We will not fear the sky
We will not fear the sky
Day 12 - We wake up to an alarm that we must take shelter as another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones are making their way to the UAE, a country that has never once fired a missile or bullet in Irans direction. Yet, Iran claims that they are simply firing against US military bases. I drove past the fairmont hotel today that was struck early in the conflict by Iran, I asked the concierge to please take me to the room where they are hiding the US base, we had good laugh. As has been mentioned numerous times by every single GCC government, no US bases are being used for combat operations. Surprisingly some have even claimed "well you deserve it for having foreign bases in your country". My only response is, who I invite to my house is not my neighbors concern. While I do concede that the realism school of politics would beg to differ and even argue that the presence is in itself a provocation, does the quiet patience of the GCC in the midst of all this assault not enough proof to Iran that we really are not the boogeyman they thought we were?
As this conflict rages on, and the region gets sucked into another war that was neither their desire nor their demand, we as citizens of this region must come to grips with a very sad truth. Our hearts are not united in any way shape or form. From certain groups mocking the gulf and celebrating the attacks to others who use this conflict as an excuse to push their own agendas and from the most repulsive of all groups, Arabs who moved to the west and lecture us about how we betrayed the Arab cause. As a student of history I am left wondering, have you not killed that cause many years ago?
The Arab world has a lot to reckon with, the gulf has a lot to review and reconsider when it comes to their relationships once this conflict is over. At Al Sarab we want to encourage a dialogue amongst the youth of the region with regards to these events and the deep divisions that we have seen. But that conversation will be tabled for another, less tense time.
As to the Iranian government, you call yourselves the Islamic Republic of Iran. You are not islamic, you are not a republic and you most certainly do not represent Iran, no more than a kidnapper represents their hostages. Iran will be free, maybe not now, maybe later, but free it will be, it is in the blood of every Persian to be free. To the people of Iran, we are praying for you.
The government of the UAE has done so much to the point where one does not even know how to thank, for there are many thanks to be given to this government, to its brave men and women and to the wonderful people who call the UAE home. I saw a beautiful tweet (or X) on twitter/x.com today, "Under the UAE flag and upon this land, everyone is an Emirati," I agree.
To the members of the IRGC, to every single one who is responsible for us looking up into the sky as we take shelter, on behalf of all the families with loved ones slain senselessly or injured in this conflict. We will not fear the sky.
Hoping for a better day 13
Day 12 - We wake up to an alarm that we must take shelter as another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones are making their way to the UAE, a country that has never once fired a missile or bullet in Irans direction. Yet, Iran claims that they are simply firing against US military bases. I drove past the fairmont hotel today that was struck early in the conflict by Iran, I asked the concierge to please take me to the room where they are hiding the US base, we had good laugh. As has been mentioned numerous times by every single GCC government, no US bases are being used for combat operations. Surprisingly some have even claimed "well you deserve it for having foreign bases in your country". My only response is, who I invite to my house is not my neighbors concern. While I do concede that the realism school of politics would beg to differ and even argue that the presence is in itself a provocation, does the quiet patience of the GCC in the midst of all this assault not enough proof to Iran that we really are not the boogeyman they thought we were?
As this conflict rages on, and the region gets sucked into another war that was neither their desire nor their demand, we as citizens of this region must come to grips with a very sad truth. Our hearts are not united in any way shape or form. From certain groups mocking the gulf and celebrating the attacks to others who use this conflict as an excuse to push their own agendas and from the most repulsive of all groups, Arabs who moved to the west and lecture us about how we betrayed the Arab cause. As a student of history I am left wondering, have you not killed that cause many years ago?
The Arab world has a lot to reckon with, the gulf has a lot to review and reconsider when it comes to their relationships once this conflict is over. At Al Sarab we want to encourage a dialogue amongst the youth of the region with regards to these events and the deep divisions that we have seen. But that conversation will be tabled for another, less tense time.
As to the Iranian government, you call yourselves the Islamic Republic of Iran. You are not islamic, you are not a republic and you most certainly do not represent Iran, no more than a kidpnapper represents their hostages. Iran will be free, maybe not now, maybe later, but free it will be, it is in the blood of every Persian to be free. To the people of Iran, we are praying for you.
The government of the UAE has done so much to the point where one does not even know how to thank, for there are many thanks to be given to this government, to its brave men and women and to the wonderful people who call the UAE home. I saw a beautiful tweet (or X) on twitter/x.com today, "Under the UAE flag and upon this land, everyone is an Emirati," I agree.
To the members of the IRGC, to every single one who is responsible for us looking up into the sky as we take shelter, on behalf of all the families with loved ones slain senselessly or injured in this conflict. We will not fear the sky.
Hoping for a better day 13
Day 12 - We wake up to an alarm that we must take shelter as another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones are making their way to the UAE, a country that has never once fired a missile or bullet in Irans direction. Yet, Iran claims that they are simply firing against US military bases. I drove past the fairmont hotel today that was struck early in the conflict by Iran, I asked the concierge to please take me to the room where they are hiding the US base, we had good laugh. As has been mentioned numerous times by every single GCC government, no US bases are being used for combat operations. Surprisingly some have even claimed "well you deserve it for having foreign bases in your country". My only response is, who I invite to my house is not my neighbors concern. While I do concede that the realism school of politics would beg to differ and even argue that the presence is in itself a provocation, does the quiet patience of the GCC in the midst of all this assault not enough proof to Iran that we really are not the boogeyman they thought we were?
As this conflict rages on, and the region gets sucked into another war that was neither their desire nor their demand, we as citizens of this region must come to grips with a very sad truth. Our hearts are not united in any way shape or form. From certain groups mocking the gulf and celebrating the attacks to others who use this conflict as an excuse to push their own agendas and from the most repulsive of all groups, Arabs who moved to the west and lecture us about how we betrayed the Arab cause. As a student of history I am left wondering, have you not killed that cause many years ago?
The Arab world has a lot to reckon with, the gulf has a lot to review and reconsider when it comes to their relationships once this conflict is over. At Al Sarab we want to encourage a dialogue amongst the youth of the region with regards to these events and the deep divisions that we have seen. But that conversation will be tabled for another, less tense time.
As to the Iranian government, you call yourselves the Islamic Republic of Iran. You are not islamic, you are not a republic and you most certainly do not represent Iran, no more than a kidnapper represents their hostages. Iran will be free, maybe not now, maybe later, but free it will be, it is in the blood of every Persian to be free. To the people of Iran, we are praying for you.
The government of the UAE has done so much to the point where one does not even know how to thank, for there are many thanks to be given to this government, to its brave men and women and to the wonderful people who call the UAE home. I saw a beautiful tweet (or X) on twitter/x.com today, "Under the UAE flag and upon this land, everyone is an Emirati," I agree.
To the members of the IRGC, to every single one who is responsible for us looking up into the sky as we take shelter, on behalf of all the families with loved ones slain senselessly or injured in this conflict. We will not fear the sky.
Hoping for a better day 13