Statement of support from professionals in cultural, artistic & academic fields in the EU, US & Canada for Palestinian rights amidst the ongoing massacre of Palestinians in Gaza

Statement of support from professionals in cultural, artistic & academic fields in the EU, US & Canada for Palestinian rights amidst the ongoing massacre of Palestinians in Gaza
Statement: Writer Noor Naga, singer Yasmine Hamdan & artists Hamed Sino & Ali Cherri are amongst over 350 signatories expressing unconditional support for Palestinian rights in the face of the ongoing massacre endured by Palestinians in Gaza.
15 min read
03 Nov, 2023
The death toll from Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip reaches 9,227 killed, including over 3,826 children and 32,500 people wounded. [GETTY]

We are Arab or Arabic-speaking professionals in the cultural, artistic, and academic fields in the European Union, the United States, and Canada, who hold dual nationalities or are residents of these countries. We unequivocally express our unconditional support for Palestinian rights in the face of the ongoing massacre endured by Palestinians in Gaza.

In some of these countries, the prevailing climate has reached the degree of silencing and suppressing Arab voices demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians in both the media and in public spaces. It is moving towards prohibiting the raising of the Palestinian flag and wearing keffiyehs, restricting the freedom to express support for Palestinians, and limiting genuine political discourse on the subject of resistance to occupation. This suppression has exacerbated a discourse of hate and racism directed towards individuals of Arab descent in these countries. Regrettably, we are witnessing distressing events targeting Arab residents and attempting to limit their professional opportunities.

''Remaining silent regarding the war crimes committed by the Israeli army is a seal of approval justifying the colossal massacre to which Palestinians are subjected to today.''

In recent history, the governments of some of these countries have not only supported authoritarian regimes in Arab countries, or invaded others, or bolstered military, sectarian, and nepotistic corrupt regimes that impoverish and deprive their citizens of freedom. These Western countries have also turned a blind eye to the Palestinian tragedy and entirely disregarded the rights of Palestinians. Remaining silent regarding the war crimes committed by the Israeli army is a seal of approval justifying the colossal massacre to which Palestinians are subjected to today.

Today, we stand up for our people at home and abroad, and we loudly declare that we will not allow the silencing of Palestinians, Arabs and pro-Palestinians. Therefore, we utilise our positions and privileges to defend our people, and we will continue to do so. We call on the free people of the world everywhere to stand with us against this attack that threatens to dismantle the very foundations of freedoms and values, transforming them into overt systems of tyranny.

Justice for Palestinians, and for the oppressed of the world, now and forever.

  1. A. Naji Bakhti / Author / UK
  2. Abdalrahman Alqalaq / Poet & Artist / Germany
  3. Abdelrahman Dnewar / Filmmaker / Germany
  4. Abdelrahman Hussein / Visual Artist / Switzerland
  5. Abdul-Wahab Kayyali / Musician / Canada
  6. Addie Leak / Literary Translator / USA
  7. Adham Zidan / Composer, Performer & Sound Engineer / Switzerland
  8. Ahmad Makia / Writer / UAE / Canada
  9. Ahmed Abofoul / International Lawyer & Legal Researcher / Netherlands
  10. Ahmed Awny / Writer / Germany
  11. Ahmed Ayed / Artist / Belgium
  12. Ahmed Elghazoly / Musician / Germany
  13. Ahmed El Lozy / Filmmaker / Egypt
  14. Ahmed Farouk / Author & Translator / Germany
  15. Ahmed Morsi / Architect & Curator / Italy
  16. Ahmed Naji / Writer / USA
  17. Aïda Camprubí / Journalist / Spain
  18. Alaa Elkamhawi / Photojournalist / Germany
  19. Alexandra Allaeys / Coordinator & Mental Health Coach / Belgium
  20. Alexandra Tatar / Artist & Researcher / Austria
  21. Alhasan Yousef / Filmmaker / Belgium
  22. Alia Ayman / Film Programmer & Academic / USA
  23. Ali Cherri / Artist / France
  24. Ali Nasser / Actor / USA
  25. Almourad Aldeeb / Filmmaker / Germany
  26. Alsarah Abunama-Elgadi / Musician  / USA
  27. Amal Abbass / Teacher / USA
  28. Amanda Abi Khalil / Curator / Lebanon / France / Brazil
  29. Amira Chebli / Artist / France
  30. Ammar Alhoushi / Academic / Netherlands
  31. Amro Fatayer / Academic Writer / Portugal
  32. Andres Burbano / Artist & Academic / France
  33. Areej Kaoud / Artist & Writer / UK
  34. Armin Firouzabadi / Musician / UK
  35. Arno Ferrera / Artist / Belgium
  36. Aya Adra / Researcher / Spain
  37. Aya El Dika / Interpreter & Musician / France
  38. Ayham Dalal / Academic / Germany
  39. Ayman Hassan / Artist / Netherlands
  40. Aziz Zoromba / Filmmaker / Canada
  41. Basma al-Sharif / Artist / Germany
  42. Basma Elmahdy / Journalist & Academic / Germany
  43. Basma Jabr / Singer / Vienna
  44. Bayan Abubakr / PhD Candidate in History at Yale University / USA
  45. Bereen Darwish / Artist / Sweden
  46. Bilal Athimni / Filmmaker / Germany
  47. Billy Ka / Academic, Poet / Netherlands
  48. Bint7alal / Artist / UK
  49. Bissane Alcharif / Artist / France
  50. Caline Nasrallah / Translator, Editor & Writer / Canada
  51. Carmel Alabbasi / Artist / Germany / Norway
  52. Chada Halawani / Dancer & Visual Artist / Germany
  53. Charlie Prince / Artist / Canada
  54. Cherine Karam / Filmmaker / USA
  55. Christel Salem / Artist / Lebanon / Germany
  56. Christopher Garrett / Artist / USA
  57. Cirien Saadeh / Teacher, Community Organiser & Journalist / USA
  58. Dalal Mitwally / Artist  / Netherlands
  59. Dalia Khamissy / Photographer / Lebanon
  60. Dalia Naous / Actress & Dancer / France
  61. Dana Alsayegh  / Architect, Designer & Artist / Belgium
  62. Dana Hamieh / University Student / Netherlands
  63. Dana Salama / Architect / Canada/ Egypt
  64. Danielle Dirr / Designer / USA
  65. Danya Hammoud / Artist / France
  66. Dany Khalife / Artist & Designer / USA
  67. Deema Amr - DJ Dumtak / Filmmaker and DJ / Germany
  68. Deena Abdelwahed / Dj & Composer / France
  69. Dellair Youssef / Writer / Germany
  70. Devorah Livadna / Artist & Writer / Germany
  71. Diana Abbani / Academic / Germany
  72. Dima Albitar Kalaji / Writer / Germany
  73. Dima Charif/ Journalist / UK
  74. Dina Al-Kassim / Academic / Canada
  75. Dina El-Aziz / Costume Designer / US
  76. Dina El Husseiny / Lawyer / US
  77. Dina Mimi / Artist / Netherlands
  78. Dina Mohamed / Artist / Netherlands
  79. Doaa Kaddah / PHD Student / Berlin /Germany
  80. Ebrahim Bahaa-Eldin / Photographer & Anthropologist / Egypt
  81. Eman Hussein / Dancer / Zurich
  82. Emma Harake / Artist / Canada
  83. Emné Nasereddine / Poet / France
  84. Engy Mohsen / Artist & Curator / Switzerland
  85. Ethar Ali / Medical student / Netherlands
  86. Eve Bonneau / Artist / Belgium
  87. Eyad Houssami / Writer / Germany
  88. Fadi A. Bardawil / Academic / USA
  89. Fadi Abdelnour / Publisher and Curator / Germany
  90. Fahd Al Riachi / Engineer & Music Producer / France
  91. Fai Ahmed / Artist / USA
  92. Farah Hijazi / Researcher & Artist / Netherlands
  93. Fares El Helou / Actor / France
  94. Farid Nader / Filmmaker & Storyteller / Germany
  95. Faten Toubasi / Community & Visual Artist / Canada
  96. Fayrouz yousfi / Researcher / Belgium
  97. Firas Nassri / Musician  / Canada
  98.  Firas Shehadeh  / Artist  / Austria
  99. Forat Elalfy / Multimedia Designer / Germany
  100. Gamaal El Attar / Filmmaker / Belgium
  101. Gehad Quisay / PhD student  / Scotland
  102. Ghassan Hage / Academic / Germany
  103. Ghassan Salhab / Filmmaker / Lebanon
  104. Golan Haji / Poet / France
  105. Habiba Hajj Ali / Filmmaker / Belgium
  106. Hafsa Elazzaoui / Cultural Worker / Belgium
  107. Hajar Moutaouakil / Artist & Author / Netherlands
  108. Hakim Abdelnaeem  / Artist / France
  109. Hala Abdel Malak / Educator, Researcher & Curator / USA
  110. Hamed Sinno / Artist / USA
  111. Hamza Badran / Artist / Switzerland
  112. Hanan Abunasser  / Educator  / Sweden
  113. Hana Sleiman / Academic  / UK
  114. Haneen Mohamed / Artist & Archivist / USA
  115. Haya Mortada / Anthropologist / USA
  116. Haytham El Wardany / Writer / Germany
  117. Hazem Saleh  / Artist  / Germany
  118. Heba Habib / Writer / Sweden
  119. Hebatallah Tolba / Researcher / UK
  120. Hebatallah Tolba / Researcher / UK
  121. Hesham Marold / Filmmaker / Germany
  122. Hilal Chouman / Writer / Canada
  123. Hilda Moucharrafieh / Artist / Netherlands
  124. Himmat Zoubi / Academic / Germany
  125. Hoda El Shakry / Academic / USA
  126. Huda Al-Attas / Writer & Academic / Netherlands
  127. Huda Asfour / Artist & Engineer / USA
  128. Ichraf Nasri  / Artist / Belgium
  129. Iman Mersal / writer / Canada
  130. Imène Amara / Feminist Activist, Writer & Researcher / France
  131. Ines Mouzoune / Artist & Musician / Switzerland
  132. Ines Sassi / Designer / France
  133. Isis Lecaro / Student / USA
  134. Iskandar Abdalla / Curator & Academic / Germany
  135. Jad Dahshan / Writer / USA
  136. Jad Wadi / Visual Artist / USA
  137. Jamila Ghaddar / Academic & Archivist / Canada
  138. Jannah Emam / Artist & Musician / Germany
  139. Jara Nassar / Writer, Performer & Poet / Germany
  140. Jayce Salloum / Artist / Canada
  141. Jebali synda / Dancer & Videographer / France / Tunisia
  142. Jennifer Derr / Academic / USA
  143. Joseph Daher / Academic / Switzerland
  144. Jude Abu Zaineh / Artist / Canada
  145. Juliette Mourad / Artist / Belgium
  146. Jumana Manna / Artist / Germany
  147. Kaleem Hawa / Writer / USA
  148. Kamal  Aljafari / Filmmaker  / France
  149. Karim Marold / Filmmaker / Germany
  150. Karim Mrabti  / Film Producer / Netherlands
  151. Karim Safieddine / PhD Student / USA
  152. Karim  Youssef / Filmmaker / Denmark
  153. Karine Rathle / Artist / Canada
  154. Katharine Halls / Translator / Germany / UK
  155. Kenan Darwich / Artist / Germany
  156. Kenney Elkomous / Musician & Arts Administrator / USA
  157. Kenza Benabderrazik  / Academic / Switzerland
  158. Khadija Baker / Artist / Canada
  159. Khitam Idris / Poet / Canada
  160. Kholod Saghir  / Art Director / Sweden
  161. Kholood Elsayed  / PhD student & Assistant Lecturer / UK
  162. Khyam Allami / Musician/Composer / Germany
  163. Kifaya zalabani / Teacher / USA
  164. Kinda Hassan / Sound Artist & Visual Artist / France
  165.  Lamees Audeh / Musician / Canada
  166. Lara Soliman / Academic / Egypt
  167. Leena Ghannam / Academic / USA
  168. Leila Tayeb / Academic / USA
  169. Leil Zahra / Artist & Filmmaker / Germany
  170. Léna Bagutti Khennouf / Dancer & Choreographer / Switzerland
  171. Leyla Dakhli / Academic / Germany
  172. Liliane Daoud  / Journalist, Researcher / UK
  173. Linda al Sharif/ Anthropologist & Activist / Netherlands
  174. Liwaa yazji, Writer & Filmmaker/ Germany
  175. Lore Baeten / Academic, Translator  / Belgium
  176. Lorène Karam / Academic / Netherlands / France
  177. Louisa Babari / Artist / France
  178. Louna Sbou / Director/ Germany
  179. Lucine Serhan / Artist & Social Worker / Canada
  180. Mahmoud El Haddad / Artist / France
  181. Mahmoud El Safadi / Artist & Curator / Canada
  182. Mahmoud Khaled / Artist / Germany
  183. Mahmoud Omar / Filmmaker / France
  184. Majdal Nateel / Visual Artist / Sweden
  185. Majd Al-Shihabi / Academic / Canada
  186. Majd Mastoura / Actor / France
  187. Manar Moursi / Artist & Academic / USA / Canada
  188. Manar Shabouk  / Academic & Writer / Canada
  189. Mandana Mansouri / Artist / Canada
  190. Marcelle Shehwaro / Writer  / USA
  191. Mariam Mekiwi / Filmmaker / Germany
  192. Mariam Sobh / Artist / Canada
  193. Marihan / Dancer / Italy
  194. Marion Slitine / Anthropologist & Curator / France
  195. Marwan Kaabour / Artist, Designer & Founder of Takweer / UK
  196. Maxim Mokdad / Architect / Bulgaria
  197. Max Weiss / Academic / USA
  198. Maya Assouad / Editor / Canada
  199. Maya Boty Kadour  / Journalist / France
  200. Mayada Ibrahim / Translator / USA
  201. Maysam Taher / Academic / USA
  202. Melissa Chaptini / Public Relations Professional / Canada
  203. Meryem Alaoui / Dance Artist / Canada
  204. Michael(a) Daoud / Artist & Researcher / Germany
  205. Michaelle Browers / Professor / USA
  206. Milad Khawam / Musician & Composer / Germany
  207. Mira Adoumier / Filmmaker / Norway
  208. Miranda Beshara  / Children’s Author & Translator / France
  209. Mohamad Al Rashi / Artist / France
  210. Mohamad Chakhashiro / Musician / Belgium
  211. Mohamad El-Hadidi  / Filmmaker / Germany
  212. Mohamed Abdelkarim / Artist / Netherlands
  213. Mohamed Amine Ennouri / Musician / France
  214. Mohamed Fouad / Dancer & Choreographer / France
  215. MOHAMED JASIM / Poet translator / Sweden
  216. Mohamed Naeem / Writer / USA
  217. Mohamed Toukabri  / Artist, Choreographer & Dancer / Belgium
  218. Mohammad Abou Laban / Writer / Germany
  219. Mohammad Abu Hajar / Academic & Musician / Germany
  220. Mohammad Darious/ Writer & Journalist / France
  221. Mohammad Rabie / Writer / Germany
  222. Mohammad Shawky Hassan / Filmmaker / Germany
  223. Mohammed Abdallah/ Cultural Worker/ Germany
  224. Mohammed Abugeth / Filmmaker / Berlin
  225. Mohannad Azzam / Artist / Egypt
  226. Mona Baker / Academic / UK
  227. Mona Elshimi / Writer / Canada
  228. Mona Merhi / Creative Writer & Academic / USA
  229. Mona Miari / Musician / USA
  230. Mortada Gzar / Writer / USA
  231. Mosab Alnomire / Poet & Journalist / Canada
  232. Mostafa Abdel Aty / Visual Artist / Egypt
  233. Mostafa Fahmy / Producer  / UK
  234. Mostafa Lotfy / PhD Student / USA
  235. Muhammad Jabali  / Writer & Artist / Germany
  236. Muriam Haleh Davis / Associate Professor of History / USA
  237. Nabeel Khalid / Writer / UK
  238. Nabil Farag / Visual artist & VFX Artist / Germany
  239. Nada Elshabrawy / Poet, Content Creator & Phd Student / USA
  240. Nadah Elshazly / Musician / Canada
  241. Nada Moumtaz  / Academic / Canada
  242. Nada Moumtaz  / Academic / Canada
  243. Nadia Agamawy / Researcher / Canada
  244. Nadia Daou / Musician  / Switzerland
  245. Nadia Wassef / Author & bookseller / UK
  246. Nadim Bahsoun / Artist / France
  247. Nadine Kassem / Gym Owner / Canada
  248. Nadine Naffah / Artist & Social Worker / Belgium
  249. Nadine Naous / Filmmaker / France
  250. Naila Al-Atrash / Artist Academic / USA
  251. Nariman Youssef / Translator / UK
  252. Natalie Stamatopoulos / Writer / USA
  253. Nayera Abdelrahman / Academic / Germany
  254. Nayla Naoufal / Curator, Writer & Cultural Worker / Canada
  255. Nayrouz Abu Hatoum / Academic / Canada
  256. Nesreen Nabil Hussein / Academic / UK
  257. Nicolas Rahal / Visual artist & Designer / Germany
  258. Nisrine Mbarki / Writer / Netherlands
  259. Noelle BuAbud / Artist / Germany
  260. Noor Abuarafeh / Artist / Netherlands
  261. Noora Dadu / Actor & Writer / Finland
  262. Noor Naga / Writer & Academic / Canada / Egypt
  263. Noor Taher / Teacher / Canada
  264. Nour Abu Husan / Philosophy PhD / Canada
  265. Nourane Radwane / Contemporary Dancer / Egypt
  266. Nour Bakr / Producer / Belgium
  267. Nour Hifaoui / Illustrator / France
  268. Nuri / Musician / France
  269. Nyla Matuk / Writer / Canada
  270. Ola Galal  / Academic  / USA
  271. Omar Adel / Artist / Germany
  272. Omar Berrada / Writer / USA
  273. Omar Elhamy / Filmmaker / Canada
  274. Omar Jabary Salamanca / Researcher & Cultural Worker / Belgium
  275. Omnia El Shakry / Academic / USA
  276. Omnia Khalil / Academic / USA
  277. Oraib Toukan / Artist & educator / Germany
  278. Perwana Nazif / Writer & Academic / USA
  279. Philip Rizk / Filmmaker / Germany
  280. Poline Harbali  / Artist / Canada
  281. Qasem Albasri / Journalist / France
  282. Rabab Abdulhadi / Academic & Writer / USA
  283. Rabii Brahim / Actor & Curator / Italy
  284. Radouan Mriziga / Choreographer / Belgium
  285. Radwa El Barouni / Academic / USA
  286. Radwan Ghazi Moumneh / Artist / Canada
  287. Raffi Feghali / Theater Maker / Netherlands / Lebanon
  288. Ramez melhem / Visual Artist / Germany
  289. Ramy Al-Asheq / Poet & Journalist / Germany
  290. Rana Hamadeh / Artist / Netherlands
  291. Rana Issa / Writer / Norway
  292. Rana Yazaji / Researcher & Cultural Manager / Germany
  293. Rand Abou Fakher / Filmmaker / Belgium
  294. Randa Mirza / Artist / France
  295. Rand Hammoud / Illustrator & Artist / Belgium
  296. Rania Younis / Artist / Canada
  297. Ranwa Alamsi / Writer / Netherlands
  298. Rasha Abbas / Writer / Germany
  299. Rasha arous  / Academic  / Canada
  300. Rasha Hilwi / Writer & Journalist / Netherlands
  301. Rasha salah / Curator / Lebanon
  302. Rasha Salti / Curator / Germany
  303. Rashid Novaire / Writer / Netherlands
  304. Rawad Z. Wehbe / Academic / USA
  305. Reeham Mourad  / Academic  / USA
  306. Rima Sghaier / Feminist activist / Italy
  307. Rim El Cheikh / AI researcher / France
  308. Rita Habib / Artist / Martinique
  309. Rowaa Ibrahim  / Spatial Practices / Germany
  310. Rozeen Bisharat / Filmmaker  / Germany
  311. Saber Zammouri / Filmmaker / France
  312. Sabrina Jebari / Filmmaker / France
  313. Salah Hamed / Musician  / Germany
  314. Salam Jabbour / Researcher / Ireland
  315. Saleem Salameh / Writer & Producer / Netherlands
  316. Salim Jawaied / Artist / Germany
  317. Salma Amer / Academic & Poet / Canada
  318. Salma ataya / Artist  / Ireland
  319. Salma Labayed / Cultural Manager / Spain
  320. Salman Nawati/ Artist / Sweden
  321. Salma Said / Artist / Germany
  322. Salma Salah / Writer & Translator / USA
  323. Salma Shamel / Academic / USA
  324. Sami Rustom / Artist / Germany
  325. Sanabel Abdelrahman  / Academic & Writer / Germany
  326. Sana Tannoury-Karam / Academic / Germany
  327. Sara Abou Ghazal / Writer / Belgium
  328. Sara Alsherif / Academic, PhD Candidate in University of Sussex  / UK
  329. Sara Ishaq / Filmmaker  / Netherlands
  330. Sara Shahwan / Academic / UK
  331. Sasha Ali / Creative Producer / USA
  332. Selim Dir Melaïzi / Light Designer / Geneva
  333. Selim El Sadek / Filmmaker & Academic  / Germany
  334. Selma M. Yonus / Author / Norway
  335. Serenah Sabat / Digital Marketer / Portugal
  336. Shady Rabab / Musician / Canada
  337. Shahrzad Arshadi /Artist / Canada
  338. Sham Abyad / Singer / USA
  339. Sharif Elmusa / Academic & Poet / USA
  340. Shayma Nader / Artist / Belgium
  341. Shorouk El Hariry / Writer & Academic / Germany
  342. Simon Dubois / Academic / France
  343. Sinan Antoon, Writer & Academic / USA
  344. Sinin Nakhle / Artist, Writer, Performer & PhD candidate / Netherlands
  345. Soheir Fouzat / Poet / Canada
  346. Sondos Shabayek / Filmmaker / Germany
  347. Sophia Halim / Social Worker / USA
  348. Souad Abi Samra / Academic / Belgium
  349. Souheila Yildiz / Artist/Researcher / Belgium
  350. Stefan Pente / Artist / Germany
  351. Suneela Mubayi / Translator & Independent Scholar / USA
  352. Synda Jebali / Dancer & Videographer / France / Tunisia
  353. Tamam Habib / Academic / Netherlands
  354. Tania El Khoury / Artist / USA
  355. Tania Feghali  / Artist & Filmmaker / Italy
  356. Tarek Bali / Comedian / Germany
  357. Tarek Reda Kamal Abdallah Mohamed / Musician & Artist / Belgium
  358. Tariq M. Suleiman / Researcher & Editor / Germany
  359. Taüs Jafar / Artist & Musician / USA
  360. Teyama Alkamli / Filmmaker  / Canada
  361. The Regional Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA) / Feminist Coalition / Spain
  362. Tom Abi Samra / Academic / USA
  363. Vida Samiian / Professor and Dean Emerita, CSU Fresno / USA
  364. Wassila Abboud / Journalist  / Netherlands
  365. Yamen Hussein / Poet / Germany
  366. Yamna Atlassi  / Anti-discrimination Consultant / Belgium
  367. Yara El Murr / Journalist / Canada
  368. Yasmeen Daher / Academic / Germany
  369. Yasmina Jaafri / Editor / France
  370. Yasmina Reggaf / Performance Artist, Dramaturge & Researcher / Belgium
  371. Yasmine Hamdan / Singer & Songwriter / France
  372. Yasmin Elbeih / Writer / Netherlands
  373. Yasser Abdellatif / Writer / Canada
  374. Yassin al-Haj Saleh / Writer/ Germany
  375. Yassin Swehat / Journalist / Germany
  376. Youness atbsnr / Artist / Germany
  377. Youness Khoukhou / Artist / Belgium
  378. Zahra Ali / Academic / USA
  379. Zahra Alzubaidi / Singer / USA
  380. Zahra Kuhail  / Social Media Manager / Portugal
  381. Zain Salem / Artist & Dramaturg / Germany
  382. Zaki Mahfoud / Storyteller & Journalist / Canada
  383. Ziad Dallal / Academic / USA
  384. Zina Jab / Architecture / Germany
  385. Ziyad Hawwas / Film editor & Video Artist / Germany

 

Mona Seif is a British - Egyptian human rights defender known for her participation in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, her use of social media to document human rights abuses and for her work towards ending military trials of civilians. Mona is one of the leading organisers of the #FreeAlaa campaign, dedicated to the case of her brother Alaa Abd el-Fattah, the British-Egyptian writer imprisoned in Egypt for most of the past decade.

This statement has been collectively published by the signatories exclusively with The New Arab despite being under the name of one author.

Have questions or comments? Email us at: editorial-english@newarab.com

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.