The young Iraqi woman who now is an American citizen writes of the fall of Saddam's rule over the Iraqi people. Naima Faud came to America in 1991 to seek treatment for an infection in her amputated leg, and she has had problems since. She is again in the hospital recovering from her latest infection, but is expected to be released soon.
Naima Faud was first introduced in the story, "Naima's Story of Heartbreak, Hope, and Healing." There will be more about her, so stay tuned.
I don't know whether to cry or to laugh today. My former country is at war (that isn't so funny; war is NEVER funny, as too many innocent lives are lost), but the reason for the war is because American, British, and other countries are trying to help the people of Iraq. They are trying to free the people of Iraq from the tyrannicism of the Saddam Hussein regime--and possibly find him and/or kill him. It is a very bad time for Iraq, but after what I have seen today on the news, I feel like laughing and celebrating (the first time in many years), of which I will tell why in a little bit.
I am filled with joy over the events going on in Baghdad today. There are clear signs of Saddam's rule over the people of Iraq is finally ending. There are people looting government and presidential buildings, statues of Saddam Hussein are being toppled all over Baghdad, jubilant people are celebrating all over Baghdad and in other places, and are downright being out of control. The tv is on, and that is all they are showing on the news.
I am laughing inside because Saddam Hussein was the cause of my situation (I was near a building, and it was bombed; and it fell, and I got trapped, and they had to cut my leg off to free me), and besides, he had some of his people kill my family when they told him that they were NOT supporting him. I saw them get killed in front of my own eyes. I will never forget the pain or horror I endured; and it was all because of Saddam Hussein. But at the same time, I cry because the people of Iraq will finally be free; there is talk of him being dead (although that hasn't been confirmed as of yet; the other day, he possibly was in a building that had been bombed, and this is where the reports have come from), and if there was anyone who deserved to die, it is Saddam Hussein. He was a very bad and evil man, and he had many of his own people killed. He was a dictator, and he was an outright BASTARD. In fact, I am surprised at myself for saying his name because up until now, that was all I could call him: "The Bastard."
I was in my hospital bed when the news broke in, saying all of this, and I got so excited I just HAD to call my nurse in and show her. She started crying (as I did), and together we both praised God over the situation developing in my former country. When I saw the Iraqi people trying to topple a statue of Saddam Hussein in the middle of downtown Baghdad, I cried, but I was crying with joy, not sadness, because I feel it is high time someone let others know just how they REALLY felt about him! When he was in power, you couldn't say ONE bad thing about Saddam, or you would more than likely be killed. So now the people of Iraq may FINALLY be free after years of hell. I certainly hope so because as long as Saddam was in control, the people of Iraq certainly didn't have a chance, especially if you were a woman. Basically, you either went with what Saddam said (even if it was wrong or objectionable), or you were killed right there, in front of everybody. It was a bad time in Iraq, and this was one of the main reasons why I came to America.
I never thought it would become possible, but it now seems like it finally has. Oh, praise God! And praise Allah! My friends back in Iraq will FINALLY be free, and it was all because of the Coalition and the Americans, who came to help my people overthrow (or possibly kill) Saddam! :)
I just wish this would have happened sooner; maybe then I wouldn't be in the fix I am in now--
I LOVED this piece. Finally someone tells it like it is. We LIBERATED Iraq for people like Naima. As far as some of the negative comments go, well, that's to be expected I guess. But "nuclear waste on the tips" of British and US bombs? That's actually depleted uranium and it's a very hard material used to insure target penetration. It is NOT a radioactive, "nuclear" weapon. Criticize if you must but get your facts straight. "Iraqi women had civil rights . . ." -- tell you what, let's ask them if they would like Saddam back!
Reviewed by Claywoman
5/3/2003
Karen, this Joel Harding is trying to drive a wedge between our friendship because he pointed out that this article is the whole truth. For every story like this, I've heard the other side of the coin. Some may be greatful for our ousting of Saddam, but now the same regime that took over Iran is going to take over Iraq as soon as our troops leave this country.
what bothers me the most is that our own media do not tell the story of those wounded that watched family members die in bombings. This war has been covered by our media like a video game: sanitized and basically devoid of the blood and horror as the resort of the bombings. Do you realize that the US bombs as well as the bombs of the Brits had nuclear waste on the tips, now about 1/4- 1/2 of the population that survived the bombing may develop cancer? Thats one fact that is never brought out.
There are horrible stories of survivors and those who are waiting for us to leave so they can oust our puppet government and put in their own and it won't be pretty.
Iraqi women had civil rights; they could work, they could own businesses, they didn't have to cover themselves from head to toe, and they could attend schools and universities. When the fundamentalists take over, and believe me they will, all that will go away as in other countries. So these stories will continue with women again being stoned, and suppressed and in danger because they are women...
Reviewed by Joel Harding
4/21/2003
I wish others on this website would read this article. It is high-time that the TRUTH came out about this war and the positive result and opportunity it has produced for the Iraqi people. Too many left-wingers and Bush-bashers would rather take the opportunity (once again) to trash this country and its armed forces. I am happy for Naima and hope she recovers fully and, if she wishes, to return to her homeland.
