ú Subject: soc.culture.lebanon FAQ Archive-name: lebanon-faq Last-modified: 1993/03/12 Version: 1.4 _______________________________________________________________________________ Comments: This FAQ could also be obtained via anonymous ftp at the ftp site borg.poly.edu (128.238.10.106) in pub/scl as filename "faq" Note to Bassem: this is the updated newest version, renamed as version 1.4 Here is a listing of questions , with a ********* next to those that have yet to be answered fully: In particular if a kind soul could look up and post or e-mail me the addresses and phone numbers of the Lebanese Embassy in Washington DC and the LA Consulate, that would make the US section complete for question #2. 1. What is the value of a Lebanese pound in terms of US$, Can$, UK lb, etc.? 2. What is the address and phone number of the Lebanese Embassy and/or Consulates in the US, Canada, France, etc.... ? ********* 3. How can I phone Lebanon and which carrier gives the cheapest rates? 4. What are the airlines servicing Beirut ? 5. Where can I find tickets for Lebanon at a good price ? 6. What are the e-mail and telnet IP addresses for sites in Lebanon ? 7. What are the phone numbers to call to get Lebanon news ? 8. What are the radio frequencies and broadcast times of Lebanese related radio programs ? 9. What are the various Lebanese organisations and how can I contact them ? 10. What are the projects you can contribute to help rebuild Lebanon ? 11. What are the various Lebanese magazines and newspapers ? 12. Where can I find Lebanese magazines and newspapers ? 13. What has been written by Lebanese and/or on Lebanon ? 14. Where can I find works written by Lebanese and /or on Lebanon ? 15. Are there Arabic word processors ? 16. Is there a standard Arabic alphabet representation in Latin ? 17. Where can I find Lebanese songs and music ? 18. Where can I find a Lebanese restaurant ? 19. Where can I find a Lebanese grocery store? 20. Is there a good Lebanese recipe book ? 21. Are there recipes available on the net ? 22. Is there an ftp archive site for Lebanese art works ? 23. What is the best way to deal with multiple system TVs and VCRs and where can I get my VCR tape converted to a format that works in Lebanon ? 24. What are newborn names that could be used for Lebanese children living abroad that would work in both Lebanon and Western societies ? 25. I plan to go home soon and I have heard rumors that the draft will be re-instituted, do you have any additional information about this ? I was born in 1923 and I am afraid that I would be subject to the draft !!! 26. Where can I get a copy of the English translation of the Lebanese Constitution ? 27. Where can I get a copy of the English translation of Taef Agreement ? 28. I need to ship a car/ or some merchandise to Lebanon, do you know of a shipping company that handles this ? 29. I suddenly developped an urge for Middle-Eastern cuisine, can you help me quench this horrifying thirst ? 30. Where can I get the latest travel advisory for Americans wishing to visit Lebanon or the Middle-East ? Thanks to all contributors to this FAQ, especially: Naji Mouawad (who started the effort), Bassem Medawar, Samir Fahs, Mazen Saghir, Edmond J. Abrhamian, Alex Khalil, Olivier M.J. Crepin-Leblond, Hassan Hammoud, Mazen Mokhtar, Borre Ludvigsen, Ghassan Semaan, Elie Wardini, Fadi Harfoush, Debbie Masri, Pauline Homsi Vinson, Youssef Fawaz, Mike, Nasri, Rached Zantout, May Nasrallah, Khalil Khoury, Danny Chahal, Haidar Harmamani, Wadih Shaib, Walid Nasrallah,Kamie Kitmitto and of course to myself (sorry if I missed anyone ) This FAQ List was edited by Alex Khalil and Basil Hamdan. ******************************************************************************* 1. What is the value of a Lebanese pound in terms of US$, Can$, UK lb, etc.? It fluctuates. Typically, a good way to keep abreast of the 'latest' figures is to: - Look at the Wall Street Journal - Subscribe to Leb-Net (Leb-Net@@cumesa.mech.columbia.edu), which reports the value every couple of days. ******************************************************************************* 2. What is the address and phone number of the Lebanese Embassy and/or Lebanese Consulates in the US, Canada, France, etc.... ? For Canada: Embassy of Lebanon 640 Lyon St. Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z5 (613) 236-5825 Consulate of Lebanon 40 Cote St. Catherine Montreal, Quebec (514) 276-2738 For the USA: Washington DC Embassy: Embassy of Lebanon: Consulates: New York: Consulate General of Lebanon: 9 East 76th St. NY, NY Phone: (212) 744-7905 Detroit: Consulate General of Lebanon 1959 E. Jefferson Suite 4A Detroit, Michigan 48207 Phone: 313-567-0233 Los Angeles: Consulate General of Lebanon Hollywood Boulevard, Suite Los Angeles, CA Phone: For the United Kingdom Lebanese Councilor Section 15 Palace Garden Mews, London W8 4QQ. England UK Phone: 00 44 (0)71 7276696 ******************************************************************************* 3. How can I phone Lebanon and which carrier gives the cheapest rates ? Using the *local* Lebanon number 04-961345 as example, you dial: 011 961 4 961345 (to use AT&T) 10 222 011 961 4 961345 (to use MCI) 10 333 011 961 4 961345 (to use SPRINT) Note how the Metn area code 04 has been used *without* the leading zero. These calls do not require an operator. Calls have been placed to beirut (01), & metn (04) without major difficulty. MCI has the lowest rate, if you do the following. 1- register for the $3 dollars a month international calling program. This will give you 10% discount on your calls if they were placed within the package specified time intervals. 2- You have up to two international number to register under the family and friend program. So do register your Lebanon number under family and friends, and you will get 20% discount on these numbers when called. Total saving is 30% on their already cheapest Rate. ******************************************************************************* 4. What are the airlines servicing Beirut ? Most European and Arab airlines are now flying to Lebanon. *Some* are: MEA(obviously), Air-France, Swissair, Austrian Airways, Alitalia, Sabena, Alia, Egypt Air. There is also a rumor that MEA will be resuming its flights to NY this April and that by then all travel restrictions on Americans traveling to Lebanon will be lifted, nothing confirmed there yet. ******************************************************************************* 5. Where can I find tickets for Lebanon at a good price ? Travel Agency Number(s) Contact person(s), Name location, (if available) and/or comments (if supplied) _______________________________________________________________________________ Admiral : (800) 822 2727 (located in Marietta GA) (ask for Hassan Ramadan) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Travel: (800) 344 7060 (ask for Matthew) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantis : (212) 972 5540 TEL 141 East 44th Street #702 (212) 972 5543 FAX NYC, NY 10017 (800) 543 9362 (Alitalia and British Airways) ($ 1100 round trip ticket from San Francisco to Beirut bought in Christmas 92/93). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blue Mediterranean Travel : (213) 876 5601 (deals mainly with Alitalia, recommended for its good prices). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Char Tours: (800) 323 4444 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate : (800) 532 8455 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Farra Travel: (213) 463 9211 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Golden Arch: (800) 749 2724 (may be out of business ?) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haddad Travel: (213) 466 4662 (experienced but beware) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Int'l Travel & (800) 248-8462 (ask for Doha Gabro ?) Trade, Inc. : (Example of price quoted for Dec '92 round trip $ 880 Travel from: Washington, DC - Beirut United: Wash <-> London, MEA: London <-> Beirut) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lotus : (800) 344 2220 (located in Los Angeles area) (deals mostly with ALIA, the Royal Jordanian Airlines, can get relatively good prices if you are willing to endure traveling on ALIA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mill-Run Tours:(800) 645 5786 (Ask for Jean Zodo. She's lebanese, and she has been very helpful). They are located in Chicago, IL.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Travel & (ask for Sami Silfani) Tours : (800) 245 7264 TEL (located in the Atlanta area) (404) 266 8783 FAX (Sami was quite informed and worked hard to get the cheapest fare possible) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sharif Travel: (714) 635 0837 (could be the same as the reference that shows up later as Moursi Sharif - other reference has an 800 number - Recommended as super nice and cheap) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunship : (800) 344 9428 (deals mainly with British Airways) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travel All(??):(800) 621 4795 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travel Corner: (800) 843 3214 (from outside Atlanta) or (404) 952 4044 (Atlanta) or (404) 924 4207 (Atlanta) (Ask for Lina Makhlouf, gets the prize as the most recommended travel agent) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Travel Nework: (201) 628 7071 TEL 1581 Route 23 South (201) 628 7827 FAX Waynes, NJ 07470 (Ask for Ms. Peggy Healy) (tell her Tommy's sister recommended!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vista Int'l : (800) 228 4782 (located in West Virginia ??) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World Express Travel: (ask for Annie - she is from Lebanon). (800) 942 4992 TEL (located in Houston, Texas) (713) 556 5700 TEL (713) 556 0895 FAX _______________________________________________________________________________ No name given for travel agency: (ask for Garbiz Askanian) (212) 685 4499 (gave the best deal to someone) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (617) 354 3399 (ask for Malek Haddad) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (800) 426 8831 (ask for Hala) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (202) 625 0770 (ask for Marwan or Maha) (located in the Washington DC area) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (514) 398 0771 TEL (ask for Pierre or Nathalie) (514) 398 0795 FAX (located in Montreal-Canada) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (800) 332 5302 (ask for Moursi Sharif) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (212) 370 5353 (ask for Ali Srour) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (904) 763 2933 (located in Florida) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No name given for travel agency: (305) 856 3434 _______________________________________________________________________________ Negative Recommendations _______________________________________________________________________________ D'International: (located in West Roxbury, Ma.) Travel agent is a Lebanese person. She booked flight on non-existing flight from Paris to Boston. The traveler had to pay a $ 100.00 penaly, and agent did not reimburse him even though she had made the mistake. Traveler also found out she had done the same thing with several other people. _______________________________________________________________________________ for 800 number directory call 1 (800) 555 1212 ******************************************************************************* 6. What are the e-mail and telnet IP addresses for sites in Lebanon ? As far as anyone can tell, none accessible to the public so far. If such is not the case, let us know. There is a service, however, similar to CompuServe that is available for a fee. To my knowledge,the closest that comes to international computer communications is LibanPac, that is modeled on the French TransPac and that regularly transfers data between Ashrafiyeh and France through the submarine cable. AUB has some MCI mail boxes but access is restricted. This is what Nabil Bukhalid, Manager of Personal Computer Support Unit at AUB says about it in a recent communication: AUB has a restricted TYMNET link and an MCI mailbox. The PC Support Unit at AUB is negotiating the implementation of an EARN node at AUB and we are in the process of testing an X.5 gateway to EARN via a C O. concentrator. Also AUB has applied to the NCI for an Internet address. A TCP/IP backbone network was planned and its implementation was scheduled for the last quarter of 1991. The project was freezed after the blasting of College Hall, the upper campus cabling ducts are badly damaged, and we are facing some budget problems. For the time being I have the permission to use the MCI mailbox for urgent correspondence.. ******************************************************************************* 7. What are the phone numbers to call to get Lebanon news ? There is a mailing list called Leb-Net that sends digests to subscribers every two days on the average. It is usually quite thorough. To subscribe, send a short request to: Leb-Net@cumesa.mech.columbia.edu ******************************************************************************* 8. What are the radio frequencies and broadcast times of Lebanese related radio programs ? This information is extracted from Passport to World Band Radio, L. Magne (Ed.), IBS, 1992, ISBN 0-914941-27-5: All times are in GMT, frequencies are in KHz. Voice of Lebanon, Beirut-Ashrafiyah, Phalange, 8KW, English but mostly Arabic broadcast. 0900-0915 6550 1315-1330 6550 1815-1830 6550 King of Hope, Marjayou^n, Mideast, 12 KW, English and Arabic broadcast. 0700-1100 6280 (Mideast), 11530 (Europe) 1400-1700 6280 (Mideast), 11530 (Europe) Neither one of the stations listed above were easily received in NY with a portable SW radio and an indoor antena. The book doesn't list the government radio station which used to broadcast in the 11KHz-12KHz range from Amshit. The Amshit broadcast could not be received either. ******************************************************************************* 9. What are the various Lebanese organisations and how can I contact them. American Task Force for Lebanon 2250 M St., N.W., Suite 305 Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: 202-223-9333 Fax: 202-223-1399 This organisation publishes a monthly newsletter called "Outlook", with Tanya Rahal (Exec. Ed.), and Deeb Keamy (Managing Ed.) ******************************************************************************* 10. What are the projects you can contribute to help rebuild Lebanon ? There is a non-profit organization for Lebanese Academics and Professionals that is working on development projects between Lebanon and North America. It is called ALPA (Association of Lebanese Professionals and Academics) to join or contact them, send e-mail to: alpa@lido.eng.uci.edu or fawaz@harrier.berkeley.edu ******************************************************************************* 11. What are the various Lebanese magazines and newspapers. Some of the newspapers are: Al Hayat (published in London as well as in Beirut) Al Nahar Al Safeer Al Anwar Some magazines: Al Nahar al Arabi wal Duwali Al Hawadess A very good source of information on economic developments in Lebanon is the Middle East Economic Digest, which is published weekly, in English. ******************************************************************************* 12. Where can I find Lebanese magazines and newspapers. In NY/NJ, you can buy it in the World Trade Center, in Penn Station, Newark, NJ, and in Arab shopping areas (see below). In Norway, many big libraries have magazines and newspapers relating to the Middle East. In Arabic there is the Ahram or the British based alHayat or Sharq al-Awsat. In Oslo the small Kiosk besides Saga cinema sells magazines and newspapers that relate to the Middle East. The University of Oslo publishes a magazine called Midtosten Forum that takes up issues related to the Middle East. Most articles are in Norwegian, but there are some in English or other Scandinavian languages. To get this magazine write to: Midtosten Forum Tidsskriftredaksjonen 1030 Blindern 0315 Oslo Norway ******************************************************************************* 13. What has been written by Lebanese and/or on Lebanon ? What follows are titles of books by contemporary Lebanese writers available in English.(They all deal with the war in one aspect or another). Kamal Salibi, "A House of Many Mansions, The History of Lebanon Reconsidered", 1988. Emily Nasrallah, _Flight Against Time_ trans. Issa J. Boullata. Charlettetown, P.E.I.: Ragweed Press, 1987. This is a very touching depiction of an older man's inability to get used to life in Canada, where his children live and where they want him to move because of the outbreak of the war in Lebanon. The old man's attachment to his Lebanese village is conveyed in a simple, direct style, making his predicament that much more poignant. Elias Khoury, _Little Mountain_ trans. Maia Tabet. Minneapolis: Univ. of Minnesota Press, 1989. What I find really interesting about this book is its post-modern style. The narrative point view, speaker, time, place, all shift without warning. It is almost as though Khoury is trying to re-create stylistically the disjunctions and disruptions occasioned by the civil war in Lebanon. (his representation of women, however, is rather sexist in my view) Etel Adnan, _Sitt Marie Rose_ Post Apollo Press, 1978. In this work Adnan narrates the experiences of a Maronite woman who falls in love with a Palestinian and is kidnapped by a group of men (her co-religionists among whom is an old school friend of hers. Her experiences are witnessed by her students who are deaf-mutes. This is a very powerful and disturbing book. Etel Adnan, "five senses for one death." The Smith Special Issue 18, 1971. This is a long imagistic poem by Adnan. Jean Said Makdisi, _Beirut Fragments: A War Memoir_ New York: Persea Books, 1990. Makdisi is a Palestinian-Lebanese who describes her experiences in war- torn Beirut. For her those experiences, which she retells in very moving terms, and her determination to stay in Beirut make her a true Beiruti. Her love for Beirut and her agony over what is happening to it are quite clear. Employing different styles (chronicle, descriptive narrative etc.) in different chapters, Makdisi ends her book with a very moving poem. Here's the poem : "Is it possible to hope that from the rubble of war, which at certain times seemed to haved ended civilization, a new form might arise and permit future creativity? There is something of the alpha and omega in this hope, is there not? Zbale garbage surrounds us, everywhere we look, there are piles of rubbish, debris, there is stench and ugliness, we Yield always we yield to the force of things, we are in danger of surrendering to despair, and to the ease of Xenophobia there is always someone else to blame for what has happened to us, it's never our fault, oh no, and meanwhile we are Waiting always waiting, for the others, for the solution, waiting for them to let the water come gurgling into our empty taps, waiting for the walls to crumble Weary of the never ending War we listen, overwhelmed with sorrow and anger to the the empty Words the endless empty rhetoric which has only brought more Violence while the Veneer of fashion glitters like a wrothless, forgotten coin in a mound of rubble as it catches the sun. Ugliness surrounds us, the ugliness of a broken city, ugly buildings sprouting up everywhere, ugly streets, whole neighborhoods, the beauty of mountains is destroyed by utilitarian ugliness, and Time weighs heavily on us--our days are long, and we carry History on our backs, an intolerable burden--but History gave us also Tyre and Tripoli and Sidon timless relics from the past, ancient, beautiful, but Scarred by war and the suffering of Refugees We are a land of refugees, a people of refugees, coming from everywhere, going nowhere. Refugees make beautiful causes, but they are people--their trucks piled high with the pathetic remnants of former lives, mattresses and goats and children and stoves--they have found no Quicksand in which everyone sinks. We are in a Prison of violence and forgotten ideals. Still, Peace will come, and Oppression will end, must end, and Nemesis will come, but not with more Militias certainly not with more fighting men, nor with more Lies the lies told by everyone to preserve the war and to preserve the Knitting together of the unravelling whole. Justice In war there is no Justice, and it is not from War that Justice will come. Jbeil ancient Byblos, and Jounieh with its ancient harbors and stunning bay, emerald mountains dipping into the blue sea and searching into the azure skies, they are in danger of drifting away from us, but someday perhaps there will be Joy and Jubilation when this war ends and the Internecine butchery ends. They say Hope springs eternal and so it does, in spite of the Guns and the Fawda the anarchy which threatens us at every turn, because Earth around us is beautiful: the gray rocks on the sheer cliffs, the shimmering silver leaves of the olive trees, the deep dark green of the ancient cedars, the sweet smell of the pine forests, the oranges dotted like yellow stars in the sparkling groves that lie by the blue seas. Meanwhile, our Days pass, drearily, with explosions shattering the stillness of the nights. Our senses are dulled by the Catastrophe that has been upon us here in Beirut --poor, ugly, stricken beirut, broken Beirut, unloved city, lost Beirut, like the child in the tale, torn between two mothers, but no Solomon here, no true mother. Beirut pleads to be redeemed, but not by Another Army. ............................ (This poem is more effective as a culmination to Makdisi's memoirs. It is reproduced here without permission.) Hanan Al-Shaykh, -The Story of Zahra_ trans. Peter Ford. New York: Quartet Books, 1986. Zahra is a shia Lebanese living in Beirut during the war (though she also goes to West Africa for a while). I won't give away the plot but only mention that she has a very complex relationship with a sniper. I really liked this book. It deals very frankly with sensitive issues such as sex and politics, and especially with the struggles of women. Other Lebanese writers I like but for whom I have yet to see anything published in English are Ghada el Samman and Layla Baalbakki. Excerpts of their works are available in English in anthologies such as -Opening the Gates_ edited by Margot Badran and Miriam Cooke. Indiana UP, 1990 and _Middle Eastern Muslim Women Speak_ edited by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea and Basima Qattan Bezirgan. Univ. of Texas Press, 1977. There are several other anthologies out as well. The University of Chicago library has an excellent collection of books in Arabic. You might search there for what's available. UC Berkeley also has a very good collection. There is at least one bookstore that I know of in San Francisco called The Arabic Book Center that also supplies books in Arabic as well as English. They will order books for you as well. If you want to read good books by Lebanese writers, Amin Malouf has written "Samarcande", "Leon l'africain", and "Les croisades vues par les Arabes". These books were best sellers in France. (Samarcande in particular is HIGHLY recommended). Amin Maalouf's books have been translated into English. Here are the English titlesof two of them: "The Crusades Through Arab Eyes" trans. Jon Rothschild. Schocken Books, New York, 1987. "Leon l'africain" has also been translated. The English title is Leo Africanus. [Begin French] Le dernier roman d'Amin Maalouf s'intitule "Les jardins de lumiere". Il raconte l'histoire de "Mani", un oriental qui a vecu au 3eme siecle, et fonde une nouvelle religion, le "manicheisme". Son principe de base etait le respect de toutes les religions (Christianisme, Boudhisme, ... l'Islam n'existait pas encore). Apres s'etre repandu un peu partout (de l'Inde jusqu'en Europe, en passant par la Perse, le Moyen Orient, l'Egypte ...) cette religion a disparu vers le 12eme siecle a cause des nombreuses persecutions de la part des autres religions (Christianisme, Islam ...). Bref, le roman est une sorte de biographie imaginaire qui constitue neanmoins une vraie lecon de tolerance et pose beaucoup de questions sur l'interet des religions ... Personnellement, j'ai lu les trois romans d'A.M. : "Leon l'africain", "Samarcande" et "Les jardins de lumiere". Tous les trois sont excellents (a mon avis) mais j'ai eu une legere preference pour "Samarcande". En realite, je pense que ce qui plait aux occidentaux dans les oeuvres de Maalouf c'est son style de "conteur" (Haqawaati), auquel ils sont peu habitues (parfois il va un peu trop loin dans l'invraisemblance des coincidences...) [End French] Robert Fisk,"Pity The Nation - The Abduction of Lebanon", Oxford Paperbacks, 1990, ISBN 0-19-285235-3, approx $16.00 Fisk is an AP correspondent who reported on the war in Lebanon *from* Lebanon since its inception in the mid 70's. A devastating book. 'Required' reading for anyone interested in an unbiased account of the wars in Lebanon. Covers events through the late 80's. Thomas Friedman, "From Beirut to Jerusalem" Charles Glass, "Tribes With Flags" Jonathan Randall, "Going All The Way" ******************************************************************************* 14. Where can I find works written by Lebanese and /or on Lebanon ? Check your local or University Library, most of the books listed above can be obtained in major bookstores or on special order from your local bookstore. ******************************************************************************* 15. Are there Arabic word processors ? Bassem Medawar has compiled a large FAQ on the subject of Arabic on computers. It is very comprehensive and is available on the SoL archive in borg.poly.edu in /pub/reader/text/faq2 (notice the 2 in faq2) There is Arab TeX. A message was posted about it on scl and Leb-Net some time ago. It is public domain, based on TeX which is also public domain. TeX is NOT user friendly -as compared to the Macs. There are Arabic word processors. But the solutions are a little more complicated than we would want them. There is one program which runs on any Mac operating system, i.e. any language. I produces text that can directly be pasted into other word processors. This program is called AlKatib, but is very old and has very many restrictions. Don't expect much from it. Otherwise the way to go is to use the Mac's Arabic Operating system (AOS). This system is designed to work with any program. Yet again this is not completely true. Most programs that are worth their price, are not compatible with AOS. Only very primitive programs that uses the editor routines of the operating system correctly and are very limited in their features. There are however a few programs that work correctly with AOS. There are the products of a company called WinSoft (based in France?). They have a word processor, WinText and a database WinFile. I use the word processor and am sort of satisfied. It is not very expensive either. On the other hand, there is an Arabic (and a Hebrew) version of Nisus. I have not used it, but some colleagues who did are satisfied. I am not sure of the price. For those who need a useful and cheap database, you could opt for FileMaker Pro. It is not completely compatible with the AOS (you can not search Arabic text) but is useful and quite efficient. Another program that I used earlier was SuperPaint 1.xx. It is a paint/draw program which is compatible with AOS. For those interested in Islamic studies, there is also Koranic software. The Alim is an "Islamic Study Toolkit". It offers the entire text of: - The Qur'an in Arabic - Transliteration of the Qur'an - Yusuf `Ali's translation - Yusuf `Ali's commentary - M. Pickthall's translation - All nine volumes of Sahih Bukhary - Islamic Subjects Database - Maududi Sura information - Chronological History of Islam - Biographies of Companions - Islamic terms dictionary The Alim runs a clean and powerful text based windowing system. Several windows can be run at once. It also has a powerful pattern searching feature. The databases are cross-referenced. Separate modules can be purchased, they include Sahih Muslim, Tirmizy, Al-Muwatta and Assad's translation among other volumes. The standard package has an introductory price of $99.00 and costs $149.95 in retail. Macintosh, Windows, OS/2 and OSF/Motif support is expected in the first quarter of 1993. I saw the package and it is EXCELLENT. It is certainly worth the price. If were to buy the books in paper form it would cost more than $100, plus you would not be able to cross reference or search. The current version is distributed on 7 high density DOS disks and when decompressed takes 15Mb on a Hard Disk. You need at least 1.5Mb on your Hard Disk to run the Software and you can decompress the components you need. You also need EGA graphics or better. It also runs on a Macintosh with Soft-AT. The Software was developed over six years by a two person company called ADVENT (800-397-5561). It is distributed by IQRA Bookcenter: 800-521-ICRA or 312-274-2665. For users of Wordperfect, there is an Arabic module that can be added to Wordperfect. The module enables one to write in English and Arabic. It's extremely user friendly! The regular price is expensive but the educational price is about $135 (with student or faculty id). However that you need to have/buy the standard version of Wordperfect in order for the module to run. So it's great for those who already use Wordperfect, but it may be too expensive for those who don't since they would need to buy both the standard version and the Arabic module. ******************************************************************************* 16. Is there a standard Arabic alphabet representation in Latin ? The standard is called cat (for Classical Arabic Transliteration) and is the work of Bassem Medawar. The file can be retrieved from the SoL archive by anonymous ftp to borg.poly.edu in pub/reader/text/translit/cat ******************************************************************************* 17. Where can I find Lebanese songs and music ? Town Records in Manhattan sell International records including, sometimes, Lebanese. Shahin Brothers, in Brooklyn, Atlantic Avenue, sell a large collection of Lebanese and other Arabic Music. They also sell Lebanese/Arabic books. ******************************************************************************* 18. Where can I find a Lebanese restaurant ? In Brooklyn, NY, there are a couple Lebanese Restaurants on Atlantic Ave. One is Tripoli Restaurant, good food, a bit expensive, good to invite a guest, and another more popular (and affordable) Kabab and Shawarma restaurant (a-la Abu Khudor) accross the street from Tripoli Restaurant. The Kabab restaurant even has an indoor water fountain, nice touch. The area near NY Univ in Manhattan has quite a few M.E. restaurants. Somewhere in Manhattan there used to be a Cedar Restaurant. _______________________________________________________________________________ There are three in the St.Louis area: Aladdin's - 2241 S. Brentwood, (314) 963-0090 Very good, reasonable price. Salim's - 6501 Delmar, (314) 721-7947 Good, but expensive. Mediterranean Taverna - Edwardsville IL Good food & entertainment, Middle-Eastern buffet for ~$7. _______________________________________________________________________________ Here are two lebanese restaurants I've been to in Paris - France. Name : Al-Dar. Address : very close to Place Victor Hugo (?Av. Raymond Poincarre?). Price : relatively expensive (200-300 FF per person = medium size mezze + meat + dessert). Quality : Good to Very-Good (same quality then in Lebanon). Remarks : Lebanese service, arabic music, grocery with lot of lebanese staff (less expensive). Name : Al-Diwan. Address : Avenue Georges V (close to the Champs Elysee) Price : relatively expensive (250-350 FF per person = medium size mezze + meat + dessert). Quality : Good. Remarks : Lebanese service, arabic music, grocery with lot of lebanese staff (less expensive). There are a lot of other lebanese restaurants in Paris. I only know these two and I recommand Al-Dar. _______________________________________________________________________________ Here in London, we are well supplied with a number of Lebanese restaurants. I'll describe only a small selection of them. Name: Maroush I Location: 21, Edgware Road, W2 Telephone: 071-723 0773 Cost per Person: No music, no arak : GBP.18 (US$ 36); Music and alcohol : GBP.37 (US$ 74); Quality: The food is okay. This is the flagship of the Maroush/Ranoush chain of three restaurants+ 1 takeway in London. On week-ends in the winter and throughout the week in the summer, there is live music and dancing which makes you think you are in Bairut itself ! Beware though, minimum charge when there is music and dancing is GBP.37 (US$74) which is damn expensive, but if you don't care, then go for it. Last time I went there with friends, we spent 4 hours eating, singing, and generally having a good time. Quantity of food: Well, since they will charge you a minimum price of GBP.37, you really have to eat a lot to make up to this price ! Say 3 starters per person, plus main course, plus baklawa, plus fruit, plus mint tea etc. - open 'til 4:00am or so ! Name: Maroush II Location: 38 Beauchamp Place, SW3 Telephone: 071-581 5434 Cost per Person: GBP.18 (US$ 36) + drinks (3 starters(shared) + main course) Note: Second Maroush restaurant in London, near Knightsbridge Quality: I'm not pleased with this one. Bad service. Crowded with the wrong type of crowd. Although the food isn't cheap, the decor is el-cheapo. Quantity of food: Okay. Name: Maroush III Location: 62 Seymour Street W1H - perpendicular to Edgware Road. Telephone: 071-724 5024 Cost per person: GBP.18 (US$ 36) + drinks Note: 1 minutes away from Maroush I Quality: This one's my favourite Maroush restaurant because I have been there so many times I know everyone. The food is good while not too expensive. Summer is more crowded than winter because of the Gulf population taking its quarters around the nearby Edgware Road. Recommended starters: Arayes, Baba Ghanouj (Mouttabal), firri, Makanek Un-recommended starters: Kibbeh (it's not the real thing), sojuk (it is different every time I go there !) Recommended main course: Lahem Meshwi. Farrouj Kebab. Recommended drink: Laban Ayran (they know how to do it properly) Beware of the meat Shawarma, it's very greasy, *very*. Quantity of food: plenty. 3 starters to share plus main course is enough. Baklawa and/or fruit is included in the cover price. If you can eat the whole tray of baklawa (about 40+) your meal is on the house (that's what they told me) Additional notice: Check-out the Maitre d'Hotel. He thinks he's Lebanese but in fact he is Spanish, and it's funny to hear him speak Arabic ;-) Name: Al Hamra Location: 31/33 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, W1Y Telephone: 071-493 1954 Cost per person: GBP.29 (US$58) + drinks Quality: Situated in the heart of Mayfair, a very prestigious area of town, Al Hamra is pretty expensive. But then again, it is the only place which has someone at the entrance to park your car for you. Since it is so hard to park in central London, it's pretty good, especially in the evening when you don't want to walk the streets. The food is of good quality. But then, one would really expect it. Book in advance, because the restaurant is pretty small and very popular. Quantity of food: less than in Maroush III, but who says that quantity counts ? Name: Fakhreldine Location: 85 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1 Telephone: 071-493 3424 Cost per person: GBP.40+ (US$80+) + drinks Quality: Very popular, very expensive, very good. The bill seems to be exponential with what you eat. If you have a business meal with anybody you want to impress, take them there. Most people whom I know and have gone there have gone only once. They are still saving for the next time ! This is known to be the best in town. Go there, if you can afford it. Quantity of food: at those prices, do you bother ? It's the people there that matter. Who knows, you could be striking the deal of your career ! Name: Beit Eddine Location: 8 Harriet Street, SW1X Telephone: 071-235 3969 Cost per person: GBP.25 (US$50) including drinks Quality: This is a small restaurant where it is advisable to book during week-ends. The food is good, but nothing special. But a friend of mine really likes it. I guess the atmosphere, although being simple, is very pleasant. Shawarma is pretty good. Lahem Meshwi is a bit dry, so be sure to order Humus to dip the meat in... Quantity of food: the portions are rather small. Be sure to order enough ! Take-away food: There is a quantity of takeaway shops for Arabic food in London, especially on the Edgware Road. After having tried nearly all of them, I can only recommend one: Name: Ranoush Juice Location: 43 Edgware Road, W2 Telephone: 071-723 5929 Cost of sandwich: GBP.2.50 (US$5) average Recommended sandwiches: Chicken Shawarma; Mouttabal Sandwich Recommended drinks: freshly-made carrot juice, it's good for you ! Recommended process-to-get-served: go to the till, and order your food; pay and use the ticket that you get to give to the cooks. If you are a pretty girl you'll probably get served immediately ;-). Well, that just about rounds-up a small selection of Lebanese restaurants in this part of the world. One last observation: you'll find that the garlic sauce served with chicken (for example) is pretty weak compared to what is served back in Lebanon. Home cooking is still the best ! Editorial Note: I have used GBP for Great Britain Pound Sterling, and the exchange rate is US$ 2 for GBP 1. -> I can't be bothered to use the exact exchange rate. The PHOENICIA, 11/13 Abingdon Road (Off Kensington High Street) London W8. Tel: 071 937 0120. The food is consistently excellent, the quantities are more than ample, the prices are reasonable and extremely good value, and above all the service is friendly, courteous. They even speak Lebanese instead of the condescending French some are prone to. It merits at least one visit every time I leave this cold country for the nearest I can get to a good Lebanese meal barring home cooking. Try their mezza! ******************************************************************************* 19. Where can I find a Lebanese grocery store? There are two large Arab shopping areas that I know of in NY/NJ: Brooklyn, NY, Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn Heights. Paterson, NJ, off Guarden State Pkwy, Hazel Street exit. ______________________________________________________________________ In St.Louis: Middle-Eastern Markets (Aswak al shark-al-awsat) on Grand Blvd. Jay International Markets on Grand Blvd. Al Madina Al Arabia in North County. ******************************************************************************* 20. Is there a good Lebanese recipe book ? Fann-Al-Tabkh by Georges Al-Rayess. *The* book on Lebanese cuisine. This book is a classic, and is extremely thorough. Not for the amateur cuisinard or the faint-of-heart, though. Can be obtained from Librairie Antoine in Beirut. For a more practical and less complicated cookbook, see Madeleine Farah's book 'Middle-Eastern Cuisine' Another alternative is a book, that is not specifically Lebanese but contains many Lebanese and other Middle Eastern recipies: Claudia Roden: A New Book of Middle Eastern Food. Penguin. Sahtayn! ******************************************************************************* 21. Are there recipes available on the net ? Yes! Telnet to Archie and search for recipies with the command: prog recipies. Here you will get the address of the servers that have on- line recipies. Choose the server closest to you and FTP the file(s). following are addresses to Archie servers: archie.doc.ic.ac.uk [146.169.11.3] UK/European Imperial, London, UK archie.funet.fi [128.214.6.100] European FUnet, Helsinki, Finland archie.au [139.130.4.6] Australian Deakin, Geelong, Australia archie.sura.net [128.167.254.179] World SURAnet, Maryland, USA archie.rutgers.edu [128.6.18.15] World Rutgers, New Jersey, USA archie.unl.edu [129.93.1.14] World Lincoln, Nebraska, USA archie.ans.net [147.225.1.2] World ANS, New York, US archie.mcgill.ca [132.206.2.3] World McGill, Montreal, ******************************************************************************* 22. Is there an ftp archive site for Lebanese art works ? A selection of scans of photographs of Beirut and Lebanon from the last century, courtesy of the Harvard Semitic Museum's Bonfil collection have been made available on liasun3.epfl.ch users/choueiry/Bonfils ******************************************************************************* 23. What is the best way to deal with multiple system TVs and VCRs and how can I get my VCR tape converted to a format that works in Lebanon ? Three solutions : 1. Buying a switchable television and use your video recorder. 2. Buying a switchable video recorder (PAL / SECAM / NTSC) and a PAL / SECAM television. 3. Buying a switchable video recorder (PAL / NTSC) and a PAL / SECAM television. First case : You can watch to french and foreign broadcast, you can use your video recorder and your tapes, but you can't record french broadcast. Second case : You have still to find a french PAL / SECAM television. That should not be that much expensive. But : in that case, you can watch the local broadcasts, watch your tapes AND record local broadcasts. I don't know how much costs a switchable television, but as for the video recorder, it's about 300.000 yen in Japan for the only model available. That video recorder converts any video signal to any other. Some people may point out that the conversion is not perfect. That's true. In fact, the signal conversion achieved by that video recorder is a VERY LOW COST conversion. It converts SECAM to a pseudo PAL, PAL to a pseudo NTSC, but that's neither a professionnal quality, nor a broadcast quality. Just for information : a professionnal quality PAL/SECAM/NTSC converter (the converter only) costs 1.800.000 yen. Third case : There is another video recorder (AIWA) which converts NTSC to PAL only. That one is quite cheap (60.000 yen here in Japan). That one with a french SECAM / PAL television would make it, if you don't expect too much quality, and if you don't record SECAM broadcasts. About the quality : There are some video recorders allowing to make low speed records (one third of the normal speed). Up to six hours on one tape, but of course lower quality. The quality of a low cost converter is about the same... The ideal solution : you buy a switchable television AND a switchable video recorder. In that case, you can record in any format you want and use your tapes in any country. Since you don't need the signal conversion, you get a broadcast quality image in any case. _______________________________________________________________________________ Here are some recommendations for businesses that will convert VCR tapes from one standard to another : DAKE International 3208 Foxboro Dr. Richardson, TX 75082 (214) 234-8518 1pm-9pm The cost is $18.50 per tape which includes a new tape and shipping. They can convert to any TV system: PAL, SECAM to NTSC or vice versa. Another one is in Raleigh, NC. It provides conversion from and to any format (VHS, VHS-C and 8 mm types of cassettes). This will allow playback of videotapes made overseas, here on U.S. TV's and VCR's (NTSC System). The service will also convert the other way around,(i.e. from U.S. system to any of the systems used anywhere else in the world - PAL, SECAM, etc..) Mailing Address: INTERNATIONAL VIDEO CONVERSION 520 Harvest Lane Raleigh, NC 27606-2217 Phone: (919) 233-8689 Fees: $20.00 + $5.00 S&H (Price of a High Grade Cassette Included, 2hrs or less) Delivery: Mailed back the next day, express shipping at request. Payment: Cheque, Cash or Money Order mailed with tape. A third one is: SOMI International 50 Summer Street Edison, NJ 08820. Phone 908 548 3065 Their price is good ($12.99 for a regular 2-hr tape and $17.99 for more than 2-hr tape, include $3/tape for postage and handling). Fourth recommendation : This information was obtained from listings in VideoMaker Magazine. Another good company is: RVT 1911 Douglas Boulevard #85 Roseville CA 95661 (916) 773-3705 The approximate cost is around $25 for 2 hours including tape and return shipping. CA residents have to pay tax at 7.25%. They have a 24 hour turnaround time. ******************************************************************************* 24. What are newborn names that could be used for Lebanese children living abroad that would work in both Lebanon and western societies. For girls: If names sound alike (Homonyms) the first one mentioned will be the Arabic spelling, then the English (or the English equivalent): Dana Danah The name that got the most votes from the net Dania Dina Dima Farah Farrah Faten Hala Hana Hannah Jihane Johayna Joumana Karima Laura Leila Leyla/Layla Lina Lubna Mariam Myriam Marwa May Maya Mona Moniya Nadia Nadine Najat Nariman Nour Noura Nora Rania Salam Samar Summer Samia Sawsan Susan Safiyya Sofia Sara Sarah Sourayya Sukayna Yasmin Jasmin For boys: Yusef Joseph Ree'an Ryan Kareem Nabil Bill Waleed Sami Nadeem Fadi Chadi Chad Fouad Fred Raji Roger Ya'oub Jacob/Jake Ree'an Ryan Naji Farid Ramzi Ramsey Samir Sam Rabih Robbie ******************************************************************************* 25. I plan to go home soon and I have heard rumors that the draft will be re-instituted, do you have any additional information about it ? I was born in 1923 and I am afraid that I would be subject to the draft ! The latest on the subject and the most recent decision is that men born during 1972 and later years will be drafted. The same was also confirmed recently in some of the arabic papers published in Canada. Originally it was thought that only those of 1975 will be drafted, but it was later decided to go with 1972... 26. Where can I get a copy of the English translation of the Lebanese Constitution ? A Translated copy of the Lebanese Constitution is archived on borg.poly.edu (128.238.10.106) as /pub/scl/constitution. To obtain a copy from ftp enabled sites the following commands should be followed: ftp borg.poly.edu (or ftp 128.238.10.106) login name: anonymous password : send id as password cd pub/scl get constitution ******************************************************************************* 27. Where can I get a copy of the English translation of Taef Agreement ? A Translated copy of the Taef Agreement is also archived on borg.poly.edu (128.238.10.106) as /pub/scl/taef To obtain a copy follow similar procedure as the one followed in the previous question using at the end : get taef (instead of get constitution) ******************************************************************************* 28. I need to ship a car/or some merchandise to Lebanon, do you know of a shipping company that handles this ? There is a Lebanese person that handles shipping cars (among other things) to Lebanon. His name is Hassan Issa, and his home phone is : (316) 636-4612 You can mention that Hassan Hammoud referred you. It may be very helpful. ******************************************************************************* 29. I suddenly developped an urge for Middle-Eastern cuisine, can you help me quench this horrifying thirst ? You can try to prepare any of the following recipes: Falafel 1 lb. dry ful (fava beans) 1 small onion 1 bunsh of chopped parsley 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 t. ground coriander 1/4 t hot red pepper (optional) 1 t. baking soda 1/2 t. cumin Salt and pepper to taste 1 T. flour Soak ful in cold water for a few days, changing water daily. When ready, peel ful and grind with onion in meat grinder. Add all ingredients, mixing well. Grind mixture a second time. Form into patties and fry. Variation: Soak 3/4 cup of dry homus with ful. Then follow above directions. Stuffed Grape Leaves in Oil. 1 lb tender grape leaves 12 oz. rice 12 oz chopped red onions 4 bunches parsley chopped fine 12 oz ripe tomatoes chopped very fine 2 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. spices (mixed cinnamon and sweet + hot pepper) 2 1/5 lb sliced tomatoes 1 pt. boiling water. 2 oz. lemon juice 4 oz. oil potatoes cut in the thickness of 1 1/2 inch. My Lebanese mother-in-law adds garbanzo beans as well, about a cup or so with the above proportions. Note that these are the "lentin" variety; there are also grape leaves with meat, for those who eat meat. As hinted above, rolling the leaves is the tricky part an the book doesn't explain how to do it. Could anyone provide any hints on that? Nothing substitutes for experience. When my wife and I make grape leaves, hers are always much tighter and more consistent than mine. But I'm learning! Here's how we do it: Lay the leaf face down in front of you, with the stem end towards you. (Be sure to remove the stem, by the way). Put a tablespoon or two of the stuffing in the middle of the leaf. Fold in the sides, then roll up the leaf starting with the end that is closest to you. It's very much like rolling a burrito, if that's any help. When cooking, be sure to put a plate on top of the grape leaves, so that they don't expand too much. Also, we like to crush some garlic and sprinkle it on top of the grape leaves before cooking. Sahtain! Knafi (bil Jibn or Ushta): I have recently learned to make Knafi, and if I do say so, I think I have become very good at it. I use the shreded stuff, not the breadcrumb crust. First prepare the syrup ('ater) from twice as much sugar as water with some lemon juice and orange-blossom water (mazaher). Mixing in honey makes it taste more familiar to American palates, and putting in a tiny amount of Carob molasses (dibs) makes the flavour "heavier" (i.e. more like something cooked). The syrup goes in the fridge. Next I prepare the clotted cream ('ushta). The ingredients are: One liter milk, 1/4 litre heavy cream and one teaspoonful rosewater (maward) Prefereably boiled over a light flame in a wide, shallow tray over two burners. After that, it needs to be left at room temperature overnight so that the thick layer of stuff on the surface can trigger the coagulation of a greater of the milk/cream mixture. Adding the rosewater after most of the boiling is done is a good thing to do. You may refrigerate the 'ushta now if you want to do this later. The cheese could be Lebanese white cheese (jinbi baidha) if you can get it or mozerella otherwise. The shredded dough needs to be well buttered : pouring melted butter over it is not enough, you have to leave some butter in solid form and rub it in to make sure every strand is coated. I assume this will not be a problem with breadcrumbs. Also, using clarified butter is a good thing to do if you have time. (If you are still with me, you probably have time ;) In order to clarify the butter, melt it and throw away the parts that float or sink (unless, of course, you have some REAL samneh!). One layer of knafi in the tray followed by the cheese (cut into any shapes you wnat: it'll melt anyway), covered with the 'ushta and topped off by another layer of buttered knafi is the final configuration. Bake at 350 for half an hour then raise the temperature to 450 to brown it; remove when it looks brown enough (unless you see smoke, which is another indication it is done :>). ******************************************************************************* 30. How can I get the latest travel advisory for Americans wishing to visit Lebanon or the Middle-East ? A collection of all travel advisories released by the State Department during the last 4+ months is FTPable from RASCAL.ICS.UTEXAS [128.83.138.20] file Travel-Advisories in directory misc/misc. *******************************************************************************