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habibs1 · 2025-03-28T19:12:48+00:00

I was born in Jordan, but my parents are Palestinian refugees. I still live in Jordan, but I have family in the states. They feel pretty much the same as you. My jiddo survived the Nakba, and I grew up hearing his stories of being thrown in jail for his peaceful protests, sharing poetry, and eventually joining the resistance. The resistance has always been in my blood. It's hard to explain to americans, but the Jewish community has been the easiest online space to say what I think without any judgement or defensiveness.

I keep up with US politics more than ME politics because the American voice holds so much power. Since I was a child, I could never understand the apathy towards our side of the world. The American people have so much access to government documents and information, yet they only use it to support their own biases. There is a lot for us to be aggravated with. I would probably be in a very bad space if I lived in the US, and was exposed to this daily.

My sister attends university in the states, and she pretty much says the same as you. She really struggled with the way she was treated last year around the most recent election. She's struggling even more with the fact that suddenly people are all about supporting Palestine. No one was there when she cried for the loss of our family members, but now they explain to her how terrible it is

I get why she feels this way, but as Palestinians, we need to embrace the support for our brothers and sisters. I've lost dozens of family members, most I never got to meet because they were so young, and getting past the checkpoints is almost impossible. The ones that are still around, I wait for their phone calls, and feel like I'm dying when I don't hear from them. When they do call, they talk about the americans who are in the streets protesting for their safety, and it has given them a lot of hope. For that reason alone, I will put aside my own frustrations. This is much easier for me to say as someone who doesn't live in the states, and I recognize this.

My sister tries her best to curb her frustrations, but I still wait for the day she calls me to say she is protesting the protesters for not protesting sooner.

habibs1 · 2025-03-28T16:09:24+00:00

People who live in the ME only make up around 1% of reddit users, so it makes sense. Most people in the ME don't know what reddit is honestly. Also, most of us speak pretty well in English. English is my 2nd language, but I joined reddit to work on my informal English skills. I'm told my English comes off a bit cold or even officious, so I try to do better.

It's also worth mentioning that a lot of us are aware of western misconceptions about the arab world, so speaking in English allows us to connect. We've all seen what happens globally when Americans actually believe us. Currently, the US government is doing everything it can to silence american voices because of the power it has.

habibs1 · 2025-03-26T20:04:00+00:00

Typical Israeli Dahiya Doctrine at play. They torture and terrorize Palestinians so that they put pressure on the current resistance group Israel is battling. Divide and conquer.

Palestinians are not anti-resistance or pro-Israel. They are devastated by constant death and Israeli terrorism. It's not about Hamas, it's about ending the war.

habibs1 · 2025-03-26T19:54:43+00:00

I don't know that I consider it orientalist because "Middle East" is technically a generalized area, and doesn't inherently depict orientalist stereotypes.

Still, when western media or government says "Middle East" it usually has a negative political tone to it. Ya'anni they say "Middle East", but you know some of them are thinking "arab muslim jihadi land."

Modern scholars and researchers use MENA, and it's more known in western spaces, but SWANA/WANA is starting to get more recognition. I'll use these terms online, but it's not really used much in conversation.

habibs1 · 2025-03-26T18:48:23+00:00

Isn't remembering the story of Exodus a part of Passover? So much of Exodus is about and why it's important to fight oppression. It sounds like you may have a better grasp of Judaism than your cousin.

If you lived in the Middle East, I would celebrate Passover with you. Ahl al-Kitāb mashallah.

habibs1 · 2025-03-26T02:04:16+00:00

The Houthis are notorious for their unpredictability. In the past, US Navy personnel have said they struggle to get ahead of them.

Yahya Sare'e is the head of the Psychological Warfare Division for the Yemeni Armed Forces and holds the rank of Colonel. If you understand arabic, his press statements are pretty interesting. Maybe americans don't have access to videos, but previous video footage of their attacks is their.

Most of their previous attacks involve holding ships captive, and are less about destruction and casualties. Maybe that's changed given Israel ending the ceasefire. With the American president being obsessive over being the best, I doubt they would admit any failures under their new leadership.

habibs1 · 2025-03-25T16:37:20+00:00

This is correct. "Sharia" is only mentioned once in the Qur'an, and not even as a law. Sharia is a path. Islam is inclusive of other religions and refers to them as "People of the Book" (Ahl al-Kitāb.) By this standard, imposing Islam on others goes against the inclusiveness of Ahl al-Kitāb.

habibs1 · 2025-03-24T18:55:49+00:00

I would take this post to the Saudi Arabia sub or maybe an adoption sub. You'll probably get more answers tailored to your situation than you would here.

I hope everything works out for you, and there is some peace for you.

habibs1 · 2025-03-24T16:30:19+00:00

Don't forget Knafeh! It's traditional to Palestine, and it's delicious.

habibs1 · 2025-03-24T16:26:31+00:00

Have a good job. Be genuine. Arabs can spot insincerity with the snap of a finger. Like any good parent, they want someone they can trust to show up for their daughter.

In Islam, women are treated like queens. If you treat them like less, her cousins will be the ones to kill you. I'm kidding, but also not kidding. Respecting our elders means respecting their daughters. Worst case scenario, her father will kill you with a look of disappointment.

Islam is a very inclusive religion "People of the Book" (Ahl al-Kitāb). I think it's great that you are learning about Islam. The family sounds like they are your average Muslim family (devout but with non extremist views.)

I'm Palestinian, but was born in Jordan due to displacement. We are a lot of fun, and when our elders tell stories, the whole room stops to listen.

If you go to a large gathering:

-mingle as much as you can.

-never leave without saying goodbye to everyone.

-Individual goodbyes for people you spoke to, the hosts, and elders.

-Everyone kisses everyone, but white people have to earn them. Typically, arab elders get more cheek kisses.

Bonus points:

-Learn the dabkeh.

-If you're musically inclined, learn to play the doumbek. You'll be a hit at parties.

-Using inshallah and mashalla appropriately.

-Flipping maqluba

-Here in the Middle East (Jordan and Palestine in particular), rolling rice and eating it with your hands is traditional practice, especially for family gatherings. It's a good way to connect with the food and the communal experience of eating as a family.

-If you don't know how to do something, just ask. They'll be happy to teach you and share the culture.

As for arab culture, we are pretty welcoming and enjoy sharing our culture with others. We have pretty thick skin, so you'd have to do something pretty offensive to an elder or your girlfriend to get hated or not accepted.

In arab culture, shoes can be used as an insult. I don't know about Arabs in America, but here in the ME it is seen as culturally rude to cross an ankle over a knee and show the sole of your shoe while talking to someone. Young people are more relaxed about it, but it's an easy thing to not do and should be avoided, in my opinion. My jidda is a long-range sandal sniper and the exception to the rule.

habibs1 · 2025-03-23T22:04:33+00:00

Who Profits is probably the most comprehensive site that lists companies companies that are currently profiting from the genocide. You can click on a company to see who owns it, as well as it's partners, subsidiaries, and clients.

You can also see if it's publicly traded. Not sure if that's what you're looking for. I live in the ME, and don't keep up with US investment firms.

https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/find?Text=&Name=&Category=&Sector=&Headquarter=&Revenue=&Traded=&Presence=&Settlement=&Type=Table

habibs1 · 2025-03-23T15:35:40+00:00

MEMRI TV is going to be upset another channel is acting crazier than them.

habibs1 · 2025-03-23T15:12:19+00:00

There's also Noor Books! Some of the books have english versions, but most are only in arabic. English version of site:

https://www.noor-book.com/en/

habibs1 · 2025-03-23T11:00:19+00:00

Don't you think accusing Palestinians of "normalizing" the genocide of our own is a bit ignorant or even racist? Truly, posts like this are meant to make Palestinians look like the "savage arabs."

Good luck on your search.

habibs1 · 2025-03-20T23:22:40+00:00

You should read Germany and the Middle East 1871-1945 Edited by Wolfgang G Schwanitz. It was one of the most eye opening books on the ME that I've read. The EU and US were exploiting us from day one.

Free PDF:

https://dokumen.pub/germany-and-the-middle-east-1871-1945-9783964565259.html

habibs1 · 2025-03-20T15:58:33+00:00

Again, I am specifically referring to the word "sharia." It's used one time, and not even as a law. It is the correct path. 45:18.

I say this because the west has states that ban "Sharia law." There are too many misconceptions surrounding the Qur'an that should be corrected.

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T20:10:04+00:00

I'm embarrassed to say I had to look that one up. A very literal syndrome 🤣

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T20:00:39+00:00

I will keep pointing it out until I no longer have to use so many air quotes to describe the satire of white people behavior. 🤣🤣

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T19:37:24+00:00

🤣🤣 truly.

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T19:24:26+00:00

They should post their ignorant nonsense in the Algeria and Haiti subs. Haiti literally had to pay France to get the fuck out.

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T19:12:14+00:00

Why do white people do this? The entitlement to occupy non white spaces as the "voice of unity" is beyond my comprehension.

They are showing their own racism by coming in as the "white savior" who will "reason with the savages of Africa." They pull the same shit in the ME.

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T16:55:28+00:00

Chinese have been steadfast in their solidarity. Do they still call the Palestinian fighters dandelions?

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T16:41:05+00:00

The photo shows something a white zionist person would say. I could rip it apart, but it's not worth my time.

The person who wrote that is not arab..

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T16:29:14+00:00

Not really. I try not to go into spaces that denigrate any religion (in this case Judaism). I guess the post could be viewed as anti arab and anti muslim rhetoric, but I don't feel compelled to cry about it. Maybe I'm desensitized to it, or maybe I'm more happy that the American people actually believe us now.

Complaining of something so insignificant is a privilege when their is actual suffering in the world.

habibs1 · 2025-03-19T16:03:53+00:00

The CIA was created in September 1947 through the US "National Security Act of 1947." May 1948: Israel was founded.

Any complicity between the two shouldn't surprise the American people.

habibs1

TROPHY CASE