An Iraqi Girl Smiles …

I took the below picture at an anti-war public display last year (in October 2007). This is Ulia Tahi, age 9, who was killed around 17-20 June, 2005. Next to her picture-frame are her shoes and a candle lit in her memory. This particular image made me very sad and has stuck in my mind [...]

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Berkeley Teach-in Against the Israeli War on Lebanon

The following clips are from a Berkeley Teach-in which was organized after the Israeli war on Lebanon in Summer 2006. I came across with them just recently. I think the insights offered are still relevant and helpful to understand the macro and micro politics in the region.
These short clips could also serve as a useful [...]

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"Iraq in Fragments": A Critical Review

Speaking of self-fulfilling prophecies and media images (see the previous post), have you seen this recent documentary called “Iraq in Fragments” directed by James Longley? (here)
Apparently, it has won tons of awards in the Sundance Film Festival and was also nominated for the Oscars. It was screened all across North America between November 2006 and [...]

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Iraq in Fragments: A Self-fulfilling Prophecy?

The US Senate recently voted for a soft partition of Iraq. This was an unbinding resolution to divide Iraq on ethnic and religious lines into three federal governments. One wonders, who gave them to right to talk about dividing Iraq in the first place?! Who are they to decide the future of the Iraqi people? [...]

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The Askariya Mosque and the Muslim Ummah

The desecration of the Holy Askariya Mosque is a painful sight to all lovers and followers of the Prophet and his family. My condolence to all of you on this tragedy.
We are at a very sensitive juncture of history. Our collective actions as Muslims and as people of conscience are largely going to determine our [...]

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