Author: W

Wissam, Wesley, or simply W, is an educator, writer, entrepreneur, engineer, activist, ex-Imam, humanist, liberal thinker with interest and mediocre attempt at many takes of life. A modern confused Renaissance man, who uses doubt as a path for emancipation and science as a road towards enlightenment.

Introducing a Journey Through the Foundations of Universal Human Values:Ā Article 1: Freedom

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Written and shared with Musings readers by Livonia resident and author Wissam Charafeddine
As an Arab American activist, author, and educator dedicated to the values of human dignity, justice, and enlightenment, I have long been fascinated by the evolution of human rights across civilizations. Our modern understanding of freedom, equality, and human dignity did not arise overnight; it is the result of centuries of thought, struggle, and legal progress from various cultures, traditions, and revolutions.

A declaration is not merely a set of words on paper; when embraced by people, it becomes a powerful force that shapes societies and defines the course of history. Foundational documentsā€”such as the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsā€”have laid the groundwork for the freedoms and protections we enjoy today. Yet no state can endure in justice without being rooted in enduring values and principlesā€”values that uphold human dignity, peace, freedom, security, and equality, rather than mere power or prosperity.

Drawing from this vast human heritage, and integrating modern concerns such as environmental protection, animal rights, and sexual freedom, I have authoredĀ theĀ Universal Declaration of Human Valuesā€”a contemporary framework for a just and humane society. This book serves as both a guide for modern governance and a call to safeguard the progress humanity has painstakingly achieved.
In the coming months, I am delighted to accept the invitation of a Livonia champion of Human Rights, Bill Joyner, to launch a special series exploringĀ twenty foundational valuesĀ that have shaped our global quest for an ideal, just society. Each month, I will present one of these milestonesā€”tracing its history, philosophy, and relevance for us today.
Article 1: Freedomā€”the core principle upon which all other rights are built:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, private ownership, security, and pursuit of a better life.”

This simple yet profound statement distills the essence of what it means to live in a society that respects human dignity. Let us examine its components:

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”Ā This declares that every personā€”regardless of race, gender, origin, or beliefā€”is inherently entitled to rights and respect. No person should be considered superior or inferior by virtue of birth.

“Private ownership.”Ā The right to own and control property is a vital pillar of individual liberty, empowering people to manage their resources and make independent choices

“Security.”Ā Security is the guarantee that oneā€™s rights, body, and well-being are protectedā€”both by law and societyā€”against violence, oppression, and discrimination.

“Pursuit of a better life.”Ā Every human being deserves the opportunity to seek personal fulfillment, improvement, and happiness, free from unjust obstacles.

The ideals expressed in this article are not newā€”they are deeply rooted in humanityā€™s intellectual and political evolution:

Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries):Ā Philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau articulated concepts of natural rights, liberty, and the social contract, establishing the modern idea of equal human dignity and freedom.

American Revolution (1776):Ā The U.S. Declaration of Independence proclaimed that “all men are created equal” with inalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

French Revolution (1789):Ā TheĀ Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the CitizenĀ enshrined the principles of equality, property rights, freedom of expression, and legal protections for all citizens.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):Ā In response to the horrors of World War II, the global community affirmed these timeless ideals, declaring that every human is entitled to “life, liberty, and security of person.”

Modern International Law:Ā Covenants such as theĀ International Covenant on Civil and Political RightsĀ and theĀ International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural RightsĀ further refine these principles on a global scale.

I invite you to join me on this journey over the next several months as we explore, one by one, the milestones that continue to guide the global conscience toward freedom, dignity, and justice for all.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/FridayMusings-June-6–2025.html?soid=1102315379807&aid=QEmj_fyST8o&fbclid=IwY2xjawKv8WtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrcjBPNmE5U1BWeVdDMzd3AR7H-ySqayV0Z0Kmc2m9f2rGi1uCwmtB6TG4fZB5jQLVBO-OvhQEmuidSe8cow_aem_-atMErQrW0E6aXmkBjrDcw

Chatgpt Describing Me So Far

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You’re Wissam Charafeddine, a passionate activist and thinker who blends the worlds of politics, culture, and intellectual exploration. Whether itā€™s championing human rights, organizing grassroots movements, or diving deep into complex political structures, youā€™re always striving for meaningful change. Youā€™ve worked across multiple fronts, from crafting powerful declarations and constitutions to organizing events that challenge the status quo. A writer at heart, you blend eloquence with wit in everything you do, whether itā€™s exploring sexual identity in Arabic or creating thoughtful critiques of Western legacies.

Your mind is always buzzing with ideas ā€” from forming coalitions for the protection of Enlightenment values to launching initiatives like the New Arab Alliance for Sovereignty and Renaissance. You advocate for education and reform, with an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. From the local political scene to international human rights, you are always seeking ways to connect, empower, and elevate marginalized voices.

And with projects like A Sanctuary of My Own, you aim to inspire others through both your words and actions, leaving a legacy that redefines what it means to be a modern-day thinker and leader.

ŁŁŠ Ų¹ŁŠŲÆ Ł…ŁŠŁ„Ų§ŲÆŁƒ On Your Birthday

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Ų§Ł„Ų±Ų¬Ł„ Ų§Ł„ŁˆŲ­ŁŠŲÆ Ų§Ł„Ų°ŁŠ ŁŠŁ…ŁƒŁ† Ų§Ł† Ų§Ų·Ł„Ł‚ Ų¹Ł„ŁŠŁ‡ Ł„Ł‚ŲØ “Ł…ŁŽŁ„ŁŁƒŁŠ”

Ų§Ų¹Ų¬ŲØŁ†ŁŠ ŁƒŲ«ŁŠŲ±Ų§Ł‹ Ł‚Ų±Ų§Ų±Łƒ ŲŖŲ®ŲµŁŠŲµ Ł…ŲØŁ„Ųŗ Ų¶Ų®Ł… Ł„Ų„Ų¹Ų§ŲÆŲ© Ų§Ł„Ų¶ŲØŲ§Ų· Ų§Ł„Ų¹Ų±ŲØ Ų§Ł„Ų°ŁŠŁ† Ł†ŁŲŖŁ‡Ł… ŲØŲ±ŁŠŲ·Ų§Ł†ŁŠŲ§ ŁˆŲ§ŁŠŲ¶Ų§Ł‹ Ł„Ł„Ų£Ų³Ų±Ł‰ Ų§Ł„Ų¹Ų±ŲØ ŁŁŠ Ų§Ł„ŁŠŁˆŁ†Ų§Ł†.

ŁˆŲ§Ų¹Ų¬ŲØŁ†ŁŠ ŁƒŲ«ŁŠŲ±Ų§Ł‹ Ł‚Ų±Ų§Ų±Łƒ ŁŁŠ Ł¢Ł§ ŁƒŲ§Ł†ŁˆŁ† Ų§ŁˆŁ„ Ł”Ł©Ł¢Ł” ŲØŲŖŲ¹Ų±ŁŠŲØ Ų¬Ł…ŁŠŲ¹ Ų§Ł„ŲÆŁˆŲ§ŁˆŁŠŁ† Ų§Ł„Ų­ŁƒŁˆŁ…ŁŠŲ© Ų±ŲŗŁ… Ų§Ł†Ł‡Ų§ ŲŖŲ±Ų²Ų­ ŲŖŲ­ŲŖ Ų§Ł„Ų§Ł†ŲŖŲÆŲ§ŲØ Ų§Ł„ŲØŲ±ŁŠŲ·Ų§Ł†ŁŠ.

ŁˆŲ§Ų¹Ų¬ŲØŁ†ŁŠ ŁƒŲ«ŁŠŲ±Ų§Ł‹ ŁƒŁŠŁ Ų§Ł‚Ł†Ų¹ŲŖ ŲØŲ±ŁŠŲ·Ų§Ł†ŁŠŲ§ ŲØŲ­Ų¬Ų© ŲŖŁ‡ŲÆŲ¦Ų© Ų§Ł„Ų­Ų±ŁƒŲ© Ų§Ł„ŁˆŲ·Ł†ŁŠŲ© (Ų§Ł„ŲŖŁŠ ŁƒŁ†ŲŖ ŲŖŁ‚ŁˆŲÆŁ‡Ų§ Ų³Ų±ŁŠŲ§Ł‹ Ų¹Ł„Ł‰ ŁƒŁ„ Ų­Ų§Ł„) ŲØŲ§Ł„ŲŖŁˆŁ‚ŁŠŲ¹ Ų¹Ł„Ł‰ Ų§ŲŖŁŲ§Ł‚ ŁŠŲ­ŲÆŲÆ ŲµŁ„Ų§Ų­ŁŠŲ§ŲŖ Ų§Ł„Ų§Ł†ŲŖŲÆŲ§ŲØŲŒ Ł„Ų§Ł† Ų°Ł„Łƒ Ų¬Ų¹Ł„ Ų§Ł„Ų¹Ų±Ų§Ł‚ Ų·Ų±ŁŲ§Ł‹ Ų±Ų³Ł…ŁŠŲ§Ł‹ ŁŁŠ ŁˆŲ¬Ł‡ Ų§Ł„Ų­ŁƒŁˆŁ…Ų© Ų§Ł„ŲØŲ±ŁŠŲ·Ų§Ł†ŁŠŲ©.

ŁˆŲ§Ų¹Ų¬ŲØŁ†ŁŠ ŁƒŲ«ŁŠŲ±Ų§Ł‹ Ų®Ų¶ŁˆŲ¹Łƒ ŁƒŁ…Ł„Łƒ Ł„Ł„Ł…Ų­Ų§Ų³ŲØŲ© ŲØŁˆŲ¶Ų¹Łƒ Ų±Ų³ŲŖŁ… Ų­ŁŠŲÆŲ± Ų§Ł„ŲØŲ¹Ł„ŲØŁƒŁŠ  Ų§Ł„Ł„ŲØŁ†Ų§Ł†ŁŠ ŁˆŲ²ŁŠŲ±Ų§Ł‹ Ł„Ł„Ł…Ų§Ł„ŁŠŲ© ŁˆŲ§Ų¹Ų·Ų§Ų¦Ł‡ Ų¬Ł…ŁŠŲ¹ Ų§Ł„ŲµŁ„Ų§Ų­ŁŠŲ§ŲŖ Ł„Ł…Ų±Ų§Ł‚ŲØŲ© Ų¬Ł…ŁŠŲ¹ Ł…ŲµŲ§Ų±ŁŠŁ Ų§Ł„ŲÆŁˆŁ„Ų©ŲŒ ŁˆŲ§ŁŠŲ¹Ų§Ų²Łƒ Ų§ŁŠŲ§Ł‡ Ł„Ł…ŲµŲ§ŲÆŲ±Ų© Ł…Ų§ ŁŠŲ“Ų§Ų” Ł…Ł† Ų§Ł…Ł„Ų§ŁƒŁƒ Ų­ŲŖŁ‰ ŁŠŲ¹Ł„Ł… Ų§Ł„Ų“Ų¹ŲØ Ų§Ł† Ł„Ų§ Ų§Ų­ŲÆ ŁŁˆŁ‚ Ų§Ł„Ł‚Ų§Ł†ŁˆŁ†.

ŁƒŁ„Ł‡Ų§ ŲŖŁŲ§ŲµŁŠŁ„ ŲµŲŗŁŠŲ±Ų© Ł…Ł‚Ų§Ų±Ł†Ų© ŲØŲ¬Ł‡Ų§ŲÆŁƒ ŁˆŲŖŲ¶Ų­ŁŠŲ§ŲŖŁƒ ŁˆŲ§Ł†Ų¬Ų§Ų²Ų§ŲŖŁƒ Ł„Ł„Ų§Ł…Ų© Ų§Ł„Ų¹Ų±ŲØŁŠŲ© ā€¦ ŁˆŁ„ŁƒŁ†ŁŠ Ų§Ų­ŲØŲØŲŖ Ų§Ł† Ų§Ų°ŁƒŲ± ŲØŲ¹Ų¶Ų§Ł‹ Ł…Ł†Ł‡Ų§ ŁŁŠ Ų¹ŁŠŲÆ Ł…ŁŠŁ„Ų§ŲÆŁƒ.

ŁˆŲ³Ų§Ł… Ų“Ų±Ł Ų§Ł„ŲÆŁŠŁ†
Ł¢Ł  Ų§ŁŠŲ§Ų± Ł¢Ł Ł¢Ł¢Ł…

Ų§Ł„Ł‰ Ų§Ł„Ł…Ł„Łƒ ŁŁŠŲµŁ„ ŲØŁ† Ų§Ł„Ų“Ų±ŁŠŁ Ų­Ų³ŁŠŁ†
Ų§Ł„Ł…ŁˆŁ„ŁˆŲÆ ŁŁŠ 20 Ų£ŁŠŲ§Ų± Ł”ŁØŁØŁ„Ł…

The only man I can call “My King”.

I greatly admired your decision to allocate a huge sum to return the Arab officers exiled by Britain, as well as the Arab prisoners in Greece.

I greatly admired your decision on December 27, 1921, to Arabize all government offices, even though they were still under British Mandate rule.

I greatly admired how you persuaded Britain, under the pretext of appeasing the national movement (which you were secretly leading anyway), to sign an agreement defining the mandate’s powers. This made Iraq an official entity vis-Ć -vis the British government.

I greatly admired your accountability as king by appointing Rustum Haydar al-Baalbaki, a Lebanese, as Minister of Finance, giving him full powers to monitor all state expenditures, and by instructing him to confiscate whatever he wished of your property so that the people would know that no one is above the law.

All of these are small details compared to your struggle, sacrifices, and achievements for the Arab nation… but I wanted to mention some of them on your birthday.

Wissam Charafeddine
May 20, 2022

To King Faisal bin Sharif Hussein
born May 20, 1885