As of previous semesters, history was only stories of the past, many people that died doing something remarkable, remembering dates of events, names of people, their influence, significance, contribution to society and to history that had happen years ago. Many people say that what already happen is in the past, and it does not matter anymore. But, in my own experience, being involved in history courses had help to broad my knowledge as well as o my understanding of the events that are happening on these present days. In another words, to understand where I am going I have o learn where I come from. To have a better meaning and knowledge of reasons why people around the world might love or hate each other. To understand the real reason of the many religions and beliefs, political systems, and differences amongst all cultures.
Having taken history courses had help me to learn the influence of many other events around the world over what the current life is. to understand how the political views of different nations diverge from one another based on their past. The conflicts in Middle East, reasons of WW1 and WW2, and how delicate can be to release a document such as a declaration or, in the case of Middle East events, White papers, Agreements, and reformations such as Tanzimat.
The key of the future is in the past, something that i learn in Geology class. This phrase was used a lot by my Geology professor in WCC. Nevertheless, I never thought that phrase could apply to something else, other than rocks.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Iranian Revolution
In recent days, I had experienced what might be an experiment, but it really helps to understand better the curse of history of a region that is best known for its volatile way of resolve its conflicts, that is from the international point of view. The possible experiment is the use of audiovisual material to help us to understand better the course of action and development of key points in the transformation and resistance of modernization in Iran.
The Revolution of Iran is the result of years of monarchy, imposing western ideas, transforming the traditional Islamic way of living and implementing modern techniques in the form of Iranian's way of living.
Iran inhabitants did not agree with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ideas of nationalizing natural rsources, social and economic reforms with the intention of transforming Iran into a global power. He succeeded in modernizing the nation, and extending the right to vote to women, among other things. However, the decline of the traditional power of the Shi'a clergy due to parts of the reforms increased opposition on Iran inhabitants.
This turmoil lead to the most violent uprising protest in Iran against the Shah. He eventually departed form Iran due to the difficult time trying to restore order in Iran. While Ayatolla Khumeini arrived to Iran and declared that he will take control over Iran goverment. He then became the supreme leader of Iran proclaiming openly to recognize the new Islamic Republic of Iran. With his arrival to Iran he brought to an end more that 2500 years of monarchy.
The Revolution of Iran is the result of years of monarchy, imposing western ideas, transforming the traditional Islamic way of living and implementing modern techniques in the form of Iranian's way of living.
Iran inhabitants did not agree with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ideas of nationalizing natural rsources, social and economic reforms with the intention of transforming Iran into a global power. He succeeded in modernizing the nation, and extending the right to vote to women, among other things. However, the decline of the traditional power of the Shi'a clergy due to parts of the reforms increased opposition on Iran inhabitants.
This turmoil lead to the most violent uprising protest in Iran against the Shah. He eventually departed form Iran due to the difficult time trying to restore order in Iran. While Ayatolla Khumeini arrived to Iran and declared that he will take control over Iran goverment. He then became the supreme leader of Iran proclaiming openly to recognize the new Islamic Republic of Iran. With his arrival to Iran he brought to an end more that 2500 years of monarchy.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Deir Yassin massacre
In history, during war time, it is common to have "casualties of war" but some of these casualties are the result of the abuse of power from the soldiers against communities and neighborhoods that are pacific and they are not involved in the armed conflict. In other words, soldiers take the upper hand in the advantage of carrying a gun. The atrocities committed during war or turmoil sometimes are guarded very secretly, so people out of the area would not know what incident had happen.
In many cases presented during the History of Modern Middle East we have seen all of the massacres, genocide, killings and eradication of human being with complete disregard of justice.
First, the Armenian genocide that happen between 1915 and 1923 killing about 1.5 million Armenians in the hand of the Turkish army. Incident that have been denied by Turks for 90 or so years and it is still refused by them. In Germany the Holocaust, this incident was carried on by Adolph Hitler an army general that was known for his determination and aspirations of world dominance, and extermination of the weak race.
Now, in Deir Yassin village about 750 Palestinian residents were killed with no reason or motive.
Ironically one month prior to the massacre the residents of the village had signed a pact of non-aggression with a neighboring Jewish village of Givat Sha'ul. But the intervention of the people from the Jewish village avoid the execution of the remaining people in the Deir Yassin village. The massacre took place in April 9, 1948, almost 51 years ago, it seems that when Jewish communities were killed in German hands and concentration campus, Jewish were likewise were killing Palestinians occupying their territory and displacing them in order to have more land to settle their communities.
The cemetery, where Palestinian people is buried, has no entrance, no importance because the cemetery is not Jewish. People can pass by and do not even know there is a cemetery.
This attack that started only to take control of the village is another part of history that from the 1900 to 1950 it seems that mass killings where a good idea for dominance and extermination of the enemy. A good idea for expansion of territory, show power to potential enemies, and very effective to drive people out of their homes.
Now Arabs have to suffer an occupation from people that do not have a home or place to go. These people,Jewish, now claim independence along the way and intentions to form a state.They are forcing people out of their land and homes violating their rights and by force to reconstruct their homes in someone else land.
IS THIS CORRECT???
In many cases presented during the History of Modern Middle East we have seen all of the massacres, genocide, killings and eradication of human being with complete disregard of justice.
First, the Armenian genocide that happen between 1915 and 1923 killing about 1.5 million Armenians in the hand of the Turkish army. Incident that have been denied by Turks for 90 or so years and it is still refused by them. In Germany the Holocaust, this incident was carried on by Adolph Hitler an army general that was known for his determination and aspirations of world dominance, and extermination of the weak race.
Now, in Deir Yassin village about 750 Palestinian residents were killed with no reason or motive.
Ironically one month prior to the massacre the residents of the village had signed a pact of non-aggression with a neighboring Jewish village of Givat Sha'ul. But the intervention of the people from the Jewish village avoid the execution of the remaining people in the Deir Yassin village. The massacre took place in April 9, 1948, almost 51 years ago, it seems that when Jewish communities were killed in German hands and concentration campus, Jewish were likewise were killing Palestinians occupying their territory and displacing them in order to have more land to settle their communities.
The cemetery, where Palestinian people is buried, has no entrance, no importance because the cemetery is not Jewish. People can pass by and do not even know there is a cemetery.
This attack that started only to take control of the village is another part of history that from the 1900 to 1950 it seems that mass killings where a good idea for dominance and extermination of the enemy. A good idea for expansion of territory, show power to potential enemies, and very effective to drive people out of their homes.
Now Arabs have to suffer an occupation from people that do not have a home or place to go. These people,Jewish, now claim independence along the way and intentions to form a state.They are forcing people out of their land and homes violating their rights and by force to reconstruct their homes in someone else land.
IS THIS CORRECT???
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Palestinian-Israeli Forum
A few weeks ago, Manhattanville College students had the opportunity to hear about the Israeli-Palestine conflict search for peace and agreement. The representatives from this region in conflict were very clear on the objectives of their reunion as well as the current position of their respective regions, and the willingness and effort to achieve the peace agreement between the two of them.
The key players representing the regions in this conflict are Saeb Erakat, Chief Negotiator for Palestine, and Avi Gil, former Director-General of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel's Ministry of Regional Cooperation. They talk about the sensitivity and volatile stance of their regions and accept the need of a third party involvement to set the environment for the negotiations to take place.
A very interesting topic since the history behind the players and the conflict itself is extensive, since the British Mandate and the Balfour Declaration, that has not been resolved for almost 3 generations. The Palestine negotiator project the conflict as a transition that is difficult to do and hard to achieve, but necessary for the health of the two regions. He set a sample involving the new generation and how the two of them can get along perfectly. The young generation, in the example, which were females, from Palestine and Israel, called each other regarding the welfare of the other concerning a flood that had happen a few years ago. The concern was from the Israeli friend, who was preoccupied for her Palestinian friend.
Given this information it is clear that young generations of Israelis and Palestinians can get along together, but the question is why the older generation can't accept each other???Probably the meaning of the conflict is getting lost through generations.
Well, it is a fact that peace will be here soon and according to both of the speakers the job does not end there. It fact, it is where it begins, signing a paper will mean nothing if we do not make the effort and make it happen.
The key players representing the regions in this conflict are Saeb Erakat, Chief Negotiator for Palestine, and Avi Gil, former Director-General of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel's Ministry of Regional Cooperation. They talk about the sensitivity and volatile stance of their regions and accept the need of a third party involvement to set the environment for the negotiations to take place.
A very interesting topic since the history behind the players and the conflict itself is extensive, since the British Mandate and the Balfour Declaration, that has not been resolved for almost 3 generations. The Palestine negotiator project the conflict as a transition that is difficult to do and hard to achieve, but necessary for the health of the two regions. He set a sample involving the new generation and how the two of them can get along perfectly. The young generation, in the example, which were females, from Palestine and Israel, called each other regarding the welfare of the other concerning a flood that had happen a few years ago. The concern was from the Israeli friend, who was preoccupied for her Palestinian friend.
Given this information it is clear that young generations of Israelis and Palestinians can get along together, but the question is why the older generation can't accept each other???Probably the meaning of the conflict is getting lost through generations.
Well, it is a fact that peace will be here soon and according to both of the speakers the job does not end there. It fact, it is where it begins, signing a paper will mean nothing if we do not make the effort and make it happen.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Islamic Religion stance in Honor Killing
Several weeks ago a classmate of mine held an interesting forum on a topic that i have not hear about it, honor killing. It is happening everywhere. it consist of the murder of the females family members who are seen as dishonoring their families through real or perceived acts of indiscretion, such as premarital sexual relations, marital infidelity, unapproved dating, elopement, divorce without consent of family and even rape. The murder act is committed and has to be supported by males in the family.
"The practice of honor killings has absolutely no sanction in the Qur'an, t he Prophetic practice or the evolved systems of Islamic law. It is purely tribal and cultural practice. It is based on ignorance and disregard of moral laws. According to Sharia, the Islamic Law, the only circumstance a person might be charged and put to death is when a married person commits adultery. It applies to male and female. It does have to be confirmed at least by four people that the intercourse occur or their testimony would be rejected. The only purpose of this is to avoid false accusations. There is no such concept in Islam as called "honor killing". "Islam holds every soul in high esteem and does not allow any transgression upon it". Islamic law, Shariah, does not justify honor killing because people are not permitted to take the law into their own hands.
"The practice of honor killings has absolutely no sanction in the Qur'an, t he Prophetic practice or the evolved systems of Islamic law. It is purely tribal and cultural practice. It is based on ignorance and disregard of moral laws. According to Sharia, the Islamic Law, the only circumstance a person might be charged and put to death is when a married person commits adultery. It applies to male and female. It does have to be confirmed at least by four people that the intercourse occur or their testimony would be rejected. The only purpose of this is to avoid false accusations. There is no such concept in Islam as called "honor killing". "Islam holds every soul in high esteem and does not allow any transgression upon it". Islamic law, Shariah, does not justify honor killing because people are not permitted to take the law into their own hands.
Monday, March 9, 2009
I am so sorry Wrong website
i recently saw i made a mistake placing a web link. please my apologies and this is the right link. again im sorry to all
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
just click on any of the icons on the left that says CLICK TO PLAY it is interesting information
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
just click on any of the icons on the left that says CLICK TO PLAY it is interesting information
The Hatt-i-Humayun and Hatt-i-Sharif of Gulhane
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation (1856) is a confirmation of what the Hatt-i-Sharif of Gulhane established 17 years before (1839). It comes directly from the sultan’s ideas and it is directed to the inhabitants of the Ottoman Empire, Muslim and non-Muslim, man and woman. It is not like other proclamations, the ottoman document did consider woman involvement. Perhaps the sultan considered the potential that women could bring together with men to the empire’s production. Perhaps the document just reflected the fear remaining on the sultan from the powerful western European Empire influence pressing on the neighboring ottoman provinces. The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation is created to make sure the reinforcement of the reforms establishment, consolidation and effects and restructure of its military and social system as well as religious stability promised in previous decrees and proclamations and inclusion of these provinces.
It confirms the previous proclamations and of course promises made by the sultan’s ancestors over the Ottoman Empire. It addresses many points that the Ottoman Empire was not aware before or was simply not important to consider. The release of this document offered a religious security, for non-Muslim religions, mostly Christians and Jews, and promised equality in education, government appointments, administration of justice making people sovereign and gave them power of decision whether to participate in the reformed Ottoman military system or not.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation is the sultan’s promise to Ottoman population. It tried to create citizens and considered officially the non-Muslim religions as part of the ottoman system instead of just forcing their participation just because they were taken over by the sultan’s army. This time the proclamation includes every single person without discrimination of gender or religious beliefs, or age. The document is revolutionary for its time. It takes care of the discrimination issue and preference in between Muslim and non-Muslim religions. It promised that court disputes will no longer be Muslim-based religious legislation; instead court legislation will be directed by mixed courts, which is the inclusion of non-Muslim members into the court legislation. The proclamation gave the people the right to establish their own school system. It was more advance and covers specifically the points of religion and civic duties that, compared with the U.S. bill of rights, are just left out. This proclamation denotes the French and British influence since they helped the Ottoman Empire to fight against the European power and their modernism.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation included Christians and Jews communities giving them the choice of joining the army, instead of forcing their participation as it was done before. It was a big advance for the reformation purposes, possibly viewed by other empires. Consequently it served as a sample to neighbor governments. Leverage amongst all ottoman population was promised by the Ottoman sultan. He basically offered to treat everyone equally, not like the past emperors or like in devshirme period of time, when janissaries take the oldest son of the Christian communities that were conquered and forced them into military life style. Now new generation of janissaries were going to be a mix in religion and beliefs and not forcibly converted into Muslim religion.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation of 1856 involves all the aspects that society needed to synchronize with the new ottoman system in order to function as a whole. It promises individuality, security, ownership, opportunity to have options and choose from them respecting the individual decision without retaliation from emperor’s institutions and its members. As a result the non-Muslim religions of the Ottoman Empire were able to live and work more freely in their homelands. These reforms and freedoms promised in the proclamation made them wealthy and vital component of the Empire they lived in.
It confirms the previous proclamations and of course promises made by the sultan’s ancestors over the Ottoman Empire. It addresses many points that the Ottoman Empire was not aware before or was simply not important to consider. The release of this document offered a religious security, for non-Muslim religions, mostly Christians and Jews, and promised equality in education, government appointments, administration of justice making people sovereign and gave them power of decision whether to participate in the reformed Ottoman military system or not.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation is the sultan’s promise to Ottoman population. It tried to create citizens and considered officially the non-Muslim religions as part of the ottoman system instead of just forcing their participation just because they were taken over by the sultan’s army. This time the proclamation includes every single person without discrimination of gender or religious beliefs, or age. The document is revolutionary for its time. It takes care of the discrimination issue and preference in between Muslim and non-Muslim religions. It promised that court disputes will no longer be Muslim-based religious legislation; instead court legislation will be directed by mixed courts, which is the inclusion of non-Muslim members into the court legislation. The proclamation gave the people the right to establish their own school system. It was more advance and covers specifically the points of religion and civic duties that, compared with the U.S. bill of rights, are just left out. This proclamation denotes the French and British influence since they helped the Ottoman Empire to fight against the European power and their modernism.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation included Christians and Jews communities giving them the choice of joining the army, instead of forcing their participation as it was done before. It was a big advance for the reformation purposes, possibly viewed by other empires. Consequently it served as a sample to neighbor governments. Leverage amongst all ottoman population was promised by the Ottoman sultan. He basically offered to treat everyone equally, not like the past emperors or like in devshirme period of time, when janissaries take the oldest son of the Christian communities that were conquered and forced them into military life style. Now new generation of janissaries were going to be a mix in religion and beliefs and not forcibly converted into Muslim religion.
The Hatt-i-Humayun Proclamation of 1856 involves all the aspects that society needed to synchronize with the new ottoman system in order to function as a whole. It promises individuality, security, ownership, opportunity to have options and choose from them respecting the individual decision without retaliation from emperor’s institutions and its members. As a result the non-Muslim religions of the Ottoman Empire were able to live and work more freely in their homelands. These reforms and freedoms promised in the proclamation made them wealthy and vital component of the Empire they lived in.
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
During the Spring break week, I had time to watch some movies and i happen to find one that interested me. The movie is about a actor that is sent to research the comedy in the Muslim world and investigate what make them laugh.
First he goes to New Delhi. The actor performs in a theater that is lack of the basic needs to hold an audience and a well performance. The theater that all Americans know is laid out with certain basic but fundamental needs. Just to mention a few to illustrate a sample, bathroom. It has to be accessible to people and close to the theater. A store to buy snacks and/or beverages. Backstage rooms, for actor to take a break, change clothes, or just relax a bit before the function. But while in America this is the standard basic need in New Delhi, the nearest to the theater bathroom is 3 block away, also a key is required to have access to it. No store to buy snacks and/or beverages, and actors do no have a place out of the audience view to even change their clothes, so the audience watched whatever is happening on stage even what they are not suppose to.
The central comedy researcher, that happens to be American, start his show telling some of the funniest jokes of his career, but nothing worked. Now the information given in this movie says that New Delhi Muslims do not have sense of humor and lack of basic need in building theater for a successful play.
Then he arranges a secret meeting in Pakistan with some comedians, they look more like soldiers and the surroundings were very hostile looking. This raised the nervousness and concern for safety, but the actor found that this people were different, Pakistanis pull a joke on him and he was greeted with laughs and humor. The actor performs the same act in front of the hostile looking audience and his jokes worked. Everyone was laughing with their guns on hand but laughing.
This interesting fact made me think on the other side of this people projected as highly violent .
Why is this contrast in people?Violent ones had a good sense of humor while peaceful ones had none? Is it real information or just the movie plot? that will be the questions that I will ask my professor next time we meet.
First he goes to New Delhi. The actor performs in a theater that is lack of the basic needs to hold an audience and a well performance. The theater that all Americans know is laid out with certain basic but fundamental needs. Just to mention a few to illustrate a sample, bathroom. It has to be accessible to people and close to the theater. A store to buy snacks and/or beverages. Backstage rooms, for actor to take a break, change clothes, or just relax a bit before the function. But while in America this is the standard basic need in New Delhi, the nearest to the theater bathroom is 3 block away, also a key is required to have access to it. No store to buy snacks and/or beverages, and actors do no have a place out of the audience view to even change their clothes, so the audience watched whatever is happening on stage even what they are not suppose to.
The central comedy researcher, that happens to be American, start his show telling some of the funniest jokes of his career, but nothing worked. Now the information given in this movie says that New Delhi Muslims do not have sense of humor and lack of basic need in building theater for a successful play.
Then he arranges a secret meeting in Pakistan with some comedians, they look more like soldiers and the surroundings were very hostile looking. This raised the nervousness and concern for safety, but the actor found that this people were different, Pakistanis pull a joke on him and he was greeted with laughs and humor. The actor performs the same act in front of the hostile looking audience and his jokes worked. Everyone was laughing with their guns on hand but laughing.
This interesting fact made me think on the other side of this people projected as highly violent .
Why is this contrast in people?Violent ones had a good sense of humor while peaceful ones had none? Is it real information or just the movie plot? that will be the questions that I will ask my professor next time we meet.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Video to Die in Jerusalem
After watching this video, my point of view of life changed. Most importantly my understanding of the conflicts in Palestinian-Israeli people. It is very difficult to take sides or to sympathize with either side. Both sides of the conflict, Israelis and Palestinians, have their reasons to fight. And right to protect their space and territory. It is ashamed that it has to be that way, killing each other.
But most difficult is to be the mother of the 17 yr. old victim Abigail Levy. Just to know that she was randomly selected by a suicidal person to make up a point on their Jihad, means to me to appreciate much more who we have around and the kind of living and freedom we have in America.
The Palestinian bomber's mother did not have an idea of her daughter's whereabouts. That fact could tell us as outsiders and analysts of the information that parents do not have an idea of what their kids are doing or thinking, what the plans are and what groups they are involved in. the kind of friends and all those questions that come up with a mother's testimonial like the one of the suicidal girl mother.
Again is it is obvious how the news and in this case video takes sides, why is it that news and media make such effort to take sides on the stories they present. Israeli girl Rachel Levy is portrayed as sweet, not daring to hurt anyone, while Ayat Al-Akhras is a martyr on her school, pictures of her with guns and being excused and justified for her actions and deviation from school. It is just projected bye the media as a crazy non sense behavior that is impossible to understand, but easy to reprimand. By this comment i meant that they focus only on the bombing attack but they do not see it as a reaction for an previous action from the other party. I just can think that the reason would be that Israeli and therefore Jewish community is dominant around the world and they are represented in more countries than Palestinians.
Israeli population is much more large and its members are holding positions in society of power and status. Most of the Israeli people I happen to know are holders of PhD's, Masters Degrees, Doctors, Lawyers or somehow they have influence and power in society while Palestinians are barely making it out day by day. To better explain my point is to point the huge Menorah that was placed in NYC commemorating the Hanukkah, or how some regular calendar shows a remainder of Jewish holidays and celebrations.
Changing the perspective a little and going back to the suicidal girl, her family seems to justify her actions by enforcing and promising to kill more people, and that lack of courage of others had push her to blow herself up. But how and what the point of killing people is? What is the purpose of having this kind of madness and ideology around? Maybe Palestinians think that murder is the only option to solve this problem. That radical answer is the only option they have. But as the movie goes along it is understandable that their "resistance" is demonstrated in art, word, or by violence in some cases.
But most difficult is to be the mother of the 17 yr. old victim Abigail Levy. Just to know that she was randomly selected by a suicidal person to make up a point on their Jihad, means to me to appreciate much more who we have around and the kind of living and freedom we have in America.
The Palestinian bomber's mother did not have an idea of her daughter's whereabouts. That fact could tell us as outsiders and analysts of the information that parents do not have an idea of what their kids are doing or thinking, what the plans are and what groups they are involved in. the kind of friends and all those questions that come up with a mother's testimonial like the one of the suicidal girl mother.
Again is it is obvious how the news and in this case video takes sides, why is it that news and media make such effort to take sides on the stories they present. Israeli girl Rachel Levy is portrayed as sweet, not daring to hurt anyone, while Ayat Al-Akhras is a martyr on her school, pictures of her with guns and being excused and justified for her actions and deviation from school. It is just projected bye the media as a crazy non sense behavior that is impossible to understand, but easy to reprimand. By this comment i meant that they focus only on the bombing attack but they do not see it as a reaction for an previous action from the other party. I just can think that the reason would be that Israeli and therefore Jewish community is dominant around the world and they are represented in more countries than Palestinians.
Israeli population is much more large and its members are holding positions in society of power and status. Most of the Israeli people I happen to know are holders of PhD's, Masters Degrees, Doctors, Lawyers or somehow they have influence and power in society while Palestinians are barely making it out day by day. To better explain my point is to point the huge Menorah that was placed in NYC commemorating the Hanukkah, or how some regular calendar shows a remainder of Jewish holidays and celebrations.
Changing the perspective a little and going back to the suicidal girl, her family seems to justify her actions by enforcing and promising to kill more people, and that lack of courage of others had push her to blow herself up. But how and what the point of killing people is? What is the purpose of having this kind of madness and ideology around? Maybe Palestinians think that murder is the only option to solve this problem. That radical answer is the only option they have. But as the movie goes along it is understandable that their "resistance" is demonstrated in art, word, or by violence in some cases.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Muhtasib
During this past few days, history in the middle east class has been very demanding, the readings, source analysis and all of the assignments are getting more complex that in previous classes. In today's class we learned about the Muhtasib. It is an older version of what we now call inspectors. It might be health, food, social or merchant inspector. Muhtasib was in charge of many different task that required a lot of effort and time to do. Muhtasib was important during the Mamluk empire to preserve the order and to control the trade in between merchants. They were very detail oriented in engaging their job.
If they suspect something was going on in a residence, they can suddenly beak in and check that everything is OK and in order. they had the authority of execute anyone that had been braking the law or just tried to take advantage of someone. Overpricing and mishandling anything from food to behavior was severely punishable under Islamic law.
It is a remarkable difference that this type of people had done in the course of history. Also note how punishment was enforced, most of the people accused of any wrong doing was hanged or not in most cases a physical punishment was enough.
The Muhtasib made a great difference in the course of history and how it is perceived from different points of view around the world.
If they suspect something was going on in a residence, they can suddenly beak in and check that everything is OK and in order. they had the authority of execute anyone that had been braking the law or just tried to take advantage of someone. Overpricing and mishandling anything from food to behavior was severely punishable under Islamic law.
It is a remarkable difference that this type of people had done in the course of history. Also note how punishment was enforced, most of the people accused of any wrong doing was hanged or not in most cases a physical punishment was enough.
The Muhtasib made a great difference in the course of history and how it is perceived from different points of view around the world.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Imperial Harem
The reading assignment of this book is a remarkable difference in history courses approach. What normally focus on males role and male decision making, the assignment and understanding of the imperial harem is a different approach to another structure of the functions of the harem and the role of women in the Ottoman society how they can build their own structure of government, gather themselves, like the Januaries and how they can keep wealth amongst themselves.
The book is hard to read but interesting. on my own experience I had to return 3 or sometimes 4 times to a paragraph to understand it , the use of names and different family levels made the reading difficult. The reading is very explicit and very detail oriented. It would be faster and easier if the book provides a family map where to relate the different names used in the literature.
Besides the complexity of this novel, the language it uses is complicated. To relate and pronounce a name correctly takes a quite few minutes and after that remember who use that name for gets complicated.
It helped me to reestablish the normal point of view of an empire. I realize that woman played an important role, often ignore, in the incidents of man and its roles in history. She is like the back up plan, when options are extinct they seem to have the solution.
The book is hard to read but interesting. on my own experience I had to return 3 or sometimes 4 times to a paragraph to understand it , the use of names and different family levels made the reading difficult. The reading is very explicit and very detail oriented. It would be faster and easier if the book provides a family map where to relate the different names used in the literature.
Besides the complexity of this novel, the language it uses is complicated. To relate and pronounce a name correctly takes a quite few minutes and after that remember who use that name for gets complicated.
It helped me to reestablish the normal point of view of an empire. I realize that woman played an important role, often ignore, in the incidents of man and its roles in history. She is like the back up plan, when options are extinct they seem to have the solution.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thinking and thinking. What should i write on my blog?
It might get absurd but there is so much to write about history that in fact there is sometimes nowhere to start.
But, going through the class notes i can figure many things and understand what the ideology of people is and it might be based on their past. There is so many incidents, events and interaction of the people of this region that is not only political but mostly religious disputes that have been evolving in each other for generations. In a movie, i remember, that one of the actors said, "the past is the key to the future", It sound a bit philosophical but taking this history courses made me realize the meaning,origin and structure of that phrase. Even, in geology classes the phrase is 100% applicable t hat we know so much about earth just by analyzing the rocks and minerals and studying the formation of the different levels of rock formation and fusion that scientific can tell how old the rock is by analyzing the minerals and formation process it had.
So far, i have seen videos in class, witness the news and analyzing the filters that a cover story that i watch on my scree had been through before it gets to me. A few days ago, checking my email, i read an email from my history professor inviting me to watch a movie about Iran and its revolution, the involvement of woman in this movement and her influence in Iran as well as outside. I had the opportunity to watch how labels are established on Iranies, especially woman, and what they can do and what they should not do but still do. The movie shows aspects of the family values, the struggle to overthrown a tyrannic power and the cruel way of justice. the ridiculous way of enforcing the law, and how kids, as young as 13, are on the streets enforcing the law.
The purpose of the movie is clear. It shows to people the dimensions of the conflict, the purpose of the revolution and the outcome of it.
Many people died during this period of transition and evolution, protecting and fighting for what they believe was just, but was all of that really necessary? Why can they just get along??????
It might get absurd but there is so much to write about history that in fact there is sometimes nowhere to start.
But, going through the class notes i can figure many things and understand what the ideology of people is and it might be based on their past. There is so many incidents, events and interaction of the people of this region that is not only political but mostly religious disputes that have been evolving in each other for generations. In a movie, i remember, that one of the actors said, "the past is the key to the future", It sound a bit philosophical but taking this history courses made me realize the meaning,origin and structure of that phrase. Even, in geology classes the phrase is 100% applicable t hat we know so much about earth just by analyzing the rocks and minerals and studying the formation of the different levels of rock formation and fusion that scientific can tell how old the rock is by analyzing the minerals and formation process it had.
So far, i have seen videos in class, witness the news and analyzing the filters that a cover story that i watch on my scree had been through before it gets to me. A few days ago, checking my email, i read an email from my history professor inviting me to watch a movie about Iran and its revolution, the involvement of woman in this movement and her influence in Iran as well as outside. I had the opportunity to watch how labels are established on Iranies, especially woman, and what they can do and what they should not do but still do. The movie shows aspects of the family values, the struggle to overthrown a tyrannic power and the cruel way of justice. the ridiculous way of enforcing the law, and how kids, as young as 13, are on the streets enforcing the law.
The purpose of the movie is clear. It shows to people the dimensions of the conflict, the purpose of the revolution and the outcome of it.
Many people died during this period of transition and evolution, protecting and fighting for what they believe was just, but was all of that really necessary? Why can they just get along??????
Saturday, January 31, 2009
New info on the Middle East
Well tonight, while working, I happen to browse the internet looking for more information on the middle east and the palestinian-israeli conflict popped up and by mistake or probably luck I found a website that is claiming the unexistence of the palestinian territory and that is supproting Israel.
The website gives information about the Turks (currently covered in class) and how the palestinian did not have anything to do with their territory and in that instance that jews were there for more than 3700 years in what is today called palestinian territory.
Here is the link of the website for you guys to see.
Is this the truth or another bias source of information?
Guys there is the website for you to check and decide the real meaning of the website and its information.
http://www.amazon.com/What-Everyone-Needs-about-Islam/dp/B000U2BQJM
The website gives information about the Turks (currently covered in class) and how the palestinian did not have anything to do with their territory and in that instance that jews were there for more than 3700 years in what is today called palestinian territory.
Here is the link of the website for you guys to see.
Is this the truth or another bias source of information?
Guys there is the website for you to check and decide the real meaning of the website and its information.
http://www.amazon.com/What-Everyone-Needs-about-Islam/dp/B000U2BQJM
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Today in class we get to see another video, but this time was about the Ottoman Empire. It showed the class the 3 important preconditions to form an empire. Migration, Mongol invasion and crusades.
Even though it looks obvious, I did not know in particular how an empire was formed and what the basics are to not only form it but to sustain it and defend it.
It was amazing to me how a single skill, which is horseback riding can be mastered and use in battle to take advantage of the unskilled enemy. Also, the hit-and-run technique can be a complete disaster to, which in this case was, the army lead by Romano's Diogenes. It is fascinating how class after class I am getting further and further inside of a such interesting part of history.
Even though it looks obvious, I did not know in particular how an empire was formed and what the basics are to not only form it but to sustain it and defend it.
It was amazing to me how a single skill, which is horseback riding can be mastered and use in battle to take advantage of the unskilled enemy. Also, the hit-and-run technique can be a complete disaster to, which in this case was, the army lead by Romano's Diogenes. It is fascinating how class after class I am getting further and further inside of a such interesting part of history.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
After watching the video in class I learned that not everything is what it seems to be. Government and media filtered that information to their own benefit to make Americans, and probably other people in the world, believe that is right to invade a country, take their land and destroy their homes; that is perfectly ok to control of their borders with military action and violence.
The story on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict watched on this video had me thinking on the amount of "aid" the United States had provided to Israel during all this years. How is it possible? I was in shock. The disrupting images of what people go through everyday made me realize that the reports and news I watch and read might no be the complete truth.
The way of living in Palestine made me realize the degree of desperation they have. It is now clear and at some point understandable what conduct people to kill themselves along with many Israelis. It made me think what a person could be force to do while protecting their family and belongings.
The story on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict watched on this video had me thinking on the amount of "aid" the United States had provided to Israel during all this years. How is it possible? I was in shock. The disrupting images of what people go through everyday made me realize that the reports and news I watch and read might no be the complete truth.
The way of living in Palestine made me realize the degree of desperation they have. It is now clear and at some point understandable what conduct people to kill themselves along with many Israelis. It made me think what a person could be force to do while protecting their family and belongings.
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