Comments on: Arabisc: An Ode to a Jailed Egyptian Security Guard http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:22:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Helge http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-2/#comment-857518 Helge Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:28:45 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-857518 Majeed, I think you just stopped our conversation. Even if we might disagree about major Middle East issues, there might be common ground for debating the smaller issue of principles of policing. Or must I adopt your positions on Israel in order to partake? Respectfully, Helge Majeed,
I think you just stopped our conversation. Even if we might disagree about major Middle East issues, there might be common ground for debating the smaller issue of principles of policing. Or must I adopt your positions on Israel in order to partake?
Respectfully,
Helge

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-856608 Majeed Al-Barghouthi Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:57:46 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-856608 Mr Helge: You asked: Does Israel excuse some soldiers from serving in occupied territories? Let me ask: Would you support the occupation of any Norwegian territory? I am sure you wouldn't. Do you support any people who oppress and occupy another people? It is a matter of principle. That is the larger perspective of the issue, the root cause of major tragedies and minor problems in our part of the world. Focussing on an individual's case was my means to point at the whole picture. You said that the pick and choose behaviour would harm the career prospects of the individual, but what about the career prospects of nations in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan? Whole nations suffer daily under Israeli and US occupations. Branches and leaves of evil are many, (according to Henry David Thoreau) but the root of evil is one: Oppressive occupation by a military force of another nation or nations. Is that a matter to be seen into? and that individual,s behaviour is a crime to be punished on the spot? Finally you said: I personally oppose this rather new-found right of police officers. Do you oppose this new-found right of Israel to occupy and torture Arab Palestinians daily and the US new-found right to destroy Iraq and Afghanistan and kill Iraqis and Afghanis? For what? Is it just for oil supplies and the protection of the Israeli unjust occupation of Palestine? These are the questions. Mr Helge: You asked: Does Israel excuse some soldiers from serving in occupied territories? Let me ask: Would you support the occupation of any Norwegian territory? I am sure you wouldn’t. Do you support any people who oppress and occupy another people? It is a matter of principle. That is the larger perspective of the issue, the root cause of major tragedies and minor problems in our part of the world. Focussing on an individual’s case was my means to point at the whole picture.
You said that the pick and choose behaviour would harm the career prospects of the individual, but what about the career prospects of nations in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan? Whole nations suffer daily under Israeli and US occupations. Branches and leaves of evil are many, (according to Henry David Thoreau) but the root of evil is one: Oppressive occupation by a military force of another nation or nations. Is that a matter to be seen into? and that individual,s behaviour is a crime to be punished on the spot?
Finally you said: I personally oppose this rather new-found right of police officers. Do you oppose this new-found right of Israel to occupy and torture Arab Palestinians daily and the US new-found right to destroy Iraq and Afghanistan and kill Iraqis and Afghanis? For what? Is it just for oil supplies and the protection of the Israeli unjust occupation of Palestine? These are the questions.

]]> By: Helge http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-855908 Helge Thu, 15 Mar 2007 07:07:25 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-855908 Majeed point out possible avenues for solving this issue. And he is right; there are interesting parallels. In Norway, health workers can be excused from partaking in abortions on moral grounds. Does Israel excuse some soldiers from serving in occupied territories? So my first (gut) reaction might have been based on a parody of any policeman being able to pick and choose. This may be unlikely to happen, as it would harm the career prospects of the individual. But I personally oppose this rather new-found right of police officers. Alexander Omar Basha in my opinion had no honorable reasons for refusing to protect a foreign embassy in London. Would Majeed support another officer's right to excuse himself from protecting the Iranian embassy? (BTW; Helge is a man's name in Norwegian.) Helge Majeed point out possible avenues for solving this issue. And he is right; there are interesting parallels. In Norway, health workers can be excused from partaking in abortions on moral grounds. Does Israel excuse some soldiers from serving in occupied territories?
So my first (gut) reaction might have been based on a parody of any policeman being able to pick and choose. This may be unlikely to happen, as it would harm the career prospects of the individual.
But I personally oppose this rather new-found right of police officers. Alexander Omar Basha in my opinion had no honorable reasons for refusing to protect a foreign embassy in London. Would Majeed support another officer’s right to excuse himself from protecting the Iranian embassy?
(BTW; Helge is a man’s name in Norwegian.)
Helge

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-855370 Majeed Al-Barghouthi Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:09:56 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-855370 Also, Ms Helge, I quote The Daily Telegraph of 06/10/2006 ********** Muslim police officer excused Israel guard duty By John Steele, Crime Correspondent Last Updated: 1:29am BST 06/10/2006 Scotland Yard said today that a decision to excuse a Muslim police protection officer from duties guarding the Israeli embassy during the Lebanon conflict in August was not taken for “politically correct” reasons but because the armed constable expressed concerns about the safety of his relatives in Lebanon. If Britiain, the creator of Israel in Palestine, could solve the problem of LAW, then why Egypt - An Arab country affected by the Israeli acts in the area, could not? We are humans too. Also, Ms Helge, I quote The Daily Telegraph of 06/10/2006
**********
Muslim police officer excused Israel guard duty
By John Steele, Crime Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:29am BST 06/10/2006

Scotland Yard said today that a decision to excuse a Muslim police protection officer from duties guarding the Israeli embassy during the Lebanon conflict in August was not taken for “politically correct” reasons but because the armed constable expressed concerns about the safety of his relatives in Lebanon.
If Britiain, the creator of Israel in Palestine, could solve the problem of LAW, then why Egypt – An Arab country affected by the Israeli acts in the area, could not? We are humans too.

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-855276 Majeed Al-Barghouthi Thu, 15 Mar 2007 02:30:09 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-855276 In response to Helge or the blogger, the British Police excused a Muslim police officer from guarding the Israeli embassy in London on moral grounds. Pc Alexander Omar Basha, part of the Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group, asked for special dispensation not to work at the embassy because of his ethical objection to Israel's bombing of Lebanon, according to the Sun newspaper. This is one solution, why make the issue out of proportion? the other solution is to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the US occupation of Iraq. Do you believe that Arabs are free under such occupations? In response to Helge or the blogger, the British Police excused a Muslim police officer from guarding the Israeli embassy in London on moral grounds. Pc Alexander Omar Basha, part of the Metropolitan Police’s Diplomatic Protection Group, asked for special dispensation not to work at the embassy because of his ethical objection to Israel’s bombing of Lebanon, according to the Sun newspaper.
This is one solution, why make the issue out of proportion? the other solution is to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the US occupation of Iraq. Do you believe that Arabs are free under such occupations?

]]> By: Helge http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-853913 Helge Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:33:23 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-853913 While the punishment might be harsh, does Mr. Barghouthi or the blogger advocate a system of law where the individual police officer is free to choose which tasks to undertake, based on his or her political preferences? If so, can the officer decide this oon the spot, possibly leaving institutions or individuals unguarded, or must he report his preferences in advance, making it possible for his superiors to assign others? Where might such an conscience-based system of law and public security have been successfully implemented? Helge Ogrim, Oslo While the punishment might be harsh, does Mr. Barghouthi or the blogger advocate a system of law where the individual police officer is free to choose which tasks to undertake, based on his or her political preferences?
If so, can the officer decide this oon the spot, possibly leaving institutions or individuals unguarded, or must he report his preferences in advance, making it possible for his superiors to assign others?
Where might such an conscience-based system of law and public security have been successfully implemented?
Helge Ogrim, Oslo

]]> By: Amira Al Hussaini http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-810805 Amira Al Hussaini Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:50:33 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-810805 Dear Mr Al Barghouthi, Thanks for pointing out the mistake, which was as a result of wrong information supplied in the blog we merely translated. The 'error' has now been fixed. Hope you have a good day! Dear Mr Al Barghouthi,
Thanks for pointing out the mistake, which was as a result of wrong information supplied in the blog we merely translated. The ‘error’ has now been fixed. Hope you have a good day!

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-810232 Majeed Al-Barghouthi Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:10:35 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-810232 I cannot go into your blog frontpage to correct one typo, and I am not supposed to do so. So please amend the 3rd line before the last in the ode to read as follows: May Allah make your faith prevail; Best regards.. Majeed I cannot go into your blog frontpage to correct one typo, and I am not supposed to do so.
So please amend the 3rd line before the last in the ode to read as follows:

May Allah make your faith prevail;
Best regards..
Majeed

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi.net http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-804919 Majeed Al-Barghouthi.net Sun, 04 Mar 2007 13:08:07 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-804919 *The Honest Guardian Mohammed Khalaf Hassan Ibrahim Uncle Mohammed is an honest guardian He’s standing guarding, Guarding whom? Egypt the free, Egypt the revolution, Egypt of respected people. When an officer ordered him to protect the embassy of whom? The embassy of Israel, he was told, Near Giza, Next to the Nile, Uncle Mohammed refused the order; For he has sworn a thousand times That he would only be guarding whom? Egypt the free, Egypt the revolution, Egypt of respected people. The officer, shouting, fuming, Jailed Mohammed! And when people have complaints They go to the police And Uncle Mohammed is a policeman To whom should he complain? Allah is all-seeing, And all-knowing, Uncle Mohammed is not afraid Next day morning, He was fasting, And praying with the prisoners. Get up like him! Fast like him, with the fasting! Uncle Mohammed, May Allah make you faith prevail; Say Amen, Say Amen. *********************** Majeed Al-Barghouthi http://www.majeedbarghouthi.net *********************** Translated by the poet. *********************** Notes on the story: Mohammed Khalaf Hassan Ibrahim, an Egyptian security guard, refused to obey orders to guard the Israeli Embassy in Egypt. (16 February 2007). On Feb 21 (Reuters) said he faced a disciplinary committee over his action, according to security sources. The sources said the officer had gone on hunger strike over the matter and had been admitted to a Cairo hospital in protest against the conditions of his detention, where he remained in serious condition. On February 25, the Military Court of Giza sentenced him to six months in prison after a three-hour trial. *The Honest Guardian
Mohammed Khalaf Hassan Ibrahim

Uncle Mohammed is an honest guardian
He’s standing guarding,
Guarding whom?
Egypt the free,
Egypt the revolution,
Egypt of respected people.
When an officer ordered him to protect
the embassy of whom?
The embassy of Israel, he was told,
Near Giza,
Next to the Nile,
Uncle Mohammed refused the order;
For he has sworn a thousand times
That he would only be guarding whom?
Egypt the free,
Egypt the revolution,
Egypt of respected people.
The officer, shouting, fuming,
Jailed Mohammed!
And when people have complaints
They go to the police
And Uncle Mohammed is a policeman
To whom should he complain?
Allah is all-seeing,
And all-knowing,
Uncle Mohammed is not afraid
Next day morning,
He was fasting,
And praying with the prisoners.
Get up like him!
Fast like him, with the fasting!
Uncle Mohammed,
May Allah make you faith prevail;
Say Amen,
Say Amen.
***********************
Majeed Al-Barghouthi
http://www.majeedbarghouthi.net
***********************
Translated by the poet.
***********************
Notes on the story:
Mohammed Khalaf Hassan Ibrahim, an Egyptian security guard, refused to obey orders to guard the Israeli Embassy in Egypt. (16 February 2007).
On Feb 21 (Reuters) said he faced a disciplinary committee over his action, according to security sources. The sources said the officer had gone on hunger strike over the matter and had been admitted to a Cairo hospital in protest against the conditions of his detention, where he remained in serious condition. On February 25, the Military Court of Giza sentenced him to six months in prison after a three-hour trial.

]]> By: Majeed Al-Barghouthi.net http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-802382 Majeed Al-Barghouthi.net Sat, 03 Mar 2007 21:55:21 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-802382 The Ode to the jailed Mohammed Khalaf is written by Majeed Al-Barghouthi, A Palestinian poet and writer; it was quoted by Dr. Ibrahim Hammami. Thank you for correcting your blog accordingly. The Ode to the jailed Mohammed Khalaf is written by Majeed Al-Barghouthi, A Palestinian poet and writer; it was quoted by Dr. Ibrahim Hammami. Thank you for correcting your blog accordingly.

]]> By: Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/comment-page-1/#comment-794264 Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:19:02 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/03/01/arabisc-an-ode-to-a-jailed-egyptian-security-guard/#comment-794264 Yeah, so respectable that they <a href="http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/02/25/free-kareem-egyptian-bloggers-speak-out/" rel="nofollow">arrest people for thinking</a>. Yeah, so respectable that they arrest people for thinking.

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