From Heather Wilhelm via Michelle Malkin:
Nour Mehana, the "Syrian Wayne Newton," has finally hit the big time. After
days of fevered speculation, Mehana has been outed as the mysterious Syrian
music-maker who, along with his band, set Northwest Airlines Flight 327 into a
tizzy over a feared terrorist "dry run."
For many, this discovery was a massive relief. In fact, one look at Mehana's
publicity photos set many minds at ease. This man, a terrorist? A man who
sings with a goofy Syrian band, plays in shady casinos, and has a cheesy
porn-style mustache? That silly woman Annie Jacobsen! Aren't we all so silly
and paranoid?
Mr. Mehana has a nice little song on his recent CD, by the way. It's
called "Um El Shaheed."
In English, that's "Mother of a Martyr."
I noticed "Um El Shaheed" on Nour Mehana's web site. "Shaheed," I knew,
meant "martyr," but that was as far as my Arabic could go. Since
martyrdom seemed an odd topic for a casino crooner, I called the Middle East
Media Research Institute. I spoke with Aluma Dankowtiz, who is fluent in
Arabic, to find out exactly what Mr. Mehana has to say.
"Mother of a Martyr" glorifies the death of a young Palestinian. Mehana sings
to a grieving mother that she should not be sad, because her son, who died as
a martyr, is a hero. She should be happy that her son is gone, Mehana croons,
because freeing Palestine and the Golan Heights are heroic goals. The song,
which starts slow and solemn, ends with a triumphant chorus, celebrating the
martyr's glorious death: "Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar!"
Matt's Chat
Yeah, I feel better already...Go read the whole thing...
