Today, December 17, 2009, the weather forecast for Cairo is calling for a mild sandstorm and a high of 66 degrees Fahrenheit. The extended weather outlook for my stay: mostly sunny, highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Cairo is 7 hours ahead of Lansing.
The Arabic name for Cairo is Al-Qahirah and the native name for Egypt is Misr.
I can't find any information about weather in Gaza. Although, I've been told it is cold and rainy this time of year, probably because it's right on the Mediterranean.
In fact, when I was looking up immunization information about Gaza, I couldn't find anything about that either.
I can find information about Israel, but not Gaza; and certainly not Palestine. It's almost like Gaza doesn't exist. It's a name on a map and that's all.
I know Palestine is not the "recognized" name, but just because it's not recognized, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Not including travel information or weather forecasts for Gaza doesn't mean it doesn't exist either.
How often in history have world powers and leaders attempted to strip people and nations of their identity?
It has happened to women, children, Jews, Native Americans, Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda, Palestinians, and countless others.
The struggle for identity, for a name, to be known, whether as an individual or a nation, is not given up easily because it is ultimately about survival.
It stands to reason then that recognition and acknowledgment are the important first steps toward conflict resolution.
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When we de-humanize a place we take away the ability for it to exist as somewhere worthwhile. You might consider emailing U of M Prof. Juan Cole and ask him if he knows where to get info on Gaza's weather etc. :) At least it won't be below zero there.
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