Ellen McCormick

The Middle East: Great Countries with a Difficult Past but a lot of Potential



Posted: Saturday, January 23, 2010

by Ellen McCormick

Have you ever wondered what the Middle East is really like? The TV has plenty to say about it usually about extremists, veils, minarets, and war. But most of the Middle East knows a totally different reality. Here's some information about a few of the different countries and societies in the Middle East based on personal experience from living and working there.

Lebanon: A Mediterranean paradise. Wake up to see the sun rising over the mountains, and go to bed with it setting over the ocean. Enjoy delicious Arab food with a Mediterranean touch hommous, tabouli, shwarmas, and more! Lebanon has always been known for its food, dancing, beauty and culture. Yes due to political upheaval in the past few decades, Lebanon has been a war-torn country, and the affects of the war can still be seen. Not all of the destroyed buildings have been rebuilt, and many of the people still carry war memories. But now is a time of rebuilding. The Lebanese people the ones in the streets, the shops, the cinemas are committed to peace. Christians and Muslims live together in the same country peacefully, and are learning to dialogue. The war is over, and Lebanon does not need to be ignored. It needs to be supported, visited, helped in this time of rebuilding. So come, enjoy the food, the view, the climate, and the warm welcome from the Lebanese people, who are waiting for you!

Jordan: Whose friends with Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and the U.S.A.? Sound impossible? Jordan shows that it can be. Jordan has the reputation of being the most peaceful country in the Middle East, and everyone's ally. No one is rejected or unwelcome in Jordan. Christians and Muslims, natives and foreigners, are welcome, and all live together in peace and friendship. Whether it's for a weeks vacation, or a permanent move, there is a place for everyone in Jordan for everyone, that is, who is ready to live peacefully with others.

Oman: One of the Muslim gulf countries, Oman is still a very peaceful and friendly country. More laid back, it could be compared to the Midwest states in the U.S. A hot climate, in the heart of the desert, not like the lush Mediterranean climate of Lebanon. Life is a little slower paced, following the weather. Business happens in the morning, slows down or shuts during the hottest hours of the day between noon and three, and then opens up again for the evening. The call for Muslim prayer times can be heard all around the country from the minarets, but Christians also have their Churches and are able to practice.

A note about Muslims and Christians: Although some Muslims are undoubtedly extremists, the majority are very peaceful, welcoming, and friendly people. Faithful to their religion, they are also accommodating and welcoming to the Christians. And even though the Middle East almost always brings Muslims to mind, there are Christians in the Middle East. Middle Easterners Christians and Muslims as a whole, aren't extremists or terrorists. They are people, just like you and me. They have a past, and a future. They have friends and relatives, jobs, schools, social events just like us. They have hopes and dreams, fears and goals. Peace in the Middle East will never come from fear, avoidance, or isolation. It will come from dialogue, from seeing that they are people just like us, people we can know, love, and share life with, welcoming them when they are visiting our countries, and by visiting their countries. We have a lot to learn from them, and many things to share with them as well.

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Born in Saudi Arabia, Ellen was raised in both the Middle East and the United States. She visited numerous countries in Europe and the Middle East, to learn about culture, history, and contemporary society in an experiential way.  Ellen has a licentiate in Educational Development, and is a candidate for a licentiate in Religious Sciences, pending approval of thesis. Since graduating, Ellen has been engaged in the field of education as teacher, tutor, writer, editor, administrator and research assistant.  She is currently living in Lebanon.  More of her work can also be viewed here.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Christofer French
 2 years 104 days ago.
73 fans.
Yes, they are a spiritual and peaceful people. Unfortunately, they do not have participatory forms of government and an activist populace that can exert itself against their establishments or distortions of their religion. They had better stay peaceful and spiritual because the alternative is what is happening to students in Iran! So goes history. Great article. Lovely sentiments. As Alec Guiness said in "Lawrence of Arabia" playing the tribal leader to Arabs (he would become the grandfather to the house of Saud), "We had pulblic lights at night and beautiful gardens in the City of Cordoba, when the English were still dirty barbarians" And Peter O'Toole nods, and then later he says that the English can now go wherever they want because they have a Navy (technological development). The people everywhere need to be "liberated" to differing and varying degrees, but the wonderful people of the Middle East have never had a heritage in which they could exert influence. And that is probably the way it will be for quite a long time, until many many things change. Beautiful article!
» left by Emma Reed
 2 years 103 days ago.
6 fans.
Interesting Post !!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing the information.
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