Iraqis in South Africa

So I'm rushing around South Africa with 10 Iraqis. We flew in from Dubai on Sunday night and in 5 days are going Joburg > Cape Town > Joburg > Durban > Cape Town > Joburg! We met today with Archbishop Desmond Tutu who still has the humility and childlike humour I remember from back in 1994 when I heard him talk at St.Aldates Church in Oxford, although he is visibly frailer. We're meeting with President Mbeki tomorrow but unfortunately Mandela is off on holiday so we won't be seeing him.

The purpose of the delegation is to share some of South Africa's experiences as an extremely diverse state (with 11 official languages!) which has sucessfully transitioned from represive minority rule. Given that I was still a kid and not politically engaged when Apartheid ended it's been a revelation learning just how risky the transition was and that the country only just avoided a civil war that could have been as bloody as Iraq's (Even so, as I heard today from Dave Stewart, De Klerk's Chief of Staff in the early 90s, 22,000 people were killed in the decade running up to Mandela's election). Learning about South Africa's journey may give the Iraqis some hope along with ideas and inspiration to work for reconciliation. At the same time most of the people we've met have admitted the differences, South Africa for example was able to transition on its own timescale without interference from foreign troops and neighbouring countries, a luxury Iraq has been denied.

Here's an interview with Fink Haysom (my boss, to my right on the photo) about the delegation. And here's another.

Cartoon contoversy

I'll write up a full reflection tomorrow, but for now here's me at a demonstration here in Amman, Jordan about the Danish cartoons. My sign says "Show respect to muslims and their Prophet"
 

Kidnapped by Iraqis... then by Americans

My friend Phil Sands, a British journalist, was kidnapped on Boxing Day but freed by US soldiers who stumbled across him accidently during a house raid on New Years Eve (as an independent journalist, no one had realised he was missing - see his accounts in the Scotsman and San Francisco Chronicle).

It is good news that Phil is free, however his translator Salam, who is one of my closest Iraqi friends and was my translator back in 2003, was immediately detained by the Americans and is still been held by them. They did not even allow him to call his family who only learnt what had happened when we managed to contact them via a mutual friend. Translators and drivers are routinely suspected of being involved in kidnappings - it took weeks to release our CPT translators and drivers who were detained after the kidnapping in November - which is a great disservice to these Iraqis who put themselves at great risk to protect us and enable us to work. Phil is convinced that Salam had nothing whatsoever to do with his kidnapping, and I support him 100%.

Back in the Middle East

Eid Mubarrak. As the whole Muslim world commemorates Ibraham's willingness to obey God through sacrifice I pray that people will be convicted by the story of Eid al-Adha that while God asks for obedience he never wills the death of innocents.

Apologies for my silence over the last month. I've been waiting for something positive to say about my abducted friends from CPT, but unfortunately there is nothing to report yet. Things seem to have gone stagnant and we only have rumours and theorising to go on. What we know for sure is that CPT's work is appreciated by a great number of Iraqis, Palestinians and Muslims around the world with whom we'd had no contact prior to the incident, and I am grateful and humbled by the depth of this support. In Palestine some friends of the team actually lost their jobs because they dropped everything to work full time on the case. I met two particularly brave people, Anas from Britain and Ehab from Canada, who travelled to Iraq to lobby for their release.

For my part I'm embarrassed to admit that since 20 December I've been on holiday. There did not seem to be anything much I could add to what others were doing by being in the region and so I stuck to my plans to spend Christmas in America with my fiance trying to plan our wedding (unfortunately we eventually ruled out Baghdad as a venue! It's likely to happen in the summer in two parts, one in the US and one in the UK, possibly with some follow up celebrations in the Middle East) and then New Year in England seeing many family and friends for the first time in many months.

Of course I've been glued to email and the phone through this period and continually aware that somewhere in Iraq those four wonderful people are now entering the 7th week of their ordeal. And many others besides including some kidnapped Iraqis I'm trying to help and one of my first and closest Iraqi friend who is being detaineed by US soldiers. I just heard about Jill Carroll's abduction. She was one of Marla Ruzicka's dear friends and I was moved by her words at Marla's memorial service in Baghdad last April. Jill has written consistently insightful articles in the CSM over the last few years. Tragically her translator Alan (a friend of Riverbend) was killed in the abduction. It is frustrating that so much time and energy is being drained from those reporting the truth in Iraq through the kidnapping of people like the CPTers and Jill.

Anyhow I'm back in the region now and I value all of your prayers for my friends and all those suffering in Iraq. May 2006 be the year when the tide turns against occupation and sectarian violence and the country begins to move towards peace, justice and prosperity. Inshallah.

Deadline extended

As the clocked past midnight, Baghdad time, Al-Jazeera just aired new footage and a statement from the Swords of Righteousness Brigade extending the deadline for the execution of my friends and colleagues by 2 days. I have had a strange peace about the situation though I knew, rationally, that the original deadline might have been real. I pray that the new deadline is also flexible because 48 hours is not a long time.

CPT's guiding principle in conflict situations, a corollary of Jesus' Golden Rule, is never to dehumanise people. So perhaps it is not such a surprise that people demonised by society, such as Abu Qatada (referred to sometimes as "Bin Laden's Ambassador to Europe") should have spoken out in support of CPT. One might think it strange that an avowedly pacifist Christian organisation receives such heartfelt support from jihadist Muslims such as Hamas and the Al-Asqa Martyr's Brigade. Perhaps it is because they can see that CPTers like Tom Fox are among the few in the West who, while disagreeing with their actions, still treat them as precious human beings. My Iraqi friends tell me that people in Baghdad are beginning to refer to the CPT-four as the "mujahadeen" - of course that is a term that they would all reject because of its conitations of violence - but it is nonetheless a deep affirmation that Iraqis recognise them as being radically aligned with their struggle for freedom and justice.

Two articles out of the thousands published over the last week jump out. One is one of Jim Loney's final releases, describing one of our dear mutual Iraqi friends, a friend who has suffered unimaginably as a war-resistor and yet retains a soft heart. The other focuses on Tom Fox, who's steady radical faith has been a firm support to me much of this year in Baghdad and I'm sure will be sustaining the whole group through this trial. Inshallah when I will see Tom free in a few days I'm sure he we give me his shy half smile and ask in those gentle measured tones what all the fuss has been about during his little hiatus, given than dozens of Iraqis go through a similar experience each day.

CPT has issued a new press release:
Love Your Enemies. Free the Captives. End the War

We remain concerned about the well-being of our team-mates Harmeet, James, Norman, and Tom, and we ask for their release. We also remain concerned about the well-being of all Iraqis who are suffering under occupation.

Those who are with our team-mates have demanded the release from captivity of the Iraqi detainees held in United States’ and Iraqi prisons.

Christian Peacemaker Teams believes that no single person, no single nation can meet the demands of Justice.

No single person, no single nation can meet the demands of Peace.

But we believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to bring each combatant and each captive home to their families and to end the war and occupation.
December 10th is International Human Rights Day.

Christian Peacemaker Teams calls for all people of conscience around the world to initiate non-violent public actions for peace and for prayer on December 10
in support of international human rights and in support of ending war and occupation.

Massive support for the CPT Four

It has been an incredibly distressing week in many ways, but one thing which has kept many of us going has been the huge outpouring of support for our friends in Iraq. Not only have dozens of volunteers associated with CPT worked around the clock, but hundreds of others have organised vigils, written articles, attended prayer meetings and expressed their respect and concern for Tom, Jim, Harmeet and Norman. Independent initiatives have been launched including a visit to Iraq by a representative of the Muslim Assoication of Britain and the broader anti-war movement. Muslims held in detention in Canada for four years under anti-terrorism legislation have spoken out recipricoly for James Loney who has been involved in the campaign for their release. An new friend in Beirut is staying up late into the night translating press releases and statements.

There has been a groundswell of support from Palestine, where many appreciate the work of CPT over the last decade. There have been rallies in Tuwani, Khalil and Ramallah and statements from Sheikh Mehdi al-Karki and many of the political parties. Tomorrow my fiance (working with CPT in Palestine) will share a platform with the Mufti of Jerusalem who is holding a press conference calling for our friends release. Most importantly, the team in Iraq have recieved huge support from many Iraqi friends and neighbours, some who have even gone on TV, always a dangerous thing to do, to make personal appeals. Moreover there has been strong support from significant individuals and groups including Sheikh Abdullatif Humayem, the Association of Muslim Scholars and the Iraqi Islamic Party.

For more info see CPT and Indymedia Beirut

Second video

A second video was released by Jazeera last night showing my friends from CPT looking in worse condition and with a threat to kill them on Thursday unless all detainees are released. This is dreadfully ironic given that the primary work of CPT in Iraq has been helping detainees, both of the Occupation and of the Iraqi government.

In April I joined the Iraqi Islamic Party in a rally of hundreds of family members of detainees and many in the crowd recognised us for working on their cases. The first problem for Iraqis is that when relatives are detaineed in a raid or whatever, it can take months to find out where they are being held. The next stage is arranging family visits. In March I went all the way down to camp Bucca in Umm Qasr in March accopanying an Iraqi who had been twice turned away when trying to visit his brothers there, he got in on that occassion. The hardest step is encouraging the authorities to conduct a fair and quick judicial process or release them. Some of my close friends have been detained for really no reason for a year and then never even question or told the alleged charges against them. A number of people whose cases we've lobbied on (letter writing to authorities etc.) have been released and the families have credited us with the release (and invited us to joyful reunion parties) though to be honest its often hard for us to tell how big a role our intervention played in the release. Many others have not been release, but we continue to try and stand by their families. Also to document and report on the overall detainee situation to try and change policy.

I'm still in the cloths I was wearing last Sunday, which I've been sleeping in (for max 3hrs a night) as well. I'm in Jordan now but hopefully on my way to Baghdad soon. See www.cpt.org for arabic statements, petition, CPT's detainee reports etc. also see Tom Fox's blog.

Kidnapped but standing firm

It's now almost 24 hours since the video of my CPT friends appeared on al-Jazeera. Until that point I'd been rushing to try and return to Baghdad ASAP but since then I've been glued to the phone & net, not leaving my desk (and sleeping under it). I've been tangled up in some of Iraq's horrors before (Ghareeb, Enzo, Simonas, Marla, Khalid and my own death threat) but that's not really much of a preparation. Dozens of people across at least 7 countries have been working through the night and supporting each other through fear, exhaustion and frustration. In the intense flurry of activity (I've made more calls in the last day than maybe the last 3 months combined) its very easy to forget prayer but it is more valuable than anything else we (and you please!) can do. And not lose sight of the bigger picture. Wonderful and valuable though my friends are, they are no more valuable than the dozens of Iraqis who are murdered and kidnapped every day and may warrant no more than a nameless footnote in a newswire, if that.

CPT has now issued a full press statement in arabic and english. Also a Palestinian statement of support from Islamic forces in Khalil has been issued by people familiar with our work in the West Bank (english translation). Please circulate these. Many Iraqis friends are trying to get the word out on Arab TV. Here are some articles about CPT's work in Iraq over the last year.

In a published reflection a year ago, Tom Fox wrote: If I am not to fight or flee in the face of armed aggression, be it the overt aggression of the army or the subversive aggression of the terrorist, then what am I to do? "Stand firm against evil" (Matthew 5:39) seems to be the guidance of Jesus and Gandhi in order to stay connected with God. Here in Iraq I struggle with that second form of aggression. I have visual references and written models of CPTers standing firm against the overt aggression of an army, be it regular or paramilitary. But how do you stand firm against a car-bomber or a kidnapper? Clearly the soldier disconnected from God needs to have me fight. Just as clearly the terrorist disconnected from God needs to have me flee. Both are willing to kill me using different means to achieve he same end--that end being to increase the parasitic power of Satan within God's good creation. It seems easier somehow to confront anger within my heart than it is to confront fear. But if Jesus and Gandhi are right then I am not to give in to either. I am to stand firm against the kidnapper as I am to stand firm against the soldier. Does that mean I walk into a raging battle to confront the soldiers? Does that mean I walk the streets of Baghdad with a sign saying "American for the Taking?" No to both counts. But if Jesus and Gandhi are right, then I am asked to risk my life, and if I lose it to be as forgiving as they were.

Peacemakers kidnapped

On Saturday four people with Christian Peacemaker Teams, one a close friend I worked with in Iraq earlier this year and another an aquaintance, were kidnapped in Baghdad. CPT has issued this statement:

"International violence-reduction organization Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) confirmed today that the four humanitarian workers kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26 are associated with their organization. One of the hostages is Norman Kember, a member of the current CPT delegation to Iraq. The British Foreign office confirmed Mr. Kember’s name on Sunday. The names of the other hostages are being withheld in the interest of their security. Only two are members of the long-term Team.

CPT has been present in Iraq since October, 2002. The Team’s work has focused on documenting and focusing public attention on detainee abuses, connecting citizens of Iraq to local and international human rights organizations, and accompanying Iraqi civilians as they interact with multinational military personnel and Iraq’s government officials. Iraqi friends and human rights workers have welcomed the Team as a non-violent, independent presence and asked that the Team tell the stories of Iraqis.

In a “Statement of Conviction,” the long-term Team members stated that they “are aware of the many risks both Iraqis and internationals currently face,” and affirmed that the risks did not outweigh their purpose in remaining. They express the hope that “in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening non-violently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.”

CPT does not advocate the use of violent force to save our lives should we be kidnapped, held hostage, or caught in the middle of a conflict situation.

Christian Peacemaker Teams places teams of trained peacemakers in crisis situations and militarized areas around the world. These teams host regular delegations of committed peace and human rights activists to conflict zones, who join teams in working with civilians to document abuses and develop non-violent alternatives. The CPT Iraq Team has hosted a total of 120 people on 16 delegations over the last 3 years.

In addition to the Iraq Team, Teams of CPT workers are currently serving in Barrancabermeja, Colombia; Hebron and At-Tuwani, Palestine; Kenora, Ontario, Canada; and on the Mexico-United States border."

The CPT-Iraq team does not want media speculation at this moment in case this is harmful. They may issue further statements on their website. Any media should contact them on +1 416-423-5525 (Canada) +1 773-277-0253 (US), offices being staffed 24hrs a day.

If anyone may be able to help with their release contact CPT on the above, or you can reach me at justinalexander@gmail.com or by phone currently on +0039 0831 23 2042 (until about 10pm Kuwait time, 3pm EST) or at my hotel + 965 5710301 ext. 237 (or ask the switchboard to see if I'm at the lobby internet cafe). You may be able to SMS (but not call) me on +962 796497506. My numbers are likely to change in the next few days as I am traveling, and I will post the latest here.

Use Googlenews for the latest on this issue sorted by relevance and date.

In any case, I welcome all of your prayers for their safety and for the many brave Iraqis suffering ongoing kidnapping, detention and violence, and struggling to make ends meet.

Remember Fallujah

Today marks an ignoble aniversary. On 8 November 2004 the US military, with approval and support from Britain, began the systematic destruction of a city of 200,000 people in an operation originally and appropriately codenamed "Thanksgiving Massacre". When I visited 5 months later the 1000+ bodies had been buried and the blood had been washed away, but the devastation remained.

Reading that 60% of the buildings had been seriously damaged is one thing, looking around a once populous neighbourhood and seeing only rubble in all directions is something else entirely. The people of Fallujah were promised large amounts of compensation and reconstruction but my friends at Christian Peacemaker Teams who visited a few days ago testify that a year on the situation remain dire.

http://www.rememberfallujah.org/... and Ramadi, Hit, Mosul, Qaim, Tal Afar, Haditha...