Persiflage & Paroxysm

An open and honest dialogue must be started without delay between the adherents of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths and all their various branches. This dialogue should start by discussing all the prejudices and stereotypes, we should tell each other what we never dared do before; say how we really feel and what we really think of each other. We express how we really feel often to others of the same faith that is why we often start a conversation in Lebanon with ‘which part of the country are you from?’ unless the other person’s name is a dead give away as to which faith he belongs to. But such dialogue must not include men of the cloth who have political ambition or who hold high office. I would rather have a lowly priest or monk like Martin Luther from a small village represent Christianity in such a dialogue than a bishop. We need both moderates and extremists in such a dialogue; we don’t want to gloss over anything. People must be willing and must be courageous enough to sit...

‘Wanted: Inspirational and charismatic democrats to lead several Arab countries, excellent navigational skills required to traverse hell and high water, must speak several tribal dialects, must submit to interview by several million people, if chosen, salary will be competitive, please, no time wasters, only serious contenders need apply' A fictional classified ad appears in one of world’s leading newspapers. The great Arab nation of philosophers and poets, great knights and tragic villains, is without a captain at its helm. Who knows, it may actually happen one day, we may actually see such an ad. They may have been poor excuses for leaders, but our erstwhile dictators were all we had. Now we need to search for someone or something to take their place. If one looks at successful revolutions throughout history one notices they are as bloody if not more so than unsuccessful ones. There is a price to be paid in blood, of that there is no doubt, but that price does not guarante...