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Episode 35 - “Trouble Finds Its Way”
Upon returning from a peaceful few weeks in Syria, Adel makes two upsetting discoveries.
In response to some reader demand, I put together a more extensive Behind The Scenes page that shows the producers at work on Hometown Baghdad.
Ausama also wanted me to share some videos from the great Iraqi Oud (Middle Eastern Guitar) player Naseer Shamma.
- Alamiryya Performance
- Hilal Alsaba Performance
- Naseer Shamma with a large orchestra/band Posted by mike
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June 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Adel, I think it is amazing that you look to yourself and your generation to rebuild Iraq. I hope more than anything that our peers from around the world step up to help.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Adel,
Please be safe. Maybe it was a good thing that you and your family was in Syria during this time. Who knows what would have happened if you were home during the robbery or at practice with your band. And Karenne said it best, it is amazing that you look to yourself and your generation to rebuild Iraq. I do hope and pray that in your lifetime you will be able to see this and that your memories of Baghdad will be far from what is going on now.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
adel , hang on my friend u have to be patient , just finsh ur shit in baghdad and we will join together again , we will make music that will heal our injuries …… 666
June 4th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Greetings Adel -
I am sorry to learn of your difficult return to Baghdad. However, I am inspired by your hope and desire to rebuild your country. In fact, you personify the sentiments in one of my favorite inspirational quotes:
“Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things
and still be calm in your heart.”
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peace,
V.
P.S. - Keep on rockin’!
June 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
How I despise war!
Adel, try to be strong. Think and believe in a better future.
Thats all I can say.I hope you don’t get too messed-up.
The behind the scences page was very good, mike.
And I liked Hilal-alsaba best …
June 5th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Adel, I want you and the others from Hometown Baghdad to be in charge of the rebuilding of Iraq. There are so many smart, talented and vibrant people in your country. The fighting needs to stop. Iraqis need to figure out everybody is in this together. Together they have to make it stop and then rebuild an even better place than Saddam had going over there before. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
What an awful way to end your vacation. It’s like all the happiness and peace you gained was taken away again. I’m so sorry.
Still praying for you.
June 5th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Adel,
My prayers go out to you and all of the Iraqis that are having to suffer through this awful war.
With people like you leading the way when the fighting is finally finished Iraq can once again be the beautiful country it once was.
I have told all of my friends about Hometown Baghdad. I want them to see what your daily lives are like and the hell that you have to endure.
May God and Allah keep you safe.
June 5th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
It sends shivers down my spine to see this! Just .. everything about it. What war drives people to do.
I hope you can find a nice, safe place to practice your music!
ps. Brenda, Allah is God! ‘Allah’ is the Arabic word for God Subhanahu watala.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Adel, my best friend and my brother , i hope you will be safe form all the dangerous things and i hope you will be careful from the bad things like ways or anything…
always friends
B.H.S
June 6th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Greetings from Tokyo, Japan.
Ausama and mike, thank you so much for the Naseer Shamma links. I went to see him play live in Tokyo a few years back. The hall was full, and I was deeply impressed with his music, especially Al-Amiryya. They were selling his CDs at the hall, but sadly enough they were sold out when I got there. It would be great if we some day get to hear “heavy rock a-la Iraq, avec oud”.
Adel, I really hope you will never have to use the gun. And I hope you start feeling it’s home without seeing troubles and destruction. Stay safe, every body. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for telling and sharing. Peace.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Wish you all the best. But be realistic. Two million Iraqis, the best and the brightest, doctors, engineers, and teachers, have left the country. Many (most?) will never come back. Iraq will become a sectarian state like Iran. Sorry the US did this to you. But you are smart and will survive. Best of luck.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I’m equally amazed and enlightened every time I watch your reports. Adel, your attitude toward the destruction and your laughter is thrilling. With your energy and positive outlook as well as your continuing education in engineering the new Iraq, and I’m confident that it will happen in your lifetime, will be rebuilt with creativity and compassion. Thank you again for your willingness to share your life with us.
June 8th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Adel, will you be going to Syria again for the holidays? I am relieved that you were not in Baghdad when your practice place was bombed, or when your house was robbed. Were you able to get back any of the stuff that was robbed?
June 9th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Dear friends,
thank you for your words, I am lestening to all of you, this has been a good place for me to find hope.
by the way as long as I’m not six feet under yet I consider myslef a witness not a victim, compared to the all tragedies around me I am still a bit lucky, anyways I think I don’t care anymore…
p.s.
Bashar and Latef..hope you’re doing great..I miss you guys \:m/
June 9th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Adel, I haven’yt seen you comment on videos before!
Good luck and best wishes
June 10th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Adel,
I hear your despair when you say “anyways I don’t care anymore” . I remember when there were times when you could smile in your vlogs. Is there anyway for your family to earn and save enough money or even sell your house and belongings in order to get further away than Syria ? Perhaps a country that doesn’t have such a large influx of refugees so that your father can find a job ? Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.
At any rate, I’ll pray for you and your family .
Billie
June 21st, 2007 at 5:49 pm
People who thief have no lives -_-
It’s a shame about the security situation.. I hate it when I always see an article talking about how police/military recruits got killed.. you guys need those kind of people.. stupid bad guys are so evil! Kind of makes you wish they’re not that smart..
June 28th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Adel,
Keep your faith in yourself, life is really hard over there, but we will all step up to rebuild our Iraq… Its our country, we lived and had our best memories there.
Peace,
ADM
June 29th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Adel,
You are a strong person. Its sad to see that the situation in Iraq isnt gettting any better. All we can do at this point is pray that Allah(swt)guide and help all those in need, during this very tough period in life.
I travelled to Iraq a year ago and am plannig to do so this year also. i must say though, that Baghdad isnt the place to be at all. though when i travelled there i had no fear, i felt that i belonged to the land.
Just remember, “every sun has to set”, and insha’Allah the sun will soon set in Iraq,with the help of poeple like yourself.
If theres anything i can do to help, please DONT hesitate to contact me.
W/salam
August 5th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Adel you are very nice person. you have strong will and splits. I am Japanese and I have Iraq bf.
I hope he is safe in Baghdad. everyday I think about him.
and I always pray for his safe.
He is my everything.
We must be know more about IRAQ.
September 14th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Best regards from Sarajevo, place that used to be like Baghdad, four years living under the siege with no option for going some where else. You have the option.