Morality in the public domain ... 

Germany´s new face in Africa

"Germany ought to offer something better than the neo-colonial players who exploit Africa's resources and build up their militaries." Rober Kappel

When I come through such statement, I don't only try to retrieve the past of memory of the colonization era, that's documented in the historical materials I used to learn from since early age, but also, I try to figure out again the philosophy of colonization that totally contradicts what is this writer suggesting for Germany in the 21st century.

Chancellor Merkel with heads of African states at G-20 summit. Source: DW

I have no idea the extent to which this point of view represents a big percentage or not, and whether this view is taken considerably by the official level or just normally came out of the domestic community. 

The German Empire has its share of colonization on the black continent "Africa" that lasted during the period of 1884-1919 when the German Empire had emerged and then put a foothold on three separate areas. The German colonial Empire ended with the Treaty of Versailles of 1919.

Today, Germany is quite different in the new world order, new policies are being developed in all fields considering cooperation abroad is the means primarily for economic stability. Therefore, the colonial philosophy vanished away. 

German colonies in Africa. Flickr.com

When Chancellor Merkel invited some African leaders to attend G-20 summit last year, it declared bundle of initiatives to carry out in Africa in order for building up the economy by increasing trade investment, setting up businesses ... etc.

Tracing back this policy, we find out that noting has drifted out of the normal track that was erected since Marshall Plan of 1947. This plan aimed at boosting European war-stricken economy as a result of WWII at that time. However, it said to have been an anti-communist proliferation scheme in EU. 
Since then, Germany has been applying this strategy in Africa based on trade, including initiatives for building the domestic economy. 

To make this plan fully feasible, many obstructive African issues that are being highlighted at formal levels, in an attempt to find their way for a sustainable solution. Migration to EU is a challenge can find a solution minimally relieves the burden of migrants by creating a hope and safe haven in their original countries. 

Therefore, Germany can set up projects and take advantage of those workforces instead of bringing in foreign workforces by training them to be enough skilled and manage the projects there. 

Marshall Plan is still promising as some claim; however, the recent indicators refer to what extent still unfulfilling; lots of African regions where investment is supposed to take place, direly lack in basic infrastructure in many fields. 

Investment operations shouldn't only target the area where German projects are, but Germany should create projects that Africans can take advantage of permanently.

For instance, education is an important process, the German government must open up its gates widely for African students to come and earn practical experiences in many fields to be able to manage their professional life in all sectors wisely.

Furthermore, helping Africans with creating sophisticated educational systems in the home of origin, is a perfect stride for lots of people who can´t make their way to EU. 

Eventually, Germany can guarantee that its policies in Africa are based on cooperation. This how Chancellor Merkel indirectly expressed her upcoming strategy when setting out "Compact with Africa Initiative," addressing that, "If we work for you for the benefit of your countries, we are going to create more security for ourselves and we'll put an end to trafficking." 
In this regard, Germany has to reexamine the contemporary challenges facing Africans, the aspirations of the current generation, the gaps are to be filled, the needs of the governments to step up in the development process. On the other hand, Germany would understand how can it offer its plans, not just how certain project would be lucrative or not.
Most importantly, Germany has to reconsider the mechanism of its investment in Africa by examining the effect of subsidies or private sector that invests in there on the African economy. It has proven to be negatively affecting the African domestic market. Thus, African producers couldn't compete for the German products that swept their markets. The German producers used to buy raw materials at cheap prices, and they are exported at higher prices to the African consumers.
Germany should make sure that the trade movement with African producers is facilitated into the German market, even in EU marker entirely.
By this, in return, we could see an unprecedented paradigm away from the so-called "The more you give, the more you get," rule 

   

  

You, in the industrious countries! Why are you complaining?

    Based on my observations and through the discussions I have had thus far. 

Of course, all peoples in this earth irrespective in developed or developing countries are grappling with challenges in their life. I would assert on a fact, that there are people in industrious countries don´t appreciate the things available to them or provided to them by their governments. Therefore, you find them keep whining, "the financial situation is deteriorated, work stress, high taxes ... etc." ignoring the valuable things could be taken advantage of, especially those alcohol and drug addicts aimlessly spending their times in the streets doing nothing. 

I would just tell you something that you´re very lucky to have been in these countries whether a resident or a national due to the following; 

Education is available, almost free of charge in some countries, funding foundations that provide various sets of help are available.

Job opportunities, even if was difficult to find for a certain period, you'll finally find it. Even if you are jobless, there are centers waiting for your application or request to help you out with finding a job suits your aspirations. You don't have qualifications, it's fine, these centers will assist with providing the required training courses. 

Freedom of expression, safety, and democracy, in general, are available.
Sophisticated educational and technological systems where smart pioneers graduated from in all sorts of sciences are to teach you success stories, prestigious universities, institutions, forums where you could earn the best modern knowledge you seek, are available, too.
Barrier-free travel with strong passport authorizes you to go wherever you want without damn visa restrictions, is available.

There are actually lots of facts and privileges that millions around the world are struggling to have, and struggling to come to your country to get a perfect education, which easily provided. 

Not to mention, sometimes they lose the chance either because of your complicated bureaucracy that might be time-consuming or they end up surrendered to the not possible visa requirements.

Just look attentively at these facts and look at yourself! Don't complain anymore about any challenges you have! They are really nothing compared to the challenges encounter those in the so-called the "Third World," though I reject this term, for instance. 

You aimless drug/alcohol addicts, get up and go take advantage of what you have, learn and don't stay in the street begging bystanders to hand out some bennies. You don't have any justification. Be aware, thousands maybe even millions of students around the world wish to come over to where you are in order to develop their knowledge, career, so on and so forth. 

I met up with such aimless people in Germany, I found out that the government provides them with aid to support themselves. However, in return, they don´t want to do so. Also, I ran into nonnationals who have been there for many years speaking German fluently, which is helpful to engage with the market. 
Paradoxically, life is open up to them to do whatever successfully, they simply don´t want to work ... I think those aimless in the developing world might be blameless for being in poor countries, they might have tried out to be in a perfect situation though.

Life is full of contradictions! Isn´t it?

Merkel and the new face in the African Continent ... 

I´m done with "Tale of Tala"

Infiltration, trafficking, brokerage, exploitation, drug dealing, prostitution, homelessness ... etc.

This might happen during the journey that refugees set off on for the sake of safety!

"Tale of Tala" is a novel written by a Palestinian immigrated from Lebanon to Canada, who himself is a refugee, had decided to document this journey in Europe, he ended up with a Syrian refugee in the Netherlands was working as a prostitute. During their talks, he learned about her personal story in Syria and other tough familial issues, her story with her partner Bilal who engaged with drug dealers to gain money for their trip to EU, including the difficult journey with trafficker (Abu Ali) who was a dodgy and exploiter.

The novel, in general, is interesting and went viral, I had the privilege to attend its launch ceremony in Ramallah at an international book fair this year. 

Because it explicitly highlights refugees suffering, was supported on media by humanitarian bodies as the UN, which was good that part of the proceeds went for donation. 

My other takeaway, it´s a humanitarian attempt, the text is very sexualized when explaining what was going on in the whorehouse, which is familiar to us human beings this human behavior. Moreover, the writer made a point when impersonated the protagonist (the Syrian refugee girl) whom he met at whorehouse turning it into a Palestinian girl in an attempt to shed light on Palestinian refugee experience, which I don't know the extent of its ethicality. The readers will find that the whole novel revolves around a story of a Palestinian girl went refuge to Europe and then fell down into the hands of exploiters, which is incorrect according to the writer who admitted so. 

Anyway. I actually would say that when I read the products of those writers or poets who belong to this generation, I yearn for what the last generation, the generation of the 20th century and before, of writers and authors, left to us. I could touch upon that the 21st century hasn't generated new Shakespeare, Wolfgang Goethe, Tolstoy, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and many more. 

Also, the movement of Arabic literature (الأدب العربي) throughout the old age until the 20th century brought up genius groups of writers, authors, and poets. I can remember, Ibn Battuta (ابن بطوطة), Ibn Khaldun (ابن خلدون), Butrus AlBustani (بطرس البستاني), Almutanabi (المتنبي), Bashar Bin Burd (بشار ابن برد), Mahmoud Darwish (محمود درويش), Gibran Khalil Gibran (جبران خليل جبران), Alasfahani الأصفهاني, Ahmad Shawqi أحمد شوقي, Nizar Qabani (نزار قباني), Amin Alrahani (أمين الريحاني), Taha Hussain (طه حسين), Elia Abu Madi (إيليا أبو ماضي), Alfarahidi (الفراهيدي), Edward Said (إدوارد سعيد), and too many of them that the list here isn´t enough to pin their names. 

Arabic literature is a magnificent legacy was inscribed by prolific people who are rarely to find nowadays, to the degree I found out that Arabic Art Movement hasn´t been magnificently productive over the past period, especially during this technological era that led lots of people to depend on this virtual world in gaining speedily whatever info they want. Today´s writings only aim to make profits! 

I yearn for everything old; art, literature, culture, so on and so forth! 

I yearn for the old cinema, movies, and songs! Sadly, today, everything devoid of its real meaning and sexualized for profits.

I yearn for the time of those writers who were living a very simple life, but full of real values!

I yearn for the time when ambitious neighbors were loving each other and going to spend their time under nice trees to read, write, and document that unforgettable moments!

Everything is gone ...

At the hospital ... 

  I accompanied my father to conduct a surgical operation at Hebron Governmental Hospital. After he had conducted it with the attendance of my sister´s husband watched the surgery as is a cardiologist, I slept over there in the same room where he lied down in the white bed surrounded by other patients, including their companions.

First of all, I should praise the moments spent there given to the strength this short experience gave me. It taught me that I should be always thankful to God for all the graces and the good health after exploring how many patients are suffering different sorts of illnesses, even some are chronic leave the patients with permanent effect. 

During that night, I took care of my father by facilitating his movement despite the pains, and with preparing meals. It was interesting to do something related to nursing job, I helped with changing a plastic pot on the ground was being filled up with urine mixed up with blood leaking out of his bladder through slim tubes, including antibiotic liquid in plastic sacks were hung up on rack, which was seeping into his body through these tubes, too, from above. 

I looked at myself putting on gloves and imaged whether would have been the suitable job to me being a nurse. Why not, I used to read and learn about people suffering intolerable conditions; I used to approach them trying to experience what they are experiencing, though. 

It's enough to say, my work in the human rights field gave me an impetus to explore more, I catch up with reports and analyses come out of HRW and Amnesty International's platforms that cover up this matter around the globe. 

Indeed, looking at how other people suffering from all sorts of pains, is the antibiotic itself for us as it teaches us that what we are suffering from is nothing compared to what other people are having in their daily lives.   

Imagine that you don't have a guarantee that tomorrow you'll find food or not! Imagine that you don't have a guarantee that tomorrow is promising or not to keep on living safely! so on and so forth, as the list of all sorts of suffering is endless.

Anyhow, I enjoyed chatting with patients and making some jokes, then I spent the rest of the time reading my novel "Tale of Tala," which was about to be finished.

While sitting down reading my book, two companions stared down at me and began whispering, "Do observe that guy all the time catching that English-written book reading without any pause? If he pauses to help his father with something, he straight away goes back to that book!"

They didn't have an idea that I heard them say so, but I intentionally ignored them and kept staring into my book. But, really was a joyful moment hearing this, which reflected kind of respect from them. Moreover, it showed an indication to the extent that those persons probably had rarely seen nerd people in our society.  Indeed, and sadly, the percentage of readers in my society isn't promising, that's why the intellectual movement has been shrinking. The number of writers or authors are decreasing as well, to the degree that people became careless about the new authors by supposedly backing them up, reading their intellectual products ... etc.

The next day, one of those persons, had his curiosity stirred him up then approached me saying and looking at the book, "What are you reading?"

I said it's a novel written by a Palestinian writer I had brought with to ensure that my free time here isn't wasted. 

Shortly afterward, he looked up to me and left even without asking his next question.

In the other room, there were two policemen guarding a wounded guy around the clock. He had been captured dealing with people using fake money. He was seriously injured after running away from the police vehicle while driving speedily on the highway. I felt sorry for him to end up like this, and wished that such gangsters would think well and stop committing crimes before ending up as such. 

Anyway, it was an interesting experience introduced to me how proud I must be of our medical staff! Palestine has a really amazing and well-qualified medical cadre in all fields of medicine working tirelessly under challenging circumstances in order to provide patients with aid perfectly.