Online Chat: Rashad Zidan & Women of Iraq

Dr. Zidan, At the big anti-war protest in Washington DC last week I saw a sign that said "71% of Iraqi people want the U.S. to leave by September." Do you think that's true? What do most Iraqi people want the United States government to do?

Do you believe that the main problem is civil war? Or, is there something else going on that keeps security from becoming a reality in Iraq?

I find the women absent from the violent activities in the streets...and some of those protests have been directed at us....what concerns me is the young boys - children with - I am assuming their fathers, uncles and grandfathers.......that being said, every time I see this, I cannot understand how the women are allowing this to happen...I guess my question would be, how can the woman of Iraqi claim to be keeping their families together, when the male population of the Middle East dose not allow "HER" to have any say in family matters. It is and has always been totally male dominated and controlled. The women of Iraq on a whole, dose not have any freedom of doing or saying anything that goes against her husband. If a woman chose to leave a husband who was supporting insurgents, what would she do...is divorce an option for her, will she be allowed the custody of the children?

Dr.. Zidan, it is gratifying to know that the society that you have founded works to help the distressed women of Iraq in the most basic way by providing healthcare, finance, education for children, literacy and development of income earning skills.

Do you face resistance from any segment of the society or from the authorities?

Your association with CodePink and your efforts to expose the conditions of Iraqi women to the public in the U.S. might be viewed with suspicion and distaste by many in Iraq. How is the response in the U.S. and how is the reaction of the cross-section of Iraqi press?

Most of the women in Iraq have lost their men, brothers and sons to ongoing wars, violence and political oppression spanning one full generation. They have seen the days of somewhat affluent living and comforts tapering down to utter penury, hardships and menial work. They have become used to lack of civic facilities, public utilities, healthcare and lack of lifesaving medicines. The intimate personal views of women who have gone through such harrowing experiences in a generation on matters like war, governance, society, women's role, religion and Western culture would be quite insightful. Can you shed some light on it?

Rashad Zidan,
I believe that whatever good left is in the world it is in people like you.
So may you always be safe and protected by your angels.
I also wanted to adress an issue that perplexes me. I am a student in the United States, I see that even in my "luxury" life the rich are getting richer and the poorer are getting poorer in the world. I also understand that your people and innocent women and children are suffering and the government is slow to act, but fast to act on terrorist attacks. But, my real concern is the media. We know that the media is a very powerful tool to gain the attention of the world. After the 9/11 attack on the US, the whole world had a chance to see what devastating act it was. But as years came, they also saw the grievances and horrors of war.
I remember the images on television when I was a student, it was night time in Iraq and bombs flew strewn across your skies. The problem I have is that the Media does not report on what could be, rather it reports on what horror it is. And what you do for Iraqi people is what could be. It is optimistic work. So why do you think the Media in Iraq and in the US does not do more to report the injustices you say Iraq is facing? Why does it not report what good work you are doing? Why does the Media overlook people as yourself doing justice to help the plight of women and instead choose to report on the number of soldiers killed and the reports on the trial of Sadaam Hussein and his advisors?

If American Congress would follow your advice, what would you tell them to do?

It seems like most of the mass media-generated conversation within the United States about the United States-led colalition involvment in Iraq tends to be expressed and/or understood in very polarized, partisan terms, as if the situation is either all-bad/avoidable or generally worthwhile/unavoidable in theory, if admittedly problematic in execution. There seems to be a consensus that the results so far are not as positive as originally anticipated, due, in part, to an unrealistic expectation regarding the response of the mass of the Iraqi people to "liberation" from Sadaam's totalitarian regime.
There are frequent references in the media to the Iraqi people, generally represented as either victims of the struggle between coalition forces and the insurgents, and who fear the premature departure of the occupying forces, or nominal accessories to the insurgents by not standing up to or openly condemning the violence of the insurgents (who want the occupying forces to leave as soon as possible).
Is the Iraqi population as ideologically fragmented as the American population about this, or is there a consensus (one way or the other - or in some as-yet unarticulated other direction) about the fall of Sadaam, the attempt to establish democracy, the attempt to assist in recreating schools and other infrastructure, etc?

Hello Rashad,
I really admire your efforts and dedication. I hear so many different things regarding the war and it is sometimes difficult to understand what the people of Iraq do want and need. We get such limited information from the media that seems to cater more and more to one agenda or another. The US has had a history of pulling out and abandoning ship and leaving people in desperate circumstances. Politics aside, what concerns me is when people here in America are lead to believe that all of the people "over there" hate and want to harm us. I think this is such a dangerous belief and one that has been sold to them over time. When we see things as black and white we overlook that while women do need help with education, healthcare and economically (especially after losing husbands and family), they are not unhappy with their culture in general and that as human beings,, we all want the very same things. I am a photographer that really believes images have a way of expressing emotion and stories that help people to understand. I have done alot of work looking at rituals and religions of different cultures in an effort to show how similar we all are and that other beliefs are no threat to anyone. I would like to focus more on women's issues and am often disturbed by the belief that all women have it bad because they are from a Muslim culture which I find far from the truth. I would like to see greater understanding and an embrassing of our differences rather than a fear of them. I would really like to work on some stories about women that are making a difference and have the ability to show the reality of the hardships being faced as well as what is important to them about their culture. From what I can tell, the Iraqi people would like to know when control and responsibility of their own country will be returned to them while knowing that they will be supported through this transition. Please advise of any stories or opportunities that may provide an opportunity to show the people of America what the Iraqi people would like them to understand about their culture and their current hardships.

I know I found the Muslim culture to be very peaceful, welcoming and kind. I would like others to experience this and be able to look at what crises are being faced without shutting down to the fact that we all experience trauma and heartbreak in much the same way.
Melissa
melissa@melissafargo.com

http://www.melissafargo.com
http://www.ethicaltraveler.org

Hi Rashad, How are you? I think of you often and hope you and your family are well. I am so sad about what is happening in Baghdad. I hope your parents and brother are managing. We say everyday, to whomever will listen, that the troops must come home starting immediately. I know that Bush os saying the very opposite and this is a grave problem for us. We are trying everything we know to end the occupation. Most people, including generals, diplomats, elected officials, and Iraqis know Bush's policy is wrong. I hope you are telling everyone there that we are committed Americans who are working hard for peace in Iraq. Our numbers are growing and growing more angry. The members of the House have been presenting their positions on Iraq and their opinion about Bush's "surge" and sendign more troops. Most are against it, but many want the war to continue. So will we.

I send you and your family my very best wishes and look forward to the day when I will meet them.
Much love,
Gael

Hi, I would like to ask you what kind of problems women face in Iraq and if those problems are found in every region of the country. Are those problems provoked by the conflict or they have existed prior to the US occupation? In your opinion, what should be done in Iraq in order to better deal with problems that affect social groups like children and women under the current situation? What do you think would be the consequences of a US withdrawal from the country for Iraqi women and children?

Keep up the good work

Best regards,
Emanuel Patsurakis

First of all I have to let you know how much of an inspriation you are to women and youth worldwide. Not everyone in a war torn country will be able to pick up pieces of optimism and hope to create an organization as wonderful as yours successfully.

Many college students in the United States are against the escalation of the war and even more are upset by the horrible effects of war found in Iraq. How can college students, who may not be able to donate, help your effort? What advice would you give to a college student in an influential country, like the US, in order to incite change in their country's policy? I do not believe that a lack of passion is the problem, simply a lack of knowledge on how to help and enough optimism to think that one can make a difference.

Thank you for giving today's youth an example to follow and work towards.
Katie Gresham

Dr. Zidan,

I am interested in your opinion of Irshad Manji and her book "The Trouble with Islam Today"

Thanks for the its much appreciated


çocuk oyunlar? oyunlar oyun video bedava oyunlar sohbet sohbet oyunlay

? have followed your writing for a long time.really you have given very successful information.
In spite of my english trouale,I am trying to read and understand your writing.
And ? am following frequently.I hope that you will be with us together with much more scharings.
I hope that your success will go on.
| Oyunlar | Oyun | Çocuk Oyunlar? | Yetenek Oyunlar? | Sava? Oyunlar? |

Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for sohbet sohbet odaları chat odaları sohbet odası bedava chat

Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for sohbet sohbet odaları chat odaları sohbet odası bedava chat

Thanks. Great info 

 

phentermine no prescription

Sohbet Odaları
sohbet
Sohbet Odası
Kameralı Sohbet Odaları