1. Watch the Access of Evil Comedy Tour! Nothing can cheer you up faster than realizing that all you need is an hour or so of overdone and repetitive airport jokes to make it big in comedy. As a Muslim anyway.
2. Watch the extended version of Kingdom of Heaven. Murderous Christian savages and Salahuddin! Two thingsembedded in the collective consciousness of all Muslims reminding us constantly that we can be pretty awesome.
3. Buy cheap. The day after Christmas, go to your closest big box store and pick up those Christmas-branded chocolates and merchandise for 30% off. But watch out for the alcohol-filled ones. They taste bitter.
4. Be happy you’re not stuck in the mall. Looking for a parking spot is a lot harder than finding a spot to place your shoes at the Friday prayer service.
5. Indulge in European soccer, as the Europeans are Godless heathens and don’t believe in taking time off from kicking their balls to celebrate the birth and sacrifice of our savior Steve Jobs.
6. Join your Jewish cousins at the nearest Chinese food restaurant and enjoy a serving or six of General Tsao’s Chicken. This is the one time of the year you all can put land and ethnic cleansing disputes aside and gush over sweet and sour sauce.
7. Deck the Halls with Kuftah Balls. And by ‘Halls’ we mean your big pots.
8. Christmas is one of the few times Christians feel they have earned the right to ask odd questions, so if you can endure the occasional ”How come y’all don’t b-leeve in Jaysus?” or disruptively drunk co-worker, join a Christmas Eve party.
9. Help reinforce negative stereotypes for future generations! Bust out your hookah and play a round of Tarneeb with your unshaven, loud-talking young buddies. If you’re a lady, just sit and gossip with your equally unshaven buddies.
10. Santa’s got nothing on you, Muslim man: you are both fat, both have beards and both draw stares from little kids and TSA screeners. Santa has his lists and you are on a no fly list. Time to re-think our differences?

[Tarboush Tip: Sana, Kellee]

1. Your DJ/Singer is also your Limo driver
2. Everyone on the invite list has creative ways of describing how they relate to you.
3. If they are your offspring, then they are fit–everyone one else is either fat or too thin.
4. How come all the cloth napkins end up on the dance floor?
5. There can be only one black guy, two Latinas and no Asians.
6. The only time all Arab men in a 20-mile radius have no five o’clock shadow.
7. The groom can never be the best-dressed man–all other men try to outshine him.
8. Arab weddings and nuts go hand in hand. They are your main dish, your dessert and seated to your right.
9. Everyone finds something to complain about to the bride and the groom during the wedding. No, they do not want to hear about your fad diet.
10. No tents at this wedding; a UNRWA tent is where my family lived before they found their way to America.
11. Everyone is a fortuneteller.
12. Debt is no reason not to have a 10 tier cake that will be cut with a 4 ft. knife, also commonly referred to as a ‘sword’.
13. Americans have Halloween to channel their inner whores, we get Arab weddings.
14. Forget Arab lounge dot com–spice up your profile at these events.
15. Girls have all the fun and guys just stand there looking like they were just handed a detonator for an atomic bomb. Although it’s fun to mention how Arab guys do that dance with the hands up, snapping fingers and then cornering a girl in the middle of the dance floor
16. Everyone asking for free professional advice. If you are a lawyer, then other guests ask you about immigration. “Doctor, can I show you my rash?” Dentist? They’ll all show you their cavities. Gynecologist? The bathroom is that way. Just make sure the hedges are trimmed
17. No need for a smoke machine, just ask everyone to please Bring Your Own Hookah (BYOH).
18. No one fornicates, instead interested parties send their mommies to audit your body at an awfully close range.

[Tarboush Tip: Sana, Kellee]

I have always thought that Whole Foods was elitist, but shopped there anyway. It’s very convenient and they offer a variety of brands and goods. Sure, I’m not down with the whole culture of whole food, but when I’m in Silver Spring Maryland, I stop by there and check their cheese collection and baked goods. There’s also a new store opening up in the Foggy Bottom area, in walking distance from my work, I am hoping to find some goods that cater to my every needs.

Now, comes the controversy of Whole Foods and its Halal in time for Ramadan. To read more click here. One of their stores in Texas saw some negative online comments from bloggers and conservatives who accused the company of promoting Ramadan and with it, Islam. So the company sent an internal email, now leaked, that reads:

I don’t blame them, the company doesn’t want to be distracted by a fight with people who have issues with reason and common sense. I’m mature enough to know that companies are about creating value and making customers happy. I don’t think a given store necessarily endorses a holiday when it promotes certain items that go with that holiday. But the folks complaining about Muslim diet in the Texas store are only giving Texas a bad name.

Whole Foods celebrates Christmas, Easter, Passover, Mother Earth and Hanukkah and I never found anything wrong with that. In fact, I am grateful they do it, it sort of makes me aware of how diverse America is. Such extreme right wing groups have been picking fights with Muslim Americans through every possible outlet. You would think a store like Whole Foods would be a safe from such delusional attacks.

Whole Foods should not have put itself in this position in the first place. People will always be upset. You do what you think to be the right thing and stick to your decision. Caving in is your first mistake. I do however, give them credit for introducing a Halal food line.

This vocal and angry minority protesting the Ramadan food  line is pathetic. What’s next? Whole Foods logo is green, Hamas’ flag is green, it must be a conspiracy! How would they feel if an atheist group protested Whole Foods promotion of Christmas goods? While those few anonymous commentators hoped they would steal the spirit of Ramadan, I think they have failed. To get their Halal food, Muslim Americans will do what they have always done, spend their money at their locally owned grocery store that sells Halal food and observes Ramadan. Keeping the money in the community.

Whole Foods’ actions put the crazies in the driver’s seat. Such a hateful bunch won’t live long. Their unbound hatred will damage their mental and physical wellness and none of the fine Whole Foods’ goods will help extend their lives.

[Tarboush Tip: Evan]

Part 2 Ramadan Rituals I Experienced In Gaza

As a Muslim student on the predominately Mormon Campus at Brigham Young University (BYU), I wasn’t alone. There were roughly a 100 other Muslims students who attend BYU in Provo Utah, coming from Arab countries, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China and a few other places. My first Ramadan at BYU was the hardest, as I had just arrived and did not know many people on campus.

Ramadan has always been about sharing and big gatherings, but I had to live without those my first semester at BYU. I remember it was a normal thing for me to go by myself to the university food court and break my fast alone over a Subway sandwich or a hamburger. Being alone in Ramdan especially sucks if you come from a family of ten, like me. Followers of the Mormon faith can relate to all things Ramadan-they fast once a month, they give “fast offering”, and have big families where sharing is caring.

Most on campus had grown up in parts of America where they hadn’t ever meet a Muslim, so few people on campus knew what Ramadan is. For the majority, I was the first Muslim they meet and with that comes a lot of questions that gets old after awhile. It seemed to me, that most student events on campus where  they would hand out free food take place when I am fasting which really pissed me off. But I was a guest and I do not get to dictate the calender. I had a campus job and it was in the dorm’s dining room “The Smith Center” where I helped prepare food that sometimes included pork. I was quite enough not to make waves about fasting. So I would prepare whatever food they had on the menu that day. Things you would do for $6.25 and hour! On one day, I had a long shift and they kitchen had access food so they asked us to eat. The chef was Italian American names Teresa who knew I was fasting so she asked me to take food home with me. She even packed me a box and insisted I do just that because I couldn’t eat on my shift. As I finished my shift and left with the food, a manger came racing after me telling me in front of some of his staff that I am stealing food. Needless to say, I lost it.

I said nothing and I headed back to the kitchen grabbed Teresa who give him s a piece of her Italian mind, leaving him feel like a glorified jackass. I gave him the food and I left saying, “I am not a thief”  That night I would have a pizza for Iftar. Occasionally, the few Muslim students would hold pot lucks on campus and I used to like those very much. The Muslim families would prepare food and bring it to share, we would bring soda and drinks. It was not uncommon to have non fasting people form campus show up to those events and learn some culture. We always welcomed such interest until those people start lining up before you to grab as much food as they can put their hands one. Leaving the fasting people little food. While most students were considerate and wait till the fasting people serve themselves, not all. The university faculty who has lived in Muslim countries make sure to send us Ramadan greeting which was kind of them. Professor Chad Emmet, a professor of Geography that has lived in Indonesia would show up and bring food at those pot lucks and so did professor James Toronto, a professor of Arabic and Muslims studies. Both members of the Mormon church who have a spot spot on their hearts for all things Islam.

My second year on campus was much better, I have met a lot more people and since the terrorists attacks of 9/11 have already happened, there was a lot more students studying Arabic and Islam. One of the things that came out of that was the Alumni Association has started a new university tradition. Every Ramadan, the association would hold an elaborate Iftar dinner for the Muslim students on campus. I think the first one we have at a world famous Sundance resort which the university owns. This would serve two purposes, make the students feel that the university cares about them prompting them to become active alumni. Also the university will get a dose of diversity, the very thing that some care about. The break the fast idea came from Tod Hendricks, an Idaho man who has never met a Muslim in his life, but felt that outreach is important. Although Mr. Hendricks is no longer at BYU, and neither am I, we still keep in touch and I am on his Christmas card list. I remember as we sat to plan the event, I had to explain to the organizers the tradition of breaking the fast with a date. They really did not understand what I meant. Instead, they thought Muslims go on a date right before they break their fast. Until a person sitting in the meeting, brought up the word figs. Only then I was understood. It was both funny and strange. Later we had to deal with the meat being served at the dinner, the famous halal vs. zabiha argument was too complicated.

During my time in Utah, I had to answer a lot of questions about my faith and the practice and there were a lot of misinformed questions and opinions, but Mormons are aware of difference  the perceived image of your faith and the reality of it. While many have worked so hard to get me to convert, at one point I had seven copies of the book of Mormons in different languages. The longer I stayed in Utah, the less energized those efforts have become. Many members of the church go the extra mile to accommodate others of different faith. Till this day, I still share a meal with my Mormon friends every Ramadan. We often do it in the first Sunday of the month when they tend to fast.  While many things that a Muslim living in Utah must faces some major challenges, I have seen none and I have nothing but respect for those who help people get a taste of home away form home.

Last year I took my wife to see my alma matter, she was in love. The money y we landed in Salt Lake City Airport, she proclaimed “I now have arrived to America” people are smiling and they genuinely look happy to see you. My time at BYU helped her make up her mind and attend the Catholic University of America, here in Washington DC. We joke that maybe one day, our children can go to a Jewish university in New York.

[Tarboush Tip: Clay Adair]

For starters, in Gaza there is no Haq Al Lylalh—the night where the kids would go around the block asking for candy and treats. To make up for that our family would surround us with TLC; as we were just fresh imports into the Gaza Strip, they feared our delicate souls would not agree with the IDF tear gas Gazans were subjected to so often. I remember my aunt had a little shop in the local market where she would sell produce. When I was nearby, she would give me unwashed cucumbers and tomatoes to munch on. “Use your shirt” was her response to my inquisitive eyes

Three months prior to my first Ramadan in Gaza, my parents decided to buy a small business for my older brother Mazin; they chose to take over a kitchenware and novelty store from my uncle. Mazin would make his living from the store; but no one ever mentioned that I would soon join the business—at the tender age of 10! It started with me taking home lunch to my brother. I would go back from school, grab lunch, and walk for about 15 minutes to transport the food. My brother, an avid hookah smoker would take advantage of my presence by leaving me to man the store while he took a break. So for Ramadan, I thought, I do not have to take him lunch—I could hang out with the boys next door! Little did I know, soon enough, I would realize I was not off the hook; I would be busy as ever!

It turns out that the Palestinian appetite for kitchen ware stuff, and all things kitchen, spikes during the days of Ramadan: as people shopped at our store—in droves—my brother needed my help. Since cash registers were not part of Gaza’ commerce, it pays to have a family member help with the cash transactions.

This is when I realized Ramadan lost its fun-factor: While the store was making good business, I logged more hours in the store, and less hours playing hide and seek! Then, our competitor had an idea to take some of his best-seller items, and sell them at the market (to undercut us by going to where the customers already were). Before I realized it, I was hauling boxes of pitchers, soup bowls, glassware and such to the market to sell them there! I eventually learned I was really good at selling this stuff! People would rather buy (and steal) from a little boy like me and my brother was more than happy to send me more merchandise to vend.

In Ramadan the market would open later than usual, and close much earlier. By 3:00 in the afternoon the market would die down, and vendors would start heading to their homes for their break-the-fast meal.
The upside of selling stuff on my own was that I had extra cash—I could buy any food I liked! There were these special ice cream containers that were only available in Ramadan, and I would buy them. Cheese and buttermilk that I bought from a Bedouin lady would be taken home to mom—I would walk tall and kick the door open as I came in. I would also buy fresh Qattayf (those cheese and nut-filled pancake-like dessert). I knew most merchants at the market, and they knew me; so they would give me the best stuff they had. My dad was still back in Dubai and my older brother did not particularly liked shopping so, I would buy these things.

Then the Ramadan tradition started shaping up. Every Ramadan, our family would invite our sisters and their spouses for break the fast meal. Back then they were only six people, but over the years, they kept on growing and having kids. Those six people will be coming to our home this year too accompanied by 40 other souls who are their descendants. Given the large size of the guests for the past seven years my parents would outsource the cooking to some local kitchen. For dessert they will be having Kullaj. My family like so many families in Gaza love Kharoub (Carob) drink, which they buy from street vendors who has huge blocks of ice.

The entire family wakes up for Sahour (pre fasting meal) where yellow cheese (looks like cheddar), fig jam, Halwa (Halava), Hummus and bread are often served. I remember there is nothing in the whole world that would make me miss this meal. I loved the atmosphere, and the cool floor we sat on. Mother did all the cooking, and she would drive us all insane as she wouldn’t eat until everyone else is done. That was a trigger for my dad who would be like “C’mon Fatima”” Occasionally, my grandpa (who lives in separate back house) would shout at this early hour asking us to bring him some food, being the good boy, I am, I would go, but only if my little sister goes with me because I was afraid of the dark. Tea also for my dad to go with his smoke. And everyone hydrated and waits for the call to prayer.

The local mosques would have rituals there too. We would pray fajir (sun rise) in the mosque in large masses, everybody chatting it up on our way to the mosque. After the prayer, the mosque would have Koran reading circles. I would join and read, everyone would read half page till we finish the 20 page chapter that reconciles with what day of Ramadan it is (Ramadan is often 30 days and the Koran has 30 chapters). Some local Salfi groups would camp out at nearly each mosque, lead the prayer and give sermons. Some in our block were wary of those groups that seem like pacifists who do nothing but eat and preach all day. Some admire them though for abandoning their business and choosing to live on so little for the duration of the month.

Some would have an intensive TV watching ritual, as TV dramas from Egypt and Jordan were popular thing. I remember liking the game shows where they ask questions and ask you to mail in the answer at the end of Ramadan. When the Palestine TV started they would have some hidden (candid) camera shows, one of the most memorable episodes was about a man who took his donkey to the barbershop asking the barber to cut his donkey’s hair. Another was about a man in handcuffs posing as a runaway convict asking pedestrians to help him break free.

Since this is Gaza, every now and then someone will get killed in clashes or some Israeli operation. But it seemed to me that death in Ramadan was viewed like an honorable death.

While Ramadan in the UAE was about fun, food and friends. In Gaza it was about funds, family and funerals.

And then I would head to Utah…..

[Tarboush Tip: Lyndsay]

As a little Palestinian boy in the United Arab Emirates, Ramadan was always a fun time for me. For starters, 15 days prior to the holy month, the young boys and girls would tour the neighborhood knocking doors and asking for treats. This is known as “Haq Al Lylah”. Some families would give us food, others candy and drinks, and few would give us cash. This is like that country’s Halloween without all the ghosts and the creeps. Once or twice, someone unleashed their dogs on us, but it wasn’t that bad. As a boy I heard countless stories of people being granted their wishes by the country’s rulers who were feeling rather charitable on those nights. Then Ramadan came, and everybody focused on drawing closer to God and, of course, indulging in overeating. In the UAE, my dad’s boss who is one of the native people would drop off fresh buttermilk for our family every week. Others would drop off fresh gooey dates, wanting to share the blessing of the month with everyone.

While we were guests of that country, Ramadan was the one time when we felt just like the local people. It was a wonderful time – a feeling of unity was over the country and everyone had plenty to eat and was able enjoy the special season. I remember on some evenings my family would skip Iftar to go to the mosque where they served an extravagant meal after the sunset prayer. On those nights, rich and poor ate together, Muslims and non-Muslims breaking bread together on the floor. The more affluent in the area would bring all sorts of food to share with the local people. I particularly remember going to those meals for the local food, the kind my Palestinian mother wouldn’t make: Harees, Hareesah, Haneed, Qimat and that pinkish drink we used to savor and use to quench our thirst with. A lot of people from India and Pakistan would be present there, too, as they tended to be single and have little income. The true feasts on those nights really brought the month of Ramadan to me.

At night my parents would take us to a Lebanese/Palestinian sweets shop in downtown Dubai, which was then a lot more local. The adults would sit around talk about politics in pre- first Intifada Palestine and we would enjoy whatever deserts they are serving that night. The street lights and decorations were dazzling to our little minds. Afterward, Mother would go to the market, an open-air market and do her shopping for the next day. Going out to shop in the heat of the day was never very attractive to her or anyone else. During Ramadan my dad, who’s a smoker, would be rather on edge, so we kids all avoided getting on his bad side. But my mom would just laugh and dismiss his occasional silly outbursts.

Mid-day dad would go to the mosque to read some Koran as the boys in the block played a pre sunset soccer match. I remember we had a good team. I have always liked the goalie position. Dad would join us sometimes, and dare the kids to score on him as he stood in the goal. He pledged to pay any kid 10 Dirham if they could score on him. I remember being proud of my dad for doing that. He would claim he used to play for a team called the black panthers. Later, I leaned, it’s a made-up team.  Only one boy of the older kids ever managed to score on dad. After soccer we would walk together to the house for the Iftar meal. But right before the call to prayer, our Syrian and Egyptian neighbor would send us some samples of their dish of the day, and then we kids had to go back and give them some of what we had cooked for that day. Toward the end of the day, everyone in the house would head to the mosque for Taraweeh prayer. I remember the prayer being very long, so the kids would cheat and play hide and seek at the mosque door and when the adults were done we would walk back with them as if we were praying there all along.

Then we headed back to Gaza…

[Tarboush Tip: Clay Adair]

But even if she was right, pop music shows that there is no decrease in animosity towards Israel in Egypt.

Mubarak exited the stage few months ago.  The music from Egypt that we are seeing is a lot bolder than Mona would like to admit. A number of songs released in the past few months had harsh words for Israel, marking this country as Egypt’s enemy. This is bad news for Mona who seems to be alone in her arguments about how welcoming the Egyptians are of Israel–they are not. Just because Ms. Eltahawy lived in Israel does not make her an authority on how the people of Egypt feel about the country.

But do not take it from me. Take it from the Egyptian entertainers who tell it as it is, appealing to popular currents in Egypt. I hope Mona and her supporters take note. Pop culture is the best indicator of the pulse of the street. It does not come from a vacuum, like opportunistic voices for hire. Such voices cannot just and go invent another reality that will advance their careers and open Israel-loving doors for them.

Here is some music “moderate” Arabs need to put on their iTunes:

Mohammad Roshdy اغنية محمد رشيدى – رسالة الى اسرائيل

This is an A list singer that does mostly romantic songs, but when it comes to Israel he offers no love.

The lyrics go something like this:

“We have a message to deliver to you! We came to remind you of Sinai and the war that has revealed who’s the coward, we are the Arab youth, and we will liberate Palestine”

Ana Ya Israel “Asmy Masr”- Hamza Namira | أنا.. يا إسرائيل – حمزة نمرة

This is the hottest Independent Egyptian singer who is actually making real music and has released one of the best selling albums in Egypt’s history. He has the busiest concert schedule compared to any other singer. See toward the end of the song as Hamza performs it live, the crowd goes wild.

The lyrics:

Israel, I am not a government or regime, nor I am not a king with bodyguards!, I am an ancient word as old as civilization. Israel, my son was killed when the meaning of peace was lost! The dead are alive in their places in Hebron, Bethlehem, and Lebanon! I have the greatest name, my name is Egypt!

3enwany – Sodfa Band – ZAP Tharwat – Mohamed Suwaid – Kazaz – عنواني

The all dude band Sodfa with household names like ZAP Thawarwat and Mohamed Suaid, the power duo that records a number of soundtracks for popular shows on Egypt’s TV. This is a powerful clip where the Palestine flag can be seen throughout this clip.

The lyrics go like this:
Forgive me Jerusalem! Palestine is my address. I see Saladin standing at your gates with his troops, bringing down those walls, millions of revolutions. We took what’s ours. March for liberty”

Finally to me those songs are not about hate or violence, they are about justice. Justice shouldn’t offend people, if offends you, then you might be doing something wrong to begin with.

Gaza Faces Severe Botox Shortage

The narrow strip of Palestinian land that is called the Gaza Strip is facing a severe shortage of botox, according to the Organization of Islamic Corporation (OIC)

Dr. Mansour Mostafa, Gaza’s top plastic surgeon, “If you think about it, it makes perfect sense,” “Israel’s siege is making people age quicker, and with that comes more wrinkles.“ According to several other surgeons interviewed for this this report, Gaza is becoming increasingly more vain and has turned into a chic urban center where pop stars are the trend setters.

The siege is affecting all aspects of life in Gaza. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists complain that the botulinum toxin (botox) available in Gaza does not meet certain health standards.

Nevertheless, the price for botox treatment remains high. The average cost per injection is $150.00, and some doctors, like Dr. Mostafa, see three to four botox patients a week alone. Dr. Mostafa is certainly not complaining. “I used to do hair transplants in DC. Now I’m back in Palestine providing my people with much-needed medical care. It’s a good cause.”

According to several Gaza hospitals, botox is on Israel’s list of materials that are not permitted into the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF’s spokesperson, “Hamas using the primary compound in Botox to create a super Qassam rocket that not only has the capacity to penetrate Sderot’s rooftops, but also do some serious damage to people’s kitchens as well. Here in Israel, we take the security of our people’s kitchens very, very seriously.”

Dr. Mostafa rejects the idea that he is capitalizing on the Palestinians’ suffering. “There is no reason why the people of Gaza should be denied the opportunity to alter their physical appearance,” he said. “We cannot look so sad and broken all of the time, and botox can help make us happy again.”

Ahmad (would not give last name) a patient at the Gaza Plastic Institute clinic, “I am here to get botox”, He told us that he came to this clinic seeking botox treatment “You know summer season is the wedding season out here” He also shared with us that “I need to look good for the big bash once the siege has been lifted”

A number of members of Beautiful People Club where beautiful men and women connect has pledged to ship botox into Gaza as the site plans an expansion in the Mediterranean region.

[Tarboush Tip: Andrew]

You can hate the game, but not the player. While the majority of Arabs support the Palestinian cause and want to see it resolved, there are those Arabs who do not have warm feelings toward Palestinians. Despite this, along with the Arabic language, the Palestinian cause unites most people of Arab descent. Nevertheless, there are groups of Arabs that will forever remain wary of Palestinians. Here they are:

1. The 1975 to 1990 Lebanese: civil war is an ugly business and in Lebanon, the Palestinians are the everlasting punching bag. Now, I’m not saying that some Palestinians didn’t play a divisive role in Lebanon’s civil war, but the Palestinians are definitely Lebanon’s scapegoat. Unfortunately, this will never change until Lebanon’s Palestinian refugees are allowed to either return to Palestine or are given the ability to live dignified, productive, and free lives in Lebanon.
2. The 1990 Kuwaitis: now, I don’t know what the Palestinian leadership was thinking when they supported Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. Supporting an occupation or being silent when you see one happening – especially when you have been placed under occupation yourself – won’t help endear anyone to your cause. Despite repeated apologies and a number of initiatives, some Kuwaitis will always remain skeptical of Palestinians.
3. The 1970 Indigenous Jordanians (bedouins): remember when Palestinian militants harassed Jordan’s young king and shook his (corrupt) regime to its core? King Hussein took no prisoners and bombed the hell out of Palestinian refugee camps. Until this day, grudges still exist. It does not help that the Palestinians in Jordan have a superior soccer team that, more often than not, defeats those dirty bedouins.
4. The Naive Arab: he (or she) watches their country’s state-sponsored news and truly believe that their respective despot is doing all he (never she) can to free Palestine, feed the hungry, protect the refugees, and heal the sick (they also walk on water, too!). In reality, all these despots do is talk (sometimes out of their mouths, but mostly from their asses). Yet, these naive Arabs refuse to see their dictators in a negative light, and look forward to the day that they liberate Palestine.
5. The Paranoid Egyptians: now, these people are hilarious. they have no clue of the social and tribal makeups of the areas bordering Palestine, and get freaked out by news of smuggling activities, weapons and drugs tunnels. There are even people in Egypt who believe Hamas is the one closing the Rafah crossing, not the other way around. They tend not to mind that their sworn enemy enters their land with no visa, and would rather look down on those “dirty Gazans.” Of course some of their fears are rational, but paranoia is never helpful.
6. Other Arab Expats: they live around the world alongside many Palestinians, and they envy the Palestinian expats for their success despite all odds. Sure, some Palestinian immigrants can hardly be considered saints, but they are hard workers. These jealous Arabs like to mumble about an existential “affirmative action” policy for Palestinians, and they also believe in some magical “Palestine Card” that exists to prevent Palestinians from being deported (how can you deport someone that doesn’t have a country of origin?). As my grandpa used to tell me, “if the poor takes a large shit, the people would want to know what he had for dinner.”
7. The “Me” First: you know those suit-wearing and soft-spoken Arabs, the ones you find in Palestine and countries bordering historic Palestine. They’re running governments under the banner, “Palestine is complicated, but hey, you can enjoy Mc burgers and fries if you wanna…” They are loved in the West, and they lead their political lives by the motto: let’s dance until the music stops. They cannot stand all the tragic news form the Palestinian territories so they try to make it into the news by making the world’s biggest kabob, bowl of Humus, Flag…etc. This policy is often in place to help cover up for the traitors and uncle toms running the country and opening up casinos for “tourists”. They mistakenly think running countries is like running brothels, something they are very familiar with.

[Tarboush Tip: Andrew]