Anti-Islam Film "Innocence of Muslims" Kills People

For starter, I wish we Muslims do not get worked up as much about things that are offensive to us. This rage can be used against us and it certainly can be used to harm others among us. If we get upset every time a moron makes a vile movie about Islam, draws a cartoon of the prophet, or says dumb things, we are in trouble. Because certain people will use that to get us to react in a certain way to show others that we are not civilized. But this is what we have to deal with. We should not kill people even if we do not like them, this should be our attitude. Having said that, I'm a free speech absolutist - but I'm not an anti-religion absolutist

The teaser movie "Innocence of Muslims", depicts Muhammad as a fraud and a womanizer. that has been making the rounds on the internet had 54 actors in and and close to 50 people behind the camera it cost 5 million dollars to make. We are also being told that it was financed by a 100 Jewish funders. The director of the film is an Israeli who lives in California and now is in hiding. He made this movie despite the facts he knows what will happen. He now has blood on his hands. Why did he release the movie now?

Now this is where my opinion kicks in, Obama is trying to get elected and he is having to answer a lot of questions. Now he has to explain to the American people about the death of American diplomats in Libya and trouble in Egypt. It will not make things easier for him. If anything many ultraconservative Israelis seem not like him and are more interested in seeing him gone. The preview was also released on the 11th anniversary of 9/11.

It seems the director wants to see this get worse, he is adding gasoline to the fire....with statements like "Islam is a cancer" and 100 Jewish people funded my project. I think most Jewish people are smart enough not to put a dime for such a project. And then this is this annoying Coptic activists lawyer who has been attached to the film. He is a disgrace to his people and he is making his life much worse for his peers. He is not helping them. For this reason, more than a 130 Coptic group have spoken out against this film and the activist.

News from this film overshadowed a very important trial in Egypt where the verdict was handed on September 12, 2012. The Arab world most famous comedic actor Adel Imam was cleared of charges that his movies disrespect religions and promote vice. This was a key moment as most entertainers in Egypt watched with interest this big trial. Unfortunately, the film, embassy events and the casualties have been the news.

The movie goes out of its way to insult Islam and the prophet. The film has nothing to say about Islam and rather an assortment of ill informed and vile interpretations of events that taken place 1500 years ago. The crew had the right to make a movie about this, I also have the right to scream fire in a packed movie theater or tell the bus people there's a bomb. This is all free speech, but we all self censor our speech for the betterment of everyone. Aside from the obvious white washing where the cast is largely made out of white actors, this movie has a bad taste and no artistic integrity.

I have said before, the West should not fear weak Muslims nor strong ones, they should only fear those who feel disrespected. It's then when people feel vulnerable and their acts do not always make sense. I hope the film crew are feeling extra excited today as they watch their country men murdered by angry mob upset with a movie they made to advance their lunatic agenda.

On a personal note, a cousin of mine was murdered (and his body was disrespected) by a mob in June 2007 in Gaza. I am not the one to approve of mob justice.  

Update: The American patriots should think abut how one Israeli filmmaker is making the world is more dangerous place for Americans. It only takes an idiot to rally up the easily offended religious mobs. Why did he chose America, not Israel as a place to make his vile movie?

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman on US Embassy protests
   

Ramy Essam Promotes Literacy At Home In Egypt

When your songs have tackled dictators, military rulers, religious extremists, sexual predator you always strive to find other topic to bring attention to. For Ramy Essam, he has found a topic to add to the list of subjects he sings about--Literacy.

Egypt has millions of people who cannot read nor write. Ramy has chosen an international day to combat illiteracy to release a video project. He calls upon volunteers to join an effort to teach at least one person. I salute the singer and his effort to spread awareness through his music and activism. He is right literacy is great for international peace.

What do you guys think of his new look? He kinda looks like Mado now--another indie singer.

Literacy and Peace رسالة رامى عصام فى اليوم العالمى لمحو الامية

A Tribute To Egypt's Women And Their Achievements

People who study history know women have always had a role in making it, sometimes this role is behind the scene, sometimes it's ion the front lines. While some overestimate the role of women, many underestimate it. The Arab world is no different in this sense than the rest of the world. Others might have a different attitude about it, but still there is bias out there.

In Egypt, there have always been those strong women, in literature, in journalist, in politics, social movements and in just about every field. The slides are in Arabic, but they do bring a number of known and unknown women in the modern history of Egypt. The music accompanying the video is is nothing short of dazzling

These slides present a group of pioneer women in the modern history of Egypt in various fields. They contributed to our civilization. They are a window to know our past, shaping our present and building the future. The slides had been produced in cooperation with Woman and Memory Forum, the slides have been designed by Heba Helmy.

حتي لا ننسي... للنساء تاريخ....تاريخ مصر

FUNNY: Mohamed Abu Hamid Sings Politics أغنية ابو حامد

He is no singer, he is a politician who has one agenda for him, bring an end to the rule of Muslim parties in Egypt. He has no love for them and he has befriended those who despise them. There are rumors that he has traveled to Lebanon to seek advise on how to combat them.

He is a guy that most of Egypt hates, and few love him, but those who love him are mad about him and would stand behind them to chant and fight off thugs who do not like their ideas or their methods.
Mohamed Abu Hamid is being bullied in some circles, and when he shows up to a protest, some men appear from nowhere and try to intimidate him.

I like some of his opinions, but he must realize that some out there are using him as a tool. The guy loves Egypt for sure, but things are changing rapidly, and he might be some collateral damage--something I hate to see. He is speaking his mind.

See him lead the chant against the brotherhood and their elders. I think they should be free to speak up without fear, they should also give the new president a chance to implement his reform.
أغنية ابو حامد ضد مرشد الاخوان والشاطر 

In The Aftermath Of The Rafah Massacre, Gaza Sends Egypt Some Love

While many in Egypt are upset with the people in Palestine and in Gaza particularly, most of Gaza has stayed mum on the matter. They oped funeral homes to commiserate with the people of Egypt, they have called the fallen men heroes--a rightful title.  

Few things to remember, people in Gaza are also Egyptians at least 20 percent of them are citizens of that land. While the people who murdered the soldiers are Egyptians--unless we know otherwise. The false and extreme theology they subscribe to is resented in Gaza. The same ideas that allow those thugs to murder follow Muslims, allowed them to terrorize people in Gaza.

Fact, many in Egypt want to embarrass the current government and they can only do that if they claim that the attackers are from Gaza. This way, they can tell their people, we are all Egyptians, and those bad Palestinians need to stop. Fact, they have desecrated the Palestinian flag and the Kuffyah in Egypt.

Yes, most Palestinians have chosen not to react in hate, you do not win over hateful people with more hate.
A group of young Gazans made this video and sported the Egyptian flag and showed love, and appreciation for that country---they have also condemned those crimes in Rafah.        

رسالة من غزة إلى مصر

Ahmed Magdy, People Of The Intranet HATE Your New Music Video

I think Ahmed Magdy is a well meaning Egyptian singer, his new song about Cairo 2012 and new elections is timely, but I am not sure what's up with the politics. Ahmed starts the song asleep as the TV goes off with interviews from Tahrir and people fired up---he seems to be part of the couch movement.

Magdy seems to be frustrated with all the politics he sees and nothing on TV but politics and debate. So he titled his song "I am not in the mood". A humorous song about most people in Egypt, they are no revolutionary, only some are. Magdy is cynical and I can see that...but it seems the net don't like his new song.

See the part where he is trying to take a leak. This is the anti-activist song, a song for those indifferent among us who want to be back their old routines.

Ahmed Magdy - Mesh Fel Mood / أحمد مجدي - مش فى المود

You Need To See This Awesome Music Festival

I do not know what this is about, but I am hearing the words God and Christ over and over in the clip below. I see Muslims singers, next to Christian ones--a number of domination and other faiths as well. They are drawing a fascinating picture to the backdrop of mosque.

I am imaging this took place in Egypt to confirm that the people are united indeed. Music does bring people together and it seems bands from a number of faiths turned out for this event. A big band from Kurdistan's city of Arbil arrived to take part of this festival. The festival is about the Sufi tradition of music and self exploration.

The concert took place in the famous Saladin castle in Egypt.
مهرجان سماع السلام لكل العالم

Good Music Doesn't Have To Come In Skimpy Outfits

Or so Egyptian singer Shahinaz would have you convinced. Shahinaz wore the head cover few years ago, and got married later to what seems like a nice guy. But she is the star and he realizes that, so thankfully we still see more of her and listen to her warm voice. Eslam is the other voice on this track, and it seems that the young singer knows his way with a guitar. A song that asks people not to be part of a strife without talking politics does clearly has something right.

Her hottest song to date is a duet with a young man about doing good for Egypt, the place that unites so many under its sky. This is a good song and a great choice for Shahinaz and the new comer Eslam Ansari, they are compatible and the lyrics are mellow in the love of Egypt. The duet uses young kids as a chorus and a clearly fresh sounding Eastern music and Egyptian beat.
 
Shahinaz looks glamorous and dazzling as ever, she does is with modesty and style worthy of the hottest fashion houses. The song does speak in more than one tongue, I am hearing some Nubi (language of some parts of Egypt)

The singer has a planned show for Ramadan for the ladies with another female co-host. Go ahead, enjoy the places where this music video has been filmed.

 شاهيناز وإسلام أنصاري - حاجة واحدة ( دويتو) 2012

Najwa Karam, A Rare Lebanese Patriot جديد نجوى كرم - اسرج بالليل حصانك

Najwa Karam has always spoken about her pride of her home country. She is so proud that she would not sing in any other dialect but her own. She would not kiss up to other Arabs, she views them as peers. She always speaks her mind and when she has problems with her producers, she teaches them a lesson and they apologize to her.

She always says yes to any concert and function at home, she is the gal that's happy to sing in any music festival in Lebanon--big or small. She has sang to Lebanon in many occasions, she celebrates the army and incorporates them in some of her music videos. What makes her different than most other Lebanese celebrities is her faith in her country. She is ALWAYS Lebanese. She does not give u on her country even when the times are hard and the spirits are low. 

She walks tall and her heart beats Lebanon all the way. Many thought she would be part of the song supporting the army--a giant music video, but she wasn't. Instead to celebrate the army, she has her won song. To be honest her song is much better than that other one. It has more pride and it has more energy.

Hear it our, and I am sure, you will think, Najwa still got it. She is the rocking star of Arabic music. A song tells of a love story of a women who has a crush on her solider. She just wants to see him back victorious. She is so PROUD! The song makes me want to enlist this minute.

Najwa Karam - Isrouj Bil Lail 7sanak جديد نجوى كرم - اسرج بالليل حصانك

050 Band - Aywa Ana Intentionally Funny Song

050 Band delivers great live performances where they show an apatite to get better, they have always gotten better as they get more gigs. They came to the spotlight more than a year ago and have manged to retain a large fan base.  Now they are back with yet another humorous song of theirs.

In "Aywa Ana" it's me, the one wearing funny things, eating American things and wearing cool sneakers. This is an funny response to the many voices in Egypt who accuse the activists of being foreign imports. Yes, I have no shame nor was I raised up well....I am the one who causes the crash of the crash.

hope you like it...I know I liked the message and the guitar does not hurt.
050 Band - Aywa Ana / زيروخمسين - أيوا أنا من برنامج البسطه

Mado Annoys The Military Establishment in Egypt

He comes across as a singer who has little fear, and he was one of the early voices that has criticized the military and its actions in Egypt. He is no fan of the SCAF and its old school generals with those outdated ideas. So Mado has been making music that many realize only now is timely.

That's the makeup of a visionary. While Mado has little to lose, the army tried to divide and conquer approach. While in general just about every Egyptian has deep rooted respect for their army--most are skeptical of the army's intention and actions.

I am sure the Egyptian army is one awesome army that loves the homeland, but at this point, I am afraid its leadership has been dragging them into the mud and with it most of Egypt. So Mado makes takes one shot after another and he has been increasingly bold.

I think some of the young activists also need to cool it too. However, this thing is not going to be over soon. No one gives away power unless they are forced to.

ya 3askar efham (piano) Mado يا عسكر افهم -بيانو- .. مادو

نفسى.. وائل عامر ومحمد عبد العال (مادو) وسونى (رحاله)

Two Egyptian Dudes Duet عمرو قطامش ووائل عامر

Wael Amer and Amr Katamish teamed up to send a message to the next president of Egypt. Two different guys with two different interests joined forces on this song. One is a stand up comic with funny yet poetic lines and the other is a natural born activist who has been right more than one on the SCAF. I did not see this song coming and did not know that neither of these guys would work together.

But here we are and the two using one another to access the fan base of the other entertainer. Their message is clear, justice is the foundation of governance. You have a people and for those people there are squares--where they can protest. This is meant to be half funny half serious song.

I like this creative effort...Wael brings the mesmerizing vocals and Amr brings humor and a deep voice sprinkled with stylish flow.
 
رساله الى الرئيس القادم..عمرو قطامش ووائل عامر

Ahmed Shady On That Beautiful Freedom

Ahmed Shady is celebrating the breeze of freedom in Egypt today. His song is all about freedom, the positive kind, the post death and chaos freedom. He is a young up and coming talent. I am completely in love with the gorgeous images his music videos open up with. I am serious whose are amazing shots of Egyptian places that are breath taking.

 I think, I am a fan of this new singer, his voice expresses the lyrics of his songs and brings out the power of imagery. There's a shot with two young boys standing and behind them the Palestinian flag, then an image goes to Southern Egypt where a sailor notices he is on camera and smiles. The song is for Egypt, but the message is far more reaching than that-it's a pan Arab song where freedom is our destination.

Not to forget that Ahmed also composed the lovely music you hear.
أحمد شادي - حــــرية - نسخة اصلية

Pop Stars Pretend To Speak On Behalf of Martyrs

There are good songs about martyrs and there are so many lames ones. In Palestine, we had so many of them, but none of them seems to speak on behalf of the fallen. Ever since the Arab Spring started, and many young and old people started to die, many singers felt the urge to do songs about them martyrs.

The latest to join the party is Egyptian pop star Mohamed El Kammah. I do not know Mohamed, but I know he is promising young voice, I did enjoy his album released last year too. I just think this song of his about a message from the fallen might not come across as a sincere one. He is not the first singer to  sing for the fallen or release a song in which he speaks in their tongue.

Essentially, the song is frustrated with what he sees in Egypt--what does he want? Mohammed does not tell. It's a laundry list for all the things that martyrs might want. In one line, he asks for their rights and justice in the other he asks for taking it easy and not protesting. I do not know which is better, I just know it sends mixed messages just like the political ground in Egypt.

اغنيه محمد قماح رساله من شهيد

Maw3ood | Deeb - موعود | ديب "Cold Peace" Album

Forget the distant past, this song is about today. Deep rapped this song to tell people in his country to look out for Egypt. He started his song with the voice of Abdel Halim on the song for Maw3ood! Then when you think you can relax, comes Deeb spitting his poetic lines and venting his rage.

Filmed near the famous wall put in Egypt to block protesters from reaching some critical establishment offices. Where graffiti took over the wall and expressed what goes on the minds of many people. Even Palestine get to have its presence on the wall. The song is part of an upcoming album "Cold Peace" written and produced by Deeb himself

This is a really good rapper, he is not a poster, not even one bit. He flows and delivers on punch after another like a fighter in the ring. Deeb is showing his roots by giving shout outs to figures in Egyptian music like Makawi, by doing so he tells people he is no impostor. He doubles down and uses the name of some of the names of local and ancient religious figures.

The song closes with the Egyptian flag and a dedication to all the fallen heroes of the Arab Spring.  

Maw3ood | Deeb - موعود | ديب | Axeer Studio

DOWNLOAD: Ramy Essam 2012 Mini Album مينى البوم رامى عصام - المسلة

As far as Egypt protest music is concerned, Ramy Essam is king of that land. Ramy is an award winging dude with a guitar and a cause. He was one of few singers who did not buy the crap from the army and the propaganda machine. He stood firm and spoke loud. Get ready to hear from this energizer bunny activist singer who has become a big player in indie music in Egypt.

He remains one of the few artists who perform often and compose their music as they go....take the example when he made a song about sexual harassment in Egypt--a big deal. Ramy came to be the most recognizable face of the protest music, he has been given so many rewards and many articles have been published about his work.

It's enough to know this, his election song is like watching a high end political show with all that fine analysis. He is one of the smart ones that analyse what he sees around him in a way worthy of envy by many college professors. So check out his new mini album with six tacks. He is mocking the show the army is putting in Egypt and all the fine sneaky details.

I could not help by fall in love with the artist album cover, this is the soul of an artist all around. Ramy composes his music, plays his own guitar and sings with passion. The lyrics of those songs you hear are of Amjad Al Qahwajy. The lyrics pay a tribute to the Egyptian culture in away that makes the album accessible to a wide audience.

 01.Action Tany Mara
02.E3meli Bta2a
03.El Masala
04.Tartoor
05.Mal3oon
06.E3meli Bta2a Acoustic

Ramy Essam - Elections 2012 رامى عصام - ملعون يا نظام الانتخابات


Ramy Essam Movie Tour Album 2011 - 2012 | Manshourat

Hopefull Hany Adel - Dawar Benafsak هاني عادل - دور بنفسك

Hany Adel is one of the main driving forces behind the indie music scene in Egypt. He is one of those brainy yet charming talented musicians who know how to get things done. Even though Hany has his won band, he lends his voice to a number of bands on stage to bring more attention to some of those bands.

Hany released a song literary few minutes after Mubarak was made quit his presidency. The song exploded everywhere. That's why people got excited when they learned he is releasing a new single about hope and the new down. It's tough to be hopful at the moment but the song urges people to dream on. A timely song indeed that has the word indie inscripted all over it.

Hany is also an actor, his last movie role was in Asma'a a movie about an HIV infected young Egyptian women. Hany produced the music that was written by a City Band member. "Search For Yourself" is the title of this indie gem.

Hany Adel - Dawar Benafsak | هاني عادل - دور بنفسك

مكملين هشام الجخ Hisham Gakh Egypt's Poet Of The Moment

Hisham Gakh won the title of "Prince Of Poets" as the streets of Egypt were boiling and as Mubarak was being shown the door. He came from a small town and won the hears of his people and the rest of Arabia. His simple folksy poetry does wonders. He captures emotions and tales as they happen....thus nothing is lost in translation. To me, he reads and writes poems in the same style as my grandparents told stories.

His style can be compared to that of Abdel Rahamn Al Abanoody, an Egyptian legend. He is from Qana, Egypt, graduated from Ein Shams University in 2003 where he worked until 2009 before he quit. Hisham has yet to release a book of poetry. But he does not seem to feel the urge to do so, he is well published on YouTube and the social bookmarks.  

He seems to picked the side of the people and now coming out in support for the revolution as he did many times before. He is the fieriest critic of the previous regime, calls it out as he sees it. Like the line where he said, your towns cannot afford to buy cooking gas, while Tel Aviv gets the Egyptian gas by close to nothing. Then he says, they do not want us to offend the president....then laughs at those silly justifications.

He ends the poem, we are pushing forward....

هشام الجخ - مكملين + موسيقى يا الميدان

Orphan Song By Maher Zain

Orphans are God's favorite little kids. Prophet Muhammad--himself an orphan asked us to be kind to them. There are too many rule in Islam about orphans and how one is not supposed to steal their money or try to mistreat them. Most Muslims get the message about how one needs to go the extra mile with people who missed a parent or two.

Maher Zain took notice and wrote a song just for them. The music video is about a little girl navigating her way through the big nothing. It's a touching blues song, Maher unleashes his vocals and emotions to make this song a lot better and lot more personal. A ship with no water around it cannot sail...Beyond the song Maher seems to make a difference as he supports a number of charities.

This is a clip you do not make to be famous, it's one you make to help get the message out and hope that people will dig in their pockets.

Maher Zain - So Soon | Official Music Video

Ali Hajjar And When The Prisoners Laugh

Ali Hajjar is one of the most notable vocalists in Egypt. The man with opera worthy voice has bee making visits to the house of opera for decades now. He has also been recording soundtrack songs for most famous Egyptian movies and TV shows. He even acted in some of them too.

He has many hit songs that are well known in Egypt, his  voice is the most recognizable voice in the Arabic entertainment. So when he saw the revolutionaries being imprisoned and tortured, even beat up in the streets he made a music video where he put himself in a cell and said all the things often cited by the revolutionaries to oppose the powers. The song is a work of poetry (the legendary abdel rahman Abanoody wrote it) and translated the laugh of the prisoners.

I did not know he was a revolutionaries but he really is one. When the 2011 revolution started he was in Spain, so he marched to the Egyptian embassies and protested. Then he has not give up on change yet.  

على الحجار - ضحكة المساجين الكليب الاصلى