Saddam Sacrifice

I’m no conspiracy theorist, but it’s also not a coincidence that Saddam Hussein was executed on Id Al-Adha, one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar. Id Al-Adha (or Eid-e Qurban) is known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’. The Festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for God (In Judaism and Christianity, the child in the story is Abraham’s son, Issac). Ibrahim secures his son’s ransom by killing a ram. The holiday lasts for four days and marks the end of the hajj (pilgrimage). For those who did not take part in the hajj, families that can afford to do so sacrifice an animal such as a sheep, goat, camel or cow, and then divide the meat among themselves, neighbors, friends and the poor. It is distinguished by the performance of a communal prayer (salat) at daybreak on its first day. Saddam was hanged just before dawn during the call to morning prayers. We Americans will certainly miss the significance, but I can guarantee it’ll be the subject of conversation across Middle Eastern dinner tables tonight.

Top 15 Albums of 2006

1. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls of America
2. Tom Waits – Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
3. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
4. Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
5. Lily Allen – Alright Still
6. Grizzly Bear – Yellow House
7. Ali Farke Toure - Savane
8. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
9. Lupe Fiasco – Food and Liquor
10. TV on the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
11. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
12. Joanne Newsom - Ys
13. Herbert - Scale
14. Cat Power – The Greatest
15. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Bored in Ronkonkoma - the film

Check out the latest short created by Rob Jenkinson (UK) and Doug Howe (US). It is the second, and final, film in the Ronkonkoma series. Or do I hear the word - Trilogy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqGuWE8UK0I

H.E. '06

Thanks to all who attended the 4th Holiday Extravaganza.

Holiday Extravaganza 2006

THALATTA! Theatre International presents
The Fourth Annual Holiday Extravaganza!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 8:00pm

The Triad Theatre, 158 W. 72 St.
between Columbus and Amsterdam

$12 with a two drink minimum