I do admit to being angry at Qatar for several reasons but this particular incident was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Straw breaking came’s back is an idiom, maybe a Middle East one, come to think of it. The meaning: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc. The origin of the idiom ‘the last straw’ can be found in the old English proverb, “it is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.” It was first seen around 1755, and many different forms of the statement were used between then and about 1836, with the suffering animal occasionally described as a horse.
This was the final straw. It was widely ‘advertised ’that the Apple Store in the Doha Airport was the cheapest place to get Apple products. So when I was there, returning from my Umrah pilgrimage, had the wonderful staff in the First Class Lounge push me in a wheelchair to the Store. Thereupon learned that it was an utter lie. In preparation had priced Apple computers in an ordinary store in Riyadh. The Riyadh ones were cheaper. Moreover, I was told by (some one in the know )that they can be found less expensively in stores in Doha. I was planning to buy Lucky, my fifteen year old computer wizard a computer. He was SO excited. At first thought I would just buy it and lie about its expense but I always tell the truth. Why this enormous come on? Why lie to innocent people? I do not think so.What greed on the part of Qatar, controlled by the Royal Family. Qatar has more than enough money, goodness knows. Why do they need more of my hard earned money? I am already working something out – you shall hear about it in detail when it happens. It may be more expensive but at least it will be honest.
Qatar is extremely rich in superficiality. I have seen the drawer of a minor Princess, loaded with the word’s most expensive watches for example and that is so true of everything. The facade, lacking any depth is exemplified by the FIFA World Cup 2022 song. . I posted on Instagram that it was the song that made the World Cup interesting, , not the boring soccer. I am not alone in this belief. I received many likes for this audacious statement.
The definition of audacious in this instance is this: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. Actually that is me. Here are some appropriate synonyms: daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, unafraid, unflinching, courageous, valiant, valorous, heroic, dashing, plucky, daredevil, madcap; adventurous, venturesome, enterprising, dynamic, spirited, game, gutsy, spunky, ballsy, have-a-go, go-ahead. I prefer to see myself as plucky, adventurous, gutsy and spunky. Perhaps slightly, but not all together mad cap. I guess I am adventurous and dynamic as well. Okay, okay, okay – ballsy (but do not tell anyone).
In case there are any of you do not know this song – here are the lyrics. (You must be hiding under a rock if you do not know the song)
Look who we are, we are the dreamers
We make it happen, ’cause we believe it
Look who we are, we are the dreamers
We make it happen ’cause we can see it
[Post-Chorus]
Here’s to the ones, that keep the passion
Respect, oh, yeah
Here’s to the ones, that can imagine
Respect, oh, yeah
Respect the love the only way (هاييا هاييا)
If you wanna come, come with me (هاييا هاييا)
The door is open now every day (هاييا هاييا)
This one plus two, rendezvous all invited
This what we do, how we do
[Chorus]
Look who we are, we are the dreamers
We make it happen, ’cause we believe it
Look who we are, we are the dreamers
We make it happen ’cause we can see it
[Post-Chorus]
Here’s to the ones, that keep the passion
Respect, oh, yeah
Here’s to the ones, that can imagine
Respect, oh, yeah
The song is EVERYWHERE. A version of the song on Instagram invited folks to use the song track uploading their pictures. However the only reel I could fetch was a serious me speaking during Ramadan 2020, discussing my agoraphobia. With lowered face mask spoke of the inability to leave my apartment for days, not even outside to the outdoor deck. That was scarcely We Are The Dreamers material. It is actually, incidentally extremely funny. I am Alexis McTwit on Instagram – go find it for yourself please.
Faithful readers will know that I reverted to the Islamic faith on October 20, 2020. The World Cup is being held, for the first time in an Arab country, who is unashamedly Islamic. However the song is absolutely NOT. Those of the Islamic faith do not dream to make things happen. Allah determines what happens and what does not happen. Believers put in the effort, but only Allah can make things happen. This song, supposedly exemplifying the first Arab World Cup is actually anti Muslim. It is a riveting song, a catchy song that has mesmerized the world but one could even say that it is mocking. Mocking is making fun of someone or something in a cruel way; derisive.
We Are The Dreamers is not accurate in any way, Unfortunately I am feeling that We Are the Schemers might describe the situation more accurately. What is a scheme? In this instance it can be either: 1) a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting a particular idea into effect: and/or a secret or underhanded plan, a plot.
What sort of an audacious statement is that? I rather propitiously received proof that it was a scheme when I returned to Edmonton after my Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Reliable information was placed on my lap, almost. Proof a a plot that began it all. Where was the proof found? Between the pages of a magazine – he New Yorker, known for its fact checking.. If The New Yorker cites a fact, it is a fact – not fantasy or something from Instagram Twitter., Trump or Musk. In the past, The New Yorker, much to my frustration, never mentions the Middle East. The only way I learned truths about the UAE, for example was, to go there. I did escape after five months, an see and read, I was able to escape, returning to my land of birth. Only because I was loved and protected by the truly wonderful staff at the Abu Dhabi Airport Premier Inn. They promised to keep me safe, and they did! I love them and will never, ever forget their kindness, grace and, I thoroughly now believe, courage.
But back to the revelation. First of all, let me say this, about that. My blog will reveal that I have been an ardent fan of Qatar. It has been mentioned countless times. Type Qatar in the search engine and you shall see. And in glowing terms. Faithful readers will know tha tmy face was painted like the Qatar flag in April of 2021. (It did take years off of my appearance). A reel appears on Instagram, me speaking in a humorous fashion (as usual). A member of the Royal Family commented:
She: All of Qatar loves you.
Well those days are about to be over I fear as I was duped. Dupe, a verb, means to deceive; trick. Synonyms are: trick, hoodwink, hoax, swindle, defraud, cheat, double-cross, gull, mislead, take in, fool, delude, misguide, lead on, inveigle, ensnare, entrap, beguile; info, rip off, diddle, shaft, bilk, rook, bamboozle, finagle, pull the wool over someone’s eyes, pull someone’s leg, pull a fast one on, put one over on, take to the cleaners; swizzle, sucker, snooker, stiff, euchre, bunco, hornswoggle. So I was hornswoggled. My ire increased as I read the synonyms in their entirety.
Heard the rumors that the choice of Qatar as the locale of the 2022 World Cup was very unlikely and had been won by bribery, but I put all of those thoughts aside. That was until I returned to Edmonton from Saudi Arabia, actually on a Qatar Airlines jet.(By the way, I am MOST happy with the business section of Qatar Airlines, it is the only way to fly.) It is possible to avoid Pearson Airport in Toronto – Qatar uses Montreal as its Canadian terminus. The December 12, 2022 New Yorker magazine was one of the many that greeted me. A very funny article caught my eye, Goals, written by Sam Knight. The subtle was Pleasure and Politics Collide at Qatar’s World Cup. Mention was made of the moving opening ceremony..and “before Jung Kook of the Korean boy band BTS sent the mostly Qatari crowd into a conservative mode of ecstasy…”
This was the paragraph I read with dread: “ FIFS awarded Qatar the rights to host the World Cup on December 2, 2010. On the same day the organization’s executive committee voted to give Russia the 2018 edition. Of the twenty-two men who voted, fifteen were later indicted by American or Swiss prosecutors, banned from soccer, charged by FIFA’s ethics committee or expelled from the International Olympic Committee. External advisors pointed out that Qatar did not have a single suitable stadium, that there was a potential security risk, and the temperatures in the summer reach one hundred and ten degrees. (The tournament was originally scheduled for June and July,) In the following twelve years, the Word Cup catalyzed a breathtaking construction boon in Qatar, which relied heavily on migrant workers from South Asia.”
As I write my heart is beating. It is absolutely clear to me that the choice of Qatar was won by bribery. The question is: “Why would they do this?” It is because many Middle Eastern rich countries engage in what is rather aptly (if vulgarly known) as a pissing contest. Just to be perfectly clear, Saudi Arabia is not one of them, discovered that on my Umrah pilgrimage, much to my surprise, by the way.) How is it defined, that vulgar slang? A contest or rivalry in which the main concern of the parties involved is the conspicuous demonstration of superiority?
How did this come about in these Muslim countries ruled by (ostensibly) Muslim rulers? Who knows? It is expressly forbidden by the Quran. This from The Koran Interpreted: A Translation by A.J. Arberry. CII, here entitled Rivalry: “In the Name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate. Gross rivalry diverts you even until you visit the tombs. No indeed; but soon you shall know. No indeed, did you know with the knowledge of certainty, you shall surely see Hell. Again you shall surely see if with the eye of certainty then that day concerning true bliss.”
This from another translation: “102. Abundance (at-Takathur)
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. Abundance distracts you.
2. Until you visit the graveyards.
3. Indeed, you will know.
4. Certainly, you will know.
5. If you knew with knowledge of certainty.
6. You would see the Inferno.
7. Then you will see it with the eye of certainty.
8. Then, on that Day, you will be questioned about the Bliss.”
Excerpt From: Talal Itani. “Quran English Translation. Clear, Easy to Read, in Modern English.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/quran-english-translation-clear-easy-to-read-in-modern/id912907728
In all fairness, I do retain my positivity with Qatar. The country behaved so admirably during the block against them – lots of Arab countries ganged up against them. It does not take a genius to figure out that the main instigator was Dubai, part of the UAE. Its motivation was to enhance the Ruler of Dubai’s ‘treasured’ Emeritus Air by attempting to put Qatar Air out of business. That is clear to me, perhaps not the world but perfectly clear to me. (Who cares about the rest of you guys anyway, hahaha).
Qatar is intensely loyal to Palestine. The Emir made many trips to the UN reminding them of their unenforced regulations. Whereas, the UAE worships at the feet of Israel, entering trade agreements, being the first to recognize their prime minister.
Qatar spent years hosting negotiations with the Taliban. Thus they were able to air lift thousands of Afghanistans out of there when the USA fled, leaving chaos. I met a man and his young son at the Abu Dhabi Airport Premier Inn. They were on their way to see the little boy’s aunt in Georgetown, I believe. I gave him a book, he tenderly called me his aunt.
Qatar supports countries such as Pakistan, giving them aid. Qatar has a massive program of education – educating refugees all over the world. Not so, the UAE feeds African people during Ramadan in 2021 and 2022. That is fine, but what are those nations supposed to do after Ramadan is over?
The lawyer in me says: I rest my case. I did say in a prior blog that once the World Cup is over Qatar will loose its quiescence and emerge as a leader in a world that must be free. We shall see.
The photographs posted are strange. When in London at the beginning of 2020 met many members of the Royal Family of Qatar who, for some strange reason, were staying in my humble hotel. A young princess, part of a huge contingency of adolescents, who would visit my room in the middle of the night (when their guards were asleep I subsequently guessed) would put make up upon my face. I think she was trying to make me look Arab. As you can see I merely looked weird. As you can see, I tell the truth. As if that ever was in question.
Why is this up to me? An almost eighty year old woman born in Saskatchewan of all place?
Only Allah knows.
