Posted on 04/27/2003 9:34:29 PM PDT by flutters
PALESTINE - As Pfc. Jessica Lynch celebrated her 20th birthday Saturday in Washington D.C., people in her hometown were commemorating the man who helped rescue the former prisoner of war from an Iraqi hospital earlier this month.
The Friends of Mohammad, a Malden-based organization, dedicated a friendship garden at the Palestine post office Saturday to honor Lynch and the man whose tips led U.S. forces to the Wirt County High School graduate. Lynch was captured March 23 after her 507th Maintenance Co. convoy was ambushed in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. She was rescued by U.S. commandos April 1 from a hospital in the city, reportedly after a tip from an Iraqi lawyer known as Mohammad.
The Friends of Mohammad group is working to bring the Iraqi man to West Virginia as a gesture of goodwill and to thank him for what he did in aiding in Lynch's rescue.
''We wanted to do something to symbolize that beautiful act,'' said Karen Glazier, of the Friends group, which raised money to create the garden and planted it within a couple of weeks.
Members of West Virginia's Islamic community were on hand for the dedication, as well as a number of area residents.
After the ceremony there was a community picnic featuring Middle-Eastern cuisine.
''What we are about is emulating the act Mohammad did to save Jessica's life, which is a humanitarian act,'' said Malden resident James Thibeault, who founded the Friends group.
''Sometimes out of something that is very difficult, something good comes from it. I think that actions, rather than just words, are so important at this point.
''This garden and the sharing of Middle Eastern culture with this community, it just felt like the right thing to do. This event will be a good prelude to (Mohammad's) actual visit.''
Lynch's rescue has brought some positive light to people of the Muslim faith, who many times have been judged harshly by the actions of a small number of militant extremists.
''We came here to recognize this story and the beautiful action by Mohammad for Jessica and remind people of hope,'' said Mohammad Jamal Daoudi, imam of the Islamic Association of West Virginia in Charleston.
Daoudi also wished Lynch a happy birthday and called for a moment of silent prayer from those in attendance for Lynch's recovery, for Mohammad and his family and for all of those who have been hurt in the war.
''When people come to this post office and see this garden they will remember what happened,'' he said. ''This way we can keep that commemoration of that beautiful action of Mohammad for Jessica.
''This is something good coming out of the war.''
Mohammad's actions in helping Lynch showed the true spirit of Islam, Daoudi said.
''We wanted to recognize Mohammad because in this action he presented what the real Islam calls for, Daoudi said. ''He showed the humanity of his character and personality as a Muslim.
''We are proud of him.''
Quoting the Koran, the Muslim holy text, Daoudi said one who helps give life to one person gives life to all humanity.
Muslims do not justify the killing of innocent people in any situation, he said.
However, many people have judged the Muslim faith based on things done by a handful of radicals, people who have taken the teachings out of context or misquoted it to further their own agendas.
''We don't want people to suffer or to be killed,'' Daoudi said. ''Islam is good; it is positive.
''(The United States) is a land that derives its power and energy from the diversity of its people.''
He hopes more people will take the time to find out the truths about their faith and its people.
''Let's recognize this act by Mohammad as a truer picture of Islam rather than any of the negative things we have seen,'' Glazier said.
Palestine Postmaster Berylann Lewis said the garden was a wonderful addition to the post office, really enhancing the look of the community.
''It is a good lesson that there are good people everywhere,'' she said. ''Good deeds can be done by everyone.
''It was a very good idea. People of different faiths need to get together more for all reasons and all occasions.''
There are good people in all walks of life, Wirt County resident Melvin Egbert said.
''People need to realize there (are) bad people within all faiths,'' he said. ''It is not the faith at fault, it is some of the people. There are also a lot of good people in all the faiths.''
Elsewhere:
Lynch celebrated her birthday with a cake and private party with her immediate family at Walter Reed Medical Center, where she is being treated for multiple injuries.
The Parkersburg Big Bear held a birthday celebration to honor Lynch Saturday. People were offered cake and a chance to sign a community birthday card to Lynch.
Lei Hennessy of Jennerstown, Pa. was scheduled to place a 10-foot steel angel outside the Wirt County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The artist has made angels near the sites of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Lynch was honored Saturday in Charleston at the United Operation Homefront Freedom Rally at the War Memorial on the state Capitol grounds. The event was sponsored by Harley Davidson of West Virginia. In addition to a giant birthday cake and card for Lynch, participants could enjoy several bands, face painting and plenty of food. Organizers did not at first realize the event coincided with Lynch's birthday, but decided to incorporate it when they learned of the shared date.
Proceeds from the event's $10 participation fee were to go to families of West Virginia servicemen.
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