Muslim or Christian, All Iraqis Should Welcome America’s ‘Priceless Gift’

Do Iraqis want Americans out of Iraq? It’s a question that people around the world have been asking for years and by and large the answer has been yes. But now that the prospect of a U.S. pullout has become somewhat more tangible, it seems that some Iraqis are emphatically asking Americans to stay. In this ode to the Americans and Iraq’s Christians from Iraq’s Kitibat newspaper, Khadir Taahar writes, ‘Iraq’s political, economic, scientific and industrial future all depend on the strategic relationship with the United States of America, which liberated Iraq, and whose presence on its land is a divine and priceless gift which no intelligent man keen on securing Iraqi interests can afford to lose.’

By Khadir Taahar

Translated By James Jacobson

February 9, 2008

Iraq – Kitabat – Original Article (Arabic)

I write this article to thank my Iraqi Christian friends … who have provided so much humanitarian assistance to me, a son of their Muslim homeland. I send a message to the sons of the Iraqi people at home and abroad … reminding them that the souls and hearts of the Christians are with the sons of their country, whether they remained in or emigrated from the land of Iraq.

In complete isolation from Arabs and Muslims, I lived in the Diaspora because of my writings and opinions, which differed from those of almost everyone … When I felt the need for help I could without hesitation take recourse to my Iraqi Christian brethren. I have always found in them the utmost magnanimity and brotherhood.

I write to my friend Anan BeDaweed … who has kindly remained in touch with me and has incurred great difficulty defending my right to freedom of expression, despite his strong opposition to my writings which are critical of the Kurdish parties … Anan is a secular Kurd, which works to my advantage since he objects to those who wish to silence my views.

As for my friend Adil Baqal … in his generosity and morality he carries the spirit of a clan chief from deep in southern Iraq … Adil, despite his personal religious faith, has critical views about the true purpose of religion … he cannot accept the religious preoccupation with ideology … The dominance of the clergy and the way they manipulate the feelings and minds of the people … He believes that religion is a private issue between the Creator and his creatures, and that no intermediary is needed … Adil Baqal is only the most recent person to reproach me for my writings which are so critical of the Kurdish parties.

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