Kurds in Colorado Gather to Say Thank You to U.S., Britain

Associated Press ^ | Apr 12, 2003 | Jennifer Hamilton

[mdittmar]

Ari Alani, an Iraqi Kurd, wishes he could say thank you to U.S. and British troops nonstop.

"I don't know how to say it enough times," he said Saturday as more than 50 Iraqi Kurds gathered at a park in this south Denver suburb to show appreciation for the campaign that toppled Saddam Hussein.

"To fight for others is very nice, and it's not normal that people would do this," Alani said.

Kurdish women in colorful saris and gold necklaces linked arms to dance. Men in hand-woven moccasins and balloon pants made from fine wool sipped coffee. Plates of rice mixed with nuts and beans, bowls of hummus and bags of pita bread covered a picnic bench.

"We feel freedom now for the first time in my life," said 51-year-old Mahdi Salih, who fled to the U.S. in 1996. "All our lives we were in dark times because of Saddam."

Alani came the same year. He and his wife, Sazan, tried to flee attacks by Saddam's regime in 1996; they were separated, and he escaped but she didn't.

She remains in their home village of Suleimanyah near the Iraq-Iran border, but he expects her to join him soon. Alani passed the U.S. citizenship exam in February and is awaiting results of a background test.

Layla Aziz, who fled northern Iraq in 1997 and came to Colorado, said she wants to return for a visit and might stay if a democratic government emerges. Her parents and sisters are still there.

"We were worried when the war started but now we are so happy because they got rid of Saddam. They're free now," she said.

Sulafa Adhim, an Arab Iraqi from Baghdad, wants to reach out to families of Marines killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I would like to thank all the mothers," Adhim said.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Sulafa Adhim, an Arab Iraqi from Baghdad, wants to reach out to families of Marines killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I would like to thank all the mothers," Adhim said.

THAT imho will be of great moral value . . . likely there will be some Iraqi children named after President Bush, but American tradition is to name military bases after fallen heroes.

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[Mister Baredog]

likely there will be some Iraqi children named after President Bush,

You are correct. The first baby born in Baghdad after 4/9 is named "George".

[Kudsman]

Thats all fine and dandy but my question is to Kurds is am I considered an infidel to be killed because I believe in the Divinity of Jesus Christ? Or can we co-exist in a peaceful world if I respect your right to worship as you choose while you extend the same courtesy to me?

[sarasmom]

The 64,000.00 question that remains studiously unanswered.

[mdittmar]

Who cares,they will all burn in hell if their not "reborn" right?

[Kudsman]

Whom are you referring to as "they"? I am willing to live my life on earth in peace and die of natural causes if allowed to. When we die is when the "truth" of our earthly beliefs becomes apparent. If it is Gods will that we war and kill each other then so be it but I somehow doubt that is the Messiah's message.

[sarasmom]

Re your #7.
I may get annoyed by a religious belief that claims my eternal soul will burn in hell if I do not accept their teachings.
That is vastly different from a supposed "religious" belief that the believers have the right and duty to arbitrarily send physically existant souls(non-believers) ie me, to death and spiritual hell.
If you are unable to see the difference, chances are, your eternity will require more technology(air conditioning) than you appear to have planned for.

[mdittmar]

Then we agree,to paraphrase a line from my favorite movie,

America,where you don't have to love your neighbor,just leave the bastard alone.

[mdittmar]

Well sarasmom,I'm Catholic,and I got a feeling,based on a few of my boo boos, it's gonna be damn hot;)