The trip to Petra was a long one. They had left Amman two hours ago and at least another two rested ahead of them. If it wasn't for Hayel the young guide of twenty five years besides her the hours would have seemed as long as years to her. Hayel had a white complexion, heart shaped face, and black eyes. He was a talkative fellow in his nature and left no room for boredom at all. He began with the history of Amman the capital of Jordan, its beginnings and how it was slowly settled by the surrounding people from other provinces in pursuit of better income. Although having weak English with poor sentence structure, she was able to understand what he was telling her. He also told her of how he traveled to the city to make some money to help support his father whom was under debt and barely able to make things meet even with the revenue of the crops from their small piece of land. He apparently had an elderly uncle that denied his father his rightful inheritance that was verbally agreed upon before their father died. His uncle lived in an extensive house and enjoyed a peaceful life. He even brought a Mercedes Benz to save him traveling on beasts like the rest of the people of the village while not enjoying the initiative to help them out at all. However life progressed and being literate he soon found a job in Amman at a government bureau as a messenger and with his patience and hard work he was promoted to office work in the same department. He happily announced that it was to her luck that she caught him while he had just begun a one month vacation that he was planning to spend with his parents in Kerak. But against the handsome money she paid him as a guide, he was more than happy to help her out and guide her to Petra.

Attempting to secure more man power as his muscular six foot and a half build revealed to her how much he could be of help, she asked, "Can’t you stay with us till we finish the digs? We have tents and food enough for a life time. Besides shuttling to nearby towns will be possible as the vehicles are at our disposable till the excursion ends."

Hayel answered with his broken English, "sorry, I have to walk to town, father mother want me, only have one month vacation." His thin eyebrows and hair contrasted tremendously with his thick mustache as he apologized, "Next time but talk me before,"

She couldn't help giggling as she finally asked, "Where did you learn English?"

"BBC on radio, I hear English lessons,"

"That is good. We are able to communicate."

"You like sheep meat?"

"You mean lamb meat."

"Yes, sorry, lamb meat…I you," he gestured with his hand as he spoke, "go to town…mother cook Mansaf…you know rice…lamb meat and yoghurt."

"Of course I would love to come, maybe next time."

Stacy knew there will never be a next time. If the map was true and the rewards were handsome they would be smuggled out of Jordan and into Egypt through diplomatic contacts in the Egyptian Embassy in Jordan. The general's contacts promised them a good price for the artifacts. If the diggings prove fruitless they would break up and the negative results would be reported back to the local authorities. "A very well planned operation by the best treasure hunters and mafias in the history of mankind;" and she had the chance to play with them a couple of moves. 

Hayel miraculously sat for a couple of minutes silent looking upwards at the skies. Stacy thought that he probably ran out of topics to talk about but when she saw his eyes scan the heavens above she asked, "Hayel, what are you looking at?"

"Summer not winter, up rain clouds"

Stacy caught note of the grey clouds that were completely blocking any sunlight from up above. She stated, "Clouds are normal sometimes."

"No." He waved the pointer of his right hand sideways in disapproval. "Something wrong."

"Oh calm down. All will be alright."

She drove on while he swiftly switched to another topic regarding the ruins of Petra. "Petra, big rock town," he commented gesturing with his hands inwards out.

Stacy heard about Petra before. She knew it was an entire city carved out of the rocks of the mountains. She patiently listened to her guide speak about its wonders in his simple accent as the wheels she was driving brought her closer to it, the convoy behind her following her lead. Her jeep's engine worked the paths ruthlessly as they had to reach there before the afternoon hours. Wadi Rum desert still lied a distance off afterwards, or at least Hayel had informed her so. 

The rich fertile red sands with their planted crops, the fruitful tree groves and sporadically located cattle herds slowly disappeared; yellowish desert like sands began appearing along the way. The dry colors of the grim earth were furthermore dimmed by the darkness of the grayish clouds aloft in the heavens above. They passed a sign bearing information in Arabic and English. It read Kerak 50 KM ahead. Stacy smiled as for sure there would be a traveler's rest house nearby as she needed a break from the roads. The drivers for sure were also worked out and surely could use a quick meal and some rest.

Hayel began as expected commenting on Kerak and how it hosted a castle that was built by the early crusades to be used as a soldier fortress. Tariffs were imposed on the caravans that passed besides it. One of its main objectives was a military one and also to strengthen the dominance of Europe on Jerusalem. However through the course of the wars the entire area fell to Salah El-Deen's influence as the tides wasn't in the favor of the European soldiers. 

"If you have time I will show you the fortress," Hayel hospitably offered as Stacy parked the jeep at Kerak's Quick Meal House. 

"Perhaps another time, I've got a very tight schedule Hayel," the other vehicles slowly parked besides each other and the drivers descended joining Stacy. The quick trips to the restrooms soon finished and soon all were gathered in a circle besides their cars eating and chatting. The drivers Zuhair, Mutlak, Hamed, Mashhoor, Nimir and Hayel with the other five men accompanying them in their vehicles mercilessly munched their sandwiches that were cooked with fresh bread and fresh but pasteurized goat cheese. Agreeing that the roads ahead didn't need more than exactly two more hours of driving, all hopped into their vehicles back and sped off towards their destination. 

*****

The military truck entered into Wadi Musa, a very hilly district heavily populated with nomads and clans. The barren wilderness soon changed into neighborhoods full of life. Small markets were available selling various utensils and foodstuff for the people while sporadic clusters of the locals gathered here and there around private merchants that had their goods spread on the ground for sale. The powerful diesel engine of the truck roared at the steep ups and downs of the roads as it heaved its burdens that lied in its cargo compartment. In a while it arrived to the small valley leading to the narrow gorge called by the people of Wadi Musa “The Sikh.” 

The general looked at his watch and reasoned, "I believe in an hour or so they should arrive."

David suggested, "Well, we might as well relax in the truck,"

"Or perhaps lose some time by taking a walk down that gorge. It's been a long time since I've seen this miraculous piece of architecture." He looked at the petite fellow that sat obediently behind the wheel and announced in a hospitably manner, "Mahmood my friend," "I need you to stay here for a while till we came back. Its' note wise to keep the goods unattended."

"Yes sir. I'm here at your service."

Both David and the General descended the truck and looked around studying the spectacular wide rocky gorge they were standing in the middle of; hilly chains resting to their right and left with caves randomly located at their sides.  

"Do you know David? This is the smartest military defense system that you can have ever. Forcing your enemies down a long queue-like line weakens the element of surprise and the power of quantity that were so necessary in the ancient wars. Why even in today's infantry these tactics can still be applied in certain situations."

The general continued as they walked down the rough path towards the Sikh, "Those caves could have been used as surprise attack cells or for preliminary military lookout posts as well. They could have been carved by man or natural born elements, a free bonus from nature to the inhabitants of this civilization."

"Then those people were invincible, right?" David naively asked on purpose. David heard about Petra from friends that have visited these areas for archeological reasons in the past. But the general mustn't feel his wealth of knowledge ever.     

"No my friend; soon the rise of Palmyra in Damascus eclipsed the stature of its society. After a flourishing civilization the ruthless Romans attacked with full force as well and captured it. But till now people marvel at the Nabatean's power of achievement when they carved their cities into the rocks of the red mountains."

"Oh I see."  David exclaimed continuing his surprised act. 

The narrow Sikh with its tall mountainous walls soon dwarfed and engulfed them as they continued walking towards the ruins and chatting the hours away. David guessed that the length of the naturally formed corridor between the walls was not more than nine feet wide. The sounds of their voices and boots left soft echoes between the walls as they were the only people to walk in the strong heat that prevailed despite the grayish clouds that were still screening the sunlight away. 

"However Petra was a civilization too good to survive for longer than it really did. That is why its end was eminent."

David looked at the general inquisitively, a knot tying in his forehead from the wrinkles that formed with his astonishment, "What do you mean exactly?"

The general replied with a confident tone of voice, "It was a society of equality and philanthropy; a mere idealistic world secluded by huge mountains maintaining its privacy and independence. Slavery never existed in it. Nothing idealistic survives in our world that is built on money, economy, and power; there is no place for the weak or good."

David looked onto his face and eyes that were glowing with a strong but fiendish look of determination. Perhaps being a general in the armed forces with his past in the wars was responsible for his harsh views and ideas. Nevertheless the eerie nature of his views left their discomfort all over him. Aside from his crimes something was deeply wrong with his character. 

"General does this mean their army was weak and couldn't have defended them properly. I mean if they were that peaceful, that means they probably didn't maintain a strong army."

The general stopped and closed his eyes as he replied, "Yes my friend. If you listen carefully you will still be able to listen to them, the voices of their soldiers screaming for mercy as the merciless Roman infantry sliced them up with their swords, their blood splashing on the grounds and walls around us that are eons in age." David looked around at the miraculous continuous blocks of solid wall to his right and left, towering straight up high with their rigid structures and surfaces, as his imagination rocked with the descriptive words of the general; "Travelers to these places in the nights couldn't bear to stand still here for one minute. Some of them said that they sometimes heard the pained screams echo between these deserted walls."

David's spine shivered from the general's words as they picked up their trek towards the ruins, "What do you think happened to all the people's souls that died in history before the Church was present? They are still roaming earth living in the deserts or desolated places at total unrest." 

As David patiently listened to the thrilling words it gradually came into view, standing with utmost majesty, the famous tomb of The Treasure of Pharaoh called in Arabic "The Khazna". A big spacious open lot of sandy grounds rested in front of it surrounded by mountainous walls to the left and right. A path to the right led to the rest of the city's ruins. David gasped as he saw it, "It is beautiful! The only structure in the history of man kind to be carved into solid rock!"

"The Treasure of Pharaoh it is called. In reality David it is a tomb."

"Why then is it called the Treasure of Pharaoh?"

"Listen my friend. The Bedouins and nomads of this area here still speak of why this name was chosen. It is believed that towards the end of the Saitic period in Egyptian history, when the Nabatean's were still building their cities, an insignificant pharaoh named Pepi of the twenty sixth dynasty was fleeing with a small legion of what was left of his soldiers, and after a vicious clash with the Persian army that resulted in the fall of what was left of the Egyptian empire. Seeing Petra in his path he marched into the city and asked for shelter there from a Queen named Su'udah that ruled the lands. Wisely measuring the risks involved she refused in fear that this will outrage the powerful Persian armies and result in her cities ruin. Disappointed by her refusal he turned away to leave. But at the last moment he stopped and knelt down in front of her thrown humbly begging her to not reject one final request. The queen hurried towards him in her royal court and sympathetically helped him up promising him that she will grant him what ever he asked for if it lied within her capabilities. He placed his extensive riches that included his personal crown, breathtaking golden wear and rare gems at her throne, asking her if she was able to keep the valuables for him. His reasons were that he swore that the crown of Egypt will never surrender into the hands of Egypt's enemies. If he ever was successful in recapturing his rightful rule over Egypt he would return for his riches. The queen accepted and watched him leave afterwards in total despair of the young man's plight. Su'udah, having given her word as a queen ordered that they be heavily guarded in her palace for fear of their owner's return. However Pepi never returned. He was found by his seeking enemies and slaughtered by them just a short distance off of Petra. Nevertheless Petra never heard about this and as the days rolled by Queen Su'udah lost hope of Pepi returning. Being a rightful queen she knew she had no rightful control of what wasn't hers and ordered that that the Urn be carved upon her burial and the treasures be inserted inside it." The general gestured with his hand towards the cylinder like short pillar just above the entrance of the rocky tomb in front of them. "There lies the last of the wealth of Egypt."

David was enchanted by the story. Never in his life did he imagine that Jordan could be buried with mesmerizing mysteries and secrets. Both crossed the sandy grounds and walked up the brief steps that led to the entrance of the grand tomb. A small lobby was in the center with three entrances dispersed around it, one exactly ahead with one to their left and one to their right. David shrewdly proposed, "General this area is deserted. It will only take us a minute if we just get some equipment and check to see if the legend truly exists."

"It is said my friend that the treasure was cursed as it was placed in the Urn. Nobody dared to come near it ever since its existence. It is believed that many secret entrances from the city lead towards it but we don't have time to try them out. Our party should be here shortly."

"General when we finish from Wadi Rum we could return here for it. Can't we?"

"Perhaps in a while but not right now. Come my friend we have to go."

They departed the rocky tomb and headed back towards the long one kilometer Sikh. As they approached it David stopped. The general walked beyond him a couple of steps then stopped and turned around saying, "Why did you stop?"

"I feel something is wrong."

The general's face suddenly gave a frown then slowly ordered David, “Don't look behind. On the count of three we shall attempt to run through the Sikh."

"General what is behind us?"

"Its best you don't know…one."

David's body began to shudder with fear as he heard the general continue counting, "Two…Three…"

David gave a loud terrorized yell and ran with the general as fast as his feet could carry him. The sounds of metal crashing into the rock behind him made him yell again hysterically as he dashed with the general through the rocky passages. Soon the sounds of consecutive gigantic thumps began dwarfing the sounds of their footsteps making their souls ravage with panic. David screamed out loud at the general whom was a head of him in a short distance, "General it's closing up on us, I can feel its foul breat!"

"What ever you do don't look back."

Soon it flew over them, its big shadow casting darkness on them, then disappeared. They dashed through what was left of the Sikh and into the wider gorge panting uncontrollably. "What was it general?! What was after us?!" David asked as both stood breathing heavily.

"I never saw what it was!"

"What the hell was going on then?!" He retorted hysterically.

"I only saw its big gigantic footsteps on the ground! They resembled paw marks on the sands in front of The Treasure of Pharaoh as it approached us!"

  David gulped hard as his eyes bounced back between the Sikh and the general. "Well thank God it didn't hurt us."

The general answered still out of breath, "It could have but it didn't want to!"

Soon shuffling caught their attention at the entrance of the wide gorge they were in as the Convoy with Stacy Hamilton arrived. Within short moments the general and Stacy were shaking hands warmly, "You are excellent in meeting schedules."

"It’s the anticipation of our new venture general, nothing more. I had a good friend that helped me a lot." She gestured at the car towards Hayel who had just departed towards the main roads again. "But he has to leave to go back to his village."

"Stacy this is David my right hand in this operation." David and Stacy shook hands as the general continued, "No more Rembrandts lurking by here or there."

David's eyes studied the sexy lady closely as the words seeped into his mind. 

"As soon as we finish our job here Anthony and I have something in mind."

"Well my connections in Egypt are all waiting for you and your new treasure. As a matter of fact they wait in full anticipation of what our shovels might dig up in Wadi Rum." 

*****

--:--, --/--/--

In an hour's time the awesome bulky chains of Wadi Rum desert took form in the horizons as the convoy followed the road ahead of them. Within due time proud colossal bulks of red rock sporadically filled the area as they entered the domains of the vast red deserts. The windy skies above were still manipulated by the bundles of grayish clouds while sunlight sporadically appeared between their patches at times. Mini tumblers of dust surrounded the convoy as it stopped. Stacy, the general and David stepped out of the vehicles and studied the map at their disposal while the crew waited patiently in the vehicles. 

The map had an X in the middle of the area marking the deserts. A jagged edged rectangular figure lied next to it. The general said explaining, "The most obvious thing to do is to follow the assumption that the X means the treasure is buried in the middle of the desert exactly and resting besides it is a big rocky hill. We are situated at the tips of the desert northward. Traveling for one hundred miles will bring us exactly inside a good area of the heart of the desert."

Stacy eyed the map and commented, "The problem is there could be scores of rocky hills in that area. In the worst scenarios if the X was carelessly written there will be truly a wide area to cover…"

"I've thought about that. But that just means we will have to spend more time digging around the core of the desert."

David suddenly realizing something stated, "Do you know something. It's true this is a desolate desert but who would march all the way from Egypt towards the tip of the Egyptian Empire and bury treasure here but a hardened legion of troops. This map could have been drawn by the military and their calculations are accurate."

"You know David I came upon the same assumption earlier. That is what made me determined to follow the obvious and just go straight towards the center as marked."

Stacy happily announced, "Let's hit the road gentlemen before it gets dark around here."

The air filled with the engine roars of the vehicles as they cut through the dusty gusts of winds towards the center of the desert. Stacy thought as her arms and feet ached from the long hours of driving, "Still two hours of agonizing driving lied ahead in a desolate area of the desert that probably no man has ever set foot in for ages."

David's guts boiled with anticipation at the fact that he was successfully gaining the trust of the general and probably a potential valuables' thief that was only a few yards away in her car.

The general deep inside filled with content as his long weeks of waiting were coming to an end. He was approaching the treasures he was so dearly yearning for.

All three with their own inner passions had one thing in common; seeking an anonymous treasure thousands of years old hidden under mounds of red sand. However they were unaware that it was buried by a pharaoh who suffered from what it brought when it was between the hands of his people.

The desert storm peaked wildly after an hour's time of driving, diminishing visibility, and making the vehicles shake from the powerful gusts of winds. The general's truck being at the head of the convoy stopped making the rest of the vehicles halt their advance with him. He stepped down, barely making his path through the choking dust and asked the rest of the jeeps to check their tanks for refueling. Soon the crew workers took out their fuel containers, battling with the gustiness around them, and fully fueled their vehicle tanks. Stacy, whom was barely able to breathe from the weather patiently waited till the crew members finished. Soon the general gave the drivers’ orders to slowly follow his lead lest they should loose each others' sight from the storm. Shortly afterwards the general gave his orders to Mahmood to drive via the directions of the compass he had. Instantly the convoy was on its way towards the center of Wadi Rum desert.

The dustiness cleared up as the moments passed by making their paths more navigable once again. In half an hour's time the general looked at the mileage counter of the speedometer on his truck. Noting that they have achieved the necessary distance that agreed with his calculations he suddenly ordered, "Mahmood Stop. We shall camp here." The general smiled with pleasure as he eyed the rocky hills that lied a few yards to their right hand side.

The convoy halted again. The general, David and Mahmood descended and approached Stacy whom was waiting for them besides her jeep.

"This is where our target is my dear."

"Sunset is only minutes away, its best we get the tents mounted soon."

David looked around. They were in a vast sandy ground about the area of a football stadium. Two titanic rocky hills laid to their right opposing an uneven chain of bulky hills at their left that extended till the far horizons. 

The general ordered David, "Check our supply David. Petra is about a three hour drive from here. If we need anything you will have to travel there to buy what we need."

"Yes general."

Seeing David depart he said to stacy, " I have a small favor I need of you."

"Anything for you general."

"David is a new comer to my group. I employed his services after I lost my first right hand to a sorrowful accident. I need you to be a bit close to him. Try giving him a little bit more attention…you know, try using some of your magnificent charm on him."

Stacy smiled and asked, "Don't you trust him general?"

"Not very much; I have already achieved my purpose with him but I will never let him walk away if I'm not sure he will remain quiet. Anyway it's been three weeks since he has been at the company of a woman."

"Mission accomplished general. Not to worry."

Stacy turned around and gestured her ten workers that were gathered around the vehicles to come close to her. A quick briefing with them sent them out unloading the tents from the vehicles. A worksite was soon established besides the rocky hills as they fastened the wooden poles to the grounds and began erecting eight tents on them. Mahmood and David began unloading the diesel generator. They took it off a distance to the right of the camp as another worker began surrounding the camp with five mini light projectors on poles. As sunset reached its final phases the electrical wiring of the projectors was completed. A quick winding with the crank and the generator supplied the necessary electricity making the camp, that was erected in a big circular shape, glow like a jewel within the dense darkness of the desert. 

A blaze was on fire quickly in the middle of the camp and salted lamb meat was soon roasting over it. An attendant circled two big rotisseries full of meat while the rest of the workers gathered around the fire laughing and chatting the warm summer moments away. Delicious aromas saturated with the smell of cooking filled the air around them. 

Stacy was bathing in a wooden cubicle erected for showering at a far side of the camp besides the hill while David and the general sat a small distance away from the workers pontificating on the next days' plans. 

The general proposed, "I am deeply in favor of digging in the areas exactly besides the two hilly chains since the map is proving to be true."

David replied assuring, "I have a feeling general that it will be all over soon. I don't know its' just an instinct."

"I couldn't expect things to be easier myself. Do you think we might be in need of those heavy jack hammers in our truck?"

"Well the grounds are solid rock around here. Any rocky barriers could be overcome with some patience using such equipment. But where should we start?"

"I'm thinking of picking any random spot. Sooner or later we will run into it. We need also to be aware of one thing. After a period of digging, wooden barriers will have to be erected inside the digging sights to prevent any cave inns. We don't want any accidents in fear of the police interfering."

"I believe I saw a couple of wooden flats in Stacy's truck that could be of use for this purpose. But they aren't very lengthy."

"We will be as wise as possible, won't we?"

"It’s a risk we will have to take general. Nobody just remembered to tackle this issue. I could possibly take a trip to Petra quickly tomorrow and buy some if we have to dig very deep. The digging will pause for only several hours till I come back."

"Well if we have to wait, we will have to David."

"But who will want to bury ancient Egyptian treasure all the way in Jordan."

"Anybody who wanted something very valuable hidden away." Stacy commented as she came close and sat down besides David. The smell of wonderful fresh perfume beamed from her as she shuffled her hair spreading it across her shoulders. "Maybe perhaps he wanted to return later and dig it up so he drew a map as to not forget where he put it."

David looked at her breathtaking beauty. She was wearing blue denims and a red shirt. Four of her top shirt buttons were flirtatiously open revealing a big portion of her cleavage and the middle of her red braw that she was wearing underneath. "A hot woman in season." David thought. He replied, "I believe you might have a point Mrs. Hamilton."

"Call me Stacy David, and its Miss. I'm not married." She gave him a warm smile as he continued, "Or we could be on to something that has been already dug up. It takes only a couple of light storms to cover up any digs that took place here."

"The old papyrus which is still in my study back in New York was dated by professionals to be at least three thousand years old."

Stacy replied, "But this doesn't have to mean anything." Suddenly a wild scream broke out that made them stand up startled. David called out, "What is going on."

Zuhair replied quickly in weak English, "Nothing Mr. David. We were just telling each other some ghost stories and I did something that startled Hamed."

The general laughed and calmly ordered, "Gentlemen, Its' OK just calm down."

Stacy asked, "This guy will be our translator with the rest of the workers. He has some good English as he worked in digs up in the Northern part of the Kingdom, as he told me of course. Do you know something? David lets join the jolly group. I'm in mood for some spooky tales." David looked at the general and answered, "After what happened in Petra I'm not in the mood for anything."

Tuesday 24 March 2015

St Charbel’s Multi-Purpose Hall

Your Excellencies my Brother Bishops and Sheikhs,

Your Excellency Mr George Bitar Ghanem, Consul-General of Lebanon in Sydney, 

Honourable Ministers and Members of the Parliament of New South Wales,

Members of Local Councils,

Representatives of Community Organisations, 

Superiors and Members of Religious Orders,

Reverend Members of the Clergy,      

Dear Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family,      

Representatives of the Media,      

Distinguished Guests,       

Brothers and Sisters,      

It is my greatest pleasure to welcome you tonight at this special interfaith gathering to celebrate together the Feast of the Annunciation to Our Lady the Virgin Mary.

The Church celebrates the Annunciation to Mary nine months before the birth of the Child Jesus, in order to show that the conception of Christ takes place nine months before his birth, in conformity with the laws of nature. Today, we remember the day of the conception of Christ as it was announced to Mary, the Virgin of Nazareth, the daughter of Joachim and Anne. This annunciation to Mary was accomplished through an Angel, the Archangel Gabriel, who spoke in the name of God. 

On this day, a new Covenant began between God and man, a Covenant founded on the union of the divine and human natures in the Person of Christ. This Covenant would not have been possible without Our Lady who so willingly said Yes to God’s will. Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman writes:  "… man is God, and God is man… in Mary they meet, and [that] in this sense Mary is the centre of all things." (Mary: The Virgin Mary in the Life and Writings of John Henry Newman, p.282).

When faith is crowned with dialogue, the statement: "May it be done to me according to Thy word" takes a new meaning.  It takes us to the Way of the Truth, but also reveals to us the one God of heaven and earth.  

God calls us and speaks with us today, here at this particular place and in this moment. He sends his angel to say to each one of us: "Peace be upon you, O full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are you among the people, and blessed are the fruits that you will carry to all people the fruits of encounter, dialogue, respect, peace and human dignity.” Are we conscious of our calling and mission, especially today as to work together as Christians and Muslims, to promote these values and to enhance the culture of love and peace against hatred, terrorism and death? 

Dear friends, 

Once again, I welcome you all. Your presence here is a testament to your conviction that dialogue is key to building stronger communities. Your presence also affirms your belief that our religions, whether Christian or Muslim, should be tools of love, peace and harmony. Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, whom we all venerate as the mother of Jesus and believe that she is pure and immaculate, having conceived of the Holy Spirit, unites us all today and every day.  

Our sincere gratitude goes to all of you for your attendance especially Archbishop Prowse who came all the way from Canberra to be with us. Thank you to St Charbel’s Monastery and Community for hosting this gathering and especially to its Father Superior Joseph Sleiman, for his support. I would also like to thank the Maronite Centre for Research and Studies who has organised tonight’s event, and in particular, Reverend Fr Tony Moussa, Dr John Tarabay, and Mrs Pauline Dib. Also a special thanks to Fr Patrick McInerey and Fr Brian Vale from the Columban Mission Institute.

May the Most Blessed Virgin Mary keep us all united and bring us closer to one another and help us to believe even more strongly in the Omnipotence of God!

By Marcelle Mansour

Miss Cynthia Farah, Miss Lebanon Australia 2014 - winner of Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant 2014 - held “One Night of Hope”, a Charity Fundraising function on Friday 20th March 2015 at the Renaissance, supporting the Children of the Lebanese Army Martyrs and Beit Chabab Hospital. Beautiful Cynthia made a great effective speech with her real passion to help with all her abilities. We wish her all the very best and success in her endeavour. 

The event was attended by the Consul General of Lebanon George Bitar Ghanem, representatives of Organizations and crowd of community supporters. It included entertainment program and prize winning and was an enjoyable night.

It's worth to mention that. Mr Joe Khoury OAM, Director of Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageant. Was the first to start this function in the year 2000 and is still running it for fifteen years. Mr Khoury is also the Editor-in Chief- of Al Mestaqbal (The Future) Lebanese Arabic Newspaper in Australia. It is great effort indeed. Next celebration of 2015 Miss Immigrant Lebanon pageant in Australia will be held soon in May.

Nigel walked up to the dead body, stepping in the sticky pool of blood and crouched down. He searched Ally's army suite pockets till he retrieved the piece of paper. He hid it in his pocket and took the Russian Kalashnikov from him and filled his pockets with ammunition. He walked up to a glass cabinet that rested silently besides the calendar and opened it. It was full of pump action shotguns similar to the one the soldiers confiscated from him. He loaded his ammunition belts. He then took out a shotgun and wrapped a belt of ammo around his waist. 

He asked Sekhmet, "Don't you want to try and shoot…"

Sekhmet frowned and replied, "No!!! These things scare me." She walked towards the spiral stair case and approached one of the wooden soldiers that rested besides it. She firmly commanded, "I order you to give me your sword." Much to Nigel's surprise the soldier obeyed and handed her a sword with its waist band. She tied the waist band around her waist suspending the sword to her side. She walked back softly towards Nigel. 

"I'm ready."

Suddenly the bright sunshine began to disappear. Nigel and Sekhmet hurried to a nearby window and looked through. Dark grey winter clouds began covering the skies above hiding the warm summer sunshine.

"It has begun Sekhmet. We lost the Holy Cross and it has begun back in 1960. I don't know if its' wise to wait for the creep to come back."

Sekhmet announced, "He isn't going to come back."

Nigel asked bewildered, "What made you so sure."

"The soldiers would have followed him till they found him and killed him for insulting me, like they did with the guards that they slaughtered."  

*****

He looked at the dark grey clouds above in the skies as his car sped along the desolate driveway to Cairo. His heart beats raced wildly with excitement as his power and glory were about to be final returned to him. For four long years he waited for this moment to retrieve what was the cause of his downfall and triumphed at last despite his handicap over his adversary. The taste of victory was splendid and worthwhile waiting for. If it wasn't for the scriptures the Egyptian curator at the Cairo museum had given him, he would never have had the power to regain the Holy Cross and reshape history as he wanted. Despite being a goodwill gesture given from the curator for a handsome donation to the museum and to the curator’s own personal pocket, it was just what was needed to change the path of the world's fate to his favor. 

The road from El Faiyum to Cairo was uninhabited except for its bountiful luscious shrubbery. He clasped the box in his hand and ordered, "Step on it please. We have to reach The Cairo Museum as quickly as possible." 

"Yes sir," Said the short slim figure in the chauffeur uniform as he stepped on the gas pedal of the Rolls Royce. He shot a glance at the figure that was driving in front of him. The voice seemed a bit familiar. It suddenly stirred something that has been buried deep within his memories for a very long time. He asked, "What is your name?"

The luxury car suddenly parked at the side of the road. 

"What are you doing? I didn't ask you to park?"

"My name is Richard Browning!"

The figure turned around with a revolver in his hand, revealing his face that was ravaged with brutal scars. The General shrieked with surprise at Richard's ugly face and menacing weapon. Suddenly the door opened and a lady hopped with another revolver. She pointed her weapon at him. She had a small gas gallon in her other hand.  

The General begged in a panicky voice, "Richard I can explain, please don't kill me."

The lady grabbed the box from him and gave it to Richard saying, "This relic is the least you can give him after what you did to his life you bastard."

"Richard it wasn't me! I swear!"

Richard screamed bitterly at him, "And who would be able to assemble a bomb such as the one you sent me to blow me up in my establishment but you…YOU BASTARD!  Raghda guard him while I drive him to his destiny!"

The General began pleading like a child, "Please, I'm handicapped, can't you see, have mercy on me."

The car drove into a piece of land filled with heavy trees and wild shrubbery. Raghda ordered, "Hug the gallon!"

"NO PLEASE I WILL DO ANYTHING PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME!!!"

Richard gave him a loathsome look of disgust while saying, "You piece of filth. I will destroy you with pain just like you destroyed my life. Do you know that my entire bank accounts were confiscated by the GBI because of you? My wife divorced me because of you and ripped my enterprises apart. Look at my face! Thirteen operations were done to me, and a full year of physiotherapy, just so I can talk again. I will enjoy seeing you burn like you burned my life. Grab the gallon!"

The general grabbed the gallon crying as Richard and Raghda walked away from the car. When at a safe distance Richard aimed his revolver and shot igniting the gallon on fire. The general screeched as the fire engulfed him and scorched him with its’ vicious tongues. Richard closed his eyes with pleasure as he heard the general's spine chilling screeching fill the atmosphere. Within a moments time his voice diminished leaving behind only the sound of the crackling tongues of fire as they burned the interior of the Rolls Royce. Another shot from his revolver towards the vehicle's fuel tank burst it completely into flames. Soon they sped off navigating through the trees and wilderness of Faiyum towards their car that waited silently nearby. "Thank you Raghda. I will give you your share once the buyer pay's me for this expensive relic."

She looked at his scarred face and kissed him on his cheek while saying softly, "I just had mine also. Wasn't he that told your wife of our relationship? He deserved what he got." They hopped in to their car and drove off towards Cairo leaving behind a painful past burn behind.

*****

A sacred white ibis flew in from the door and landed besides Sekhmet gracefully. A warm sensation engulfed her as she looked at it, "Seti!" 

Nigel looked strangely at her saying, "It's only an ibis Sekhmet."

"No it’s not. It’s Seti." Sekhmet patted its slender head and neck as it cuddled nicely besides her, as if reuniting with want after long deprivation.

"He wants me back Nigel."

"You spoke with it?"

"I can feel his warm feelings. He misses me too much."

"Don't leave me alone. I need you for the Scriptures Your majesty."

"You will not be left alone." Angel's body shuddered massively as if caught by an electrical current startling Nigel. He wanted to grab Angel's body but moved back with a jump gasping with surprise as the ghost of a beautiful white ibis rushed out of her body. Both ibis's flew around the spacious living room for a couple of seconds then took off from the door leaving Nigel standing besides Angel's body that rested on the floor. He crouched besides her and picked up her body that was clothed with her shirt and denims again. He called out softly, "Angel…Angel…" within seconds she woke up. Her eyes slowly opened. Nigel smiled with comfort as her warm looks met his eyes again. "Thank the lord your back sweetheart."

"Where Am I, what happened?"  

"It's a long story and we still have a long journey ahead of us. I will tell you on the way."

SATURDAY 13TH OF AUGUST 1960 

AQABA CITY JORDAN

The treasure hunter with his disguised partner traveled from New York by a passenger cruiser through the blue ocean of the Atlantic, to a quick stop in Italy, then continued crossing the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal. The Gulf of Suez followed in their route then the turn-around at the Sinai Peninsula which finally lead to the Aqaba Port of peaceful Jordan; a miraculous Sinbad like journey that finally ended with the hooting of the cruiser as it docked at the Jordanian port. The general and David descended the passenger liner welcomed by the bright midday sunlight and rich humidity; typical normal weather for a district neighboring the timeless oceans. They headed with their luggage in the midst of the busy crowds that arrived with them to the passport authorities that were situated in a small two story white building. Within short moments they were freely heading towards their escort that patiently waited in the parking lot by the port. 

A tall man wearing an army suite opened the doors of the army jeep for them. Once seated comfortably the engines started and they were off on their way. The chauffeur warmly welcomed, "General Riyadh was greatly pleased at the news of your arrival. He awaits you personally in his army quarters in Kerak. Your patience is required as it is a three hour drive from here."

"Very well," the general announced as the motors of the jeep picked up in speed. The limited houses and neighborhoods of Aqaba soon ended leading into a double sided empty asphalt road. As the trip progressed the only thing that characterized the roads were barren desert sands that were spread all along the sides and as far as the eyes could see. Inhabited Bedouin tents surfaced sporadically with camels and cattle grazing around them. Civilian and army trailers appeared from time to time on the path forcing their fast vehicle to maneuver between them. David gulped hard as their jeep cautiously drove around the long convoys shuffling in and out of the two way lanes as the roads were not separated by any middle barrier. Seeing him distressed the general tapped his hand calming him down then said, "The driver knows these roads like he does the roads of his own home. I was here last year and he was my escort and he is still alive." He gave a loud laugh and continued, "Once we reach the army quarters we will sleep for one night and then the next day we will head towards our destination with what general Riyadh has prepared for us."

"General, organizing our transatlantic cruise and arriving to Jordan never posed a problem to me. What I fear are the coordinates on the map. They seem very general to me. Where the treasure is marked could represent a huge radius of land to dig and check out."

"The ancient Egyptians were no fools. They built their pyramids and civilization with utmost diligence. They conquered the entire known lands and marked their borders really well. Whom achieved what they have achieved will not fail to lead us exactly to where our treasure lies." David studied the general's eyes as they grew wide with want and desire. "Making my calculations was a cinch according to the data on the map. The treasure reaped will compensate us for the extensive digging."

"I believe we should start from a nuclear point then spread outwards widening our circle afterwards. I have thought about it over and over again but this is the best solution I can think of."

"Our radius is not more than a circular span of ten miles. Our English archeologist that awaits us at the head quarters will help us a lot."

"Let's hope he knows the area more than we do. It will save us a lot of problems."

The general giggled saying, "Better than you think. Try to relax as the trip is not a short one. Leave the arrangements to later on when we are more comfortable."

Suddenly patches of grayish clouds began covering the skies above. David looked out the window as the bright lights of the skies began diminishing. His heart got depressed at the gloominess that spread around them. He commented, "This area sure has a strange weather system. We are in the middle of the summer. What is going on?"

"Don't forget the seas with their high humidity are only minutes behind us," answered the general confidently. Despite his logic David felt something irregular happening. It was as if an omen heralding something uncomfortable in the near future had just appeared in the heavens.

Soon a silence prevailed between them interrupted only by the fluctuating sounds of the jeep engine as its gear shifted between its levels. A short nap that captivated David helped him cope with the long road to Kerak, their transit destination. Kerak was a prosperous city with a history rooted deep within an eventful past. Being situated on the path of ancient travel caravans, it was regarded as a stop for travelers to the south. Presently its roads are more equipped for travel as its’rest houses and stores provide buyers with what they need for their travel. It was a cool area in the summer and cold in the winter, with occasional snowfall in bitter depressions.

A halt soon awakened David. He rubbed his eyes as he noticed the general himself awakening from his nap. The jeep was standing at a checkpoint with two armed guards talking to the chauffeur. The premise was at the side of a narrow road faced by groves of olive trees on the opposite side. Soon a big gate opened and the jeep entered into the heavily guarded camp. A small city lied in front of them with cement barracks and vehicles patrolling the asphalt streets. Infantry were dispersed around the premises running various errands and duties. But their trip shortly ended at a small cement complex made up of three adjacent offices. The jeep stopped besides them and the driver opened the door besides the general. He saluted them as they descended and entered into the middle office. General Riyadh greeted them with a gracious smile. He was a tall man at a height of six feet and a half with a muscular body. His heart shaped face and black eyes beamed with the famed Arabian hospitality welcome. He had a tan complexion from extensive exposure to sunlight. The gold colored crown and two swords surrounding it on his shoulders shined under the office lights as they entered to greet their host. General Riyadh welcomed with excellent British accented English.

"General we meet again it seems."

"I'm most pleased with this opportunity as my visit might be prolonged this time."

David followed the general in the handshake as the general introduced him, "And this is my assistant in the trip, David Hansen."

"Pleased to meet you general."

"It’s a pleasure also. Please have a seat. I know it's been a long journey."

"But your drivers' excellent experience made it most comfortable I can assure you."

Genral Riyadh replied, "A gentleman always even with the little ranks. You just never change William."

"I just can't help but remember that although a long time ago during my youth one day, I was in their place Riyadh."

"We were all there William. Yet luck isn't at anyone's side as it was on ours'"

"You never know, perhaps when they grew aware of what decisions are sometimes required of us and the amount of responsibility on our shoulders, they might change their minds and thank fate that they are still where they are."

"I couldn't agree more William." 

David kept his silence mesmerized at General William's handsome speech. Yet he knew what a dark personality he maintained deep inside of him. Needless to say General Riyadh's disposition and language reflected the high caliber of the Jordanian high ranking officials. Suddenly his ears focused as general Riyadh asked, "Concerning your quest that you seek in our lands, my orders from my leadership were to facilitate you with gear suitable for digging, light shoveling equipment, an electric generator, and a vehicle. Would you be requiring anything else William?"

"I believe this is the hardware we require so far. Isn't this right David?"

"Yes with the equipment mentioned we have everything covered."

"What objective do you plan to achieve here."

"An English friend of mine and archeologist on behalf of The Modern University of Science and Technology in New York wishes to explore the validity of an ancient Egyptian legend and map at her disposal. She asked me to join her in an expedition. As I'm retired and free these days I decided to accept her invitation. It will be truly entertaining joining her on this excursion. The legend has it that there are Egyptian artifacts buried within the grounds of Wadi Rum Desert. Another friend that holds the position of senator in the States legalized all the pertaining clearances with your government for this purpose. We are to meet with our other group at a rendezvous point in Wadi Rum."

"I have arranged everything you need William and please if you need anything else during your trip just use the radios supplied within the vehicle. They are wired to a private frequency established especially for your convenience. Our headquarters' equipment can pick it up and our staff is informed of your presence. They will relay any message to me directly if there need be."

"Your assistance is much appreciated. I only pray that I will have the opportunity to return your gracious hospitality before my days are over and I die."

"Be positive. I see a young man before me William. You can still make the lady's heads' turn."

"Don't overdose me with confidence lest I believe you."

"And now please a luncheon awaits us at my dining quarters just next door. Pleas William, David join me."

David and the general stood up and walked behind Riyadh whom led them to the adjacent room. It was a normal office room but with a handsome table covered with white linen cloth. A huge rounded platter was full of rice and lamb meat in the middle. Roasted pine seeds and almonds covered the rice platter. A big pitcher full of hot white yoghurt rested besides the platter. Three small plates with spoons were dispersed in front of three chairs surrounding the small table.

"Perhaps David isn't familiar with our national dish, Mansaf."

David broke his long silence and politely replied, "It looks very delicious."

"This is regular lamb meat and the pitcher is full of yoghurt made from goat milk. It's actually boiled real well till it reached the required thickness and maturity. So it's safe."

The general commented, "Truthfully speaking this is the most delicious meal I have ever had in my life."

The general poured the thick yoghurt all over the platter soaking the rice really well. He then gracefully served the dishes for his guests.

David seeing the gentlemen handle the meat with their hands released himself of any embarrassment and did the same. Deep inside he was content with his silence as General Riyadh seemed like a shrewd gentleman. He didn't want any mishaps happening leading to his true identity or causing any doubts. He slowly nourished himself at the delicious food listening to the generals negotiate general issues and various diplomatic topics. Amazing how general William easily stated the purpose of his mission in way that general Riyadh accepted. He was truly formidable at creating diplomatic talk with their host and excelled at it. 

Very soon they were finished. A soldier entered, saluted his superior and placed on the table a platter of fruits. But all three sat looking at it unable to have anything as the main meal was heavy on them. The talking and food servings took them to the late afternoon hours and very soon Riyadh showed the gentlemen to their quarters which was the third adjacent room in the complex. It was extremely clean, having two beds nicely furnished with clean white sheets and light covers. A bathroom with shower facilities was available for their convenience. Both the general and David were very soon showered and dozing off from the heavy trip they had.

Next day’s morning sunlight wasn't at its potential as the dark grey clouds remained governing the skies above them. Both were awakened by general Riyadh personally informing them of the readiness of their breakfast in the dining room. Within a short period of time all three were finished with their meal and standing awaiting their vehicles and tools.

Soon a diesel army truck came down the small roads of the quarters and parked in front of them. The driver which was in civilian clothes, wearing blue denims and a white shirt, stepped down the two mini stairs from its’ elevated passenger compartment and saluted general Riyadh. 

Riyadh asked, "Mahmood is the truck maintained and the equipment all available."

"Yes sir all is well."

Riyadh looked at the general and commented, "Mahmood will be your guide throughout the trip. His orders are to remain with you till you have achieved the target of your trip. He was chosen specifically due to his good English."

David almost giggled at his five foot and a half height as it contrasted with the huge oily colored army truck he was driving. It seemed to him that his new companion was a fine friendly man from his smile that formed on his oval shaped face. He had a white complexion, thick eye brows and black eyes that were full of sincerity and friendliness. 

The general calmly stated, "Riyadh thank you again for this nice gift. We were truly in need of a guide through the deserts to help us."

"Don't mention it."

"It's best to hasten as we have a long day ahead of us."

Within seconds all were in the passenger compartments heading for Wadi Rum Desert. The driver asked with a broken accented but understandable English, "Where is our next destination please?"

The general announced, "Petra please, the rose red city of the Middle East."

***** 

Stacy Hamilton was a professional treasure hunter. She was a very attractive lady at forty five years of age. She was six feet tall with long black hair, black eyes and a white complexion. A feminine fit figure that was necessary for her work characterized her appearance. Renowned in the offices of Interpol and GBI as the ghost, she had four major theft hits in her portfolio that included hacking the sophisticated alarm systems of four major museums in the US, UK and Italy, and stealthily stealing original paintings and ancient golden Egyptian artifacts. The total value of her thefts were at an enormous fifty million in market value which also included paintings for Rembrandt in the New York National Painting Center, for Luca Signorelli and Titan in the Galleria Nazionale Museum in Italy, and last but not least breathtaking collections of artifacts found in the tomb of Tutankhamen displayed in the London Museum. She successfully maneuvered between the countries by forged passports, holding different names and smartly altering her appearances for the passport photographs. One strategic partner, much wanted like herself, helped her out on her adventures and the profits were a fifty percent split between them. At the end of every operation he would walk away from her for a while and sever any contact with her till one of them came up with something worthwhile to hunt for. 

Stacy Hamilton's parents were unknown. She was found at the door of an orphanage in 1915 in Brooklyn New York with an anonymous letter containing her first and surname only and asking the management to take care of the infant. Every since then she was schooled and nourished at the hands of the keepers of the orphanage up until she was eighteen of age, where her high marks at school qualified her for college. She majored in English literature and graduated with honors in 1933. Shortly afterwards she was teaching at a school close to a small apartment she financed through her job in Brooklyn. However on a cold December night, and while the skies unleashed the furies of a storm, she was due to clash with something that would change her whole life around. He dashed up the steel fire escape on the outside of the building at midnight and opened the window of her apartment while the police sirens wailed madly through the peaceful neighborhood she lived in. Hearing the sirens and the racketing of the window she got up in bed and slowly headed towards her small living room, shivering with freight. She lit the lights and the man in full black clothes came into view, standing besides the window with a long rolled up object hanging by a shoulder strap from his shoulder. Her body petrified with fear as she stood their eyeing him with a gun in his hand. He ran up to her before she could release her screams and grabbed her covering her mouth with his hand, threatening her that if she stayed quiet he wouldn't hurt her. Shortly the police that were knocking on all the apartments of the building searching for the intruder arrived to her door step. Afraid of his threatening she was miraculously able to convince them that nothing was out of the usual in her home. In five minutes they both sat silent still in the living room without a word till the sirens died away. He slowly left her apartment afterwards leaving her rocking with fear and panic.

Although it took her a while to recover from the incident she learned how important security was in her apartment. She brought a strong lock to bolt her door with and secured the windows of her apartment extremely well with their locks. Feeling satisfied that she had ample security she was able to savor some comfort for a while afterwards. However, she never knew that locks and security weren't an effective repellent for her assailant and his types. After a month's time, during a cold snowy night in January, he showed up again. He softly woke her up while hovering over her bed in the bedroom. She awoke with a wave of panic thundering through her body. She sat in her bed speechless and shivering till he removed his black mask that covered his face revealing his grey hair and handsome but wrinkled face. He calmly placed on her lap a golden bracelet, thanking her for keeping silent about him. Stacy can still remember his exact words, "Don't sell it. The police will be on your case in no time. It's four thousand years old and worth a fortune. Keep it as a thank you."

He left towards the apartment door and slowly opened the locks to leave. Nevertheless something sparked within her immediately at his words. It was a feeling of trust that she never knew before towards anybody, not even the orphanage mother she grew up with. She jumped out of bed with the bracelet in her hands and ran up to the apartment door before he left calling, "Wait, I never offered you any hot coffee. I don't even know your name."

He calmly answered with a smile, "Anthony Lewis."

Fate had it afterwards that the cup of coffee was the beginning of a long relationship that unveiled upon her a perilous road of adventure soaked with powerful riches. Swirling around the States and Europe, studying the security of the museums and their contents, they soon chose New York with a Rembrandt as their starting point. Succeeding, the next stop was Italy for the pictures of Luca and Titan, and the UK followed immediately with King Tutt's treasures as their ultimate target. Pretty soon the police and Interpol that investigated the crimes discovered that the thief left no traces behind leading to even the slightest clue about his identity. Four swift clean crimes left them swirling in circles around themselves unable to solve any of the crimes. She was soon referred to as the ghost. 

Stacy was introduced to the general by Anthony Lewis when they were attempting to sell the Rembrandt she stole in the black markets. A cup of coffee in his mansion following the handover and cash transaction paved the way for several deals through the course of a full year. However, even with their fruitful deals, the general had no intension on widening his circle of partners in the excursion. But soon his careful calculations proved that the presence of a strong alibi for the excursion was necessary to deeply camouflage its true purposes. He contacted her shortly before his trip to Jordan explaining his plans. Finding the offer up to her adventurous taste, she agreed. The documents proving her fake identity as an archeologist at the university were easily arranged and soon they were traveling, due to meet at Petra in Jordan. 

They left New York as total strangers. She was to take the plane routes and he was to take the passenger cruisers. They were not to contact each other at all on the way to Jordan under any circumstances to divert any suspicions to their joint venture. All went well as the hands of the clock of time progressed bringing them closer together in Jordan where they knew was buried a treasure half as old as time, suitable for their insatiable appetites.    

Stacy Hamilton halted her jeep and raised her hand high signaling the other vehicles accompanying her to stop behind her. Four vehicles and a truck with two large mobile water tanks tailored to it slowly came to a full stop as a huge herd of sheep crossed in front of her across the narrow sandy path. Their had to be at least one hundred sheep in the herd as they moved surrounded by a number of shepherds with sticks directing them across the road to an adjacent green field. The air about her filled with bleating and bell ringing as the herd headed towards the pastures. Three big German Shepherds suddenly moved amongst the cattle guarding them, panting from the long distances they were traveling. As the cattle moved around the vehicles she extended her hand and touched the fur of a couple of them, enjoying the soft rich feel it provided to her senses. She smiled as she was in reality deprived of such experiences, being a city girl her entire life. Never before had she scene such extensive cattle and came this close to them. The dazzling unique procession of the beige furry animals soon ended and they were off on their travel again. (to be continued)

The appointment of Robert Malley as White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf Region is not considered a sufficient indicator that there will be any radical change in U.S. strategy despite the campaign launched against the U.S. by the Zionists due to its openness to Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Syria and Iran.

On 6 March, President Barack Obama's administration appointed Robert Malley, the former senior director of the National Security Council who dealt with the Iraqi, Iranian, and Gulf issues, and a member of the delegation negotiating the Iranian nuclear programme, as the Special White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf region. Malley is scheduled to assume his new position on 6 April, succeeding Philip Gordon.

Edward Abington, former U.S. consul general in occupied Jerusalem, described the lawyer specialised in "conflict resolution" as being an "American Jewish" and that his appointment is a "positive development". He was also described by U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice as "one of our country's most respected experts on the Middle East, since February 2014 Rob has played a critical role in forming our policy on Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf."

However, the Zionist Organisation of America (ZOA) opposed the appointment of Malley for several reasons, stating that Malley is an "Israel-basher, advocate of U.S. recognition of major, unreconstructed terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah, and proponent of containment of Iran (i.e., not preventing them from attaining nuclear weapons) and proponent of negotiating with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (i.e. not changing his regime)."

He also believes that working with the Muslim Brotherhood is "not a bad idea" and called Israel's settlements located in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 "colonies". He also called for abandoning the Road Map for Peace approved by the international Quartet in 2003 and replacing it with a comprehensive settlement plan to be imposed on the parties with the backing of the international community, including Arab and Muslim states. He did so before the Foreign Relations Committee in the U.S. Senate in 2004. He also continues to urge the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah, Palestinian Authority and Hamas “to unite".

Malley also called for "involving" Hamas in the PLO's negotiations with the occupation, explaining his statement by saying that the PLO must include Hamas because it has become "antiquated, worn out, barely functioning, and is no longer considered the Palestinian people's sole legitimate representative." He also called for the resumption of negotiations between the Arabs and Israel "on all levels on the basis of the Arab peace initiative."

The ZOA did not fail to mention his father, Simon Malley who was born and worked in Egypt as a journalist for Al-Goumhouria newspaper before moving with his family to France and founding Afrique-Asie magazine. The ZOA said that Simon Malley was "a virulently anti-Israel member of the Egyptian Communist Party, a close confidante of Yasser Arafat, and an enthusiast for violent Third World 'liberation' movements." As for his mother, Barbara Malley, she worked with the United Nations delegation of the National Liberation Front (NLF), the Algerian independence group.

Robert Malley was Barack Obama's colleague at Harvard Law School and a Middle East affairs adviser for his 2008 campaign. However, Obama was forced to cast him aside due to the Zionist campaign against both of them after Britain's the Times revealed that Malley had been in contact with Hamas.

In his media interviews Malley explained that the contacts were part of his work with the International Crisis Group, saying: "My job with the International Crisis Group is to meet with all sorts of savoury and unsavoury people and report on what they say. I've never denied whom I meet with; that's what I do."

He added that he used to inform the State Department about his meetings beforehand and briefs them afterward. During the same year, London's Al-Hayat newspaper quoted deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, and Hamas official Dr Ahmed Yousef as saying: "We were in contact with a number of Obama's aides through the internet, and later met with some of them in Gaza, but they advised us not to come out with any statements, as they may have a negative effect on his election campaign."

Before this, Malley, who was a member of the U.S. negotiating team in the 2000 Arafat-Barak-Clinton summit at Camp David, was the target of an Israeli-Zionist campaign because he held all three leaders responsible for the failure of the summit, and not only the late Palestinian leader, who was repeatedly accused by Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak and their team of negotiators of causing the failure.

Morton A. Klein, president of the Zionist Organisation of America, said: "How exactly does someone, who is dropped as an adviser because he advocates recognition of, and meets with, the genocidally-inclined terrorist organisation Hamas, now became a senior adviser to the president, unless President Obama has all along agreed with much of what Malley thinks and advocates?"

Due to the fact that the appointment of Malley coincided with the crisis in relations between the U.S. and Israel, caused by the recent speech made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the U.S. Congress behind Obama's back and without his approval, analysts have begun to talk about "changes in the U.S. role in the Middle East" in the context of the Israeli media outlets and its Zionist and Jewish arms abroad.

They have also predicted that "there will be no doubt that the U.S. policy will be focused exclusively on pressuring Israel over the course of the last 22 months of Obama's term," as written by Jonathan S. Tobin in America's Commentary magazine on 10 March.

During this time, Obama will be "free of electoral pressure" so the Obama administration's treatment of the Palestinian issue is about to take on a much more aggressive attitude over the next two years. This will allow Obama to "invest the little political credit he has left in 'bringing world peace'," as written by Alex Fishman in the Israeli daily the Yedioth Ahronoth.

In Fishman's view, there are now two courses of work on the White House's agenda. First, it can follow the path of the "European Initiative" which proposes issuing a UN Security Council resolution for a "lasting solution in the Middle East", while the second path involves waiting for the results of the Israeli elections this week, as it is a "renewal of the American peace initiative, which will have behind it a very skilled, determined person, who isn't very fond of the current government: The president's new man in the Middle East," Robert Malley.

It is clear that these courses of action, the appointment of Malley and his record will undoubtedly breathe life into the PLO's negotiating team, especially since President Abbas repeatedly says that going to the UN and international organisations, as well as the latest PLO's Central Council recommendations, do not necessarily mean that negotiations will be abandoned.

These negotiations can also be considered new material used by the American camp in the Arab League to justify its on-going pressure on the PLO to continue to rely on the United States.

The appointment of Malley indicates one conclusion: that the U.S. is heading towards a new initiative to resume negotiations between the PLO and the Israeli occupying power without making any changes to its references. If the PLO interacts and deals with the "European initiative" then it is likely to deal and interact with any new U.S. initiative, according to all indications in this regard.

In this case, the PLO's recent diplomatic actions not related to the negotiations and the United States has merely been "playing on borrowed time" while waiting for the results of the Israeli elections.

However, these actions can still be built upon in order to completely depart from the American vision for the "resolution of the conflict" in the event that Netanyahu is re-elected as prime minister.

On the other hand, Hamas should not be fooled by Robert Malley's positions towards the movement, despite its importance, as it is an attempt to contain the movement and drag it into "negotiations" between the PLO and Israel based on the same references rejected and opposed by Hamas thus far.

As for Malley's performance in Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf, over the past year, which was praised by Susan Rice, it has had catastrophic consequences on the ground that speak for themselves. Malley's openness to Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Iran and Syria is nothing more than tactical dealings in order to serve the unchanged U.S. strategy with forces that have proved their presence.

Appointing Robert Malley as White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf Region is not a sufficient indicator of any radical change in the U.S. strategy that is on the verge of tearing the Arab world apart, along with its Islamic surroundings, unless it is deterred. This is true despite the Zionist campaign opposing his openness towards Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Syria and Iran.

* Nicola Nasser is a veteran Arab journalist based in Birzeit, West Bank of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories (nassernicola@ymail.com). This article was translated from Arabic and first published by the “Middle East Monitor”.

By Marcelle Mansour

El Marada Australia celebrated its annual party of Gala Dinner on the 14th of March 2015 at the Bellevue Bankstown.  In the presence of Mr Tony Issa OAM MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member of the Liberal Party: Mr George Bitar Ghanem Consul-General, Consulate-General of Lebanon, Monsignor Marcellino representing Maronite Bishop Antione Tarabay; Fr. Dr John  Karran, representing His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba. El Marada Guests from Lebanon:  Mrs Vera Yammine along with Mr Jawad Khoury, El Marada Political Board Member and the Guest of Honour representing El Marada President – Mr Seilman Frangieh and Tony Frangieh. The ceremony was attended by a huge number of Representatives of Organationas, Parties and Regions, Media Journalists, Writers and a mass of Community members.

Words were delivered by Monsignor Marcellino,  Mr Elie Bouharoun President of El Marada Australia and the MC Mr Badaoui El-Hage.  Mrs Vera Yammine made a welcoming greeting and a magnificent speech where she acknowledged the presence of loved ones from all kinds of sects, creeds, faiths and affiliations, which is a real model of El Marada’s values and aims. Mrs Yammine also urged for unity between all Lebanese and the Middle Eastern countries emphasizing the importance of Arab nationalism. Awards of Appreciation were delivered to a number of achievers of community members. The event was celebrated with the enthusiasm of songs and dance that marked a successful joyful evening. 

Patricia Abbott Wrote:

On Wednesday 25 February, I went to Sydney to see the exhibition Threshold, by Marcelle Mansour, an Australian artist whose work is currently on display at the Mary MacKillop Museum at North Sydney.

Marcelle works with light, using a methodology in which the work is an experience which alters the perception of the viewer. To put it simply, it changes the way in which we see and understand things through enabling the viewer to see and experience differently, and therefore can perceive differently. But isn't all art this, I hear you say? An experience of seeing something? Well Yes and No. Some art we look at and some art is a experience that opens up new ways to see and know the world. Marcelle's work which is profoundly beautiful and moving is the latter.

Think of James Turrell, Bill Viola, Robert Irwin . . . and driving through the cross-city tunnel with the single beam of light above and ahead and pulling you forward and you feel small and like you never thought a light in a tunnel could be so beautiful. It's an experience.

The exhibition is a selection of Marcelle's paintings with light and if you're in North Sydney, I'd recommend taking time to go and see her work. After the exhibition, Marcelle took me to her studio to show me more of her work.

If you'd like to read more, I'd recommend Marcelle's thesis which is available at http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/…/10…/1/mansour_mm_thesis.pdf and it is a great read! Especially for anyone who loves beautiful ideas or beautiful things! And I reckon that's pretty much all of us, in one way or another.

The Australian Lebanese Poet Mr Badaoui El-Hage who is professionally a Construction Engineer launched his first book of Arabic poetry is called  “... walaw ba’ada heen”,  meaning,  “... even after a while”,  on 28 March 2015.  It was held at the senior’s multipurpose room at Our Lady of Lebanon Church Harris Park, in the presence of Mr Tony Issa MP OAM and Marada guests from Lebanon; Mrs Vera Yammine and Mr Jawad Khoury, a number of media journalists, organization representatives, prominent personalities, writers, poets, artists, and crowd of community members. Not to forget the beautiful young Cynthia Farah, Miss Lebanon Australia Beauty Pageants 2014.  Mr Sarkis Karam performed a superb Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) for the evening where he welcomed and thanked all audience and the spencers of the event, including Mr Joseph Khoury OAM the, Owner and Editor of Almestaqbal (Future) newspaper, EL Marada Australia and Nader Jewellery.

Brilliant speeches were made by writers Mr Elias Chediack, Mr Hassan Zahwa and Mrs Vera Yammine.  Dr. Jamil Doueihy, Editor-in-Chief of Almestaqbal newspaper and renowned poet recited his lovely poems about great love of women and Homeland Ehden. One of his amazing poems I recall is about love and humanity in a spiritual sense when he says: “Love and Human are the only ones resemble God”.

The evening was highlighted by reading selected poems from the book by the author himself. This poetry book of literature contains composed poems of three interesting sections, called “Woman”, “Homeland” and “Spirit”. The largest part is beautifully about great love-poems of women. Mr Badaoui El-Hage read snippets of his amazing variable poems of Homeland including Al-Qouds, and other passionate expressive poems where he says: “I am attracted to you via dim light “.

After the book launch concluded I went home and felt like reading it before I sleep for I was still in the mode of the poetry atmosphere. 

In his book, El-Hage started with his short sparkling poem of “Raheel wa Zaakerah”, meaning “Departure and Memory” ,  expressing his love, loyalty and faithfulness for his beloved one and swinging and longing between the two charming cities of Beirut and Sydney, p35.  El-Hage’ s  “Voice & Echo” is one of his greatest love poems where he says : “You live in my face...you inhabit my voice, you live in the drowsiness of  my bed....”p15;  and in the poem of “Naked gentle breeze” he says “ In every woman’s body lives a naked gentle breeze...” P29. Moreover, the poet is very fond of the “Women of Beirut “p63, he admits the women of Beirut are the most beautiful women around the world.  

During my reading, I was wondering where from the author chose the title of his book? “... walaw ba’ada heen” , meaning:  “...even after a while”?  I thought at first that was a title of one of his poems, I continued reading until I explored that he extracted the title from the text of his poem titled “Yaqzato el Haneen”,  meaning  ‘Vigilance Nostalgia’.  His work in this poem is an awaking state of yearning and longing for a previous time or a space or a significant body in his life. This is because the sense of nostalgia in the poet’s mind is where the home resides - which perhaps suggests the possibility of being his beloved wife that evokes the sense of eagerness and hankering at the time of departure; where she feels the ‘Lost Love’ as the MC Karam humorously mentioned. This feeling seems spontaneous for any female who lives a strong love experience with her husband or partner for love dominates the space. It is in reality an actual indication of genuine love, loyalty and faithfulness that would be inhabited constantly and permanently despite the space and the place and is therefore highly praised. In this context, I also commend the poet in exchanging the same feelings with no surprise, for he is the Eastern man who has only ‘one heart’. In his series poems of “woman 1- 5”, he shows that he is fond of woman and continues praising her:  in his poem of ‘Woman 2” p75 he says “....I have one heart that owned by protective.” and in “Woman 5” he reveals his tremendous love with “no repent” p81. 

The second part of the book is called ”Homeland”, in the first three poems, the poet describes the importance of defending one’s own motherland whether it is Lebanon or Palestine or any other country. The first poem titled “Resistance” he speaks of the struggle for the ‘liberation’ of ‘land’ is a real feast of glory p85. In “Al-Qouds- Jerusalem” he reveals the cause of failure and conquer among the Palestinian leaders p87, and in “Gaza” poem p89, the poet depicts the horror and terror of the tragic descriptive scenes of the innocent victims of genocide war.  In all situations, El-Hage proved to be the patriotic citizen who is caring for all the Middle Eastern countries regardless of what nation or people for he understands the concept behind the Arab unity in protecting the whole area against the land invasion or occupation. The poet here carries the burden on his back and points out to the Arab leaders the weakness and shortcomings in their leadership. This undoubtedly implies the actual need for reformation and the radical change for conquering “Daa’sh” whom he condemns p93.

In continuing reading the book, in section three called “the Spirit” with a variety of spiritual poems, one of them is titled “Qandeel” , meaning “Lantern” , where he says: ‘on its dim light, I wrote my first poem...In its light ...I saw the innocence of my childhood”p127.  In another poem called “Ardana”p131, the poet does not forget the land of his birthplace which lies in the Northern part of Zgharta and has its original name from the ancient language of Canaanites. All evokes the childhood memories.

While I was reading, to my surprise I came across a poem that contains verses familiar to me. I read it again, and then I realized that it is the same poem that was gifted to me at my Facebook page by the poet himself on the occasion of attending my “Threshold” Solo Art Exhibition in Bankstown Art Centre 2014. I first met Mr Badaoui El-Hage while he was viewing my new artworks and was involved in taking photos on his mobile phone, while contemplating – in a silent deep conversation – of each reflective unit and was trying to properly perceive the whole art exhibition that emanating light, and shifting colours in a relaxing surrounding.  I guessed at that time that he was trying to figure out the idea and the drive behind those units of artworks, what does it mean to him and what is the purpose of it? No doubt, he appeared to be caring creative person and possess the combined high abilities of thinking and imagination together. That was my first impression about him which proved later to be correct. To make it short, this particular poem is published in the book titled “Aaraa’ Molawana” , which literary means “Colourful Opinions” and I would translate it as “Colourful Perception” where he begins with beautiful descriptive words by saying : “Paintings with no frames...transcend lines and boundaries.“ The poet ends it by saying: “colours that are universal and eternal.” P129. I would like add here that El-Hage has a great sense of perception for he successfully selected the perfect words to give the meaningful expression that suits the art description. 

Generally speaking, I find the book to be inspiring and very poetic where it has the natural rhythm of human feelings that full of sensations, passion and love for woman, for the roots and homeland. 160 pages with a small size paper and white book cover. The introduction was written by the Lebanese Writer Mr Assad El- Khoury.  It is inviting for reading in depth, on the bases of its beauty and simplicity, to focus on words, meaning and imagery of the verses that takes the reader into a splendid journey. 

Congratulations to Badaoui El-Hage who has wonderfully published his first poetry book and wish him all the best and good luck with his future books.