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Dear All & After Compliments;
Created today this more simpler version will also accommodate all my twice weekly columns in The Oman Daily Observer. The Columns appear every Sunday and Wednesday!
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Best Wishes and Regards,
Majid Al Suleimany
Between Us Only!
How Rich Can One Get?
Image – Final Destination! – The Grave!
September 24, 2012
Image – The Funeral Pyre!
Breaking News!
Former Chinese Police Chief Wang Lijun sentenced to 15 years for abdication of duties…even in China!
One time decades back I got this call from my late Father to go and pick him up to take him for a funeral that was happening that evening. He got into my car and was not speaking. I thought perhaps because I came in late – or he just wanted to be silent – normally – when he gets extremely angry and annoyed. I had come to realise the hard way that it was better for me ‘not to prod’ – until he decided to speak himself. This time it was acute strange because he was not saying anything – longer than usual!
My Late Father PBUH
I was wondering if the old man wanted to cry – but he was holding his tears back – not to embarrass himself in front of his son. He comes from the fabric that frowns on showing emotions openly – and that is certainly in crying! Big men – and even young boys – simply do not cry! You can all cry and break into pieces all held dear all inside. Only ‘sissies’ cry out openly!
After the funeral, I could see that he now wanted to talk. So I broke the ice by asking what the poor man had died of? He stared at me as if he was going to take it out all on me – but decided at the last minute not to! Then he said – Poor man! We were everyday going to the Public place – to chase up on the applications of land for our children.
Poor man! Now he got his final plot – and it was for free! He did not have to pay any money for the plot – it was given to him for free! Just the size of his body – a bit more – but 6 feet down – to rest on his right side facing Mecca – until the Day of Reckoning! I tell you son – all these things we are chasing in life are all temporary and artificial – and there is nothing permanent and for surety except God – and Death only!
Then my poor father told me about one business man he also knew whose business had gone bust. Many reasons for it – he was telling me. But that is not important for now. In short, the man almost lost his house to the Banks – but luckily for him it was the only house he had – and there was the law to protect such cases – such in the past. He had two cars – one his and the other family. He sold off his family big car to settle debts – but kept the smaller car.
When he wanted to register the car – and when one day he wanted to go by road and to visit his relatives in a neighbouring country – he was not allowed to do so – because though he had cleared his case – and his name in the public files was still not cleared as such – and was still blacklisted! .
Images – Traffic Police – For Demonstration purposes only!
He did not have even the basic rights to renew the Mulkiya of his car – and he was driving the car ‘unlicensed and un re-registered’ – and he was afraid of in case of an accident of what was going to happen to him! It took more than 8 months to have ‘his name cleared’ – all because he was just a poor man – and had no Wastah. Thank Allah God who takes shorter time to clear us! – he sadly lamented!
He added – Such things do not happen to the rich, powerful and the famous – only poor people like him – and us! In the end, the man was so fed up – and decided to return for good to East Africa – safety or no safety – security or no security – but he just had enough! My poor father added – This man was stronger than this man who died today – God forgive us for such stray thoughts in comparisons!
I do not know if this is true or not – but one of the jokes on the public sector bribes and corruption in one third world country is about lands being allocated to the families of ‘those of influence’ – or as we say here ‘With W – Wastah! They say to a pregnant inner family or friends circle – If it is going to be a girl call her Badriya – and if boy Badr – names just coincidental – for examples and demonstration purposes only! I do not know if they knew these things of scanning – because like yours truly had twin girls – so one of the girls would have lost – till a bit later on!
In one of my articles long time back – I talked about when I started working in Oman in Junior positions – though I had a more Senior position from where I came in that distant land – from having a Company car to riding a Company bus to work. But it did not put me off – or want to return – because I put my future and my family ahead of me!
In one of my deep frustrating times far later in life – I even went looking for jobs outside that oil company. In one of the interviews with one owners’ son he asked me a direct personal question of what really made M tick? He asked me – What are your dreams and what are you looking for in life?
Perhaps he thought I would reply him that I wanted to be in his shoes – to be on his side of the desk – asking the same question to another job aspirant! Then he started lamenting to me all kind of things that were not interesting to me as a job applicant – and the success story of their family business! He then asked me if I knew another so-called rich rising family – and why I did not apply there?
In another place the ‘great personality’ was saying to me – Either we offer you a good package or nothing at all. It seemed to me he was thinking he was making a great speech impression to me – because those things are best not said – and left out – because it was just a plain commonsense message – and everybody knows about these things!
Remember all the above incidents were over 15 to 20 years ago! Far later in life – when I started writing I had a strong fan – a sort of high elite rich person who really liked my works as a writer. He said to me – I like the way you fight for the underdog! When I applied some years ago – after early retirement – for a Human Resources job in his place – he replied to me – Just keep to writing! That best suits you than a HR job! The Brits have this famous expression – Diplomacy is telling someone to go to hell – and he looks forward for the trip!
If even Mitt Romney of USA can discount 47% of the electoral vote – because ‘they are with him (Obama) – who are dependant upon government, who believe that they are victims , who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe to housing, you name it. They are people who pay no income tax ….. my job is not to worry about those people!
Bottom line – wherever you are in this world of ours – if you are poor and with no Wastah – you always get hit hard the most! Nothing has changed much during all these years! And then people dare to ask me why I like to quote many times – from George Orwell’s Animal Farm!
May The Good Lord Direct us all to The Right Path and Ways Always – Amin Amen
Take Care!
By Majid Al Suleimany
The problems all facing us now is all due to this hunger to control, dominate and manipulate in the Society….!!!
Taking The High Road!
For Sunday September 23rd 2012
My Website – www.majidall.com
Between Us Only!
Taking The High Road!
The Sequel!
I wrote on this topic first on 3rd January 2007. I repeat it today again!
In the West, they have this expression – which I have repeated many times in this same column. What would Jesus do in this case? This should guide us even Muslims if we ask the same question on our Great Prophet – Peace Be Upon Him!
Part of the article is reproduced below.
There is nothing that is so detrimental, demeaning and pushing one to the brink of decadence, malaise, moral corruption and destruction than by letting emotions and clear transparent thinking and vision cum focus cloud us than by not thinking straight for ourselves and letting others guide and control us, or listening blindly to them because they profess to be our ‘sincere, caring and feeling friends’.
This coupled by being easily led and fooled – and by being emotionalized and traumatized to that extent that we fail to distinguish between what are lies and fibs (even poison) being fed to us, instead of analyzing for ourselves of what is the truth and reality. Not only do we owe it to ourselves, but those who have put trust, faith, confidence and loyalty on us. To them and who consider us as their very own and who see us as their elders from whom they would inherit, emulate and copy. We owe it to them more than we owe it to ourselves.
Images For Demonstration Purposes Only!
Look at our greatness that was recorded in history. The Great Caliphates in the history of Islam, when a visitor sees a local man washing his clothes on the riverbed. The visitor asks the person if he could guide him to the ‘castle of the Caliphate’. The man is replied – I will take you there, but first let me finish my clothes. The visitor is then led to a simple house, and where despite his protestations he is welcomed to some food and water, because he had been traveling. The man is impatient to see the Caliphate. After he had finished his food and rested, the ‘Washer’ introduces himself as the Caliphate (I think was Abubacker bin Abu Talib).
The visitor is shocked – you are the Caliphate? The man who washes his own clothes? Living simply and poorly? I come from The Roman Empire for a message to The Islamic Caliphate, from the Roman Army that is dreadful and fearful of the Islamic Army?
Or when the victorious Islamic Army entered Mecca, and forgave all those who transgressed and tortured the Muslims in the past, and ended in them becoming Muslims.
Or our Great Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) how he forgave a village that had stoned him and until he was bleeding? If he had wanted, he could have brought harm and destruction to the whole village, but he did not do it. By his actions the village became all Muslims later on, because they knew the true and right meaning of the Religion. Or the actions and behaviours of Saladin, when he took over and controlled Palestine! All those are what are called Greatness, and the true preaching and practicing of our Religion!
Recently, there have been many examples of provocations and insults against the Arab and specifically the Muslim world, and as open affront and demeaning move against Muslims. Even Saudi Arabia, GCC and the rest of the world protested. It is not a question of being for or against the Saddam hanging here, but the choice of date for this execution – on Hajj days!.
Though it is an emotionally charged insult and affront, we in the Arab and Muslim world need to be under control of our emotions and get into straight thinking and focus – and take our true Islamic teachings and the Holy Book as our guide, and leave the rest to Allah.
Whatever else is being said and being declared, and certainly is what is called of the need of here of – Taking The High Road! – END
***
Continued – When such impudence and arrogant violations are repeated in the future – The Elders and The Religious Leaders should come out openly to condemn such things – and preach for calm, control and peace. Being afraid and silent just makes a bad situation turn worse. We should only be afraid of Allah than anybody else.
If you see the images you will notice that they are mainly young people! I personally feel that this is the greatest loss of all things considered – in future relations between people.
Unless The West especially remove these double standards in dealings with especially The Arab and Muslim countries of these hate campaigns – there is only more troubled waters ahead – and The Losers are everyone – including them too! Especially their outlook that we are dispensable opportunity costs to please those that our adversaries – whether expressed, hidden – or even inside!
The current video messages from The White House and others to Muslims of The World are in the direct direction – albeit belatedly. We need to be treated just as they treat The Jews and The Holocaust – no lesser!
Take Care!
May The Good Lord Direct us all to The Right Path Always – Amin Amen
By Majid Al Suleimany
Learning The Lessons of Life The Hard Way!
By Majid Al Suleimany – September 19th 2012
This incident had happened to me when I was a small kid – and I have not forgotten it to this day – even though my father had already passed away more than a decade ago – May Allah rest him in peace – Amin.
I was playing with this cute puppy. Frankly, I am more of a cat person – but this puppy seemed to like me a lot! It was then time for afternoon prayers – and I joined the congregation in prayers after the usual abolution. One of the so-called uncles whispered something to my late father – and I got a beating of my life that still haunts me to this day as an over 60 person! From that time I steered away from dogs – because with due respects to ‘dogs-lovers’ – I did not know that they were considered as ‘unclean’ animals society looking – even in the place in that distant land! I learnt the hard way – because this puppy had followed me to the mosque – for a dog it was just a building!
My late Father was also not always pleased with me – because I had a tendency of ‘not wanting to get involved’ – when ‘brother fought brother’ – or even ‘sister against sister’ – as they sometimes did! We were 14 of us – 6 brothers – and 8 sisters as the children – blessings of Allah – God. My late Father used to say to me – you are the elder – so ‘you must be involved’ in these things – to separate them – and bring peace and harmony in the house!
That is the kind of person that I am – of not wanting to get really involved in such issues. It also comes in ‘giving up’ – because you say the same things day-in and day-out – and no one is respecting and hearing you. Like I always say talking to brick walls. Not only talking – but also banging your head – and it ends swollen and red – and the brick walls just sneer and slight you instead – unmoved and uncaring – as always. Instead you end not only as ‘The Loser’ – but you also suffer and get tormented in so many other ways instead!
I also believe this – and have said it so many times before! There is nothing untoward and ‘just not in’ than raising hopes and expectations of people – than dashing and disappointing them the worse than before – by not keeping the promises per se – or not doing anything real and material in this regard. That is why the world is in a greater mess and chaos than ever before – even more after the ‘promises’ were made – and all hopes and dreams dashed. It would have been better ‘not to get involved’ – and let things run their natural cause! There is also this thing. Do not take people for granted – and that they will act and or perform as to what you want them to be – or do either!
If you have also read the 90/10 principle of how you react to a situation can determine how more worse it can be then it was before. It is a famous principle – and I have said about it so many times in this column too!
In my article 8 years ago titled The Power of The Media – www.myown-ebooks.com – I joked about this ‘Red Indian’ boy cartoon where he is seen shouting on encouraging strangely The Cowboys – but not his own! This was in front .of his family in a cinema – kill the (unprintable) – as the ‘good nice cowboys’ chase the ‘stinky Red Indians’! The Red Indians were there as the original owners of the land – and defending their homelands – but came out worse out! Simply and smugly put – not all that glitters is gold! It takes two to tango – one cannot tango by himself – or herself alone!
There is also this thing. Conversely, if there is a great thing in front of you – or possessed by you – what bad name calling will not change facts on the grounds. My son was saying to me that his friend was telling him that he feels lucky that he is not my son – because he ‘does not have the pressures’ to perform in life like your father’s achievements – and that was a great eye-opener for my son of what he was really dealing in life. Until that time – he did not think much of the subject – and had not even read any of the books – though lying idly spread out in the house!
People should act their roles and responsibilities in life – without being told – or reminded – or reprimanded – or find out too late – like others before them – that the options to act and behave are now limited – or even not there at all.
In summary – I do not like to get involved in such issues like politics – and or deep religion – but there has been so much pressure for me to write – to use your pragmatism and wisdom. Unfortunately – those who tell me these things I cannot tell them what I really feel and think – because at this stage in my life – I have had already enough – and I sincerely wish sometimes that I had been more stronger and assertive in life – to do what I really wanted to do in the first place – rather than trying to ‘please or to be seen doing the so-called right things. But our Religion forbids us to think like this – because everything happens for a reason – and there are no accidents in life!
Take Care!
By Majid Al Suleimany
All My Books Icons
The Books:-
1 – Between Us Only!
2 – The Sequel – Between Us Only!
3 – Short Takes – Between Us Only!
4 – Psychology of Arab Management Thinking!
5 – A Cry For Help!
6 – Behind The Wheel!
7 – Between Us Only! – Three – The Sequel!
8 – Between Us Only! – Short Takes 2 – The Sequel!
6 to 8 are new under Final Publication.
Publisher Trafford – Press Release – August 29th 2012
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
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Majid Al Suleimany’s exciting new book is “A Cry for Help!”
“A Cry for Help!” examines the management styles of Arabian Gulf Corporation Council countries
MUSCAT, Oman – Author Majid Al Suleimany exposes the increasing extremism, fundamentalism and radicalization in management styles and employees’ receptions and reaction in his new book “A Cry for Help!”(published by Trafford Publishing)
With over 35 years of human resource experience in Oman and with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Al Suleimany digs deep into the Arab office environment. Suleimany spins “a frank, honest and open book exposing the increasing lack of ethics, principles, professionalism and tolerance in the office environment.”
“A Cry for Help!” focuses on the particular type of management that is being used in the Arab workplace while explaining the context and perspectives in the work environment. He goes on to explain what is peculiar, special, or particular to that work in the context of, and in comparison to, management styles of other nations.
About the Author
Majid Al Suleimany resides in Oman with his wife and four children. He has published four other books: “Psychology of Arab management!,” “The Sequel – Between Us Only!,” “Short Takes – Between Us Only!” and “Between Us Only! Book One.” He has two others in production: “Between Us Only! The Sequel Three” and “Behind the Wheel!” Al Suleimany is also a columnist for The Oman Daily Observer. He has worked in management, human resources and as a consultant for over 35 years in Oman.
Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, Inc. author services imprint, was the first publisher in the world to offer an “on-demand publishing service,” and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. Trafford was also one of the earliest publishers to utilize the Internet for selling books. More than 10,000 authors from over 120 countries have utilized Trafford’s experience for self publishing their books. For more information about Trafford Publishing, or to publish your book today, call 1-888-232-4444 or visit trafford.com.
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