March 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, Mar 18 (OneWorld) - On the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Dr. Rashad Zidan, one of the country's leading women and civil society leaders, discusses sectarian divisions, the role of women, media portrayals, and much more.

The questions were submitted by readers of the OneWorld Web site throughout the month of February.

Jeffrey Allen: At the big anti-war protest in Washington DC last week I saw a sign that said "71% of Iraqi people want the U.S. to leave by September." Do you think that's true? What do most Iraqi people want the United States government to do?

Rashad Zidan: I wish the U.S government had asked most Iraqi people this question before the invasion. This number was taken from an American poll done in September 2006 and I think the percentage of Iraqis who feel this way is really greater. In Iraq, the population is about 25 million, and no more than 1 million supports the occupation. This war has destroyed the infrastructure of our country. It has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, producing huge numbers of widows and orphans with no one to take care of them. It has dissolved the Iraqi army, opening the border to all types of insurgents armed with heavy weapons, training criminals and militias who are above the law. In the face of the misery of our daily lives, what can ordinary Iraqi people say to the American occupiers?

Joe T.: Do you believe that the main problem is civil war? Or, is there something else going on that keeps security from becoming a reality in Iraq?

Rashad Zidan: From the first day of the occupation, we started hearing these strange words, such as majority, minority, ethnic division, sectarian war, etc. We did not understand them because this was not the way that we thought of our country. The occupation served to separate people, to divide them into groups and pit these groups against each other. First, weapons of mass destruction and Al-Qaeda were given as excuses for invading our country. Now civil war is used as an excuse for the occupiers to stay.

Donna M.: How can the woman of Iraq claim to be keeping their families together, when the male population of the Middle East does not allow "HER" to have any say in family matters. It is and has always been a totally male dominated and controlled society. The women of Iraq do not have any freedom of doing or saying anything that goes against her husband. If a woman chose to leave a husband who was supporting insurgents, what would she do...is divorce an option for her, will she be allowed the custody of the children?

Rashad Zidan: Despite what you see in the American press, before the invasion Iraqi women had genuine equality before the law in our country. In Islamic jurisprudence, a woman is viewed with absolute equality to a man since a millennium and half. Unfortunately, in many Islamic countries this equality has not been respected. But in Iraq for decades well-educated women clearly understood their rights and worked hard to maintain them. In Iraq, we had very good national legislation in this respect, a fact that was highlighted by a UNDP study in 1994.

Since the beginning of the occupation and in the absence of national authority, new sources of authority have sprung up, such as tribal leaders, religious leaders, militias, etc. This has resulted in the deterioration of human rights in general and of women's rights in particular. We are trying hard now to make the Parliament reinstate the previous legislation concerning women's equality.

But beyond even the legal status of women, the chaos and violence that reign in Iraq right now because of the occupying forces, the militias, and the insurgents makes women's lives in our country miserable. We don't even have the freedom to walk out our doors with our children with the faith that we will make it home alive.

Dolphi D.: Dr. Zidan, it is gratifying to know that the society that you have founded works to help the distressed women of Iraq in the most basic way by providing healthcare, finance, education for children, literacy and development of income earning skills.

Do you face resistance from any segment of the society or from the authorities?

Your association with CODEPINK and your efforts to expose the conditions of Iraqi women to the public in the U.S. might be viewed with suspicion and distaste by many in Iraq. How is the response in the U.S. and how is the reaction of the cross-section of Iraqi press?

Most of the women in Iraq have lost their men, brothers and sons to ongoing wars, violence and political oppression spanning one full generation. They have seen the days of somewhat affluent living and comforts tapering down to utter penury, hardships and menial work. They have become used to lack of civic facilities, public utilities, healthcare and lack of lifesaving medicines. The intimate personal views of women who have gone through such harrowing experiences in a generation on matters like war, governance, society, women's role, religion and Western culture would be quite insightful. Can you shed some light on it?

Rashad Zidan: Through my organization we are trying hard to help as many people as we can. We do not engage in politics, but are concerned with the practical task of trying to improve the lives of widows and orphans. There are now more than 1.5 million widows created by this war and the authorities do not want the world to know about this horrifying fact so this creates some pressure on me not to speak up. As for working with CODEPINK, we have a message to spread and we are grateful to everyone who helps us get the word out. When I was in the United States last year I was amazed by the number of people who expressed their sympathy for the victims of this war.

Victoria O.: Rashad Zidan, I believe that whatever good left is in the world it is in people like you. So may you always be safe and protected by your angels.

I also wanted to address an issue that perplexes me. I am a student in the United States, I see that even in my "luxury" life the rich are getting richer and the poorer are getting poorer in the world. I also understand that your people and innocent women and children are suffering and the government is slow to act, but fast to act on terrorist attacks. But, my real concern is the media. We know that the media is a very powerful tool to gain the attention of the world. After the 9/11 attack on the US, the whole world had a chance to see what devastating act it was. But as years came, they also saw the grievances and horrors of war.

I remember the images on television when I was a student, it was nighttime in Iraq and bombs flew strewn across your skies. The problem I have is that the media does not report on what could be, rather it reports on what horror it is. And what you do for Iraqi people is what could be. It is optimistic work. So why do you think the media in Iraq and in the US does not do more to report the injustices you say Iraq is facing? Why does it not report what good work you are doing? Why does the media overlook people as yourself doing justice to help the plight of women and instead choose to report on the number of soldiers killed and the reports on the trial of Saddam Hussein and his advisors?

Rashad Zidan: One of the major problems in the world is the lack of neutral, balanced, and trustworthy media. When I was in the United States last year I saw that some of the news stations report only what the government wants people to hear, not what is really happening.

The work I do shows the tragic part of the invasion: the widows, the orphans, the handicapped, and the victims of chemical weapons. If the people of the United States really saw what their government has done in Iraq, they would put a stop to this war. So it is too dangerous to show this on the evening news.

I also saw in the United States many people who protested against the war. They wanted everyone to know how many U.S. soldiers have died and how the people of Iraq are suffering. These people have big hearts, compassionate viewpoints, and human motivations.

Judith Baker: If the American Congress would follow your advice, what would you tell them to do?

Rashad Zidan: I would say to the American Congress, your war has destroyed my country. You need to repair what you have ruined and then leave us alone. Don't lie to your people. However you try to hide the truth, it will shine as a rising sun.

Gavin R.: It seems like most of the mass media-generated conversation within the United States about the United States-led coalition involvement in Iraq tends to be expressed and/or understood in very polarized, partisan terms, as if the situation is either all-bad/avoidable or generally worthwhile/unavoidable in theory, if admittedly problematic in execution. There seems to be a consensus that the results so far are not as positive as originally anticipated, due, in part, to an unrealistic expectation regarding the response of the mass of the Iraqi people to "liberation" from Saddam's totalitarian regime.

There are frequent references in the media to the Iraqi people, generally represented as either victims of the struggle between coalition forces and the insurgents, and who fear the premature departure of the occupying forces, or nominal accessories to the insurgents by not standing up to or openly condemning the violence of the insurgents (who want the occupying forces to leave as soon as possible).

Is the Iraqi population as ideologically fragmented as the American population about this, or is there a consensus (one way or the other - or in some as-yet unarticulated other direction) about the fall of Saddam, the attempt to establish democracy, the attempt to assist in recreating schools and other infrastructure, etc?

Rashad Zidan: I can't tell you what all Iraqi people think. But I can tell you that even those who wanted to be rid of Saddam Hussein's regime are horrified by what our daily lives are like now. Effective and systematic state government has disappeared. What is left is the sectarian government supported by militias. There is no security, there is no safety, and there is certainly no democracy.

Melissa F.: I really admire your efforts and dedication. I hear so many different things regarding the war and it is sometimes difficult to understand what the people of Iraq do want and need. We get such limited information from the media that seems to cater more and more to one agenda or another.

The US has had a history of pulling out and abandoning ship and leaving people in desperate circumstances. Politics aside, what concerns me is when people here in America are led to believe that all of the people "over there" hate and want to harm us. I think this is such a dangerous belief and one that has been sold to them over time. When we see things as black and white we overlook that while women do need help with education, healthcare and economically (especially after losing husbands and family), they are not unhappy with their culture in general and that as human beings, we all want the very same things.

I am a photographer that really believes images have a way of expressing emotion and stories that help people to understand. I have done a lot of work looking at rituals and religions of different cultures in an effort to show how similar we all are and that other beliefs are no threat to anyone. I would like to focus more on women's issues and am often disturbed by the belief that all women have it bad because they are from a Muslim culture which I find far from the truth. I would like to see greater understanding and an embracing of our differences rather than a fear of them. I would really like to work on some stories about women that are making a difference and have the ability to show the reality of the hardships being faced as well as what is important to them about their culture.

From what I can tell, the Iraqi people would like to know when control and responsibility of their own country will be returned to them while knowing that they will be supported through this transition. Please advise of any stories or opportunities that may provide an opportunity to show the people of America what the Iraqi people would like them to understand about their culture and their current hardships.

I know I found the Muslim culture to be very peaceful, welcoming and kind. I would like others to experience this and be able to look at what crises are being faced without shutting down to the fact that we all experience trauma and heartbreak in much the same way.

Rashad Zidan: Last year after I returned from the US, I was explaining in a meeting sponsored by my society about some of the special events I came across during my trip. One of them was the story of two American parents who lost their son in the war. I met them in North Carolina. After the meeting, one of the other Iraqi women in our group came to me and started to tell me how sorrowful she was for those parents. She added, "I can feel their pain because I also lost my son when the Americans bombed my house." We feel pain in the same way.

Gael M.: I think of you often and hope you and your family are well. I am so sad about what is happening in Baghdad. I hope your parents and brother are managing. We say everyday, to whomever will listen, that the troops must come home starting immediately. I know that Bush is saying the very opposite and this is a grave problem for us. We are trying everything we know to end the occupation. Most people, including generals, diplomats, elected officials, and Iraqis know Bush's policy is wrong. I hope you are telling everyone there that we are committed Americans who are working hard for peace in Iraq. Our numbers are growing and we are growing angrier. The members of the House have been presenting their positions on Iraq and their opinion about Bush's "surge" and sending more troops. Most are against it, but many want the war to continue. So we will continue our protests.

I send you and your family my very best wishes and look forward to the day when I will meet them.

Rashad Zidan: Sometimes human beings can't expect that major things come from small things. Thank you for the work that you do as a messenger for peace and truth. Thank you for your support and compassion for the people of Iraq. GOD BLESS YOU and All PEACE MAKERS.

Emanuel Patsurakis: Hi, I would like to ask you what kind of problems women face in Iraq and if those problems are found in every region of the country. Are those problems provoked by the conflict or they have existed prior to the US occupation? In your opinion, what should be done in Iraq in order to better deal with problems that affect social groups like children and women under the current situation? What do you think would be the consequences of a US withdrawal from the country for Iraqi women and children? Keep up the good work.

Rashad Zidan: I believe that the occupation is the main source of the violence. Ending the occupation by setting a timetable for withdrawal will eventually help stop the violence. We also need fair compensation for those affected by military operations: widows, orphans, the handicapped, workers, farmers, previous militants, etc. This kind of assistance will absorb hate and violence. We need a quick, clean and transparent rebuilding of our infrastructure. We need a balanced national reconciliation process with the full respect of the law for all. And one final point: there should be an education program in the United States for all children to teach them to respect other religions and peoples so this kind of war doesn't happen again.

Katie Gresham: First of all I have to let you know how much of an inspiration you are to women and youth worldwide. Not everyone in a war torn country will be able to pick up pieces of optimism and hope to create an organization as wonderful as yours successfully.

Many college students in the United States are against the escalation of the war and even more are upset by the horrible effects of war found in Iraq. How can college students, who may not be able to donate, help your effort? What advice would you give to a college student in an influential country, like the US, in order to incite change in their country's policy? I do not believe that a lack of passion is the problem, simply a lack of knowledge on how to help and enough optimism to think that one can make a difference.

Thank you for giving today's youth an example to follow and work towards.

Rashad Zidan: My first advice is to read history to find the truth. The war in Iraq is not the first time the United States has caused this kind of destruction. Violence breeds violence. This "War on Terrorism" is only creating more terrorists.

Money is not the only kind of help that you can give. You can also offer advice, supporting words, and speaking to others. The prophet Mohammed said, "If you see something wrong, try to change it with your hands. If you can't, then try to change it with your words. If you can't remember in your mind that it is still wrong so you will never think it is right." This is an important lesson for your people to learn. "Treat others in the way you would like to be treated." Hate injustice, occupation, the killing of civilians that causes only blood and tears.

Alexandra B.: I am interested in your opinion of Irshad Manji and her book "The Trouble with Islam Today."

Rashad Zidan: Sorry I have no idea about this book. I would be very interested in reading it.

Lys Anzia: Dr. Zidan, thank you for taking my question I am currently putting a syndicate radio show together about today's women of the world and women's Islamic dress for WINGS - Women's International News Gathering Service. I know this may be a sensitive subject, but your place as a woman doctor in Iraqi society would bring great insight to a greater western education on this topic. If it would be alright could I ask you how you feel most of the women that you know in Iraq currently feel about wearing or not wearing the hijab? Thanks for any insight and/or feelings on this.

Rashad Zidan: There are many different ways of being a practicing Muslim. For myself, I have worn the hijab since I was in secondary school. This manner of dress places less emphasis on a woman's physical attributes and more on the work of her hands, her mind and her soul. The hijab did not represent a problem during my studies in college or during my work in different hospitals. It did not represent a problem when I got married, when I took my children to the playground, or when I drove my car. It was my choice. Since the start of the occupation illegal authorities within Iraq are trying to impose this way of dress on schoolgirls and women for religious reasons. I believe this is incorrect. Women should be able to choose what they wear and not forced to dress in a certain