About Razan Masri

I love exploring, researching, finding and sharing. I love to learn and to teach, I love to live and to laugh, I wish to speak to the world as an Arab Woman using the most beautiful language through photographs and writing.

Free yourself & start flying

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Razan Masri

“You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.” Rumi –

I agree… What do you think?

Visit the mountains from time to time… Let your soul vanish and fly in between what the eyes alone can not see… Be you within yourself let go of all fear and burdens, let go of whatever is holding you back from flying… Free yourself let yourself be as free as it was born & created let it all be within the Divine trust in the higher power let go of your tiny possessions…

Letting go of perfection & joining the most imperfect life.

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Razan Masri

Today i want to let go of my love for perfection

For what is perfection without imperfection?

Imperfection is what completes perfection. It is the natural cherry on top of everything made to perfection.

It is the signature, the uniqueness, the spontaneous & the unexpected.

I invite you to join me into letting go of trying too hard to make things look perfect, be perfect or even close to perfection.

I used to say am a perfectionist, today I choose to let go of this saying and instead, I want to say am natural.

I want to dance through life not worrying about tripping because when I trip, I want to see it as only part of my life’s unique choreography.

I want to stop trying & instead start doing without having to worry about the steps I take or the outcome of things.

I want to be certain that whatever step I take is the most natural and therefore resulting in the way it naturally will come out to be.

I want to quit thinking of the best way to do things and the best way to create things for no matter how much I try, I will always remain to be an instrument to a higher power that is the real creator to things.

I want to enjoy my freedom of thoughts & instincts and trust that what I was given of thoughts & feelings are the best instruments given to me for me to use to create my piece.

And I want my piece to be imperfect. Natural and unique. I want it to be called my piece of Art. And what is art, if there is nothing so imperfect to look in to? What we see as beautiful is always done so imperfectly that we end up falling in love with. For when we look at an art piece that is perfect it is the most boring and repetitive piece we see.

I no longer want a perfect mate, i want an imperfect mate to be imperfect with. I want to be natural. I want to be as humble and as blessed as I can be. I want to be so busy living my every move instead of being busy trying to make the right move to reach my perfect looking future.

I do not want a perfect future. It is too tiering and too much of a waste of life. I want an imperfect future. I want a natural future. The future I am going to get at anyway, no difference can be made to the approach I take to reach it except my mind.

I either worry the hell out of my way to get there or I simply dance which ever way my body sways and I will always arrive to the very same place.

The only difference is my journey. I will either have a rough journey trying to be perfect or I will love the moments I trip and fall for they are the most unique beat to my song.

So let us be natural. However imperfect that is, let us enjoy that very cherry on top. Let us laugh out and feel so lucky when we notice how imperfect we have done things. Let us be appreciative, for we were given is this imperfect life.

My visit to Jericho and the Mount of Temptation – زيارتي الى اريحا و دير القرنطل منزار قرنطل

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Razan Masri

May 16 2015,

“Enough for me to die on its ground and be buried therein, To dissolve and vanish in its soil, And to resurrected as grass, as a flower, With which a child of my country plays, Enough for me to remain in the bosom of my land: A soil, a grass, a flower. -Fadwa Tuqan”

It felt great to walk into a city knowing it is possibly the oldest city in the world. We drove through the empty desert heading towards the city, it looked all carmel hills and felt very warm as it is located right next to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on earth). We then decided to head towards the Mount of Temptations “In Arabic: Jabal al-Qarantal” to discover and see the magical existence of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Temptation “In Arabic: Deir al Qarantal”. It looked magnificent, a church carved from the hill it self, overlooking the full city if Jericho.

Trying to imagine yourself back in time, back to the beginning of the 1900, how life seemed to be, how they worked through making such a church, and how it is constructed to protect you from the heat of this city. There were no AC’s in there and yet the temperature felt perfectly cool. And apparently, the temperature is perfect at both winter time and summer without the need of heat or air conditions. Isn’t that just amazing and strange? Welcome to Palestine, where experiencing and discovering is on a total different level. Knowing the history of Palestinians will make all the difference for your visit.

Overlooking mount of temptations in Jericho west bank palestine

Ecomme where Israelis and Palestinians try and live together

Visting Jericho

If I want to get an image of a tattoo engraved into my body…

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Razan Masri

If I want to get an image of a tattoo engraved into my body, I will choose the image of water. That is an image of nothing but movement with a peaceful sound. I choose water to remind me of purity, my real reflection before mixing it with anything else, because water never stops moving until it is mixed with solid and dirt. I choose water to remind me of clarity and transparency, because water is always crystal clear and transparent until it is mixed with solid and dirt. I choose water to remind me of freshness, my peace of mind before allowing all thoughts to enter like solid and dirt. I choose water to remind me of satisfaction, my real self before allowing thirst and desire to enter like solid and dirt. I choose water because it reminds me that I was once born just like water, and I can always be reminded by my pure existence, I choose water to remember how to deal with others around me, to be just like water, a pure reflection with soft movement and a peaceful sound. I choose water because it is what I like to remind myself with every minute of my being, to remember to be like water; before I think, I speak or I act, and this is the tattoo I would like to engrave into my body only it has no image and it never stops moving and will always have a graceful sound.

The irony in Jerusalem; Trying to catch up on the journeys that were left unfinished, stories that were left half told. We cannot breath the same air without understanding those who breathed it just before us.

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Razan Masri

Walking on the face of the earth. Starting our own journey yet continuing the journey of many before us. Trying to catch up on the journeys that were left unfinished, stories that were left half told. We cannot breathe the same air without understanding those who breathed it just before us. It looks like a cycle with people walking around it, only with different haircuts and uniforms. We try to ask for details but they give us what they remember and continue with their own journey, we walk upon the streets over the footprints of those who walked before us as we wonder about the stomps of their feet, we look into the old houses, trying to study the architecture, the choice of art and geometry used, hoping they can tell us a little bit more about the taste of their time, and the style of their hearts. Just like a puzzle, and we are part of this puzzle, we either try to fit the right pieces together or we just become a new piece piled up on top of all the other pieces.

So don’t wonder, when you see us walking with wide eyes questioning the earth that our ancestors walked over. Building upon the patterns that were left yet before them forming a culture filled with art and literature. Memories make stories; stories make tales, those tales that are told to us to help create our future. We cannot be who we truly are without understanding where we come from. Our creativity yearns towards the art that was once created before us and about us. Parents dream about their children and they work to create a life filled with security and love for their protection. This work of art is what makes a difference in our lives. Appreciating the past and looking forward to the future.

Palestinians today are victims, limited from their freedom of walking upon the earth that their ancestors walked over and built. Limited to learn about their stories and history, limited from walking their own homes and gardens, limited from reading their old books and writings. How can we stop fighting? We fight to learn about our own selves and about our past. How can you not wonder about yours? You came from somewhere other than here. Your ancestors came from somewhere other than here; they are what make you yourself. Have you no wonders? Have you no interest in self-search and self-discovery? Have you no interest in what makes your creativity a unique one? We have our interest of our own history and culture. We cannot be limited from our own curiosity and freedom of being human. So let us all dance wherever we want to dance, let you and I all live the life we look forward to living.

So here I am in Jerusalem, as I search and discover, as I walk between the old streets and houses, wishing everyone else gets the chance to do the very same. I walked between old city of Jerusalem, head towards my mosque, my temple to pray for the freedom of peace for humanity, I walked to read history on the tiles of the ground, I walked to see stories on the walls. I walked from the east side to the west side, and back to the east side. From the east side I walked towards Mamilla Avenue, outside through the streets towards the YMCA, I walked inside to watch its stunning architecture then headed towards the King David Hotel, I read signs and looked at photographs hang on the walls, then headed towards the traces of the first train station in Jerusalem, it is located between the east side of the Old City and the west side of the German Colony “they once were like one”, walked over the old track of the train, into what used to be the ticket station and what today is a small restaurant, walked the Bethlehem road, and walked the Hebron road, I walked the German Colony ,towards the Baka neighborhood, where you will see the most ancient and authentic houses that tell all the tales from just staring at the windows, I walked back towards Yafa street, and visited homes to discover the oldest maps of Palestine and Jerusalem, I walked back towards the old city again into the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, cried my eyes out of injustice, and went straight to Al Buraq Wall or what is known as the Western Wall.

If only we are all free to move back and forth from the west side of Jerusalem to the East side, how beautiful life would be if I felt safe around my own neighbor, how beautiful life would be if we stop teaching our sons to hate and instead teach them to love. Jerusalem is an adventure, an experience of irony, an experience of life, an experience of faith. Jerusalem can be our hope, if the people decide to really open their eyes and see.

walking between the old city of Jerusalem في القدس القديمة

Jerusalem cut in half

walking between the old city of Jerusalem ymca في القدس القديمة

walking between the old city of Jerusalem king david hote في القدس القديمة فندق الملك ديفيد

Ironic Jerusalem

walking between the old city of Jerusalem German Colony في القدس القديمة البقعة

The architecture and houses in Jerusalem بيوت القدس القذيمة

walking between the old city of Jerusalem Sheikh Jarah في القدس القديمة شيخ جراح

Tell your story, and I’ll tell mine.

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Razan Masri

We create the stories we want to tell about our own lives. Who we loved, who we lived with, what we failed to achieve, our success stories, our friends, people who left foot prints, people who we choose to cut loose from our lives, people who we inspired, people who inspired us… We choose pieces from our lives to stick up upon the wall or just over the ground or maybe in our backyard or in the trash… We choose what to remember, what to be affected by, what to speak of and share and what to completely disregard as it ever happening. But what ever happened in our past is what made us who we are today… So step up & be proud. Learn that without those pieces in your life you would not be where you are today, learn that better things are coming your way, learn that those around can benefit from your experience, learn that by giving you will only be rewarded. So live life with true honest and love. Cherish the good moments & the hard. Let this world come into you like a little baby entering the arms of a loving mother. Not knowing what to expect but certain to be protected & given the best there is that she can offer to give.

See the gifts that are placed in life for you.

Posted on August 1, 2015 by Razan Masri

Today there are gifts everywhere. They were all set up for you. Around. Some are near by, some are far. But they are all there and will appear as you live your day. So look forward. And look closer. Live today fully, and be open to receive all gifts. Be grateful at every find. Cherish each one. Feel special. Feel blessed. Today, don’t miss on opening each gift. You will know it is a gift for you from your instincts. Just listen to your heart & follow. 🎁 and enjoy being gifted yourself, and be aware that you are a gift to those you stumble upon, so be kind, be memorable & leave positive foot prints.

Which side of Jerusalem do you know ? Part 1

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Razan Masri

From my visit in the summer, around May 16 2015,

I titled this post as “Which side of Jerusalem do you know?” because Jerusalem has been split into 2 sides, unfortunately. If you ask why? Then I will answer you to ask the Israelis, ask the Jews in Jerusalem. Ask them: Why is Jerusalem split into half?

But then I will advice you, to ask the Palestinians right after. Ask the Palestinians why is Jerusalem divided into half? Ask them how do they feel about it? Ask them how much do they have freedom living in the city of Jerusalem? Ask them how safe is it to move around from the East side of Jerusalem into the West side of Jerusalem?

It sounds crazy. When I first learned about this whole city split into two, the Jews on one side and the Palestinians “Arabs” on the other, I went crazy. I said people are crazy, power is evil, money is complete devil. This can not be real. But, it is.

The east side of Jerusalem; is where the Palestinians live. It is where the old city is, where the Arabs live, the Arabs of Jerusalem, although those Arabs are Palestinians, but of course we have to follow what the state of Israel like to refer them to. You might think the Palestinians are living in complete freedom, peace, and serenity, but of course not. They must be threatened every day. The State of Israel wants all of Jerusalem. So imagine what sort of life the Palestinians are living. Feeling safe only in half side of the city, being watched by Israeli armed men, being chased by Jewish boys, and being chanted at “prayers of death” into their faces.

And so what is in West of Jerusalem? Why do they still want the East side of Jerusalem? Isn’t the most beautiful authentic, houses in the west side? Didn’t the richest of Jerusalem live in the west? What happened to the West side of Jerusalem? It was taken by force like the rest of Palestine. Palestinians who lived in the West side before the 1948, lost their homes, their right of return, and their freedom to even visit where they were once born, where their ancestors lived. I will be sharing photos from the west side of Jerusalem in my next post.

But today, and here, I have shared photos from the border. You will notice the wall, and at the end of the album, you will notice a sign that is between Ramallah and Jerusalem, stating that if you enter the West Bank area, where the Palestinians live, then you are in danger. Sounds ridiculous, but hilarious to the Palestinians. Dangerous? Why? What are Palestinians? Last I checked, I am one. Why am I dangerous? Am not sure again. Politics create terror, they create racism, they create hate, they create violence, and then we follow them and call ourselves Israelis! Proud to be a racist? or Proud to be a creator of terror?

I have also shared a lot of the architecture in Jerusalem. Arabian. Authentic, Historic. Arabesque. Ottoman. Jerusalem is Arabic. You can never change culture. You can never change history. Jerusalem is Arabian. I shared photos of architecture and dates that date back to way before the 1948. Streets names that are all in Arabic. And the architecture, the architecture speaks it all. It speaks the truth, reality. How can the bricks lie to us? Until when will the Jewish immigrants live in lies? When the Palestinians are only asking you to live in Peace?

I then shared photos from the Wind Mill Street. It is a very wealthy Jewish quarter as well. Jewish Israelis living in Arabian houses. Authentic beautiful Arabian houses. If they say they have been living there from before the 1948, then they must be Jewish Palestinian, and if not, then those houses must belong to Palestinians who were evacuated by force somewhere else. Do they never wonder? Or question? Dream? Or think for a moment or two? I am sure they do, just for a moment and then they would wash that thought away. How can they live with the ugly truth. But I keep my slight thread of hope. I keep it and I share it with the Jews and the Palestinians I know, and I pray that one day, humanity will be back into all our hearts, and we find away to fight the terrorist state and bring peace to the people of the land.

Architecture in Jerusalem Palestine Israel

Jerusalem railway station, German Colony

Bab Al Amood Damascus Gate at night Jerusalem

If I had a plan….

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Razan Masri

I believe that God has a plan. A plan that is much better than your plan, my plan and their plan. He has a plan for every plan we make. He has the master plan. If i was you, i would not worry. I would focus on my goal and take honest steps with a heart that knows God is watching over me, protecting me & guiding me. I would listen to only my heart, my gut, my instincts. I would not worry to take the wrong decision, step or choice. Because i believe & i know that God has the bigger plan. And that with my pure heart, clear vision, and honest steps i take, God will always be there watching me, helping me. And eventually, with my patience, my persistence & good will, God will help put the right pieces in the right place for me. 💙

My last day in Haifa… آخر يوم الي في حيفا

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Razan Masri

May 12, 2015

My trip is about to end, I have a week left and I feel like I still haven’t seen anything. I decided to spend few more days in Haifa to really get my eyes enough of it. I must admit that Haifa is one of my very favorite cities in Palestine.

This side of the world feels like a dream. People refer to it differently now a days… Palestine, the occupied areas, the 1948 areas, Israel. Palestinians who live here are living the real occupation. It feels like living on a land that is literally raped. All the architecture and the houses are so Arabic, Oriental , Arabesque, it screams the Arabian culture, with Arabic calligraphy, and design that dates back to the 1800’s, yet you see Israeli flags decorated around the entrance, and Europeans coming out of the door. Europeans and Americans who refer to themselves as Jewish Israelis and when they see the Palestinians, they are only known as the Arabs.

I find it hilarious how inside the occupied areas you are either a Jew or an Arab. When all the Jews are from all over the world, and all the Arabs are Palestinian. I also find it hilarious how the Jews go by their religion for being Jewish, and the Arabs can be of any religion except Jewish. For all Jewish Arabs are no longer Arabs but are only refereed to as Jews. And what is wrong with being a Jewish Arab? or A Palestinian Jew? Too much of a privilege to the Jews or to the Arabs?

Since when is freedom jailed. Freedom to express who you truly are? Since when are all the Palestinians only Arabs? Since when is being Jewish a nationality? I last checked it was a religion. Since when have the Palestinians lost their identity and freedom to express that they are Palestinians? It is like telling a little boy, “don’t tell them your real name, or they will find out what we did to you, and then we will have to kick you out of your home again like we have kicked your parents”.

And how much do you know about the Palestinians? They are Arabs from the Middle East living in a land that has been chopped up into many little scattered Israeli settlements. Practicing any religion, with the churches and the mosques lined one next to the other, even the synagogue were once lined next to them before their own people decided to isolate them and conquer. The Palestinians, both Christian popes and Muslim sheikhs walk side by side as they go to pray. The Palestinians, who make hummus for breakfast and mjadara for lunch and shakshuka for dinner. They listen to the sound of Arabian oud, and they smoke shesha during their free time. They are known to have great farmers, love everything organic and self-made, from olive trees, to cactus, fig and roses. Small carriages of ka’ek and zaatar, turkish coffee and tea with mint and lots of sugar. They love to play chess and bargees, welcoming every stranger and guest as they pass them by, friendly is within their nature. Warmth and security is what they like to transmit from their energy. And this is all just a glimpse of the Palestinians.

But today, what have the Israelis done to our Palestine? And what are they continuing to do? And how long will the world allow them to? When will it end?