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Indian Express
28-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
How Delhi's queer icons are making Pride a daily practice
I was three when I knew I was different. I had no name for it, no word to wear like a badge or a burden. Just a feeling. A flutter in the chest. A hush in the room. A shadow that fell differently across my face than it did on others. I was not like the rest. Not like the other boys in New Delhi. Not like the cousins who grew into heroes of heterosexuality. Not like the classmates whose dreams were ready-made—school, job, wife, kids, done. I was something else. I was something to fear. Something to hide. Something to hush. That's what I learnt before I even knew how to spell my name in cursive. I was four or five and already a secret. Every year that followed tightened the noose of shame. I was the boy who walked with too much softness, spoke with a lisp, sang along to the wrong songs. I wanted to love. I wanted to laugh without checking if my joy was too flamboyant, too colourful, too gay. But in the India of the '70s and '80s, I was an aberration. A whisper of something unwanted. I carried suicide in my pocket like a crumpled paper with no address. I never unfolded it. But it was there. A thought. A threat. A possibility. My very existence was political, even when all I wanted was to play house and be the one who cooked, who cared, who kissed the boy. I had no one. No mirror that reflected back my truth. No magazine that said it was okay. No movie that held my story with tenderness. There were no icons in my image. No gods who looked like me and loved like me. And yet—I kept breathing. Isn't that a miracle in itself? At twenty, I left India with my shame, my softness, my secrets, and a suitcase full of dreams. I arrived in New York, hungry. Hungry to live, to taste life beyond repression, to find in the West what I could not even name in the East. But even in that shiny city, I was othered. Not just for who I loved, but for how I looked. I was brown. I was foreign. I was 'exotic.' I was mistaken for Arab, Sabra, Mexican, 'terrorist,' 'spicy,' 'dot-head.' I was a stereotype buffet. And still, I stayed. I spoke. I organised. I rose. Coming out at twenty didn't make the road easier—it made it real. My queerness, no longer cloaked in shame, became my compass. I leaned into activism. I fundraised. I spoke on panels. I joined political boards and roundtables. I used my voice because for years I didn't have one. I stood for the ones who were still whispering their truths in dark corners, the ones who, like me at four, thought they were alone. I stood for the future I had needed. Now, at fifty-two, I live again in the country of my birth. India, with all her noise and nuance. India, where pride is still whispered in alleys but shouted on Instagram. Where queerness is still criminal in family conversations even if not in the law books. And yet—I am out, proud, unflinching. I am here to disrupt. To stir. To shake the status quo until it spills enough room for every colour of the rainbow. Every Thursday, in the heart of Greater Kailash, there's a gathering. A quiet revolution with music, mezze, and mojitos. Depot 48, helmed by the extraordinary Vikas Narula—a man my age, my kind, my kin—becomes a sanctuary for our community. It's not just a restaurant; it's a chapel of courage. There, we strut. We sip. We sparkle. We breathe easier. There, we are not oddities—we are the ambience. We belong. Vikas, with his quiet daring, has made his business a beacon. A business with a backbone. He put queerness on the menu, not as garnish, but as the main course. And that visibility feeds us in ways food never could. I met an artist once—a boy half my age, but with a wisdom far beyond mine at that age. Aamir Rabbani. Visual storyteller, media director at ORF, and a soul from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. He told me he came from a village, not even a town, where being gay wasn't just dangerous—it was unspeakable. There were no pronouns. No pride flags. No support groups. There was only silence. And yet, here he is, forging his path, creating his name, supporting his family, climbing invisible mountains in heels made of glass and grit. From a young age, Aamir knew who he was. But he also knew—perhaps too well—what this country does to boys like him. Boys who dare to dream differently. Boys who wear tenderness like a second skin. He feared what the truth might cost him: his safety, his family's acceptance, his future. So he played the part. He told everyone he'd be a chartered accountant. Safe. Serious. Maths-minded. Even though he had no love for numbers. It was code for 'don't worry—I'm normal.' And they believed it. But Aamir, quietly, invisibly, was storing up a different dream. The dream of a city, a life, a breath that wasn't laced with fear. He knew he had to leave. To risk it all. To begin again in a place where he could paint his truth without erasure. Today, he lives in Delhi, and travels across the world—carrying not just his art, but his history. His mother, still in that village town, gave him affection. Her own version of love. But not the tools to see the full map of his journey. She doesn't know what he has climbed to get here. The storms he weathered. The closets he outgrew. The cost of becoming whole. She loves him, no doubt. But love without understanding can still feel like a locked door. Aamir walks with that contradiction daily—with grace, with grit, with gentleness. Some stories take time to be shared. Some truths are ripened over years. Aamir doesn't live with his mother—but she is with him. In spirit. In spice. In the food she once made for him, that he now makes for others. He cooks her memories. Her flavours. Her soul. Wherever he goes, he brings her through him. And he does so with unapologetic pride. As a gay man. As an artist. As a son. And that, too, is its own kind of revolution. There are others. Filmmakers like Onir and Faraz Arif Ansari—dreamweavers who have placed our stories on the big screen, not as caricatures, not as comedy relief, but as the protagonists of our own sacred sagas. They dared to imagine us with dignity. They stitched our struggles and triumphs into celluloid. They made our lives art. And in doing so, they gave many of us our first real vision of being possible. And then there's Keshav Suri. A hotelier, yes. But more than that—a builder of bridges. The Lalit chain is not just about luxury—it's about legacy. It's about a philosophy of welcome, of radical kindness, of hospitality that embraces not just your wallet but your whole self. The Lalit doesn't just tolerate us. It celebrates us. It platforms drag. It throws Pride parties. It educates. It includes. Keshav, with his open heart and sharp mind, has done what few can—he's created corporate queerness that isn't performative but powerful. His hotels are not shelters—they are sanctuaries. I look at these lives—Aamir, Onir, Faraz, Keshav, Vikas—and I marvel. We are no longer just whispers. We are songs. We are street parades. We are sculptures. We are schoolbooks. We are safe houses and house music and households that once never imagined children like us could grow into voices like ours. We have always existed. But now—we insist. Pride Month is more than floats and hashtags. It is memory. It is mourning. It is magic. It is the pulse of those who dared to love before love was allowed. It is for the ones lost to AIDS, to hate crimes, to mental illness, to isolation. It is for the ones who didn't make it, and for the ones who are trying. Still trying. Every day. To breathe. To believe. To belong. I walk this life proud, yes. But also grateful. For the teachers who didn't mock my voice. For the friends who chose me even when the world said not to. For the men who loved me and taught me to love myself. For every person who held my truth with both hands and said, 'I see you. You are real. You matter.' That's all any of us want. Not a throne. Not a rainbow cake. Just space. And grace. So, as this Pride Month ends, let it not end. Let Pride not be a punctuation mark but a posture. Let us celebrate not just in June but in July, and in all the months where silence once reigned. Let our colours not fade into the calendar but bleed into the sky. We are not mistakes. We are mosaics. Fractured, yes, but glittering. When we shimmer together, we are galaxies. We are possibility. We are proof that love wins—not in slogans, but in living rooms, kitchens, boardrooms, bedrooms, courtrooms, and street corners. To be queer is not to be alone. Not anymore. To be queer is to be part of a lineage of love and resistance. To be queer is to walk into a room and say, I have survived. I am here. I will dance. Let's keep dancing.
Leaders
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Syrian Christian Leader Embraces Islamic Roots to Promote Cohesion, Justice
In a Tiktok video that went viral, prominent Syrian Christian politician George Sabra has made a remarkable declaration, claiming foundational Islamic figures as his direct forefathers. Sabra passionately argued this shared lineage defines authentic Arab identity, transcending religious boundaries during an interview. Unveiling a Shared Ancestry 'I am a Christian, but Umar ibn al-Khattab is one of my ancestors. He is part of my history.' Sabra highlighted the importance of recognizing shared historical figures, especially when discussing ancestry with his children. He asked rhetorically, 'What should I tell them? Should I mention Alexander the Great or Richard the Lionheart?' Instead, he proudly claims Islamic figures like Omar ibn al-Khattab as his ancestors. 'My grandfathers are Umar ibn al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan, Ibn Khaldun, and Ibn Rushd. These are my ancestors.' Sabra emphasized that this belief is not merely a personal conviction; it serves as a message for education and politics. He expressed his deep conviction, drawing parallels to historical figures like Al-Hajjaj, who famously stated, 'If I told one of you to exit through this mosque door and you did not, I would cut off your neck.' Lessons from Islamic History Sabra elaborated on the teachings of Umar ibn al-Khattab, particularly his respect for the rights of non-Muslims. He quoted the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, saying, 'Whoever harms a dhimmi has harmed me,' noting that Prophet Muhammad's final recommendations included the powerful directive: 'I advise you concerning Ahl al-dhimma.' He then provided a detailed explanation of the traditional Arab 'al-dhimma' concept. 'The Arab understanding of 'al-dhimma' carries immense weight,' Sabra explained. 'When someone enters another man's or tribe's protection, they gain absolute immunity from aggression or oppression.' He underscored the resulting sacred obligation. 'An attack upon them becomes an attack upon the protector himself. Therefore, the protector must defend them as vigorously as he defends his own person, his family, and his honor. Neglecting this duty completely erodes his dignity and invites perpetual disgrace.' A Divine Mandate Sabra emphatically concludes, 'If this is the covenant of a man or a clan, then what about the covenant and protection of Allah and his Prophet that we granted you?' He warns forcefully, 'Whoever aggresses against you unjustly has violated Allah's covenant and his Prophet's protection. We will wage war relentlessly against those who wage war against Allah and his Prophet until we perish defending that.' George Sabra's powerful words paint a powerful picture of unity across religious divides. By honoring Islamic heritage and defending minority rights, he offers a blueprint for harmony. His vision echoes strongly in today's divided global landscape. Short link : Post Views: 9
Business Wire
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc. Thanks Clifton J. Porter II for His Board Service
TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rick Matros, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc. ('Sabra' or the 'Company') (Nasdaq: SBRA), issued the following statement today thanking Clifton J. Porter II for his five years of Board service to the Company: 'On behalf of our Board of Directors, I want to thank Clif for his exemplary service to our Company. I know our Board and leadership team benefited greatly from his insights and expertise—I certainly did. We look forward to continuing to work with Clif in his capacity as the President and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), where we know he will continue to provide great leadership for the healthcare industry.' Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc. Thanks Clifton J. Porter II for his Board Service. Share Mr. Porter stated, 'These past five years on the Sabra Board have been one of the highlights of my career. It has been a rewarding experience to work with such an accomplished group of leaders. An operational culture drives Sabra and I am confident that the organization will continue to flourish. I look forward to continuing to support Sabra's mission in my new role.' About Sabra Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, operates as a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust (a 'REIT') that, through its subsidiaries, owns and invests in real estate serving the healthcare industry throughout the United States and Canada.
Saba Yemen
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Bruqin Municipality Head: Zionist Settlers Seize 250 Dunams of Land
Salfit – Saba: Fayyad Sabra, head of Bruqin Municipality in Salfit Governorate, stated on Sunday that Zionist settlers have seized approximately 250 dunams (62 acres) of land in the eastern areas of the town. Sabra added that residents of these areas have relocated to safer locations due to repeated settler attacks, carried out under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, according to the Palestinian news agency "Safa." He highlighted the absence of ambulance or firefighting vehicles in Bruqin, noting: "When fires break out, emergency and civil defense teams have to come from Salfit to Bruqin—by which time the fires have already burned out." Sabra emphasized that no compensation has been provided to citizens for burned homes, vehicles, or other attacks. Over recent days, the town has faced repeated assaults by Zionist settlers, including arson attacks on homes and cars, amid heavy military presence by occupation forces. According to a report by the Anti-Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, Israeli forces and settlers carried out 1,693 attacks in April alone, continuing their campaign of state-sponsored terrorism against Palestinians, their lands, and properties Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Hummus Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2025-2032: Mediterranean Cuisine & Rising Popularity Propels Expansion, Sabra and Tribe Innovate with Bold Flavors
The U.S. hummus market is set to grow from $1.08 billion in 2025 to $1.86 billion by 2032, at an 8.0% CAGR. Driven by rising demand for healthy, plant-based snacks, major brands like Sabra and Tribe offer innovative flavors and on-the-go solutions. The surge in Mediterranean cuisine boosts this trend. Dublin, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Hummus Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2032 - By Product, Technology, Grade, Application, End-user, Country: (U.S.)" has been added to offering. The market is anticipated to climb from a value of US$ 1.08 billion in 2025 to US$ 1.86 billion by 2032, with a steady CAGR of 8.0% forecasted between 2025 and 2032. The U.S. hummus market is on a promising upward trend, fueled by a rising demand for plant-based, health-focused, and convenient food options. Increasing consumer attention toward ethical sourcing, functional ingredients, and international culinary influences has transformed hummus from a niche ethnic dip into a mainstream staple. Market Insights Hummus has gained significant popularity among U.S. consumers, particularly millennials, due to its versatility, nutritional benefits, and compatibility with various dietary preferences, including vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Widely used as a dip, spread, or meal component, hummus is a nutritious alternative to traditional snacks, enriched with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Prominent brands like Sabra and Tribe are tapping into this growth by offering diverse flavors, from classic garlic to bold innovations like cocoa and dessert-style hummus. The appetite for adventurous flavors and convenient snack solutions continues to drive market growth. Market Drivers The U.S. hummus market is spurred by an expanding consumer base seeking healthier snack options, consciously avoiding processed and calorie-laden products. With its high protein content, clean-label advantages, and plant-based recipe, hummus is ideally positioned. The surge in vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns complements the rising demand for such dips. Also propelling market growth is the burgeoning appreciation for Mediterranean cuisine in the U.S. Culinary exploration, especially among younger demographics, has spotlighted hummus as a go-to choice for globally inspired foods. Dining venues and meal kits featuring hummus are further embedding it into regular consumption habits. Business Opportunity The market offers substantial opportunities for innovation in product diversification and packaging. Companies are launching single-serve, portion-controlled packs that meet increasing convenience demands, appealing to fitness enthusiasts and on-the-go professionals. There's also a trend towards functional hummus products, enriched with superfoods and nutrients like turmeric and kale, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking additional nutritional benefits. Brands are aligning with the clean-label movement, emphasizing ingredient transparency and utilizing organic and non-GMO ingredients, resonating with consumers prioritizing health, sustainability, and authenticity. Regional Analysis The U.S. hummus market is experiencing balanced growth across major regions, including the West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast. The West and Northeast U.S. regions remain strongholds due to higher consumer awareness and a health-conscious populous. Emerging markets in the South and Midwest are seeing new opportunities as distribution channels increase and consumer preferences evolve. Key Players The market features a blend of established players and dynamic startups. Companies like Lakeview Farms, LLC, Hope Foods, LLC, Nestle S.A., Strauss Group, Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, Inc., and Lantana Foods are pivotal in shaping market trends. These companies are heavily investing in R&D to develop unique flavors, functional products, and sustainable packaging. Major corporations like Nestle are expanding their reach through strategic partnerships with retail giants, while smaller brands focus on premium ingredients and distinctive flavors targeting niche consumer segments. Challenges in the Market Despite optimistic growth, the hummus market faces competition from other plant-based dips and spreads. Consumers are increasingly exploring alternatives like guacamole, nut-based dips, and black bean spreads, necessitating continuous innovation in flavor and function, alongside a commitment to transparency and sustainability. Conclusion Driven by health consciousness, plant-based diet trends, and global culinary inspiration, the U.S. hummus market is poised for significant growth. With an 8.0% projected CAGR from 2025 to 2032, the industry offers robust prospects for innovation, expansion, and consumer engagement. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary U.S. Hummus Market Snapshot Future Projections Key Market Trends Regional Snapshot, by Value, 2025 Analyst Recommendations Market Overview Market Definitions and Segmentations Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Market Opportunities Value Chain Analysis Porter's Five Forces Analysis COVID-19 Impact Analysis Impact Of Ukraine-Russia Conflict Economic Overview World Economic Projections Pestle Analysis U.S. Hummus Market Outlook, 2019-2032 U.S. Hummus Market Outlook, by Type, Value (US$ Mn) 2019-2032 U.S. Hummus Market Outlook, by Nature, Value (US$ Mn) 2019-2032 U.S. Hummus Market Outlook, by Sales Channel, Value (US$ Mn) 2019-2032 Competitive Landscape Company Market Share Analysis, 2025 Competitive Dashboard Company Profiles Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, Inc. Haliburton International Foods, Inc. Hope Foods, LLC Strauss Group Boar's Head Brand Zacca Hummus Lakeview Farms, LLC Nestle S.A. Lantana Foods Bakkavor Group Plc For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
