Abu Dhabi Responds to Obama

We all watched as CNN reported on people’s reactions around the world when the election was called. We were home and just getting up, since it was around eight o’clock in the morning. I’ve never really paid too much attention to elections in other countries, so it was interesting to see how in tune everybody was over here. As Americans, we are not used to openly discussing politics with strangers or even friends, but here, as soon as you tell anybody (especially cab drivers) you are from the US, the first thing they ask is “Obama?” I always respond with a “yes” and a smile. Even before the election was officially called, one of the porters at the Hilton shook Michael’s hand and congratulated him in the elevator. Since I was standing there with my belly, we assumed that it was because of the baby until he said something about Obama and how the first round was over. He was referring to the predictions being made that Obama would win. We were surprised, although we shouldn’t have been. The morning of the election, Michael went straight to work where he was congratulated three times. Ahmed even said, “He kicked his ass” which cracked me up. Everybody kept saying “congratulations” which for me seemed strange for this occasion. I’m used to being congratulated on personal accomplishments like graduating or getting a promotion. Michael hadn’t shared his political views with his local coworkers, so they assumed he would be happy with the results. What if we had hoped for a McCain Presidency? Being that Michael is the only African American in his office I asked him if others were being congratulated as well- they were. Eric (British) and Darcy (Czech Republic) were just as excited about the elections as we were. They hosted debate parties and had us over to replay Obama’s acceptance speech. I told Michael to come home to listen to the live version. They don’t have any TVs at his office and I didn’t think he should miss this historic moment. We watched in bed teary eyed. Nevertheless we didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity to watch it again on a bigger flat screen. So there we were in Abu Dhabi, four Americans and two Europeans, eating pizza, drinking champagne, and listening to Obama. Some things you just never forget.

Is Obama a Muslim?

Let me start off by saying that I don’t fully know the answer to this question, meaning I can’t speak for what is in another human’s heart, but what I have learned after living here, is what being a Muslim actually entails. I feel like the word “Muslim” is being thrown around without any consideration for its implications and how much goes into practicing this faith. Apart from believing that there is no God but Allah, Obama would have to sneak away 5 times a day for prayer. He should do this in either a mosque (kinda tough for him these days) or on a prayer mat facing Mecca. This isn’t a quick Hail Mary he can mumble under his breath. He would need to fully wash himself from head to toe before praying in the prescribed way including ritualistic movements. Oh and by the way, these prayers don’t count if there is a woman in sight. That secret service that is with him every waking second of every day is surely keeping one big secret! Then there’s the pork thing, and he’s not from the south so maybe I can give him that one. Although his past month near the famous North Carolina BBQ must have been torture! But I swear I saw him drinking water during the Presidential Debate. Wasn’t that in September during the holy month of Ramadan where all Muslims are required to fast from sunup to sundown including refraining from any liquids? Whether he’s President or not, he needs to get to packing for the Hajj. Once Muslims have the monetary means (given campaign contributions he definitely does) they need to make that one pilgrimage to Mecca. Forget about the fact that he has been going to the same church for 20 years or so, he could have just decided to lie about his faith way before this election. Come to think of it, all the cabbies in Abu Dhabi are very open about how the back Barack. Maybe he is one of them… If Obama is a Muslim, ignoring most of the pillars of Islam wouldn’t earn him any points with Allah and I recently found out that they do keep score. Plus, he doesn’t strike me as a man that would do anything half-assed.

Back in Dhabi

It’s amazing how different things seem once you’ve been there done that. As I disembarked from the airplane, I tried to remember how I felt the first time I landed here. Even though I was alone and my ankles were swollen (glad Nate wasn’t there to critique my new cankles) I felt so comfortable this time around. I thought about my cousin Ana’s upcoming visit and how she told me that if I wasn’t there the second she got off the plane she would start crying. I didn’t cry when I first arrived, but Michael and I were very relieved when we saw the driver holding the “Mr. Michael Johnson” sign. When you are in a new place nothing can replace the notion of having somebody, just anybody, waiting for you. Another difference is that I now have my pregnancy belly. I was allowed to go through the Emiratis and GCC (countries around the Arabian Gulf) nationals only line to clear immigration along with other families with children. That’s a perk we don’t get in the states! My belly is like a VIP pass into a member’s only club. The men at the grocery store were so friendly! I was like “Nice to see you too Mr. Vegetable Weigher Man”! Yes, you have to have someone at the produce section weigh all your fruits and veggies here before you go to check-out. A lesson I quickly learned after standing in line forever only to have the cashier look at me like I was crazy before she sent me back to the weighing station. Today, my belly got me a wink AND a thumbs up (which I’m all about) from an Emirati woman! I was so excited! Finally, acknowledgement and communication! There was another Emirati woman holding a new born so I complimented the baby and smiled pointing at my bump. My friend told me I should have congratulated them on the fact that the baby was a boy, since of course having a boy is a much bigger deal than having a girl here. I am having a girl- and proud of it! So, being pregnant allows me to connect with local women who seem excited to see me fulfilling my role in society. I think men are more comfortable talking to me now as opposed to earlier when I could have appeared to be a single woman. Or as my friend Mel pointed out, it could just be that my breasts are larger now! Either way, I have enjoyed the extra smiles.