Among the things I love about journalism is that you get to tell both sides of the story. You may recall in last week’s column, I wrote of ancient Mesopotamia, which was once known as the cradle of civilization. It is a region of the Middle East, which can best be located by today’s geographical description as ISIS territory. A recent front page article in The New York Times, Thursday edition, written by “an employee of The New York Times,” and reporter Ben Hubbard, covers the plight of Qadri, a businessman, who formerly lived in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, where he had a factory making children’s clothing. When his home came under heavy attack by extremists and the factory was bombed, he recounts that he had two choices: either flee to one of the refugee camps in Turkey or stay and be killed. But Qadri decided on a third choice and fled to the city of Raqqa.
Raqqa has been taken over by the jihadist forces, and they have set up a working government. The article goes on to say that whereas areas such as Aleppo are racked with food shortages and crime, Raqqa, which is home to approximately a million people, has established an orderly government. Accordingly, people like Qadri “will accept any authority that can restore a semblance of normal life.”
Traffic police officers keep traffic moving. The tax authority collects $20 every two months from shop owners, which is claimed to be less than the bribes formerly paid to the Assad government, for electricity, water and security. According to a Raqqa goldsmith, who, in his small shop, was dealing with a woman buying gold pieces with money sent to her by her husband from abroad, “I feel like I am dealing with a respected state, not thugs.”
Christians who remain in Raqqa have to pay a religious tax, and when shops close for Muslim prayers, Christians must close their shops as well, but they are alive and thriving. It is the people who are caught stealing who have their hands cut off. So all in all, the crime rate is very low, if not nonexistent.
Most interesting is the multiplicity of nationalities working harmoniously at all tiers, in all occupations and industries. Institutions such as the hospitals are functioning by keeping the skilled workers at their posts while assigning supervisors loyal to the Islamic cause in managerial positions “to ensure compliance with Islamic rules.” The leader of ISIS, Abue Bakr al-Baghdadi, has sought out the services of doctors and engineers, requesting that they travel to places such as Raqqa, stating, “Their migration is an obligation so that they can answer the dire need of the Muslims.” As a result, there has been an international mobilization of Saudis, Egyptians, Tunisians and Libyans, who have come to Raqqa to work together under the ISIS flag. According to an aid worker, “The Raqqa emir of electricity is Sudanese, and one hospital is run by a Jordanian, who reports to an Egyptian boss.” As we say here in America, “This is a government where everybody gets a taste.”
Although the dictates of the ISIS regime are a lot stricter than the way of life we know in the U.S., at least in the province of Raqqa, they work. There is peace, and the people are learning to live together. We can only pray that it all works out. And that is the world news report.
Congratulations to Dr. Glenda Newell Harris, who has been installed as the new national president of the Links, which held their 39th national assembly in National Harbor, Md. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard has been installed as the new national vice president.
Meanwhile, out in the Hamptons, it’s all about mega-galas, previews and parties, all celebrating art and mostly all benefitting the Southampton Hospital. Spotted at the ArtSouthampton Platinum Preview party, where models worked the room, sparkling in diamonds, emeralds and pearls, compliments of Graff Diamonds, were Kim Heirston, art advisor to the superstars, and Miami’s WPLG Local 10 reporter Constance Jones and artist Troy Simmons, a lovely couple.
What would a Hamptons summer be without Russell Simmons hosting the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 15th annual Art for Life? The event, which brings the arts and arts education to underprivileged children, was sponsored this year by Sapphire Bombay Gin and held at Fairview Farms, Bridgehampton. Who was there? Oh my gosh, everyone! To name a few, his niece, designer and style expert, Angela Simmons; his nephew, JoJo Simmons; Rick Ross; Fab Five Freddy, who is all grown up and doesn’t wear that big clock around his neck anymore, which makes him almost unrecognizable; Gayle King; Crystal McCrary; Aisha McShaw; Al Sharpton; and Soledad O’Brien. And what would a benefit be without “it guy” Valentino D. Carlotti, who was also an honoree.
Other honorees included former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, his animal rights activist daughter, Georgina, and the lovely Kimora Lee Simmons. Entertainment included performances by Doug E. Fresh, who we will be looking for at BET’s party on the Vineyard, Kurtis Blow and Naughty by Nature.
The hood is pretty quiet these days, as many of those we know and love are jet-setting it; here one day, there the next. Remember the old days when you could tell if someone were calling you long distance? Now you don’t know if someone is calling from halfway around the world or from next door. All I can say is, if you want to know what’s hip, then you had better keep your passport up to date and close by. What? You don’t have a passport? Well, now you have a project to embark upon. So get busy.
Happy birthday to Carol Davis (and condolences for the loss of her sister), Cathy White, Patricia Perry, Minister David Frances and Darryl Lovette.
Have you heard the latest? Of course not. You are waiting to hear it from me (be it ever so humble). Bey and Jay, as they are now affectionately referred to, had a date night. While touring in Chi– Town, they went out for a good steak dinner, with baby Blue Ivy in tow. Reminds me of when we use to take baby Julia out to dinner with us. What a ruckus.
Call me the cock-eyed optimist or the one with the rose-colored glasses, but I don’t believe the divorce rumors. Or maybe I just don’t want to or maybe it’s their personal business and none of mine, but please say it ain’t so. We need more romance in the world, and who better to deliver than Bey and Jay?
Until next week … kisses.