Update on American Bedu

I've written about my friend and fellow blogger, Carol Fleming Al-Ajroush, "American Bedu," many times.    American Bedu is the most widely read blog about Saudi Arabia, with her daily posts providing invaluable information, interviews, and advice about the country, the culture, and its people.

Carol worked for the US government in a highly classified capacity, under the guise of being an American diplomat, when in actuality, she worked for the CIA as an American spy.  But when cupid's arrow struck her in the heart, she chucked her intelligence career to be with the love of her life, a Saudi career diplomat, Abdullah Al-Ajroush.  Carol moved to Abdullah's native Saudi Arabia with him to live happily ever after.  She began writing her renowned blog American Bedu and settled into wedded bliss in this rugged land rich in history and mystery. Her unique story is being revealed in a soon-to-be-released documentary about her life.  

But their fairy tale ending was short-lived.  After just a few short years, both Carol and Abdullah were diagnosed with cancer in 2008 - she with breast cancer and he with a very rare and aggressive form of acute leukemia.  They both fought their diseases valiantly, but Abdullah lost his battle in February of 2010.  Carol picked up the pieces of her shattered life and has pressed on, but I am very sad to report that right now it appears as though her breast cancer is winning.

Carol's prognosis is dismal.  She does not have much time left here on this earth and requires round the clock care.  AND THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN.  You can help.  You can help by contributing to a fund set up for Carol to provide this costly care for her in her final days.  Please donate if you can.  She has given so much of herself and never faltered in her mission to bridge the gap in understanding the Muslim world and Saudi Arabia.  Please show her how much she has been appreciated by all of us by making a donation.  Thank you.

CLICK HERE to go to CAROL'S BREAST CANCER FUND and MAKE A DONATION.

You might enjoy reading ...
 
My interview on American Bedu

My son Adam's interview on American Bedu

TIME Magazine's Person of the Year Runner Up: Malala Yousafzai

This past year I have become a huge fan of a young teenage girl from the Swat Vally in Pakistan - Malala Yousafzai.  I have written about her previously on this blog.  Malala made worldwide headlines in October when an unsuccessful attempt was made on her life by the Taliban.  She has become a symbol of hope and inspiration not just for Pakistani women, but for all women around the world. 

This article in TIME magazine, which honors Malala in the number 2 spot for the magazine's Person of the Year annual award, shows what a remarkable young lady she is, even as she recuperates from her injuries in a London hospital.  Hers is a story of quiet strength and unwavering determination. 

Congratulations to Malala on her deserved recognition.  President Obama was named TIME's Person of the Year.  Other honorees include:  Apple CEO Tim Cook,; Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi; and particle physicist Fabiola Gianotti. 

The Bravest Man in Saudi Arabia

Who is the bravest man in Saudi Arabia?

Many Saudis say that it is Khaled Al-Johani, a 40-year-old school teacher and father who has been languishing in a Saudi prison since March. His crime was speaking out in favor of freedom and democracy to a BBC News crew on the much touted (but fizzled) "Day of Rage" earlier this year on March 11 in Saudi Arabia. Although hundreds of protesters demonstrated in several cities in the Eastern Province of the country, Khaled Al-Johani is the only known person who actually showed up in the designated spot in the country's capital city of Riyadh to voice his opinions and his desires for change regarding the future of Saudi Arabia. An overwhelmingly strong and well armed police presence, along with threats of jail or loss of citizenship, discouraged other citizens from participating in the planned Day of Rage. In fact, no one at all in KSA's second largest city, Jeddah, took part. Criticism of the Saudi government is not permitted and is met with harsh consequences. While many Saudi citizens might agree with what Khaled said, they are too afraid of speaking out for fear of being jailed, tortured, or worse.

I am re-posting the below video called "Where is Khaled?" to keep his story alive. Khaled's family was not allowed any contact with him for almost two months. In May family members were allowed to visit him in prison and reported that "he had lost weight and was depressed." As far as I have read about the case, he is being detained as a political prisoner without any legal recourse.



In the video, Khaled says, "We need democracy. We need freedom. We need to speak freely. The government doesn't own us. There is no free media under a monarchy state. The media cannot report freely. They only report the statements of the Ministry of the Interior. They didn't expect that anyone in Saudi Arabia will dare to speak to the media because he or she will be jailed. We don't have freedom. We don't have dignity. We don't have justice. The whole world is free except us under this country."

My personal experience living in Saudi Arabia tells me that Saudis love their country and are extremely proud of their country. Khaled spoke out because he loves his country and wants it to be even better. Is this wrong? Should he be jailed for wanting his country to be better? A country that doesn't allow criticism of its government or policies is an oppressive government.

AOL News Article, "Imprisoned Father of Autistic Boy Called 'the Bravest Man in Saudi Arabia'"

Saudi Arabian security forces quell 'day of rage' protests (Guardian.co.uk)

Saudi Man Dies Saving American Child

The following article is reprinted from Arab News. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much at all written about this story in the American press. This young man died a hero, and America should hear about it.
PLEASE READ THE UPDATE TO THIS STORY BELOW.

Mourners hail Saudi's heroic act in US
By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Apr 26, 2011

JEDDAH: A large crowd attended in Jeddah on Monday the burial of Mashari Abdul Mohsen Al-Siraihi, a 21-year-old who drowned in a lake in Ohio last week after rescuing an American child.

Al-Siraihi, born in 1990, was studying electronic engineering in the University of Akron. His body arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport on Sunday.


Al-Siraihi and his friend George Raresheid III, 46, of Lake Township drowned in a cold water reservoir in West Branch State Park, Ohio, in a weather-triggered accident on April 17.

Though saddened by the untimely death of the young Saudi man, mourners were proud that he gave his life for another and described him as a real hero.

Speaking to Arab News, the mourners were unanimous in their view that Al-Siraihi’s heroic deed was enough proof for Americans to realize that Saudis are a peace-loving people who uphold moral and humanitarian values.

They said his deed was no strange act to Muslims, who love others regardless of their race, color or creed.

Nasser Al-Siraihi, a relative of the deceased, said he was deeply saddened by the death.

“Though we are sad, we are also proud that Mashari was able to save the American child, who was the son of his friend,” he said.

Muhammad Hamdan Al-Sirahai, Mashari’s uncle, expressed similar sentiments and said he saved a child who was not from his race or religion.

“Mashari was able to project the true picture of Islam. He was a hero who died saving others,” he said.

Naif Al-Siraihi, another uncle, who is a master’s degree student in the US and who accompanied the body back home, said his nephew was sailing with his American friend and his son Michael, 13, in the lake when their 14-foot flat-boat fishing boat capsized in bad weather.

He said Al-Siraihi swam with the child to the shore and went back into the water to rescue the father but could not. He finally succumbed to the water.

He said when American rescuers reached the scene it was too late and both men died.

Naif Al-Siraihi, who shared the same room with Mashari, said the search for his body continued into the next day. “After 20 hours of searching using helicopters, Mashari's body was found near the shore,” he said.

Al-Siraihi's relatives and friends who received the body at the airport said amid tears that his heroic deed would live long in the memory.

UPDATE: Apparently there are two versions to this incident - the way Arab News chose to report it on April 26 with Al-Siraihi dying as a hero, and the version published on April 18 in the CantonRep.com whereby the American boy who survived was the actual hero. Another issue is the fact that the CantonRep reported that Al-Siraihi was in fact the boyfriend of the daughter of the other man who drowned. This was completely omitted in the Arab News article - because good Saudi boys/heros don't have girlfriends. I believe Arab News has intentionally hoodwinked its readers, myself included. And I'm not happy about it.