EIPHNH
Ahmed Marcouch opens Gay Eed ul Fitr at Club Havana.
In this clip (among others): Ahmed Marcouch, Miloud Bouzrou, and Freddy Konstantinou with his arm around charming mystery man!:):
http://www.at5.nl/artikelen/24330/marcouch-opent-gay-suikerfeest
Last night, Friday 25th September, 2009, I had decided - at the very last moment, following my beautiful friend's (Nesrin's) advice! - to go to the Gay Eed ul Fitr at Club Havana in Amsterdam. Because: how could I blog about this and not attend? She was right, but she's hardly ever wrong actually. Intelligent people, very annoying (only joking, Nesrin, darling;)).
I hardly ever go to gay pubs, cafés, or clubs, so it took a little bit of getting used to, if I'm honest. However, the crowd as well as the staff were very friendly and warm, which I find surprising, because gay men are not always the nicest people to be around, sorry guys, it's true, and I have every right to say this, because I am gay myself, but from the nicer, more social, and warmer "kind", again, sorry guys, it's true........if you want me to write something else, some of you will have to change your attitude.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the music, and I was completely alone, looking at the handsome men, until my friend Nazima arrived with her husband. I love her! And him too of course, but Nazima is very special to me: I've met her through Hyves and FaceBook, and yesterday evening was the first time I met her in person. She looked absolutely stunning, like a Bollywood star!:) Wow! You know me, I LOVE beautiful women!;)
Around 23:00, Ahmed arrived, with some journalists (among them Marga van Praag, whom I love!) and camera people. Caspar, my colleague, who handles all of Ahmed's contacts with the media, and who also is his spokesman, was there as well. I like Caspar very much, in spite of our differences, but I didn't realize that he - of course - was working. So, I still didn't get a chance to speak with, or dance with him. I brought him Antzela Dimitriou's album "Ftene i andres" ("Men are to blame"). I am sure he will love it! He has a very versatile music taste, and not many people have that.
I shook Ahmed's hand a little later, very nice to see him in such a relaxed atmosphere. I also was pleasantly surprised when I saw council man Miloud Bouzrou, a very charismatic man whom I have always liked a lot. He has very special eyes! LOL! And he knows it.;) I shook his hand as well. Very good and brave of you, Miloud, that you were there! Well done!
At the official opening of the "Sugar Party" (we call Eed (or Eid) ul Fitr "Suikerfeest" in Dutch, which means "Sugar Party"), Ahmed took the DJ's place, which looked hilarious actually, very strange setting!;) He held a brief speech, welcoming all the guests, especially the gay Muslim people who were there, and he emphasized again that it's perfectly OK to be gay and Muslim. Many guests shook his hand and congratulated him on his brave attitude towards some (again: not all!) people in the Muslim community who think and say that being homosexual is a sin and a crime. He doesn't offend them, he respects them, but he challenges their views at the same time; dialogue and debate! One of the many reasons I consider him to be a hero, a real hero, and an inspiration to us all.
I had a very nice and warm conversation with Nazima. She is even sweeter and cuter in real life than on the internet! She's incredibly strong and resilient, and she is absolutely not afraid of confrontations and discussions. Go girl! You R-O-C-K!
I stayed for a few hours more, drinking lots of Bacardi and Cola (Light!;)), so I can't say with a straight face that I was in control, but I don't think I embarrassed anyone, did I.....? LOL!