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 | World Affairs - I take a keen interest in events around the
world, particularly those involving violent conflicts, human rights,
health, the environment, sustainable development, international trade,
space exploration, emerging technology, sports and culture. |
| Travel - I really enjoyed my travels. My favorite places
include Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE; Doha, Qatar; Manama, Bahrain; Dammam
and Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Australia;
Singapore; Thailand; Malaysia; Indonesia; Hong Kong; Japan; Guam; Seychelles; New
Caledonia; Hawaii; Toronto, Vancouver BC; France, Germany, U.K.,
Belgium, The Netherlands. I would love to see more of Latin America
and INDIA! |
| Projects - My current research and humanitarian interests include, but are
not limited to:
 | The Origins, Language and Culture of the Fula/Fulani/Fulbe/Fellah/Fellata/Peul/Wodaabe People. My ethnic group is known by several other names.
Migrating from ancient Egypt in the BC era, we are dispersed in over 30 different
African countries. Many of the dispersing people sojourned in the
Sahara for quite a long time, most for at least 2 millenia, before
proceeding further south. Much of the Saharan rock art discovered in
Northern Africa has been connected with the migrating Fula people
who left cultural traces as they moved from place to place. Many
still live in the Sahara, primarily in what is known as the Sahel,
which encompasses the northern fringes of several Western African
countries as well as the southern fringes of several North African
countries. The vast majority were converted to Islam, a movement
which they also helped spread largely through jihads or wars of
conquests. Prior to that, many held on to traditional religious
practices mostly formed in ancient Egypt but redefined in various
ways as the people migrated from place to place. Linguistically,
Pulaar/Fulfulde is a complex language with a highly sophisticated
vocabulary that indicates that the people had attained a high level
of secular knowledge. |
| Legal Issues of Development - What kind of legal system promotes
sustainable development? In sum, a legal system that reinforces
people's belief that the laws are fair, progressive and equally
applicable to all. I believe that the legal system in the
United States has played the most significant role in making the
United States the most advanced nation on Earth today. I have strong
faith in the rule of law and free enterprise "with a human face" as
the most potent engines for human advancement. |
| The impact of anthropogenic activities on global climate change.
The constant emission of greenhouse gases has a debilitating effect
on global climate change. We need to ACT now before it's too late!
Urge your government officials to make climate change a national
priority and it will become a global priority by consensus. |
| Preservation of the world's numerous languages on the verge of
extinction, especially those in the Americas. Many of the native
languages that gave the Americas its special character have been or
are being lost because they were or are being displaced by foreign
languages (Spanish, English, French, Portuguese). The same can be
said of the many native African languages that have been lost or are
on the verge of extinction. UNESCO has its work cut out and we must do all we can to
preserve an invaluable aspect of world culture. |
| Eradication of violent conflicts, hunger, disease and
homelessness around the world in 80 days! |
| Promoting medical research, especially in the developing
countries. A vaccine and cure for HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes,
malaria, glaucoma, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's, would be a
good start. |
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| Volunteer Work - I enjoy chipping in once in a
while. I had a blast with Red Cross, Amnesty, and Voluntary Workcamps of Sierra Leone.
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| Foreign Languages & Cultures - I speak
several languages including my native Fula/Fulfulde ("Hal-Pulaar"),
Krio, English, French, Spanish, some German, Russian and Arabic. I
learned some Latin. I would like to learn Mandinka, Wolof, Hausa,
Amharic, Swahili, Portuguese, Hebrew, Mandarin, Hindi, and at least
one native American language. Native American culture fascinates me.
Needless to say, I have witnessed countless Pow-Wows (Native American
cultural festivals). I also love Latin and East Asian cultures,
especially Hindi culture. |
| Swimming - My favorite stroke is the butterfly,
but I am fastest with the backstroke. I "invented" a
new stroke - the breast fly. I also love to dive; the back dive is my
favorite. |
| Fitness: Other than swim, I also play tennis, do some light
golfing, rock climb, cycle, ice-skate, roller-skate, water-ski, jog, and go to the gym as time permits.
Recently, I have started playing (gasp) SOCCER! |
| The Arts - I make occasional trips to the theatre to warm
up my spirits. I particularly enjoy Broadway musicals, opera, stage plays and art
exhibitions; not to mention my penchant for cultural festivals and parades. |
| Cooking - I enjoy preparing ethnic dishes whenever I find
the time. I have tons of mouth-watering recipes (mostly African) which I will put on
my website as soon as I find time. |
| Motto - I will give and give
until I have nothing left to give. (And I encourage you to do the
same.) |
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