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Mar 11 2011 Wars in Palestine-Poetry in Brooklyn

Sometimes we are moved to tears, and sometimes we are moved to poetry, and sometimes poetry cries. We receieved this poem today and want to share it with you.
Bruce and Nisreen, www.121Contact.org

Wars in Palestine
2011, by Jenna Hassan, 6^th Grade, New York City

In Palestine there are many wars

Bombs getting thrown everywhere

Children’s heads falling on the floor

Not even children get a good bye.

Not from their families nor their friends.

Doesn’t that make you want to cry?

 

People have no food to eat

And no clothes to wear.

They pray every day.

To all soldiers they have nothing to say.

When all Muslims there are dead

The soldiers laughed and said

“It’s our country now.

There’s nothing you can do.”

Allah said to Muslims, “Please don’t worry, please don’t cry.

You’ll have a nice home in heaven.” Inshallah.

 

 

 

Feb 13 2010 Baghdad Days - "life here in baghdad is so bad"

In the midst of the persistent madness that is Baghdad today we still hear from students struggling to maintain sanity; persevering with only faint hopes of a better future; planning to somehow beat the odds and come out ahead.

--

I'm J in baghdad college high school i've 16 years old i'm intersted in this case but im soooo busy because of my school and study . 

the life here in baghdad is so bad the situation is so bad i as a student see that the goverment don't help as to make our future we need some help from them we are study on a hard factors the studients because of that bad situation died we need protection to complete our education

i'm thinking to complete my college out of my country because of that situation baghdad is full of blood of the poor people i can't even leave my home and go with my friends outside

thanks ur friend J

Feb 12 2010 Baghdad Days - Pride and Prejudice, Saddam, and my girlfriends

Salaam,
Normally I wake up at 6:30 Am, and our driver comes to our house in order to pick me up at 6:50 Am, there are 5 of us in the car, our driver, me, and my 3 girlfriends (2 final year students and one 2nd year student)... Usually we get to our college by 7:30 Am...

Getting to our college in the early morning isn't usually the problem (although there are of course exceptions to this), but getting back home from college is the real problem, the journey takes almost two hours due to insane traffic jam caused by road blockade and the large number of military check points imposed on the ground...

So I get back home extremely exhausted and frustrated, and the story repeats itself almost everyday... 

The only place I could get together with my close girlfriends is at college, we usually talk about a lot of stuff, most of which are related to our studies, the preparations for our unofficial graduation party which we're supposed to be having by the end of March, Inshallah, and only little politics ! :)

There is an object in my house that is important to me. There's this novel "Pride and Prejudice", it was given to me two months ago by someone close to my heart. With the novel came a hand-written note. The last time I looked at it one month ago I cried bitterly, and that's why I am keeping it in the cupboard...

Do you want a political view?  How about this? Getting rid of Saddam Hussein (the evil dictator and cruel criminal) was an absolutely fantastic thing, but the total screw up that has followed his departure and the foreign invasion of my Iraq in 2003 is never justifiable and cannot be forgiven under any circumstances...

... I do really hope that helps... 

yours, Lx

Jan 14 2010 Baghad, Iraq-It isn't what it used to be...

Amid the good news of an uptick in economics, a reduction of violence, and a hope for a more democratic and unified nation after the upcoming elections some young Iraqis sneak back for a visit to family and friends:

Back from Baghdad, speaking Iraqi for 3 days straight :) no bombs and no bullets sound, no elect and no water GREAT! Relative to 2005 its amazing, relative to the world its hopless.. Tip for all: Never Take PIcture of the Police or Army, or else ull be chaced and gone! Posting the pics soon..

and 

Well im glad i wasnt the only one with the camera issue... i just played the pictures in front of them and told them it was deleting :P

It is, of course, situational and varies from province to province, neighborhood to neighborhood, and day to day. May 2010 bring more peace, security, and employment. Insha'allah.

Dec 11 2009 The Parents Circle, Palestine, Israel, Iraq and the USA

Remember The Parents Circle?

They are still working hard at reconciliation. Last night I went out in the dropping temperature to see their exhibit, "Cartoons in Conflict" and got to hear Robi Damlen (Israeli) and Marzan Faraj (Palestinian) speak of transforming the pain of losing their loved ones into works for peace. Their new focus on getting into classrooms and reaching out to young Palestinian/Israeli children is obviously dear to my heart.

I heard them speak through their tiredness, coming off a flight from London, I think. The calendars they are selling make excellent holiday gifts and all of the monies collected go to their youth education initiative. At only twenty bucks a pop it's a nice way to send a gift in two directions at once.

How long will it be before reconciliation comes? to Palestine/Israel, to Iraq's population, to the many factions that split our world into fragments of discord? 

The exhibit will run Thursday to Sunday, 12pm – 7pm December 10 through Dec 23, 2009

6 West 26th Street
New York 
NY  

Please support the efforts of The Parents Circle. Visit the exhibit and let them know they are not alone.

In loving kindness,
Bruce and Noor

June 11 2009 Iraq's 5 million orphans: You can help!

5 million orphans, about 15% of the Iraqi population consists of orphans. About 5 million of these children have little or no support other than the kindness of neighborhoods, mosques, and families. There are about 15 government orphanages housing around 500.
[click to enlarge]
The trauma of losing their parents is often compounded by the fact many witnessed their deaths. Six years of carnage have left many of them with serious sleep disorder, PTSD, depression and anxiety disorder, social phobia, and an inability to function successfully.

[See the video from Al Jazeera on URUKNET]
As people return to their homes many children who have occupied them illegally are forced into the streets. Some 5 million are now homeless, making do in night-by-night shelters in abandoned buildings, alleys, and the like. Garbage collection is one of their major occupations. Living day by day they seek sustenance, shelter, and safety.

Decades of problems will follow. Thos social services burden will persist. The current burden is beyond what the government is capable of handling, and don't forget: Al Qaida in Iraq finds these children good recruit candidates since having no family makes them amenable to offers of membership in the larger family of Al Qaida.

                                                        YOU CAN HELP
                                         BY SUPPORTING THESE ORGANIZATIONS

International Rescue Committee has several programs for orphans and students in Iraq.

UNICEF's work in Iraq includes health and nutrition programs for young children and mothers along with water and sanitation, psycho-social care, and early learning. UNICEF supports a program for the reintegration of street children and children deprived of caregivers in Baghdad -0 including orphans and runaways. See complete information about how to contribute to UNICEF's work in Iraq at www.unicefusa.org/iraq.
Or you can call them directly at 1-800-4-UNICEF.
Or write them at:
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
333 E. 38th St., 6th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10016

No More Victims is an independent non-profit organization that works with children in Iraq.

Childhood Care and Sponsorship Organization in Iraq also works with children in Iraq.

USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State and does some work with Iraqi orphans.

May 13 2009 America: why you put islamist iranian occupation in Iraq?

Sometimes I am stunned by the clarity of the words that come out of Iraq. Here is a concise view, held by many Iraqis, that puts the American troop occupation in perspective. It is not the most important factor in this man's life. He is more affected by the rise of Islamists in his previously secular nation.

He knows that the U.S. troops will leave sooner or later. He knows that the imposition of Islamist terror will keep his beloved Iraq from progress. He knows the violence will continue because of the puppet government we installed, and its bent toward violent suppression of dissent.

And yet he is willing to open dialogue between his students and ours. Maybe we haven't driven all the hope out of Baghdad.
b

i saw your blog and i like the idea. I am Iraqi professor, I will give your contact to my students.

i would like to ask americans why they attacked us while iraqi had no role in 11th sept? And the terrorist who blowed themself in innocents in USA and world wide were not Iraqi, most of them were saudi and from egypt and UAE.

why america did not take revenge from saudi and came to take revenge from poor iraqi people?

and they still till now.

another question; after fall of saddam why modern america brought us islamists to govern us and they convert us from modern secular state to islamic stupid state on iranian model. they told us that they will bring us democracy and freedom but they put us in big jail under stupid islamic parties who believe in stupid myths and believe in killing language.

only that is iraq today under 2 occupation one of them is USA military stupid occupation and the other is more dangerous which is islamic iranian occupation.  we may get rid of US army sooner or later but it is very hard to get ride of iranian and islamic parties who threat by killing any one who resist them-because they call him infidel so any one who refuse to cooperate with islamists considered as enemy to god and you know what that is means.

that is the biggest not mentioned problem that america put us in and all americans should know it. we don't need democracy but we need secularism because by secularism most of developed countries get their development.

regards

--
Reported Security incidents, May 12, 2009:

Baghdad:
#1: A mortar round hit the Green Zone at 5 a.m. Monday. No casualties were reported.

Taji:
#1: A roadside bomb targeted the Head of Sahwa in Taji area, northern Baghdad killing him and injuring two civilians who were with him in the car. Some reports said that they were his sons but Iraqi Police did not confirm it.

Diyala Prv:
Khanaqin:
#1: Six Iraqi servicemen on Tuesday were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted their patrol vehicle near Baaquba city, according to a local security source. “Today, an explosive device targeted an Iraqi army infantry patrol in Naft Khana area of Khanaqin district (155 km northeast of Baaquba), wounding six patrolmen,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

A roadside bomb targeted an Iraqi Army foot patrol in the town of Naft Khana 120 km to the northeast of Baquba at 1 p.m. Tuesday injuring six servicemen, three of whom are in a critical condition.

Mandili:
#1: The body of a 13 year old girl who was kidnapped two days ago in the town of Mendili was found by Iraqi Police Tuesday. She had been shot several times. No ransom had been demanded.

Tikrit:
#1: Fires on Tuesday ate U.S. fuel tanker when a roadside bomb targeted a U.S. convoy north of Tikrit city, said a source from Salah al-Din police. “The attack took place on the highway, 5 km north of Tikrit,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. “The destiny of the tanker’s driver is unknown,” he said.The U.S. forces have not commented yet on this issue.

Kirkuk:
#1: A suicide bomber aboard a small pick-up truck slammed into an Iraqi police patrol in the tense northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing six people and injuring 14, police said. The attack in the southern district of the oil rich city killed at least three policemen while three policemen were also among the injured, local police major Salam Zangana said.

#2: A car bomb went off on Monday targeting a police vehicle patrol in southern Kirkuk, killing two civilians and injuring eight, the chief of the Kirkuk police said. “A car crammed with explosives, parked near al-Adl mosque in al-Asra neighborhood in southern Kirkuk, went off, killing two civilians and injuring eight, including three policemen,” General Tourhan Abdulrahman told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Mosul:
#1: A former army officer was killed on Monday by unknown gunmen in northeastern Mosul, a security source said. “Unknown gunmen killed a candidate of al-Hadbaa list of the recent local elections when they shot him in al-Muthanna neighborhood in northeastern Mosul,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. “The victim, Rakan Aziz, a former army brigadier, took part in the recent local elections held last January in he province, but did nit succeed,” he added, noting that he was assassinated while he was leaving al-Arqam mosque on Monday afternoon (May 11).

#2: Gunmen killed a policeman in Suq Al-Maash neighborhood in Mosul while he was in his off-duty.

#3: Gunmen on foot opened fire upon the guards of the Governorate building in Ghazi Street, central Mosul Monday morning killing one guard and injuring another while they were on duty.

Mar 13 2009 Let American students know how you feel.

Are you a student in Iraq: Do you know students?

WRITE TO US AND WE WILL READ YOUR WORDS TO AMERICAN STUDENTS In the next 3 weeks we will speak at 3 New York City Colleges about “Reality of Life Under U.S. Occupation.”

Is now better than under Sadaam?

What is your day like?

What are your hopes?

What do you want American students to know about your life?

Let American students know how you feel.

If you are a student in Iraq or you know a student in Iraq:

Send your words now:  mail@121Contact.org and we’ll read them to New York City students, and then let you know what the students thought.

 

Please write soon so we can have time to prepare the presentations.

Shukran gazeelan,

Bruce (NY Peace Worker)  and Noor (Baghdadi School Teacher)

Mar 9 2009 Making music, not war, in Baghdad

[full artcle: From Agence France-Presse]

An Iraqi student practices on an oud, an oriental string instrument similar to the western lute © AFP/File Ali al-Saadi

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The Baghdad Institute of Music once again hums with activity after years of silence enforced by fear. Students hasten along corridors, lute in hand, as others laugh and gossip on a sun-bathed patio.

Hazar Bassem, 20, is wearing a denim skirt and high-heeled court shoes as she practises patiently on the hurdy-gurdy, or wheel fiddle.

During the "events", as many Iraqis call the wave of murderous sectarian slaughter that followed the US-led invasion of 2003, Bassem was one of the few students to keep turning up for classes.

"We made jihad (holy war) with music. This year is the first time the institute has returned to normal," says Bassem who lives on Haifa Street, once the most notorious and deadly thoroughfare in Baghdad.

Feb 4 2009 A Baghdad bath party-a tub of tears

Feb 1, Baghdad phone call:
How happy we were to hear the splashing! The water was on for over 3 hours and Mahmood had called his brother and sisters, "Come. Bring the children. We will give them all a bath."

"I think this is because of the elections," he said, with one hand on the phone and another on the slippery wrist of the youngest squirming little one. "They want to show how they help us. But who cares why."

The little ones went in first, and it was their laughter that provided the background music to our ears as they played in the tub. Pots of hot water came from the stove each 10 minutes, and there was much soaping and scrubbing and laughter, and laughter, and laughter.

Then came a knock on the door. A neighbor of Mahmood's oldest sister came crying. "They have taken Hakeem."

It was a little over one year ago that Hakeem's father was kidnapped from his job as an electrian. No one has heard from him since. No ransom call, no threats, no nothing.

And now this. Hakeem is 15 years old. He was on the way to school with his friends and a car came. Men with guns came out and took him. No one knows anything more.

The bathwater is salty with tears.
b