The visit also enabled me to closely observe the life style the Arab-African President chose for himself and his family. It emphasized and strengthened the notions I had earlier of President al-Bashir and his administration. I was struck by his overwhelming temperate disposition and manners. Though he is obviously saddened and concerned about the wars imposed on the Sudan, I was captured by his smile that reflects the inner peace and tranquility he enjoys.
In the last eighteen years, I have visited more than eighty countries throughout the world, and met with many Arab, Muslim, and Third World leaders on three continents. I must confess, in terms of simplicity and disdain for materialistic lavish life, the leaders of the Sudan, Libya, Iran, and Cuba struck me the most.
Omar Hassan al-Bashir is attached to his roots and place of his birth and upbringing. He frequently visits his village where he grew up. His old small one-storey house in which he stays in and meets some of his local and foreign guests is indistinguishable from any quarters occupied by ordinary citizens. The house and wall around it are made of mud. The tiny living room contains two old chairs and an old iron bed used as a sofa. The narrow passageway that leads to his entry door is nothing but sand. The food we shared with the President was a piece of chicken, a small roll of bread, an apple and a bottle of water. Our laps served as the dining room table. I don’t recall to ever eating something tastier. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
President al-Bashir came out of his home to a nearby tent, addressed our delegation of 31 African-American journalists, and mingled freely with the men, women and children from the village who flocked to greet him. He also held his cane up high, and joined them in their traditional dance. Surprisingly, not bulletproof! No electronic security check! No one among the delegates or the crowd was searched. No villager was pushed away or turned back. There were no tanks, no armored cars, no Humvees, no Blackhawks, no Apache gunships, and not a single man with a military uniform.
BET (Black Entertainment TV) conducted a one hour exclusive interview with Mr. al-Bashir in his village. He was thorough, honest, open, and frank. The question remains: Will BET executives allow this rare interview to be aired in the United States? Will they let the truth be heard and their viewers see the facts? Another question: Will the TV crew who were able to produce a great piece of journalistic work have the courage and determination to stick to their guns, and convince BET to release the documentary they produced to the public? One would hope and pray that the crew will be true to high journalistic principles and not cave in to intimidation and pressure.
When the time of al-Asr (before sunset) prayer came, some raggedy rugs were laid on the floor. President al-Bashir stood shoulder to shoulder, in a straight line, with the other worshippers, irrespective of their position or rank, and solemnly prayed. He didn’t lead. A young man in his late twenties did.
The relationship between al-Bashir and God seems to be different from that of Bush and his Lord, who ordered the U.S. President to invade Iraq, and wage a “Crusade” of war against Muslims. Bush says, “May God Bless America.” As we see from Bush’s actions, the rest of the world may go to hell.
When the prayer ended, President al-Bashir, with his eyes closed, raised his hands towards the sky, and with a gentle voice, asked God, the creator of the universe, to bless the earth that gives us life. He called upon the “Merciful and the Beneficent” to bring peace, and may prosperity prevail for the entire world, and to have that His blessings encompass all mankind.
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