11/11/2003 News media contact: Tim Tanton · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn.
By Shanta Bryant Gyan*
Duncan
P. McCallum (holding sign) joined anti-war marchers in New York during a
series of worldwide peace protests Feb. 15. He and others called on the
United States not to launch a military strike against Iraq. McCallum,
of Newfoundland, Pa., is a member of the Greater New Jersey Annual
Conference chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. A UMNS
photo by John C. Goodwin. Photo number 03-441, Accompanies UMNS #543,
11/11/03
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The
prospect of a U.S.-led war with Iraq drew protesters into the streets
of New York Feb. 15. The demonstrations were part of a series of
worldwide peace protests that day. A UMNS photo by John C. Goodwin.
Photo number 03-440, Accompanies UMNS #543, 11/11/03
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Scott
Kerr views the wreckage of a civilian home in Baghdad, Iraq, in this
spring 2003 file photo. He was in Iraq as part of Christian Peacemakers
Teams, an ecumenical ministry started by Mennonite and Church of the
Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings to support "violence
reduction" efforts around the world. Kerr is a member of First United
Methodist Church in Downers Grove, Ill. A UMNS photo courtesy of
Christian Peacemakers Teams. Photo number 03-438, Accompanies UMNS #543,
11/11/03
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An
Iraqi mother holds her child while waiting for treatment at the Al
Baladi Children's Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, in this January 2003 file
photo. A UMNS photo by Ray Buchanan / Stop Hunger Now. Photo number
03-437, Accompanies UMNS #543, 11/11/03
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The
Republic of Iraq, in what was once known as the Fertile Crescent, has a
population of 26 million and covers 168,869 square miles. Arabic is the
official language, and Islam is the main religion. A UMNS graphic by
Laura J. Latham. Photo number 03-442, Accompanies UMNS #543, 11/11/03
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Iraqi
schoolchildren greet visitors to their elementary school in Baghdad,
Iraq, in this file photo. A delegation of religious leaders visited Iraq
Dec. 29-Jan. 3 to assess the effects of more than a decade of sanctions
against Iraq and to connect with Christians in that country. A UMNS
photo by Ray Buchanan / Stop Hunger Now. Photo number 03-439,
Accompanies UMNS #543, 11/11/03
No Long Caption Available for this Story
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Two prominent Iraqi women are
speaking out against the U.S.-led occupation of their nation and raising
concerns about deteriorating security, the lack of democracy and a
potential food crisis there.
Nermin Al-Mufti, an internationally
recognized journalist, and Amal Al-Khedairy, director of an Iraqi arts
and cultural center, spoke Nov. 4 to representatives of religious
organizations at the United Methodist Building, across the street from
the Capitol. The discussion was co-sponsored by the United Methodist
Board of Church and Society and moderated by retired Bishop Judith Craig
of Powell, Ohio.
The "Women of Iraq Tour of the United States"
is organized by the New York-based Fellowship of Reconciliation. Through
the speaking tour, the Iraqi women are trying to talk directly to
Americans about the war and current political and social conditions.
The
women lamented the fact that their country, once technically advanced,
is mired in poverty. They cited dwindling food supplies, high
unemployment, lack of adequate health-care facilities, disruption of
schools and unreliable electricity as major issues.
Noting the
congressional debate over whether the United States should use grants or
loans to rebuild Iraq, Al-Mufti asserted that the United States "should
build it at their own expense."
The journalist said "just and
nonbiased" nongovernmental organizations are needed to deliver
humanitarian assistance in Iraq. She cited a study by the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program that found
nearly half of the 26.3 million Iraqis are living in poverty and need
food assistance.
The United Nations plans to terminate Iraq's
oil-for-food program in late November and hand the program over to the
ruling Coalition Provisional Authority. Millions of Iraqis depend on the
public food assistance and have no other means of getting food.
The
rise in armed robberies, carjackings and rapes has left Iraqis,
especially women and children, confined to their homes. And the Iraqi
women say many people fear the American soldiers that were once viewed
as protectors.
"They are killing us by friendly fire," Al-Mufti
said. She acknowledged that U.S. soldiers fear for their own security
and keep their "fingers on the trigger."
Al-Khedairy said the
sense of insecurity in Iraq did not exist before the U.S. bombing
campaign. "What's the point of being freed, if we don't have security?"
she asked.
The women said Iraqis are questioning the Coalition
Provisional Authority's claims of bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq
and have lost confidence in the authority and the U.S.-appointed Iraqi
governing council. Al-Khedairy contended that there is "no neutral
authority."
The pair called on the United States to restore
security immediately throughout the country and for the United Nations
to deploy a peacekeeping force. "We need peacekeeping forces first,"
said Al-Mufti. "We need them urgently."
"Our hope is to give back credibility to the U.N.," Al-Khedairy stated. "This is very important."
In
addition to speaking with church leaders during their visit to
Washington, the Iraqi women testified before congressional leaders about
conditions in Iraq.
Craig said the Iraqi women's stories make it
clear the United States urgently needs to find a way to make the troops
become peacekeepers and to focus on the rebuilding effort. She also
said United Methodists need to find a voice with legislators to help
bring peace and stability to Iraq.
"To hear them gives focus to
prayer life and political lobbying to know the appropriate next steps,"
the bishop said about the Iraqi women.
Linda Bales, program
director at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, agreed.
"When we hear the stories it clears the perception and understanding of
what we need to ask the (Bush) administration. We need to be informed as
faith-based advocates."
The women are traveling to other major
U.S. cities. Details are available at the Fellowship of Reconciliation
Web site, www.forusa.org.
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