable of as human beings:

Click here to view the embedded video.

I think that all it takes is some humanity.  And on this ninth anniversary of 9/11, we could sure use some.  Peace to you all.

DAAD recently announced this exciting opportunity for educators and scientists to visit Germany in December 2010. Having traveled with DAAD before, I cannot recommend the experience enough! They are well organized, very connected and extremely generous with their funding.  Did I mention they’re also a great group of people?  Please read the following information from DAAD and note that the FIRM application deadline is October 6, 2010. 

“In December 2010, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will sponsor an informational visit on current developments in chemistry research and higher education in Germany. The tour is for North American faculty, scientists and administrators and will take place from December 5th to December 11th, 2010. The main focal points are environmentally-friendly synthesis, production and recycling processes with a special focus on catalysis, new polymers and nanomaterials. Participants will visit various institutions to learn about cutting-edge research and its application. There will be visits to renowned universities and research institutions, including Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen, Heidelberg University, Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, and Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Chemistry) as well as BASF, the world’s leading chemical company. With this tour DAAD offers scientists and administrators an opportunity to learn about the present situation in chemistry research and higher education in Germany. We hope to enable them to identify common interests and starting points for cooperation in these areas as well as possible funding opportunities. The program will be in English. All program-related costs in Germany (accommodations, travel, most meals) will be borne by the DAAD. Intercontinental travel is at the participants’ expense. Applicants must be US or Canadian citizens or residents, have a special interest in Germany and transatlantic cooperation, and a relevant professional position. They should not have recently participated in another information trip to Germany. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY October 6, 2010. For further information, please go to: www.daad.org/page/sciencetour/ or contact Uta Gaedeke in New York at 212-758-3223 x:209 or via e-mail at gaedeke@daad.org.”

Amanda Knox, study abroad student

Former FBI agent, Steve Moore, was interviewed in the press in the United States this morning, firmly communicating his belief that Amanda Knox is innocent.

Moore claims to have looked through hours of crime scene videos and reviewed the detailed report of “evidence.”  He states that her evidence is absolutely coerced. His belief is that the evidence cannot support a conviction.

He also claims that he is not receiving any financial incentive to comment on her case.  He states that he only got involved in commenting on this case as a result of a discussion with his wife, who had seen a television show about the case that raised questions about Ms. Knox’s conviction.

Amanda Knox, an American student studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, was convicted of the murder of British student, Meredith Kercher. Her appeal is set for November 2010.

Here is an interview of Steve Moore by Ann Curry of NBC News in New York:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Guest Blogger, Rinku Bhattacharya

Today’s guest posting is by Rinku Bhattacharya.  I met Rinku several years ago when I signed up for one of her Indian cooking classes.  We had a marvelous time and learned some terrific recipes, however the best gift from that class is that Rinku and I stayed in touch over the years and have had some very interesting conversations about culture.  I recently asked Rinku if she would write about how she teaches her 2 beautiful children about her Indian culture while living in New York.  (Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this posting for one of her delicious recipes!)

Can your memories have a scent? Can your culture and childhood have a taste? It is a matter of perspective, if you are like me, where your world and memories are composed of a heritage of food, a heritage of tastes and flavors that link your past to your children’s flavors you would say – yes! Like me, you would remember childhood cures for a cold and your mother’s nurturing touch in a pot of simmering soup spiced with ginger and tomatoes, you would crave traditional rice pudding on your birthday and your Thanksgiving meal would need some cranberry chutney to complete the all day long feast before it made it to the table.

Two decades ago, I made the US my home. It really was a more evolved rather than consciously planned decision. There is a lot of truth to the saying “home is where the heart is!’ Actually in my case, “home is where the “hearth is.”  I also do think you can have more than one home, I do not feel out of place when I go back to India, but also feel very much at sync in New York. Like most people with a foot in two cultures, there is a need not to want lose the richness of heritage and identity. In some ways this becomes more an issue when you are raising children. Our household does not even have a common language outside of English, since my husband speaks Hindi and I Bengali, but we do share a love of food both Indian and Global.

This is not surprising since this is the most basic element of heritage. My earliest memories and my most vivid ones of my childhood are of chatting with my grandmother while she ground spices carefully, used the freshest of ingredients and carefully created simple delicacies that graced our table every time we visited. People often ask me whether I learned to cook from my mother or grandmother – this is a tricky question because while my memories of shadowing them and observing them in the kitchen are deep and very profound, I never actually cooked when they were around. I never needed to. It was only after I left home that I missed home cooking and my own culinary adventures began.

It is to keep this sense of creativity and wonder, I started Cooking With Rinku, a personalized set of cooking classes designed to teach the interested learner a true taste of Indian cooking, in a practical and personalized way. I have been offering classes for groups and couples. We use the freshest of ingredient and students learn how to grind spices and season and flavor food the way I remember it being done growing up. The kitchen is a place of solace, wonder and creation for me. When I cook with my students, it is a very personal connection, the classes are very home style and designed to replicate flavors of simple and pure home cooking.

My classes also help me meet people from so many different walks of life and also allows me to learn the many ways people relate to India. I have students who have visited and lived in the country as curious travelers, others who have embraced the nuances of eastern religion and surprise and teach me the depth of traditional Ayurvedic cooking and other fellow kindred spirits who learn to savor and smell India through my spice box. Indian cooking is so much more accessible today; it never ceases to amaze me how close the world really is.

This is also how my children learn about the richness of India – spice by spice. Their high chairs were in my kitchen and from very early on, their memories of interacting with me are watching me cook and work with spices. My five year son, today calls me “the best cooker!” It is amazing how some things never change, like my grandmother, it is very important for me to both cook and feed my friends and family in a very personal way.

My husband and I also have a deep love of nature and try to grow our own produce, especially in summer. This is why I also like to think that I often cook Indian food with a New York accent; my summer zucchini is seasoned with cumin and turmeric, cherry tomatoes get tossed into a yogurt based salad and my beet greens are tossed and seasoned with almost any imaginable combination of spice. My recipes and food experiences are also shared in by blog – Cooking In Westchester. Keeping the blog has allowed me to also track my life as it relates to food. It often brightens a mundane day to look back and realize the first time you cooked a recipe was when your daughter took her first steps. I also think it helps me provide a real life medium to a food legacy that was passed on as an heirloom by my grandmother.

Recipe:

This recipe is an adaptation of my mother’s tomato chutney recipe. It is from the eastern part of India and is tempered with the classic 5 spice seasoning called panch (5) phoron. This is a mixture of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds and fennel seeds. Most India stores sell the blend pre-mixed, it is used in small amounts and is supposed to bring the entire complement of tastes to the recipe. This recipe is a great use of summer tomatoes that are so plentiful these days.

Bengali Tomato Chutney

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Makes 1 cup chutney

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
1.5 teaspoons panch phoron
1 tablespoon diced ginger
1-2 dried red chili
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 small can diced tomato
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
Papads or pappadums for serving

Method of Preparations:

1. Heat the oil and add the panch phoron and wait till the mixture crackles.
2. Add in the ginger and the red chili and saute lightly.
3. Add in the salt and the canned tomato mixture.
4. Add in the raisins and the sugar and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, till the mixture is thick and fairly sticky.
5. While the chutney is cooking, cook the papads by microwaving on  for 1.5 minutes.
6. Cool the chutney slightly and serve with the papads.

About the Author: Rinku Bhattacharya was born in Kolkatta, India and has had a life that has taken her traveling extensively to most places in the world. Rinku has been passionate about food from a very early age and loves to talk and work with food and people. She started teaching Indian cooking in New York about 5 years back to share her love for food and cooking. Her classes can be found at Cooking With Rinku. Rinku shares her food and life experience at her blog at Cooking in Westchester. Rinku live in Westchester County, NY with her children Deepta and Aadi, husband Anshul and her cat Benji. Rinku is trained as a financial professional and specializes with non-profit organizations. She has masters degrees in areas of finance and non-profit management. She is currently working on a cookbook – The Contemporary Indian Table – to be published by the Bryant Park Press.

That's me on the right, at the Masjid Ash-Shaheed mosque, enjoying conversation with some fabulous women. (Photo courtesy of Bassam Tariq, from www.30mosques.com)

I have been writing a lot about Islam lately and my last post was about 2 young New Yorkers, Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq, who are currently traveling to 30 mosques in 30 days.   I have been fascinated by their journey and the controversy surrounding the proposed Islamic Center near Ground Zero. I realized that while I write about Islam, have Muslim friends and have been to mosques before, I have never actually attended a prayer service at a mosque.  So, I decided it was time to experience this.  I contacted Aman and Bassam to find out where they’d be on the east coast and I managed to meet up with them at the Masjid Ash-Shaheed in Charlotte, North Carolina (US) on August 17th. Here is my interview with these 2 delightful guys.  Please check it out and then read on to hear my thoughts on my experience breaking fast with them and the congregation at Masjid Ash-Shaheed.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

(Please note that any edits in this interview are simply to cut out my voice or any of Aman or Bassam’s verbal “hiccups”;  no content was cut from this interview.)

I didn’t take any photos of the mosque or the people I met.  I interviewed Aman and Bassam and then put the camera away.  I felt it was important to focus on my experience, my thoughts, observations and feelings.  I didn’t bring in my notebook or pen.  I wanted to experience this visit to a mosque as I’ve experienced religious services at churches and synagogues over the years with friends and family.

I put a pink scarf over my head and entered the mosque, which as Bassam describes in the video, was a small, one level structure. From the road it looked like a little office building).  The women were putting out a beautiful display of food for break fast in the small lobby area.  I was warmly greeted by several women (who had no idea who I was or why I was there. It appeared to be a primarily African American congregation. Many men were also in the lobby and shared kind greetings. But the sisterhood definitely prevailed here; the women hugged me and introduced me to other women.  I offered to help in the kitchen, but they were all set, so I gravitated toward a little girl who reminded me of my niece. I have often found in my life that children are our best teachers. She was 8 years old and proved to support my belief that when you want information, ask a kid!  I told her it was my first time at a mosque for prayer and asked if she could help me.  She told me that there was a prayer room with white lines on the floor and that we take off our shoes and go in and stay behind the “boys” and we line our toes up along the white line.  And then she relayed the movements for the prayer including the kneeling/bowing and the expressions in Arabic that I should listen for.  She told me to put my hands upon my chest, but that my right hand should be over my left. (I later asked an adult why this was important. She indicated that there is some evidence that Mohammad prayed this way, or with his hands to his sides.) Then the little girl quickly switched subjects, telling me all about her school, her friends and how her bus stop is not super close to her house but around a corner. Ah, from the mouths of babes….

When the call for prayer came, the congregants moved to the table of water and dates.  They each sipped some water and ate a date, then took off their shoes and headed into the prayer room. One of the women came over to explain to me that when breaking fast, it was important to eat something “natural” first.  The women entered the communal prayer space through a different door and we lined up along the white line in the back of the room. The men lined up in the front.  The women coached me to stand close together, with our arms nearly touching. I simply followed along, as the prayer was in Arabic, so I was simply mimicking what I observed around me. There was some standing, some kneeling, some bowing, some hand gestures, some repeating of phrases. Yup, it reminded me of a bit of church but without the pew….and a bit of the synagogue, as I didn’t understand the language there either!  But I knew that there was something being said that was resonating deeply with the congregants and that was giving them peace and strength.  Toward the end of the approximate 10 minute prayer, a women explained to me that the congregants were repeating some silent phrases about God and counting the number of times that they said them on their fingers (using their thumb on the right hands to touch their other fingers to keep count.)  At the end we all cupped our hands in front of our faces to pray and then took our cupped hands and ran them over our head, faces and down our bodies.  The woman explained that the prayer was washing away sins and that the good of the prayer was in our cupped hands, so we were to wash it over our bodies. I later asked someone what the prayer was about – and because I left the journalist in me outside the mosque, I can’t tell you verbatim what was said. However, I do recall that the gist of it was thanking God and taking time to be close to God.

When we were done, the brother leading the prayer announced that Aman and Bassam were part of the 30mosques.com project and he welcomed them and wished them a safe journey.  And then he joked about their New York accents and everyone had a good laugh. And he giggled as he told us that his stomach was growling, so it was time to eat!

We left the room and the men set up tables in the same space for us to break fast.  We all served ourselves from the huge buffet that was prepared by the women before our arrival.  Several congregants also brought covered dishes and non-alcoholic drinks.  I sat with a group of women and we talked a lot about the same things I talk about with friends at home. At one point, we were hysterically laughing about our common experiences dropping our cell phones in water (including one woman’s story about going to the bathroom and hearing the phone plop into the water…and literally saying out loud “oh no you did NOT just fall into the toilet!” We gabbed about how we have all had to figure out how to dry out the battery when that happens (rice in a bag was the agreed upon best method.)  We talked about recycling.  We talked about shopping at Walmart. We talked about work.  It was life. Every day conversation. Except this time my new friends and I were all wearing scarves to cover our heads because Islam believes that the headscarf is an outer manifestation of an inner commitment to worship Allah – that is it a commitment to piety.  As a visitor to this mosque, I was fine covering my head, just as I’d be covering myself while visiting a more conservative church or synagogue.  I did catch myself, a couple of times, having to check that the scarf was still on though. I’m clearly not well versed in the beautiful craft work required to cover my head completely with a scarf – but I did okay considering I’m no fashionista!

In the interview, you heard Aman and Bassam offer me sage advice when I asked them about the role of women in Islam.  I took this advice and asked several of the women about their role and the perceptions of how women are “treated” in their faith.  One women shook her head gently and told me that her faith doesn’t oppress her at all.  She said it gives her the strength to be a good mother, her most important role.  She said that men and women inherently are different and that Islam simply recognizes this.  She said if someone feels oppressed, it is because they allow themselves to be. Another woman told me that women praying behind men is simply a way to avoid any distraction. She said it allows her to focus on her prayer and not feel self conscious of others looking at her.  My sense is that the women had a very strong sisterhood and that any issues with gender were mostly from outsiders, not internal.

Based on our conversation about the subject, one of the women I met with did give me a pamphlet about the status of women in Islam.  It closes by saying:  “There does exist a gap between the rights of women outlined in the Qur’an and the prevalent reality in the Muslim world.  However, images of Muslim women as ignorant, oppressed and submissive are stereotypical.  They do no justice to the large number of Muslim women whose conviction in Islamic concepts of family, cohesiveness, happiness and individuality ensures their sense of self- fulfillment.” In my experience at this mosque, the women that I spoke with appreciated their roles and contributions in their religion, embraced the sisterhood and valued their religious community.  No one was forcing them to be there; they were there because they have deep faith and feel comforted by it, similar to what I’ve experienced congregants in churches and synagogue services.

I did have a conversation with one woman who felt that there is a huge challenge for women in the faith. She said she has been to mosques that have a separate entrance for women and that it makes her feel less than valued in the structure.  Having traveled to Muslim countries, I had a sense of what it feels like to not be treated the same as a woman would be in the US.  But I also recognized that I was not in the US, and shouldn’t expect things to be the same.  I don’t go to a mosque regularly and I’m not Muslim, so I don’t feel that it is right for me to tell a Muslim woman how to feel about her faith.  Each mosque has its own norms and I can see from reading the 30mosques.com site that there is a wide range of experience within each community despite the common denominator of Islam. Clearly, it is a sensitive issue – and perhaps Aman and Bassam say it best in the video above – if you have questions about this issue, ask a Muslim woman. I’m really glad that I did.

Personally, professionally and spiritually, this was easily one of the most beautiful learning experiences that I’ve had on my life’s journey.  I am grateful for the opportunity and thank the people of Masjid Ash-Shaheed for welcoming me with such open arms. I’d also like thank Aman and Bassam for taking the time to speak with me and Melibee readers – and for allowing me to tag along for this leg of the journey.  To read more about this stop in Charlotte, check out Aman and Bassam’s blog entry.  And be sure to check out their overall journey as we can all learn something from their bird’s eye view! Meanwhile, I look forward to your comments.

(By the way,  if you would like a good laugh, check out Aman’s stand up comedy web page. He and Bassam are very talented outside of their 30mosques.com lives!)

These two young men visited 30 mosques in the New York City area in 2009 and started a blog at the request of friends and family.  They were stunned to learn that people all over the world were following their journey and learning about the diversity within the Muslim community and foods that are eaten to break fast.  Check out this interview about their 2009 New York experience was covered by the Brian Lehrer radio show in NYC.

What I particularly love about Aman and Bassam’s journey is that they are Muslim, but they write about their mosque experiences as anyone visiting for the first time would.  And they’re FUNNY guys – blunt, honest and playful in their writing.  They started in NYC and decided to visit the controversial Park 51 (the Cordoba House) for evening prayer.  Their observations are definitely not what the mainstream media is covering, and it is downright refreshing:

“I’m standing in prayer expecting to feel something considering I’m inside the Ground Zero mosque. I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel, but for some reason I’m confused why I’m not feeling some mythical sensation.

Then I realized, it’s just a mosque, just like any other place of worship in the country. So the only thing I was feeling was an earache from all the screeching on the microphone from the sound system — just like every mosque in America. “

(Note: Park 51 has not been built into a cultural center yet. The site is NOT at Ground Zero, but 12 blocks away in the old Burlington Coat Factory building. I clarify this because calling it the “Ground Zero mosque” supports the misinformation that has floated around about the plans for an Islamic cultural center.  It is NOT on the Ground Zero site!)

and

“After the prayer, I walked outside and said goodbye to the security guard. His name was Rohan and he spends his days working security outside the building on a regular basis. I asked him if there’s been any kind of problems outside the building, considering all the protests. He said there hasn’t been any incidents at all, except for a random homeless guy that walks by asking people for marijuana. He joked, ‘Yeah but it’s New York City, if I didn’t see a homeless guy walking by asking for weed, I’d be surprised.’ “

and perhaps most humorous:

“An announcement is made that the toilets are broken and people should go across the street. You can’t have a community prayer without the standard hilarious housekeeping announcements…”

The 30 mosques web site has some great photos of their travels and the inside of mosques they’re visiting – as well as the people they’re meeting along the journey.

Al Jazeera news interviews congregants at a NYC mosque

A handful of people attend evening prayers at Park 51 (the Cordoba House site, NYC)

Aman Ali (right) speaks with a local Muslim in Augusta, Maine (USA)

This site is particularly important, as there is so much emotion and anger around the building of mosques and Islamic cultural centers in the US. For those raising ‘objections’  (code word for FEAR in my humble opinion) about Park 51 (the Cordoba House), I immediately ask the following questions:

1) have you ever been to a mosque?

2) spoken with a Muslim person about their faith?

3) read or heard anything about their faith that didn’t come from a mainstream news outlet?

The answers are usually no, no and no – and “I don’t need to – I ‘tolerate’ them.”  (Of course, the easiest way to manifest tension is to create an enemy using the “us/them” paradigm). Forgive me world, but I have high expectations.  I don’t want societies to simply ‘tolerate’ others. Tolerating isn’t enough in this fragile world we live in. I want us all to attempt to respect others whenever possible.  Lofty idea? Perhaps.

This usually means that we have to ask hard questions and put ourselves in others’ shoes to truly communicate effectively and to have an understanding of the lens that one sees the world through. It also means that we need to be willing and open participants in conversation and we must often tune out the media.

I recently had a conversation with some folks via Facebook about the Islamic Cultural Center that will be built 12 blocks from the World Trade Center site.  It went like this:

Person A:  I have decided that I’m ok with this center.  But the Muslim community has to come out and be more clear that they are moderate in their religion.

Person B:  They (Muslims) have no respect wanting to build so close to Ground Zero -  3000 people died and they shouldn’t build a site near that center. That is disrespectful.

Me:  Regarding the media – I have seen many interviews where Muslims speak about their religion being hijacked by terrorists.  I also think that many Muslims died in the 9/11 attacks, so I’m not understanding why they are somehow not allowed to be mourned in the same way. I also don’t understand what you mean by “too close” to the Trade Center.  What is “far enough” – the east side?  uptown?  midtown? Queens (across the East River)?

In the end, we all agree to disagree on the subject.  I don’t disrespect these people – I welcome the dialogue as it inspires me to write on this blog and share my opinions and findings.

I hope that Melibee readers will check out 30 Mosques 30 States.   Content is more quickly uploaded to their Facebook page – so feel free to check that out too!

The Wisdom of our Youth

The New York Times recently reported about the increased number of American students studying abroad in the Middle East.  The article, Life Lessons in the Middle East, covers several students’ experiences at institutions such as the American University of Cairo and the American University of Beirut, documenting their language study and travel.  The article states that these students have been not been met with any anti-American sentiment, rather with the occasional disagreement regarding foreign policy.  This in an uplifting piece, suggesting that despite increased conflict in the world, we still seek to learn about each other and to explore our commonalities, moving beyond the negative stereotypes that are frequently perpetuated about this region of the world.

Sounds peachy, right?

I thought so, until I heard a radio interview about the recent situation that Mr. Yahya Wehelie, a 26-year-old Muslim/US citizen, found himself in while attempting to return home to the US after a period abroad.  Mr. Wehelie was born in Fairfax, Virginia to Somali parents and he spent 18 months studying in Yemen. He left in early May, only to be told upon arrival in Egypt (where he was to change planes on his way home to Virginia) that he was on the “no fly list” and could not board the plane.  Why? Because he had spoken with some questionable people who were being watched by the FBI while in Yemen. He claims that he had shared no more than polite conversation with these people and that he simply wanted to return home to “his mother’s cooking.” Despite being questioned by the FBI several times, he was not permitted to return home until 2 months later, and only after legal intervention.

Ironically, Mr. Wehelie had gone to Yemen to study Arabic at his mother’s request.  According to MSNBC’s article, Wehelie’s family said “it was natural for the family to send him there to study. Many Somalis live in Yemen, and educational opportunities there are cheaper than in other parts of the Middle East.”

Muslims abroad are increased targets for discrimination, even when simply attempting to earn educational credentials to further their careers. Mr. Olugu Ukpai, a Christian Nigerian PhD candidate studying in England, wrote a heartfelt op-ed in the New American Media (NAM) that was picked up by the Muslim Observer earlier this year about his experience as a student in England.  Prompted by the media’s reporting about Mr. Umar Faruq Abdulmutallab’s failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner in December, Ukpai describes his concerns about Nigerians being labeled as being from “the hotbed of Al Queda,” as the media seemed to describe his home country after the December incident. As a result of one Nigerian’s involvement in an attempted terrorist attack, Nigeria is now on a list of 14 countries whose citizens will be singled out for additional screening when coming to the US. (My humble opinion is that this is ridiculous; have we not realized that anyone, including an American, can be part of Al Queda’s network?)  Ukpai also writes about the fear that Nigerian parents have of sending their children abroad, skeptical of “cults” that their children could be exposed to. The article also cites a study by the University of Notre Dame in 2009 that found that parents tended to know only 10 percent of what their children were doing abroad.

We all want to live in as safe a world as possible, yet how does our nation strike a fine balance between protecting our citizens and not discriminating against Muslims?  It is not ironic that the number of Americans going abroad to study in the Middle East are being countered with increasing numbers of Muslims studying abroad landing on the no fly list (pun intended) once outside of the US? Education is supposed to be about having new experiences, yet if one portion of the potential student equation is constantly questioned about their role in the intercultural dialogue, how can we ever move forward to a more peaceful world?  Don’t we create more of the same old “us/them” mentality this way?  And isn’t that completely counterproductive to learning in a cross-cultural setting?

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts and experiences around this issue.  Feel free to comment.

(Note:  I have edited this article since its original posting to clarify two points: 1) Mr. Ukpai is a Christian Nigerian and 2) Mr. Ukpai’s original op-ed was published in the New American Media.  It was picked up at a later date by the Muslim Observer, which is where I read the piece initially.)

Mr. Kristof’s goal is to encourage young people to read about the human rights issues in Africa and Asia; his hope is that by having a young and fresh perspective report on the issues abroad, young readership will expand.

Please enjoy this video of Mr. Smith’s reflections on his experience traveling and learning with one of America’s finest journalists.  (Be prepared for a short ad – sorry, I have no control over this – but the video is worth watching!)

If you’d like to learn more about the “Win a Trip Abroad with Nicolas Kristof” contest, please play this video which explains last year’s contest.  (The 2011 application is not available yet.)

Click here to view the embedded video.

1)  The Tenement Museum: I love history and therefore this small museum is easily one of my favorite NY experiences.  While everyone goes to Ellis Island Museum to learn about the immigrant experience, the Tenement Museum tells the stories of immigrants who lived in 97 Orchard Street, a tenement built in 1863 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.  The building was painstakingly restored to illustrate the lives of NY immigrants after they left Ellis Island.  Researchers scavenged through the building, which had been vacant for 50 years, combed through archives, and complied evidence about tenants and tenement life. They managed to restore 6 apartments, including the home of the Moores, Irish immigrants who lived at 97 Orchard in 1869.  Walking through this building, which can only be seen by guided tour, gives you a sense of how incredibly difficult it was to be an immigrant in NYC. You really can feel the spirit of the people who once resided here and you leave looking at Orchard Street through an entirely new set of lenses.

2)  The High Line: This is one of New York’s newest outdoor spaces and it would have even wowed Frederick Law Olmstead. The High Line is located on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th/11th Avenues. The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets. Today, it is a gorgeous park that seems to float above the city. The old train rails are incorporated into the design – and the landscaping is spectacular. During the summer you’ll find local sunbathers parked on the benches scattered throughout the park and you may even catch a wedding ceremony taking place!  Check out this video about the High Line:

Click here to view the embedded video.

3) Punk Rope: If you’re game to meet “real” New Yorkers, you must try one of NY’s most social fitness raves – Punk Rope! This exercise class is so much fun – you jump rope to punk music and play games that will make you laugh while working out and meeting new people.  Each week, Tim Haft, Punk Rope’s Founder and President, offers a new themed class and play list. One of his goals is to celebrate cultures around the world, so you may catch one of their tribute classes such as Japan, Mexico, Sweden, China, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and India – all while in the Big Apple.   Now you’re wondering how you’re going to meet people while exercising, right?  Here’s the best part of Punk Rope:  they have a happy hour at Otto’s Shrunken Head the first Monday of every month (all drafts only $2). And Punk Ropers are known for their “pizza crawls” – they hit some of NYs best pizza joints together!  Feel free to check out their Facebook page for more information.  Check out this great video about PunkRope:

Click here to view the embedded video.

4)  Food: One of the hardest things about traveling for me is finding the “right” place to eat.  I’m a “foodie.”  I love to cook, I love to eat and I love to eat “clean” food.  After all, there is nothing worse than knowing your dinner has been sprayed with enough pesticides to kill a small army of ants!  The NYC solution is GustOrganics, the first and only certified organic restaurant in NYC.  And this INCLUDES the bar.  It also includes gluten-free options for those of you who are sensitive to gluten.  Oh, and did I mention that the food is FABULOUS?  From their risotto, to their Argentinian stew, to their hearty soups, you will not be disappointed.  And for those of you who don’t normally eat organic food, you’ll quickly taste the difference, you’ll also feel the difference.  After all of this incredibly healthy food, I realize that sometimes one must indulge on the sugar “dark side.”  My strongest recommendation is Rice to Riches.  This is a rice pudding bar and it is so incredibly mouth wateringly delicious that I can’t believe it hasn’t been franchised. My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about this perfect foodie combination!

5)  View of the NYC Skyline: Head over to Weekhawken, NJ for the best view of the NYC skyline.  This is a photo of me and my beau, Tony, with the view of the skyline.  Note the Empire State Building lit up in red, white and blue behind me.

Missy and Tony in Weehawken, New Jersey (USA) with a view of the NYC skyline behind us.

Please enjoy Melibee Global’s interview with Dr. Shealy:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr. Shealy mentions that the International Beliefs and Values Institute (IBAVI) is hosting a conference next spring and as its title suggests, Sustainable Visions and Global Values: Placing Local Action into Global Context builds upon the complementary missions of the IBAVI  by facilitating a dynamic process for civic and global engagement through the IBAVI’s six areas of thematic focus:

• Conflict Resolution—conflicts can be resolved through dialogue, reason, mutual understanding, and reconciliation;
• Human and Minority Rights—human and minority rights are respected and protected;
• Sustainability—the natural resources upon which life depends are preserved;
• Equal Treatment and Access—individuals and groups are neither persecuted nor denied equal access to education or social, legal, political, and economic resources;
• Global Education—educational systems expose students of all ages to the perspectives of individuals, groups, and cultures around the world; and
• Religious and Cultural Understanding—tolerance and understanding supplant hatred and violence in matters of cultural difference and religious faith.

I encourage you to share this information with your students, faculty and colleagues. This event looks like a terrific opportunity for meaningful dialogue about the state of our world and how values impact policy around the globe.