Bambi happens to be currently reading a masterpiece of a book, which she highly recommends, entitled: “Les identités meurtrières” [its English version is: In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong] (1998). This timely book, which was written by the inspiring Mr. Amine Maalouf, received a prestigious European prize, “le prix européen de l’essai Charles Veillon” in 1999.
The first part of this post shares an English translation of some of Mr. Maalouf’s book’s thought-provoking paragraphs (translation found on the internet).
As for the second part, it features a powerful song by Ms. Carol Samaha. The video shared below includes English subtitles. However, for your convenience, Bambi also shares the English lyrics (as reported in an older post).
Last but not least, this post ends with the soothing Hallelujah of the late yet great Leonard Cohen, as performed a capella in Arabic by the most talented Ms. Marilyne Naaman.
May the souls of all those who were helplessly massacred rest in peace (https://shorturl.at/5KgQN). May their memory be eternal. Despite the unbearable horror, may God know how to comfort the shattered hearts and souls of their loved ones.
“All the massacres that have taken place in recent years, as well as most of the bloody conflicts, are linked to complex and very old identity “issues”; sometimes the victims are desperately the same, as always; sometimes the relationships are reversed, yesterday’s executioners become victims and the victims transform into executioners”. AMINE MAALOUF
Taking the line of least resistance, we lump the most different people together under the same heading. Taking the line of least resistance, we ascribe to them collective crimes, collective acts and opinions. “The Serbs have massacred…”, “The English have devastated…”, “The Jews have confiscated…”, “The Blacks have torched”, “The Arabs refuse…”. We blithely express sweeping judgments on whole peoples, calling them “hardworking” and “ingenious”, or “lazy”, “touchy”, “sly”, “proud”, or “obstinate”. And sometimes this ends in bloodshed.” AMINE MAALOUF
“You can’t say history teaches us this or that; it gives us more questions than answers, and many answers to every question”. AMINE MAALOUF
“Doctrines are meant to serve man, not the other way around”. AMINE MAALOUF
Keeping the above in mind, it is now time for Ms. Samaha’s magnificent song, which includes English subtitles. For your convenience, you can find an English translation of the Lebanese-Arabic lyrics, followed by the singer’s moving performance.
“At the dawn of the third millennium, there is still hunger
Homeless children, crying and tears!
Let us end all wars, oh powerful nations
No to poverty
No to oppression
No to racism
Who are you? I would not question (I would not care)
But your sadness told me who you are.
I don’t know (care) which colour nor which religion.
All I know is that you are my brother
My brother in humanity
At the dawn of the third millennium, yet, there are still those exiled
People who have been in detention for years!
Let us, at the dawn of this new era when the world is so longing for peace
End all oppression
End all fear
And agree on justice
Who are you?
I would not question (I would not care),
But your sadness told me who you are.
I don’t know (care) which colour nor which religion.
All I know is that you are my brother, my brother in humanity
I come from the East
The land of faith
Our villages are the home of the sunrise and the colours of the time
From here to all the people (of the whole world) we send our greetings
May generations go and come on the path of freedom!
Who are you?
I would not question (I would not care),
But your sadness told me who you are.
I don’t know (care) which colour nor which religion.
All I know is that you are my brother, my brother in humanity”.
