I like that the Arab youths pulled the old "Let's stick something on him written in Arabic that will get him in trouble" trick. He's only the latest public figure to be plastered with inflammatory text by Arabs. Word to the wise: if you're going to champion the cause of a people who have a tendency to inflict such embarrassment on persons only trying to help, learn their language first. Or, perhaps Martin was aware of the meaning and just decided that it's the globally most popular, if terrible irresponsible, position to take.
 

It doesn't say how he selected the headscarf, so anything we come up with is just speculation. There might have been a pile. He might have grabbed it in an ignorant bid to fit in.

It is an interesting slogan for him to wind up wearing, though...
 

In all the pix I've seen, the scarfs are all the same. I can't imagine there was much selection on his part. I'd say they just draped it around his neck. My guess is that Martin's innocent so far as one can be when you're a celebrity who steps into such a visceral environment--no matter how good your intentions. Somehow I think bombers make a more lasting impression on global opinion than anything Martin will ever do. In fact, here's Martin standing there with the kids trying to show they're more complex people than religious zealots and -- what do they do -- stick a zealot's message on him.
 

Well, the article says Martin, whose hits include "She Bangs,""Shake Your Bon-Bon" and "Livin' La Vida Loca," posed for photos with fans, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Arab kaffiyeh headscarf with the slogan "Jerusalem Is Ours" written in Arabic on it. Assuming that the grammar isn't incorrect, that means he put the scarf on himself. A rewrite of the article states Martin posed for photos with fans at the youth conference, at one point draping over his shoulders a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf with the slogan "Jerusalem is ours" written in Arabic on it, making it further clear that he was the one to put on the scarf.

I haven't seen any pictures of the scarves other than the one in the first article, so I can't speak to the claim that they are all the same.

I see what you're saying, but I think it's dangerous to be so dismissive and judgmental towards the Arab youth. I think this situation is the same as if an Arab came to a Christian youth group meeting and put on a button that said "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" on it, or something. It's just what they believe. I'm leery of the claim that they did it on purpose to force a celebrity to take a stand on this divisive issue.

I don't have any facts or figures or historical data to back me up on anything, but I would like to think that despite our differences, we are all people, and we can learn to respect each other's beliefs and to cooperate with one another without resorting to name calling or suspicion. I do not condone terror by any means, but I also can't agree with prejudice. Somebody has to show some trust, or nothing will ever be resolved.
 

"Jerusalem is ours" is not equivalent to the scripture you cite. "Allah akbar" would be an appropriate and acceptible religious statement. But the statement on the scarf is purely political and it is certainly not benign. It is intended to provoke, and no doubt the organizers loved having Martin naively grace it over his shoulders. That image will be beamed to millions across the Middle East this week.

One part of cultural tolerance is realizing that youth is not experienced uniformly across cultures. In other words, respect for other cultures and peoples means not implanting them with Western values and motives.

You cannot compare a 14-y.o. Palestinian youth, who's known nothing but life in a refugee camp, war and violence, and religious hatred from all sides, with an American of similar age.

I'm not being dismissive or judgmental of Arab youth but --speaking as someone who, having just had dinner with a female friend who lives and works in Qatar and having listened to her cultural insights -- we can and must hold youths, of whatever nationality or culture, accountable.

It was irresponsible of Martin to allow the scarf to adorn his shoulders and it was churlishness of the first order for the organizers and even the Arab youths to allow him to wear it.

I highly recommend watching "Palestine is Still the Issue".