What do the three inspiring men mentioned in this post’s title have in common? Their immense talent, to begin with, mixed with their humanity, along with their moving LOVE for their birth countries, Algeria (Mr. Bruel and Mr. Macias) and Lebanon respectively (Dr. Saad). In addition to the above, they all also happen to be of Jewish ancestry.
Just because a piece of their identity is Jewish, after their families escaped war atrocities, they could not return to visit their places of birth. Sadly, they cannot show their families where they were born. As for their numerous fans there, they cannot even dream of meeting them in person. How sad. How absurd. How unfair for all.
This being said, Bambi was happy to learn today about Mr. Bruel’s recent trip to Algeria where people were very welcoming and sweet with him and with his mom. It seems that, after over 60 years abroad, they received an official invitation by the Algerian government to return for a visit, perhaps as a gesture of openness toward France?
When will Mr. Enrico Macias’ family also be able to visit his beloved Algeria, wondered the journalist in the short YouTube interview below?
In the same spirit, will Canada’s Dr. Gad Saad return to visit his cherished Lebanon of origin one day, if he wishes?
Bambi was in the mood of taking a few minutes to listen to both Aznavour and Girac after finishing a long day of work. She was well served, thanks to a YouTube video of Mr. Kendji Girac singing Mr. Charles Aznavour’s “La Mamma“. Bravo for his GREAT performance. If she may, she will dedicate the latter to all the mothers and maternal figures of the world, those with us and those in heaven.
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”.
To begin with, thanks to the Biden administration for brokering a deal on the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon in 2022 and for the two rounds of negotiations back then (https://tinyurl.com/3zxkptec).
In the same spirit, thanks to the Trump administration for pushing these two countries to come to the table of negotiations again to finally solve the disputed land border’s issue (https://tinyurl.com/3zxkptec).
“The border talks are intended to help stabilize the ceasefire brokered by the Biden administration last November,” according toAxios,as cited in Naharnet.
May safety, stability, and eventually peace finally know how to prevail in the Middle East, filled with SAD news both historically and currently like in Syria, more recently.
To come back to Bambi’s birth country, it has been stuck in the same (toxic) pattern of non-sovereignty for decades. It is about time to try a different (wiser) approach. May the latter give hope for stability, peace, and prosperity within the country, with all its neighbours and with the entire international community, geographically close or far.
Of course, there is a VERY long healing journey awaiting Lebanon for the months and years to come. Thankfully, the courageous words and hopefully matching acts of its new leadership are promising baby steps in the process of building the country that the Lebanese population aspire to… and badly deserve.
May your memory be eternal, Mr. Claude François, and thank you for having co-written the lyrics of the most beautiful “Comme d’habitude” song, along with Mr. Jacques Revaux. What an eternal French song, the original version of the famous “My way”!
She loves her beyond words and geographical distances ❤️!
Thanks Roula for being you, including but not limited to your inspiring character, sharp as well as creative mind, and generous care for all [not just for your younger sisters : )].
Bambi is so lucky to have you, Roula and Rania, as sisters. With much love and gratitude, she thanks our parents’ love and life who made us siblings. Most significantly, she thanks both of you for our LOVING relationships. What a blessing!
May each girl and woman, whether domestically or worldwide, be living a dignified life with equal rights to men.
May each woman reach her full potential, with personal agency in all the spheres of life.
Of course, no woman is like the other. In other terms, each is unique in her character, strengths, and charm. May everyone be self-empowered and feel fulfilled.
Bambi’s best wishes above are meant for women, but also for all you dear readers who respect and honour them every day, not just on the 8th of March.
The above being said, it is time to end this post with a few select burning questions:
1. To the women reading this post, what comes to your mind when you hear someone calling you “a person with a uterus“? Do you find it funny or insulting or are you neutral or OK with it? Why or why not?
2. And what about “a menstruating person” instead of a woman? Any thoughts?
3. Isn’t it sad to know that in some countries, like Iran or Afghanistan, women are still being told what to wear or how to behave?
4. And what to think of adolescent girls and women abroad, namely in Afghanistan, who are prevented from having access to education?
5. Despite its progress, especially lately, isn’t it sad that in other places struggling to build a country, namely Lebanon, women are still legally discriminated against by not being allowed to pass citizenship on to their children of non-Lebanese spouses? Only men can do so. How fair is that, especially in 2025?
6. What do you think when you hear stories of Canadian women (or female deer) having been labelled “proponents of rape culture“, most likely for having written posts on personal blogs, denouncing barbaric rapes of innocent women in some parts of the world, namely by ISIS and similar groups?
7. And, more recently, what about Hamas’ barbaric rapes and other acts of violence, including killing or kidnapping, which occurred on a doomed 7th of October, 2023?
Related to last two questions, as an international community, how can we protect the innocent girls and women of any country, including Israel and Irak, from conflict-related sexual violence? And how can we protect other potential victims, including men and transgender individuals?
Thank you Mona for being Bambi’s inspiring friend in both Beirut and Montreal. With much love, across the miles, she wishes you a great day tomorrow and a beautiful year filled with love, comfort, and daily moments of joy.
From your professional talent, she will always remember the maps of the entire world, especially Turkey and the African continent :). Bambi also has fond memories of creative lessons related to the history of religions with their ups and downs.
From your resilience in adversity, faith at all times, gratitude, cheerful attitude, and love for your adorable family (children, grand-children, etc.), she is inspired in so many ways.
Today, Bambi heard Ms. Joy Khawly’s song on her Lebanese-American internet radio while working. She is sharing it with you in this post. What do you think of her version of the famous “love story”?
The song, which describes the depth of the singer’s care for the man she loves, seems to be one-year old. The lyricist is Mr. Ahmad Madi. The composer, Mr. Francis Lai. The arranger, Mr. Nasser El Assaad and the director, Ms. Haifa Al Fakih.
Without being an expert of music [or of love :)], Bambi likes the soothing voice of the singer. The music and the lyrics are very sweet to the ears while being warm to the heart. However, there is a specific part of the lyrics (i.e. made of two words), which she may dislike for the following reason: it refers to Ms. Khawly’s love for her lover, which is “more than she loves herself… and the entire world“. Indeed, only when we love ourselves first, we can build healthy relationships with others. Stated differently, one must have self-love, without sacrificing the sense of self-respect to please others or to place their needs above one’s own well-being.
This being said, it is time to enjoy the song now. Long live music… and love!
How can Bambi coldly go to sleep when tomorrow is the “National I Want You To Be Happy Day” (https://tinyurl.com/y39ynuk9)?
Indeed, it means a lot to her to be quick in wishing you all to keep being happy or to become happier, especially if you are unwell, feeling down, or mourning a loved one.
It is hard to guess who declared March 3rd a day devoted to spreading joy to others. However, it is a lovely way to start one’s week.
