Taboo Topics on Movies & TV Series

It seems that more and more writers and respected celebrities are deciding to make the subjects of their movies or series more and more controversial! It started a few years ago with ‘Mothakarat Moraheka’ which tackled the issue of adolescence and the changes and needs of that time in every girl and boys life.
The movie sparked huge debate in Egypt but no one could deny it held a message and the movie did quite well. Following this we saw a surge of movies including ‘Baheb El Seyma’ which challenged strict Christianity and ‘Omaret Yakoubian’ which discussed everything from adultery to politics to homosexuality.

Why Watch The News?!

A group of my friends realized how many males especially are pinned in front of the news for hours even though the news hardly changes every hour and so we decided to do a small survey. We asked 100 males which news channels they watched most often and how long they watch it for and which channel had the most attractive presenters. The results were not very surprising! Al Arabiya was the most popular Channel which many of the men watched for up to 6 hours a day.

Should Shisha be Banned?

The Cafe or 'Il Ahwa' as it is known in the Arabic language is a huge and practically monumental part of the modern Arabic culture. It is common to see tables & chairs from cafes flooding on to streets and even blocking walkways and pavements.

Like the West is renowned for local bars and pubs and punters eager to get away from work worries or family worries and drink themselves half to death, the Middle-East is known for its alternative getaway.

New Age Soft Porn in the Arab World?

It is a harsh and painful reality, if one perhaps that is swept under the carpet; ordinary Arab girls are being exploited not only by men equipped with recording devices but also by their own will as they parade in front of cameras without a care in the world. These girls neglect to think about consequences of being recorded; namely where their shameful antics will end up.

It is difficult to understand why a girl would allow herself to be filmed in compromising positions, at times wearing very little. The sheer quantity of internet videos with ‘Arab girl content’ is shocking. Their actions lack sensuality; in fact many subjects resemble mating baboons with their dance techniques…

Not wishing to relate this to the corrupt celebrity videos that have demeaned sex; but this type of video has received such hysteria and propaganda that it is almost impossible to divorce the idea that everyday girls are under an influence to stand in front of a camera and be sexual; failing dismally to be sexy.

The Saudi Youth Believe They Are The Best!

A recent study showed that more than half of the Saudi youth believe they are better then any other nation. The study included nearly 6,000 Saudi youth in different principle locations; 50.5 % from females believe that they are the best and 46.5 % from males believe the same.

The research studied the relationship between the age, educational level and geographic area and the level of racism. It showed that as much as they are old and more intellectual, the less they are racist. The research blamed the educational system in the middle level that it contributes in the increase of the racism.

Privacy vs. Control on the Web

No one can deny the fact that the Internet has opened up a bigger world and wider opportunities for people of all ages. In the online realm everyone are equal. Celebrities and ordinary people alike have all the right to say what they want and reveal what they want. Every one of us has the innate desire to share something of ourselves to others…to reach out and I think this is why networking sites have become so popular. There is just something about belonging to a certain community in the web even though you’ve just interacted with them virtually.

Arab Artists Become A Marketing Technique

It was Elissa who made me realize how Arab celebrities are following the lead of Western actors and actresses in becoming a marketing technique. Nancy had her Coca- Cola advert, Amr Diab and Hayfa worked with Pepsi but the one that beat them all was Elissa. Not only is Elissa the new ‘face’ for Lux and has an advert featuring her that is repeated TV and her own bar of soap but she has also signed a contract with the Gold Manufacturers ‘Lazurde’ and ‘Vogue’ for sunglasses.

Artists Were Not Always Rich & Glamorous!

When we see a celebrity we tend to think that they were born like this rich, glamorous and loved but we fail to realize that in fact many of these people used to do the least of jobs until they had their big break! Some of the jobs that these celebrities whom we all love used to do will shock you!

Mohammed Abdu who is internationally acknowledged as one of the best started his career early but as a boy he helped out his less fortunate family by selling marbles and nuts and he doesn’t have a higher education degree! Who would have thought when he sounds so intellectual when he talks; I guess the world teaches you more than school!

Is Razan The Next Cat Woman?

We all used to like Razan Moghrabi when she was acting & looking life her natural self! But it seems through-out the years she has transformed ... not only has her face been altered in the most bizarre way by plastic surgery, but it seems her personality has become plasticified as well! I don't like her anymore!
As i was watching the second prime of MBC Album yesterday, i noticed that Razan's face has become like that of a cat! It is most obvious when she smiles ... So, is she going to become the next Cat Woman?
Have you heard of Jocelyne Wildenstein? She underwent 10's of plastic surgeries to make her look more like a cat! She has been nicknamed "Cat woman". I found Razan to be morphing into something similar!

Bill Gates Closes His Gates on Jennifer in an Hour!

How many of us spend most of their time infront of the PC playing games?
Well, according to Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, his eldest 10 year old daughter Jennifer should only spend an hour a day playing and a bonus of an extra hour in weekends.
Bill Gates mentioned that Jennifer never logged on the internet or even used the computer until she joined a school in which computers are utilized for almost everything!
Its obvious that she's following her fathers steps... Isn't that cute?

By Aya

Help Make History By Your Votes

Is it The The Pyramids of Giza,The Great Wall of China, Rome's Colosseum, Incan mountaintop city Machu Picchu in Peru, the rose-red desert city of Petra in Jordan, Easter Island's mysterious statues, India's Taj Mahal or any other great historical architectural monument?

This is the question thats been asked by millions of people worldwide to themselves while voting via the largest global poll ever to refresh the ancient history by categorizing the 'new' seven wonders of the world!

The new list can reveal different points of view between the voters in todays world in comparison to the small village in which the ancient Greeks categorized the original seven wonders of the world thousands of years ago.

Present Yourself the M&M Way!

If you are a chocolate addict then for sure you have also tasted the one of a kind and all original flavors of M&Ms. Children, teens and even adults can’t sometimes resist the taste of this particular chocolate. But like in other kinds of food, the appearance or presentation also plays a great part in creating the desire to eat the stuff. So you can see that presentation is a great key to opening new doors and this is exactly what the M&M Company has done. M&Ms has now joined in on the fray for online interactivity.

What Did Stars Tell Stars? - Part 2

Adel Emam: He will receive a new member in his family. He will cause a political controversy because he will express a new strong opinion.

Haifa Wehbe: She will get rid of some problems she was suffering from lately in the beginning of the year. The stars don’t predict any emotional stability and some problems with the producers. She has to be more patient and less nervous and she doesn’t have to travel much as well. Her glamour will be gone in the beginning of the year but she will get it back with a new song.

What Did Stars Tell Stars?

With the upcoming New Year, all astrologists compete in telling about their predictions especially what it concerns the celebrities. With 2007, stars have brought a lot of surprises for everyone. Some of them are bad and others are not. Well let’s see what did the stars tell stars.

Elissa: The biggest surprise for charming Elissa is that she will most probably get engaged. She will accomplish a lot of success as well in her career but the only problem she will face is that she may go to court to face Selim El Turk, the director of her latest video clip “Law Tearafo” to continue the problems they already started.

Wael Kfoury: On career and romantic wise, Wael will be generally satisfied and will solve problems that he has been suffering from.

A PS2 & Xbox 360 Wedding Cake!

Ever think that all the traditions of a normal wedding are really over-rated? If you are a gamer (or just a person who enjoys funny things) you'll love this wedding cake!

This woman loved games so much, she made the whole wedding cake into video game systems!! The bottom layer is an Xbox 360, on top of that is the PS2, then an Xbox with, if you could notice, the DVD remote sensor in the controller port. On the top is the limited edition 'Legend of Zelda' GameCube. All, of course, with little icing controllers. And such attention to details! The handle is sculpted out of fondant for the GameCube, and air vents were pressed into the cake.
Hah, this just made my day :D

Photos of the PS2 & Xbox 360 Wedding Cake

By guest writer Adam

Political Designs Behind Saddam’s Execution

1. Saddam is clearly the scapegoat for an international war syndicate, which includes many in our current political leadership, both in front and behind the scenes. Evacuating due process, controlling evidence and terrorizing the prosecution team were all par for the course in Saddam’s trial. A key reason for the speedy road to execution, was to eliminate a prominent player and key witness of this international criminal war conspiracy, thereby avoid further indictment of members of our leadership, many of whom have been accessory to Saddam’s actual crimes.

A Letter to Dr. Hala Sarhan

This is a letter to Dr. Hala Sarhan. This letter not only expresses the views of its writer but our views at WALEG as well:

"Dear Dr. Hala Sarhan, I have a request for you, i really like your show so much but by the way you are following i will hate the show cause the commercials that you put inside the show is too too much, I can't believe that the time of commercials are 10 or 15 minutes & the time that u interview the actor is only 3 or 4 minutes, believe me, it's true...

Cyber Spouses: Should married people chat?

Chatting is reputable for being a source of developing diverse relationships. Young chat with old, Indians to Americans, 'online couples' meet and marry, followers of religions become more confrontational behind the safety net of technology’s distant communication, and paedophiles use it to seek their prey.

Cyberspace eliminates much of what being human is therefore presenting people as confident and outspoken. It seizes to reveal characteristics of shyness and true emotion. Online pauses surpass face to face confrontation allowing more controlled reactions. Habits and hygienic behaviour are invisible. Facial expression is invalid unless aided by a potentially deceptive webcam, and even so it is logical to assume occurrences of exaggeration.

100 Years and Still Going Strong

We are all familiar with the romantic fiction books known as Mills and Boon.
These books started out in 1908, and afterwards Harlequin books, a Canadian company began to buy the rights in 1949.
According to some literary critics, these books are only read by "desperate housewives with one brain cell". the thing is not only men that sneer at such books and their readers but many women do as well. I was one of those to laugh at such books and dismiss them as trivial. then I began to notice that many women read them, of different classes and conditions of society.

Make Your Very Own Mr Right!

It is common and practically a code of gender for any group of giggling gossiping girls to have that oh so imaginary conversation ‘What would make the ideal man?’, or to indulge every so often into that illustrious notion of ‘Who would qualify as Mr Right?’ Of course for each girl Mr Right is different, and indeed one girls Mr Right is another girls ‘…Out of the question…Couldn’t be more wrong!’.

Having only ever been acquainted to and falling head over heels for a cue of Mr Wrongs, and failing the task of subjecting one man to the status of Mr Right, the next most convenient and sensible course of action unravels: analyzing every man in the celebrity Kingdom and ripping apart one characteristic or feature from the contenders in something more like mental mutilation in effort to create the perfect man. The practice is virtually logic in any girls maturely imaginative mind…be the object of fascination, him or it resembling something more alien-like than man.

What About the Web’s Future?

The developments in technology have made a great impact in people’s lifestyle. The internet for instance, with its momentous growth, has become a big part of the people’s daily lives. When you think about it, a lot of people are even becoming dependent on the web – students, businessmen and other sectors of the society. So with this fact, what would be the result if the information they obtain from the web are untrue?

Plastic Surgery & Men: Yes or No?

The act of plastic surgery is reputed throughout the world and perhaps has found its place for acceptance, particularly with the upcoming generations who hold fame and celebrity in high regards. Surgery in its many techniques and procedures has certainly become a familiar practise.

There are now almost one million surgeries for plastic or cosmetic surgery across the Arab world. The only factor that exists in relation to what would be regarded as wrong is the question and attitudes of beautifying men beyond ironing hair, perfecting teeth, plucking eyebrows and dress sense. It’s possible to say that we are just beginning to be familiar with the new wave of men who style themselves using the trendy and self conscious ‘metrosexual’ criteria.

Sex Education in the Arab World

Hey I have a question: What age do you think is a suitable age to start teaching sex education? And where do you think sex education should begin, at the home or at school? I started being taught sex education at the age of 11 and I was taught it at school having previously never been taught it. As any normal female and particularly an Arab one I think a lot about what I want my future kid/s to learn (if I have any children off course).

I've kept a lot of my old mathematical, science and other textbooks and some of my old exercise books so that I can rejuvenate my mind when duty calls for me to be a teaching mother because we begin to teach kids maths at a young age and art and languages...

Mubarak's 25th Anniversary to Pass Off Quietly

The majority of Egypt's approximately 73 million inhabitants have known no leader other than 78-year-old Hosny Mubarak.

Coupled with persistent rumors that his son Jamal is preparing to succeed him as president, critics have been prompted to speak derisively of the "Egyptian monarchy" which is the norm when it comes to Arab governments.

It's Friday the 13th Again!

Why is it considered unlucky when the thirteenth day in a month falls on a Friday?
In North America and Europe, a significant portion of the population behaves very strangely on Friday the 13th. They won't fly in airplanes, host a party, apply for a job, get married or even start a new project. Some people won't even come into work.

"Friday the 13th" as we know it has its roots in many traditions and cultures.
Well, there are two factors that make it scary...
Yes, you guessed it...
a) the fear of the number 13 termed paraskevidekatriaphobia
b) the fear of Fridays...
…makes sense doesn't it? ;)

655,000 Iraqis Have Died Because of War

A controversial new study suggests nearly 655,000 Iraqis have died because of the war, suggesting a far higher death toll than other estimates.

We've heard recent studies saying that the number was about 100,000 and another saying 50,000 and others suggesting about 150,000 but this new study is way higher than the previous ones.

Their conclusion is based on interviews of households and not a body count which suggests that about 600,000 died from violence, mostly gunfire and another 55,000 from unrelated events. However, they also found a small increase in deaths from other causes like heart disease and cancer.

Cool Young Arabs Go Online!

I’ve been in touch with some young people from Lebanon and noticed that a lot of them have their own websites.
Diana Khouri, a young lady from Lebanon and a Waleg participant known as ‘dandoon’, has her own site at the age of 17.

I asked her why she decided to make her own site?

“Well, in order to show to my friends who I really am and what I like and dislike, my style of writing, the things that I’m interested in…my purpose of making it was to get fame! I gained a lot of friends throughout the net....and also to show to my friends how much Lebanon means to me…it’s my heart and my dream..” she said.

The Gap Between the Rich & Poor

Brazil is top of the list in football according to the Fifa World Ranking. But they’re also top of another list…the Highest Murder Rate in the world!

More than 150 Brazilians were murdered each day on average last year which makes Brazil similar to a war zone. On total 55 thousand were murdered last year, that’s even more than all the people killed in Iraq!

So what’s the deal?
The problem is the high division between the rich and the poor in addition to an abundant amount of guns which are easy to come by.

The Half Suit!

We’ve seen a lot of crazy things in out time but this one really takes the cake!
Since the world is moving towards video conferencing, long distant work and all that jazz… There’s no need to wear a full suit anymore is there? You can fool your boss and co-workers into thinking you’re fully dressed when in fact…you’re half dressed!
Think about it…
You’ll save money on the suit itself…only $150 for a top-of-the-range suit!
You’ll be much more comfortable…no need to wear pants!
You won’t take much time to dress…approximately 50% of the time!

Kitty Culture

What do you think about having a cat or dog in the house?
In the Arab and Muslim world, the idea of having pets in the house is not entirely outlawed but it is also not encouraged. Cats, dogs and other household pets are not common in most homes. Sure, they make a mess, and tear up your furniture and brake vases, eat your clothes, mess the carpet, in addition to a million other things…but they’re just so adorable and will make you happy!

Scientists have proven that stroking a dog or a cat can actually decrees stress and lower blood pressure, especially for people over 60. Think of a white fluffy cat as a kind of stress-relieving pillow!

Muslims Never Attack Jesus

‘Arabs have been a nation of multiculturalism for centuries upon centuries. Your West only began to 'accept' multiculturalism in the mid 1900's and it's a constant struggle for anyone of colour to live peacefully in the West. Jesus peace be upon him is a ‘prophet of Islam’ to the person who mentioned him... thus he preached about peace to those of Islamic faith. Have you not taken note how Muslims never attack Jesus? Is it ok therefore to constantly claim freedom of speech when the speech be about Muslims or Islam... do you condone freedom of speech when it subjects a black man to being evil? Or being of no equality to white man? If a man preached this in Western society he would be imprisoned (Freedom of speech only applies when u want it to apply). However if one decides to attack a Muslim for his/ her faith… it is labeled as ‘freedom of speech’ yet again.’

Comments originally posted by Sam on ‘Is the Pope Trying to Piss off Muslims Intentionally?’

Change the Channel

Ever thought of making your own TV station?

Since 9/11 5 years ago, most people have become aware of the clear media bias towards Arabs and Muslims from such channels as CNN and Fox. Oh yes, Arabs complain here and there but no one actually ever did anything about it. Sure, some stations did pop up like Al Jazeera and Abu Dhabi, Al Arabiya and so on but these were all broadcasting in Arabic.

Why would I need to tell Arabs about Arab problems?

Beauty Pageants in Society

A furor occurred in the last few days over a Melbourne Muslim girl entering a teenage beauty pageant. Ayten Ahmet, 16 of Turkish origins, was chosen to place in the final 26 of miss teen Australia after beating hundreds of teenage hopefuls defying Victoria’s senior Muslims.

A spokesman for Melbourne cleric sheikh Mohammad Omran condemned the girl’s entry and the competition labeling it a “slur on Islam". The interesting thing is that the same controversy did not surround the crowning of Sabrina Houssami, a Muslim girl of Lebanese and Indian origins, to represent Australia in the next miss world pageant taking place soon.

Hezbollah: A Model For Honor & Manliness

'The world hems and haws at the carnage the Jews have wrought on the once modern and beautiful country of Lebanon. But the average (so-called Christian) American merely echoes the mantra of his Zionist masters as he has been trained to do all his life. Americans confidently state that the Khazar Jews have a right to “defend their country” and that Hezbollah are terrorists, militants, and now, insurgents. What they fail to mention is that those Khazar Jews have about as much right to Palestine or Lebanon as the Chinese have to France, i.e., none.

They are simply Jewish squatters on Arab land.
And the Arabs intend to evict them.
That is not terror.
That is justice.
And that is manly.' Joanna Francis

Israel's Second Defeat

'What did Zionists think was going to happen when they plunked themselves down in the middle of a million Arabs, after slaughtering them to steal their land in 1948? Did they really think they would get away with it indefinitely? Obviously so, since they’ve now set out to conquer more sovereign Arab territory, fully revealing their expansionist agenda to anyone with eyes to see. Only something unexpected has happened on the way to Eretz Israel; they’ve run into a brick wall called Hezbollah, who will not relinquish their sovereignty to the Zionist land-grabbers.

Will Hassan Nasrallah Declare a Victory?

Much has been made of what would form a Hezbollah victory in this current war but there are other issues to be taken into consideration and whats been written by Thomas Friedman in his column in The New York Times recently makes more sense than any other political analysis... Here is an excerpt:

On the morning after the morning after, Lebanese war refugees, who had real jobs and homes, will start streaming back by the hundreds of thousands, many of them Shiites. Tragically, they will find their homes or businesses badly damaged or obliterated. Yes, they will curse Israel. But they and other Arabs will also start asking Nasrallah publicly what many are already asking privately:

Talking Points to Use

For all people around the world especially in the United States and Europe, these are some talking points to use for letters to your local newspapers or magazines editors and to call in on radio shows discussing the current situation in the Middle East:

• The Israeli attacks constitute collective punishment of the entire Gazan and Lebanese populations, and have created a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions in Gaza.

Did You Know?

Did you know that there is relationship between the bombing of Lebanon and the inauguration of the World’s largest strategic pipeline, which will channel more a million barrels of oil a day to Western markets?
Now you know!

Did you know that from mass targeting of mobile phones with voice and text messages to old-fashioned radio broadcasts warning of imminent attacks, Israel is deploying a range of old and new technologies in Lebanon as part of the psychological operations (psyops) campaign supplementing its military attacks.
Now you know!

Did you know that bombs bound for Israel came via British airports.
Now you know!

Advertising in the Old Days

Check these old advertisements featured in old issues of Egyptian newspapers:

Click here to see the Ads

Thanks to Shaza for sharing these photos with us

Be Proud of Your History & Culture

Hi to everyone!
As an outsider to Arab society and culture, I would like to make some notices.
I was shocked the way Arab people speak to each other (degrading each other's countries etc...)I really wonder where is the glory of the Arab countries and culture that we used to admire some decades ago!!! I felt really sorry to fell some inferiority towards the western culture. Never and ever forget that what western countries have now (as culture, intellectualism, medicine, human rights etc...) they got it from the Muslims. Therefore, it is still in your hands to take it back by admiring your glorious past as we do.

Roberto Cavalli Vodka

It is made from pure Italian water, finest Italian grains cultivated where the Alps embrace the Po River & filtered through layers of crushed Italian marble! Not only that, but it is bottled gently in small batches.
The bottle is a Roberto Cavalli design, animal prints & a serpent wrapped around the blurry glass.

Lonely Gown... A Poem

This is me
who you're looking at,
somebody who cannot see
reality, and don't know how to act
this is me, a helpless one,
someone who always runs,
runs away from any fight
she keeps running
and she knows it aint right

Keep it or Not?

Imagine you are walking in the street thinking of how many things you need and you should buy but you dont have enough money for all the things... and suddenly you find a wallet full of money!
Would you keep it or not?

By guest writer Beri

Devil's Day

If you haven't heard about Devil's day, well, it's tomorrow!
It comes every millennium, and this is no superstition!
It's 6/6/06 & a lot of people are talking about it, while some people are even going to do scary things at the strike of midnight. There is also a new movie premiering in America on that day, it's entitled The Omen & is actually about devils and the number 666.
Tell us what you think of it & do you think that on that day it will be the end of the world?!

By guest writer Safa

Cycle of Life

I left and went to my little boat
where nothing matters but my lonely thoughts
My thoughts wave and wave
as it comes to me the feeling of being raved
Not from the angry sea or the wild sharks
but from the cruel people who kills larks
The boat is shaking like a burning a candle
i reach the deepest hurt
The boat is sinking in the triangle
i am crying from the pain
My head is sinking down the waves
my heart is being ripped... I cant make it
The air is rare
blood is floating... my hair is sinking
Brain is stopping... mind aint thinking
a new boat comes
A new baby is born

By guest writer Randa

Women's Rights

For decades groups of people (mostly men) have gathered to discuss the issue of women's rights. Whether its the right to vote, the right to an education, etc. women have always had to fight to protect themselves from male dominance. as arabs, even when religion has come to our aid and ensured us fair treatment, culture and traditions(enforced by the males) has managed to get us down. What do you think is the role of the government and media in supporting women? And how can women help themselves to gain fair treatment?

By guest writer Natalie

Adoption

Recently, my mother has decided she wants to adopt two young children from our home country. She has mentioned this idea before, but now she seems very serious... Whenever anyone in our family mentions this idea to someone, they either think its a wonderful idea, or else they say its the silliest thing we could ever do. What do you think?

By guest writer Natalie

Art & Families in the Middle East

Have you ever wanted so bad to be a singer, a dancer, an actor or thought of getting in the domain of art professionally but your family said no?!

Many families in the Middle East wouldn’t leave their children achieve their dreams if it has to do with being an artist in any way, some say parents are just respecting their cultures ;while on the other hand some people say that it is only another way of depriving a youth from achieving his/her dream and their chance to be creative ...

By guest writer Randa

Good Bye, A Poem

This is the closest poem to my heart that I wrote and I know that this is not an article but i thought it might be close to some of your hearts too...

you are in a white small room
a perfect place for misery to bloom
you hold her hand and you dont wanna let go
she doesnt want to go but she knows it's time to
her hands feel so cold
you look at her, she is beautiful and not even old
the room gets smaller

Popular Chat Rooms & SMS Abbreviations

These are some popular abbreviations that are used on chat Rooms & SMS, if you know other abbreviations, please tell us about them.

LOL: Laugh out loud
;-) : Wink
:-{ : Sad face
OMG: Oh my god
PLS: Please
WU? : What's up?

Voodoo & Voodoo Dolls

Voodoo magic & voodoo dolls ... woooo ... creepy !!!
what do you know about these practices & what do you think of them ???
they seem cool ... but are they really ???

Plastic Surgeries & Fame

I have always known that some singers have had a few plastic surgeries, but not too long ago I found out almost every single male or female artist has done at least one or more plastic surgery!!
They say in 20 years from now people wouldn’t ask each other if they have had any plastic surgeries, but instead they will ask HOW MANY!

Plastic surgeries were supposed to be for people in need of them, now everyone is having them... Among famous Arab singers that have had surgeries: Eline Khalaf, Nancy Ajram, Nawal Elzoughbi, Elissa, Haifa Wehbe, Katia, Amal Hijazi & many more.

Tell us what you think about plastic surgery, and the fact that many celebrities have had plastic surgeries to gain more fame?

By guest writer Safa

Difference Between Love and Lust

We all have heard the words love and lust many times but if someone asks you what is exactly lust or love would you able to define these two famous words in a sentence? And even if you can, can you tell what is the difference between them?

By guest writer Uzma

How Do You Deal With Racism?

We always hear of inspiring stories about incredible people who seem to succeed inspite of all odds. On the other hand we hear stories about people that blame their failings on the hardships they encounter. Lately, I have been thinking about the last year's riots in France, as well as the arab youths in Sydney. They all seem to blame racism and the clash of cultures for their inability to form a proper basis for a decent future...

TV Serie or Your Test?

If you really have to study for a test but your favorite TV serie is on. What would you rather do? Watch the serie, study for the test or maybe watch while studying?

Hard situation, isnt it? :D

By guest writer Beri

Saudi Champagne

No, this is not real Champagne! This is a yummy beverage that is often served in special occassions in Saudi Arabia, it's an improvised bubbley drink made of apple juice, lemon perrier, apple slices & orange slices and mint.
The combination sounds fantastic!
It seems really delicious and would love to try it one day!
Have you ever tried it? Tell us what you think of it.

[ Via: And Far Away ]

Luxurious Hunting Vans

Have you heard of the most luxurious hunting vans in The Gulf?
Nashmiah & Desert Conqueror are the newest in the luxurious hunting vans in Saudi Arabia & UAE. They first made their appearance during the Hunting & Equestrian show in Abu Dhabi last year.
These two vans are equipped with the latest technologies necessary for hunting, in addition to all the needed relaxation & comfort facilities. What makes them special even more, is their ability to move in all sorts of sand and soil.

Scientology & Silent Birth

I am a Scientologist and I've given birth 7 times - 5 times without pain killers or epidurals. We have always requested silence during birth - meaning, specifically, no unnecessary words - from the doctors, midwives, and nurses. If *I* feel the need to scream, yell or cry then of course I do that. However, we don't want the nurses and doctors chitchatting and going on and on and on about anything and everything when I'm in pain.
Actually, Scientologists tend to stay quiet whenever anyone in the area is in pain - it's a basic principle in "Dianetics" that words spoken during moments of pain or unconsciousness can have a post-hypnotic affect on the person later in life. So we keep it quiet unless speaking is absolutely necessary whenever someone is hurt.
But as for Silent Birth, it's all about respecting the wishes of the laboring mother.

Comment originally posted by Jane on:
John Travolta on Silent Birth on WALEG Celebrities.

New Marriage Law!

I don’t know if you heard the news about the New Marriage contract apparently accepted in Islam called the FREIND marriage? I was in shock and horror to hear that Saudi Sheikhs had accepted it. The contract is that two people can get married but have to live with their parents in their home and they can see each other when ever they like, so basically boyfriend and girlfriend.

I am disgusted how they say it’s allowed in Islam. Isn’t marriage meant to be about being there for each other and living together through thick and thin?

By guest writer Leila

What exactly is Fame?

Why do we scream when we see someone who has already seen on T.V? Why normal people after getting on T.V suddenly get so much attention and love and support? Why do scream and want to have an autograph of them when we see them? Have you ever thought of this? Why do we think that if we see someone on screen they are different than us? Star Academy students for example are suddenly so famous!! What do you think?

By guest writer Uzma

Being Alone or With Someone You Hate?

Would you rather be stranded on a desert island alone or with someone you hate?

By guest writer Beri

Arab Celeberties Real Names

Ever wonder why celeberties change their names? check these out:

Kathem Al Saher: Kathem Ali Jabbar
Wael Kfoury: Michael Email Kfouri (wow)
Asi El Hellani: Muhammad Mazeen (huh?)
Fadhel Shaker: Abdel Rahman Shamandar
Najwa Karam: Nequlas Karam (boy name)

Just For Laughs !

The last joke I heard which as juvenile as it may sound actually managed to make me laugh...

A policewoman walks up to a troublemaking drunk man in the street,
Policewoman says "You are under arrest sir! You have the right to remain silent, anything you do or say may be held up against you!"

Drunk man "...mmm boobs!"

It has become increasingly difficult to make people laugh, especially using the conventional joke method, and more apparently a joke which contains no sexual connotations. Our exposure to whatever is taboo is inevitable in this day and age. Therefore, we have become accustomed to being fed the most extreme sorts of information that in turn have lessoned any concept we once held about mysteriousness and its benefits...

Time Travel to a Rendezvous

Imagine, a time machine falls through the ceiling of your bedroom and suddenly you are faced with an astonishing opportunity to experience any era or any historical event you could have only read about, dreamt off or told about.

Times which were and are still recorded relentlessly in documents and in non-fictional books such as 'The rise and fall of Rome' and movies such as 'Spartacus', 'Al Risala (The Message)' that we watch for our own purposes. Entertainment, knowledge, to experience the most minute and possibly irrelevant amount of what it might have been like to live there and then, yet what is still only what we imagine then to have been...

Cyber Friendship

Probably you heard about people who met from the internet. It is not necessarily a date but maybe as just friends; But in both cases, did you ever do it? Can you do it? Did you ever hear about someone who did it? Do you think it is right? Please share with us your opinion :)

By guest writer Ghada

What Would You Call Your Baby?

Some people think about who they will marry, or date, or love... but does anyone think what to call his/her baby in the future? Tell us what would you like to call your baby whether it's a boy or a girl ...

By guest writer Shadi

Arabian Gulf or Persian Gulf ?

Since the 1960's, there has been a dispute on the name of the body of water that is located between Iran ( Persia ) & the Arabian Peninsula.
Some call it the Arabian Gulf, while others use the Persian Gulf.
Both names are correct.
The term the Arabian Gulf is the original name of the Red Sea, while the Persian Gulf is the original name given to the sea between Iran ( Persia ) & the Arabian Peninsula, by early Islamic Muslim geographers.
For a short while in the 17th century, the term "Gulf of Basra" was also being used, which made a reference to the town of Basra in Iraq.

Read More about this disputed issue here:
- Persian Gulf - Wikipedia
- Persian Gulf naming dispute

Discrimination Among Family Members!

It is true we are speaking different dialects; it is true we believe in different religions. Some of us are blonde, some are dark. Some see the Mediterranean, others the Read Sea, others the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and others the Arabian Sea or the Persian Gulf.
But do all these things make different people of us?! When we speak different dialects we are in fact speaking the same language, when we believe in different religions, we are in fact worshiping one God. When I look at the Mediterranean, the Read Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arabian Sea or the Persian Gulf I look at our history, and I remember that in struggling we struggled together, in agony we suffered together and in victory we celebrated together.

A Campaign to Fight ...

If you have been given a chance to launch a campaign in your country to fight something what would it be? (e.g. traffic)
Please everyone let’s share our thoughts :)

By guest writer Ghada

No More Dumb and Dumber

Have we given up tasting real arts for the sake of watching On Air conspiracies?!
The main idea of writing this article came to me when I read the article written about "Jacobean Building". I realized that one of the guests mentioned that he/she never heard about the novel when this novel is a best selling! I also noticed that the article, though a very important one, did not receive many comments!
Has this generation gave up tasting real arts through watching, listening and reading what is really worthy for the sake of watching such things as the "so-called" Star Academy!

Bird Flu in Egypt

Bird flu is spreading in Egypt, and it is spreading fast.
Nowadays, people in Egypt are avoiding birds of any kind.
These are just some of the precautions people have to follow :

1. Try to avoid eating travelling birds.
2. At the moment, the flu travels from birds to people, but not from one person to the other. To avoid this from person to person wash your hand before and after eating.

Have You Ever Been Bullied?

When you were young at school, have kids teased and bullied you over your looks, clothes, voice, etc.
Share with us your experiences even if they're painful.
Do you all think that bullies have good reasons to torment and mock people whenever they desire?

By guest writer Bandari

4 is the number !

My friend Hannah of Teatopia has tagged me!

- Four Jobs I’ve Had:
1. Waleg content writer & editor
2. English professor at the university
3. Arabic teacher to non Arabic speakers
4. There isn't a fourth !

- Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. Chocolate
2. Bram Stoker's Dracula
3. GoodFellas
4. Taxi Driver

No One is Better Than Anyone

If no one has anything nice to say, then dont say it.
Learn how to accept the different types of people that exist in the world.
No one is better than anyone. Try to understand that.

Comment by Diane.

Whole Swimsuits for Conservatives!

Well, for a long time, people have made fun of those women that swim in the pool or sea in their clothes because they don't want to seem nude! A lot of Muslim women have taken the liberty of swimming and enjoying the water while wearing their clothes, or wearing a long tight pants and a black long sleeve top so that they wont show off their bodies after coming out of the water. Now, guess what! Christian conservatives in America have also taken such a path! They are encouraging their women and daughters to wear the new Whole Swimsuit!
This new swimsuit is ...

A Comment From Australia

This comment was orginally posted by Carol:

The sad thing is in all this... is that we are all over the world. We are uniting via our emails, communicating freely, enjoying (or for some sweating) about the show, when we should be celebrating the fact that we CAN SPEAK FREELY, post our comments and opinions and have a chat about the show, where ever we may be.

I already have a friend... HI PURE HEART!!! Whom I have never met. She lives in America and I live in Australia. We need to see how lucky we are, and just wish everyone the best. Don’t take it too seriously, just enjoy the ride…

Snacks & Movies

While watching a movie, we usually like to snack on something yummy; like chips, jelly beans or cookies and most of us like butter popcorn!
What do you think is the best snack to eat while watching a movie?

Friday the 13th

Today is Friday and it is the 13th of January ...
You have heard of Friday the 13th, right? Well, do you believe in such superstitions?

Has anything bizarre, scary or freaky ever happened to you on Friday the 13th?
Or have you just seen the movie?

Freedom of Expression in Denmark & Norway

The freedom of expression in Denmark and Norway is recently being tested to whether it is affected by Muslim fundamentalists as they claim by publishing cartoons of prophet Mohammed!?!

For the test to succeed and for the results to be negative... No one is supposed to react about this or even show any opposition!
What if muslims react to this in defence of the prophet? oh, I believe we would be called fundamentalists, or racists as Sabbah mentiond! :|

• Danish Cartoons
• United Arab States (UAS)
• 800 Employees Might Lose Their Jobs

This Day Last Year on WALEG

Mohammad Attieh’s First Song & Video clip

Star Academy’s first Star Mohammad Attieh has released a single and video clip at last ...

Marwa and Her New Album

Lebanese dancer/singer Marwa has released a new album into the market, and a new video clip which can be seen over the Arabic music channels. Well, expect to see CLEAVAGE like never before ...

Aishwarya Rai, Bollywood’s Beauty

Aishwarya Rai gets the sort of web love that even Britney Spears might envy. There are more than 17.000 sites in her honor; which include poetry sites and a site dedicated to her eyes ...

What Does Racism Mean To You?

Racism’s true definition is: the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior, discriminatory and/or abusive behavior towards members of another race. When I hear the word racist or racism my heart starts to beat faster do you know why? Well it’s because as much as people would like to deny it nothing will hide the truth that it is all around us. In schools, homes, countries, and even supermarkets. Racism has started a long time ago and yet keeps going on. It is the most hatred most shameful word I have ever heard or has ever been brought to mankind.

If you are wondering why I am writing this article it’s because I have been posting comments on waleg for a wile now as most of you all know but, all I have seen is hatred, racism, discrimination, and offensive comments towards one another. It’s either about their country or each other’s opinion and this bothers me a lot and I will do my best to fight against such comments.

Virginity

What does virginity mean to you?

Replanting the Cedar

For years it has been uprooted, we knew but only some acted. On February the 14th, 2005 Rafik Hariri died to plunge a root into Lebanese earth.

The root spread to every Lebanese around the world and a spark of patriotic passion was revived within us. The long lost dream came back to our hearts as we all picked up the hammer that fell from a builder's hands. We held our breath and reunited waiting to see if that root will hold the cedar in place.

Christmas

What do you want for Christmas this year ?

One Million Dollars

What would you do with One Million Dollars ?

• Becoming a Millionaire

Fulla, The Arab Barbie

A stunning lady has invaded toy stores around the Arab world, she is the Arab Barbie, Fulla!
Barbie has blue eyes, blond hair and a killer body!
Fulla has black eyes, brown hair less make-up and a killer body!
The other difference is that Fulla wears a head cover and a 3abaiah when leaving the house, and while being in the privacy of her own home wears stunning tight clothes and beautiful dresses that compliment her figure!

Aliens and the Arab Countries

Why do aliens only visit the United States?! Why have we never heard of aliens in Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, or Morocco...?? Do Aliens have something against us? Don’t we believe in Aliens?! Or are we simply uninteresting to them?

To The Teachers

'I wish I had learned to be more creative to have my own original ideas and to express them, we were always taught to think just like the teacher… to agree with all what he says even if we don't agree or simply don't understand!!!'

By Oumri
Comment originally posted on 'Learning in School' post.

A Low, Worthless & Mean Writer

While surfing the net i came across an article written by a low, worthless and mean guy who seems to be living in Silicon Valley, USA. I was SHOCKED and couldn't believe my eyes... Here is part of the article:

"... look at the Muslims or Islams in the Middle East. Poor, stupid, have nots, with their dirty beards and whatnot headdress and robe clothing... the current killings of Islam people en masse did solve only a small amount of our problem. Although 30 thousand sounds a lot, but as we know it's only part of Iraq, and Iraq is only one of the many of the Middle East countries...

Another Place & Time

If something unbelievable happened, and you had the chance to be in another place and time right now, where and when would it be?

Travel Through Time in the Future

I've been thinking about the possibility of being able to travel through time in the future... I don't think it's possible... See, if we travel through time in the future... Shouldn't we see right now people coming from the future?? Think about it!

By guest writer Samah
Send stories & news tidbits

Invitation to Sami Yusuf

To Sami Yusuf,

I would like to invite you to our annual Eid Party this year on November 8th,2005 at our local school in Ontario, Canada. Would you be able to attend.

It would be a honour, and especially the young muslim boys and girls would be thrilled to see you, also the School Staff and Principal. Inshallah hope to hear from you soon.

Sarah.

• Sami Yusuf .. My Ummah (Arabic)
• Sami Yusuf , Music for Islam

Introduce Yourself

This post was posted by Adam on WALEG Forum on 'Introduce Yourself' thread':
This is how it works, you introduce yourself, lol. Ok, ill start. My name is Adam Bouhachem, I am 17 years old...

The Deadliest Quakes in Modern Times

True Beauty of The Veil

'This article is actually a poem and its for all the ladies who wear veils. Its a poem from a friend of mine.' HinDawDaw

What do you see when you look at me?
Do you see someone limited, or someone free?
All some people can do is just look and stare, Simply because they cant see my hair…

Others think I’m controlled and uneducated.
They think I’m not limited and not liberated, They are so thankful that they are not me, Because they would like to remain so “free”.

The Clever Discovery of George Bush

This joke was sent to us by a friend, it's really funny:

Before the 2001 Inauguration, George Bush was invited to a get acquainted tour of the White House. After drinking several glasses of iced tea, he asked Bill Clinton if he could use his personal bathroom. When he entered Clinton's private toilet, he was astonished to see that President Clinton had a solid gold urinal.

Are Al Shamshoun Still The Simpsons ?

MBC television is broadcasting the American Hit Comedy The Simpsons in Arabic and with an extreme makeover!
This Ramadan Omer, Mona,Bader and Bisa Shamshoun are the characters of Al Shamshoun.
These people originally live cheotically, and especially 'Homer'; burping, drinking beer, and acting like a pig ... But the new Omer doesn't do this stuff any more ...
Do you think that Al Shamshoun are still the unique 'Simpsons' ?

Share your Favorite Dishes With Us

Do you have a favorite dish on Ramadan? Do you make a certain sweets only on this month and that are only known in your country?
Share your traditional dishes, your favorite food and sweets in your country with us.

If you can also write the recipe, please submit it here and we will publish it on WALEG Kitchen to share it with everyone :)

We are looking forward to hear from you all.

Lighted Bedroom Slippers

Now you can easily move in your house at night when there is no light without the risk of tripping over objects or running into doors, furniture or anything not easily seen in the dark.
A slippers with light in the toes have been created for that purpose making your night time trips to the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere in your house safe.

I think this is a good use of technology to keep our toes safe from an accident at night especially when we need to go to the bathroom in the dark ;)

Bicycles for the High Oil Prices

Now that the oil and petrol prices have gone sky rocketing, we people all over the world have to find a better and cheaper way to get around. Why don’t we walk for example, or take the bus, or better yet, ride a bike to work or school?A bike is healthy, cheaper than a car, economic, environmentally safe and easier to park as well.

Beats a car any day !

What would be your solution to the high petrol prices?

Body Piercing … Safe?

Tattooing was a previous issue we discussed on WALEG, but what catches the attention more these days is body piercing. Females and males alike are having strange parts of their bodies pierced, whether at a certified piercing shop or not it is as simple as it sounds, it is not painless, nor is it totally safe.

Tattoo and piercing shops are supposed to be certified and totally clean, but could you ever be 100% sure?
Piercing the ears is very normal, but what do you think of piercing the eye brows, nose, lip, chin, nipples and inserting metal balls under the skin?

Gay Marriages, Whose Next?

A few months ago, Spain became the fourth country in the world to officially allow same sex couples to get married. The Spanish parliament has legalized gay marriage despite all protests issued by the Roman Catholic Church.
The other three countries that approved marriages for the same-sex couples are Canada, Netherlands and Belgium.

Gay people in these countries can legally marry, and also allowed to adopt children and to benefit the same rights like any other marriage!

Do you think we will see an Arab country legalizing gay marriages in the future despite our Arab conservative nature? What do you think of this matter?

Free Gaza Strip !

Do you think that the Gaza strip is totally free of occupation now?

Will Israel reoccupy it again?

Interesting Numbers

- Religions of The World
- Palestinians Killed in Gaza
- Dreams We Have Per Year
- Most Expensive Stamp in the World
- Worldwide Pregnancies

Only Three Wishes

If you were to meet a genie, like the one from Aladdin's Magical Lamp, and he grants you only three wishes, What would they be?

Michael Moore Letter to Bush

Atter Michael Moore had exposed Bush's actions in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks in Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary, this time, Moore wrote a letter to George W Bush asking him about his response to rescue Hurricane Katrina survivors:

"Dear Mr Bush: Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted.

Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?

The Iraqi Disaster

More than a thousand people were killed, men women and children… either drowned or ran over by the terrified Iraqis that thought it was another suicide bomber. And all these innocent people died for no reason, all they were doing was following their believes and visiting a holy shrine.

Watching Iraqi TV channels broadcasts and interviews with people asking about their stories: women crying both for sadness and frustration as when this will end… How many more innocent Iraqis are going to die? And will Iraq ever become a normal peaceful country?

Jews and Injustice

'... For the sake of about half a percent of the population of the Gaza Strip, a Jewish half-percent, the lives of the remaining 99.5 percent were totally disrupted and destroyed - the fate of 1,300,000 people - while the entire world appeared to be focused on every one of the 8,000 Jews who are moving house! ...'

By Amira Hass, an Israeli journalist and author, mostly known for her columns in the daily newspaper Ha'aretz.

Female feet

In summer there is a tendency to wear sandals and flip flops mostly by girls… What turned my attention is the difference between European girls feet and Arab girls feet… most girls feet that are originally from Europe are always clean, their toe nails are also clean, something that doesn’t come naturally but it means that they are taking care of their feet. On the other hand, Arab girls don’t take care of their feet, most of the Arab girls leave the color of the polish on their toe nails not well taken care of, and the bottom of their feet are dry and rough which gives the female foot a dirty look…

I believe that feet are an important part of our body in many aspects like beauty and health… Why do Arab females neglect their feet? Is it something that is not in our culture or is it just forgotten?

Technology Invasion On Our Culture

Melody, Mazzika, Gzira, El hora, Iqraa, El mehwar, Rotana…, a very big variety of satellite channels surrounding us every where we go.
Some of them are destroying all our morals, oriental customs and culture. Others are contributing in increasing people's knowledge and awareness toward what goes around them in the world.
That's why some people suggest protecting our houses, ourselves and our children from the satellites invasion, while others see that T.V culture became an indispensable part of our life that helps us to always be up to date.

Are we (as Arabs) a nation that has that much NO CONTROL on itself, that we avoid ourselves from technology because we can't change the TV channel if it's Hayfaa or Nagla who's singing??? (I mean dancing!)

Where Are We Exactly From Nasa & Discovery ?

This morning I was watching the live video on the Internet from the NASA Space Center and the Shuttle Discovery. The Shuttle was supposed to land today, but the whole procedure was delayed until tomorrow because of bad weather conditions over Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
But what struck me was that where are we ‘The Arabs’ from all this technology and unbelievable things that are happening in the world?

Dreams, Could They Be Predictions of the Future?

Scientists and religious people have debated about dreams for hundreds of years! Can dreams predict the future? Do dreams have meaning? What do you think of dreams?

Continue reading "Dreams, Could They Be Predictions of the Future?"

MSN Sandbox

Did you ever heared about MSN Sandbox? It is a place to play with new MSN technologies and look at prototypes... One of the interesting projects are:

- Start.com: A rival to Google's Start Page which its layout and use of javascript is very similar to Google's!

- MSN Virtual Earth: An immersive way to search, discover and explore the world online.

Arabs Abroad

A lot of Arabs live abroad, in America, Europe, Russia and other places around the world ... But things have changed for these Arabs after horrific terrorist attacks like the latest ones in