New Iraq needs to protect its women

San Antonio Express ^ | Lynnell Burkett

[churchillbuff]

The proposed constitution would base family law on Shariah, or Islamic law. Clerics, rather than civil law, would determine what happens to women.

In other words, we appear to be helping create another Iran, where mullahs will rule and women will be thrust back to the Dark Ages.

That is not what Americans sent their young men and women to fight, suffer and die to accomplish.

Many women in San Antonio are particularly aware of the situation because of the influence of one extraordinarily brave Iraqi woman. Dr. Rajaa Khuzai, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly and a member of the committee writing the constitution, has been fighting for a document that preserves the rights of women. That appears to be a losing battle.

Befriended by a group of San Antonio women, Khuzai has visited the Alamo City twice during the past year, inspiring most people who had the privilege of meeting her. She says she now calls San Antonio her second home.

Jonathan Gurwitz and I, as well as former Express-News columnist Jan Jarboe Russell, have written about her.

While journalists are supposed to shield themselves from close friendships with sources, it is impossible not to admire, even befriend, Rajaa. She is, without a doubt, the bravest woman I ever have met. That's why it is particularly crushing that her efforts to create a more just society for her seven children could come to naught.

But, you ask, isn't that the nature of democracy? If Iraqis want an Islamic government, isn't that their right?

For answers, look again to Iran. Yes, there have been elections, but they haven't been free or fair. And there is no protection for the rights of the minority.

U.S. policy-makers must not be so eager to create some kind of government in Iraq so they can get the troops out that they ignore what they are spawning.

This nation has been pushing the Iraqis to meeting Monday's deadline for completion of a constitution. The Iraqi people will vote on it in October, and elections would be held under the new constitution by the end of the year.

But a document that sets half the population back more than half a century should not be acceptable.

President Bush's justification for Iraq's invasion (after WMD went flat) was that a free and democratic Iraq would be a beacon in the Middle East.

If he gets another Islamic republic, ruled by mullahs who allow violence and persecution of women, what then?

These are indeed important, even historic, days in Iraq. I fear we are not paying attention, nor are we holding our policy-makers accountable.

Here is part of a message I received from Rajaa last week, as the final days of constitutional negotiations drew to an end:

"Iraqi women want to move forward not to go backward. This is not the new Iraq which we dreamed to be! This is the majority dictatorship, not democracy.

"Love to all the San Antonio women. I need their support now more than any other time in my life. This is the future of our children, and grandchildren. This is history."

It's so hard to know what individuals half a world away can do to help our sisters in Iraq. Perhaps we should join the mother who lost a son in Iraq as she continues her lonely vigil in Crawford.

My message to the president would be different from hers. It wouldn't be to bring the troops home immediately.

It would be, instead, to make sure the sacrifice is worth it. Don't settle for an Iranian Iraq.

[TomasUSMC]

I'm thinking nukes and nerve gas, but that's just me.

I nominate Lurker for new military czar of Syria.

[Lurker]

I don't want to be 'czar' of Syria. But I would very much like to be in charge of giving the House of Assad some very special payback.

I have some very personal memories of the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon in '83. The Syrians pulled that one off with some help with their buddies in Hezbollah.

I want Bashir Assad dead, and his entire lineage ground into dust.

Then I want Hezbollah wiped out to the last man.

Semper Fi, Mac.

L

[From many - one.]

Because if you fight like WW2, you will finish like WW2. If you fight like we did Vietnam, you will finish like Vietnam."

Needed headlining.