Dead Zone

Tuesday, February 05, 2008
I've finished my exams on Wednesday and have been putting off the task of writing a post and answering my emails ever since.. I'm feeling a strong urge to close this window and postpone my writing this post again but I'm going to fight this and try..

In short very little is going right, and the situation in Mosul is going from really bad to much worse.

During the exams period, and in the course of one week, two professors in the university were killed in their way back from their colleges. One was killed in front of his children as they were with him in the car, and the other in front of his son who also got a bullet from the attack but survived it.

Also during the exams period a whole building exploded in a neighborhood full of poor families, Al-Zanjeeli. Many died, more were injured, and some are still under the wreckage as a result.





A day later and about 20 minutes before the end of the exam one of the professors told us to quietly turn in our papers and leave the classroom, the exam was canceled because a curfew was to start an hour later.. When I went out I found my mother, HNK, and two of my cousins waiting for me outside the building and we all left in my cousin's car.. I spent the few hours we spent in the traffic jam laughing.. I couldn't believe it wasn't only a bad dream.

It is a bad dream, but that's it, it doesn't end. You just have to live through it and put all your feelings in some jar because they won't do you any good.

ِDuring the exams a car bomb exploded in our street and broke some of the windows..

And during the exams, and in the midst of the mess, they decided to change the flag. And they did. And we the people didn't have a say in this.. They're just way too wise to be true.

Now it's the break.. and I hate breaks.. I'm sitting here at home waiting for the decisive battle on Mosul.. I'm waiting for them to come search the house.. and I do not feel like writing, so excuse me.

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posted by Najma at 6:46 PM, |

23 Comments:

"And we the people didn't have a say in this.."_____That isn't how it works. You elect members of Parliament to decide such things for you. If you don't like their decisions (I wouldn't think the Iraqi Christians would like the new flag), then you vote for a different party in the next election. ______ Take great care, Mosul is going to be very violent for a while, as I said a few weeks ago.
Thanks for writing Najma. I've been wondering how you are doing, and am sending prayers to Mosul all the time. Please do all you can to stay safe, and know that there are people all over who care, and folks working for peace. Be well.
  At 2/06/2008 06:23:00 AM Anonymous Roy said:
Don't quit writing. I understand that at this time your blog seems unimportant but it is. I saw on the news tonight a part about Mosul. It showed a big fight and lots of distruction. I hope you and your family can stay safe.
  At 2/06/2008 07:53:00 AM Anonymous Anonymous said:
to Don,
dude welcome to iRaq.
I'm not really sure whether you know about the functionality of the American democracy in iRaq.

Elections, parliament etc are are meaningless words with no hope for people in iRaq.

Simply the current government is a dysfunctional & very biased toward certain ethnic side.
`
I would like to dedicate a special thanks to our beloved neighbors in iRan for their support for each & every type of militants in iRaq that spread the cancer of corruption,fear,death & destruction throughout iRaq.

My word to Mr.Bush , iRaq is not Texas.
  At 2/06/2008 08:02:00 AM Anonymous Anonymous said:
I am a silent reader who never comments, but takes comfort every time you write a post. Today i took great comfort in seeing you are physically well, and mentally still courageous.

It may be hard to put in perspective, with so much going on around you, but your story, along with fewer and fewer others, provides others with truth and a perspective that is otherwise unobtainable.

The main media has long diverted its focus from bringing truth and unbiased reporting from 'the front lines'.

Thank you, and courage.
  At 2/06/2008 08:37:00 AM Anonymous steen said:
Keep going, Najma. A day at a time. An hour at a time. Horrible.
  At 2/06/2008 11:15:00 AM Anonymous steen said:
najma, i want to write to hnk. tell her to allow posts! what's wrong with her!
That totally blows, from the deepest parts of me, I'm sorry to hear that you're going though this right now:( Stay safe and I'm glad that you and yours are alright.
I am so sorry that things are so violent in your town. It is horrible. If you can keep telling us what is happening, it would be very valuable to the outside world, even though we can do nothing to stop it. At least we know what is going on, and are not blindly ignorant of what is happening.

I hope you don't get searched, but if you do, find out where the troops are from (Iraqi or US) and report on exactly what happened. the world needs to know.

Do you know anything more about the massive explosion in Mosul? Anyone have any idea where the explosives came from, who was behind this?

take care..... and I hope all is calm soon.
  At 2/08/2008 03:26:00 AM Anonymous Anonymous said:
Everything I am reading from Americans and global press in Ramadi and Falujah is how peaceful things are now. These were violent and dangerous areas at one time.

The secretarian strife and random attacks are dissappearing in Bagdad as well.

From what I understand it is because al-qaida has been eliminated in these areas - partly because the citizens in these areas are joining the concerned citizens groups and helping rid their towns of the terrorists like the ones setting off car bombs and killing professors.

Why is Mosul different from the rest of the country? Are Mosul citizens anxious to get rid of the terrorists, are they scared of the terrorists or are they supporting the terrorists? What is your opinion?
Your voice is so important. Najma you are simply terrific in your writing, your honesty, and your candor. Keep it up. God bless you and your family. Keep safe.
Anonymous, Mosul isn't so much different. Falujah and Ramadi and other areas have been cleared of al Qaida, so now they are more concentrated in Mosul. They have nowhere else to go. The escalation in violence is due to an offensive to rid Mosul of terrorists. Let's hope the tribal leaders have joined in like they have elsewhere.

Najma, I know your dad and the family are extra careful to stay safe. I'll add my prayers to yours

Dan
  At 2/10/2008 01:02:00 AM Anonymous Indigo said:
The BBC reports that Mosul is now the most dangerous city in Iraq. They used to say that about Baghdad.

Let's hear it for the American military "surge" (sarcasm).

I cannot imagine how you endure this, Najma.
  At 2/10/2008 03:09:00 AM Anonymous Tom in texas said:
I don't want to belittle the suffering and danger of those in Mosul - what they are going through is scary and tragic. However, I can't find any reputable news organization that can say that violence has increased since the surge began. The Anbar province's turn on Al Quaida and formation of the Awakening Councils and cooperation with the Americans based within communities has been replicated in communities throughout Iraq. Every community that does this sees a dramatic decrease in violence. The stats do not lie. Al Quaida is being beaten back. The invasion was a mistake, but now the American military is not the enemy. In fact, at this point, they are the best hope for restoring peace to Iraq in the short term. Former insurgents are admitting this themselves - the only ones still wanting violence are the terrorists that are getting run out of every area in Iraq.
  At 2/10/2008 04:42:00 AM Anonymous observer said:
I came across your blog a couple of days ago and really liked reading it.
It is your blog that has enabled me [and many others]to connect to the the lives of Iraqi people and be a part of their daily existence their little ups and downs[rather than the odd picture portrayed by media], something that we all have no matter what part of the world we live in and makes us identify each other.
These are difficult times and probably few of us have experienced anything remotely similar.
We can only offer our sympathy and love but believe me it is for most part of it genuine.
So, I urge you to keep posting... may god protect you and your family in these difficult times and help preserve your love for humanity in these harsh situations.
Dear Najma, I am so sorry to hear that things are so bad now in Mosul. I wish I had some encouraging words to give you, but I think right now no amount of words will be of much help. I hope the situation will improve soon. All my best wishes for you, your family, and friends. Take care.
  At 2/11/2008 07:53:00 PM Anonymous Steve from Delaware said:
Dear Aunt Najima:
I do hope you keep writing, but the choice has to be yours. You may find it easier to endure the depression and tension if you remember all of us readers who care what happens to you and want only the best for you and your family. Write about what interests you, not us. I'm sure that we all will find it fascinating and rewarding. We all think of you often.
Dear Najma,
I am worried for you and your family. I hope that after whatever happens, happens, maybe then things will be better. I'll be praying for you. I'm so, so sorry this is happening.
Hi Najma, I plan to pray for you every day that you and your family will be safe. I've been reading your blogs for awhile now and you are a very brave and courageous person. I hope that someday we might meet if you come to Canada. We have many international students that come to our home and I feel like you might someday be one of them.
Please don't stop writing. It's the only way we can get the truth.
Najma,

Never ever give up. There are many people praying for you and Iraq, one day your life will be much much better.

I love you dear cousin
Keep strong
  At 2/20/2008 11:54:00 AM Anonymous Anonymous said:
As-salamu Aleykoom
I saw you blog and last post. I'm very sorry for situation in Iraq, insha Allah it will be solved soon. Be sure that many people make dua for your country

regards
  At 3/30/2009 06:30:00 PM Anonymous Anonymous said: