I just discovered the PERFECT video clip to illustrate why writing a thesis in Jordan was one of the worst experiences of my professional life. To make a long story short, a professor on the thesis committee deliberately tried to sabotage my thesis by holding up required paperwork… all because of a rivalry with my thesis adviser. The conflict escalated and culminated with my adviser physically punching his rival. During the ensuing investigation, both sides activated their “wasta” networks, which went as high as the Prime Minister of the country. The conflict dragged on for months, and I wrote my thesis with no supervision, all the while being unsure if I would be allowed to pass.
Anyway, check out the below video of a TV talk show. The guests are current and previous parliamentary representatives. Make sure you watch until the firearm appears. This clip should also tell you something about why Jordanians are so fed up with their parliament.
Have you seen what goes on in the British parlaiment?
I can sympathize that you had a hard time with the language and culture of a foreign country—however, this is not a unique experience….everyone who goes to a foreign country experiences feeling lost…..so what?…..
Perhaps your attitude is not conducive to a “building peace”…Can you explain to me why a Muslim who does not live in the U.S. should be bothered with Islamophobia. If Americans WANT to hate—its their problem….why should I spend my time and effort on an American problem—-when I have plenty of problems in my own region and country to deal with!!!….
You are probably right; my last post was uncharitable. However, I do believe that in terms of building peace, honest critiques are more helpful than pretending no problems exist. I have learned a great deal from the critiques of America offered by my non-American friends.
What I witnessed in Jordan was not merely cross-cultural misunderstanding, but a level of bureaucratic infighting that consistently hinders real reform and progress. Most of my Jordanian friends agree with this assessment.
Regarding Islamophobia: Perhaps you don’t care, but many other Muslims do. My Jordanian Muslim friends were frightened by American Islamophobia and wanted me to help explain the phenomenon. On the other hand, many Americans are not inherently hateful but do have questions and concerns about Islam, and they need answers. That is what I am doing my best to provide.
“On the other hand, many Americans are not inherently hateful but do have questions and concerns about Islam, and they need answers. That is what I am doing my best to provide.”—These answers can be provided by American Muslims who are very capable of explaining Islam in English…..if your non-Muslim brothers and sisters would but bother to get to know their American Muslim brothers and sisters the problem of ignorance will be easy to solve.
However that is not your intention—from your previous post I got the impression that you want Muslims who live in Jordan or someplace in Africa or Asia to take responsibility in explaining Islam to ignorant Americans—-and this explanation to be according to the advise you give. This comes off as arrogant and condescending.
A better way to approach this would have been to express your concern that your American Muslim brothers and sisters need help to combat Islamophobia in America and you want to contribute……
Explaining the phenomenon of Islamophobia to Jordanians and telling them that you will give advise on how to explain Islam are two different things.
If you want to accurately explain Islamophobia go to the website Fear Inc., —it details the funding sources and misinformation providers and enablers that fan the flames of Islamophobia….