This Is The Only Time Our Children Can Play
You can click the picture to see it in its real size. This picture was taken today in Baghdad. During the curfew time. There is a curfew every Friday now. It is there so that even more people are not killed as they gather to pray.
I am a primary school teacher. I am the first of my family to be able to read or write. I am a widow for two years for which I have to thank an American soldier. My husband was shot by this murdering foreigner as he came home bringing bread. He was not armed. He did not even know how to shoot. His commander a lieutenant came to my home and spoke to me. I did not want to let him in but the interpreter told me that I and my children would be punished if I did not let this foreign murderer into my home. He spoke only of his feelings. Was I supposed to care about his feelings? Then he tried to give me money. I told him to leave and take his traitor interpreter with him.
I have three children. Friday curfew is the only time I dare let my children out to play. We have an arrangement that men in our neighbourhood (I am NOT going to tell you where I live) take it in turns to bring our children to school. A group of armed men first a group of armed men to each side. A group of armed men behind. My children are growing up without a father and surrounded by armed men. It is hard for my children to be locked in all the time. It is hard for me to be locked in with them all the time!
Soon I and my children are going away. We are going to join Maryam. (I am NOT going to tell you where that is either) But I know we will be safer there and the refugee camp needs more teachers so I will have work we will have food and safety and I will know that my children can run around and play like children should.
Zeynab
No tag for this post.
VERY good translation Laith thanks.
Zeynab-
I am afraid to say too much, for I am fearful that anything I say—of the horror I feel at what has happened to you personally and to your country, of my impotence as a citizen of the US—will only be futher salt in your wounds. Empty words for you, I’m sure…but I am deeply sorry.
Mark-
You once indicated that we readers might have a way to provide Maryam with some support and supplies for her work. I’ve looked for further reference to it, but wondered if Maryam did not like the idea or if it was logistically too difficult.
Zeynab’s indication that she will be joing Maryam reminded me.
Yeah Dairymaid I would really like to be able to help out too!
Dairymaid would you mind leaving an email addy in a comment
(Won’t be published)
or alternatively select from the list of charities on this page this page on “Guides”
Sigh. Here goes. We don’t ever accept charitable donations from the States or from any “coalition” country.
The reason is this. Most of us are Iraqi. If word got out (and it would) it would be a death sentence for the people who work with us. The hatred and lack of security are that bad. We’ve had several people killed over the last while or like Maryiam and Zeynab forced to flee.
Bless your generosity and your kindness but we just can’t There are loads of good charities in the States. For my money the best are those run by the quakers.
we owe a duty of care and that rule is unbreakable. i’m really sorry.
mfi
The Quakers are the only religious denomination with the courage of their convictions. I wish I’d joined them decades ago.
Better late than never. If there is some way of laundering American money–perhaps through the Nigerian Quaker meetings? I hope we can get some aid to Maryam and the other poor people whose lives have been damaged by America’s disastrous policies in the Middle East.
Until then I, like the others, can only offer our humble apologies. I think that Bush and his friends must pay for this obscene war, and hope that this is the case.
I have never met a Quaker and know little of them. I have heard Christians speak highly of them however. They sound like an interesting sect.
Now wasn’t Arthur Guinness a Quaker?
You’re asking me? :-)
LOL sorry Ali - I was just throwing it out there to see if anyone knew. The only reason I ask is that he set up schools and a health care program for his workers which was most unusual for the time. Not that the Guinness corporation is perfect in the 70’s they still did not have Catholic foreman (lowest managerial rank)