Posted on 03/18/2003 3:28:43 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Texans of Iraqi descent decry march toward war
03/18/2003
By MATT CURRY / The Associated Press
DALLAS — Hadi Jawad said he knows American history, so he was a "spooked" a couple of months ago when the FBI asked to meet with him.
"I know how Chinese-Americans were treated during the Korean War and how the Japanese were treated during World War II," said Jawad, a 51-year-old American of Iraqi descent. "Even though I've lived here all my life, I'm nervous."
Jawad said he was assured he was not being investigated, and in response to questions, told authorities he knows no one contemplating terror in North Texas. Still, he felt his patriotism was being questioned.
"I am as much a part of this society as they are," Jawad said. "I have children in this society, I have friends and family and am just as afraid of attacks as everyone else."
An FBI spokeswoman did not return a telephone call from The Associated Press by early Tuesday. But the agency has earlier acknowledged increased surveillance on some Iraqis in the United States.
President Bush on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq or face the consequences. A national terror alert was raised to orange, indicating a high risk of attack.
Some Americans of Iraqi heritage say the developments go against everything the United States stands for.
"I came to this country when I was 19. I love this country — its institutions, its fair play and due process," said Jawad, a self-employed Dallas peace activist. "I think Mr. Bush is destroying the foundation of what this nation is founded on. These folks are riding roughshod over fundamental American values."
Jawad said Bush's address to the nation left him "terrified" for relatives, whose presence in the region dates to the time of Mohammed.
"I am horrified and outraged that my country, my nation is resorting to such barbarism," he said. "It's a dangerous development what has happened right now, this unilateralism."
No war is justified unless it's clearly self-defense, said Isam Alimam, who was raised in Iraq but prizes his loyalty to America.
The Lewisville architect, who came to the United States in 1978, quickly corrects references to his being an Iraqi-American.
"Philosophically, I am American. I am from Iraqi descent," he said. "I choose to be American, so I am an American."
As the most powerful democracy in the world, going to war with Iraq "is not a good example for our values," Alimam said.
Alimam said he wishes Saddam's departure had been achieved by quiet negotiations.
"You cannot insult him on TV and give him an ultimatum. You can't do it on TV like that and expect him to resign. We make him more stubborn, more stubborn than he is."
Alimam is not as troubled by word of increased surveillance of Iraqis in America.
"Personally, and I don't speak for any particular group, I welcome that. This is the only way to know what's going on," he said. "But identifying one group is maybe not right. A lot of Iraqis are supportive of the war. To paint every Iraqi as a suspect is wrong, it's not American."
(ap.state.online.tx 0567 03/18/2003 01:38:56 )
Being a 4th Generation Texan, I agree.
BTW, if red-headed blue-eyed terrorists had dropped the Twin Towers, I'd expect the FBI to question me and be a little worried if they gave me a pass.
If he were truly patriotic, wouldn't he be happy to support an investigation into possible terrorist acts against America? What does he think our government should do about Iraqi nationals living among us, if not ask them questions?
Syed Hadi Jawad
A native of Pakistan, Hadi has lived in the United States since 1972. He came to Texas in 1973 to pursue a degree in Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Since 1976 Hadi has been employed in the Material Handling Industry in the Dallas area. He reads and writes poetry. Since the early nineties Hadi has facilitated "Men's Issues" Support Groups and Poetry Circles in the Metroplex.
http://www.undueinfluence.com/radical_encuentro.htm
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| Radical Encuentro 2002 encuentro event: at Wolf Farm, owned by John L. Wolf, aka "Johnny Wolf", a set designer, Quaker, and co-founder with Hadi Jawad (see below) of the Coalition in Solidarity with the People of Iraq. Wolf's wife Vicki is a yoga instructor in Dallas. 17492 Senne Road Forney, Texas 75126-5417 Phone: 972-564-2845 Offsite phone: 214-642-6580 Offsite mail: PO Box 541242, Houston, TX 77254-1242 email: radicalencuentro@yahoo.com Website: www.radicalencuentro.org Description: Radical training camp organization putting on occasional events using all-volunteer labor with activities located on private property, then proceeding to perform at orchestrated protest demonstrations in urban areas. May 2002 session program, from their website: Themes include past & present struggles, future issues, and hands on training for taking action to make change happen. Each workshop will be 2 hours long. Past & Present Struggles Women in the Zapatista Struggle (Melissa, Monkeywrench Collective) Animal Rights & Ecology (Dr. Steve Best, Associate Professor of Humanities and Philosophy, University of Texas El Paso) Women in the Black Panther Movement (Althea Francois, former leader in New Orleans chapter of the Black Panther Party, later key member of Central Committee in Oakland, CA) Exposing Corporate Greed (David Cobb, Texas Green Party; P.O.C.L.A.D., former corporate lawyer) Indigenous Rights (Nelly Ramirez, La Raza Unida; Reuben, Mexika Eagle Society) Political Prisoners (Chris Plummer, recently released Anarchist political prisoner; Reckless, Austin Anarchist Black Cross; chickpea) Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement (Gloria Rubac and Njeri Shakur) Iraq: the sanctions & oil (Hadi Jawad, secretary of the American Muslim Alliance; Coalition in Solidarity with the People of Iraq) ExxonMobil teach-in (impacted community representatives, PressurePoint, GreenPeace, Human Rights Campaign, and more) Non-Violence: History and Tactics (Lisa Fithian) |
Oh yeah, President Bush is from Texas! How could I have missed it?
OK, so they found TWO skeptical Iraqi dissenters, er, descenters. Your point still stands.
I wonder why they call this guy Iraqi? I wonder who's lying to whom? That is, if the activist lied to them or if the A/P knew it and is lying to us? Pretty crummy reporting either way.
Did you see that in #28, btw ? . . .
Jawad would be better served if he stuck to that light-in-the-loafers "Men's Issues" crpolla.
Oh really? Have ever served this country in any way Mr. Jawad?
"Two Texans of Iraqi descent decry march toward war"
You're welcome.
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