Khalid from Iraq, the cradle of civilization

I'm very happy because I voted!!!

2010-03-08T04:18:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy that I managed to vote for my country Iraq.It was very important for me to join our people inside Iraq who decided to participate in the election despite threats by the terrorists.

I'm pleased that Iraqi people once again has Defeated terrorism.We're just moving in the right direction and the future will be so bright for all the Iraqis.

May ALLAH bless all the Iraqi people wherever they are and guide the winner candidates to honesty serve their people and their country without any weakness or discrimination.

Happy Eid Al Adha To All of You!!!

2009-11-28T03:19:00.000-08:00

HAPPY EID FOR ALL THE IRAQIS AND THEIR BROTHER, SISTERS & FRIENDS!!!

Wish You A Very Happy Eid Al Adha!!!

Khalid Ibrahim

A Happy mamma Duck Updates

2009-10-01T01:11:00.001-07:00

I belive some of you still remember the story of Happy Mamma Duck and her nine babies. I will try to give you some updates about this nice family.

First of all, let me tell you that we lost three out of the 9 babies. The fox kidnapped two babies:

While the cat brutally killed a third baby:

So after all the killing, the remaining family includes the lovely and dedicated mother together with her six babies:

Have a look and you can see for yourself that the baby who was initially yellow colored is totally white now. For us this's not less than a miracle:

Not only white but she is the only sister for her five remaining brothers. She is so beautiful, brave, independent, adventurous and tried her best all the time to be close to her mum and also to look after her brothers and to be there for them.

She is showing an early leadership in this picture:

While here, she proves to be ready to go as far as it takes:

Myself and my colleagues enjoyed looking after them and feeding them 24 hours so they grew up so fast.I have to say that we brought for them some special tasty tablets full of vitamins so they used to run toward us whenever we tried to see them.

During the last week of their stay they continued checking out their wings and just two weeks ago we arrived in the morning to see that they have gone!!!

Farewell, my friends and confidantes!
As you go, so must all
Return upon the well-worn path
Each soul must travel by.
Wend where you will, our wanderers,
Even as you stay
Long-treasured in the lonely hearts,
Loved well, though far away.

HAPPY EID!!!

2009-09-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

May ALLAH Accept Your Fasting!!!
May ALLAH Honour You!!!
May ALLAH Forgive you!!!
May ALLAH Inspire You!!!
May ALLAH Mercy and Protect You!!!

HAPPY EID FOR ALL MUSLIMS AND THEIR FRIENDS!!!

Wish You A Happy Eid.

Multiculturalism?No sir, It's a Joke!

2009-08-31T10:53:00.001-07:00

I have worked very hard to promote the so called Multiculturalism in my city. I established many Multicultural initiatives including diver(c)ity, a magazine deals with intercultural issues. I brought to my College the joyful "International Food Festival", which runs every year. I aimed -with my colleagues- to bring people from different backgrounds to meet and be friends in order to discover for themselves the richness of other cultures. I'm very much involved with some NGOs, that focus on Multiculturalism, human rights and social justice.

Having said all that, I should mention the fact that I have discovered from my long on going experience that Multiculturalism is fine if it is about having a meal or a brief chat. However if you are talking about real life then I afraid Multiculturalism is no more than a joke.

First of all think with me about any possible answers for the following questions:

Does Multiculturalism in your view mean that ethnic minorities should keep their culture and tradition or they should adopt what the host country thinks is good and fit for them?

Does Multiculturalism mean that the host nation is superior and the ethnic minorities have no roots or pride and as such they have no any entitlement to whatever they think is right for them?

Could we say that Muticulturalism is a voluntary interaction between all cultures to have a healthy society in which people are equals and recognize each other's entitlement to free religion, culture and tradition?

Do you think we could agree about a specific definition for Multiculturalism?

I have to tell you that there are many other questions and the reality is, people have different answers, approaches and expectations which actually make the process of Multiculturalism difficult if not impossible.

I have lived in the west for many years and needless to say I have met many good people but I have to say that there are many communities here that live in fear of who are often referred to as "foreigners who are here to take our money", why do they think like that?

What are the implications of this way of thinking on the life of the ethnic minorities? Surely the answers need a complete and focused study to find out the roots of the problem.

Also I met many individuals who are either members of right wing parties or you could describe them as racists. However, the most astonishing thing was when some friends of mine tried to impose their own culture on me just because I live in the west.There is kind of confusion amongst my friends about "what's Multiculturalism is all about?", I was surprised to find some very educated friends telling me what I could describe as an aggressive way to impose their own values upon me. Read the following and see for yourself people's perception of Multiculturalism:

1. Khalid, forget Iraq and try Guinness.
2. Khalid, do you drink?No
do you dance?No
do you have a girlfriend?No
What's the meaning of your life then?
3. How many wives you could have in Iraq at one time?
4. Khalid, you should find a girlfriend.
5. Show some respect and come and drink with us.
6. Khalid, do you in the Middle-East force your women to wear the scarf? Do you also
keep them at home?
7. Why do you not have democracy in your countries?Is it because you love
dictatorship?
8. Why do you treat women badly?
9. How often do you have to beat women in the Middle East?
10.Why do you write from right to left?
11.Do you allow girls only to cook in the Middle East?

There are many other strange questions but these are just some examples to show you the lack of understanding amongst many western people for our religion, culture, values and traditions. I think that's the main reason why almost all the Multicultural marriages failed in our community.

Few years ago, I met a western girl and I thought we could get a future together but I was totally wrong.

She did not want to have kids until she is 35 or 40 while myself I wanted many kids as quick as possible.She feared that getting pregnant would ruin her figure.She also used to drink heavily every week-end and to marry her would meant for me as a Muslim husband to be with her and then carry her on my shoulders. How many times would I have to do that?Probably for the rest of my life if I were to marry her.

Then the straw to break the camel's back came when she went swimming wearing -at least in my view as a Middle Eastern citizen- almost nothing.

The next day I told her:

We should stay good friends.No need to destroy our friendship by trying to impose one's culture on another.We both have every right to be free and nothing like freedom.I would like to keep my values and I do not want to impose them on you.The ending was nice and we remain good friends.

The problem we have these days is that some people in the west think they have a superior culture and the others who are coming, for example, from the Middle East should learn from them.However, I strongly believe that there is no better or superior culture of any kind.We are all equals as responsible people and have the same entitlement for whatever we think is fitting for our life.

We should accept each other as we are.My or your religion, culture, tradition and values are no one's business as far as they are within the law of the land and reflect my and your legal entitlement. This fact should be protected and respected.

I do not believe in Multiculturalism if it means that I should forget my history and culture to adopt other cultures that I had never encountered before.

Multiculturalism is not going to work with people who are brought up to believe that their culture is the absolute truth and the ethnic communities should follow them; does not matter for that crowd if the minorities are obviously not willing to do so.

Multiculturalism is a joke if only the minorities are always ready to accept the others who think they have the superior culture, and not ready to move one step forward in recognition to the fact that minorities will bring enrichness to any society in which they live.

I conclude by saying that Multiculturalism, if it does not mean freedom for all cultures, should be rubbished.Those who are trying to create conflicts between the different cultures should leave people enjoying their life and building their successful future in the way they think is most suitable to their culture and values.

RAMADAN MOUBARAKرمضان مبارك

2009-08-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

A Happy Mamma Duck & a dead Pigeon

2009-06-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

I have two stories, which I would like to share with you.
Let me start with the happy story which took place when, on my arrival to work about ten days ago, I herd a mama duck quacking loudly at the nearby pond of water. So, I went quickly over there to see something really amazing happening. The mamma duck was in actual fact encourging her nine babies to jump into water, something which typically takes place in the first 48 hours of a duck successfull hatching.I looked at the mamma duck and her nine babies and I screamed on my mobile phone with glee as I asked my friends to join me because I felt so happy.

No doubt the ducks family reminded me that in Iraq we used to have big families, but not anymore.However, I still love to have a big family of my own.

One of the babies is yellow colored which is a very unusual color for a duck to have. My friends started to talk about genetics theories, weak and strong genes. However, one of them suggested that it could be that the mamma duck has cheated on her husband with a very attractive rooster which we keep in the garden surrounding the water pond.

The second stroy is a very sad story.
Last Saturday, as I was walking through the garden in my way to our office, I met face-to-face with a male pigeon that was not able to move.I walked closely to him but he was not attempting to run away or to fly.

I took him in my hands and assured him that he is more than welcome in here.He looked so vulnerablehe and weak.I put him back on the ground and left a bucket of water and some cereals beside him but he did n't show any interest in them either.

He closed his eyes and I started talking softly to him.

Where's your father? Where's your mother?
Do you have any brothers and sisters?
well, do you not have any cousins or friends?
The friend in need is the friend indeed but sadly enough you have none of them.

What happened to you?Why are you so lonely?
Do you want to show your discontent with the war, killing, and human arrogance?

Do you want to protest agains the continuous destruction of our lovely planet by profiteering humans?

Could it be because you are in love and your heart was destoryed by an unfaithful lover?
If your lover dumped you, please don't die, just be strong and get over it!

To this end, he fell on his left side and passed away.

I felt so sad the whole day.

The Killers - The World We Live In / Pray for Peace and Self-Control

2009-06-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Ahly Ya Iraqeen! My Relatives The Iraqis!

2009-06-08T15:58:00.001-07:00

It's the start of summer holiday and all the people around me are either going home or enjoying a sunny time in Spain or some other tourists' hot spots except me as I have to work day and night to pay the cost of studying and staying here in this very expensive city.I realy miss my country and my beloved city Baghdad. I just feel so sad that I can't spend this summer with Ahly Al Iraqeen.I want to share the risks, the heat, the dusty weather and the lack of power and clean water with Ahly Al Iraqeen. I herd this song by Haitham Yousif and I want to share it with you hoping that we as a nation will be reunited again to build a new Iraq full of love. The start of the song says:

My relative the Iraqis
O people O Kind-hearted
Lets live as brothers
Human loves human
To rally distant people
My relative the Iraqis

Ammo Baba has died!

2009-05-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Iraq's most popular soccer player and former Iraqi national soccer coach Ammo Baba, who's real name is Emmanuel Baba Dawud, has died in a hospital on May 28, 2009, in the northern city of Dohuk from ill health.He was 74 years of age.

The picture shows Ammu Baba poses during a training session with under 17 youth players 15 February 2002 in Baghdad.

He was mourned by Iraqis and sporting officials, who said his death was a loss for Iraqi soccer. “Ammo represented all that was good about Iraqi football,” said Najih Hammoud, the first deputy of Iraq’s soccer federation.

Dawud first gained notoriety in Iraq after scoring the country’s first goal in an international game in the 1957 Pan Arab games.

He was named coach of the national team in 1978, and later lead Iraq to two Olympic appearances in 1984 and 1988.

I feel very sad because we lost a real and an honest man who served and loved Iraq and the Iraqis during the rest of his life.

May Allah bless him and grant him peace

Some beautiful pictures!

2009-05-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Top Images From The Internet For Year 2008!

The best natural exterior picture
88.6% votes

The best natural interior picture
90.7% votes

The best urban picture
87.8% votes

The best “Human” picture
86.2% votes

The best “On the Spot” picture
86.3% votes

Special Category for best “Human Landscape"
87.7% votes

Special Category for Best “Animal World”
89.3% votes

Special Category for Best “Pets (Dogs)"
83.6% votes

Special Category for Best “Pets (Cats)”
82.7% votes

Special Category for Best “Urban Painting”
88.9% votes

Special Category for Best “Body Paints
86.6% votes

Special Category for Best “Adventure Sport"
80.9% votes

Special Category for Best “Transport”
86.7% Votes

Special Category for Best “Public Display (Masculine)”86.7% votes

Special Category for Best “Public Display (Feminine)”
86.7% votes

Special Category for Best “Public Display (General)”
86.2% votes

The Special Mention
86.7% votes

The Prize that leave us with the last word...
92.6% votes

Aisling weather Forecast!

2009-05-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Aisling is a kind colleague who is studying with me in college. She is clever, hardworking, funny, simple, ready to help others and also moody.The fact that she is a moody girl means, she might change her mind at any minute.There are many factors for this psychological phenomenon.Obviously, she bears some responsibility but I believe there are other factors such as genetics and weather.The weather here is unstable and changes quickly which means having four seasons in one day. I think the stability and instability in weather conditions is affecting people's behavior anywhere in the world.Therefore, the moody behavior of Aisling is caused in large part by the unstable weather. To have an idea about the level of her moodiness, just read what I call, Aisling weather forecast:

9am: Partly Cloudy = Approach her with caution

10am: Mostly Cloudy = Just say yes or no.It's getting very serious now

11am: Rain = Wear an anti-bullet overcoat. Risk your life by saying any thing

12am: Freezing heavy rain = Wear a very thick anti-bullet overcoat and carry with you a good quality heater1pm

1am: Thunderstorms & Zero visibility = Don't go near her, she is going to kill you

2pm: Sunny = Approach her, she is very chatty now

3pm: Sunny and hot = Good time for political, cultural, social, economical or scientific discussions

4pm: Very hot = Time to talk about love and romance

5pm: Gone to the pub = She says one drink but it means a full session of drinking specially on Friday and Saturday nights. if you are a none drinker like me better to be away

Khalid

The Physics of Love

2009-04-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

The Physics of Love

I was asked by my friend Tara to say something about the link between love and Physics.

"A man and a girl can be just friends but at one point or another one of them will fall for the other, maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late or maybe, just maybe...forever."

Now the forces behind the act of refusing or accepting each other could be looked at using all the laws of Physics. Also the same physical laws could be used to study any relationship, a successful one or a failed one.

Therefore you could explore the physics of love and consciousness in a very easy and exciting manner using the universal laws of Physics, which are applicable to the act of loving and obviously to the act of not loving too.

So how we are going to explain in terms of physics a very important phenomenon such as your first love, your love affairs or in general the status of your heart?

There are three possibilities for any particle:

1. To have a Stable Orbit ( your heart is claimed by somebody)
The particle will achieve an orbit without loosing energy over time

2. To have a Collapsing Orbit (No real love but machinery loves)
The particle will descend into the object of attraction loosing more and more energy over time until collapse

3. To have an Infinite orbital (No love at all)
The particle will move away from the object of attraction and at such a point will move beyond the object's attractive field.

Remember that always there is an uncertainty in love due to Heisenberg's Principle of Uncertainty.

Heisenberg showed that no matter how accurate the instruments used, quantum mechanics limits the precision in love affairs or in Physics when two properties are measured at the same time. For the moving electron (could be your heart), the variables are in two pairs: momentum and position are one pair, and energy and time are another. Roughly speaking, the relation between momentum and position is like the relation between energy and time. This means we can not measure accurately your love momentum in whatever direction and the time together with the amount of your given energy to a certain affairs. Always there is an uncertainty there.

Finally if you want to fall in love tonight then you should study all the forces acting upon you and directing you in your day to day life and start to show your reaction to your own universe.

Chicken a la Carte:Lets help the needy

2009-04-08T15:09:00.001-07:00

Chicken a la Carte

Synopsis: This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who lives on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left these people.

Director: Ferdinand Dimadura

Please share with family and friends.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

The Islam of Taliban

2009-04-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

I believe very strongly that the Taliban should be regarded as a part of the old dark ages when there was no freedom or civilization but psychological repression, torture and unjustified killing.

Wahhabism is the extremist sect to which the Taliban belong. I have to remind you that most -if not- all the suicidal killers who attacked New York, London, Madrid, Baghdad and other cities are followers of Wahhabism.In the minds of many trained Talibanized Wahhabi, to kill somebody who just happened to have different views is normal for them. This constitutes a main part of their believes. Also, Taliban believes that society is built around the full authority of men which led to the total exclusion of Women from public life when they governed Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001.

Iran's former President Mohammad Khatami in the 2002 described the Taliban as:

"The Islam of Taliban belongs to those who are portraying the beautiful religion of God as ugly with their repellent views and backward ideology as well as their fossilized habits and rigid-mindedness and their attitude towards religion is based on a bunch of illusions and antiquated habits."

When I saw the above video yesterday for the first time I felt very sick. However, when I thought for a while about Taliban's crimes in the past and current times, I told myself this barbaric act against an innocent little girl is the least that you would expect from such narrow minded and brainless killers.

I leave it for you to think and decide about the Islam of Taliban.

The Iraqi new elected local governments

2009-03-30T00:24:00.001-07:00

I felt so happy to see the overall success of the recent provincial elections which were held in our country Iraq on 31 January 2009. Needless to say that these elections were associated with some mistakes but we know that democracy is a learning process and our democracy will gain maturity as it goes.

I believe it is very vital to hold the new local governments accountable for what they promised to do when they were running as candidates in these elections. They should be questioned all the time about their performance and actions because they were elected to serve the people of Iraq and not for any thing else and as such they should find the most efficient and transparent ways to execute their dutiess.

Every election and the Iraqi people will be getting closer to a total prosperity they deserve and to live the nice life they want to live.

Visiting Cairo

2009-03-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week in Cairo to attend an IT training. It was a fantastic time and I enjoyed every minute of it.Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Middle East and in Africa.It has a population of 7.5 Million (2003).The Arabic version of the word Cairo (Al-Kaherah) translates as "the victorious," or "the triumphant" while the Cairenes call their city Misr, which is the Arabic version of the word Egypt.The city is too big located on both banks of the Nile River near the head of the river's delta in northern Egypt.Many streets are dirty and an Egyptian friend told me laughing "The streets will be cleaned only when Hosni Mubarak's regime is removed" but I can't see this happening soon. The city at the moment is
occupied by the army and police as a result of the recent terrorist attack in Saydna Al-Hussein district. You see them every where and inside all the important buildings and hotels.

The city is a reflection of Egypt's chronic problems poverty, deteriorated infrastructure, corruption, unemployment, homelessness and massive population growth. The price for food and clothes are so cheap and the average salary for millions of Egyptians is 100 US$ per month.

I met in the training some very good Egyptian friends Ahmad, Noha, Mohammad, Ramy, Malek and others.Also, I managed to make a promising friendship with Haj Abdulrahman who works as a taxi driver.He toured me around Cairo and then he proved to be a reliable friend when he called to the reception in the hotel where I stayed asking them to wake me up because I need to be at Cairo airport by now. It was so important that he acted as I slept but thanks to ALLAH I managed to arrive in time to take my flight.In general it was a nice trip and I hope to visit Cairo again in the near future.

The Iraqi people and president Barack Obama

2009-01-25T03:56:00.000-08:00

President Barak Hossain Obama is giving the Iraqi people and the rest of the world lot of happiness to become elected as the 44th President of the United States. He is the first Afro-America to been elected President to the most powerful public office not only in his country but also in the world.

Mr Obama's inauguration as the first black US president represents a milestone once unthinkable in a nation that has struggled with racial issues since its founding, and where segregation was practised in many Southern states just decades ago.

It has been a remarkable achievement for the 47-year-old Democrat who moves into the Oval Office as the nation's fourth youngest president, having persuaded Americans that he can turn around the economy, end the war in Afghanistan and get the troops deployed in Iraq back home.

President Obama has inspired millions around the world with his promises that he made during the campaign.His message of hope has given the Iraqi people the opportunity to feel that the occupation will be over soon.

The good thing about Mr. Obama is the fact that he did not forget his roots.He managed to make a references during his inaugural speech to Kogelo, the village in Kenya where his father was born.Also, I'm delighted that Mr. Obama is still using his middle name Hossain.

I have every hope that Mr. Obama is going to deliver and they are early signs of enthusiasm for the new president. The closure of the military prison at Guantánamo Bay should represnt a healthy start and we'll have to wait and see president Barack tested by many other issues such as the America's foreign policy toward the Muslim world.

I'm back my friends

2009-01-19T02:01:00.001-08:00

I know it is easy to maintain your blog all the time but this time I will try to keep publishing my thoughts and love to all my fellow Iraqi citizens. Many good things happened over there in my beloved country Iraq. The terrorists are defeated, our bestest capital Baghdad is more safe and the Iraqi people are more united than before. Also, we got some bad moments as we many inoccent people in some terrorists missions done by the very same brainless killesr . We pray for Allah that our martyrs to gain forgiveness and to be placed in heaven.

In the coming days and week I will write about our national football team, the coming local elections which is to take place on the 31st of january 2009, corruption as bad as terrorism and many toher titles.

I have to wish all the people of Iraq aa prosperous and healthy year!

Talk to you soon

Khalid

The culture of Love in my College

2009-01-19T01:39:00.000-08:00

The culture of Love in my College

By
Khalid Ibrahim

Part 1

The supreme happiness of life is the convection that we are loved.
Victor Hugo

Love doest not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.
Antoine De Saint-Exipery

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, hills and field,
Woods, and steepy mountains yield.
Christopher Marlowe

During the history of mankind, romantic love was the most beautiful and interesting human relationship ever attempted. Romantic love in all times meant truthness, loyalty, and sharing good and bad between a man and a woman forever. It was in the early decades of the last century the most appealing and satisfying feeling. Therefore true love not only became desirable, but also became the only acceptable basis for choosing a life partner.

During the last several years, I tried extremely hard in my search to find successful real love stories amongst my friends in College. However the outcome was far worst than what I predicted. I could say it was a total disappointment. I found out that most of my friends unfortunately believe that falling in love is madness or a disease. Unconsciously or consciously, they have the same views as the poet Robert Burns who was well known for his ardour. In 1784, Clarinda wrote to the Bard:

Talk not of love, it gives me pain,
For love has been my foe;
He bound me with an iron chain,
And plunged me deep in woe.

It is so difficult to find a real love story here in College. No ethics and no morals whatsoever. People change their partners often as fast as the speed of light. They are no longer interested in the principles of building up a family. Nevertheless, girls here are still very much have a tendency to be stable. However, the culture is such that it encourages everybody including girls to say “boring, it’s over, bye!”

My friend Lea whenever she meets a new comer you see her very happy and delighted. Then, after a while, she will start crying claiming, “He is not the man that I 'm looking for”. I am calling her now “the lovely bird”, a bird that's flying from a nest to another all the time. She is a very beautiful, smart and friendly girl. You never know what is wrong here and who to blame: Lea herself, her men, or the culture. May be all of them.

Elaine, who is ready to go to the moon or beyond if somebody shouted for help, spent some time with Kevin, and then they left each other saying it did not work for them.
After the era of Kevin, she spent about a year as a single during which she looked a bit stable but not happy enough. Then she met Philip who is from Germany. She loved not just him but whatever related to Germany and decided to live over there. He was very nice with her. She was happy all the time.
I thought they would have a good future together but unfortunately just very recently she came back to Dublin with the bad news raising the typical slogan “It did not work for us”. Now she is single again.

Another friend is Ruth. She is the one I thought might give a good example of a real love story for the others. However, after five years of a strong love story with a man who's from her village, they splited up to two different directions immediately after graduation.

Brendan wasted two valuable years out of the life of Musa, who is so human, so innocent, and so beautiful. She is a unique flower. However, she was devastated by the unwillingness of Brendan to be committed to their affair. Some times, you just cannot understand why people behave in this unfair way when it is about giving so little while they are getting everything so easily.

There are scientific evidences about the psychological torture of the casual culture. This culture proved to be so painful for some people. Niamh who has every thing good, tried hard to avoid the one nightstand culture. The pressure was so intense. All the girls in her class were going out with boys without even talking about their mutual feelings. Recently I got the following text from her:
“I feel so lonely Khalid. I am never gonna find someone and I am tired of being on my own!”
This should reflect the size of the crisis and its not just Niamh, many of my best friends have a similar melodrama.

Some girls who waited long time for their Mr. Right to no avail found out that the pressure on them became so huge that they were forced to swung to the dominant culture of filling their time with somebody, anybody.

On the other hand boys in College are not ready to give any kind of commitment to girls. They are also not ready to express their feelings in case it might be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Carl advised my friend John “Do not admit any thing to a girl, be solid like a mountain”. He was trying to tell John “You are two fools, for loving a girl, and saying so.”

Mostly boys think girls are machines that need to be looked after. Then, they have to move to the next machine as soon as their mission according to their casual assessment has ended up.

Needless to say that the culture in which many reliable lovers found themselves in is a mess.

Love in my college is a game of move and manoeuvre. Love is no longer means peace or romance. No security but fear. No perfection or satisfaction but a blind walk in the dark feeling of emptiness!

May ALLAH gives the Iraqi people a Blessed Festival!

2007-10-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

ُ
Eid Ul-Fitr Mobarak for the Iraqi people and all Muslims!

The Martyr of all the Iraqis Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha

2007-09-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today Iraqis lost a real and a very brave hero who worked very hard to get rid of the brainless killers and get them out of Al Anbar province.

Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha who was martyred early today headed Anbar Salvation Council, a coalition of tribes that managed to make Al Anbar a peacful province. Martyr Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Reesha was the driving force behind all the success of the Salvation Council.

May ALLAH accept our Martyr in heaven.

Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims and their friends!

2007-09-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

My trip to America

2007-09-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

It was a two weeks trip during August 2007 which gave me a lot of help to understand the history of USA and also to meet many nice American people. I will write about the trip in a week time together with some pictures.

Iraq Soccer Team "Lions of the Two Rivers" Wins Asia Cup

2007-07-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Iraqi team, known as the "Lions of the Two Rivers" beat three-time champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 in its first appearance in the Asian Cup final.
"The players have made us proud, not the politicians. Once again, our national team has shown that there is only one, united Iraq."

Jorvan Vieira, the present coach of the Iraqi team. He should be given the Iraqi nationality for his honest efforts to our country. He studied our players and showed a good understanding of their difficulties and the problems we have back at home. He said talking about the war the following:

"Some of them, if they go to Iraq, they are going to be killed," Vieira said of our team. "When you don't know where your home is, where your things are, you are lost in space. It's the same when you have no organization in your house. You don't know where you put your socks or your trousers. It's the same here. They are lost people because of the war."

Now have a look at how he described the job he has done:

"They've been through so much. The players are so strong, but sometimes too strong. They have so much pain that I have to be not only a coach, but a psychologist, a father, and a friend to them. They are a very good example of unity to the Iraqi people."

I believe his determination to win was also an important factor for this historical achievement:

"I have to be confident about winning. I can't talk about my problems, and say we'll do nothing, because I am not a loser. I've lost very few times in my life."
Now look at his humanity and modesty:
"The congratulations should not go to me. It should go to my players, my staff who are working behind me," a humble Vieira told a press conference after our team's stunning 3-1 victory over Australia "Because without these people I can not do anything. I'm not a magician," he explained.

Vieira also talked about how every player was busy with himself at the beginning and his first task was to get them all together, the Shia, the Sunnis, and the Iraqi Kurds and to be united playing for their country..
"I tried to unify them. Now they are together, they kiss each other, they shake each others' hands. They are not fighting or talking politics. They accepted my way. I am not a magician, but I know football can change people."
Vieira thank you, you are a brother!

Our football team behind our Iraqi flag celebrating their wins

Lions of the Two Rivers

Our Iraqi Football Team reached Asian Cup final

2007-07-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

My beloved country Iraq reached the first Asian Cup final in our football history on Wednesday 25th of July 2007, beating South Korea 4-3 on penalties in a very excited semifinal that ended goalless after extra time.

Noor Sabri was our hero when he saved Korea's fourth spot-kick from Yeom Ki-hun.

After Ahmad Menajed had made it 4 for us - 3 for the Douth Koreans, Kim Jung-woo hit the post to send the our players into raptures.

The Iraqi players dedicated the dramatic win to the Iraqi nation.

"Only happiness in our camp... everyone is very happy and we have reason to be happy. This victory is for the Iraqi people because they deserve that," our coach Jorvan Vieira told a news conference.

"There is only happiness in our camp and our boys worked very hard to achieve it," Vieira added.

"It was a great game," Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira told a news conference. "The game was 50:50 but we missed more opportunities than them. We were tired too, but Korea were more tired than us."

The Iraqis team went into the match in confident mood having topped qualifying Group A in which they beat a fancied Australia.

We showed during the match brilliant individual skills and our team deserved to win.

Gunfire erupted across our cpital Baghdad and most the Iraqi cities as we the Iraqis celebrated the national soccer team's victory over South Korea to reach the final of the Asian Cup.

our Iraqi people poured into the streets of Baghdad, waving national flags and cheering. An Iraqi television reporter choked back tears of joy as he joined the celebrations on a Baghdad street.

Iraqis in the autonomous northern region of Kurdistan even waved Iraqi flags in a rare display of national unity.

I hope that we will see more celebrations after we win the final match next Sunday.

God willing, we the Iraqi people will prevail and triumph.

My beloved country Iraq shock Australia with 3-1 win

2007-07-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

It was nice to read about the Iraqi win at a time when the killing of our innocent people is still continuous. It made me and every Iraqi happy to watch our people going out into the streets of Baghdad in a united celebration.

I was proud to see the following reports on the net about our Iraqi football team beating Australia 3-1:

The Socceroos fell behind after a 22nd-minute goalkeeping clanger by Mark Schwarzer, only to equalise through Mark Viduka but they were badly exposed defensively again for the Iraqis to wrap it up with two more goals.

The bumbling loss heaps further pressure on under-fire coach Graham Arnold, with chants of "Arnold out" from the travelling Australian fans.

Iraq now share the lead in Group A with Thailand, 2-0 winners over Oman Thursday, with the pair favourites to go into the quarter-finals after Monday'sfinal pool games.

Iraq Shock Australia With 3-1 Win Australia’s Asian Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after an emphatic 3-1 defeat at the hands of Iraq in Bangkok.
Iraq Shock Australia With 3-1 Win
zoom - galleria

The Iraqis were the better team for the majority of the game and could have won by a more emphatic scoreline against an Australian side that improved little from their opening game 1-1 draw with Oman.

To make matters worse for under-fire coach Graham Arnold, Lucas Neill was shown a second yellow card for dissent in the final minute.

The West Ham defender will have to sit out Monday's match with co-hosts Thailand - a game that the Socceroos must win in order to keep quarter-final hopes alive.

After Iraq took an early lead, Australia got back into the game through Mark Viduka at the start of the second half but were undone by two subsequent Iraqi goals.

Australia started at a much higher tempo than five days previously but Younis Mahmoud, Iraq’s goalscorer against Thailand, went close in the ninth minute, turning Brett Emerton and forcing Mark Schwarzer to tip the ball over.

The Socceroos had most of the possession of a foul-strewn half but rarely troubled their opponents.

Soccer: Iraq upsets Australia, 3-1, in Asian Cup
Reuters
Published: July 13, 2007

BANGKOK: Iraq pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset of Australia at the Asian Cup on Friday to leave the tournament favorite in danger of an embarrassing early exit.

Nashat Akram scored on a free kick in the first half after a terrible mistake from the Australian goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, and Hawar Mulla Mohammad and Karrar Jassim Mohammad capitalized on further defensive errors to find the net after halftime.

The Socceroos briefly drew level when their captain, Mark Viduka, scored just after halftime, but were otherwise outplayed by a team that had to train and play qualifiers in neutral Jordan because of the war in their homeland.

"I told you all before the game and no one believed me," Iraq's Brazilian coach, Jorvan Vieira, said at a news conference. "I know my players, I know these men. I knew they could win, and we proved today we can do anything."

A suicide bomber attacked Al Mansour hotel

2007-06-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

A suicide bomber slipped into Al Mansour hotel Monday and blew himself up during a meeting. As a result of this terrorist attack we lost 13 innocent Iraqi who done nothing but worked hard for a united Iraq. They are 13 martyrs who certainly will enjoy their second life in heaven while their killes will be rushed to hell now and then.

It is astonishing that a stunning terror strike could take place in the very heart of Baghdad, by a brainless killer who managed to pass all the three check points, the one at the main entrance and the other two inside.

It is shame that we lose our people in this way because of the laziness and weakness of the Iraqi security forces. It is shame that we failed give full protection to members of the Anbar Salvation Councilfor who were there at the meeting. It is very sad that we lost the brave Iraqi and former Anbar governor Fassal al-Guood, sheik of the al-Bu Nimir tribe, Sheik Abdul-Azizi al-Fahdawi of the Fahad tribe, Sheik Tariq Saleh al-Assafi and Col. Fadil al-Nimrawi, both of the al-Bu Nimr tribe.

It is also very sad that we lost the populat tv presenter and the Iraqi poet, Rahim al-Maliki, also was martyred.

The only relief is that I believe strongly that they all now in heaven enjoying the peace of soul.

Prisoner of Love

2007-06-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

A real story that I have wrote about three of my friends in 2002.

By

Khalid Ibrahim

2002

1. John

“What is life? Madness.

What is life? Illusion, Shadow, a story,

And the greatest good is little enough,

For all life is a dream!”

Calderon de la Barca – Life is a Dream

“…All the troubles of the world were caused by the fact that most people are unable to sit quietly alone in a room for a few hours.”

Blaise Pascal

**********

John is honest and quiet. He has a great tendency to journalism and the talent to support it. He follows his own values and principles and has a very decent sense of humour. He is friendly and harmless, shy and simple, intelligent and reliable, Soft and trustworthy.

If he loves, he is loyal and if he talks he is sincere.

His smile is warm in general, but warmer if he happens to be with a lady both pretty and smart…like Kate or Kath.

He has a natural willingness to serve and help any attractive girl. He will be more than happy to devote his expensive time and true efforts to her.

His first love story was with a girl with whom he spent three years in a pure friendship, and with whom he developed a stormy love affair but only at the end of their third pure year. This should indicate his slow motion to react to his feeling and to the appeal of his heart.

This first love affair ate John’s first year in College. The affair reached its failure by the end of that year and the two lovers decided to split. John did not regret this failure, as he was not the cause of the collapse. He suffered a hard time though.

John entered his second year in College full of hope to find the girl of his dream. She should be beautiful to a certain level. At the very worst her face should be compatible to the medium standard.

She does not have to share entirely the same interests as his own, but she should understand his needs. John was ready to victimise his wish to get a beautiful face if he could at least meet a girl with good characteristics, and who could thus become the real queen of his dreams.

He endured the symptoms of a psychological crisis that resulted from the collapse of his first love story. It was a tough time. He felt most of the time down and lonely, It was very hard for him to sleep alone every night with cold and loneliness surrounding his breath.

He was convinced that no love means no life and no true happiness whatsoever. But he also realised that he should neither lose heart or courage to find a love that never fails or vanishes. Indeed, he had too much love and had desperately needed somebody to be with him. He made up his mind that he should find a girl immediately and not later, that is he decided to find a girl rather than wasting his time messing around as a single.

He believed that there was nothing more exciting in his life, neither ONE WORLD nor COLLEGE NEWS, except to be built into the heart of a lovely girl. Therefore, he very much thought that there could be nothing better than to walk with a COLLEGE girl under the rain, hand in hand, in Front Square, while sharing all his many thoughts and treating her to many riches despite his half empty pocket.

He remembered that he never had a real love affair or a real heated kiss in his entire live, so he did not want to be a foolish admirer but a real lover.

He started to look around. His ideal girl was not to be considered by her face only but by her brain, words and deeds.

2. Kate

“My GOD a moment of bliss. Why, isn’t that enough for a whole lifetime?”

“Earth and Ocean seem

to sleep in one anothers arms, and dream

of waves, flowers, clouds, woods, rocks and all that we

read in their smiles, and call reality.”

P.B. Shelly

**********

Kate is a very attractive girl. Her smile is very powerful. No surprise that John fell in love with her. Any sensible being would be attracted to her lovely face, beautiful smile or her sparkle. She is friendly and fun loving, slim and tall, genuine and romantic. Bubbly.

Her face is a fantastic mixture of beauty and fun.

Her Interests include journalism and men.

Kate’s search criteria of her suitable man, is a lengthy one:

He should be a sweet and funny genius. He should be a man who could bring diverse interests and opinions to combine the depths of her own interests. No harm if he is jobless or homeless. She needs a man who knows what he wants, and somebody who could let her feel secure. He must be fun loving but serious at some level. If he can make her laugh from the depth of her heart then he can do any thing with her.

Before COLLEGE she got many unreliable love affairs and described them as “messy stories”. She thinks they do not deserve attention or mention.

Following the first weeks in College she realised that she would be staying for long, and so decided that a strong long-term love story was very much needed. Love was her definition of stability.

Nothing like love.

Nothing like a “shy kiss” at the Front Arch from a reliable COLLEGE boy.

She started actively to explore the men whom she was attracted to. She enjoyed the challenge of learning the skills of getting their full attention to her. She should be the focal point of their adventure. She was looking for her dream. The outcome was a disaster, four men and four failed love affairs.

Men in her life are a routine. They come and they go. What hurts Kate most was that they treated her like a machine.

At that stage she started to become cynical. She got cynical views of the men around her.Her four failed love story left nothing but a broken heart and a wounded soul.
She became a highly-skilled footballer. Her slogan reads “Test him then kick him”

They come!

They go!

She has to live with the horrible memories of her four machinery affairs. They left some simple marks inside her but she became used to the notion that as they come, they should go.

The fourth love affair took place during the last summer and did not last more than four months. It happened in America away from home and friends. The affair was like a competition. Her partner was trying to prove that he was the cleverest and the strongest in the relationship. Kate tried to prove the opposite. Her heart was the victim of a battle that she lost with a man who used her charms to fill his time.

By the start of this year, Kate thought she needs her own space so she decided to move away from men. She tried to reflect on her last failure to secure a man. Slowly, she began to come to term with study, life and men.

3. Kath

“I sweat. If anything comes easy to me, I mistrust it.”

Lilli Pulmer

“What if you slept?

and what if, in your sleep, you dreamed?

and what if, in your dream, you went to heaven and there

plucked a strange and beautiful flower?

and what if, when you awoke, you had the flower in your

hand?

ah, what then?”

S. T. Colderidge

**********

Kath is sweet and cute. Wise and reliable.

She is a powerful beautiful blondie. She is very attractive with an innocent childish face. She is gorgeous. She is very much serious most of the time, mostly when she wears her glasses.

Her face consists of an astonishing mixture of beauty, innocence, shyness and seriousness. No place for games or playing with words. She has the ability to capture the attention of any decent man and John who has a green soft heart was not an exception.

She is intelligent and she knows that. She has a creative thinking ability and as a result, her memory cells are fully packed with ideas and thoughts. She demands equal rights with men. No doubt she would never let a man get any power to control her.

She has the leadership skills that led her to a spectacular success when One World, the society she chaired, won the best over all society in College. However, taking into account her shyness and seriousness, there are many questions, left to be settled.

Has she got the skills to manage a successful prospect of any promising love affair?

Could she read through the face of any new love seeker to find out for herself the signs of honesty, efficiency and reliability?

Could she not wrongly slap the face of a real man who might bring with him a prosperous new exciting era to her life and heart?

She is very shy but nevertheless very much happy to be looked at. She is not ready to any unconditional surrender indeed. A man could try to get her heart, but he will also have to cook and clean and wash dishes. He should be warned that she is ready to fight if necessary to the last bullet for her own principles.

She is a fish that needs the sea, to hold her by an empty hand is not only a visible mistake, but also a big risk. When it is all about her heart then a man should have his characters in order if he wants to have her lovely and lively company.

A man of her dream must have:

1. Strong characters.

2. Good sense of humour.

3. Passionate about what he believes.

4. Some of her beliefs should be echoed by him.

5. Handsome but not necessary if he proved to be honest.

Kath did not have had any real relationship with a man before coming to College. She entered College as white as the snow in Russia.

Her main hope was to make lots of friends and maybe to search through them for that someone special.

She was a bit dreamy, looking forward for a man of her choice to come riding a white horse to rescue her from her very lonely nights and thoughts.

Kath was optimistic and ready to turn the clouds to rain in order to spread the green. On many occasions she could not contain her excitement of getting an offer that deserved to be looked at carefully.

In theory it doesn’t bother her telling the right man “I fancy you” but in order to do so she needs lots of efforts to tackle her shyness and her intention not to lose any of her power.

Her heart is stony for those who she does not like but soft enough for those men who she thinks they deserve a go. She is not an easy target by any means though.

“How to amaze Kath at first glance?” is really an interesting question. You should have a good smile in your eyes and a friendly manner. If something develops, then thank God, it’s good. Otherwise, that is life, you have to send somebody away all the time.

During her years in College, she found two boys. She loved at least one of them. One could argue that no real love, compassion and progress achieved by Kath during her time with the two boys. It might be the case that the selection was poor but the reality is that the cultural pressure in College is very awful.

She saw some friends getting four handsome boys in less than a year! Then she wondered what was wrong with her?

It was a bit of filling time but certainly there was some real feeling from her side at least.

She started the fourth year single. Her love life was calming downs and she was looking forward to meeting Mr Right, black or white. A man who might give her the taste of how she wants her man to be.

4. Kate and John

There were many things that could worked well for both John and Kate. On one hand their likeness to the art of journalism, on the other hand the fact that they are both single and suffered from a recent failure in an immature love affair.

John thrilled by the power of her smile. Nonetheless her figure, her talent, and the friendly way she used to receive him, all in all created a solid likeness in his heart to Kate.

He was not able to wait to see her again. It was more than fun to see her face everyday. She was his Mona Lisa.

On many occasions carl hinted to him not to surrender to any girl, to be solid like any commander in a war, but John was so honest with her. He preferred not to follow this line.

He overjoyed by some of her actions that he interpreted as an interest in him.

He told himself “Oh my God, she fancies me! Its so wonderful, isn’t it?”

It was the happiest time in his whole life. He was proud of any moment with her but for Kate that moment was mixed with her history with men and shadowed with the recent failure in her last affair during the summer.

It was a sunny day when John told me:

“I will have a lunch with Kate this afternoon.”

I saw the sign of happiness and relief on his face. In his view he was heading to a glory.

The next day I saw him but he looked so sad and upset.

“ What happened John?” I asked him.

“ Kate told me you got me wrong.” he sounds so down.

I knew straight away the size of his pain. He was really disappointed. I felt so sad for him. It was a fast move from victory to crushing defeat. What happened was quite contrary to his wish or expectations, not less than a real torture.

It would be one thing Kate was absolutely wrong. It was totally wrong for Kate to slap him in this unwise manner in which it was done.

A cynic, however, might suggest that she had got the experience to read the runes of any new comer but it was with regard to John, heading toward failure and misjudgement. Crucially, John was keen although to declare himself as a lover, surely, it could be argued that given his personal interest in Kate he would have wait a bit longer to give her time to come in term with the brainless crap in her recent love history. However taking into account the quality of his characters, and his honesty, this argument is not valid by all means.

A Greek philosopher advised his students saying:

“If somebody asked for your name, do not give it immediately, but think for at least half hour.”

You can not understand why she rushed him out of her life so quick without any justification or a good thinking whatsoever.

Then, too many questions left with out any answer!

Was it not possible for Kate to be soft and nice and not give John hell? Usually we lose nothing to be nice with people.

Why did she block an attempt by a decent man to give her a real taste of love that she never have had in the rest of her life?

Did she grow up enough to make a decision of life or death?

Why did she kill the start of a revolution in just a second? A revolution she consciously shaped and judged with madness and stupidity.

Why did she not emphasis on the positives aspects of John? They are too many and not easy to count anyway.

The fact of the matter, he was not making nonsense but a very good cause. It was a disgusting moment when she told him “No John good bye!”

Was it some thing to do with her nature, to say no when she is saying yes? Did John fail to study her face? There is little doubt that John did not get any space to think into this direction. Her quick refusal made him afraid of any advance. He did not want to hurt her anymore. That is what he thought anyway.

If this event, his sacking as lover had not occurred, Kate would have a lot better time by considerable level. John was committed to bring her to a new era full of true loveness.

To slap an honest man, and to welcome a cheater! What type of girls would do that? The answer is many types. However, Kate is from the bubbly type. They are doing it for fun and maybe power but in her case she is clever enough to find out soon or later that this is not her way forward.

Needless to say, there are nervous times in our life when we make some stupid decisions that we pay their cost for the rest of our life.

5. Kath and John

John was wounded severely by Kate. Therefore, I got the idea that Kath is the best girl for him. They both work for One Word she as a chair and John as her secretary. Then I realised a promise that I gave Kath when she told me early in this year:

“Khalid do not set up me with any of your friends.”

“Kath be sure I won’t do that again.” I promised her.

It is going back to the early 1999 when my friend Ahmed the treasurer of One World at the time told me about his likeness for Kath.

“She invited me to her house in Baggot Street, she cooked for me and we had a very good chat.”

Ahmed on his side was very positive, he told me:

“I love Kathy too much, I love to be with her”

Then I thought he would have an easy task with Kath but for my surprise she refused this generous offer may be for good reasons.

It was the annual international food festival where Ahmed decided to declare himself to Kath as the ultimate lover. I told Kath “Ahmed is going to talk to you directly tonight.” She was very embarrassed. Her face was red. I realised that she is very shy since.

Then I found out that some other members of the committee such as Lara and Elaine were pushing her not to accept this offer. I though it was not fair for them to do so. Finally, Ahmed seeing this negativity from Kath moved himself away and started a new life which his successes to manage it is visible.

It was difficult for me to move out of my promise but I told myself “well, I am not setting her up with anybody, its all about explaining the facts to John”

I decided to rush out to John telling him:

“Kath is a jewel, you should take care of her.”

At the very beginning John was so glad to get this advice from me. Then I asked him to get rid of his slowness and be a bit serious about the whole issue of Kath. I thought its better and of value for all of us to see Kath with John who we all trust rather than seeing her moving away with somebody coming from nowhere.

I noticed always his delighted face whenever he was with Kath. I herd from him how she cooked for him a vegetarian dinner which the taste of it last in his mouth for long time. I thought they were moving into the right direction but I was fully aware of their slowness, which was almost certainly going to destroy my good wish for them both.

Then, the worst was to come. John felt strongly that Kath is interested in One World only not his feeling toward her. Nevertheless, he was so glad to execute his duty within One World. He really loved One World and loved to do whatever makes her happy.

However, it was so typical everyday, no excitement whatsoever.

“John see you at one in CSC, we have to sign a cheque.”

“Hi John, lets meet we have to design a poster.”

“John lets organise the talk.”

“Oh no John, the flags do not forget them.”

“John, did you send the e-mail around?”

The worst thing about One World was whatever he done, Kath was there to create more for him, almost something out from nothing without thinking seriously about his good characters or his loneliness and ability to be more than a One Worlder.

One day we were sitting at the steps of the dinning hall. He was a bit nervous with me for the first time in our history. He was trying to say:

“Sorry to disappoint you Khalid but Kath’s only enjoyment is to One Worlding me.”

For John, loving Kath was not an option. One World was very much dominated from her side. It was obvious to him that Kath never saw what he could do for her as a lover. She only saw what he did not do for One World.

Kath was a mystery. He did not know whether her heart was occupied by somebody or nobody. He saw her with some boys but he was not sure if she was taking everyone out on dates.

On the other side Carl was pressurising him with many duties related to COLLEGE News. While Jean was also a deputy editor, he was the one who paid the cost from his time, life, and study to have the newspapers ready in time for College. He always respected Carl, and admitted that Jean has the skills, but his question was why he has to pay the heavy prise always?

Kath thinks that “John is lovely” but “ he did not ask me out!”

Its very much true that John is slow enough to ask a girl for a date. The interesting question is, if he is lovely, why did Kath not try to explore him and take him out of the world of One World even if it is just for a day or so?!

Some time you never know what is going on in life, but his slowness plus her shyness and seriousness were strong enough to combat even a big revolution.

6. John and the future

I believe, there is little to be done to bring Kath and John together, but it might be fruitful for John and Kate to revisit their history if they want a real change.

Its not too late at all, all what Kate needs is an immediate action to redesign her thinking to focus on an ultimate objective, which is to study John and give him the opportunity to prove himself.

Kate should capitalize from her history and capsulate the wish and likeness of John to be with her. It is hard to fight against the will of his heart, she is there at the centre of it.

The truth is cruel but it can be useful, and it makes anybody regain a new thinking. For good or bad, for better or worst, Kate still has time on her hands. The reality is, with John her world would be a safer place.

During the past time little was achieved between Kate and John. However, the next chance will be left totally open for their goodwill to pick up the bits and pieces in order to replace the failure by a series of successes.

There is no man so good to her but John. She does not know his good quality until she gets his heart from him. A heart, which he is ready to give now but may be not later.

The light of his love will lit her lonely nights.

Kate, clap your hands for John. He is your cure to reach the fulfillment in your daily life.Prisoner of Love

Imam Askariy Shrine attacked again

2007-06-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is how the Askariy shrine in the Iraqi city of Samarra used to look.

Its famous golden dome rises between two shimmering minarets.

But take a look at the destruction unleashed in the latest of today attack on the holy site.

All that remains is the tiled facade and the clock tower, which rises alone into the blue sky.

The terrorists attackers set off explosives that brought down the two golden towers that flanked the dome's ruins at the century-old mosque.

The golden dome was previously blown off by the very same terrorists militants in February 2006 but the minarets were then left intact.

The remains of one of the minarets can be seen against the intricately tiled front of the mosque.

This was the scene following the 2006 bombing that blew the golden dome off the holy shrine.

My comments:

Every single honorable Iraqi citizen has great respect for all the shrines, mosques and other holy places. These attacks are done by the brainless terrorists killers who are coming from abroad and can not be by any means part of the real people of

Iraq

. We did not experience even a tiny of any of these nightmares happening in our beloved country in the past. We are a mixed society and we have accepted each other long long time ago. The differences between us, in fact, should be a privilege for everybody that show our tolerance and that we are a civilized nation.

We the people of

Iraq

have little doubt that these terrorists attacks are well planned to create a civil war between the Shias and the Sunnis. However the terrorists are the loser because a civil war never happened and will not happen in

Iraq

.

Peace and justice will prevail in our holy Land

Putin: Put US anti-missile interceptors in Iraq!

2007-06-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the United States should think about locating anti-missile interceptors in NATO member Turkey or even in Iraq.

It seems that all the challenges that the Iraqis have to overcome at the moment are not enough and now we have to be a proposed location for the American anti-missile interceptors according to President Putin!

It seems, we the Iraqi people, have no say as to what we want and what we do not want! Others on daily basis are making decisions on our behalf without even a tiny consultation.This is too risky for our nation and could harm us for generations to come.

It is shame that very few politicians got the time to publicly criticize president Paten’s proposal. The fact of the matter is that we the Iraqi people are a friendly and a peaceful nation. We fed up with wars and killings and we do not want to be part of any military plans or treaty. We should be an independent sovereign country. We must be a neutral country when it’s about military operations that are not in the benefit of the Iraqi people or the other nations in the region.

I have to say that President Putin is giving what he certainly does not own. We want peace and nobody other than us the Iraqi people could decide about our own destiny.

There is just one GOD

2007-06-12T04:19:00.000-07:00

We may have too many names for ALLAH but the reality we just have one ALLAH and let me tell you why. It is a normal practice for a friend to argue or even fight with another friend. The same could be applied for husbands and wives, brothers and siters and so on. Therefore if we have two ALLAH then they will fight each other and certainly we will lose the stability of our universe as a direct result. Therefore it should be said that we just have only one GOD i.e one ALLAH whatever the name you, me or others may use.

Why if you throw an apple it comes down?

2007-06-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

No No No No it is not due to Newton's Law of Gravity but because it should come down to enter the mouth of a hungry man, a hungry woman, a hungry rat or whatever!

The man who becam a dog!

2007-06-12T04:16:00.000-07:00

Introduction

It was back in my beloved capital Baghdad in the 80's when I got a chance to see a play entitled "The man who became a dog" which was produced by the Iraqi artist Qasim Mohammed. The venue was the institute of fine arts in Baghdad. I got the idea of the play and wrote my own version in 1998.

The man who became a dog

By

Khalid Ibrahim

Cast breakdown:

A family of a wife and her husband in their mid thirties, two boys 12, and 13 years of age and a director of a company (an old man in his late fifties).

Scene one

The play starts with a mixture sound of dogs and sheep.

The husband (entering the stage hand in hand with his wife

Singing):

Colombia, Colombia, Colombia

We are going to Colombia!

Then the two sons enter the stage.

The first son: Dad what is the story?

The second son: Tell us Dad!

The husband: History is to be made!

We are all going to Colombia for a holiday!

The first son: Colombia?

The second son: Hey, I was not consulted! This is unjust.

The first son: Is there any democracy in this house?

Our voice should be herd!

We are two and you are two.

The husband: Historically, in our family, kids cannot have any say on foreign affairs until they become 18.

The second son: Oh Dad no! What you done is so bad. This is a real dictatorship! You are no more than another Saddam!

The husband: No, not at all. I am not Saddam. I hold the same principles as the great French revolution. Equality! Justice! and Liberty! Only, your Mum and me are acting on your behalf until you get enough skills and experience.

The wife: Sons, you have no option but to come with us. We cannot leave you here on your own. You won’t survive.

The first son: You cannot force us to go. They call that child labor.

The first son -facing his brother-: do you think we can take them to the court and make some money out of this crisis?

The wife: Sons, we love you and we are sure you will enjoy it.

The husband: Colombia is green and beautiful, we will see it and study the history of this country. Sing with us sons

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia
Colombia Colombia Coo Loo MMMMM Biaaaaaaaaaaaa

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Coo Loo MMMMM Biaaaaaaaaaaaa

The two sons -sing but sound unhappy-:

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Coo Loo MMMMM Biaaaaaaaaaaaa

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Colombia we are going to Colombia

Colombia Colombia Coo Loo MMMMM Biaaaaaaaaaaaa

Scene two

The wife reading a book with her two kids who are talking with each other. The husband comes back with a very sad face.

The wife: What going on? What happened?

The husband: Too bad to tell

The wife: Are you very sick?

The husband: No, more than sickness

The wife: Did you kill the principal of your school?

The husband: No

The wife: Did he try to kill you?

The husband: No

The wife: Did you try to kill yourself?

The husband: No

The wife: Did you kill one of your students?

The husband: No

The wife: Did you join a gang of killers?

The husband: No

The wife: Tell me then

The sons: Tell us Dad

The Husband: I lost my job as a teacher of history at the school

The first son: Good news, people should be able to read history without a teacher.

The second son: You killed us with your history and its time to send your job to history.

The wife -asking the two sons-: Enough, it’s so serious, what will we do for money?

The husband: I tried some other schools, but its a general crises. So difficult to find a job.

The first son: Why you don’t work as a politician? It’s a very profitable job these days.

The second son: Dad, name the party, the historical party. No doubt your aim will be to ask the whole nation to explore and be busy with the history of the past, not to build a future. You don’t need money to do that, only words, not deeds. A very easy task and at the end of day, you are the one who will get a very heavy pocket.

The husband: Historically, our family have had no involvement in politics. Myself, I cannot ask the people to do something and do the opposite in my private life, the way, most politicians do.

The wife: I worked for years before marriage as an accountant and I’m sure, I will find a job. Are you ready to be the housekeeper?

The husband –thinking for a moment-: Well, I have no choice. Go and find a job.

The wife -taking his hand and saying-: Thanks I love you man. In my entire history, you are the only man that I loved.

The husband: For me, historically, this is the worst moment in my life.

The first son -taking his brother out-: History, history, history. History is bunk. Do we really need this? Let us go.

Scene three

The husband mopping the floor and the two kids are watching him.

The first son: Dad, you should learn how to clean.

The second son – looking on the floor-: Missed a spot. Dad I’m sorry, someday you will be the best cleaner on this planet.

The second son -drops some papers on the floor-: Dad, you are paid to do a good job. Clean the floor. Do your job Dad. Don’t mess around. History will record for the coming generations.

The husband looks at him very nervous.

The first son: Dad could I ask you a question?

The husband –very nervously-: whattttttt?

The first son: On the basis that you are doing the duties of mum, what we should call you from now on? Mum? Mammy?

The husband -throwing the mop on the floor and saying very nervously-: Shut up I kill you, I cannot give birth so I am Dad and the only Dad in this house.

The first son: But Mum, is not giving birth anymore. She brings home the bacon. She wears the pants. There is only one boss. She is the boss, who is getting you and us money, so she is Dad.

The husband -very angry and following them with the mop-: You must know that there is only one Dad in this house and its me. I’m the Dad.

The two sons: Who is in the house? Mummmmmmmmmy

Who is in the house? Mummmmmmmmmy

Who is in the house? Mummmmmmmmmy

The husband: Daddddddddy

Daddddddddy

Daddddddddy

The two sons -running away-: Bye mummy mummy mummy

The husband - following them with the mop and repeatedly saying-: Daddddddddy

Daddddddddy

Daddddddddy

The husband -alone speaking to himself-: To be a Dad or a Mum that is the question? I am losing power to my wife. You are not Dad but Mad. There are two husbands in this house. I need a revolution!

The husband –climbs the table holding up the mop-: What do we need? A revolution. When do we need it? Now

What do we need? A revolution. When do we need it? Now

What do we need? A revolution. When do we need it? Now

One House, one leader, meeeeeeeeeeee.

One House, one leader, meeeeeeeeeeee.

One House, one leader, meeeeeeeeeeee.

Who is in the house? Daddddddddy

Who is in the house? Daddddddddy

Who is in the house? Daddddddddy

One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age with the “Mummy” name.

The wife -coming with some bags-: Hi, did you do the cooking?

Did you clean the house? Where are the kids?

The husband –flings away the mop and taking his wife by surprise-: Enough, you stay home, I will go out to find a job. We should have one husband not two.

The wife: You know I love you, ok no problem. Go and find yourself a job.

The two sons-coming back-: But not history!

Scene Four

The wife and her two kids are waiting the husband. A newspaper is thrown on the floor.

The wife -on his arrival-: Did you find a job?

The husband –looks like beings attacked-: No, people by thousand are losing their jobs. I don’t know. It’s madness at there, –looking down-, they took my shoe.

The first son -taking the newspaper from the floor-: There is a job in this newspaper

The husband: Which newspapers?

The first son: The evening dogs. Listen:

A director of a sheep company needs a man to be his dog. He should be married, friendly but tough with skills. Call to 24 Dogs Road, Sheep city after 6pm. Duties include minding the sheep and the office and giving an attractive smile. The job is a well paid.

The husband: Son give me the newspaper. I should go now.

The wife -back to her book-: Good luck dear.

The husband –speaking to himself while moving out-: To be a dog out is better than being a Mummy in.

The second son -asking his brother-: Do you think dad will be a good dog?

The first son: Your Dad was a dog from the first day.

The second son: And why he needs a married man?

The first son: A stable dog is stronger than a lonely one.

The second son: So you think, Dad is more likely will get the job?

The first son: Every dog has his day.

Scene Five

The song “Hound Dog”.

The director of the sheep company on his chair.

The husband is entering his room.

The husband -very politely-: Sir, do you need a man to be your dog?

The director: Yes I do.

The man: I am ready to be your dog and do whatever the job might need.

The director: Ok, let us first fill the application form. Are you a dog? Are you a good dog?

The husband –looking left and right-: Hummmmm, yes I’m a dog. A very good dog.

The director: Do you have a good link with the dog community?

The husband: Of course, I know all the dogs in my area by name. They know me very well.

The director: What did you do for them to solve the housing and health crisis?

The husband: I called on the government to make sure that dogs will enjoy a decent life and a prosperous future in this country.

The director: What is the best proverb that you know as a dog?

The husband: Love me, love my dog.

The Director: Do know how to smile like a dog?

The Husband –opening his mouth widely- Heeeeeeeeeeeeee, Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

The director: Are you married to a dog?

The husband: Yes, I was in love with my dogfriend for years then we get married and have two kids.

The director: Cool, ok are you ready for the practical test?

The husband: Yes I do.

The director: Now I am a sheep who is coming in and I want you to keep me out like any respected dog.

The husband: Yes sir.

The director -coming back to the stage on four-: Maaa Maaa Maaa Maa

The husband -from his position saying very weakly-: Haw Haw Haw Haw

The director -moving around him-: Maaaaaaaaa Maaaaaaaaa Maaaaaaaaaa

The Husband -very shy and slowly putting himself on four, he seems begging the sheep out-: Haw Haw Haw

The director for a while is trying to push the husband to act against him. The husband doesn’t know what to do. He is like a blind in love with the job.

The director -standing up very nervously-: Out Out Out you can’t be my dog. You are worst than a mouse.

The husband: Please please give me another chance, please, please sir give me a last chance.

The director: Ok ok ok I give you one more chance to be a good dog.

The husband: Thanks Thank you sir.

The director -repeats the test and the husband attacks him like any vigorous dog-:Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

The director -begging him to stop his attack in a very soft way-: Ma Ma Ma please Ma Ma Ma

The husband -taking his neck between his teeth-: Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

The director -in fear-: Maaa, stop I give you the job. Maaaaaaa

Herd my sheep. Herd my sheep. Herd my sheep.

The husband -very happily leaving him and walking on four victoriously attacking the audience-: Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw.

Scene six

The director is playing with his dog. Throwing his keys many times and his dog bringing them back very quickly. Now he is on his way to move out putting some thing in the mouth of his dog.

The director: Be careful, take care of the office. Don’t let sheep or anybody inside my room

The husband -following him saying very strongly-: Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw Haw.

The director is out and the husband is hearing sound of sheep and answering by a very strong Haw Haw to all the directions.

Scene seven

The wife and her two kids are waiting his arrival.

The wife: Oh my God, he is too late by now.

The first son: I think he met an attractive dog on his way home.

The two sons are laughing and the wife asks them nervously to shut up.

The husband is coming now on four showing sense of tiredness.

The two sons -going to his direction saying many times-: Dad Dad Dad give us money Haw Haw

The husband is hawhawing on them as to say he is not willing to give them money.

The wife is now behind her husband trying to help him but now he is trying to bite the first son.

The first son: Barking dogs seldom bite

The second son -running away from his dad-: History was more better, at least without bitting.

The husband is leaving his first son and trying to bite his second son.

Now the wife is coming between them asking her kids to leave and giving her husband his dinner.

The husband is eating. Still on four though.

He is Hawhawing to attract his wife and get her beside him. Now he is trying to thank her in the way a dog does.

The wife: Oh my God, he is a dog now!

He is saying Haw Haw signaling yes.

Scene eight

The last scene, which reflects a crises in the house. They are fighting each other like dogs do.

All on their four except the wife. The battle started between the two sons, the husband is taking one side while the wife is trying her best to solve the dispute.

The wife –looks a bit hopeless-: Barking dogs tell no tales

The wife –speaking loudly-: We should hope for good. There are still alive and a living dog is better than a dead lion.

After a while an over voice of a female is to be herd by the audience:

When there is a collapse in the political system, corruption and plenty of fat cats. The people will lose their morals. Lose their humanity and become like animals.

So, don’t take your life, love and even your study for granted. You might be a dog one day. Just remember the setting is anywhere at any time. Be careful and act.

Stop all the killing in Iraq!

2007-06-11T00:11:00.000-07:00

This is my first post and it’s to say stop all the killings in my beloved country Iraq. Let’s love each other. Let’s love those who have the same views or backgrounds as us and let’s also love those who have different views or backgrounds. It is shame that our blood is so cheap that every day we witness more killings in our streets and cities. It is shame that we as one of the richest countries in the world are busy with wars and killings. It is shame that we kill each other because we have differences.

We have had enough of all these nightmares so lets work together to stop all the killing in our holy land Mesopotamia. Lets all work hard to stop killings in our beautiful country Iraq, the cradle of civilization.