Iraqi Women in New York on U.S. Tour (Press Release)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/336/nation/_Iraqi_Women_in_New_York_on_U_:.shtml

U.S.Newswire, 12/2/2003 14:54

To: National and Assignment Desks

Contact: Stephen Kent, 845-758-0097,

for the Fellowship of Reconciliation,

http//www.forusa.org

NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Fellowship of Reconciliation, America's oldest international and interfaith peace and justice organization, is sponsoring a tour of the United States by two women from Baghdad, art and craft center director Amal Al-Khedairy and journalist Nermin Al-Mufti, discussing their experiences in wartime Iraq and speaking about Iraq's culture, history, and people. They will be in the New York area through December 8. For itinerary details, see http://www.forusa.org. To request media interviews, call 845-758-0097.

The tour gives US citizens direct access to perspectives rarely heard here: that of two single mothers who suffered through both Gulf wars and thirteen years of UN Sanctions. Both highly critical of the UN sanctions and US policy in Iraq, they seek to explain Iraq's backlash against the US, and what Americans can do to help heal the split.

Fervently independent, both women suffered under the Sadaam regime. Amal Al-Khedairy ran Iraqi House, a contemporary gallery and Baghdad's only surviving intellectual/cultural center during the sanctions, until its final destruction in the recent invasion. Nermin Al-Mufti is a writer awarded journalism fellowships from the UK and Hungary. Her close male friend was killed under Saddam, and her openly critical writings caused her to be publicly denounced by the Ba'ath regime as a ''prostitute.''

Yet like 47 percent of Iraqis in a recent Gallup poll, they feel Iraq is worse off under the occupation than under Saddam, a view many Americans have difficulty understanding. Both women lament tragic effects of the invasion and occupation. They are angry, for example, that the Oil Ministry was protected by US troops, while hospitals, libraries, schools and the National Art Museum were not; they are critical of US and UN reconstruction money going to private American contractors instead of Iraqis, and of worsening security and infrastructure problems.

''We may not agree with everything they say, but it is important that we listen to them and try to understand their opinions, their tears, and their anger,'' said Fellowship of Reconciliation's Rev. Patricia Ackerman, organizer of the US tour. ''They are speaking from experience, having lived through invasion, bombing and occupation. Much of what they say has not even been reported by the media. Better understanding of the people we've bombed and occupied isn't enough to bring peace, but it's a first step.''

http://www.usnewswire.com

[pinto]

1. FW'd to MoveOn.org

I forwarded the links to Move On. I see the itinerary mentions a CA stop and the need for support (MO's not listed as an underwriter). Move On may find some cash to send in support. I'd love to see the two women make a left coast appearance.

We lack so much first hand experience about the last 10+ years in Iraq that the women's short bios jarred me. As they would others, I suppose.

[pinto]

2. Tour info

Found itinerary list. Last stops are proposed for Seattle later this year. CA was in Nov.