The Druze don’t turn up here much, with only five posts under that topic, though one was less than two weeks ago, and of course, Walid Bey has his own category. But we’ve now had a major World Druze Congress in Lebanon, with 840 delegates from 37 countries, including 35 from Israel, who of course needed some diplomacy to get there.
I hope we learn more about this pan-national Druze Congress. The Druze are — more or less by their own choice — little understood because of the secretive and esoteric nature of trhier faith, but they are a cohesive and distinct group in those countries where they have a significant presence: Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.
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Off the topic of the Middle East for a moment (except to reiterate why one should go into Middle East studies): it seems the Winter Olympics has a shortage of snow.
And I can’t get out of my driveway for the past three days in Virginia, heart of the Old South, with more snow falling now. Over 30 inches in many places last weekend; talk of 10 to 15 more on top of the (still unplowed in my subdivision) existing piles. I cleared my driveway of course and can now drive as far as the end of my driveway, and the buses aren’t running.
Vancouver is welcome to clear my street and keep all the snow.
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Only if you care: I will say a few words on AlJazeera 3:30 minutes from now. The topic is the US involvement in Afghanistan.
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The topic is Who Speaks For the Palestinians at the Negotiating Table? The time is Noon thru 1 p.m. Since my friends at the Foundation for Middle East Peace are co-sponsoring this event, sandwiches will be served.
More info here.
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