Centennial Commemoration: Arab Passengers say 'Yalla Yalla' on the Titanic

Al Bawaba dug up the Lebanese aboard the tragic liner earlier in the week, courtesy of Blog Baladi. Now it's time to think beyond the Levant and consider all the Arabian passengers. There was an odd Egyptian in there. The Arabs could have been "the fifth largest nationality aboard after British, American, Irish and Swedes", mostly traveling 3rd class. Perhaps the case would be different today since the advent of Gulf oil rich states propping up Arabs around the region.

"Unless you have spent the past week or two in a monastic cell, you are no doubt aware that this weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic....

And, since one rule of journalism is always "look for the local angle," the Middle Eastern press is reminding us of the Arab passengers aboard the Titanic, who tend to fade into the background in most accounts, but were definitely present."

Seeing a 'mashkal' or inflamed skirmish break out on Beirut's streets is quite everyday. The Lebanese are easily wound-up and get rowdy quicker than you can say 'flash mob'. So it wouldn't be any wonder if this specific dramatic mob's efforts almost escaped unnoticed, but for the simulated fatalities...

"An NGO called CitiAct conducted this flash mob at Hamra street on the commemoration day of the Lebanese civil war yesterday."

An Egyptian man ties himself to a cross on a street pole in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on April 11, 2012.

It turns out, 'nope' - and quite a resounding negative.
Read on to find out why this is the case and how the media are fanning the flames of fear of the Persian 'threat'.

"On the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Cunard Line’s White Star Line’s Titanic, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV, in a three-part story, calls to our attention the fact that among those who perished in the disaster were Arabs. They came mostly from Lebanon, but one also from Egypt."