BouhaBlog.com

Who was being xenophobic?

2009-07-07T20:44:00.005+03:00

Everywhere on Internet (especially Facebook) and in the media, the headline event is the murder of the muslim woman inside a German court by a German citizen.

The German government is saying that this is a single case, the guy was an unstable fanatic, and full stop.

In Egypt however, the case is taken much more seriously and millions are feeling offended, they are screaming to the increasing islamophobia, called the murdered woman the "Headscarf martyr" and asking for maximum sanctions for the killer.

People are angry and saying that the sign of this "islamophobia" is the murder of the woman... I am of course sad and I feel compassion for her familly, (especially the husband and the little daughter), but I still think that it was a single incident...

Lunatics and psychos exist everywhere, and a few years ago, a German policewoman was stabbed in the neck inside a German police patrol car, she died centimetres away from her colleague.

Was there a xenophobic act that day? Yes!

Was it the murder of the woman? No!
What was it?

When the German police entered the court to save the situation, they saw a blond guy with a knife covered with blood in his hand, an agonizing woman (18 stabs)on the floor, and her husband, also stabbed and screaming from shock and pain,, first thing the German policeman thinks: looks arab = danger ! And he shot the victim in his leg, assuming that the blond guy can not be the bad guy, and it is the other who looks more like a terrorist who should be the criminal!!!

That was the revolting act that day, and that is THE proof of xenophobia (I don't want to use the term "Islamophobia").

There were two victims that day: the woman and the man. The death of the woman can be described as a single case, but the man who was 100% innocent and who was shot by the German police (dont tell me they are psycho or fanatics) is definitely a victim of negative stereotypes and xenophobiaa. And this is much much worse than the murder of the woman by the killer.

If we should be angry, AND WE SHOULD!, then we should be angry of the German police acts, and not of the unemployed psycho!!

If anyone is still mad at the blond criminal more than at the German police, then he definitely is shortsighted, not to say an idiot! People! please open your eyes wide and put your fingers on the right signals!!!!

Bernstein on risk management

2009-06-09T02:08:00.001+03:00

Risk doesn’t mean danger—it just means not knowing what the future holds. That insight resides at the core of risk management for companies, whether in managing the potential downside of an investment or putting a value on the option of waiting when making irreversible decisions. In this video Peter L. Bernstein also explains why in the real world the most sophisticated mathematical models can sometimes fail.

Hummer belong to the Chinese

2009-06-05T18:42:00.004+03:00

When I was ten, I used to listen to my late father's stories about the fall of the Berlin wall, how they lived the War of 1973, how they saw history being written, and he simply told me that I shouldn't be jaleous of his generation because we will also witness amazing historic events... like the following one:

General Motors is officially bankrupt.

Once the dragon of the american economy and the symbol of a booming industry GM was the global sales leader for 77 consecutive calendar years from 1931 to 2007, the company

broke another record by being America's biggest ever industrial failure with debts of 172 billion $.

I spare you the details of the new structure of the bust company, but I emphasize on one very ironic fact concerning the brand Hummer.

Hummer is originally the vehicle of the american army, then with the H1 it started being available to the public, and with the H2 it incarnated the American dream. It also symbolises new bourgeoisie and is an ambassador for gas-guzzlers.

However this symbol of a successful america is today being sold to the chinese commies: The republic of the people will be the producer of THE american vehicle.

My father was right...

Source: The Economist and BBC.

Real german university Vs Fake german university 1

2009-05-26T22:00:00.005+03:00

In a real german university (like the BTU Cottbus): you meet the president of the university in the toilet, pee side to side, and he waits behind you for his turn to use the hands towel.

In a fake german university (like the one in Cairo): you see the president (same applies to the "president of the board of trustees) on your first day when he promises wonders and outstanding performances to new students and their parents, and the rest of the time you see the black Mercedes E class parked in the shadow.

Post#100: Faced with food and energy crisis, how can society improve its well-being?

2009-05-08T20:45:00.003+03:00

The European PVC industry club organises a yearly essay competition with prizes of a few thousands €, they say it is part of their commitment to sustainability. I participated this year with an essay in which I express my dislike to today's invasive globalization, criticizing the over-interdependence of states when it comes to food and energy supply. I urge countries of the world to become self-sufficient in food and energy production; that was my answer to the question: "Faced with food and energy crisis, how can society improve its well-being?"...

Wrong answer!! You don't come up with leftist protectionist ideas in 2009, it is just not on the agenda... food and energy sovereignty? NO WAY! All these decades spent to control the world, and now you want us to step back? Sorry mister, you are completely on the wrong path!

We prefer people who blame it on the booming population or even on unsustainable ways of consumption, the first shows the crisis is not our fault ( it's the fault of ignorant people in third world who don't use contraception methods), and the second is very trendy :)

Anyway, I still believe that food and energy sovereignty are capital, and that they will keep the vital needs secure even in times of global economic crises, you can read my essay by visiting the official website of the contest and choose Tunisia under "countries" (the only Tunisian participant), or here if it is removed from their server for any reason.

I also recommend to read the winners' essays which - I have to admit- are of good quality.

P.S: I dedicate this post (my #100) to Naddou and Zizou who inspired me and supported me to start blogging (meme si c'est pas assez romantique pour etre "dedicacable":)).

The Cartoon History of the US - Larry Gonick

2009-05-07T16:44:00.003+03:00

It is very hard for me to read a serious book, I can not force myself to concentrate on something too academic, boring, and monotone, It is exactly like forcing yourself to eat a fatty tasteless paste. I prefer books that are captivating, with a touch of humour and sarcasm. And since I always wanted to know more about the history of the US, I asked my friend Dan (he is an anthropologist) to recommend a book on the history of the states that is easy to read. He recommended this book: he said he recommends it to all his non-american friends... It illustrates the history of the states since the discovery in 1492, until the mid 90's. Colonisation, slavery, civil war, labor movement, world wars, cold war... it covers the most important milestones in the (very short) US history and gives a good background for general knowledge.

The book is written and drawn in a very captivating way, with so much humour and sarcasm, and I finished it in a few days, not only for the purpose of learning, but also because the suspense is so thrilling, it is more like reading a story.

And though I have the feeling the author chose some events over others, and covered some better than others (not in the best glorifying way, believe me :)), I am very glad I discovered this book, I learned a lot and was very entertained reading it, and I think I became a fan of Larry's work :).

Thanks Dan for this great recommendation, and I recommend it too to all those who want to know more about the history of the US, in a different way than in boring history classes.

FUTURE SHORTS: Zoologic

2009-03-30T11:52:00.001+02:00

Back to Germany I can post videos from YouTube :) And this one is really nice.

Scholarship to study in MASDAR Institute/ Abu Dhabi

2009-03-22T15:48:00.003+02:00

Another scholarship opportunity I found in my mailbox, and which I decided to share with my readers :).

This one is not in the US neither in a EU country, but it is simply in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The MASDAR institute represents the vision of the future for the local government, and in addition to building a state of the art carbon neutral city fueled by renewable energies, the idea is to import knowledge, so they established a partnership with MIT, and now it is possible to do a masters in engineering there.

I personally have a bad experience with newly found universities (especially in the arab world), but for a poor student this car be the door to a new dimension. Trying costs nothing :)

The MASDAR Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi is pleased to announce full scholarships to highly qualified graduate students from around the world. (6-10 scholarships are available to U.S. students).

The MASDAR Institute is the centerpiece of the MASDAR Initiative, a landmark program by the government of Abu Dhabi to establish an entirely new economic sector dedicated to alternative and sustainable energy. The MASDAR Institute is a private, not-for-profit, independent, research-driven institute developed with the support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT provides assistance in recruitment of faculty members and senior administrative staff and the provision of course curriculum, amongst other matters. The Institute is located inside the world’s first carbon neutral, zero waste Masdar City which will be powered solely by alternative energy, mainly solar energy.

The Institute offers Masters and (in 2011) PhD programs in science and engineering disciplines, with a focus on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. It welcomes and encourages applications from qualified students and provides scholarships to talented students who meet its high admission standards.

Beginning September 2009, the MASDAR Institute will offer five 24-month Master of Science programs (coursework and thesis).

MSc in Engineering Systems and Management
MSc in Information Technology
MSc in Materials Science and Engineering
MSc in Mechanical Engineering
MSc in Water and Environment

Full scholarship is available to qualified talented students who meet its high admission standards which include appropriate TOEFL score, GRE and an excellent CGPA from a recognized university. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) or 2:1 in the British system, minimum TOEFL score of 577, and a minimum GRE quantitative score of 700 are the basic requirements without which an applicant will most likely not be considered.

Students accepted into the Masdar Institute will be offered a full scholarship which includes the following:

100% tuition fee scholarship
Textbooks
Laptop
Medical Insurance
Housing in a single unit apartment (at the Masdar campus)
International students will receive reimbursement of travel expenses (economy class air-ticket) into Abu Dhabi and back home after completion of studies. Travel expenses (return economy class air-ticket) back to the student’s home country at the end of the 1st year of studies will also be reimbursed.
Reimbursement of TOEFL and GRE exam fees (upon registration at Masdar Institute and submission of original receipts)
A competitive stipend per month (cost of living allowance).
No bond or conditions to the scholarship upon graduation

The scholarship and benefits are subject to the student maintaining a minimum CGPA as determined by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and satisfactory progress on their research.

Details of faculty profiles, current research, programs offered, course description, scholarships, and other information is available on the website at www.masdar.ac.ae.

Any questions about the Institute and scholarships may be directed to Stephen Lee, Assistant Provost, at slee@masdar.ac.ae.

http://www.infobeasiswa.net/archives/2009/03/21/full-scholarships-for-graduate-study-at-masdar-institute-in-abu-dhabi/

Good luck!

Amin

THE gadget of the future

2009-03-17T15:47:00.002+02:00

Have a look at this thing, amazing user-friendliness! Pure science fiction!
It makes the iPhone, the Surface, the TouchWall seem as technologically advanced as a spoon.

The End of the US?

2009-03-04T16:11:00.003+02:00

In 1998, during an "Information Walfare" conference in Austria, Prof. Panarin from Russia predicts -in front of 400 fellows- the end of the United States of America in 12 years (2010).

His argument was that the economic system would collapse, and helped by moral and social degradance, a civil war will take place between the wealthier and the poorer states, and it would result in dismanteling the USA into 6 parts detailed in the map below.The world is now devided between supporters of this scenario and people who are laughing at the idea.

I think that although the US are facing a very hard period (maybe the hardest) in their history, there is no possibility of division of the states. We all know the result of the last American civil war. Maybe the US will be very weakened internally and internationally, but the Americans wouldn't give away their freedom and go hide under the umbrellas of the other forces in the world.

For more infos about the guy and his thesis, click on this link.

La révolution du Crabe

2009-02-25T00:12:00.003+02:00

Un court metrage qui peut sembler tres bete.... Mais qui vehicule un message profond... Ou peut etre je me fais des idees...
Au moins il a le merite d'etre drole et mignion!

Man of The Year

2009-02-23T17:11:00.002+02:00

"Politicians are like diapers, they are changed frequently, and for the same reason".

A comedy about a political comedian who runs for president and gets elected thanks to a computer bug. Not very serious or deep, but funny enough and light like a decent Robin Williams.

I liked it :)

Scholarship for an MBA in the USA

2009-02-20T23:30:00.002+02:00

I suscribed to many newsletters for scholarships opportunities everywhere, and I found this one particularly interesting for ambitious young people from our region, so i decided to share it with my readers/visitors/friends:

The Peter and Alice von Loesecke scholarship foundation will be awarding scholarships to MBA candidates who desire to return immediately back to their home country after graduation.

ELIGIBILITY
* You wish to build a business or continue a family business in your country of citizenhip
(including students from Egypt, Iraq

, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Morocco, Tunesia, Kuweit, Algeria, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Mauritania, Somalia, Palestine, Djibouti, and Comoros)

HOW TO APPLY
Your university program will have to nominate you for the scholarship. You will have to demonstrate through an essay your eligibility.

DEADLINE
The deadline to nominate candidates is April 15, 2009

Source

Birthday

2009-01-30T16:40:00.003+02:00

He'd be 53 today. But he's resting in peace ...

I don't think "happy birthday" is the appropriate wish so I will do my best to keep your memory, your philosophy, your principles alive, and work for a better world.

To my dad who worshipped knolwledge, did much to promote it, made me consious of its importance and power, and gave everything he had in order to offer his children and the others'children the best of it.

I'm still on this path and I'll make you proud...

God bless your soul...

Your ever loving son.

Putin: Russia doesn't need Dell's help

2009-01-29T18:07:00.003+02:00

When Putin tells Michael Dell that assembling computers is not as hard as it seems, and that Russia has some of the best programmers in the World.

Microsoft TouchWall... the Surface of the poor

2009-01-12T01:01:00.002+02:00

Microsoft presented its futuristic "Appleistic" Surface last year. A great system that changes our approach to computers by simply putting the mouse and keyboard in the closet. The downside: A price tag of 10.000 US Dollars.

Luckily, Bill Gates presented a similar interface that will cost (according to him) "a few hundred dollars". The TouchWall will be on sale in "a couple of years". And I am so seduced I'll be one of the very first buyers. Let the video speak...

For more details: Link.

Extraordinary technical achievement!

2009-01-07T14:46:00.004+02:00

Amazing work of engineering and astonishing demonstration of the laws of physics:

This is how NASA transports the space shuttles from their landind site in California to the launching site in Florida: by simply attaching them on a Boeing 747 and ferry them accross the country.

Video below:

For the entire story:
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/discover_plane_001122.html

Egyptian Boy - Hilarious

2009-01-03T01:25:00.001+02:00

Quantum of Solace... the new "James Bond"

2009-01-02T00:06:00.002+02:00

I finally had the chance to watch the last James Bond after a few months wait and I confess I was quite impatient to see it just because I knew there are Alfas 159... and the new girl.... of course.

To spare you long philosophical cinematomane bullshit, this movie will find many many fans.... among Tomb Raider, The Punisher, and Die Hard lovers. Tons and tons of typical Holywood action scenes and bloody fights, by a sweating bleeding british special agent all the time, who uses only Ford vehicles and Sony Ericson phones.

This is by no mean a real James Bond movie, and I will explain why:

1. (and most important) He never says "My name is Bond, James Bond".

2. He almost never smiles.

3. He has no high tech 007 gadgets and we dont see Q briefing him and telling him to be carefull with them.

4. He doesn't make you laugh at any moment.

5. He's brutal, uses raw force instead of being subtile and using his brains and his charm.

6. So much product placement.

I hated it very much, I was expecting a totally different experience, I was waiting for a subtile gentleman playboy who saves the world then makes love to a gorgeous babe, and I was shocked with a running stuntman who never smiles and who kills everything that moves.

The typical 007 wears chic trendy clothes, travels the world's trendiest capitals cruising from an opera to a private ball in anAston Martin fully equipped with insate gadgets, gets 3 or 4 cute chicks, punshes two security guards, stops the bad guy from taking over the world with a big laser, and then by the end of the movie fights the personal bodyguard of the bad guy (usually a giant or a midget) and makes love to the James Bond Girl.

They didn't apply this simple receipe and they resulted in a whatever Hitman, Transporter or another stupid Holywood action blockbuster...

2009

2008-12-31T14:34:00.002+02:00

Another year passed by and a new one coming...
One of my resolutions for the new year is to blog more often about student life in Cottbus since i did not find any blog about that when I searched for it...
Best wishes!
Bouha

Blank Post

2008-12-26T19:22:00.000+02:00

Late because of internet connexion problems...

Blogging from eastern Germany

2008-11-22T04:48:00.003+02:00

Sehr Geehrte Lesere,
This blog's heart is beating again after another long absence (no posts in more than 50 days!!!) due of a change of domicile.

I am now living in Germany, Cottbus more precisely. A small town of around 100.000 inhabitants a hundred km south of Berlin. And I will be living here for the next coming years inchallah (if I find a source of financing for the next two years).

I am finally studying what I wanted to study since the day I had my baccalaureate : Environmental Resources Management (in english please :) ). And since I want to be among the best (if not THE best), I spent most of the last month in the library (the picture) studying, reading and atching the season 12 of TopGear. But from now on, I have internet access in my room (no DSL, 3G) and I can blog more frequently :) )

This post is just to say I am still alive, the next will be more exiting I promise, with some more action Cottbus way ;)

Bis Bald!

P.S: It snowed for the first time this year today, and I saw snow for the first time in my life.

Léon l'Africain

2008-09-07T14:57:00.004+02:00

L'amateur des récits de voyage que je suis n'a jamais été si bien servi!!! Un récit de voyage, une reflexion sur la vie et les vivants, un transport dans l'espace et le temps, une description des lieu qui plonge le lecteur dans le décor et un style inimitable!

Amin Maalouf nous présente un personnage fort interéssant qui fait son autobiographie: Hassan al-Wazzan, aussi connu sous l'appelation de Léon l'Africain.

Né a grenade, émigrant a Fes, puis au Caire, (en passant par Tombouctou), ensuite kidnappé a Djerba pour commencer sa vie en Italie, , le héros a assisté a plusieurs faits historiques célèbres et cotoyé des noms fameux (Barberousse, Léon X, Clément VII,...).

Il a aussi eu plusieurs femmes et plusieures vies en quarante ans de sa vie. Ce qui m'a personnellement touché dans son passage d'une vie a une autre, c'est qu'il le fait comme s'il naissait a nouveau: sans aucun bien matériel, quittant les siens (parents, femmes et enfants), n'emportant que ses souvenirs, son expérience et son savoir faire et se fiant a la providence...

Un livre plein de sagesse, d'humour, qu'on dévore comme une douceur, un pur instant de bonheur.... Merci Amin! T'es un magicien!!

The Jumbo Hostel

2008-09-05T18:38:00.005+02:00

Unlike the majority of old planes, this 747 wont be reborn as a sheet of steel or a can of soda. A swedish entrepreneur bought it to transform it into a low cost hostel at the entrance of the Airport of Stockholm.
It's got 85 beds, in 85 rooms, shared bathrooms (only the cockpit suite has it's own bathroom, and a panoramic view) and the owners promise a unique experience spending the night in a real Jumbo Jet.

www.jumbohostel.com
Source: Wired.

INSANE!!!: Supermodel Kate Moss all in Gold

2008-09-03T17:55:00.003+02:00

Source:The Daily News, BBC.

Stunning piece of news this morning: The largest 100% gold sculpture since the pharaohs times!!!
Representing the british supermodel Kate Moss in the Sphinx Yoga pose, and made by the Londonian artist Marc Quinn, the statue weights 50 kg and is made of pure gold. It is worth nearly 3 million $.

"I thought the next thing to do would be to make a sculpture of the person who's the ideal beauty of the moment" he said. The artwork then is a symbol of perfect human beauty, a sort of female David.

Only one partial facial shot is available, so we'll have to wait till October to see the rest of it in the British Museum in London.
At a price of 805$ /oz the statue's weight in gold worths nearly 1.5million $, which leads me to wonder who finances such an initiative and what are his motives... It' s unlikely to be Kate, she's saving to buy a private Jet (Vogue).