Between Us Only!

The Nemesis!

These two weeks there were these news – apart from the usual ones in the Arab World of Egypt and Syria as main – of the death of Jacintha Saldanha – the Indian nurse subject of a prank Australian Radio Show by two Greig and Christian.

The other was the massacre of 20 lost-lives innocent children below the age of 10 by one crazed Adam Lanza. This happened in Sandy Hawk Elementary School in Newtown – Connecticut. At one time Newtown was considered as the 5^th most peaceful state in USA! Even the USA President Barack Hussein Obama was emotional close to tears in his speech!

This week I was also very much disturbed, annoyed and perturbed by the USA Publishing Company not publishing my books – already paid for in full – because of the question of Images – though I had explained clearly to their Vice President Operations Lady with a signed document explaining the sources of my images. The books were fully paid for since July 2012 – but it has dragged on to date – one excuse after the other – in the end to decide either they publish my books – or refund me in full.

It should be stressed that they had published my earlier books – including The Arab Management books – please see www.myown-ebooks.com. I guess they are reluctant to publish the books is because of the articles inside the book – Between Us Only! Series – and some of the subjects could be sensitive to them – or they are just being protective of their own kind. Some of the subjects?

• Rising Islamophobia – Live and Let Live!
• The Arabs Will Never Learn!
• No More Wars – Please!
• Stop The Gaza Blockade!
• The Jewish Diaspora!
• We Need To Speak Out!
• You Reap What You Sow!
• A Question of Loyalty!
• What Goes Around; Comes Around!

That is the only reason I can gather for their reluctance is for the above. Depending on how much they will refund – or change their minds in publishing the books – further action will depend on all the above only!

And of course, denying the voice to the other side. Being a Muslim and an Arab. That is how bad things are now in USA – they have lost their self respects and conscience – lost the old USA that protected the rights and freedom of others! Great shame!

One of the books was on Road Safety – the Novel type – carrying real true stories of Accident victims and their impact on their lives now – and with the increasing road accidents and fatalities especially in Oman GCC now! How can one even stop this book to be published? It smacks of open hatred, animosity – and racialism only!

Anyway, I was keen to write more on the poor massacred children – as children are children – devoid of race, creed, colour or nationality. We have seen poor Gazan children massacred in their homes by Israeli bombardments and air force strikes – just as we have seen so many others ‘collateral damages’ in other parts of the world!

I have also read about this visit from The USA Assistant Secretary of State – Beth Jones – with the title Oman a partner in global fight against terror and the very nice words she had to say about Oman in general!

Being that upset and annoyed – I will concentrate for today on the death of poor Nurse Jacintha Saldanha – with due respects and apologies here!

***

In my career life, I have worked with many Western bosses and peers. I always made a point that as soon as the main meal is served (and sweets!) – I make it a point to leave as soon as I can – especially when it is not only me from the family at the party – because this is usually followed by teases, jokes and pranks – some to unimaginable and intrusive personal levels! Of course the usual excuse is the free drinks being served!

To the extent that the next day they would come in – a bit better off – but still not sober – to apologise – if I had upset and or annoyed you in any way in that party! The people that usually get a special battering and treatment are those like us that are teetotalers – and not smokers!

Of course the belief was also – if you joined the fun and melee – the more chances were there for your promotion and advancement! And if you cannot beat them – join them syndromes! And if you have a Porsche, Mercedes or BMW as your car fancy – and or can play golf – the better still!

With due respects here! Not all of them were like that – there were many also that respected and esteemed local customs, traditions, heritage and culture. In one of the incidents that I will never ever forget in my life was this top CEO in the International Company who did not take offence – but actually joined in – when one of the senior Omanis (by age that is!) started using his hands to eat with us at the table!

I was trying to tactfully counsel him to use the spoon at least – but the good man got what I was trying to say – and told me – ‘let him enjoy his meal – you know what – I will join in! And though in the end the man came a hero – and a very wise leader – and not only as a the usual manager – that is asked to come in and intervene – but ends up supporting his own staff – and against a customer! Because the customer is an outsider!

Now you may well be asking me why I take the long road to come to the point – and what has Company parties have got to do with the earlier part of my column? If you know me – and the way I write – and straight from the hip – or the heart – depending on whom I am addressing here! With tongue in cheek speaking!

Do not forget I am a very angry and pissed off person still. People do not realise how attached we Writers are to our works – and how a Writer feels when his (her) books are marginalised and sidelined – and how traumatic, painful and emotional that can be! So please bear with me!

The point I want to make is that there are some people that always feel they can do whatever they want to do with others – and they are self-appointed on higher levels and echelons. This goes across the divide between locals and expatriates – guests and the invited – to the hosts too!

True we all enjoy fun, mirth and humour – which human being does not – in the real sense of the word? But sometimes doing pranks against or at the expense of others can be tolerated if one comes out finally and apologises it was a joke, tease and prank – immediately after – and not let the person feel so small and insignificant – so belittled and so insulted – that the poor person even decides to end his or her life – by committing suicide!

I must also admit and say this thing too – because we do not know how long we shall live in this world. Yesterday my cousin of 30 years old had died in Tanzania – after only a cold and flu! He did not recover – got high temperature – his treatment was bungled – and soon went into a coma – and death!

I must admit I have had many differences with peoples – sometimes I become very emotional and upset – and the worst thing I do is put my feelings on paper – and for some not open and objective people – that is like pouring fuel over fire – because they simply will not take that in! But find me a perfect person in this world – I would like to meet him (or her!) – And you too!

Only Our Lord and Our Creator is Perfect – no one else is!

Take Care!

By Majid Al Suleimany

P.S. I am not going to put any images today – that is how upset I am today