In the west, the ‘genie’ is a figure of fun. A pantomime character made of primary colours and cartoon features. An example, if ever there was one, of how the West tries to tame its terrors by laughing at them.

In the East, in Nusaybin, people do not laugh at such things.

Here the word ‘djinn’ is whispered in reverential hush. The things to which it refers are considered not only real, but dangerous. For in these places and to these people the djinn are not just stories, they are the cries in the desert, the heat of smokeless flame. Here the djinn are real and here, they mean you harm.