1)Its my second visit to the Middle East this year.Coming too close to the first , it caused a bit of anxiety to my family. Nonetheless, as usual, my wife and family unanimously gave their blessings.
2) This visit is to the King Saud University (KSU)and I'll be examining the medical students who are in their final year. KSU is the first University in the Saudi Kngdom and has a long history to its credit
3) My immediate host is Dr Ebrahim ElAyed, formerly from Newcastle upon Tyne. He is in his 50's but you can recognize his charm from afar, despite not having met from 1987
4) We sat in an old style Arabian restaurant in central Riyadh, recalling the good old days in Newcastle. Names like Aynsley-Green, Parkin, Lawson, Heather, Lamb,Eastham, Watson,Craft,Nelson,Wariyar, were among the few that came to mind when the warmth of Arabian tea took it's desired effects. We recoiled with laughters as he recalled his inability to drive in snow and tested his car against a Newcastle double decker bus!
5) Theres an invasion in Gaza at this time, with kids bearing the main brunt of war and its consequences.Its quite difficult to be too happy during this occasion, as both of us are Paediatricians.Our life centres on making kids better and free from pain.Yet we could only watch and listen from far the cries from these children,amplified many times over and repeatedly done as though to challenge us sitting comfortably in our rooms.
6) Geographical borders ensure that we remain isolated to those suffering from this unjust war and can only pray that someone can stop the brutalities of it.Perhaps no one could , as killing one soul leads to the killing of another in reciprocity.Hence the praying is to God who has power over man's heart and intention. May He makes human have mercy on his fellow.Man share the same pangs of hunger and pains from injuries, whichever side he is on.
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