Category Middle East/Arabic

Pyramids are often uses as a model within development and other spaces, whether correctly or incorrectly eg pyramids of needs, food pyramids and others. Some work well, some not so well. However, I did come across one recently that I think has value for where we are at right now.

These days, there is far too much of every level of the pyramid – including anti-LGBTQ+ laws in countless places, pointless wars, genocide, a climate crisis that is being ignored and many other challenges

There is far too much hate (for people and the planet), and not enough love, peace, kindness and inclusion and sustainability.

So, why did I post this today?

Far too often, I still see people posting (or sharing in other ways), things that land on the pyramid of hate – either the bottom, or even much higher up. Might be something discriminatory, might be support for a politician or law that discriminates against others, might be support for a war that hurts others, might be lack of support for refugees, might be hateful comments about how a minority (eg LGBTQ+ or others) don’t belong in one’s faith group or family or so many other awful things.

So, what would this look like if we flipped it around, and made it a pyramid of inclusion? (Apologies in advance: my design skills are not good enough to actually redesign it here, so we’ll have to use our imaginations.)

Instead of thinking and acting on our negative biases, leading to discrimination and violence, let’s reverse the cycle. Let’s actively include, and find space for others. Let’s stop justifying our own bad behaviour (eg hateful attitudes, discrimation, sexism, racism, exclusion, pollution and others), pretending that “it’s not that bad, and not hurting anybody” (or any of countless other excuses and justifications). Just because somebody else’s behaviour is worse, doesn’t make our behaviour OK. Both can be wrong, in different ways. We all have ways to improve and learn how to do better.

The Giza pyramids have been around for a long time. Likewise, our legacy – of hate, discrimination and climate destruction OR love, inclusion and a safe planet – will last just as long. So, which do we choose?

If we want a pyramid of inclusion, we need to face our own areas where we need to learn more, find ways to be more inclusive, take radical action to to love creation (switch to a plant-based diet, quit flying, get rid of our gas-powered vehicles, downsize our homes and many others, depending on individual circumstances etc).

So, as we start a new week, what kind of pyramid are we going to build? 🙂

CBC

This is a terrible week in Ontario, as we deal with the reality of a terrorist attack in London, along with more info regarding our history with residential schools. A family was targeted in an attack, seemingly only for being Muslim. There is absolutely shameful, and has no place in Canada. And yet, it happened regardless, seemingly fueled by some combination of anti-Asian racism, Islamophobia, and perhaps white supremacy – although details remain sketchy and unclear at this time.

Canada has, I believe, a reputation for being a safe and welcoming place. However, that has not always been our history (with First Nations, newcomers and others), and it is not always our present. That must be acknowledged, and we must work hard to face our problems, and do better. I will not, in any way, attempt to speak for the Muslim community, or pretend that I understand the pain and grief that they are going through at this stage. It is not my place to take others’ voice away – only to draw attention to what is going on, and offer ideas to consider as we, collectively, try to move forward to a more positive place.

“Muslims in Canada have become all too familiar with the violence of Islamophobia,” Mustafa Farooq, the council’s chief executive, said in a statement. “But this loss of a family, the loss of a child in our community because of Islamophobia — this is a sorrow that will run deep for a long time. But let that sorrow be the ground where we stand for justice, and stand for change.”

Washington Post

In brief, here are a few important things to consider, among many others, as we attempt to create a better future than the present we currently have:

• There is absolutely no place for white supremacy, racism, discrimination or anything else in Canada, or anywhere else. It still happens, and we all have an obligation to do better than claim “I’m not a racist.” Those of us that are white and/or privileged and/or male have an even greater responsibility – both to listen more to under-represented voices, as well as to use our position to speak truth to power, and ensure that change happens.
• The perpetuation of all types of negatively (from micro-aggressions to direct attacks) – whether grounded in faith/religion, tradition, skin colour, national identity or anything else – must end. That includes everything – whether it is an attack based on ethnicity, skin colour, what one is wearing (or not wearing), one’s religious identity, gender and sexuality identity or anything else.
• Many politicians, faith leaders and others are actively working to end systemic racism and discrimination, and that should be applauded. Others, however, are still promoting a “me first” world-view, in which others are attacked as an “easy way to get votes” instead of doing the hard work of building a more inclusive world. They must be held accountable, and absolutely not rewarded with votes, big salaries, or other encouragement.
• If our faith/faith leaders, community, politicians, internet circles, or anyone else, is telling us that others are “wrong” or “bad” for their faith, what they wear (or don’t wear), who they love, their gender identity, or anything else, we must reinterpret our faith, change the tone of our community and our piolitics, find better resources on the internet. If a faith group (or others), refuses to let go of hatred for and rejection of others (for any reason), find a more inclusive and welcoming community. We must have zero tolerance for hatred and discrimination, of any kind.

These attacks on others, for basic, protected characteristics (faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or anything else), must end. It’s time to go beyond being nice, passive Canadians, and stick our necks out (peacefully, of course), to support our neighbours, and build the Canada, in reality, as perfectly ideal as we imagine it to be.

More details (among the countless pages that have been already written on the internet, too many to list here):

• Muslim family ID’d in fatal truck attack in London, Ont., known for commitment to community – CBC
• ‘This was a terrorist attack’: Trudeau condemns London hit-and-run that left four Muslim family members dead CBC
• Four Muslim family members in Canada killed in ‘targeted’ attack, police say WP

CBC

Although this is only a small step in the right direction, it is worth celebrating. At the same time, there is still a shocking level of resistance – within the Ontario Catholic system and in other places, to a move as modest as flying a flag to demonstrate inclusion. For the record, the “faith-based” resistance to full acceptance of our LGBTQ+ members is not new, and it’s not something I am going to use space articulating here (but it is cited in the article, above). I’m sure that we’ve all heard it before, and the focus here is on how to move forward, more positively, not on giving space to outdated and discriminatory ideas.

So, in order to help transform the conversation from negative, to positive, I (along with countless others that are working for more inclusive faith groups), would like to suggest the following as a reframing of how we view our faith and actions, for ourselves, and others:

Instead of the too-often used, traditional, inaccurate and discriminatory stance:

“My faith tells me, based on centuries old (mis)understandings of gender and sexuality, that you – and your basic core identifiers, or what you do with your body – are wrong, and I am right. For me to live true to my faith, I need you to change who you are, in order for me to tolerate you.”

Let’s switch to:

• “My faith tells me to love my neighbour, so I am called to accept and embrace the diversity (including gender, sexuality and many other things) that we all bring, without judgement or prejudice.”
• “My faith tells me to be a good neighbour, so I am called to serve others, instead of demanding that others change their core identity to appease me.”
• “My faith tells me that if I own two coats, and my neighbour has none, I should share – so therefore, I am called to give up my big house and move somewhere smaller, live simply, share my wealth, support a universal basic income and work to end wealth inequality in the world.”
• “My faith tells me to care for creation, so I am called to stop eating animal products, use zero waste instead of single use products, switch away from my gas vehicle as soon as possible, and vote for governments that take the climate crisis seriously.”
• My faith tells me to not kill others, so I am called to actively support peacebuilding instead of militaries, not own a gun, ensure that I am not glorifying war or weapons in any way, and actively vote in governments that show love to our global neighbours instead of engaging in war.”
• “My faith tells me to live at peace with others, so I am called to learn the history of racism and discrimination in the world, locally and globally, and actively work to deconstruct any misperceptions I may have about systemic racism in our world. Likewise, I am called to actively welcome refugees and other newcomers with open arms.”
• and so on…

Or, in the super-simplified form…

“My/our faith calls me/us to be better global citizen(s), and to serve others, without discrimination. One of the worst things we can do is latch on to the misguided idea that all we need to do is force someone else to change who they are (“be straight instead of LQBTQ+”, “don’t get an abortion”, “don’t be a refugee”…) and then that will be our ticket into heaven. Over and over, in countless faith traditions, we are called to change our own actions (giving up our own wealth, serving the poor and refugees, giving up our own power and status) instead of forcing change on others, especially on aspects of core identity, that break modern anti-discrimination laws in many countries. God calls us to give up our own privilege and wealth, (which is very hard to do), instead of demanding that others change who they are to appease us.”

So, with that, let’s get Pride Month going!😀

More info:

Taking a stand for her father and her family, she’s raising the Pride flag at her former Catholic school – CBC

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CBC.ca

Some of you may remember hearing parts of his story several years ago. Now, Hassan Al Kontar has written a book about his experience, since he was welcomed into Canada as a refugee. I haven’t read the book yet, but it is on my e-reader, waiting for me to start (hopefully soon!)

Here is a bit of an update – and his perspective on what he has learned, as a refugee, and in a pandemic.

A group of volunteers, headed by Laurie Cooper of Whistler, B.C., learned about Al Kontar’s plight and organized on his behalf.

Cooper dubbed herself Al Kontar’s “Canadian mom.” She crowdsourced money for him, helped him navigate the asylum system, lobbied the government and co-ordinated with air travellers around the world to hook him up with food, money and supplies — including, of course, his much beloved coffee.

“They restored my faith in humanity,” he said.

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“That’s why my story is not only the Syrian war story. It’s also [about] a country called Canada and people called Canadians,” he said. “Because of them, I am now permanently safe.”

CBC

In addition to working on and speaking on refugee related issues, now that he is safely settled in Canada, Al Kontar has also spoken with the CBC of the impacts of the pandemic, and the related restrictions, especially as they started relatively soon after he had arrived in Canada.

The key to resilience and survival, he says, lies in having empathy for others. During the first couple of weeks of the pandemic, Al Kontar opened his door to find a bag of snacks that an anonymous person had left for him. He took this as an inspiration to volunteer at a food bank.

“If we are going to manage to beat this virus it’s through this kind of behaviour,” he said. (Bold mine)

CBC

It is imperative that we change our systems (including ending wars, actively and seriously addressing our climate crisis etc), so that people are never forced to flee their homes, and make difficult choices. At the same time, there remain countless reasons why people may want to – or need to – leave and resettle somewhere else. It is, without a doubt, our job to welcome others with open arms, every time. It is the right thing to do, and we need to find ways to be welcoming and inclusive, every time. 😀

More details:

• BBC Hassan al-Kontar: Who is the man trapped in an airport helping now?
• Globe: I was a Syrian refugee, trapped in an airport. Now, Canada is my home – and this is what that means to me

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Looking for zero-waste, plant-based or sustainable items? Check out the MennoAdventures online store! There are always lots of great deals to be found, with our many amazing partners! Happy browsing!

As with most things in life, we can not resolve problems until we fully, honestly admit the truth. Whether it’s the Middle East, COVID, the climate crisis, an inter-personal issue or anything else, we can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge. With honestly, hard work and determination to face problems head-on, we can create a better world. 💛

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Looking for zero-waste, plant-based or sustainable items? Check out the MennoAdventures online store! There are always lots of great deals to be found, with our many amazing partners! Happy browsing! 😀

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There are still lots of great deals from all of the online store partners! Lots of amazing ideas for sustainable holiday shopping! 🙂

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Fun with languages!

This is so great that it has to be shared! Here are a few samples of the images – check the link above for more details. Happy Wednesday! 🙂