The Hopes of Iraq
Dr. Safaa Al-Mayahi, Dearborn, MI

     I have been asked to share my views about the historical Iraqi elections and I am honored to do so.  However, I must take this occasion to tell you that I would not have this opportunity if it weren’t for one significant event that took place in my life.  I was presented an award for merely living my passion and doing my small part in helping create a free Iraq .  I am Dr. Safaa Al-Mayahi and on March 23, 2004 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC, I was presented the Crown of Peace Award.  Somehow, my life’s passions were in alignment with the Reverend Dr. Moon’s vision of peace.  This was such an incredible moment for me because I was recovering from a personal tragedy. Just 18 days before the awards banquet, my two sisters lost their lives when a car exploded as they were walking home in Baghdad .  My hopes were restored that evening in the Dirksen Senate Office Building , when I heard all the religious leaders speak of peace.
     

     Before we had our elections it was difficult for most Americans to grasp the sense of urgency that Iraqis had and how desperate they were for freedom.  There should be little doubt now, at least for the intellectually free.  We are a grateful people and understand best the sacrifices of Americans.  I have to confess though, I was surprised when I came to this country and saw how little unity there is in America . 

     It may surprise many of you that we Iraqis have great admiration for our fellow Iraqi regardless of their religion.   We are quite aware that the religious radicals in our country and around the world are the main obstacles toward 

    
Dr. Al-Mayahi (left) with State Senator Mark Boitano of New Mexico

Dr. Safaa Al-Mayahi
Iraqi American House, President

Interview with Dr. Al-Mayahi

     Recently Dr. Safaa Al-Mayahi, President of the organization, Iraqi American House participated in an interview hosted by Bishop Ira Combs for the show, “American Conservative Values Network”. Another guest being interviewed was Abu-Muslim-Abdurasul Al-Hayder, a community activist with the Iraqi American Culture and Arts Forum.  Mr. Al-Hayder was responsible for registering expatriate Iraqis for their election in Michigan , where there is a very large Iraqi community.  These gentlemen shared many testimonies about the process of the election in Michigan and stories from their friends who have traveled recently to and  from Iraq . These accounts were very informative and thought provoking.

     The gentlemen spoke about Iraq during the time of Saddam as being extremely controlled, a country where everyone lived in fear. There was no freedom of speech, even one had to be careful what was said at home. Children would be asked at school by their teachers what was being said in their homes and then the parents would be sentenced to death based on their child’s innocent testimony. Now, in stark contrast, people have no fear, they can talk freely for, or against, the government. They have TV and internet, they can get a passport and freely travel.

     Mr. Al-Hayder said that when he lived in Iraq he couldn’t travel from one city to the next without reporting every detail of his trip to the secret police. He feels that Saddam destroyed the fabric of society by having children spy on their parents and the basic level of trust amongst communities was broken down. For that reason he feels that much education is needed for the Iraqi people to understand the democratic process. He also thinks that in the next five to ten years Iraq will emerge as a model democracy in the Middle East and stimulate other countries to follow suit.