April 12, 2017
Dear friends,
Some of you might remember that I have mentioned in the past that I was planning to do a “coming out” of my “anonymity closet” on the 10th anniversary of my blog, on May 1, 2017. Well, turns out that I had a better opportunity to do that just a little earlier upon the request of my friend Sheikh Imran Hosein who talked me into agreeing to a video interview for him. I will be honest, I absolutely hate public speaking of any kind, and a video camera, even my own, makes me feel like I am sitting on a mount of red ants. Also, this was my first video interview ever. By temperament I am a *student* first and an *advisor* second: in other words, a “behind closed doors” kind of person. I hate the limelight and I am much more comfy with my very-thin anonymity as “The Saker” than showing my face (and overgrown belly) to the public. But I just did not find the courage to say “no” to such a respected and dear friend like the Sheikh. So, friends, folks and neighbors – here I am for all to see (sigh, cold shiver down the spine, deep breath).
I have a request. Even though my anonymity is pretty much long gone now, let’s just keep things as they were, okay? Keep calling me “The Saker” – just think of it as a pen name if you want. And, please, don’t focus too much on me. What matters are the issues and what a person *does*. Not who that person is. So let’s pretend like you don’t know my real name and like you “forgot” who is interviewed in this video. Believe it or not, I am kind of shy and not a social, nevermind public, person at all.
Still, I am happy that my “coming out” was with a Muslim friend. Not only will that rattle some stinky cages, but it is also a tribute to all the kindness shown to me by my Muslim friends.
One more thing: there is no need to tell me that I don’t deserve the exceptionally kind words of praise of the Sheikh. I know that. Be assured that this praise is in no way a reflection of me, but it is a reflection of the Sheikh’s immense kindness and compassion for his fellow human being. The fact that I am so unworthy of this praise says everything about the Sheikh’s kind heart.
Cheers and hugs to all,
The Saker
The Essential Saker: from the trenches of the emerging multipolar world
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Uprooted Palestinian 
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blog!
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