May 11, 2008

The Psychological Change Started.

I believe that the buses are mini mobile societies where a journalist can find stories. I was watching the parliament session when I remembered the daily trip I make to work using these mini buses. I remembered the crazy discussions we usually have when we pass through the traffic and when people see the same scenes since the first day of the invasion. We repeatedly see the buildings that have been bombed and neglected. So many people start suddenly cursing the politicians and the government repeating the same sentence “we were cheated by the slogan of the religious parties but we will not anymore.”

This reaction always make me feel happy because it means people started to leave their sectarian castles and look for the real life where they can share Iraq with all Iraqis. It’s the real start which cost us hundreds of thousands of souls but yet the sacrifice is worth this change. I hope people realize the truth that politics has nothing to do with religion because religion is something private and has a limited effect while politics has mass effect. Politics can destroy a nation or build a nation. 

The other sign of the psychological change is the disagreements among the political alliances. Everyday we read and hear news about some politicians in a political bloc who decide to separate and form their own new political bloc because the mother bloc is practicing a democratic dictatorship by giving the main position to a specific party or group. These disagreements will destroy the sectarian blocs and help people to differentiate between the politicians and recognize the good ones who can really build the new Iraq regardless their sect or belief. They will look for the best because they want a better future.

I can say that these psychological changes are the real awakening which we need. I pray it grows bigger for the sake of the coming generations who dream to have a real strong united Iraq.

May Allah Bless Iraqi

May 09, 2008

Muting the opposition

Only 6 days after the occasion of World Press Freedom, Iraqi media witnessed a new violation against freedom of speech.
Yesterday Iraqi forces closed Al Ahad Radio Station an excuse of adopting provocative political speech. I have many friends who listen to this radio as I do; I asked my friends if they notice any instagative tones in the programs or newscast of this radio ….. the answers were negative - always. This radio was broadcasting religious programs and these kinds of programs that depend on the audience's participations in addition to newscasts. Iraqi authorities closed the radio upon orders from Iraqi cabinet office because the current fight with Mahdi army. The order said that this radio provokes sectarianism and violence. 
Journalistic freedom observator said it was a violation of freedom of speech because it wasn't implemented according to a court order; neither had the government given any warning. That if we take for granted they were using provoking speech. 
Al Ahad Radio belongs to Sadr trend, the trend that is considered now as in opposition of the government. They are oppositions –may be this is the only fault. Iraqi government headed by Al Maliki use the same policy of extinct regime, the policy of eliminating the oppositions. I hope that our politicians in the current government remember that they were opposition one day and they wanted people to hear their voice.

May 08, 2008

Iraqi Cartoons

I received few Iraqi cartoons by e-mail from Iraqi groops; below are two of them.

The first cartoon shows the Iranian Brig. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, holding a member of the Iraqi parliamentary delegation to Iran that carried documents prove the Iranian interference in Iraq. The flying papers are "the documents of the Iranian interference"

The Iraqi cleric says "By Abbas (an Imam) I won't do it anymore, I repent.

The second cartoon shows the Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al Maliki before (scarecrow) and after Basra events.

These cartoons show the opinions of many Iraqis as I see it and hear it.

These cartoons are by Mr. Salman Abed.

May 06, 2008

Student ID – Corruption??

How far will corruption – and therefore distrust take us? Has the issue of a student's campus ID card become a national security risk – because of corruption?

Several weeks ago I took my daughter's student ID, issued by her college, to follow up a documentation process in officialdom. I hate handing over original papers because they have a way of disappearing. And it did. Who to ask – who is responsible – who can I vent my anger on – no one. No one is accountable.

In despair, I let it go.

Now the final exams are coming on. We've been told that no student will be allowed to sit the exams without their ID clearly displayed on their desks. And this time for real.

A rush to issue a new one.

It turns out that colleges are no longer authorized to produce their own students' cards, because so many cards have been produced for people who were not students! I got goose bumps – who were these people? How and why?? I was sent off to issue a police statement verifying the loss of our document. It seems they have shoved the responsibility onto the police – they, surely, are straight.

At the Police Station. A place of clashing loyalties and God knows what agendas.

I took great care to dress for the part of the simple ignorant elderly lady – down to wearing flip flops.

Hesitantly, I walked in and asked for the person in charge of statements, and was directed to him. "NO, no Hijiyah! You don't understand! (patronizingly)We are no longer at liberty to issue police statements. We are forbidden." So what now?? "You should go to the courthouse and register a formal claim for a student's ID."

To file a case in court?? "Tell me, my son, why has this become so complicated? It's just a student's ID – not even a national civil affairs ID – and a girl's ID at that!", "You don't understand, Hijiyah. When they put the responsibility with the police instead of college administrations, more – rather than less fake IDs were issued! So now no student's ID is issued without a court order from a judge. So, I hope the number will not get even higher!" He laughed out loud.

So that's why I was standing in line at the judge's door until closing time yesterday. I met so many extraordinary people with unbelievable stories to tell, I nearly forgot why I was there!

I did not, however, reach His Honour's door. Maybe I have to pay to get there!

But I cannot forget what he said about so many fake IDs issued for "other" people. Who are they? Why do they want to enter the campuses??

I thought it was relatively safe inside her college - now I have serious doubts.

May 04, 2008

The Spanish league

     "Down with Real Madrid" and "Down with Barcelona" are some of the mottos which became so familiar for Iraqis to be seen on walls recently instead of those against the government, some parties or the occupier. This matter doesn't mean that the Iraqi people don't like Spain or they have enmity with sport or they became in love with government or the occupier to have these new mottos. In fact, Iraqi people are fond of sport and especially soccer despite all disasters they passed or pass through which wouldn't give them time.

    For the last five years, the Spanish league fans increased enormously. We have family members sit together watching and arguing about the Spanish league. People are divided into two parts; Barcelona fans and Real Madrid ones. For instance, my family has three Real Madrid fans and seven fans of Barcelona including me. The next match between them will be on Wednesday and the house, as the other houses, schools, offices and even walls, will have its reflection. I bought seven Barcelona T-shirts and mugs for Barcelona fans including my nephew whose father in fond of Real Madrid. It is good to have the sportsmanship among Iraqis in loss or winning.

I congratulate my brothers when their team wins as they do with me, but sometimes we have jokes and mocks in loss. Sometimes, SMS plays a role in loss when the fan wouldn't answer the phone calls. All these things came on surface when Iraq has got the satellite service and as the Iraqi national league of soccer had been abolished for three years due to the lack of security and having thousands of people in one place (in stadiums) motivate the criminals to kill as many as they could which forced the Iraqi football association to abolish it first and then, have the league in Kurdistan region in the north of Iraq where peace is found.

When the national league was abandoned for three years, dozens of Iraqi players fled abroad looking for safety, money, fame and experience. Though the Iraqi national association for football started the league last year in Kurdistan where people can find peace and discipline, but it wasn't good enough to have the league players and fans' wishes. It also lacked the fans that represent the main feature in any kind of sport. As you know most of the popular teams in Iraq are from Baghdad Zawra, air force (Jawiyah), police (Shurtta) and students (Talaba) while we have one famous team club from Basra in the southern part of Iraq. Those fans used to go to stadiums in or around Baghdad with no difficulties, but in 2007, the fans suffered a lot due the long trip from Baghdad to Kurdistan, the procedures taken to let them be in the north and the heavy expenses coming from the long distance between Kurdistan region and the fans' locations; besides the lack of security on the way between Baghdad and Kurdistan.

    This year, the association had divided the teams according to geography or the place where the club locates to have the fans enjoy their teams. Thus, we have three groups; one in the north, the second in Baghdad and the third in the south.

  Despite that ,the Iraqis become fond of the Spanish league due to the best players its has and the interesting matches the spectator can watch which might compensate the lack of the best Iraqi players among them and on their on land .Also the repression people have made its real reflection on the written words on public walls.

May 03, 2008

World press freedom day

Iraq is the most dangerous area for journalists. We are considered wanted targets for the enemies of freedom of speech.

According to the Journalistic Freedom Observatory in Iraq, or the JFO, between March 3, 2007 and March 3, 2008 violations against journalists marked a 60% increase over the last year. This means one violation every 43 hours. It is an indicator to the reality of the freedom of journalists in Iraq and the risk for the future of independent media organizations. It will pave the way to widen the governmental policies that prevent journalists from reporting and repress their work.

Below is part of the JFO's report:

"The systematic monitoring of violations recorded across the ground or by direct communications from victims, revealed that the escalation of attacks happening against journalists by beating or use various forms of humiliations conducted by security forces and by elements of private protection forces to prevent the journalists from covering important events especially on explosion sites.

The JFO monitored the reported period 197 violations against journalist and media organization within the mentioned period, these violations distributed as are follows 88 cases of assault and preventing journalists from reporting by the Iraqi security agencies. 37 murders by unknown gunmen. 30 Arrests and detentions by Iraqi security forces. 15  violations attacks conducted by American forces, local authorities, and militias.

13 abductions by unknown groups, 6 of them released after having been beaten and tortured because of their profession, and 6 of them killed while one of them still unknown destiny. 9  cases filed by government officials against the journalist and media organizations to sue them in court. 5 storming operations against media organization by the U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Some journalists feel that this report neglected the threats and violations against independent media organizations, according to local reports in the newspapers.

Also the report didn't mention to the provoking attempt against some media institution by religious pulpits and mosques that air the agendas of their political parties which may represent a threat against Iraqi independent media, that one well known Iraqi cleric and MP used his Friday speech to urge worshipers against certain Iraqi media TV channels or newspapers that oppose the government's agendas.   So perhaps even this observatory is not quite free and neutral in its observations and therefore needs another observatory to monitor its output. As the ancient saying goes "Who watches the watchers???"

May 02, 2008

RUN FROM THE CAMERAS!

At the bureau, we got an invitation to witness the return of 701 archaeological pieces from Syria, so our rotating reporter, Shashank and I went off to the museum. It was a strange experience for me.

The museum was one of the delights I remember enjoying from my early years. It was such a pleasure because my mum always told us stories related to those ancient civilizations, their heroes, their achievements and, of course, the greed that is the downfall of all human civilizations.

I knew every gallery by heart, to the extent that my mind would race ahead to the more exciting artifacts, to the bigger more amazing figures and sculptures, to the gold jewelry, to the musical instruments crafted more than five thousand years ago; how the fleeting images still draw me back to tales of those times.

As I stepped into the outer gates, there was a deep misgiving in my heart. I didn't want to enter the museum. I didn't want to see the broken remains of my dear memories. More than fifteen thousand priceless witnesses to our historical heritage were stolen. I knew the museum was looted, but I didn't want to see.

I walked in - and the hall was empty. The corners were covered with deep, dark cobwebs.

My beautiful memories were shattered. One more beautiful memory ruined in our unique march to democracy. I tried not to dwell upon my pain, and looked up hoping that the minister had arrived.

Half an hour later they opened the doorway to the hall in which the returned pieces were displayed and we entered.

One peep inside the hall and I got the serious urge to run.

More than fifteen cameramen were setting up their equipment in each and every direction to film interviews with the minister, the administrator of the museum and a number of experts who were present. Not just that, each and every reporter had his own camera and was clicking away happily. Where am I to hide? How to avoid appearing on TV with all these people filming around me? One appearance on TV is all the evidence the extremists need to uncover my deep secret - a journalist!

PANIC!

I ducked behind Shashank and hoped for the best. As I was in that delicate situation I looked around me. I noticed several other furtive glances and felt like laughing – I think I did giggle nervously for a second. But there was nothing for it. Out I came, and we spoke to the experts, took a few photos and ran after the minister to his car – and I wondered in my heart was I really running after the minister – or running from the cameras??

First time since a long time

I'm sure every employee likes to use the shortest road to reach home on one condition, the short way should be safe. This base cant be applied on me because I never use the short way home because the short way for along time used to mean death for me. The short way home passes through Sunni areas and they are not regular Sunni areas because I pass through Sunni neighborhood everyday but the Sunni neighborhood in the short road are all used to be controlled by Qaida.

Yesterday, when I wanted to return back home after a long workday, I took a taxi and told him about the road he should take. The man didn’t even discuss me and he did exactly as I told him. We found out that all the roads were closed. I had only two choices, to go back to the office and spend the night there or to take the risk and go through the high way which passes through what was considered once the most dangerous areas in Baghdad. The driver worked hard to persuade me. At the end he said “I swear I'm Shiite like you and I lost three cousins”. I told him frankly “I haven’t been there for about two years so how do u want me to trust you simply”.

After a long debate, I told him “ok, lets do it” To be honest, the idea of being kidnapped by some masked insurgents didn’t ever leave my mind. The only good thing in my mind was the violence report that we write everyday, there were no incidents mentioned by police or eyewitnesses in these neighborhoods for a real long time except for the unidentified bodies that are found from time to time and its not even like it used to be.

Anyway, we went through the areas and you could realize Im a live simply because I wrote these words. During the way home, the man did his best to assure me that everything is fine, he was pointing to the check points always. When I saw all these check points, I really felt that the situation is getting better and the government is doing its real duty, securing Baghdad, the heart of Iraq. I know how hard it is to defeat all the insurgents groups who were the real rulers of Iraq until few months ago but I know also that the most difficult step is the first step and I believe the Iraqi government stepped its first step successfully but I believe it need more efforts to rebuild the broken trust.

I hope next time im going to write about Rabei Street which passes throughout the same Sunni areas , the street where I used to spend nice time before I leave Iraq and where I deeply wish to go to have some fun with my wife and kid.

April 29, 2008

Another crime happens

   A month ago a friend of mine his wife was kidnapped and he hadn't heard of her ever since. I really was astonished to hear the news from a taxi driver in the neighborhood asking me as I am the close friend of X (who doesn't want his name to be mentioned) if I have good news of the kidnapped wife. I was stuttered and sad when I heard the news. I pretended to have knowledge of the matter having no good news till yet. I went to my friend's house to check the terrible matter and to be with him in this distress. I didn't find my friend at home as he was making his daily routine trip in the police stations and morgues. I found his father in his house; instead.

The father was really in a bad situation. I couldn't recognize him as the beard wasn't shaved and his clothes were untidy .He was someone else .He used to have his beard shaved, clothes tidy and his perfume breeze the air. He couldn't control himself when he saw me as he felt crying and put me arms around him. After minutes of weeping, he managed to tell him the whole story of the kidnapped daughter's in law. She used to wake up early morning to prepare breakfast for her husband and two kids in school. At that day, there was no bread at home and the father (my friend) was lazy to go the nearby bakery to bring the hot and fresh bread. She took her Abaiya (gown) over her ordinary clothes and went to the nearby bakery. The kids waited for their mom, but she didn't come.

The grandfather, who was telling me the story, came to his son's house carrying fresh bread in hand." I shared them the breakfast which was ready for them, but it has no bread|". "I asked them of her telling me that she went to the baker an hour ago ". I became worried, but I didn't think of the kidnapping ". He told me that he went to the nearby bakery which was open and no customer nearby to have the idea that she was late because of the long queue which happened sometimes due to the lack of fuel and power supply. He even went to two bakery shops, but all was in vain. He came back home and talked with his son. "Have you had quarreled with your wife and she left for her parents house?, the father asked his son. My friend told his father that nothing of that happened and I would call her brother to check. When they checked, the reply was that the wife didn't come for a visit nor a quarrel.

The case at that moment became clear that the wife who is about 30 years old and a mother of three kids was kidnapped. The disaster was so terrible on my friend and the whole family. She is a woman! If the kidnapped is a man, the case would be easier and the motivations behind it would be for sect or money. "Why did they take my wife, why? Can anyone tell me? , my friend asked those questions as he came from his worthless trip in all Baghdad's main hospitals and some police stations. The father had got an idea after three days of the kidnap to have a note near his son's house "For sale and the two numbers here are to have so more information". After three hours of that note , the two numbers had got calls in a sequence of one minute with the same phrase which was so short and clear" You are selling your house , bring us 20 copybooks ( the twenty copybooks means two hundred thousands dollars and the copybook here refers to the ten thousand dollars) or the woman will be killed". The two calls didn't give time to have the reply.

Two weeks later, there was a phone call which was a little longer asking for 50 thousands dollars (5 copybooks as they call). The uncle who talked with the kidnaper asked for the woman and to hear her voice, but the evil voice said that she is fainted. The uncle was firm and he couldn't bear the tough game the kidnapers playing .He told them " let me hear voice ,otherwise, kill her"  . The calls stopped since that last one. My friend told me that he is so sorry for not telling me ,but I understood the matter . The case for my friend is difficult  .He has his wife kidnapped and he can't guarantee what will those criminals to do with her. I was ,as all good people from relatives and friends , so sad and helpless to have a happy end for my friend's misery. 

April 27, 2008

Burried IDs

My friend Nawal has two very nice daughters, and had three very nice sons. She is a housewife and her husband an electrician. One day their world blew apart.

A little more than a year ago a roadside bomb took both her husband and her youngest son. They were out shopping.

And that was the beginning.

Her husband was Shiite – she is Sunni. And the link was broken. The powers that be in their neighbourhood intimidated her into leaving her home in the Shiite controlled Amil neighbourhood to seek refuge wherever she may. Her fate took her to a small village in Abu Ghraib.

She has been living there since.

My phone rang, "How are you Nawal! Can you come and visit?", "Yes. I must see you, I need your advice" And she told me her story.

"We have been well taken care of, really. The people are very caring..." She burst out crying, "When I first went there I didn't make it clear to all those around me that my husband had been Shiite. At that time I hated Shiites for throwing me out of my home. It didn't occur to me that these simple generous folk would take it for granted that because we were displaced to Abu Ghraib – we were Sunni. As the days passed I could see that the more broken families came to Abu Ghraib the stronger the resentment against Shiites grew - and I was too afraid to say that my children were Shiite. The bitterness grew to the extent that I began to be afraid for them and decided to bury their IDs because their father's name was a telltale Shiite name that is not used by Sunnis, and I kept my dark secret and cautioned my boys – especially that they are not to use that name. I stopped sending them to school; I lectured them all day, knowing I was sending them a very wrong message. They were Shiite – and there is no shame in that but they were beginning to feel the shame of having to deny it, and a rebellion would put us all in jeopardy. But although they felt bad – they stuck to story."

She started crying

"I don't know what to do. Last week, a very nice young man came to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage."

I didn't see why this was cause for all those pouring tears. So I congratulated her.

"No, you don't understand – If we accept him and the marriage is to take place, she must have proper documents – No one knows she's Shiite – she likes this young man but I know for sure that as soon as I dig up those IDs we will be looked down upon because of the deceit. But what was I to do? Where was I to take them? Please tell me what to do!"