How sectarian are you, is a question that I’ve often thought of and produced a few traits that might indicate the level of sectarianism in a person. A recent article by Ghanim Alnajjar in Alwasat newspaper; however, has written a good comprehensive list which could be used to judge the level of a person’s sectarianism much better than my attempts. Here’s my translation. Feel free to take the test and indicate your score in the comments. …
By mahmood 
There’s nothing more sacred than giving one’s life up to serve one’s country, to protect it and repel its enemies. Those are the courageous heroes. The few amongst the many. Who sacrifice their lives such. My condolences to the families and friends of the martyred soldiers and to Bahrain. I remember that I proposed the creation of a National Edifice during the first National Dialogue to commemorate and remember our martyrs. Wether they be from the …
By mahmood 
So much unnecessary loss of life. At the root of it, one group believes they and only they are right. The others are worthless creatures who should be exterminated. Those people, who I believe fueled war and strife in Syria and elsewhese will not be moved by the horrible images and their conscience one single iota, that is, if their conscience existed in the first place. In fact, they’ll find a way to justify the exodus, …
By mahmood 
After a recent visit, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, declared: “Yemen after five months looks like Syria after five years.” – BBC What started as hope for change for the better, hope for a better future, hope for democracy and human rights, soon descended into calculated chaos. None of the countries afflicted by that spark have faired well. None. Heavy handedness in dealing with popular demands, deep mistrust …
By mahmood 
Did we have more taste then than we have now? Life was more colourful then, as this beautifully simple currency shows. It harkens back to a time when things appeared easier. And as far as I can remember, even the weather was a much better! I still remember the smells of those balmy summer nights as we watched the stars in a dark, unpolluted sky as we dozed off to sleep on mats on the roof. …
By mahmood 
Over the last few months a change has descended on me. A restlessness that is not quenched just by going to work, making money and paying the bills. I most certainly came to the realisation a long time ago that I did not want such a life. That was, in fact, the primary reason why I left a secure and well paying career to embark on the much more difficult entrepreneurial journey. I believed that entrepreneurship …
By mahmood 
It’s been such a long time since I published anything here. I’ve lost interest, but kept the blog up for posterity’s sake. I believe it served a purpose, and still does. It holds inspiration for some, and a healthy archive for others. To me, I can’t just delete it as it’s a part of me and my identity. I still love the sweat, tears and anguish as well as a lot of laughter and best friendships …
By mahmood 
By mahmood 
The thing that truly disturbs me about attempting to write anything, in my blog here or elsewhere, is the necessity to censor myself, and thinking twice, thrice or more about just about everything I write. The environment in Bahrain at the moment isn’t conducive to free thought or speech. Everything – it seems – is construed as traitorous, or at least unpatriotic. The political views are so far apart now that there is no hope of …
By mahmood 
Where has the time gone? For goodness’s sake it feels like Jan 1st, 2014 was just yesterday! Never mind. Let me recap the goals I set for myself for 2014 and see how I did. Here goes:DONE: Run the Athens Half Marathon (read the “down side” below) DONE: Maintain weight at or below 91kg – I’ve actually averaged 86kgs with 83.5 being least and 89 max DONE: Go the gym 5 times a week. Nailed …
By mahmood