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Insecurity Breeds Sectarianism in Adhamiya
Sectarian violence is a constant refrain in the media coverage of Iraq. Details, insight, and complex analysis tend to be absent. Today Alive in Baghdad brings you another story about residents of Adhamiya. Adhamiya has been the target of much of the sectarian violence discussed in the media.Alive in Baghdad reported on once such incident on August 17th 2006.The Iraqi National Guard has been accused of being primarily assembled of Shi'a Iraqis. This accusation has raised many fears in the Sunni community that Iraq's new security forces are sectarian and have a stronger loyalty to militias than to the Iraqi state.In this episode the Imam of the Abu Hanifa Mosque calls on Iraq's government to form special Iraqi National Guard force from the residents of Adhamiya, to ensure real security for its residents. He also asks Adhamiya's residents to engage in a demonstration demanding this force be created to ensure the safety and security of Adhamiya.For other examples of sectarian violence reported on by Alive in Baghdad, see this story about another rocket attack, and this about an AiB correspondent who was kidnapped by a militia. To hear more about concerns with Iraq's security forces, see this interview with a man who was detained by the Iraqi Army in Ramadi.Tags: iraq, baghdad, aliveinbaghdad, terrorism, waronterror
Majed Jarrar, a Teen in War
I met Majed in Amman in 2005. He was a bright teen who was equal parts fire and self-righteousness and irresponsible and fun-loving. He helped start the ill-fated Iraq Indymedia, Al Muajaha. He's had a mixed past dealing with Westerners, Americans, and activists. Majed talks about the interest and exoticness of America and the possibility of Baghdad's first McDonald's. He has a strong love for his country and his home. It's also important to remember, however, that despite Majed's honest love for his country, he is not indicative of all Iraqi's upbringing. Despite being Palestinian, he grew up in an educated wealthy family, made famous by his brother Ra'ed's blog dispatches. Most of Iraq's people have not been lucky enough to escape the dangers of their country. Many Iraqis speak English, far fewer as well as Majed and his family members. His upbringing and luck aside however, Majed has a dedication and love for his country, and is eager to speak about his life there and his hope for his countrymen.Alive In Baghdad depends on your support to provide Iraqi correspondents with salaries and to keep bringing this high quality content to you. Please consider making a donation here.
Marwan Speaks About His Kidnapping
Aside from death, abduction of a correspondent is just about the lastthing anyone involved in a media organization wants to hear. On July23rd, that is exactly what happened. Kidnappings have nowbecome routine in Baghdad. Luckily Marwan was released approximatelythree days after his kidnapping, as detailed here.Unfortunately when Marwan was first kidnapped, we could not tell hisstory, due to his parent's request and fear for his safety. Today webring you the first segment of a two part interview about hiskidnapping and detention by one of Baghdad's militias, apparently theMahdi Army.Marwan was kidnapped while shooting b-roll, that is supporting footagedepicting life around Baghdad. It is an unfortunate reality thatshooting footage on the streets of Baghdad is an incredibly dangerousprospect. Marwan had only been working for one week when he waskidnapped, he had not even received his ID card.We are currently considering different strategies and options for howto expand our coverage, and collect footage of everyday life, withoutgreatly endangering our correspondents on the ground.One of the ways we are considering dealing with this issue is bymaking our correspondents less visible, by providing them smaller Mpeg4 and digital still cameras. If you can suggest where we might findsuch equipment, or would like to make a donation, please do sohere.
Marwan Speaks About Kidnapping - 2
Last week you heard the details of the events surrounding Marwan Ghassan's kidnapping. As we said then, this is the second most upsetting news a media organization can receive.The first being of a correspondent's death. This week Marwan provides more specific details about the questioning and events that happened during the three days he was held captive. Marwan's story provides an intimate look into the workings of sectarianism, and the way these ideas are constructed by the various factions involved in the Iraq conflict. Kidnapping is a daily reality and Marwan is only one of many Iraqis to have been kidnapped in the three and a half years since the war began. Despite these hardships, Alive in Baghdad will continue working to bring new stories and insight about life in Iraq. We will endeavor to provide stories that you won't find on other media outlets, including those such as Al Jazeera and the BBC. As a small outlet funded by our viewers however, we depend on your support to provide Iraqi correspondents with a salary and keep bringing this high quality content to you. Please consider making a donation here.
Another Rocket in Baghdad
Mortar and rocket attacks have become more and more common in Baghdad. They have even started to seem like the weapon of choice in the growing conflict between Iraq's militias. Today's story is the second such event Alive in Baghdad has reported on in recent weeks. Um Basheer lives in a home near AiB correspondent Omar Abdullah. When her home was struck in the middle of the night, he rushed to the scene to bring you this story. Please consider making a donation to support this work.
Abu Ghraib Detainee Tells His Story
Mhyar Abdullah is one of the tens of thousands of men living in Iraq who have been detained and released without charge over the last 4 years of the war in Iraq.Mhyar, or Merky, has an especially interesting case, because he is a Palestinian who has lived his entire life in Baghdad, since birth. It seems the Coalition Forces weren't properly prepared for the circumstances of Iraq's Palestinian residents. Because Merky is Palestinian, he does not have Iraqi citizenship, and was initially treated as a "foreign fighter" by the Coalition. He was detained in 2003 and held for approximately 11 months, in what amounted to a Kafka-esque game of "pass the buck." As he describes, perhaps the main reason he was held for such a long time was simply that no single authority wanted to take responsibility for his detention and processing. In this interview Merky elaborates on his detention, describing things he saw during his time in Bucca and Abu Ghraib. Merky also highlights the issues of torture, abuse, as well as just a few of the complexities that appear to have initially mystified the Coaltion and stymied and effective response and reconstruction after Baghdad's fall.
Falsely Arrested and Abused in Ramadi
The man interviewed this week, Majed, shows his scars and discusses his recent detention and abuse at the hands of Iraqi security forces in Ramadi. Despite the overwhelming impression that the assault in Ramadi, ongoing since June, is under control, there is another side to the story. Far from being an Al Qa'eda dead ender, men like Majed are the typical residents of Ramadi. Although they are anti-occupation, they have not yet resorted to violence in large numbers. The majority of Ramadi's residents have not joined the resistance, nor have they sided with the Occupation and what they see as an illegitimate government in Baghdad. Stories like Majed's, of arrest and abuse without charge, may begin to explain some of the reasons for this incongruity. Please tune into www.aliveinbaghdad.org for more videos, and make a donation to continue our work!
(On Patrol with Iraqi Neighborhood Watch
As the threat of death squads continues, Iraqi civilians have taken security into their own hands. This week Isam Rasheed takes Alive in Baghdad viewers to Adhamiya, in the middle of the night, where three men guard a civilian checkpoint in the neighborhood.They'll tell you about their work, their hopes, and fears for their families.The US and Iraqi governments might call them terrorists, they consider themselves to be doing whats necessary to keep their homes safe.Please consider making a donation to continue this work. For information about donating email us at aliveinbaghdad@gmail.com or see the donation section of our website.
(AiB_12) Anniversary of a Tragedy
August 31st is the anniversary of one of the major single-event tragedies of the war in Iraq. On this day in 2005, during a pilgrimage of Shiites to a holy site in Kadhmiya, a rumor circulated of suicide bombers coming to target the bridge between Kadhmiya and Adhamiya.In the ensuing panic, many people were trampled and others drowned after leaping from the bridge into the Tigris River. Estimates for the number killed range from 900 to more than 1100.This day was both one of the greatest tragedies for Iraq in recent history, but also evidenced some of the greatest hope. During the chaos, residents of the Sunni neighborhood Adhamiya came to the rescue of their Shi'a neighbors. People opened their homes to offer dry clothing and tea, and the Abu Hanifa Mosque was used as a gathering place for separated families to find each other.There are countless stories of bravery and self-sacrifice from that day. In this episode, Sami Rasouli will relate one of the most famous stories, about an Iraqi Olympic swimmer who is Sunni, but whose father is Shi'a, and who saved many Iraqi pilgrims that day.You will note the interview was shot by candlelight due to a power outage at the time of production. This piece was filmed by Brian Conley and Omar Abdullah last fall, and was edited by Michael Verdi.
(AiB_11) A Conversation with an Iraqi Policeman
Just who are the Iraqi Police? How do they think? What are there positions on the war and the occupation?Alive in Baghdad was able to speak to one officer on camera, but he was afraid to reveal his real name or show his face. His is just one opinion, but the complex perspective he demonstrates should give anyone a little insight into the nuances of Iraqi opinion.This interview was produced by one of our Iraqi correspondents, please consider making a donation to support the project as a whole, or him in particular.You can make a donation at the Alive in Baghdad site, or by sending money to us via paypal at aliveinbaghdad@gmail.com. If you wish to help Omar's work directly, please mention that you wish your donation to go to him specifically.
(AiB_10) Adhamiya Residents Describe Katyusha Attack
The Coalition forces have recently named the Adhamiya district as one of four major hotspots in Baghdad, which they will be attempting to calm with an injection of forces. Unfortunately Adhamiya is not just a source of violence in Baghdad, but exists within the complex nature of the conflict in Baghdad, and must be viewed in this fashion. In our tenth "episode" Isam Rasheed takes us to the home of a family who's house was struck by a Katyusha rocket last month-the video was shot shortly after the attack. Katyushas are the same rockets that have gained infamy in the hands of Hezbollah, and are a known piece of the Mahdi Army's arsenal. Given this fact, it is difficult to understand why Shi'a militias appear to be such a low priority in the newest operation to "retake Baghdad." Please remember that these videos are only possible with your support and consider donating generously to continue our work. We are also looking for some equipment to send to our correspondents in Baghdad, which you can read more about at www.aliveinbaghdad.org
(AiB_9) Sana'a Describes Life as a Painter and Mother
Sana'a is an artist and mother who lives in Amman Jordan currently, after fleeing the insecurity of Baghdad's violent streets.Sana'a talks about life in Baghdad as an artist, and why she was forced to leave her country. She feels it is especially important for artists to stay true to Iraq and provide insight into Iraq's great history as a nation.* * * This interview was taken in Jordan, but we are currently focused on producing segments in Baghdad via our Iraqi correspondents. Because they do not work for free, if we are to continue our work for any length of time, it is necessary for us to raise the funds to pay their salaries.If you appreciate our work, please make a donation at www.aliveinbaghdad.org via the donation link on the frontpage. If you wish to make a donation that will be earmarked for a specific correspondent, please email me at aliveinbaghdad at gmail.comThanks, and we hope you keep watching!
(AiB_8) Wiindows on Baghdad, Crisis of Curfews
Everyday Baghdad is under curfew for at least 10 hours. On Fridays they are under curfew for a grueling 15 hours.The implementation of the curfew has destroyed Baghdad's once vaunted nightlife. While neighborhoods such as Mansur once boasted nightlife to rival that of New York's East Village or San Francisco's Mission District, now the streets are quiet by six each evening.The extended curfew, following Baghdad's new security plan has been just one more insult to Iraqis. Where they once boasted an artistic, worldly, and highly cultured way of life, now they find themselves bored as often as they are frightened.This video features b-roll, intercut with text comments from Iraqis about the affect of the curfew, because they were to scared to be on camera. As the occupation continues and life becomes more dangerous each day, it seems more and more likely we will rely on this kind of format to bring you images of life in Baghdad.As always, please consider making a donation to support our correspondents in Baghdad and continue our work bringing out images of daily life in Baghdad, against the backdrop of violence and war.
AIB(6) A Family Deals with the Legacy of the Gulf War
Depleted Uranium, also known as Uranium-238 or colloquially as DU, has devastated Iraqi families for more than a decade. After the Gulf War this dangerous metal began causing massive numbers of birth defects, abnormalities, and high levels of cancer in children.In this episode, Alive in Baghdad brings you the story of one child who is dealing with Depleted Uranium sickness. He is less than 2 years old and is already facing a horrible debilitation from his sickness.Stay tuned for more information, in an upcoming episode we will take you to the special wards in Baghdad set up just for the purporse of treating children and other Iraqis who are dealing with this sickness.Please remember, if you feel our work is important, consider donating. Costs to continue this project are upward of three thousand dollars per month. To expand and strengthen our work we are looking for five thousand per month.That said, we are currently receiving thousands of view of each video, and if we could receive a donation of 5 or 10 dollars per month from just a fraction of these viewers, we could continue our work indefinitely.Please consider donation 5-10 dollars, or more if you are capable. Visit http://aliveinbaghdad.org for more information on donating.
AiB(5) - An Iraqi Artist Describes Life in Baghdad and Her Work
In this episode, Omar Abdullah takes you to an art gallery showing in Baghdad's Wazariyah neighborhood, which is located near the more well-known Adhamiya neighborhood, home of the Abu Hanifa Mosque.Mayada Ali discusses the impetus behind her work and sends a message to the American people. Some of the video is a bit jumpy, and perhaps the shots of art aren't as steady as you might desire.Omar is just learning, so please forgive his mistakes as you would any first-time video blogger!Alive in Baghdad has been totally funded by donations from our viewers. Now that we have correspondents working in Baghdad we must maintain a budget of about $3000.00 US per month, so if you appreciate the work our correspondents are doing, please consider making a donation to support them!visit http://aliveinbaghdad.org for more information about making a donation and to learn more about the project and the ongoing situation in Baghdad.
(AiB_7) - Baghdad Hospital Children's Ward
In war and peace children are always amongst the most vulnerable of communities.Iraq has been no exception.In this episode, Alive in Baghdad takes you to the children's ward of Baghdad Hospital, to make visible the plight of some very sick children, stricken with cancer by the presence of Depleted Uranium munitions, left over from the last to US wars in Iraq.Despite official claims that so-called "Depleted" Uranium is mostly harmless, evidence continues to mount to the contrary. Rates of cancer and deformities in Iraq's children have sky-rocketed since 1991.Here are just a few of their stories.Please remember that Alive in Baghdad depends on donations to continue. If just a fraction of our readers would contribute $10-25 per month, our work might continue indefinitely.To pay our correspondents in Baghdad and continue to expand our work, we must raise money, our basic expenses are approximately $2000/month at this time, not including the eventual necessities of new and replacement equipment, or the expanison of our work.Please donate what you can at http://www.aliveinbaghdad.org
Exclusive Interview, Head of 2nd Largest Sunni Party
Recently Alive in Baghdad had the fortune to receive an exclusive interview with Saleh Mutlaq, the head of the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue. His party is the second largest Sunni party in Iraq's parliament, with 11 seats. Although I haven't met a single Iraqi aside from his fellow party members who had a good word to say about him, he is an important figure in the Sunni section of Iraq's daily politics.
Art Work at a Gallery Showing in Baghdad
This is a series of artwork that was presented in the Wazariya neighborhood, near Adhamiya, in Baghdad. A full video, with the entire showing and an interview with the artist will be forthcoming soon.
Mother Alleges Son Killed by US Troops
In this episode, a human rights advocate interviewed the mother of a man who was apparently murdered in cold blood by United States troops in Samarra. Her son died on May 6th, and the events prior to it are here described by his mother.
Cruising Around Baghdad
Omar takes you for a short drive around Baghdad, perhaps you will be amazed at how developed and calm much of Baghdad seems.
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