hasanhujairi[dot]com

I really don’t know what to write about, and yet I have a lot to say. Here are a few things I thought I’d like to point out this time around:

1. I had an Entrance Interview/Oral Exam into Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School on July 5th. Getting admitted into this university is a nightmare; especially for foreign students - and especially for students who are NOT from East Asia. With all odds against me, I tried my best. The results of whether I am one of the handful who passed or not will be out on the 20th of July. I hope it all works out for the best.

2. I love this blog.

3. The Summer holiday begins in another 2 weeks. My plans for the Summer; be stuck in my apartment and wait for things to pass. I miss being in Bahrain during this time of year, and breathing in the noon-breeze at 45 Celsius (according to the weather report dudes).

4. I don’t know where in the world I will be this weekend.

5. On a sad, and rather upsetting note, today marks the 15th anniversary of the mysterious murder of Hitoshi Igarashi, who was a well-respected professor in Tsukuba University. Professor Igarashi - who was a professor of Islam and Middle Eastern Studies - translated Salman Rushdie’s “Satanic Verses” into the Japanese language and was murdered in the university campus in 1991. Two years earlier, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran had issued a FATWA against Salman Rushdie - the author of “Satanic Verses” - who is not an Irani citizen; he is a citizen of the UK. After reading Gilliard Kepel’s “Jihad: The Trial of Political Islam”, here is something I’d like to add about Fatwa according to Islamic Sharia Law; Fatwas do not apply to countries that not ruled by “Muslim” leaders. Therefore, Khomeini’s Fatwa, according to Islamic Sharia (besides being barbaric in the eyes of most people around the world), is - in essence - invalid. I don’t know what the reasoning was behind this, but I guess it was a legal “tool” for Islamists to gain political strength among immigrant citizens of Europe - who happened to be Muslim. It is unfortunate that Salman Rushdie’s name happens to be “Muslim” that he was the victim of this political power-play. Luckily, Salman Rushdie was unharmed, but sadly, there were victims in both Japan and Norway. In Japanese Law, if 15 years pass on a case, and it remains unsolved, the case just conveniently (for those who committed the crime) goes away. There was a lot of debate on the news today about whether this case should continue or not. The images that disturb me the most how tragic a loss this is, how could someone get away with such a terrible crime, and the grief the wife and young son of Professor Hitoshi Igarashi still suffer from until today. It’s sad, really.

6. I would like to blame the World Cup for ruining my sleep patter; as the games are usually on at around this time (4.00am). I don’t know how I will go to sleep tonight, and I have no idea how I will wake up in the morning. I still can’t help get over the feeling that Zidane was a victim in last night’s final with Italy. Is it just me who feels that way? If any of the Italian National team members are reading this blog, and just to make this Bahraini guy happy, please apologize to Zidane for being so rude to him. Shame on Mr. M of the Italian team for bad-mouthing Zizou - the whole world SAW you do it!

7. Roger Federrrrrer just won his fourth consecutive Wimbeldon title. All I can say is: SUPER! You should have seen him play!! He absolutely changed the game of Tennis into the Art of Tennis. I never miss Wimbeldon on tv! Am I alone on this?

8. This month’s Sumo tournament began yesterday. The Mongolian Asashouryu (the only Yokozuna now) is back from injuring his right elbow in the previous tournament and he’s looking good, even though he’s not using his right arm much. My few favorite wrestlers - Hakuhou (from Mongolia), Kotoushu (from Bulgaria), Asasekiryu (from Mongolia), Kokkai (from Georgia - NOT THE STATE!) had one loss and one win between yesterday and today. 19-year old Baruto (from Estonia) is doing quite well, though. Should be a good tournament. I suddenly feel like I’m talking to myself. I’m probably the only Bahraini who follows Sumo Wrestling. I guess it’s time for me to be quiet and change the topic.

9. I just took out the garbage tonight, erm, this morning. I hope the crows don’t beat the garbage truck the goodies I left outside of my apartment building. The morning birds are singing outside - and I know that crows should be around, too. Yikes.

10. I haven’t gotten any comments on my blog lately. Anyone care to make this Bahraini happy by writing a little comment at the end of this entry?