The Question: The producers of the movie "The Kite Runner" had to evacuate three boy actors from Afghanistan because they were involved in a scene portraying homosexual rape. Who's at fault here: the movie producers who exposed the boys to danger, or the Afghan culture that threatens them?

It is a tough question: There is a fine line between respect of local traditions and norms, and
submission to extortion of extremist forces. However, in most cases resentment of certain Western
attitudes may reflect more resentment of Western policies - in the case of Afghanistan what many see as
Western occupation - than certain behaviors. It is imperative that Westerners show sensitivity in
how they carry themselves in conservative societies. (That same rule also applies to Arabs or any foreigners
visiting Western societies.) Even locals who pursue a more liberal lifestyle must tread cautiously in their milieu. Even for people like me, it is a constant struggle between my belief in a more open social life and my own more conservative ambiance. Change is a long process and shocking people's sensibilities could backfire.

It is also important to realize that Western lifestyle is not necessarily synonymous with civilized behavior. It is a complex issue since some Westerners carry an inherent condescending attitude reflecting conscious and subconscious colonialist beliefs. The controversy regarding filming of the rape scene, using local boy Afghan actors is a very particular example, though.

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The Question: Is Christmas a bigger event in your country than it was ten years ago? Is this a sign of Westernization or just commercialization?

I live in a predominantly Muslim country, but my family hails from the old town of Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity has been my family's church for hundreds of years. For us it is not only the site of the birth of Jesus but the venue of dozens of family weddings, christenings and communions. To many in the West, Bethlehem is simply a biblical town. Very few make the connection with the town's people, the Palestinians. When Israeli forces besieged Bethlehem in 2002, Palestinian fighters, mostly Muslims, took refuge in the church.

The Western world knows by heart all the Christmas carols, but it did not pay much attention then to the plight of the town, its people or even the church, bombed by the Israeli army. I was not in Bethlehem that year, but kept calling my family to make sure they were fine. My uncles, aunts, and cousins would reassure me that they were safe, although they were homebound and afraid to get close to the windows for fear of Israeli snipers. But they would all ask me the same question: What will happen to our defenders, the fighters in the Church of the Nativity? Many families were involved in smuggling food into the church, and their hearts went out to the fighters when they finally surrendered. Today Bethlehem remains under siege, strangled by an oppressive apartheid wall.

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