Pearls of Iraq

2006-12-04T02:58:00.000+01:00

As you can see there is has been a change with the blog. Pearls of Iraq blog will be down for a bit of time. I will be returning to Iraq and will be there, home, for hopefully 1-2 years or so. The situation is difficult, as everyone must imagine, so after with much thought, taking into many factors, for right now Pearls will be guarding her precious gems.

Thanks to everyone for the support, especially with the Iraq Kurdistan Book Drive. When the blog gets up and running again, I will contact some of the other bloggers. God Bless.

Pearls of Iraq on Vacation

2006-12-04T02:47:00.000+01:00

Iraq Kurdistan Book Drive

2006-11-22T13:54:00.000+01:00

Below is a list of donors. I want to thank each one of them for being a part of this important educational and cross-cultural peacebuilding project. Kudos!

Iraq Kurdistan Book Drive Donors

• American University School of International Service – Faculty and Students
• American University Alumni
• American University Library
• AU Phi Alpha Delta
• American University Students
• Special Angels in Kirkuk and Sulaimaniya
• Blair Academy and Blair’s Student Community and Parents Association
• Center for Peace Building International (CPBI) – Fundraising and Support for Shipping (http://www.cpbintl.org/ )
• Creative Peace Initiatives (CPI is an American University student organization that concentrates on service to the greater community working on issues of peace education and youth);
• Girl Scout Junior Troop 2539
• Karen – Holiday House
• Esq. Oller & Luzzi, LLC - Richard and Roberta Luzzi
• Nine Muses International, Inc
• Pearls of Iraq
• Publishers (Children Books)
• Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
• Individual donors including authors:
o Maliha Balala
o Dr. Naomi Susan Baron
o Dr. David Black
o Dr. Renee Marlin-Bennett
o Irving Karchmar
o Ramzi Nemo
o Dr. Louise I. Shelley
o Dr. Stanley Weiss
• USPS – “Michael” for spending his Saturday with me processing boxes with backbreaking dedication!
• UPS Drivers!

In Memory of 9/11

2006-09-11T14:37:00.000+02:00

The media blitz started mid August for 9/11 including broadcasting Bin Laden’s story by CNN. I called that giving media support to terrorists. Most of us remember that day, moment by moment.

On this painful and memorable day, I rather post poetry that was created to address the emotions and sorrow and dedicated to those who lost their lives on 9/11. One of the best sites I could find is at http://www.september11victims.com/september11victims/poems.htm

LET PEACE LEAD THE WAY

Let peace lead the way,
When grief is too much to bear,
When arms no more live to enfold us.

Let peace lead the way,
when anger wants to break out,
when aggressors try to control and break us.

Let peace lead the way,
when our children cry and are left orphaned,
when husbands or wives' parted to early in life.

Let peace lead the way,
when heroes leave us their legacy of courage,
and stories to remember through the ages.

Let peace lead the way,
as the American and world flags and hearts salute very brave cities,
as we pay respect to over 3,000 lives.

Let peace lead the way,
when we can't accept
or forgive.

Let peace lead the way,
when we forget faith and prayer
and tears flow unashamedly from sea to shining sea.

Let peace lead the way,
for all humanity's sake, keeping nation's together.
To empower, educate, and keeps freedoms name safe,
Let peace lead the way.

Tatiana A. Konstanian
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2002

For the Love of Poetry

2006-09-09T11:11:00.000+02:00

I want to thank family and friends for their communication with me while I was in Baghdad. In future posts more will be written on the situation there, which has whirlpooled into a swirling mass of fear and uncompleted programs. Reading other Iraqi blogs and talking with people from all over Baghdad, the city must realize security and continue rebuilding the infrastructure (electric, water, basics) before other programs should be implemented.

Now on to my love of poetry, I want to thank Isaiah Knows Nothing for his emails and support while I was hanging out with the rockets. His poem, ...Now, and Now, and Now... reminds me of advice given by several different people to guide me in Iraq and throughout life. Be a child of the moment. Time is only now, for the past is now and the future is now and the real time as we humans can possibly understand is this moment which takes practice and work to pull memories or dreams and apply them to this moment.

I would also like to introduce Sufi Poetry and the works of David and Sabrineh Fideler. I have known David for a few years now and he is the only person I trust with my professional articles and paper edits. But David and his wife Sabrineh have a much greater calling, which is their work translating beautiful Persian poetry to English.

Their newest book, Love’s Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition promises to be a banquet of enlightenment through poetry. For more information concerning the book and audio of beautifully recited poetry, visit http://www.sufipoetry.com/

ALPER's Comment on Kurdish Books

2006-09-08T15:24:00.000+02:00

ALPER commented on my post "Turkey vs. Sweden on the Kurdish Issue" while I had limited electric and internet and so I would like to address their post at this time.

"First of all I believe that our main identity is "HUMAN" not Turkish, Kurdish or English. "I don't believe in the things which makes people apart. But there are some facts that we can not ignore. People like you always ignore some main facts in this issue. Like you do in this blog. It is very easy to agitate such issues with using children. Then please respond, what will happen to the Turkish children of whom daddy is killed by Kurdish Terrorists ??? Ah sorry I am sure you call them Kurdish fighters !!!!!!Please explain."

I do not support terrorism of any kind ethnic, religious, political, or national terrorism, nor does Pearls of Iraq, quite the opposite. Having studied terrorism professionally the past 4 years, it is evident the terrorist framework for conflict strategy does not and will not work to change political issues including human rights. Obviously, an article posted about the Kurdish children’s books has ignited a sensitive hotspot with Alper, rerouting the topic of children books to terrorism. No human should be a victim of terrorism, children or adults, Turkish or Kurdish, or British tourists most recently.

The comment at least recognizes another ethnic group of at least 15 million Kurds living in Turkey but does Alpher recognize that not all Kurds are terrorists? Just like not all Scotsmen wear kilts and not all that wear kilts wear them with no underwear? Or is it a generalization of an ethnic group? Can people control the actions of all individuals or small groups? Historically and currently, the answer is no. Can the Kurdish people denounce such acts in spite of continued hardship, yes.

Shortly after Alpher sent the comment, the blasts occurred in Turkey. The Kurdistan Liberation Hawks (TAK) claimed responsibility for the bombings. Some say they are linked to the PKK; the PKK has publicly denounced these horrendous acts. Instead, my perspective and it is my opinion that the PKK and the Kurdish people of Turkey will continue to seek non violent, democratic options to the situation or at worse, practice military action (which is different from terrorist actions). This does not mean that separatist individuals and groups will behave until they realize terrorism is the lowest of the low for resolving conflict and in fact, shoves them and their cause down below the basic human level and only closes doors for their concerns.

Finally, terrorist acts limit freedom for all people. What is terrorism? A major issue surrounding terrorism is the definition. As of March 2005, there isn’t a global consensus defining the method or act of terrorism. Both the US and the UN have different views and definitions. The US definition[i] places terrorism in a political standing whereas the UN has four different “proposed” definitions and yet no conclusion concerning these definitions. [ii] Obviously the most recent bombings in Turkey were terrorist acts.

Terrorism is a conflict method or strategy with fear as the primary element. Fear is an emotion used in an attempt to force change in the target. Victims can be actual people or groups or the use of symbolic fear (a building or historic structure). The targets can received a direct or indirect affect of psychological fear that penetrates society system-wide as a result of violence or the possibility of violence.

I like the definition proposed by D.J. Hanle, “Terror is an intense paralyzing fear, or the dread of it. Terrorism is a deliberate attempt to create terror through a symbolic act involving the use or threat of abnormal lethal force for the purpose of influencing a target group or individual.”

Thus even the threat of violence is a form of terrorism.

It is imperative to distinguish between the words insurgency or freedom fighters and terrorism. Insurgency simply means a political movement and utilizes different methods to confront or change the policy of the government or organizations. The intentions of the groups and individuals provide clarity. Terrorism is a method or strategy to force the change which is optional and the transformative key between insurgent and terrorist.

The Department of Defense has an official definition of insurgency, “"An organized movement aimed at the overthrow of a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict." As seen across the world, there can be a nonviolent insurgency or freedom "fighters," military or guerilla warfare or there can be a transformation from military action of fighters into terrorists, as we see in South and Central America.

The media has concentrated on the Middle East but they are not the only ones using fear and violent acts in the form of terrorism to pursue change. Southern and Central Americas are increasing with terrorists acts and this is spreading. The media likens these groups to “gangs,” like the El Salvadoran-based MS-13, of which there are over 50,000 in the US. The fact is these gangs are becoming more aggressive and some are approaching the definition of terrorists groups by their actions,[iii] including inciting fears in shopping malls through shootings and in neighborhoods. It is reported that they have spread to over 5 countries including Europe. Recently, a pregnant woman was a victim of one of these terrorist “gangs” and so her unborn child was directly affected.

What is the solution to terrorists? Everyone recognizes the terrorist conflict strategy is useless and alienates the issue even more, thus shutting out resolution. I would like to see more brainstorming on solutions rather than constantly pointing fingers and wringing of hands. Even as a pacifist, the situation has to be dealt with firmly and with the help of the military. Conversely, to generalize a whole ethnic population as terrorists over the topic of the destruction of books is not the ideal approach. It is not what we think but how we think…including initiating the change of ideas of the terrorist groups to realize violence is not an answer but a festering infected wound. Therefore, the blog is open to suggested solutions.

Finally, again it would be in Turkey’s best interests to approach the Turkish Kurds as allies against a much greater threat…Islamic extremists are residing in Turkey, using the routes to go to Iraq and Syria and waiting for the opportunity to attack the beautiful people of Turkey.

[i] Director of Central Intelligence. Terrorism FAQs. Central Intelligence Agency. Access date: March 29, 2005. http://www.cia.gov/terrorism/faqs.html

[ii] United Nations. Office on Drugs and Crime. Definitions of Terrorism. Saturday, April 2, 2005. Access date: April 2, 2005. http://www.unodc.org/unodc/terrorism_definitions.html

[iii] Congressional Testimony. Statement of Chris Swecker Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation Before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere House International Relations Committee. April 20, 2005. Online at http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress05/swecker042005.htm

Turkey vs. Sweden on the Kurdish Issue

2006-08-26T10:44:00.000+02:00

Turkey refuses to allow Kurdish stories into Northern Kurdistan

8/25/2006 KurdishMedia.com - By Halwest Rashid

A Swedish source stated that 1,000 books have been confiscated in by Turkish authorities in Istanbul airport. The books are famous children stories that are translated into Kurdish from Swedish and they are to be given to libraries in Northern Kurdistan (now within Turkey) in order to help Kurdish children to learn their native language and to enjoy. The books are stopped in the international airport of Istanbul by the Turkish authorities and they refuse to allow this gift from Sweden to Kurds of Northern Kurdistan.

Furthermore, the Turkish authorities planned to destroy the books in the coming days. The Swedish ambassador in Ankara has undertaken steps to preserve the books, but the Turkish government is certainly of its matter. This is again a proof of the fact that Turkey undertakes everything to stop the Kurdish language to be spoken and used in Northern Kurdistan and Turkey. The Turkish constitution is crystal clear about the usage of Kurdish language: it cannot be used.

[Another reason not to travel through Turkey]

Safe Journey

2006-08-25T08:04:00.000+02:00

In reply to Isaiah's question, how feasible would it be to travel to Iraq Kurdistan, besides electric and access to internet blocking me, it gave me a time to reflect within the current time and space.

In fact, I was at Kurdistan Save the Children Headquarters at the time Isaiah was posting his comment, processing the sponsorship of a little girl. Having two sons, this brings me much joy. In response, the organization welcomes visitors, especially sponsors. Additionally, they always welcome volunteers for the schools and centers.

How feasible is it? With contacts on the ground here, it is good, but an individual must really, really want to come here as it is a long and expensive journey. The best way is to fly to Jordan and then take a plane to Erbil or Sulimaniya with Royal Jordanian Airlines. There are also flights from Sweden, Germany, Denmark, but all are expensive.

It is important to have contacts and companions here on the ground, for advice and direction. The region is opening for tourism, and perhaps a small group to visit can be arranged in the springtime. The Kurdish people welcome you.

In a fairly sleepless night, outside influences are possible beyond our control. I am sure no one expected Lebanon to be as it is today. So this region, like others is very fragile dependent on a matrix of interacting players of the conflict in Iraq. For now, Kurdistan is a warm hearth.

Time, electricity and internet shorten my posts for now.

Resting and Research

2006-08-22T08:12:00.000+02:00

Since I got home to Kurdistan, it has been a time of rest, friends, family and beginning my research, which is the use of positive religious values and attributes in tribal mediation. Also helping out researching agri-business, which is so interesting, and carries on from last year.

This is Kurdistan and Saddam is on trial now for his genocide of the Kurdish people. CNN broadcast a small token presentation on the Kurdish people and the Anfal but it really was not enough, considering. Since I have limited TV access, I hope there are more documentaries and shows on the Kurdish people at this time, since there is an abundance here and they just need translation.

The gas situation is very severe here, the worse I have seen it, with the lines going around the city's beltway and cars sitting for days waiting. Electric is equally as scarce and had the wonderful opportunity to finish dinner in the dark at home, which brings out the taste and touch sensory rather than the visual...

Still, this is heaven on earth, and happy to be home.

Story of an Iraqi Pearl

2006-08-17T19:45:00.000+02:00

I am officially off assignment and have a lot to discuss, but for today, I want to share a story from a beautiful pearl of Iraq. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a guest speaker in a class and the topic that day was active listening, a key element of dialogue. In speaking, I did not wish to talk, but wanted to hear from this wonderful mixed group of Iraqis. We did have a dialogue and too soon the time and class ended. I asked them to share their stories through this blog. My dear Iraqi sister wrote me, sharing her story of life in Baghdad. I edited only a few things, for her protection…

One of these stories which was happened to me last Saturday, that day I decided to go to the (Karadaha) near by fourteen July bridge, I needed to buy some staples like scarves and make ups. To reach Karadaha which is located at south Baghdad while my home located in north of Baghdad and due to sever shortages in fuel, that makes me think before hiring a taxi to go there it will cost me ($ 3.5) it means too expensive for me.

So I decided to ride a mini bus at bus station, imagine what are people talking inside the mini bus…the criticism about the security situation, meanwhile the driver told the passengers that he increased his prices for each person due to the fuel shortages and this made many people show their resentment. The road as usually was crowded and we stuck at street more than one an hour, it is like u wasting your time and sit in the car without any air conditioning machine which is like the hell. In these moments I saw many of police and army cars… they wanted to pass quickly and I thought it was a real dangerous moment because at any time the terrorists might exposed us and might shot us and shot the police cars.

I left my home at (9:30) AM. I reached at (11:00) AM. I found almost all of the moles (small stores) were closed and only a few were opened, when I chatted with one of the mole owner, he told me everybody here have gotten a threaten letters if they continued opening their moles. Their life will be exposed to a real danger and might abdicate, so they chose to close their moles and some of them left Iraq. The sale owner said that Al Maliki government is lying and improved their failure every day in providing security to the people and do nothing… only keep stealing the worth of the country and to protect their benefits and the government is not able to provide safety but just keep making propaganda and I said that I agree with him.

I looked in my watch and found the time was late and the man told me to return home early it is not good for me as a girl shopping alone so when I returned home it was (2:00) PM. passing through the same I have to struggle when I decide to do any thing. I have to think what is the worse issue that I’ll face prior to doing something, like wearing any tee shirt that specify the body features this will be a hard issue and A PROBLEM for me especially when I walk in the street alone. Wearing tee shirt, like I have to tell you my district is a religious province and many militias are controlling they have closed mentality. I have to leave now, time is too late for me.

[Note: The Karadaha used to be a wonderful upscale shopping district and relatively safe. The past month or so, it has fallen victim to many bombings of innocent people, the closing of a multitude of businesses and organizations and most recently an increase of kidnappings…]

Light

2006-07-28T13:24:00.000+02:00

The Light of God's Word

O'er all the moral world, where, otherwise,
No light would come, or through its midnight gloom
No cheering ray appear, to dissipate
The darkness, God has set a guiding star--
A luminary bright--whose rays divine
Should pierce the night--the deep'ning shades dispel,
Which o'er the earth in sullen silence brood.
Nay, more, a ray of God's own brightness, sent
Direct to man from off His radiant throne;
That those who gladly should the light receive,
And follow where it led, should here enjoy
A glorious foretaste of the bliss of Heaven.

It is God's Holy Word, immutable,
Through life's bewildering maze alone can guide
The wandering traveller to eternal rest.
Without it, man were lost--lost in the deep,
Dark labyrinth of dread uncertainty--
Where doubts distract, and fearful thoughts arise--
With nought his steps to lead, save the dim lamp
Of human reason, whose misguiding flame
Would serve to make the gloom still more profound,
The darkness deeper, and more keenly felt.
But 'twas not God's design to leave man thus,
In error's devious paths, to grope his way;
So, through His Sacred Word,
His will revealed,
And pointed out the narrow path, that bright
And brighter shines, e'en to the perfect day.

Poem by Uriah Smith

On Assignment

2006-06-20T13:56:00.000+02:00

This is my last post for awhile as mentioned in a previous post; I will be on assignment for a few months and can not contribute. There are team members getting ready to post, in between their busy schedules, starting hopefully in July.

While searching for a conference being held in the fall, I found a great website on interfaith/inter-religious dialogue which I would like to share with you. There is a page of excellent resources/papers.

Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID)
http://www.interfaithdialog.org/r_articles.php

Hope everyone has a great summer.

One day, Rabia was seen running, carrying fire in one hand and water in the other. They asked her the meaning of her action and where she was going. She replied, I am going to light a fire in Paradise and pour water on Hell, so that both veils (hindrances to the true vision of God) completely disappear."
by Rabi'a Al-'Adawiyya

Pearls of Iraq: Urgent Call for Team Members

2006-06-09T22:21:00.000+02:00

Pearls of Iraq needs help for a few months. It is bittersweet. I am being called away on a special assignment, utilizing my experience, and skills, but it means giving up the blog while I am away. There is no choice or option on this matter.

My family will post bi-weekly on my status, a simple note that I am good, inshallah. What Pearls of Iraq needs are team members to carry on the peacebuilding and non-political (or very moderate political) support of the blog and the Kurdish and Iraqi people, sharing of positive narratives and stories, resources, etc.

Pearls of Iraq is open to all religions yet I hope that someone can also continue to post on Islamic peacebuilding and dialogue. I open the blog to diversified religions, because the readers of this blog and our world are diverse. While I am gone, it is my wish that people will carry the light of peaceful co-existence by working towards interreligious dialogue and tolerance in this blog. Please email me, within a week if you are interested, my email is on the profile.

I have added a link for peacebuilding and they have excellent resources on peacebuilding including organizations in Iraq. The Peacemakers Trust is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to research and education on conflict transformation and peacebuilding. They have requested that if people have additional resources, especially Iraq including organizations and articles to email them and they will update their lists. This is an excellent source of information and the website is: http://www.peacemakers.ca/

That is all for today. This is a strange time and place for me, but life is constantly changing and moving, as we have seen even in the most recent news. This blog has been an extension of myself, but even more importantly, the Iraq people, as many friends and family have pointed out. Now I hope this extension can spread outward with team members. Inshallah, God Willing.

Miriam

Happy Kurdish Videos

2006-06-08T02:55:00.000+02:00

I hope that I am not the only one that gets detoured on the internet. A few weeks ago, I got detoured big time thanks to trying to figure out how to upload audio and video to the blog (which I still have not found the answer). In the meantime, I found some great videos that are great “pick-me-ups”!

Madagascar in Kurdish (my favorite, check out the Zebra midway!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQfVRfeJkR8&search=kurdish%20

Kurdish Clip (Shan-ba-Shan, Shoulder to Shoulder dancing with the shoulder movement. Have my Kurdish men’s clothes made and ready!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJMft9GVcgA&search=kurdish%20

Kurdish Shrek (Looks like a karr singing)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FnF5FBV-9k&search=Kurdish

And finally, In the Name of Love. This brave woman sang through this video and it is my second favorite video, simply because she is just a regular person I can relate to and she had some funny challenges, including a "beep beep"! Nice song, I did everything in the Name of Love...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKbmGYThZO4&search=kurdi

Miriam

Pearls of Iraq: Islamic Peace Building - Part Seven

2006-06-06T23:46:00.000+02:00

This post is not the last of Islamic peacebuilding and dialogue but the last on my proposed school. In the future, there will be excellent contributors, inshallah, who will share their experiences and knowledge concerning Islamic peacebuilding and dialogue on the blog.

Today, I thought it would be appropriate to post the story below, as the past few days/events in Iraq do not reflect the religion, point blank. We have lost many people, including students, in the name of religion, but these events are actually politically motivated. Politics are only a few trees in the forest and it seems those who harm others are pressing their noses against the wrong trees.

Finally, I had a few people requesting my pearl picture to come back, so instead of one pearl, I have found many precious pearls of Iraq and hope this new picture reflects these dear souls.
I will now refer to a story from M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen’s book, Islam and World Peace.*

A Direct Revelation to 'Ali

One day when 'Ali was in battle, his opponent's sword broke and the man fell. 'Ali stood above him, and holding his sword to the man's chest, he said, "If you had a sword in your hand, I would continue this fight, but since your sword is broken, I cannot strike you."

"If I had a sword at this moment, I would cut off your arms and legs," the man shouted back.

"All right then," 'Ali replied, and he handed the man his sword. "What are you doing?" the man asked, bewildered. "I am your enemy, am I not?"

'Ali looked him in the eye and said, "You swore that if you had a sword in your hand you would kill me. Now you have my sword, so go ahead and strike me." But the man could not. "That was your ignorance and arrogance speaking," 'Ali explained. "In the realm of Allah, there is no fight or enmity between you and me. We are brethren. The real war is between the truth and your lack of wisdom. It is between truth and falsehood. You and I are just watching that battle. You are my brother.

If I were to harm you at this point, I would have to answer for it on the Day of Questioning. Allah would ask me about it."

"Is this the way of Islam?" the man asked.

"Yes," 'Ali replied. "These are the words of Allah, the All-Powerful, Unique One."

Immediately the man bowed down at 'Ali's feet and begged, "Teach me the kalimah."
And `Ali taught him, "There is no god but God. Nothing exists other than You, O God."

*Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. Islam & World Peace: Explanations of a Sufi. Philadelphia: The Fellowship Press, 1999.

Iraq: When it is Time to go Home

2006-06-04T12:31:00.000+02:00

It is rare to get a conflicting comment but it does happen and I welcome different perspectives. The person wrote the following about the ribbon campaign, which I might add, is not a group or organization, but symbolizes in the virtual world support of the Iraqis and the troops working on reconstruction.

Now I see...you are after attention! You would rather creat your own and be self-promoting for fame rather than merge yourself with an established group-----and the put down to that other group, hehhe, poor taste at best.No, they would not give up their saleries just as I wouldn't. I've been here for 2 years and all I've seen are savages who cheer rebuilding when they're getting something for free. But when we didnt award a building contract to a group because they had a 100% rate of corruption and non-completion----they raised a massive group to burn coalition assets.savages.of course no one will turn over our saleries---we flat out dont care about a bunch of savages. I hope we do pull out and let this place fall into crap. If they're incapable of holding themselves up right now, they never will be.

There is no fame here, never has been. No organization but rather merge, support and work with other organizations like: Kurdistan Save the Children, the Iraqi Foundation, Nonviolence International, etc, (see growing list to the left). There was no put down to the other group, as I am a pacifist, activist for peace, a professional in conflict resolution and peacebuilding with a dose of reality and consideration for reconstruction/development. We know without support from the international community, that any pullouts now will most likely send the country into further mass chaos which will have rippling effects globally. Additionally, there are too many people in Iraq I love very much, especially the children to allow that to happen.

From the writing, it seems this person has only been in Iraq 2 years, not a native, not a committed individual to the Iraqi people, but one who resorts to name calling, the basic and lowest level of emotion outburst. This is a perfect example of the other side of the coin. People are there who do not wish to be there and do not have cultural or conflict training. It was always advised for anyone going into a region, military or civilian to have the very basic cultural and conflict negotiation training and counseling. The people I talked to over the years did not, they were just sent.

Still I have met those who do not give up hope, who work tirelessly and put one foot in front of another, coalition and Iraqis working together with fantastic results. Many foreigners I have met there, signed up as volunteers, and love the Iraqi people, love doing their work and making a contribution, as team players with great results. They have the highest standard of ethics and transparency. A few bad apples do not mean the whole bushel is spoiled in any given situation.

But to some people who are working in Iraq, it is just a place on the map, it is just another assignment, and a salary which is probably paid for directly or indirectly by taxes on people’s income from some country in the world. This person may have taxes taken out, so he/she are turning over a part of their salary in fact and actually is making money off the conflict. Some of us have given our salaries…it is our choice.

All I can say, if the fire is too hot, ask for discharge from the assignment based on health leave. The indicator on this advice is the calling people “savages” numerous times… It would be the best decision for the Iraqi people and the coalition for the individual to bow out of Iraq and leave. We need dedicated and stable minded individuals in Iraq, who are positive team players, the wheat versus weed.

Meanwhile! The Purple and Yellow Ribbon Campaign can be found at:
http://iraqpurpleribboncampaign.blogspot.com/

Official Start of the Purple and Yellow Ribbon Campaign

2006-05-31T16:47:00.000+02:00

Today starts the official campaign of the Iraq Purple and Yellow Ribbon Campaign. The Ribbons symbolize support for the Iraqi people to be tied with a yellow ribbon for the troops: American, international and the Iraqi military who are making a positive difference. The purple finger of freedom combined with the yellow is a great way to show the Iraqi people our support.

Tie it to your blog the tree in front your home workspace or your car. Show that you care. Thanks to Isaiah from the blog “isaiah knows nothing” http://isaiahknows.blogspot.com/ and Trev Diesel from the blog "the sound of diesel musing" http://trevdiesel.blogspot.com/ for their support and design of the Purple and Yellow ribbon campaign! In the background is a picture I took in Iraq of a man and his mungas on a mountain road (munga is Sorani, Kurdish for cow), thanks Isaiah and Trev for the custom design, it is beautiful!

The push for purple for the Iraqis, representing freedom is not new. There have been other campaigns in short spurts supporting the movement. We need continuous long term support and outreach. Therefore, I support the Purple and Yellow Ribbon campaign. I call on bloggers, media and people across the globe to use these colors to show support to Iraq and to use virtual “Purple and Yellow Ribbon” jpeg as a symbol on the internet and other places.

I have actual 5’ yellow and purple ribbons to put together today, inshallah (Martha Stewart, I am not!) and will take picture upon completion, inshallah.

Here are some other links on the Purple Symbol of Freedom including my past posts:

Iraqi Purple Pearl Ribbon Movement
http://pearlsofiraq.blogspot.com/2006/05/iraqi-purple-pearl-ribbon-movement.html

Baghdad's Economy and the Purple Zone
http://pearlsofiraq.blogspot.com/2006/05/baghdads-economy-and-purple-zone.html

Raise A Purple Finger For Freedom
http://www.purplefingerforfreedom.org/index.html

Give Terrorism the Finger
http://www.thepurplefinger.org/

United for Peace has a white Ribbon Campaign which is fine, white for peace but it does not truly get to the essence of the Iraqi people and neglects the issue of terrorism and the goal of freedom. We do not wish war, I am a pacifist and a peace builder in Iraq, but the bombs and attacks the past two years have been directed at the Iraqi people, not as much at the military; its is a cowardly conflict. In addition, the call for pulling out of Iraq right now would cause additional chaos and does not address the reconstruction effort being conducted right now. Who will take over? Are the white ribbon supporters willing to physically go into Iraq with me and others and help rebuild Iraq once the troops leave? Are they willing to turn over their salaries and wages, sweat and physical bodies to rebuild the electric, schools and hospitals? So they can add a white ribbon to the purple and yellow.

In addition, I started a 2nd blog (yikes), Iraq Purple and Yellow Ribbon Campaign and looking for team members to contribute as well as photos of Purple and Yellow Ribbons.
http://iraqpurpleribboncampaign.blogspot.com/

Pearls of Iraq: Part Six - Islamic Peace Building and Dialogue Resources

2006-05-30T18:14:00.000+02:00

This is a continuing series on Islamic Educational Peacebuilding Initiatives. We continue with the prospect of developing a school focused on Islamic peacebuilding, dialogue and justice, including nonviolence. It is my wish to start this school in Iraq, no matter how small...

Under my fellowship with Salam Institute, one of my assignments was to develop a resource list for Islam and Dialogue. The living list is below and can also be found on Salam Institute for Peace and Justice Resource page under Islam and Dialogue: http://www.salaminstitute.org/resources.htm I just rechecked the links, all up to date, except, ISESCO seems to be updating their site, which has alot of wonderful publications.

I would also like to point out the new Muslim Peacebuilding Network located on the same page. Salam Institute for Peace and Justice is a nonprofit organization with a concentration on both Western and Islamic frameworks for conflict reconciliation, mediation and peacebuilding. Most recently they held a conference in Washington, DC and are involved in both “train the trainer” activities around the world for conflict reconciliation/resolution, interreligious/intra-faith dialogue and Imam Leadership and conflict resolution training. This is in addition to the growing resources and publications. Salam Institute’s Executive Director is Dr. Mohammed Abu-Nimer, and my mentor, and one of the foremost world experts on dialogue facilitation and Islamic non violence, peacebuilding and development. Thanks Dr. Abu-Nimer for all your support and patience with my work in Iraq.

Islam and Dialogue Resource (Salam Institute for Peace and Justice)
http://www.salaminstitute.org/Resources/islam.htm

This is a selected resource listing and is not intended to be comprehensive. We welcome outside suggestions.

Books

Abu-Nimer, Mohammed. 1999. Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, and Change: Arab-Jewish Encounters in Israel . New York : State University of New York Press.

al ‘Alwani, Taha Jabir. 1401AH-1981 AC. The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam . Virginia : The International Institute of Islamic Thought. Also available on line at http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/alalwani_disagreement/

al-Ghazali, Muhammad, trans., August 2004. A. H. Muslim Character : An American-English Translation of Muhammad al-Ghazali's Khuluq al-Muslim . Chicago : Library of Islam, Kazi Publications.

al Hasani, Sayyed Abdul Hayy. 2003. Tahdhib al Akhlaq: A Hadith Guide for Personal and Social Conduct. Leicester , UK : Islamic Academy.

al-Jawziyyah, Ibn Qayyim. Patience and Gratitude. London : Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd.

Al-Jirari, Abbas. 1420H / 2000. Dialogue from Islamic Point of View. Rabat : ISESCO, Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Also available on line at http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/Eng/Dialogue/dialogue.htm

Al-Kasnazani al-Husseini, Shaikh Muhammad. trans. 1989. Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Gaylani. “Jila' al-Khatir," Baghdad : Ishtar Press. Also available on line at http://www.quranicstudies.com/viewbook24.html

Al-Kaysi, Marwan Ibrahim. 1989. Morals and Manners in Islam. Leicester , UK : Islamic Foundation.

al-Jazairi, Abu Bakr and Shaykh Abu Bakr. 1998. Islamic Etiquette. Riyadh: Darussalam Publishers.

Altwaijri, Abdulaziz Othman. 1418H / 1997. Future Prospects of Muslim-Western Dialogue. Rabat , Morocco : ISESCO, Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Also available on line at http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/Eng/future/future.htm

Esack, Farid. 1997, Reprinted 1998. Qur'an Liberation & Pluralism: An Islamic Perspective of Interreligious Solidarity Against Oppression. Oxford : Oneworld.

Esposito, John L. and Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Eds. 2001. Muslims and the West: Encounter and Dialogue. Islamabad : Islamic Research Institute.

Ghudda, Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu. 2001. Islamic Manners. Swansea , UK : Awakening Publications.

Fischer, Michael M. J and Mehdi Abedi. 1990. Debating Muslims: Cultural Dialogues in Postmodernity and Tradition. Madison : University of Wisconsin Press.

Laming, Shahibuddin. 2000. Knowledge in Human Society (Selected Themes of Al-Qur'an). Kuala Lumpur : A.S. Noordeen.

Martin, Richard C. Islam, a Cutural Perspective. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1982

Matthews, Daud R. 1425H/2004. Presenting Islam in the West: Introduction. Leicester , UK : Islamic Academy.

Quasem, Abul M., Al-Ghazali's ethics. 1974 – 1975, A3, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh , 25-103. Edited and published as: The Ethics of al-Ghazali: a Composite Ethics in Islam. Malaysia.(1975) with an introduction by W. M. Watt, reprinted by Caravan books, New York 1978. Also available on line at http://www.ghazali.org/books/abulqasem.pdf

Engineer, Asghar Ali. 2002. “Da‘wah or Dialogue,” Islam and Modern Age. Institute of Islamic Studies and Centre for Study of Society and Secularism. Also available on line at http://ecumene.org/IIS/csss80.htm

Safi, Louay M. 2001. Editorial for “ Overcoming the Cultural Divide,” American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences. Herndon: Volume 18, Fall. Number 4. Also available on line at http://www.amss.net/AJISS/PastIssues/editorial19-1.htm

Siddiqi, Muzammil 2001. “An Islamic Approach to Pluralism,” Solomon-Tenenbaum and Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Lectureship. University of South Carolina in Columbia . Also available on line at http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/2001/1214.html

Siddiqi, Muzammil. 2001. “How an Islamic Leader Views Dialogue,” Origins: CNS Documentary Service, 30, 41. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Also available on line at http://www.usccb.org/seia/siddiqi.shtml

Biographies and Indexes

Index Islamicus REF/INDEX D 199.33 .L32

O'Donnell, Patrick S. 2003. Islamic Studies: A Bibliography (Books in English) PDF file
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/img/assets/5495/Islamic_Studies_bibliog.pdf

Dialogue Organizations

Global Dialogue Institute. GDI Anthology, Envisioning a Global Ethic. http://astro.temple.edu/~dialogue/index.html

ISESCO, The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Rabat , Morocco. http://www.isesco.org.ma/

Internet Resources:

Books

al ‘Alwani, Taha Jabir. 1401AH-1981 AC. The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam . Virginia : The International Institute of Islamic Thought. http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/alalwani_disagreement/

Al-Jirari, Abbas. 1420H / 2000. Dialogue from Islamic Point of View. Rabat : ISESCO, Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/Eng/Dialogue/dialogue.htm

Al-Kasnazani al-Husseini, Shaikh Muhammad. trans. 1989. Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Gaylani. “Jila' al-Khatir," Baghdad : Ishtar Press http://www.quranicstudies.com/viewbook24.html

Altwaijri, Abdulaziz Othman. 1418H / 1997 . Future Prospects of Muslim-Western Dialogue. Rabat : ISESCO, Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/Eng/future/future.htm

A Shi'ite Encyclopedia. Version 2.0 October 1995, Revised January 2001. http://al-islam.org/encyclopedia/

Al-Bosnawi, Isa. "Islam & The Concept of Friendship," islaam.com. http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=131

Al-Qaradawi, Yusuf. 1425H/2005. “Methodology of religious discourse as outlined by the Holy Koran, Rabat ,” Islam Today , ISESCO, Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.. Also available on line at http://www.isesco.org.ma/pub/Eng/IST22/Menu.htm

The American Islamic Congress. "A New Guide to Muslim Interfaith Dialogue." http://www.aicongress.org/policy/interfaith_guide.pdf

Al-Samak, Muhammad Nimr. 2005. The Culture ‘Of Knowing One Another' In Islam. World Council of the Islamic Call.
http://taarafu.islamonline.net/English/Taarafo_Conference/2003/article06.shtml

Co-Chairmen's Report. 1425 H/2004. "…to improve constructive dialogue and co-operation between Islamic organizations and communities from different regions." (Paper presented at the International Conference of Islamic Scholars Jakarta, 23-25 February, 2004). Embassy of Indonesia . Bangkok . Thailand. http://www.kbrimanila.org.ph/news/icis_chairmen_rprt.html

Engineer, Asghar Ali. 2002. “Da‘wah or Dialogue,” Islam and Modern Age. Institute of Islamic Studies and Centre for Study of Society and Secularism. http://ecumene.org/IIS/csss80.htm

Fadlallah, Sayyed Muhammed Hussein. "The Dialogue with the other: No taboos in dialogue,"Islamicinsights. Bayynat. http://english.bayynat.org.lb/se_002/islamicinsights/taboos.htm

Ghudda, Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu. 2001. "Islamic Manners: The Art of Listening," UK : Awakening Publications. http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=592

Ghudda, Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu. 2001. "Islamic Manners: Discussions and Debates," UK : Awakening Publications. http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=595

Inayatullah, Sohail. 1996. “Alternative Futures for the Islamic Ummah,” Metafuture.org Articles . Revised. (paper presented at Islamic Development Conference Meeting on the Islamic Ummah. March 1996). http://www.metafuture.org/Articles/AltFuturesUmmah.htm#_edn1

Judge, Anthony. 1998. "Typology of 12 complementary dialogue modes essential to sustainable dialogue." Laetus in Praesens. http://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs/typdial.php

Mujahid, Abdul Malik. Shura In The Family: Why We Need It, How To Do It. Islam, the Modern Religion. Bridgeview , IL .
SoundVision.com. http://www.themodernreligion.com/family/shura.html

Noor, Farish A. 2004. “Interview: The Adab of Dissent and Dialogue,” The American Muslim . http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/
interview_with_khalid_masud_the_adab_of_dissent_and_dialogue/

Quasem, Abul M., Al-Ghazali's ethics. 1974 – 1975, A3, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh , 25-103. Edited and published as: The ethics of al-Ghazali: a composite ethics in Islam. Malaysia.(1975) with an introduction by W. M. Watt, reprinted by Caravan books, New York 1978. (PDF Working Paper). http://www.ghazali.org/books/abulqasem.pdf

Ramos, Danielle. The Veiled Ummah Of Islam Find Their Voices On The Internet, Final Thesis. New York . New York University . http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/joe/ramos1.html

Royer, Ismail. 2002. “Is a Clash of Civilizations Unavoidable? A Western View.” Interview with Graham Fuller. http://www.atrueword.com/index.php/article/view/21

Siddiqi, Muzammil 2001. “An Islamic Approach to Pluralism,” Solomon-Tenenbaum and Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Lectureship. University of South Carolina in Columbia . http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/2001/1214.html

Biographies, Indexes, Mega Sites

Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict . Dialogue Search. http://www.beyondintractability.org

The Global Dialogue Institute. http://global-dialogue.com/

Godlas, Alan. "Islam, Islamic Studies, Arabic, and Religion". Resources for Studying Islam and the Diverse Perspectives of Muslims. http://www.uga.edu/islam/

Godlas, Alan. Sufism -- Sufis -- Sufi Orders. Sufism's Many Paths. http://www.arches.uga.edu/~godlas/Sufism.html

Judge, Anthony. 1998. "Typology of 12 complementary dialogue modes essential to sustainable dialogue." Laetus in Praesens. http://www.laetusinpraesens.org/ (Excellent Dialogue and Communication Paper databank)

National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation. Resources for Understanding. http://www.thataway.org/resources/index.html

To be continued (Blogger thinks the list is too long, ommm)

Kurdistan Save the Children

2006-05-29T13:38:00.000+02:00

Many people have written about how they can help the children in Iraq. I began vetting, or scoping out NGO’s (Non Government Organizations) who have a firm foundation and strong programs. In addition, I have met with “up and coming” NGO’s who are developing strong programs but are still getting established, including training on organizational management and governance (more about these organizations in future posts).

I visited with Kurdistan Save the Children whose work expands Kurdistan and includes Baghdad. They are strong in education, youth centers and cultural centers, which they call Kaziwa which means ‘dawn’ in Kurdish. I visited one center in Sulaimaniya and was so pleased at the hard work four young men have accomplished over the years. They have developed a large youth center with many activities including sports, art, computer training, English classes, music rooms, computer rooms, internet café (the young people pay tiny fee which teaches them respect of equipment) exercise workout room (for both girls and boys, scheduled appropriately), a media and film department, cafeteria, and a huge center hall with a circle upper balcony, perfect for drum circles. He was very open to different activities including the drum circles that I suggested. Music and art in addition to other activities is strongly encouraged.

The manager of this center is a young man with his 3 associates and they have the drive and good hearts to help the children in the city. I was amazed at the dedication these people have given to develop this center for the youth. On the tour, he showed me one room after another, for different activities including dialogue groups and outside is a sports field and a beautiful garden. His wish for the youth is an LCD and laptop for the classes and trainings, movie DVDs for the developing media department, additional books for the library, especially in English (books appropriate for 14-26 year olds, perhaps some American classics), musical instruments and… visitors, who are willing to spend time with the young people, whether through an activity, lecture or discussion. Kurdistan Save the Children has other youth centers including Darbandikhan, Raniya, Koya, Kalar, Khanaqeen, Baziyan and Kirkuk and cultural centers in Halabja, Kirkuk, Qaladiza, and Raniya. In addition, they have Children’s homes in both Baghdad and Kirkuk which help Iraq’s growing number of street children, those affected most by the conflict and in need of the most help.

Finally, as everyone knows, I have sentiments about education for the Iraqi children. Kurdistan Save the Children works with the Education Ministry in supporting education, including renovations of schools. In Sulaimaniya they have an outstanding private school of their own, which is taught in English. During the interview and tour of the school, the Director expressed the need for visiting English speaking teachers for the secondary school year and volunteers for the summer. Teachers would get a modest salary and accommodations. Volunteers, even for a month, would get accommodations (Please click here for more information).

They offered to drive me to more of their Centers, but alas, my time was so short this trip…next time, inshallah. Donations can be earmarked for a special activity, region (like Halabja, the region of Blue Pearl), and sponsorship of a child or into the general fund. Monies and items would go through the UK office first and then on to Headquarters in Sulaimaniya. This organization has an excellent reputation and they have given me their 2005 Annual Report which I can send to those interested in contributing (2004 is below).

In objectivity, some bloggers do not support or promote charitable organizations, I do. When it comes to my Iraqi and Kurdish children, I will open as many doors possible for them, that I can with assistance and support. If you do contact them, please tell Mr. Dana Qadir, that Miriam sent you.

For more information on donations, sponsorships and questions on Kurdistan, Save the Children:
http://www.ksc-kcf.com/Aboutus/Contactus/tabid/58/Default.aspx
http://www.ksc-kcf.com/Howtohelp/Makeadonation/tabid/84/Default.aspx

Teaching Positions and Volunteer Work (this area is quite safe):
http://www.ksc-kcf.com/Aboutus/JobsOpportunities/tabid/57/Default.aspx

2004 Annual Report:
http://www.ksc-kcf.com/Portals/0/Documents/Annual.pdf

Call for Iraq and Kurdistan Link Updates

2006-05-26T23:27:00.002+02:00

After a long grueling trip, I am back in the West, the Daf (Drum) I brought traveled Business class in a safe space, meanwhile I had my legs wrapped around my head in Economy. The important thing, the Daf arrived safely and is now in my son's hands and care.

I will be writing more now that there is regular internet. In the mean time, while I am home for this short break and have dependable internet, there is a call for new Iraq and Kurdistan blogs for my links list. Included in this search are peacebuilding and dialogue blogs using both western and Islamic frameworks.

Some of the topics to be covered over the coming days include a NGO I have found for donations and support for children in Iraq and Kurdistan, the growing PKK Iraq, Turkey and Iran issue in the north, and reflections on my time the past few months in Iraq.

The washing machine is going (giving my hands a break from washing clothes) and for the first time in a few months, I used a blow dryer on my hair. I came home a few days early, and surprised my sons, picking one up at school. It was so good to hug them and even though I had major jet lag (no sleep for a few day), we went to Red Lobster (and for me, a major culinary culture shock) last night. There was laughter, and alot of love at the table. Collapsed into bed last night and finally got some sleep.

More to come.

Photos of KURDISTAN

2006-05-24T07:44:00.000+02:00

Photos of Iraq

2006-05-23T14:05:00.000+02:00

Still Alive!

2006-05-20T06:50:00.000+02:00

No pun intended. Some people have written me concerned, because I have not posted. Right now I am stealing time on a computer, but the owners are waiting. Been way up to the top of the mountains and busy with appointments including NGOS (non-governmental organizations) which work with children and education. Will post more next week with huge photo spread, inshallah.

This past week has been relaxing (relatively speaking) and happy. Much good news to come from Iraq as soon as I get computer and time.

Miriam

Off and Running

2006-05-14T12:21:00.000+02:00

Well, Miriam Khan is off and running again, diving into research on some personal projects concerning peacebuilding. I want to thank Isaiah and everyone for their encouraging words, to keep us going here in Iraq. He knows when I am down, be assured, I am back up, thanks to my readers and my Iraqi people. We just keep going and this next week will be fantastic. Yesterday, I actually went shopping and got a Daf drum and began my research into possible drum circles in Iraq, especially Kurdistan.

I returned to the place I am staying, people were smiling when they see the drum, as these special drums have what we call a soul. Some people were laughing, thinking I might go through the building beating the Daf and chanting. Well, I thought of it, but did not want to get kicked out. My family knows my voice is not too good and perhaps I might miss a beat.

Will post soon, inshallah! And thanks Isaiah! Also, do not forget the Purple Ribbons (see previous post).

Iraqi Purple Pearl Ribbon Movement

2006-05-13T17:01:00.000+02:00

Well, I am getting eaten alive with mosquitos, on my face, lip, ear, and I must have sat down on one, because,there is a bite below. Lost my product key for microsoft and my word is messed up ... forgive my spelling and grammar.

Over the months, many people inquired how they can help and I thought last night about a purple ribbon campaign symbolizing support for the Iraqi people to be tied with a yellow ribbon for the troops, both American, International and the Iraqi military. Taken for the last post, the purple finger of freedom, it would be great to show the Iraqi people international support and a ribbon tied to car or what ever will fit every one's budget. Purple and Yellow look really good together, yellow or gold, very complimentary colors.

This week I am focusing on a few select NGOS in Iraq to send donations. I will visit some in person to "vet" them, meaning make sure their projects are solid. The situation in Iraq right now concerning new organizations is there is a temporary hold on new registrations of non governmental organizations. They are conducting research into the present organizations and seeing who is actually completing projects and who is in name only. Besides, there are many good ngos here, why reinvent the wheel and duplicate efforts. It is better to partner and compliment the existing hardworking organizations.

So more to come in about 10 days. Tomorrow I will post again and then may be off line for several days, as I am not sure about internet access in the region where I am traveling. I guess I could put a satellite dish on my head and beam up but it is really too hot for that, probably have to flip it over as sunshade.

So a way to start showing support is the idea of the purple ribbon for the Iraqis. If someone can carry the ball on that, it would be grand!

Miriam