May 22 2008
Is China taking into account the amount of deaths in Sudan? China stands firm with its strong relationship with Sudan trading military supplies and money in exchange for a guzzling amount of oil. The Sudan government continues to use the arms and supplies to supress the Darfur civilans. click here to view article.
May 21 2008
Women tells her story of her slaved life and what she goes through even after becoming a free woman.
click here and watch the audio slideshow on BBC News.
May 21 2008
Be a Cultural Detective! Individual Analysis
Krystal Kang: Sudan
“The Land of the Kush” click here to view
The poem I have analyzed is called “The Land of the Kush”. It was written by Rudwan Himat. First of all, the poem tells us that Sudan has originated from the land of the Kush. “Land of Kush, in which two rivers run” It connotes that the two rivers are of great importance and significance. This also proves that the culture was maintained because Sudan has had rich civilization culture for generations. Also it is stated that Sudan is the ‘land of the blacks’. And this proves that they are African. ‘False identity’ suggests that they were conquered to the point that they lost their identity as a race. Originally, they were the land of the blacks and it also says the ancestors (blacks) did not defend the rights and country and allowed the Arabs to dominate. They portray the Arabs as the enemy and states that their rights are curtailed by enemy. And it helps us think that the injustice affects their daily lives. In the country, lions symbolize power, strength. And also, the names of the seemingly legendary figures sound somewhat tribal and native. Next, the writer mentions the ‘land of the brides’ that could signify that they were an attractive country and ‘the double bladed weapon’ can mean Sudan used to be a very powerful, strong, and skilled in fighting. From the tone of the author we can infer that they have great love for their country. And perhaps the author, a Sudanese African speaks in behalf of the whole African population in Sudan. There is a spirit of vengeance towards the Arab and the author claims the land for the blacks. The new generation has a dream to once again retrieve their land.
Be a Cultural Detective! Individual Analysis
Sam Gurnamal: Sudan
“No-King-as-God” click here to view
The fictional text that I have selected is an African legend called No-King-as-God. The text indicates that this story originates in a society that has faith in god and are strong are strong in their beliefs as show in this quote “There is no king like God.” The story’s main purpose or moral is to show us that when someone attempts to hurt others god will not be in his favor. This also displays that this story was created in a moral society and have ethical values. In he story the king pays the mans wife “cowries” (shells used as money or ornaments)as well as the man going fishing and later to uncover this rings. These two clues are indications that the geography of where this story comes from is near a sea or some kind of body of water. The story also states that there is a king this could confirm that this place’s political system is a monarchy. There are not any clues on dialect or family but through these few clues we can examine where this story originates from.
May 13 2008
Country: Sudan
Students: Krystal Kang, Stephanie Choi, Sam Gurnamal, Fadzzil M.
Number of Scenes: 5
Locations: Bonifacio High Street in front of Krispy Kreme
Equipment Needed: Camera, Turban
AV materials Needed: Camera- Krystal
Costumes and Props: Turban- Krystal
Scheduled Meeting Times: 10:30 AM until 1 PM
Date, location and time: Saturday, May 24, Bonifacio High Street, 10:30
May 13 2008
Lydia Polgreen- April 13, 2008 NY TIMES
Tensions rise between Chad and Sudan as an influx of Sudan Darfur refugees flee to Chad for safety. Chad describes the war Darfurians carry to their country and the future of Darfur.
find the article here
May 13 2008
Fact book page for P.E.
| Country: Sudan |
| Group Members: Stephanie Choi, Krystal Kang, Sam Gurnamal, Fadzil Md. Saad |
| Practical Sport: Football |
| History of the sport activity:Origin of Football
The origin of football is very unclear since football was popular in many countries long before. The Chinese military had played games which involved kicking a ball into a small net. A game that assembled football (but with striking similarities) was played by the Ancient Greeks and Romans though the amount of players increased to each team. Villages and towns played against one another though at times, the English had thought of forbidding anyone to play football due to the violence which erupted during games. A few centuries later, football became increasingly popular and during 1815, Eton College, a famous English school, implemented a set of rules for other schools to abide by. An identical set of rules were later adapted during 1848 by most of England’s colleges and universities, these new set of rules were known as the Cambridge Rules. Football Emerges in Sudan It is said that the Sudanese were acquainted with sports-horsemanship, swimming, and wrestling, since the ancient times. Among the sports was a game very similar to football introduced by the Turkish and Egyptian invaders. However, the Sudanese were fully, officially introduced to the rules and to the game of football by the British in 1949.The ascendancy of the Britain colonial rule helped develop the nation’s love and popularity for the game of football. |
| Factors making the sport or activity relevant to the country:-Sudan is the most popular sport in Sudan.-The enthusiasm among the supporting fans and media never seem to quell in the country of Sudan.-Football seems to unite the nation: Arabs and Africans, Muslims and Christians, etc.-The sport is kind of a way for refugees and attacked civilians to enjoy a day without the Janjaweed or the genocide factors to dim them down.
-Soccer is a sport which connects many players from inside the nation to the outside. -Even in remote villages in the desert, children gather together for a game. |
| Social factors to the country:Many states in Sudan each have their own football team. There is an association which involves many Sudanese soccer leagues known as the Sudan Football Association. It was established in 1936 and the Khartoum state league (capital of Sudan) is considered to be the first league in all of Africa. Some prominent teams are: Al-Hilal, Al-Merrikh, Sokoor Al-Jediane. Some notable players in Sokoor Al Jediane are Atta Gobara, Mohammed A Idris, Ibrahim Mustafa, Ibrahim Hussein, Zahir Abd El Ghani, Idris Khatir and Ali Rabah.It was the African Cup Nations Winner in 1970. According to FIFA, its present ranking position is 106.To find more about football games in depth, go here http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=sud/ |
| Any other information: No matter how much strife and desperation the Sudanese in the Darfur region are in, they can always play football with simply just a round object and a group of people. |
May 13 2008
I. Summary and Personal Response
II. Summary and Personal Response
III. Compare and Contrast
IV. Acrostic Poem
due April 24/25
a) summary
About 10,000 young Sudanese rallied through the streets of Khartoum in demand of the execution of a 45 year old British teacher, Gillian Gibbons. She was earlier found guilty of insulting Islam by naming a class teddy bear Mohammed, and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and deportation. The demonstrators, holding ceremonial swords gathered outside Khartoum’s ceremonial palace, later marching to Unity High School then to the British embassy. They chanted “Shame, shame on the U.K.” as they passed some British reporters who were later asked to leave. Apparently, Gibbon’s sentence did not satisfy some Islamic leaders. Abdul-Jalil al-Karuri, Islamic advisor the president, stated that he was not surprised by the reaction of the people given the crime committed. He himself expected more out of the sentence. By Sudanese law, Gibbons would have faced 40 lashes or a year in prison, but was saved by her diplomatic status.
b) personal response
I believe that the rallies and demonstrations are reasonable as this is a serious issue to the Muslims. Most fighting in the world today is caused by discriminating other people’s beliefs, and no one wants to be discriminated. It’s a natural reaction. But Gibbons though, could have been more rational in her decision to name the stuffed bear Mohammed. Living in a country where the majority of the population is Muslims, she must be more aware that her actions could affect the people around her. She might have overlooked the consequences of her actions when she took the decision, that the naming of the bear won’t be a serious issue. The Muslims however takes it as a disgrace to the religion. As a Muslim, I know that The Prophet Mohammed may not to be represented in any type of form. That is why you do not see pictures portraying Mohammed. The naming of the bear of course goes beyond religious restrictions. But in my opinion, the Sudanese sentence of 40 lashes is not a reasonable sentence as Gibbons is not a Muslim and might not be aware of the consequences. Instead, a year in prison is more logical.
c) questions
How has this issue affect Sudan-UK relations?
How has the view of the Sudanese Muslims change after this incident?
How has religious discrimination affect the life of the Muslims?
Article 2: U.N. approves Darfur peacekeeping force click here to view
a) summary
This article revolves around the approval of peacekeeping by the United Nations in Darfur of Sudan with the peacekeeping force leading the African Union and the refusal of the conclusion. The ambassador of Sudan, Omar Bashir, persistently refuses and opposes the idea of peacekeeping and the force leading the union. The ambassadors of the United Nations took the time to ‘persuade’ Omar into accepting the decision for the idea of peacekeeping in Sudan to take place. The question of whether taking action at its state is much too late or is not needed is raised. This article includes important details of the signing between the rebel group and the government of the Darfur Peace agreement and includes the perspectives of others upon the timing and the consent in comparison.
b) personal response
This article is a perfect and flawless piece of writing in my point of view especially since it includes certain details to the events in which are mentioned in the article such as the Darfur Peace agreement signing, the approval of the peacekeeping force. From my perspective, this article has a clear relationship to Sudan due to its topic revolving around of the resolution to the Darfur situation. Sudan, given a reputation for the genocide firstly, has been facing problems of the Darfur crisis whilst the article concerns of the United Nations resolving the situation and the problems left behind of the situation. The article’s topic on the United Nations and the resolution to peacekeeping and Darfur Peace agreement relates to the Darfur crisis in Sudan, one that can be resolved in the way that was mentioned in the article, through peacekeeping of the United Nations.
c) questions
Why do you think Omar Bashir refused and opposed the peacekeeping idea?
Why do you think it was simple for the United States State Department to gather the rebel group and the government of Sudan together for the signing of the Darfur Peace agreement?
Why do you think action has not been taken earlier on when the Darfur crisis began?
Article 3: New York Times: Scorched-Earth Strategy Returns to Darfur click here to read
The Economist: The worsening chaos of Darfur click here to read
a) venn-diagram
click to enlarge.
b) personal responses
My thoughts and visions are clouted when I envisage the sadness and violence that reigns in Sudan. This prolonged strife and conflict shackles this country’s development economically, humanely, and sociably. This is extreme outrage and it appears to be unacceptable. The government, the Janjaweed, and other Arab militias continue mass murder, perpetuating genocide. On the contrary, the rebels- SLA and JEM also continue to fight back. With war between two sides, the north and the south, the citizens of Sudan are the only victims. Dehumanization is the ultimate end to bringing a solution. Genocide is not the answer! It rages me that people are foolish enough to think in such matter. Constant warfare and killings have only resulted to about 300,000 citizens killed, thousands fleeing, and 2.5 millions displaced. It is such a tragedy. I am also taken aback by the downright immorality of the leaders. President Omar al-Bashir is not a good administrator of country and it seems to be blunt but, I perceive him to be an imbecile. Leaders are looked up to as staunch advocates of peace and service and having virtues like benevolence and compassion. But I could tell leaders in Sudan are only warlords drawn to war. In addition, I defy the Sudanese actions towards the UN and African Union aid workers and peacekeepers. With good intentions of aiding the suffering Darfurians, they come but they are instead killed and attacked. Apparently, this is unjustified treatment. If the genocide and war between the north and the south continue to dominate the country, grim future and morbid hope only awaits Sudan.
c) questions
What are the benefits of this genocide to the government? And at whose expenses do they do it?
Are there other means to solve the problem other than bombing, mass killing, raping, and destroying?
If the Janjaweed, Sudanese Army, Arab militias and the southern rebels like the SLA and JEM come to a point to compromise, what is the best way?
Why would this war exist between military groups when the citizens are rather suffering from it?
Does the suffering of people bring better outcome?
Article 4: BBC: China’s dilemma over Darfur click here to read
a) acrostic poem
Great number of arms for Sudan is supplied by China
Economic and military ties between Khartoum and Beijing are strong
Nothing can thwart the prolonged loss of human rights in the Darfur Genocide
Oil, money, and economy are of greater importance than the vital lives of many for China
China patronizes Sudan’s principals regarding people management or perhaps they are indifferent
International society appeals to China’s better judgment regarding trade with Sudan
Defeats and tarnishes the purpose of the Olympics- to bring peace throughout the world
Evil is condoned by China
One can envisage the numerous lives as much as 200,000 gone to waste
Lots of efforts are made to appease the international community and to abrogate the issue of Sudan
Yet athletes, international organizations, and countries will not withstand such atrocity
Mankind is sacrificed for massive exports but China argues it has no relation with Beijing Olympics
Protests and oppositions don’t seem to quell but China continues to show that it is concerned with Darfur
Intolerable rampant killings in Darfur continue
Cordial relationship in trading proliferates continuously and their economy grows
Stark reality of the existence of systematic dehumanization
b) personal responses
As an opportunist, China’s top priorities are to earn a profitable amount of money with oil trade with Sudan. Be it profitable or economy-boosting, “the end does not justify the means”. The nature of mankind strives to only gain for themselves, turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the plea and suffering of others. China exemplifies in this regard. It occurs to me that China is as wicked as Sudan due to its advocating mass murder and supplying Sudan with arms. Perhaps China is dispassionate and indifferent to care. Meanwhile, the international community can’t seem to subdue the ongoing genocide with constant criticism. China stands firm with its strong relationship with Sudan trading military supplies and money in exchange for a guzzling amount on oil. Then the Beijing Olympics is involved with the genocide in Darfur. Human right activists, Steven Spielberg, and Hollywood stars calls for boycotts to suppress the trading between China and Sudan but china defends its position that other nations should not involve Chinese affairs. It seems to me that China is being to greedy opting for friendly trading relations with Sudan and managing the Olympics as well. Furthermore, in my opinion to forestall more deaths, sanctions could be the means to end this slaughter. But this cannot be possible with China using its veto at the UN Security Council and its ongoing trade that is flourishing lucratively. The Beijing Olympics should definitely be boycotted until the trading between Sudan and China has fully come to a stop or nations should make a decision to stop the Olympics in Beijing.
c) questions
Is it ethical to associate the Darfur genocide with the Olympics in Beijing?
As the genocide’s main arm supplier, is China worthy of hosting the Olympics?
Is China taking into account the amount of deaths in Sudan?
Is there a big chance of China being taken away the job of holding the Olympics?
May 13 2008
Analysis of Text - due May 9/10.
Md Fadzil Md Saad: Sudan
“Shattered Sudan”
The article that I analyzed, “Shattered Sudan” is a magazine article published by the National Geographic Society Magazine written by Paul Salopek, a traveling journalist. I believe that he is writing as an outsider’s opinion about the civil war in Sudan. This is because he is writing about the life of the Sudanese Rebels, and also stated why he is there.The target audience of the article is the general global public, anyone that is interested about the civil war in Sudan. The article generally shows the rebel side of the civil war. Salopek actually traveled with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA). He interviewed the rebel commander, soldiers, and supporters of the rebel faction. To see what the rebels demand.
Salopek writes in an objective position. He writes about the interviews he does with the rebels, and also reports some facts and statistics on the civil war. He does not convey much emotion in his writings. He only shares what he obtained from the interviews with the rebels. He is not siding on either the rebels or the government and does not state that which side is better. He just reports as himself.
The date the article is written is not stated on the article. From my reading of the article, I would say that the article was written in April 2002 as the author writes “It is April 2002”. The content is slightly out of date. The civil war ended in 2005. But the fact that he is writing about the life of the rebels during the war does not apply to the rule that the content is out dated. Even if the date is old, much of the facts are still valid.
Analyzing an informational text about a country
Stephanie Choi: Sudan
“For Sudan villagers, fear snuffs out joy”
The informational text I will be analyzing, “For Sudan’s villagers, fear snuffs out joy,” of International Herald Tribune. A journalist for International Herald Tribune named Marc Lacy wrote this article. He is not a person who is living in Sudan because he has used sources living from inside the country and has inspected different perspectives of people who are Sudanese.
I believe the people who read this article are people who are interested in the Darfur genocide and in the condition of Sudan. Other people may be interested in the state of the genocide itself. This article was written because the journalist, Marc Lacy, wants to express concern about the Sudanese people. He showed the opinions of the Sudanese people about the Janjaweed and also wrote of how the Sudanese people were unable to celebrate such a joyous holiday due to the Janjaweed invading their village. The perspective of the journalist is objective but slightly persuasive because throughout the article, Marc Lacy has only quoted the opinions of the ones who have been victimized but disagreement and dislike towards the Janjaweed cannot be hinted from the article.
This article was written on April 23rd, 2005, three years after the genocide began. The date of this article is relevant to the article because it shows that even the beginning of the genocide has strong affects and the genocide has a great impact of many people even in the first few years. The date is also important to the article because this event represents the similarity of opinions between the people from this article and the other victims in the articles this year, hinting no improvement in the genocide from years before till currently.
Analyzing an informational text about a country
Krystal Kang: Sudan
“The Front Lines of Genocide”
The Front Lines of Genocide is featured as a news article on TIME Magazine. It is written by reporter and journalist, Simon Robinson. Majority of the articles published by Simon Robinson relates to countries such as Iran, India, Bhutan, China, Sudan revolving around crisis and turmoil in the certain country. In addition, “With reporting by Massimo Calabresi/Washington, Sam Dealey/al-Fashir and Stephan Faris/Bahai” was stated at the end of the article. From this, it is evident that he appears to be living outside the country of Sudan. This poses to be very significant due to many reasons. The article provides second hand accounts of quotes or perspectives of the UN Security Council, the government in Khartoum, the Darfur survivors, prominent figures like Collin Powell and Susan Rice, aid workers, human-rights researchers, and the WHO. The author paraphrases their perspective and adds his as well but he only gives facts concerning the situation. He did not truly experience the feelings aroused by the crisis but rather is only aware of it and cannot measure it fully and in depth. Needless to say, the audience of this article would be educated and perhaps older. They would be interested in human rights, world affairs, and aid. The purpose of the text is to inform and analyze the prolonged conflict in Darfur. It meddles and reports issues with politics, world organizations, heartbreaking stories, and what is happening for the past few years. The article is objective because it is not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations or prejudice. It is on the contrary, based on facts and is unbiased. Therefore, strong emotions are not aroused for the most part of this article. There are many quotes used, such as: “The United Nations says the pogrom has created the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today. The World Health Organization this summer found that the death rate in Darfur was three times the emergency threshold, with hundreds dying of disease every day and tens of thousands likely to die by the end of the year.” and “This is a war that the rebels want to fight inside villages,” says El Tijani Fedail, Sudan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.”In very rare situations we may bomb and kill civilians. If the Americans do it, they call it collateral damage, don’t they?”This article was written and published on September 26, 2004. It has been more than three years since its publication and it too poses as a significant factor for the article. Of course, it is said today that the Darfur conflict hasn’t changed and still reins in the country. However, this article focuses on the views of people of the crisis. Their views could have changed in the course of three years as well as the author. In 3 years, there has to be something that had either negative or positive effects on the nation because of the Darfur genocide.
Analyzing an informational text about a country
Sameer Gurnamal: Sudan
“Teacher Charged over Teddy Row”
The article I have selected is a news article from the BBC. The article is written by a staff journalist for the BBC.The author of this article is outside the country. This is significant because the author only receives his information from other news sources who give a different perspective from someone who is within the country. This article intended for people who have interest what goes on in the world today. Maybe someone elderly around 30 years old and well educated. The purpose of this Article is to inform people about the issue Sudan. The Author highlights this point ‘Shameful ordeal’ this is evidence that the author does have a bias perspective. The Author does also leave other hints that he has some emotions on the content of the article. For example the author highlights this quote “But I think the lady, she hasn’t got any intention to insult the Islamic religion, therefore I am sure, very sure that if she went to the court she might be acquitted”. He also finishes the article with this quote “We are shocked and dismayed as I think many people are.” By adding these quotes it shows his bias as he is trying to influence the reader against the Sudanese government. The date the article was written Wednesday, 28 November 2007.
May 05 2008
February 25 2008 BBC News
Diplomacy is not enough for this country. UN and African forces seem to be ineffective and the government in Khartoum is unwilling to do much.
click here to read full article.
