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About 4.4 million Iraqi have been displaced from their homes according to official sources, 2 million are refugees in the neighboring countries while 2.4 are refugees inside their own country and as I always said I strongly believe the numbers are much higher than this at least the refugees in Europe and other parts of the world are not counted with the 4.4 million and I think they would make more than 1.5 million.
A spokesman for the German government announced that Germany is waiting for the procedures from Baghdad to encourage the Iraqi refugees to get back home considering the improvements in the security situation and he also announced that Iraq should financially help its neighboring countries in carrying the burden of the Iraqi refugees on its lands (haven't Iraq helped them enough by giving them oil in a really reduced price) and from his side; Almaliki told the Germans that Iraq is open for business and German companies and investments are welcomed in Iraq.
The German spokesman said that after a meeting for the European foreign minister in which they discussed the matter of the Iraqi refugees and how should their countries "encourage the Iraqi refugees to get back to their homes"!!! and I could read between the lines that they will stop helping the refugees or accepting new ones and try to force them as much as they can to get back to Iraq because Maliki told them it's safe in Iraq now while at the same time Germany is leading a campaign to facilitate the immigration of the Iraqi refugees into Europe and specially the Christian Iraqis.
The German chancellor Angela Merkel announced her support for Iraq in encouraging the Iraqi refugees to get back to their country and she also said that the Iraqi government has made it clear that the security situation has improved and she announced that she will prepare a program to return the Iraqi refugees in the next two months! But this program will not include the Iraqi Christians because they are endangered by the Islamic fanatics…well; aren't all real Iraqis endangered by those fanatics! They will kill anyone who they don't like whether he is from their sect or not, whether from their religion or not…I think it is a racist thing to exclude the Iraqi Christians from the rest of Iraqis and consider them endangered more than the rest…haven't they agreed that the situation is better and it's safe for Iraqis to return! So why would they fear for the Iraqi Christians? Simply because it's not really safe for the refugees to get back to Iraq.
I can understand the desire of the Iraqi government to get the refugees back to Iraq, they need them for so many reasons and most important of those is the picture of the Iraqi government because when refugees start to get back this means the government made some really good achievements and it is a good victorious government and it did what is required from it and if we believed they want the best for Iraq (that I can't believe) then getting those refugees from outside Iraq who most of them are high skilled members of the society and they are crucial in the process of getting Iraq back on its feet but I can't understand the attitude of the European countries, even if I believed that the situation have really improved there are so many people who are personally targeted, it's very dangerous for them to get back even if the situation is great because as I said they are personally targeted.
The Iraqi government is trying its best to make Iraq a prison which is so similar to what Saddam was doing, Saddam wanted to force all the Iraqis to stay in Iraq and prevent them from escaping and the current Iraqi government is doing the same with a big difference between the two times; At Saddam's the whole world was compassionate with Iraqis and allowing them to stay as refugees but now the whole world is with the Iraqi government and kicking the Iraqis back to the hell hole.
Jordan is almost closed to Iraqis and almost impossible to stay there because of the residency regulations, Syria is a bit hard to get in and so hard to stay there that's about the neighboring countries, Egypt and Gulf countries are impossible to get in…Most of the European countries have closed it's doors in the face of Iraqis and many of them are returning them.
Congrats Maliki, you made a great trap for your countrymen.
A spokesman for the German government announced that Germany is waiting for the procedures from Baghdad to encourage the Iraqi refugees to get back home considering the improvements in the security situation and he also announced that Iraq should financially help its neighboring countries in carrying the burden of the Iraqi refugees on its lands (haven't Iraq helped them enough by giving them oil in a really reduced price) and from his side; Almaliki told the Germans that Iraq is open for business and German companies and investments are welcomed in Iraq.
The German spokesman said that after a meeting for the European foreign minister in which they discussed the matter of the Iraqi refugees and how should their countries "encourage the Iraqi refugees to get back to their homes"!!! and I could read between the lines that they will stop helping the refugees or accepting new ones and try to force them as much as they can to get back to Iraq because Maliki told them it's safe in Iraq now while at the same time Germany is leading a campaign to facilitate the immigration of the Iraqi refugees into Europe and specially the Christian Iraqis.
The German chancellor Angela Merkel announced her support for Iraq in encouraging the Iraqi refugees to get back to their country and she also said that the Iraqi government has made it clear that the security situation has improved and she announced that she will prepare a program to return the Iraqi refugees in the next two months! But this program will not include the Iraqi Christians because they are endangered by the Islamic fanatics…well; aren't all real Iraqis endangered by those fanatics! They will kill anyone who they don't like whether he is from their sect or not, whether from their religion or not…I think it is a racist thing to exclude the Iraqi Christians from the rest of Iraqis and consider them endangered more than the rest…haven't they agreed that the situation is better and it's safe for Iraqis to return! So why would they fear for the Iraqi Christians? Simply because it's not really safe for the refugees to get back to Iraq.
I can understand the desire of the Iraqi government to get the refugees back to Iraq, they need them for so many reasons and most important of those is the picture of the Iraqi government because when refugees start to get back this means the government made some really good achievements and it is a good victorious government and it did what is required from it and if we believed they want the best for Iraq (that I can't believe) then getting those refugees from outside Iraq who most of them are high skilled members of the society and they are crucial in the process of getting Iraq back on its feet but I can't understand the attitude of the European countries, even if I believed that the situation have really improved there are so many people who are personally targeted, it's very dangerous for them to get back even if the situation is great because as I said they are personally targeted.
The Iraqi government is trying its best to make Iraq a prison which is so similar to what Saddam was doing, Saddam wanted to force all the Iraqis to stay in Iraq and prevent them from escaping and the current Iraqi government is doing the same with a big difference between the two times; At Saddam's the whole world was compassionate with Iraqis and allowing them to stay as refugees but now the whole world is with the Iraqi government and kicking the Iraqis back to the hell hole.
Jordan is almost closed to Iraqis and almost impossible to stay there because of the residency regulations, Syria is a bit hard to get in and so hard to stay there that's about the neighboring countries, Egypt and Gulf countries are impossible to get in…Most of the European countries have closed it's doors in the face of Iraqis and many of them are returning them.
Congrats Maliki, you made a great trap for your countrymen.
18 comments:
A good post. I think people are being far too optimistic about the war being over and the end of violence. Maybe in another 12 months it will be safer. Certainly many of the refugees are badly needed at home, especially medical staff. ___
As for the extra numbers, there are plenty of Iraqis around here in the North-East of England - they are well settled and own shops and restaurants. I think many of them are Kurds.
So many complications, Mohammad, so many live in the worst of times, while a few at the top live in the very best of times for them.
I hope you and your wife are finding ways to cope this summer. Is the electricity situation any better this year? How is the water?
Dr. Mohammed:
As in several of your preceding posts, you bring up the weird workings of the Iraqi government. I think I have a fairly good understanding of the Iraqi people. I find most to be basically good human beings. I don't see religion as a major concern to average Iraqis, except for the mistrust brought on by so much terror in the last few years. Hopefully someday neighbors will not know, or care what religion or sect the people next door are, like it used to be.
What I have a hard time understanding is Iraqi politicians. I find that they often say just the opposite of what they really mean. They also seem to me to be even more crooked than our American politicians, if that is possible! I hope that elections will see a lot of new faces running things over there. A lot of secular people in office would go far in fixing problems.
Back to your posts message, I agree 100% that the world seems to be pushing people to return to Iraq before the time is right. That may be of some help to Maliki, but it is not going to help the situation short term or long term.
Thank you for spending so much time informing us, your readership, on the realities of Iraq.
Your friend
Joe
But this program will not include the Iraqi Christians because they are endangered by the Islamic fanatics…well; aren't all real Iraqis endangered by those fanatics!
Not to the same extent, Mohammed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no "Christian areas" for Iraqi Christians to relocate to, are there? And there are no Christian awakening groups to defend Christians? There are no Christian death squads to retaliate for crimes committed against Christians? Christians have no clout in the current Government of Iraq? They seem quite a bit more vulnerable than any of the other groups in Iraq, to me. What am I missing?
Don Cox,
A strong point you mentioned "medical staff" that's true they are much needed and they are the most endangered slice after the people who worked with the US troops….many efforts by the government and the ministry of health are made to convince the big physicians and icons of medicine in Iraq that have left Iraq to get back…and that happened with my father and his fellow physicians who were asked by many members of the parliament personally and the minister of health him self in a meeting to get back to Iraq and promised him high and important positions and he is dying to get back because he really loves Iraq but the problem is it's not safe for him to get back and when he told the minister that he is so willing to get back but "can you guarantee my safety?" and that's when the minister turned silent…..
I think like the way you do…refugees who have settled well and started a good life and own shops or have careers or jobs shouldn't come back now nor in the coming year but the ones who struggles and suffers should get back…that's what I think.
LJM,
What can I tell you about the heat!!! It gives me a clearer idea about hell and the temperatures in it…I'm planning for a short vacation to escape the hottest days of the year but I wish they will give us the leave…the electricity isn't much different it comes in a range of 3 hours a day; that's in my area so areas are a bit better some are worst….while water is good in my area now but there are areas that are left without water for 3 days sometimes!!! Can you believe that?
Average American,
I wish that too…thank you.
Programmer Craig,
I wish you are not taking this personal and I need to make it clear that I really don't distinguish between Muslims or Christians (clear through reading my writings) they are alike to me and you should know that Muslims and Christians in Iraq live together peacefully and they love each other (I don't mean fanatics)….I have 3 Christian friends that I look at them as best friends and I respect their religion and so do they…Iraqi Christians understands Islam much better than the western Christians because they are living with Muslims and they know the reality of normal Muslims but most of the west hears only about the Muslim fanatics so they think all Muslims are like them which is totally wrong…and Muslims respect the Christians so much and I'm not just saying that, it is the truth and you could ask any Iraqi Christian if you know any
Most of what you said is right, but it's right if you look at the matter like all Sunnis or Shiites are protecting each other and are safe in their areas….
Christians DO have areas like St.52, AlWathik square, and some areas in Baghdad AlGadida (new Baghdad) but sure they don't have militias or awakenings and don't mention the government because I don't think you believe that the Sunnis or the Shiites in the government really represents their people! But I agree with you that they are more vulnerable and so as other slices of the society like Alfailees and Sabi`a.
Tell me do you think that if a checkpoint for AQ or other Sunni insurgents or death squad stopped me and asked some of their questions will they let me go? Do you think they are considering me or other Iraqis like me allies! Or they will not harm us?
One big problem is that terrorists specifically target doctors, dentists, teachers, engineers, civic leaders - all the people society most needs. This was true in Algeria as well as in Iraq. It makes sense, as the aim is to reduce the population to a state of demoralised, grovelling terror, in which they will do whatever they are told by their new rulers. ____ So, much as doctors are needed, they should not come back until it is 100% safe. A dead doctor is less use to Iraqis than one living abroad.
dr. mohammed,
I wish you are not taking this personal
I don't think that I am. I'm more offended by the way Christians are treated in Egypt and some other Arab countries than Iraq. I would generally agree with you that Christians in Iraq have been treated well, historically.
and I need to make it clear that I really don't distinguish between Muslims or Christians (clear through reading my writings) they are alike to me
I believe you! I would not have made that comment if I didn't think so! I wouldn't waste me time :)
Iraqi Christians understands Islam much better than the western Christians because they are living with Muslims and they know the reality of normal Muslims...
That may be so. But Christians who live as minorities in Muslim countries seem to have a very different understanding of their own religion, than Christians who live in Christian majority countries. I've found myself pretty shocked at some of the opinions expressed by Arab Christians. Particularly Jordanian and Palestinian Christians. So maybe they understand Islam better, but their own religion not so much? It seems centuries of living under Islamic rule has changed their beliefs pretty substantially. But that's just my personal opinion.
but most of the west hears only about the Muslim fanatics so they think all Muslims are like them which is totally wrong…
I don't really agree with you on this. The fanatics may be few in number, but they have widespread support in most Arab countries. Again, just my opinion.
and Muslims respect the Christians so much and I'm not just saying that, it is the truth and you could ask any Iraqi Christian if you know any
I don't know any, personally. In fact, I've never met an Iraqi - either christian or non-Christian. The only Arab Christians I've ever known have been Lebanese and Egyptians.
Most of what you said is right, but it's right if you look at the matter like all Sunnis or Shiites are protecting each other and are safe in their areas….
Well, they at least have the option of trying! The Christians really don't. And I agree with you that things haven't been so much worse for Christians than any other Iraqi, yet. But things may change, and if they do the Christians are totally defenseless. So, it's not unreasonable for them to be given preferential treatment if they wish to leave Iraq. In my opinion. Also, I think many Western countries are more comfortable with taking in Arab Christians than Arab Muslims, whether that's right or wrong.
don't mention the government because I don't think you believe that the Sunnis or the Shiites in the government really represents their people!
I don't think the GoI cares so much about representing their people, but having some influence in the government is never a bad thing, right?
Tell me do you think that if a checkpoint for AQ or other Sunni insurgents or death squad stopped me and asked some of their questions will they let me go? Do you think they are considering me or other Iraqis like me allies! Or they will not harm us?
I think you'd have a better chance of talking your way out of it at least! But I am agreeing with you... as far as it goes, currently. I'm just thinking ahead to the possibility things may change in the future. It's happened before, in other Arab countries.
Three hours a day of electricity and water in areas off for 3 days is just unacceptable. If violence is truly down in Baghdad, there's no excuse for the repairs to have been made to get these basic services working for the citizens there. Iraq has oil revenue. What are they spending it on?
Isn't it amazing that you have managed to survive all this time while the unrest in Iraq just keeps raging on? I'm amazed by this fact.
Craig, Mohammed
Here's a recent article on Christians in Iraq:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/iraqi-christians-fight-back/2008/07/28/1217097148380.html
Myself, I think it's way too soon to forcibly return refugees to Iraq, no matter their religion.
Many of those who reached Europe were people who could afford to pay traffickers to get here. The people who could afford to shell out 10's of thousands of dollars. They, to a large degree, are the professionals and the educated. These people are both targeted by fanatics and at risk of kidnapping and crime because of their percieved wealth. Christians have their minority status as an additional burden on top of this, but any refugee fled for a reason.
//Marcus
I'm glad you and your wife are alright my brother.
I'm American. For some reason, I haven't been able to get your blog posts since May, and was very worried.
As the last incident in May was a horrible experience for you, and I was very worried about you, and your state of mind then.
I'm thankful your ok, and your valued very highly, and doing a wonderful job, in a very difficult situation, to get the truth out to the people. As we don't get it from the News Media.
I thank you,
Allah senden razı olsun!
Astara
Don Cox,
What you said is so true and you are so right that a dead good doctor is no use for anybody.
Programmer Craig,
Yes, I agree that what happens in Egypt is shameful despite the humanitarian side that all humans are brothers and sisters after all it's those Fanatics who as I think don't understand Islam because in Islam it is an obligation to respect your Christian brother and his religion because it's a religion of god and you must live with other religions peacefully because that is what the Prophet Mohammed (PBOH) said and did unless they attacked fist at that case Muslims can attack back and there are many straight verses in Quran about that and many holy sayings of the prophet….anyway I don't want to be dragged into a discussion about religions because I don't like that and I'm not a cleric so I could talk about such things.
About Christians not understanding their religion in the Arabic countries…well, I don't know about that but you must distinguish between customs of society and religion maybe they have the society customs of Muslim Arabs…I don't know just an Idea but as I have seen when I went to the Church when my friends mother passed away I didn't notice any difference from what I see in the movies or TV series but I understand what you meant I think you meant the details and you know about that better than me.
About the support of fanatics….please let me tell you that you are wrong in this…trust me and don't believe what you see or hear in the media…they have little support specially in Iraq now…they get their support from the poorly educated and poor people only, most of the real Iraqis, good Iraqis and educated Iraqis don't support that…while in the other Arab countries I'm not totally sure but I as I saw and believe it's almost the same case as in Iraq.
As you said, it might happen in the future but after the observation and living in the middle of the events I can tell that Christians will never be harmed more that what happened last year in "Dora" for so many reasons…and I can assure you that a Christian can pass easily through JAM and some Sunni insurgents but not AQ.
And finally you said what I wanted to say and agreed with me in another form… think many Western countries are more comfortable with taking in Arab Christians than Arab Muslims, whether that's right or wrong.
Those countries should be secular and they should not distinguish between humans on the bases of religions or believes, right? So that can be called racism or religious fanatic, right? So it's wrong unless there is genocide against the Christians specifically then it will be right.
LJM.
Into their pockets, clearly….check them out and you would see that they have ripped off because of the massive amount of cash they put in it.
Mockingbird,
Thank you…I guess I'm a survivor
Marcus,
You are so right about those refugees, but I can say that they are between 70%-80% and the rest are not like you said.
Astara,
Why? That's strange….I wish it's fixed now.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for what you said in the end but I think it's Turkish because it's not Arabic and it sounds like Turkish.
I read an AP article talking about how Iraq has all this oil revenue money now and still electricity and water aren't really available in Baghdad as you've written. There was a big report in the US just submitted on how the reconstruction in Iraq isn't working out and this money isn't being spent on services for Iraqis as it should.
I hope you do get a holiday this summer. Maybe you'll be in a place where you can get your camcorder fixed and we'll be able to see video of your vacation:)
Just read in the New York Times that Iraq has a budget surplus from oil revenue of over $70 billion sitting in a bank in New York. Seems like they could use some of that money to fix the electricity and water problems in Iraq.
Dr M,
Glad to see you are still OK. How is your wife? Is her tummy growing big?
Dora was not as bad as the Kurdo/Turkish haulocaust of Assyrian Christians, 750,000.
Differing opinions on Christianity, by Christians happens everywhere. I'm sure lots of Americans would not share the same opinion of the American KKK, a very Christian group, who tortured, raped and burned with their own brand of home grown terrorism. Because they are in the USA, does that mean their brand of Christianity has rubbed off on you? Then there are the Christians of Northern Ireland, who also bombed and blew people up. Mafia, who kill, confess and are forgiven. The list goes on.
Programmer Craig, that was a silly statement.In fact, it was insulting.
arent you going to update?
Programmer Craig, that was a silly statement.In fact, it was insulting.
I've argued with too many Middle Eastern Christians who seem to have more knowledge of what the Quran says than what the bible says to care much about whether you think my opinions are "silly" or not :P
And I'm talking about REAL people. Who comment on REAL blogs. And in some cases HAVE blogs. Not some mythological "Christian" KKK members that you use to to create false arguments.
Programmer Craig : I have been fortunate to get to know many Iraqi Muslims and Christians who have been admitted to the US as refugees in my area of the Southwest. Dr. M's observations about the relations between Iraqi Muslims and Christians are true in my experience. They are friends and seem to have a lot of respect for each other, which, as they explain, patterns the life they had together in Iraq before the invasion. It's pretty encouraging to observe and I hope that it increases the willingness of American Christians to befriend Muslims and get to know them as human beings.
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