[nasional_list] [ppiindia] Bringing Down the Curtains

From: "Ambon" <sea@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@freelists.org>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:10:27 +0100
** Forum Nasional Indonesia PPI India Mailing List **
** Untuk bergabung dg Milis Nasional kunjungi: 
** Situs Milis: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ **
** Beasiswa dalam negeri dan luar negeri S1 S2 S3 dan post-doctoral 
scholarship, kunjungi 
http://informasi-beasiswa.blogspot.com 
**http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=76218&d=14&m=1&y=2006

            Saturday, 14, January, 2006 (14, Dhul Hijjah, 1426)


                  Bringing Down the Curtains
                  Tariq A. Al-Maeena, close_encounters@xxxxxxxxx 


                    
                  It was the day before Haj, and Jeddah was eerily silent. None 
of the hustle and bustle associated with this busiest of cities. The streets 
were nearly deserted of traffic, as millions were gathering themselves on their 
way to Arafat to perform Haj, while others were enjoying their time off work. 
The day started pleasant and cool. And so it seemed a perfect morning to take a 
drive around the town, unfettered by the throng of traffic and unnerving 
drivers we are so accustomed to. My wife and my son made my company as we took 
a casual drive by the coastline. On the way back, we stopped by The Coffee Bean 
and Tea Leaf outlet to enjoy breakfast.

                  There were two entrances, one for families and the other for 
singles. As we walked into the family section, we were not impressed by the 
confined space within the tiny premises, nor by the claustrophobic curtains and 
shades that closed the outside in and left us with the feeling that we were 
boxed in.

                  Not wanting to spend our time in confinement, we placed our 
order and asked the clerk to bring our breakfast over to the singles section 
where we were going to be seated. That area was well spaced out and with large 
windows opening out onto the street. The view was pleasant and cheery and there 
was hardly a soul in there from which one could expect any trouble.

                  The clerk somewhat flustered with my request, told me that 
that area was set aside for singles. "Don't worry," I assured him. "Any single 
man trying anything out of line would have me to deal with. You just go ahead 
and get our orders ready. Leave the rest to me."

                  Noticing his reluctance, I asked him firmly if there was any 
law in the books preventing us from being seated where we chose. And I was 
certainly not going to subject our presence of mind to a cramped atmosphere. I 
could understand preventing singles from invading family sections, but the 
reverse held no logic. My wife by this time began fidgeting nervously, while my 
son coolly distanced himself away.

                  I continued. "Listen, It's OK. I assure you I will take care 
of my family. And you don't have to worry. It is my decision and I don't 
believe there would be any trouble. People are not animals, and that includes 
singles. And if one happens to get out of line, I will quickly put an end to 
it. Besides there are no patrons in the single section yet, and so we should 
not expect any trouble," I reassured him.

                  "But sir, maybe the conservative people..." he stammered, as 
his fellow workers stood by taking it all in.

                  "What? You are going to tell me they will raid this place and 
arrest you all just because my family and I are enjoying an early morning 
breakfast in a cheery atmosphere? If you are concerned about that and I can 
understand your fears, I'll assure you that if they happen to come by and make 
trouble I will absolve you of all responsibility and deal with them on my own. 
We are not committing any sins or vices, and have nothing to fear."

                  He finally gave in as we made ourselves over to the singles 
section and seated ourselves. It was indeed a much more pleasant place to enjoy 
our breakfast. And after we were served, I noticed from the corner of my eye 
the waiters were discreetly leaving the premises one by one. They simply did 
not want to get busted.

                  Amusing as it was, I wondered...Is it not time to bring down 
the curtains? We perform our Haj in mixed company, we pray at the Holy Mosques 
in closeness of each other, we travel on airplanes un-segregated, and yet we 
cannot as civilized people sit and break bread in proximity of each other 
without the fear of hassle or annoyance?
                 


           
     


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



***************************************************************************
Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg 
Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia
***************************************************************************
__________________________________________________________________________
Mohon Perhatian:

1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik)
2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari.
3. Reading only, http://dear.to/ppi 
4. Satu email perhari: ppiindia-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
5. No-email/web only: ppiindia-nomail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
6. kembali menerima email: ppiindia-normal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    ppiindia-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 



** Forum Nasional Indonesia PPI India Mailing List **
** Untuk bergabung dg Milis Nasional kunjungi: 
** Situs Milis: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ **
** Beasiswa dalam negeri dan luar negeri S1 S2 S3 dan post-doctoral 
scholarship, kunjungi 
http://informasi-beasiswa.blogspot.com **
[nasional_list] [ppiindia] Bringing Down the Curtains

Other related posts:
