LETTERS
Messages from the Chief Editor, Prof. Talaat I. Farag
To H.E. Dr, Mohsin Al-Aini
Former Prime Minister of YemenMy sincerest thanks to you for sending me your new book entitled, "Fifty Years in Shifting Sands: Personal Experience in the Building of a Modern State in Yemen" through our mutual friends Mr. Toughan, the international political cartoonist and Prof. Mokhtar Gomaa, the former dean of Al-Azhar Medical College. The Ambassadors Magazine will review your book in the next issue (Vol. 10, Issue 1 - January 2007). There is no doubt that the extraordinary effort you put in modernising your country would be highly interesting to our international readers. My best wishes to you and your country.
To Dr, Sameera A. Al-Saad, PhD
Director, Kuwait Center for Autism & Communication DeficitsI enjoyed visiting your centre while I was in Kuwait attending the international genetics conference last March.. The effort done by you and your crew for the rehabilition of children
with autism has to be highly commended. Thank you for sending The Ambassadors Magazine the autism postage stamp and a photo of your center's staff with the international psychologist, Prof. Osman Farrag, during an award ceremony recognizing his 6-months services at the autism center.
LETTERS TO THE AMBASSADORS
I was very much touched by the last editorial about Mr. Omar Al-Awadi with Down Syndrome. The effort done by his family, his community and his country is beautifully presented. It is my pleasure to congratulate the staff of The Ambassadors Magazine for the high standard of journalism and research. Our mutual friend, HE Dr. Mohsin Al-Aini sent a copy of his recent book about modernizing Yemen with our friend Mr. Toughan.
Prof Mokhtar Gomaa, MD, FRCP(Edin)
Former Dean of Al-Azhar Medical College
Cairo, Egypt
mogomaa2@yahoo.co.uk
I
read your page on Dr. Jim Farquhar. My parents knew him in India in 1965. I was
a young 4 year old girl at that time. Since Dr and Mrs Farquhar returned to
Scotland my parents corresponded with them for a good many years. But the
greeting cards at New Years stopped in the mid 90's. They would love to have the
current address of Lady Farquhar or their daughter Mary. Is it possible for you
to forward this mail to either of them? My parents were at the University in
Baroda and he was a visiting faculty in the Dept of Pediatrics. Lady Farquhar
may recall their names-Dr and Mrs Modi. I am sorry to bother you but I am sure
that this contact will make both sides happy. I am writing to you from San
Francisco. My parents recall Dr. Farquhar as one of the finest doctors and the
most wonderful gentleman they encountered. They will be deeply saddened to hear
of his passing.
Mayuranki Almaula
San Francisco, USA
mayuranki.almaula@e4e.com
My name is Farid Farid and I'm
currently a PhD student at the Centre for Cultural Research, University of
Western Sydney in Australia. My thesis topic revolves around notions of self-orientalisation
by diasporic communities. And in the face of increased racialization towards the
'Arab Other' I have focussed on the Iraqi community in Sydney. I would be
interested to submit brief pieces to The Ambassadors Magazine about self-orientalising
techniques and how it is employed as a discursive technique by marginalised
groups (including other discriminated minorities) especially in these burgeoning
political moments. I am interested in situating these techniques within a
decolonising historiography that often gets subsumed in academic practice and
which tokenistically recognizes the plight of the indigenous owners of
Australia. Further, I would be interested in reviewing books and movies that
deal with pertinent political and cultural issues in a globalised environment.
I'm highly interested in being part of your magazine.
Farid Farid
PhD Student
Centre for Cultural Research,
University of Western Sydney, Australia
farid_farid@optusnet.com.au
I would like to cordially invite you to the 14th International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine. We have over 70 presentation. This is the foremost event in all of nutritional medicine, preventive medicine, and anti-aging medicine. It is the networking event of the year for the 4000 physicians, scientists, exhibitors, and key members of the industry and media. The International Congress is being held at Stephens Convention Center, July 14-16, 2006. For more information visit www.worldhealth.net/event/
Dr. Ron Klatz, MD, DO
President, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
USA
event@a4m.com
Thought I would share this interesting analogy
of current world affairs.
"Last month, a world-wide survey was conducted by the UN. The only question
asked was... :
"Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage
in the rest of the world?"
The survey was a huge failure because...:
In Africa they didn't know what "food" means.
In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest " means.
In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" means.
In China they didn't know what "opinion" means.
In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" means.
In South America they didn't know what "please" means.
In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" means."
Dr. Ibrahim Sayad, MD
Consultant Dermatologist
Kuwait
isayad@gmail.com
I am journalist from the Russian magazine "Economy and a Life ". Please give to me the contact information of Mr. Hamdy Hamada, since his photography found in The Ambassadors Magazine are very interesting.
Galina Aralova
Russia
galina_aralova@mail.ru
The March 2006 International Kuwait
Medical Genetics Conference, was beautifully organised in luxury surroundings.
The Arab hospitality and generosity was felt throughout. It has superb
scientific value. The genetic services in Kuwait are reaching the highest
standards with well established community genetics programs. Furthermore,
cytogenetic,
molecular genetic, cancer genetic testing, clinical genetics, biochemical
genetic services, and cord blood banking research are very well developed. I
would like to congratulate Dr. Sadika A. Al-Awadi, founder of the Kuwait Medical
Genetics Centre, and her crew.
Dr. Anna Rajab
Consultant Clinical Geneticist
Sultanate of Oman
drarajab@omantel.net.om
I
enjoyed attending the first international genetics conference in Kuwait last
March and reading about the effort done by Dr. Sadika Al-Awadi in raising her
son, Mr. Omar Al-Awadi, and caring for all children with Down Syndrome in the
editorial of the past issue of The Ambassadors Magazine. Meanwhile, regarding
the legacy of Dr. Ismail Sallam, the former Egpyitan minister of health &
population, and answering to the question raised by two doctors during Dr. Leila
Bastaki's dinner at the conference, I would like to state that Prof. Sallam is
the modernizer of medical services who implemented community genetics services
and neo-natal screening programs for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism.
Prof. Randa Kamal, PhD
Ain Shams University
Egypt
raoufranda@yahoo.com
Fajr Center for the Arabic Language
provides the following Summer Scholarships:
- 2 Full Scholarships Tuition plus Accommodation.
- 4 Scholarships with 100% Discount on Tuition Fees.
- 10 Scholarships with 30% Discount on Tuition Fees.
- 50 Scholarships with 20% Discount on Tuition Fees.
For more information, please visit www.fajr.com/summer. Financial Aid applications are accepted.
Waleed ElGohary
Fajr Center Director
Cairo, Egypt
www.fajr.com
summer@fajr.com
The Yemen Mirror "Reflection of Truth" www.yemenmirror.com is officially launched. It is now working in both fronts: online newspaper "The Mirror" and "Watchdog" where we document everything we get access to in public and press freedoms, human rights and civil society organizations.e are trying to fill the gap left by the local media.
Mohammed Al-Asaadi
Founder and Editor of Yemen Mirror
Yemen
editor@yemenmirror.com
I
would like to have a high resolution color scan, 300dpi at a size of 4x6 or
larger, of the photo of Dr. Henry Kissinger, which was published by The
Ambassadors Magazine.
Gloria Castro
US Department of State
Washington, DC, USA
castroGL@state.gov
I
recently read Dr. Talant Farag's article from 2002 regarding historical figures
and Marfan syndrome:
http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue11/editorial.htm. I am bothered by the
indignancy he shows towards even the possibility that Akhenaten had Marfan
syndrome, as if a genetic disorder is something to be ashamed of. Regardless, it
is a fundamental rule of academia that, if one wishes to be taken credibly, one
must use correct terminology. The abbreviation "MS" is generally accepted as
referring to Multiple Sclerosis. The accepted abbreviation for Marfan syndrome
is "MFS," to distinguish it from the former. Repeatedly, the initials "MS" are
used in this article to refer to Marfan syndrome, an egregious error. Secondly,
it is the National Marfan Foundation, not "Association." Obviously, a conclusive
diagnosis is impossible. In the case of Lincoln, the question is whether he had
Marfan syndrome, precisely, or another genetic disorder. The example of Paganini
in the article is a perfect example. What difference does it make to say, "He
didn't have Marfan syndrome; he had Ehlers-Danlo"? They are similar connective
tissue disorders, and raising awareness of one raises awareness of the other.
The current estimate is that 1 in 3000 people have Marfan syndrome. Is it so
hard to believe that prominent historical figures should be among those numbers?
John C. Hathaway
Admissions Officer
Strayer University Online
USA
strayeruniversityonline-twilight@strayer.edu
NB - Please re-read the article, since it is nothing more than a bio-anthropological and medico-genetic analysis of Akhenaton's statue which does not in any way disrespect persons with Marfan Syndrome.
Could you please add me to The Ambassadors Magazine mailing list? That would be greatly appreciated.
Dr. Sardar S Jan, MD
Member & Exec Liberal Party Canada
MD/SAMN Technology
Ontario, Canada
samntec2@yahoo.ca
I invite all readers to participate at the forthcoming Global Fusion Conference (www.global-fusion.org) which will be held between September 29-October 1, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Yahya R. Kamalipour, PhD
Professor and Head
Department of Communication and Creative Arts
Purdue University Calumet
Indiana, USA
kamaliyr@calumet.purdue.edu
I am looking to find an English translated copy of Prof. Paul Ghalioungi's "The Ebers Papyrus" book.
Amr Raouf
Egypt
amrraouf@yahoo.com
www.alkobtan.com
NB - Please visit the article "The Unveiled Ebers Papyrus" in The Ambassadors Magazine - http://ambassadors.net/archives/issue17/selectedstudy4.htm, and you can request a copy from the National Research Centre, Cairo Egypt.
I'm trying to find a photograph of Mohammed Al Asaadi (Yemeni Observer) to run with an article that closes tomorrow (Sat, Feb 18). I see that you are credited for the photo that ran on msnbc.com, and I'm hoping that we could get the HIgh-resolution version of the photograph to run in our Overseas magazine!
Kat Malott
USA
Kat.Malott@newsweek.com
Do you have the e-mail of Prof. Mohsen El-Demerdash (France) from The Ambassadors Magazine Editorial Board?
Myra Levy
myralevy@yahoo.com
In the article: "Egypt-One Wife is not Enough!" (http://www.ambassadors.net/news.htm) you are using my polygamy (a man with three wives) image. I have the illustration on about three of my sites, but if you wish to continue using it, would you provide the following as the source for the illustration: http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/2804/3/?spage=10&letter=P
John Robertson
newsletter@wordexplorations.com
The following link, takes you to a
"utopian" article, entitled "Home of the Brave?" which I wrote and appeared in
the American Daily which is published in Phoenix, Arizona on March 14, 2006.
www.americandaily.com/article/12389
John Steinsvold
USA
jsteinsv@optonline.net
On January 26, India celebrated its 57th Republic Day. Demonstrating its spirit of unity in diversity-its military might, cultural kaleidoscope, splendor, strength. All of that and much more for the entire world to watch in awe. If you are looking for images of Republic day for any media, you can simply email us.
Gyanesh Prasad
Syndications Today, The India Today Group
New Delhi, India
www.indiatodayimages.com
syndications@india-today.com
I
saw the publication of my article "Muslim Dialogue with 'People of the Book'" in
The Ambassadors Magazine (Vol.9, Issue 1 - January 2006). You indeed did an
excellent job with designing & the placement of my article in the Selected
Studies section. I certainly see your Magazine as an excellent publication and a
marvellous idea of much needed intellectual exchanges among cultures &
civilizations at this point in our troubled world. I congratulate you on your
noble and praise-worthy mission. Again, I thank you for accepting my article in
your esteemed publication and will be delighted to contribute also in the
future.
Dr.
Muzaffar Khan Awan, MD
USA
Mkawanmd@aol.com
We are pleased to announce that the third Annual GIS Conference will be held in Kuwait on February 19-21, 2007. The conference will provide opportunities to share knowledge with an audience of diverse industry professionals looking forward high-quality information that will help them maximize their geospatial information. The prestigious group of presenters will provide valuable information about real-world applications of GIS technology.
Kuwait GIS Conference
info@promedia-international.com
www.gulfgis.com
An Open Letter To Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri (Wherever You Are)
Aslam-o-Alaikum!
Do you know what degree of shame, abomination, misery and wretchedness is being heaped on the innocent and peace-following Muslims all over the world because of this so-called and self styled Jihad of yours? Do you know how many innocent, unsullied people are being daily butchered as result of this professed Jihad of yours? How many children are being orphaned and women being widowed precisely for the same reason. And do you know, killing one faultless human being is like killing the entire humanity. You must definitely be knowing that you will surely be held accountable for this all bloodshed. Will you, then, be able to face your God? I challenge, no! Why are you demeaning Islam by presenting it as a terrorist religion? Acting like this, which religion are you rendering a great service to? Are you raising the standard of Islam high or you (if you reflect on it) are causing the heads of the followers of the path of the righteous bow down with shame in-front of the entire humanity.
S.A. Rehman
Peace activist
Pakistan
peace_activist29@yahoo.com
