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| War plans stir many emotions among Seattle area Iraqis |
| 2003-03-14 |
| Edited for brevity--article is worth a read Ten days of traditional mourning for a seventh-century martyr ended last night for Shiite Muslims in the local Iraqi community, capping a period of introspection and spiritual renewal. Even as they looked back at the galvanizing event in their branch of Islam, the immigrants looked ahead with anticipation and anxiety toward another conflict, the looming U.S. war with Iraq. Hundreds of Shiite Muslims and Kurds, two groups that have faced religious and ethnic persecution for decades in Iraq, make up most of the Iraqi population in Washington. Many insist that ousting Saddam Hussein by any means is necessary to restoring their historic homeland. Anti-war demonstrators don't speak for them, they say, and they wonder where U.S. and European protesters were when Saddam crushed Shiites and waged war with Iran and Kuwait. "Why protest now, when Saddam was against us 100 times before?" said Ahmed Al-Mahana, 40, who believes that the Iraqi president is toying with weapons inspectors. "Saddam is a big thief and a big liar. Anybody who trusts him is stupid. We lived with Saddam. We know Saddam." Those who lived under Saddam's regime as adults seem much more willing to support the war and to want to restore a liberated Iraq. Those who fled as children seem more comfortable with life in the United States. |
| Posted by:Dar Steckelberg |
| #2 Why protest now, when Saddam was against us 100 times before?" said Ahmed Al-Mahana, 40, who believes that the Iraqi president is toying with weapons inspectors. "Saddam is a big thief and a big liar. Anybody who trusts him is stupid. We lived with Saddam. We know Saddam." Good point,also makes you wonder why these people don't get more media exposure.Could be media bias,maybe. |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-03-15 06:17:34 |
| #1 "We lived with Saddam. We know Saddam." Upon hearing this Chiraq immediately replied, "Et alors? Moi aussi!" ("So? Me too!") |
| Posted by: RW 2003-03-14 15:09:06 |