Read Online Welcome to Dubai (The Traveler) by Omar Tyree - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Omar Tyree
Ads: Link
chance to leave something of encouragement and hope for the families around the world?”
They were rhetorical questions with no need for an answer. So Mohd awaited the translations and continued with his deliberate address.
“We,
in this room, are all
brothers,
not because we are
Muslim,
or
Christian,
or
Jew
, or
Hindu,
but because we are
human.
So even if we do not all follow
Muhammad,
or
Jesus, Moses
or
Abraham,
or even
Buddha,
we must learn to protect and guide each other as twenty-first century
humans of poverty
on this earth. How long are we willing to
wait
before we decide to rise up and protect
ourselves
and claim our
own destiny?”
Again, he awaited the translations. And at that point, some of the men inside the room, who were lost in much of Mohd’s zeal, looked to their friends for an evaluation. Were they to believe in no religion at all? Mohd allowed them all to contemplate his meaning before he went on.
“That is why I choose to remain in the working-class slums of the Emirates, so that I may remind myself
always
of the conditions of the less fortunate and not be blinded by the promotions or
illusions
of progress. We must ask ourselves the question, ‘Progress for whom?’ Can we even imagine owning
anything
that we have already
built
and continue to build in this wealthy nation? You ask yourself
that
question?”
Mohd paused once more to allow the men time to translate. And in the middle of the group of twenty, Saleem, the defiant Pakistani, was rock solid in his focus, and he did not have a need to translate. He listened and marveled with full concentration, and he was glad that he had agreed to come.
Recognizing his intensity and interest, Mohd eyed Saleem individually from the group. He then spoke as if singling him out.
“There are those among us who desire nothing more than to be treated like the honorable
men
that we are. So I heard a week ago the news of another of our poor
brothers
who lost his life for the benefit of those who care nothing about
him
or his
family.
I told myself that
vengeance
will come, but only those who are willing to live and
die
in not only
hope,
but in the courageous decisions that we must make as
men
and as
brothers
to earn our respect as equals on this earth!”
No longer awaiting the translations inside the room, Mohd concluded, “And if that means that we are to become
serious
enough to take matters into our
own hands
and create the respect that we deserve as men on this earth, then so be it.”
Instinctively, the agreeable men inside the room began to nod with much enthusiasm, but they were still acutely aware that any exuberant celebrations would not be warranted, tolerated or desired within such small and unsecured quarters. Mohd’s speeches were to be internalized and contemplated, not exalted. He was not interested in their reverence, but in their focused actions for the future. He wanted men who would be less moved by him and what he had to say, and would be more moved by the contemplation of their own thoughts.
As he continued to survey the group of men who were eager to become his new recruits, Mohd had already decided on those amongst them who he would trust with his plans, and those that he would not. In the Pakistani soldier, Saleem, Mohd imagined a brave combatant of integrity and loyalty, who was strong and steady enough in his own will to lead a group of mercenaries who would be capable, willing and ready to announce their presence and mission to all of Dubai and to the international tourists of the world.
Chapter 8
After speaking to his wife, Abdul remained at the office after hours. It was approaching nine o’clock and it was dark out, but he was still there trying to decide on his next plan of execution. Although he had not met with the
Emirati
council members yet, he knew that he would have to explain himself to them soon. Not only would he need to explain himself to the
Emirati,
who he was sure had been discussing his latest error, he
They were rhetorical questions with no need for an answer. So Mohd awaited the translations and continued with his deliberate address.
“We,
in this room, are all
brothers,
not because we are
Muslim,
or
Christian,
or
Jew
, or
Hindu,
but because we are
human.
So even if we do not all follow
Muhammad,
or
Jesus, Moses
or
Abraham,
or even
Buddha,
we must learn to protect and guide each other as twenty-first century
humans of poverty
on this earth. How long are we willing to
wait
before we decide to rise up and protect
ourselves
and claim our
own destiny?”
Again, he awaited the translations. And at that point, some of the men inside the room, who were lost in much of Mohd’s zeal, looked to their friends for an evaluation. Were they to believe in no religion at all? Mohd allowed them all to contemplate his meaning before he went on.
“That is why I choose to remain in the working-class slums of the Emirates, so that I may remind myself
always
of the conditions of the less fortunate and not be blinded by the promotions or
illusions
of progress. We must ask ourselves the question, ‘Progress for whom?’ Can we even imagine owning
anything
that we have already
built
and continue to build in this wealthy nation? You ask yourself
that
question?”
Mohd paused once more to allow the men time to translate. And in the middle of the group of twenty, Saleem, the defiant Pakistani, was rock solid in his focus, and he did not have a need to translate. He listened and marveled with full concentration, and he was glad that he had agreed to come.
Recognizing his intensity and interest, Mohd eyed Saleem individually from the group. He then spoke as if singling him out.
“There are those among us who desire nothing more than to be treated like the honorable
men
that we are. So I heard a week ago the news of another of our poor
brothers
who lost his life for the benefit of those who care nothing about
him
or his
family.
I told myself that
vengeance
will come, but only those who are willing to live and
die
in not only
hope,
but in the courageous decisions that we must make as
men
and as
brothers
to earn our respect as equals on this earth!”
No longer awaiting the translations inside the room, Mohd concluded, “And if that means that we are to become
serious
enough to take matters into our
own hands
and create the respect that we deserve as men on this earth, then so be it.”
Instinctively, the agreeable men inside the room began to nod with much enthusiasm, but they were still acutely aware that any exuberant celebrations would not be warranted, tolerated or desired within such small and unsecured quarters. Mohd’s speeches were to be internalized and contemplated, not exalted. He was not interested in their reverence, but in their focused actions for the future. He wanted men who would be less moved by him and what he had to say, and would be more moved by the contemplation of their own thoughts.
As he continued to survey the group of men who were eager to become his new recruits, Mohd had already decided on those amongst them who he would trust with his plans, and those that he would not. In the Pakistani soldier, Saleem, Mohd imagined a brave combatant of integrity and loyalty, who was strong and steady enough in his own will to lead a group of mercenaries who would be capable, willing and ready to announce their presence and mission to all of Dubai and to the international tourists of the world.
Chapter 8
After speaking to his wife, Abdul remained at the office after hours. It was approaching nine o’clock and it was dark out, but he was still there trying to decide on his next plan of execution. Although he had not met with the
Emirati
council members yet, he knew that he would have to explain himself to them soon. Not only would he need to explain himself to the
Emirati,
who he was sure had been discussing his latest error, he
Similar Books
