Thanks from Iraq

The Scientist ^ | Sep. 8, 2003 | Ahmad Al-Attar

[Risa]

Al-Zahrawi Hospital Mosul, Iraq

Thanks from Iraq

I am a final-year resident in pathology at Al-Zahrawi Teaching Hospital in Mosul, Iraq. I read your article in The Scientist1 (sent to me electronically by one of your subscribers). I thought it was very kind of you to rally your readers and the scientific community all around the world to help us, your colleagues in Iraq! We have indeed suffered and for a long time, not only from the UN sanctions, but also (and arguably more) from the underinvestment in education and scientific research by the murderous regime of Saddam et al. The state of our educational facilities, including laboratories, is unfortunately pathetic. The policy of the former regime was to spread ignorance as much as possible, and, I am sorry to say, they succeeded. Iraqis were indeed once proud of having some of the best scientists in the Middle East, but the decline was rapid since Saddam and his gang had "other priorities" like war, war, and more war.

Now, with the help of coalition forces, Iraqis are waking up to the level of destruction left by the former regime, and they are adamant on rebuilding the country, starting with the pillars of all civilizations--science and education. There have been already many joint projects between the Iraqis and the US Army's 101st Airborne Division that is based in Mosul, to restore the colleges of Mosul to a prewar level and replace what was stolen by the looting craze that swept through the city and did not even spare these teaching institutions. This phase has been almost complete, and now we are looking toward getting the system into the 21st century. A lot of work has to be done, and it will be costly. The former regime has left the country in huge debts, and there are so many projects that have to be funded by the budget proposed by the interim ruling council. Scientific research will certainly have its share, but it won't be enough. We shall need your help ... and we will certainly appreciate it.

For the time being, our labs and scientific institutions would welcome anything you could send us. Please do not be shy to send a 10-year-old piece of equipment or a couple-of-years'-old journals, fearing that it would be of no use. We can use all the help that we get. The lab I work in (The histopathology lab at Al-Zahrawi Hospital) is in a very poor shape. It is poorly equipped, and that would be true of all hospital labs in Iraq. So please, feel free to send anything you want or don't need. It would be appreciated. Your ideas of offering sabbaticals and paying for conference fees would be great too. Many, including myself, would welcome the opportunity of going abroad and learning new techniques in the developed world, an opportunity I (and many others) never had. Now, after liberation, we can look forward to making our country a place where others would love to live. You see, the difference now is that we have hope ... we finally have our country back to ourselves ... a country we can call ours, not Saddam's. Thanks again for your kindness.

Ahmad Al-Attar Al-Zahrawi Hospital Mosul, Iraq Ahmadalattar2003@yahoo.com

1. S. Jaffe, "Rebuilding Iraqi science," The Scientist, 17[14]:22-5, July 14, 2003.

[blackie]

Great letter ~ let freedom ring!

[Forgiven_Sinner]

My email I sent to Mr. Al-Hattar:

Dear Mr. Ahmad Al-Attar,

Thank you so much for your positive and encouraging words in The Scientist. Amazingly, we Americans can become discouraged by the constant opposition to our efforts to liberate the Iraqi people. There was opposition to the war within our country and around the world before, during, and after the main battles. Now we hear continually of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens dying, but not of the progress that is being made. Your article supplied that lack.

Thank God for the Internet, so I can get a truly balanced picture of what is happening. I read Iraqi citizens' "blogs" and first hand reports from Iraq, free from any media "filtering". Thus I know the Iraqi people have some power, some water, and much more freedom. I thrill to read of the blossoming of hundreds of newspapers and political parties, even those with whom I disagree. Only in a free marketplace of ideas can bad ideas be thoroughly disproven and destroyed forever.

I am an middle class citizen in the middle of the US, in Peoria Illinois, 8,000 miles (13,000 km) from Iraq. I have a wife and three children, and never have I been so thankful for my blessings as I have been since the Iraq war. We pray for you and your country daily. May the blessings of God be upon you.

Sincerely,

(my name)


For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[Gracey]

The other press, Thank YOu.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Regarding internet access in Iraq.

Brit Hume gave a report talking about people accessing the internet, and went on to explain that the Iraqi people now know that their visits to the web are not being tracked by Saddam's henchmen... they have the freedom to see and read things they never dreamed of before!

That truly is amazing. I hope they put this uncensored access to good use.

[PhilDragoo]

You see, the difference now is that we have hope ... we finally have our country back to ourselves ... a country we can call ours, not Saddam's.

QUAGMIRE IMBEDDED WITH REPORTERS AND COMPACTED AS FOUNDATION FOR NEW UNIVERSITY.

[windchime]

Thanks for the ping, RC. Great post.

[happygrl]

BUMP to your e-mail!

[PGalt]

Great post Risa, thanks.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Ping, and goodnight.

[ShuShu]

Thanks for the great post. It's wonderful to hear from an Iraqi directly on the accomplishments that are being made. It also reminds us that in addition to the wonderful job our military is doing, there are others reaching out as well.

The internet is truly a wonderful invention!

[jwh_Denver]

Very heart warming letter. This letter helps to "unite" the US and Iraq. The author has such a great way of asking in time of need without pleading or begging. It would be great for the scientific and medical communities responding with cleaning out what they don't need and sending it Iraq. I would send my old precision medical roach clip if my wife hadn't thrown it away.

[nuconvert]

This letter should be distributed to every large hospital in the U.S. They are constantly reburshing and throwing things away that these people could obviously make use of. I will be sending copies to hospitals in my area today. (Also, medical schools.) I hope they all decide to denote their unwanted items.

Thank you for posting this.

[nuconvert]

Thanks for the ping

[Risa]

nuconvert...

You make an excellent suggestion. Several of my friends work in medicine, and in medical research at University, too, and until reading your response, I didn't think to send a copy of the letter to them.

I shall send it off to hospitals around my state, too.

Thanks for your thoughts.

regards,
Risa

[sandydipper]

Thanks for the Thanks! Please help our soldiers get home safely.

[Risa]

What a beautiful letter you've written to Mr. Al-Hattar. Thank you for sharing.

MY regards,
risa

[Risa]

>> Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links and Articles <<

Oh! Thank you so much for the link to
such a treasure of news direct from Iraq.

best regards,
risa