Qatar is blooming and booming, man. Everywhere you go, there’s construction and new buildings. Also, Qatari and Emirati architecture is very lovely. It’s nice to see that although the hotels and business buildings are done in a modern style, homes and mosques are constructed in a traditional way.
Although I had to leave early, the Islamic Arts Symposium was awesome. (Which I hope to blog about later).
I know more Arabic than I realize.
Arab and Indian soap operas are hilariously over the top.
It’s nice to be away from the American culture of fear. It’s nice not to worry about being robbed, rapped or murdered. Not to say that it can’t happen but I don’t have to hear about it every day on the news.
When I first arrived here, I couldn’t put a finger on how I felt. It was good feeling but I couldn’t describe it. It was an emotion that I haven’t felt in such a long time. I felt…relaxed. 
There is so much wisdom and freedom in wearing a black abaya.
It’s so nice when you don’t have to worry about whether or not if the meat is halal.
Seeing women in niqab studying at the local university makes me feel very proud. Seeing hijabed, no-hijabed and niqabed sisters hanging out makes me feel hopeful that the hijab wars won’t last forever.
After reading certain blogs about Arabs, Arab culture and the supposed wreck of the Muslim world, I’ve come to the conclusion (after months and months of thinking about it) that those bloggers brought their own cultural baggage to the table. The way they see Muslims and the Muslim world may not be the result of experience or knowledge. Most likely it is their own racisms and hang-ups being projected onto other Muslims.
American Muslims should not fall into the trap of thinking that American Islam is the truest and purest form of Islamic practice. After all, isn’t that just another form of imperialist thinking? The American Islamic way is not necessary the best way or a way that many Muslims would want to follow.
Arabs are cool, compassionate and open-minded people. There, I said it. Let the flame wars begin. But seriously, this whole trip was because a very friendly, warm-hearted Arab business man. So for those who go on about how Arabs are incurably racist (isn’t that a racist statement?) please keep in mind this little Black girl and how she became the receipient of an Arab man’s kindness without his asking for anything in return.
It’s nice not to feel the weight of my American minority identities.
I’m still waiting for the evul Muslim man to make into his slave. Oh, wait, I forgot. That’s a load of hooey.
Hearing the azan and not worrying about where to pray is AWESOME!!!!
Wudu and instijaa ninjas are AWESOME.
Arab actresses are not thin…alhamdulillah!!!!! Some of them have meat! No wonder they prefer Beyonce to Britney.
luciana said,
November 6, 2007 at 11:35 am
Salams…I was the one who said ” you’re the blogger girl” at the cofee break. Was hoping to meet you at the lunch tent and chat a bit, but couldn’t find you…
How long will you be in Qatar?
JDsg said,
November 7, 2007 at 9:25 am
So when are you gonna become an expat like the rest of us?
(More comments later, insha’allah.)
Ann said,
November 7, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Assalaamu alaikum,
I’m so glad you’ve had this great experience, masha’allah. And I second JD’s question…
Izzy Mo said,
November 8, 2007 at 1:59 am
Salaamaz folks
I usingg thhis reealy crazy keyboard so my words are gonna look funny.
Luciana: Aw, man. I’m already backk in Ddubai. My Qatar plans weree all messed up and had I known that my trip thee soouk was cancalled, I wouldd have stayed. It was nice meeting youu though, even if for a split secondd. I will emaail you oncee I get thiss crazy keyboard right.
Sshaykh JD: Oh, what a questioon? I’m considering it for so many reeasons but hoow would I find a job heree? Andd Ddubai’s job markett is hghlyy compettieve. Oy, stupiidd keyboadd!!!!! I like what I’ve seen so far but my thing wouldd be a job. I like Aammerica but not thhe climate of constant paranoia aand fear.
Aann: Wwhat’s thee codee for Kuwait?/ Is it 9 somethingg-somthineg?/ I need to see if I can reachh you. Thansk for all of your greeat advicee (and Peaceeful Muslimaah’s!) It’ss exactly as you guuys said it would be.
peacefulmuslimah said,
November 8, 2007 at 11:39 am
Salaam Alaikum Sister,
I’m glad you have had such a great experience and it was wonderful meeting you — but too short.
I just want to say one thing, though, and that is that you are making the same mistake you are accusing others of. You are making absolute statements based upon a very short visit — and we all know that people are on their best behavior when sharing a visit, right? What I mean is that while your expereinces sound great (al hamdulillah) there is so much more here that you did not expereince and that includes a lot fo the negatives. They do exist Izzy — the racism, the sexism, the hijaan wars, etc. It all exists here, but it is not the ONLY thing that exists so like everywhere else, the Arab world is a pastiche of good and bad.
You have had what we used to call (in my Christian youth) the Mountain Top experience. Hold onto that but don’t close your eyes, ears amd mind to expereinces from the deep valleys.
PS: Wish you could have heard Walter Denny’s paper on the Ottoman’s use of water in architecture — one of the best imo
Izzy Mo said,
November 8, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Wwalaikum salaam
Yeah, I’mstill on the crazy keyboard. Actually, I think my statements aree prettyy balanced. I’v ehad some experriences with somee Arabs whoo weree racist/sexist and with otherrs who treated me likee a blood sister. I just tihinkk it’s nice thatt while theree aere problems everywhere, it’s nott as horrible as some people make it out to be. When you reead what people write about onlline, you would think that every single Middle Eesternrer (or Muslm from the Muslim world) is abuser, racist or oppressor. Ii know I have some glitterr in my eyes amd maybee if I stayed here longer, I would see the real ugly (even though I saw somee of at the Old Souq) but it’s nicee to knoww that the Arab wrold is not howw the Orientalists or the Romantics paint it.
Samira said,
November 8, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Sis, I am so happy that you are having/had such a positive experience. The world can be something else when you open you heart!
Aaminah said,
November 8, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Asalaamu alaikum.
Dear Peaceful Muslimah,
My sister, I did not read Izzy’s comments at all as being a description of utopia. Rather, I think the issues you raise are valid but we read about them all the time, so it is a welcome and comforting relief to hear that there is also still much beauty and good adab in the Middle East. It is nice for us to appreciate and hear about the positive experiences too. Because they are just as valid as the negatives that you mention.
musulmana said,
November 9, 2007 at 3:17 pm
There are positives and negatives everywhere.
Izzy, do you remember Imam Krad? He works there. His wife is leaving to Doha tomorrow to visit. I told her about you, alas, you are back and won’t be able to meet. Insha’Allah, next time.
I’m glad you had a good time. Did you buy any abayas there? I heard people say the shopping there is good.
Personally, I like the idea of being close to the ocean. I love being close to the ocean. I would hate living inland. There is a certain feeling of freedom in it.
Margari Aziza Hill said,
November 9, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Salaam alaikum,
I’m glad you’re having a wonderful time and having a rewarding experience. I’m not sure how long you’ll be in the Gulf. I feel in love with the first country I visited. In Morocco, I felt a break from the negativity associated with being Black in America. I’m not saying all my experiences were positive. But for the most part, people were welcoming and kind. Even in Kuwait, I don’t feel like I stand out much. It is really diverse. And never once have I had someone treat me like a servant or like I didn’t deserve good service. I don’t see people stare at me because of the color of my skin. But back home in California when I drive a few hours North, away from the urban centers, people look at me like I came from outer space. There are plenty of places in America where I felt like an alien, where it was clear that the people did not welcome me. So no burning crosses or neighbors crying about, “There goes the neighborhood!”
It is funny how people generalize just to make an argument. I don’t know if it is all cultural baggage. But some people have a proclivity to say some racist stuff and praise their own group. Maybe it is about personal grievances and remembering only negativity. Many of the people with the most negative opinions about Arabs are either married to Arabs or want to be.
I hope you make it out to Oman. I’ve heard so many nice things about Oman. I’m hoping I can make it out there this year. Insha’Allah.
peacefulmuslimah said,
November 9, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Salaam Alaikum,
Perhaps I am being overly sensitive but I find it interesting that just by trying to remind that there is a broader picture than can be experienced in a brief visit, sisters seem to feel that I am attacking, disrespecting or questioning Izzy’s experience. Some are even questioning my motives and my background it would seem. I am not questioning you Izzy. I just think my 9 years in teh Gulf also amounts to something and my view — good and bad — is valid, as well.
This will be my last comment on the subject.
Salaam Alaikum,
PM
Margari Aziza Hill said,
November 9, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Peacefulmuslimah,
If anything I have written has seemed to attack you, be assured that I was not referring to you at all. I thought you wrote a balanced view of the good and bad. I haven’t got out much to experience everything Kuwait has to offer. I’m not saying it is utopia, but it is not some thirdworld nightmare like some other bloggers like to depict the monolithic entity called “the Muslim World.”
JDsg said,
November 9, 2007 at 11:57 pm
It’s nice to be away from the American culture of fear. It’s nice not to worry about being robbed, rapped or murdered. Not to say that it can’t happen but I don’t have to hear about it every day on the news.
Living overseas you’ll find that: 1) crime rates are much lower than in the US, and 2) American news broadcasts are often @$$-backwards in their whole approach to what’s newsworthy (especially the “if it bleeds it leads” mentality).
Seeing women in niqab studying at the local university makes me feel very proud. Seeing hijabed, no-hijabed and niqabed sisters hanging out makes me feel hopeful that the hijab wars won’t last forever.
The “hijab wars” is mainly a spat among Westerners, primarily caused by people who suffer from the culture shock of seeing someone who’s dressed differently from themselves. On this side of the world you expect to see hijabis, niqabis and the like. Here, it’s no big deal.
…I’ve come to the conclusion (after months and months of thinking about it) that those bloggers brought their own cultural baggage to the table. The way they see Muslims and the Muslim world may not be the result of experience or knowledge. Most likely it is their own racisms and hang-ups being projected onto other Muslims.
Exactly. Once again, it’s largely culture shock. Many Westerners are parochial in their cultural expectations. Few have lived overseas for any significant time (and many haven’t even traveled outside of their own culture to see how others live). They expect everyone to be just like them, and when the rest of the world isn’t they get upset.
American Muslims should not fall into the trap of thinking that American Islam is the truest and purest form of Islamic practice. After all, isn’t that just another form of imperialist thinking? The American Islamic way is not necessary the best way or a way that many Muslims would want to follow.
Also, “Exactly.” Many American Muslims strike me as insecure in their understanding of Islam on a practical, day-to-day basis. They understand “book Islam,” but not practical Islam. Part of the problem is too small a Muslim community there (for the time being), too few educational resources, and too great a desire to create bida (e.g., trying to intermix other ideologies like feminism with Islam). I’d much rather live my life as a Muslim away from the US than there.
amani said,
November 10, 2007 at 2:32 am
Congrats on the trip. InshAllah, I hope to see some awesome pics soon.
Izzy Mo said,
November 10, 2007 at 6:36 am
Salaam alaikum,
Oy, the hotel managment is having a time trying to fix the internet access in my room. So for now, I’m in the business center.
I have to be brief but all of your comments have been very enlightening.
PM:
I know you didn’t mean anything bad. You were just reminding me to stay balanced, which is important. And in your years of living in Qatar, you’ve seen a lot–the good and the bad. I think Western Muslims would have a better time in the Muslim world if we would just accept the fact that our brothers and sisters are human. There’s no Islamotopia–unless we’re talking about Paradise.
Amani: Sister, I”m scared of how many pics I have. Way too many to count.
Musulmana: I bought a Black abaya for a good price but in Dubai they can really expensive, especially the bling-bling abayas. I went to Sharjah to get mine and I heard Ajman has good, reasonable prices. I also got some stuff in Doha at a good price. Imam Krad? Oh, yeah, he did that nice woodwork in calligraphy. InshaÁllah he’s doing well.
MAH: Oh, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. When I went to France with some other American students, you can tell many of the kids had never known a Black person before. They were all nervous…like they couldn’t just have a normal conversation. But here, you’re just one of the brown people.
JDsg: LOL! We have psycho news in America. Be afraid of everyone and everything!!! I can’t watch it because I get too nervous and depressed. There’s a book called the Culture of Fear, that I want to read because the author states that this fear culture is what drives us to consume tremedous amounts of money in order to fulfill a psychological need of wanting to feel safe and secure. I’ll try to come back as soon as these folks fix the computer
Ann said,
November 10, 2007 at 8:02 am
Assalaamu alaikum,
Are you still in the Gulf? The code for Kuwait is 965. By the way, did you go to the big old souk in Dubai – I can’t remember what it’s actually called, but there’s a place for gold, one for spices, an area where they all sell abayas and hijabs, and area where they all sell “darahas” (traditional dresses), etc. You can wander around there all day seeing so many different things, and so many different people from various countries.
Ann said,
November 10, 2007 at 8:34 am
Assalaamu alaikum,
By the way, the comments are interesting… and so predictable. If you say you had a wonderful time in Paris,. and how beautiful Paris is, and you rave about Paris, everyone will ooh and ahh. Do they start mentioning all the negatives and complaining that you didn’t describe every problem that can be found there?
But so many people – unfortunately, including many Muslims – have this “hellhole” image of “the Muslim world”… that if you say anything positive about it, you’ll get a bunch of objections. You’re naive, you haven’t seen the reality, you’re in a dreamworld… They’re all racists, they’re all ignorant, they’re all bad Muslims, they sleep all day during Ramadan, the women are all illiterate, they have no runnning water, they have dirt floors, etc., etc. And if you try to say, “Well, actually, that’s not true all over the Muslim world”, you’ll get an onslaught of objections… it’s not allowed to say anything positive, other than that it’s nice hearing the adhan, lol!
Because anything positive gets the reaction, “Oh, you think it’s some kind of utopia”… Stick to negative, and that’s OK… I mean, I’ve lived in Kuwait for 16 years, and I’ve travelled around other Muslim countries, and have friends from many more – but most of what I read about “the Muslim world” or “the Arab world” are things that I can’t relate to at all. And it’s not like I ever say that Kuwait is a Paradise on earth, or that the life here should be touted as how it is in “the Muslim world”…
My main point is that people shouldn’t be so prejudiced and shouldn’t generalize one anecdote (often heard third- or fourth- or one hundredth-hand anyway) to encompass 1-1/2 billion people in so many different societies.
OK, finished my rant.
luciana said,
November 10, 2007 at 9:54 am
izzy, if you want a job in doha, we can arrange for that. i am opening an art center at souq waqif and currently recruiting. send me an email with your phone number so we can talk.
peacefulmuslimah said,
November 10, 2007 at 2:50 pm
JDsg wrote:
“American news broadcasts are often @$$-backwards in their whole approach to what’s newsworthy (especially the “if it bleeds it leads” mentality).”
Now I am assuming you live in the Middle East but have you seen Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya and the rest of the Arab stations. I found it traumatic at first to deal with the graphic, sensationalistic propaganda that passes fro news here. It’s just the other side of the American coin. Give me BBC anyday.
“The “hijab wars” is mainly a spat among Westerners, primarily caused by people who suffer from the culture shock of seeing someone who’s dressed differently from themselves. On this side of the world you expect to see hijabis, niqabis and the like. Here, it’s no big deal.”
Tell that to my students over the past 9 years. The hijaab wars are alive and well in Qatar but rather than scream and yell about it, women backbite and shun each other. That is not to say all, but there certainly is an ongoing dialogue between women and men that can get pretty rough at times regarding how we choose to interpret the command for modesty. I have noticed it getting a little better in the past year or two, but ironically (or maybe not) it has been because more and more students are not wearing abaya and shayla or even a scarf. Whatever the young lady’s choice, she is not likely to stand out as much and elicit that nasty gossip and pressure we used to have.
Salaam Alaikum,
PM
Umm Layth said,
November 10, 2007 at 2:52 pm
as Salamu ‘alaykum
I’m so glad you are sharing with us the positive sides of being there, and that you are having an awesome time.
Saggal said,
November 10, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Salaams,
Izzy Mo,
Congrats on the trip! And yes, would be nice if you could stay out there for a while longer so we can continue to enjoy your lovely blogging from those countries. And if ever you are in Oman please give me a shout so I can give you some lovely people’s contact details -you’ll get VIP treatment from them. And if you make it to Oman then you can’t fail to visit Zanzibar, can you?? I’ve always thought of Oman as just an extension of Zanzibar (others might argue it’s the other way round).
Have a lovely time.
UmmFarouq said,
November 11, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Assalamu Alaikum
So glad you had / are having a positive experience. First impressions are important. My first impression of Jordan was positive, so I moved here. Then I understood why people were negative about it *sometimes.* It is all about doing your own thing, finding your niche, your groove, your routine. You are a single woman who is traveling there without having to worry about pleasing a mother-in-law or how your in-laws are going to react to your ‘color.’ All of that cultural baggage nonsense is not just stereotypical; it did originate from someplace.
So the most important thing to remind yourself of is just what you say: balance. Balance, balance, balance. You will see (if you visit other countries, like Lebanon and Jordan) a bunch of crazy stuff. Let it roll off your back, give the Arabs the kudos they deserve, as you have: they are excellent hosts, generous, and yes, open-minded.
Hope you have a wonderful remainder of a trip and one day we’ll inshaAllah get you over here in Bilad-as-Sham. Me and UZ. And all the other ladies who know you/read your blog. Take care.
Positivity « Writeous Sister Speaks said,
November 12, 2007 at 2:57 am
[...] IzzyMo writes about her visit to Qatar and Dubai [...]
Ijtema » Middle East Through Izzy Eyes said,
November 12, 2007 at 3:46 pm
[...] Mo is traveling through the Middle East. After visiting Dubai and Qatar, Izzy is now at [...]
Marc said,
November 12, 2007 at 4:43 pm
A blog is also a personal narrative so that should be taken into account. Izzy is simply giving an account of her experience there. Is it the criterion to judge all others by? No, and I don’t think that was her point. Glad you had a good time.
nomadluv said,
November 13, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Salaams Izzy. My grandma, uncle, and aunts will be leaving for Qatar this month to visit my other 2 aunts. I keep hearings nice things about it…..they’re encouraging me to visit in few months (and I have my own ideas of where I want to go..lol). So I’ll consider visiting Qatar & Abu Dubai Insha Allah. Next time, lemmi know when u want to swing by Qatar, and I’ll get you in touch with my aunt. Ma’salama.
Ahmad said,
November 14, 2007 at 10:34 am
Apparently peacemuslimah is no so peaceful afterall
peacefulmuslimah said,
November 15, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Salaam alaikum Ahmad,
Now why would you make a comment like that? Does it bother you that I speak my mind and the truth that I experience?
I know it’s really hard for some of you brothers to accept the righst we Muslimahs have been given by Allah but it is the 21st century brother
Allah hafiz.
Ahmad said,
November 16, 2007 at 12:46 am
There’s many bunch pathetic Internet Jihadis/UBL fans who live in America, why would they stay in America?, They should be evicted.
The same option is also goes for you, you could always leave Qatar, and to go someplace where BBC is available, live happily ever after.
Who’s talking about taking the rights of Muslimah ?????????
Are you denying my right as fellow muslim ?, you’re such a a cruel blogging tyrant
It’s 21st century indeed, I’m enjoying every moment of it
Off course unless you want to live in the 16th century with the peaceful puritans.
Aaminah said,
November 16, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Asalaamu alaikum.
Ahmad, fear Allah and stop disrespecting a sister in deen. Your words are rude and unnecessary, and even more so for attempting to start fitnah on another person’s blog. You know that if Izzy Mo were available right now to properly track her comments, you wouldn’t even be getting away with posting such rudeness, so please just stop. You owe Peaceful Muslimah an apology and then you need to go exercise your free speech on your own blog.
ummali said,
November 16, 2007 at 5:53 pm
“After reading certain blogs about Arabs, Arab culture and the supposed wreck of the Muslim world, I’ve come to the conclusion (after months and months of thinking about it) that those bloggers brought their own cultural baggage to the table. The way they see Muslims and the Muslim world may not be the result of experience or knowledge. Most likely it is their own racisms and hang-ups being projected onto other Muslims.”
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