Letter from Iraq

email | September 9, 2003 | Ahmad Al-Attar

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Dear XXXXXXX,

I’m the one who should thank you very much for your lovely email! It is great to know that there are people in the world who do not know you and do not need to care about you, yet their kindness and humanity spread across continents wide to bring back hope in our frail souls giving us the energy we need to carry on and never give up no matter how hopeless the situation seem. God bless all the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to help us, and God bless all those who are continuing to do their best to make Iraq a democratic and free nation. Amen.

You know, liberty may be such a simple word and can be taken for granted in many places around the world, but the truth is: there is nothing more precious than the sense of being free…it is simply indescribable! The day Saddam’s infamous statue fell which marked the end of the tyrant’s reign, was arguably the happiest day of my life. It was a dream come true…and at times, even dreaming of getting rid of that thug was difficult. He ruled with an iron fist, a phony religious pretense and a diabolic plan to devalue everything that had a value, especially knowledge & science. I could go on forever describing some of his atrocities and crimes, many of which are too bad to be believed! But I am not going to bore you with that. I just wanted to thank you for your kind words and prayers. Please spare some for the American soldiers who are unfortunately still being under attack from Saddam loyalists. I pray for their safety and happy return home.

I also appreciate very much your efforts to “find the truth” as we too suffer from all the negative media cover which makes Iraqis more frustrated and reflect a bad image of the country. I assure you, most Iraqis are hard-working people who just want to rebuild their country and forget the dark era of wars, hate and tyranny and work on a new democratic Iraq where we can live in peace and harmony with all the civilized nations of the world. We now have our golden opportunity and we won’t let anybody take it away from us.

God bless you all, and thanks again.

Yours Ahmad Al-Attar

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I just wanted to share this wonderful letter from a citizen of Iraq, with you all. It is very valuable to hear from the people themselves how very much they value the work of the Americans, how they are willing to work themselves, and the fact that they value freedom.

(My initial email to Mr. Al-Attar in Mosul,Iraq. He wrote a letter to the publication, The Scientist, outlining how he sees the current situation in Iraq. I responded to this letter.)

Dear Mr. Ahmad Al-Attar,

I am an American wife and mother of two young children, living near Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I just had to write you and thank you for your heartfelt letter that was published in The Scientist.

To hear your descriptions of the reality in Iraq is very valuable to Americans. The American press does not always give us an accurate picture of the events as they happen. It is up to each citizen to find the truth for themselves. I take this task seriously, and spend a tremendous amount of free time reading about your country.

The fall of Saddam Hussein's regime was a joyous day for me and my family. We do not rejoice at the death or injury of any human being. However, knowing that freedom had finally arrived throughout Iraq, was a very memorable occasion for all of us. Americans believe that democracy is God-given gift to the entire world. And it is our responsibility as Americans, to help shine the light of freedom wherever there are people in need.

Please know that I and my family continue to keep you and your fellow citizens in our thoughts and prayers. The American people have not forgotten about the good people of Iraq. We know that in time you and your countrymen will rebuild your nation, and that your talents and strength will usher in a time of peace and prosperity for all. My sincerest hope is that each and everyone of you will relish the freedom that you now have.

May God bless you.

With much appreciation, XXXXXXXXXX

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Email from a citizen of Mosul, Iraq.

Somewhere in a thread from the last few days, you posted his initial letter to The Scientist (or another friendly Freeper did). Could you help me to find it, so that it can be posted on this thread, too?

I am thrilled to hear from Mr. Al-Attar. I am so pleased that he responded to my letter. His enthusiasm and hope for the future is truly inspiring.

Best wishes.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[eyespysomething]

That is great that he responded, and what a response. Thanks for being a goodwill ambassador for America!

God Bless You.

[Coop]

That was a very nice read. Thanks much for posting it.

[Spruce]

BUMP

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thank you.

[ao98]

Great letter.

Here's a link to the original thread.Thanks from Iraq

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thank you for finding it. :)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

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.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Pan_Yans Wife wrote to the grateful Iraqi medical student whose letter appeared in The Scientist - and he responded - with gratitude. Thank you, Pan!

In his original letter he asked for any old medical equipment American scientists may no longer need. Saddam Hussein left Iraq's hospitals in very bad shape.

Perhaps we could help him by forwarding his letter(s) to American labs, hospitals...Universities, corporations like Dow Chemical.

Ahmad Al-Attar:
~ Al-Zahrawi Hospital ~ Mosul, Iraq:

 

Ahmadalattar2003@yahoo.com

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[Pan_Yans Wife]

I would like to forward his letter, have done so a handful of times, already, but won't it just get deleted because everyone will assume it is spam? Our own personal contacts won't delete it, but is there any easier way to contact hospitals? Perhaps email will not work very easily, in terms of getting the word out. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Just got an email from the publisher of my small local paper. I will let you know if what he does with all three letters. Who knows, he might print it in the editorial section.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Perhaps we could help him by forwarding his letter(s) to American labs, hospitals...Universities, corporations like Dow Chemical.

Gave a copy of this entire thread to a friend who is on the local hospital's Board of Directors.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Important letters. More and more the lines of communications will open up, and we will hear from REAL people. Thanks for posting this.

[nuconvert]

Good Job!

You pinged me to the original letter several days ago, and I made copies and sent them out with cover letter to medical schools and large hospitals in my area. (through snail mail) Thought that way someone would pay attention. Newspaper sounds like a great idea, too. I'll try that.
Thanks for your pings.