My Review Of The Year 2010

1. New Album Of The Year:

This is a very hard choice and no one single album stood out for me head and shoulders above the rest. For its' sheer exhuberance though, I will have to plump for Omar Souleyman's storming "Jazeera Nights" set - arabic music never sounded this manic.

2. Re-issue Album Of The Year:

Another tough choice but Analog Africa's new compilation of killer Angolan music from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s "Angola Soundtrack" is a fantastic set. It is also a perfect companion to the almost flawless collection "The Soul Of Angola" from a few years' back and which should be in everyone's music collection.

3. Gig Of The Year:

It was a bumper year for great concerts. Ones that really stand out in my memory include Omar Souleyman in Leeds, Rango, Syriana, Farida and Mohamed Mounir in Liverpool and Skindred and The Stooges at Sonisphere. Overall though I have to say that Le Trio Joubran's performance in York in September just edged all of those. This was arabic music on a sublime level.

4. Performer Of The Year:

The one and only Benji Webbe from Skindred, live at the Sonisphere Festival in the summer. Is there any better frontman of any band in the world right now?

5. Biggest Musical Disappointment Of The Year:

Continuing to see various bands taking the filthy shekel over principles of human rights by playing in Israel. Luminaries such as John Lydon and Gogol Bordello should know and act better. By contrast, big up to Gil Scott-Heron, Elvis Costello and many others who pulled their gigs from there.

6. Film Of The Year:

I went through this year thinking that it hasn't been a significant year for great films. However, the more I think about it, the more I realise how many really good movies I have seen (although have had barely the time to write any reviews this year). Three films stand out above all the others and as they are all so quite different I will not choose an overall champion. These films were the searing French-Algerian crime drama "A Prophet"; the Argentinian Oscar-winning "The Secret In The Eyes"; and another French- Algerian title "Of Gods And Men" which was truly a sobering and thought-provoking movie. Others worthy of a mention include the charming animation of "The Illusionist" and the claustrophobic African civil war drama "White Material".

7. Documentary Of The Year:

"Restrepo". A powerful glimpse into the lives of young American soldiers in the hostile territory of Afghanistan and the associated fear and trauma they suffer. Worth watching to see the overwhelming emnity from the locals towards the invaders.

8. TV Channel Of The Year:

As with last year, "Al Jazeera English" stands way above all.

9. Overall Disappointment Of The Year:

Again, I have to vote for the US President Barack Obama. His weak leadership and the continuation of the policies of his predecessors is now starkly clear.

10. Embarassment Of The Year:

The numerous u-turns of the deputy prime-minister Nick Clegg. Helping to preside over the sweeping public sector cuts that are about to land on us alongside his betrayal of students make this chap the nation's favourite hate-figure right now.

11. Scumbags Of The Year:

Step forward the criminal regime of Israel. Until the occupation ends, this spot is reserved for you each year.

12. Heroes Of The Year:

The nine Turkish martyrs onboard the Mavi Marmara boat that attempted to break the unhuman siege of Gaza. May God bless you for your heroic actions.

13. My Blog Highlight Of The Year:

Such a hard choice but standing in the EDL cesspit for a couple of hours back in August was an adrenaline-pumping exercise. It wasn't as enjoyable though as some of the fascists getting an extra special Bradistan welcome after straying out of their pig-pen!

Hijabis Of Syria (Part Six)

Here is the final part in this little series. These hijabis are well-wrapped up in case the weather gets cold and don't have the chance of taking advantage of any in-store heating to keep them warm. They also seem to resemble some medieval battle trophies, with their bodies completely missing and their heads on display.

Shopkeepers Of Syria (Part Three)

I photographed this shopkeeper deep inside the old city of Damascus. He had a very modest little shop and just gave me a few seconds to take this image.

Straight Street

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." (Acts 9:10-19)

Straight Street is one of the main thoroughfares in the old city of Damascus and takes you all the way from the Muslim to the Christian quarters. There are lots on interesting shops and sights there, and the first part is a covered souk like Hamidiyah. I had a couple of walks there and took these images.

Two Years On, We Will Not Forget

Don't forget the people of Gaza.

Faces Of Damascus (Part Three)

This cute little girl was in the Christian quarter of the old city of Damascus playing with her friend when I appeared. She was the only one of her group who posed for a picture.

Christmas Greetings

Old Woman Of Iran

This elderly lady was with the group of Iranian Shia pilgrims featured on yesterday's blog. I thought she deserved a whole entry to herself as she has such an amazing face.

Shia Pilgrims (Part Two)

Another day at the Umayyad Mosque and another tour group of Iranian Shia pilgrims arrive. I took these shots one afternoon in the late afternoon sunshine.

Shia Pilgrims (Part One)

The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is a popular destination for Shia pilgrims who come to visit the shrine of Hussain. Most come from Iran but during the days I was there I met others from Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey and even Australia.

All these photos below were taken on my first day in Damascus and are of a group of Iranian pilgrims. Being amongst all of the Shias I met was an intense experience as they were remembering the slaughter of Hussain and there would be much weeping, a powerful sight indeed to witness grown men cry. The pictures were taken in the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque.

Old Man Of Damascus

This wise-looking old man was sitting in the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and I was very happy when he agreed for me to take his portrait.

Umayyad Mosque (Part Two)

Here are some images of various scenes taken inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. The final two pictures are a couple of young men from Iran who unexpectedly came up to me and asked to take a photograph of me. Naturally I returned the act.

Umayyad Mosque (Part One)

One of the most important sights in the old city of Damascus is the stunning Umayyad Mosque. Although it has been rebuilt a number of times it remains a very impressive sight indeed. Non-Muslim visitors have to enter through a special entrance and don a cloak if they are immodestly dressed (which they get from the "Putting On Special Clothes Room").

The mosque has a beautiful courtyard where is it peaceful to sit and just admire the architecture and the steady stream of visitors. The prayer room itself is also impressive and contains the shrine of John The Baptist.

There are a continuous flow of Shia pilgrims coming here as the shrine of Hussain can be found here. I came here on a number of occasions to photograph these people and these pictures will be on future blogs.

Here are some images of the mosque and pictures from inside it will follow tomorrow.