Ms.Tamimi, we live in the west so we use western methods to raise money. Almost all grassroots fundraising for all kinds of horrific occurrences is done through entertainers and artists donating time and talent to raise money and draw attention to the cause through events where people have a good time. We don
’t think we need to give up our own joy in life in order to help others. We just want to share. That is our way of life. If you don’t wish to attend the event, stay home. If you are so stuck in your ways that you prefer not to accept our money, raised in good faith, let the other mothers have the freedom to choose or reject our help.
A second generation Lebanese Canadian, I have been a professional dancer for 35 years, by choice. I was originally school teacher. The dancers here are scientists, doctors, social workers etc. and most of us are mothers and some grandmothers. We are all very sober and very healthy.Yes, we take joy in dancing. So what? Bellydancing is a beautiful dance that the east has rejected as legitimate and given to the west. Our western (and largely Christian) view of dance and wine (Christ drank wine) is not the same as yours, but if you require us to raise money your way, whatever that is, it
’s not going to happen. My heart aches for those mothers and children, but denying myself pleasure in life only creates more suffering, not less.
If I donate money to a cause or dance in a fundraiser for that cause, the money ultimately comes from my dancing. That is how I fed and educated my own children (my son is a doctor, my daughter and environmentalist) and that is how I can help other people
’s children, whether you like it or not. I have participated in fundraisers for Iraqi children and Lebanese children where some of the organizers were Muslim but whose understanding of western fundraising was far less ignorant than yours. So maybe you should try saying thank you to the people who care enough to take the time to use what they love to help others.
To the dancer above...
So its OK to do anything at all to raise money for a good cause in your own openion? When can one draw the line if I may say? how far are you willing to offer pleasure in return for some donation? couldn't you and others offer the donation without the pleasure that comes with dancing? What kind of message are you trying to send? that people will not do good without any return...especially pleasure?
We enjoy the blessing of a free society and a relatively peaceful life. Our lives will go on, regardless. Someone else's suffering is not alleviated by us trying to make ourselves miserable. We enjoy music, dance and all kinds of art and entertainment. In other words, whether I am happy or not happy makes no difference to the horrific suffering of the people of Gaza. Many of us have compassion for those less fortunate and we do what we can to help. If dancing is what we do, then that is how we can help. Most people take pleasure in their work, families, friends and lives in general. Is their something wrong with this? Not in my moral code.
If my children were starving, I would not be judgmental about where the money came from as long as it's acquisition did not cause more suffering to others. So that is where I draw the line. "Live Aid", a worldwide entertainment fundraiser for Africa is an example on a large scale of western grassroots fundraising, which helped mny needy people while giving the pleasure of music to millions of people. Please take your head out of the sand. My message is simple: do what you can to help.
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