On April 9, 2003, just three weeks into the liberation of Iraq, U.S. forces pulled down a bronze statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, symbolizing the end of the Iraqi President’s long, often brutal reign, and a major early victory for the United States.
Young Iraqi men and women are still protesting, since October 1, 2019, against government corruption and Iranian influence. Often, they find themselves forced into positions to indulge in selecting names to memorialize the date of April 9, 2003. Some would name it the date of the fall of regime, liberation of Iraq, operation Iraqi freedom — while others would call it occupation, falling of Baghdad, or invasion of Iraq.
Most of these young Iraqis were either kids or not even born during this time. What these young Iraqi men and women need to understand is that no matter how hard they work to know more about this war, there will always be more questions and not enough answers.
There will be a fraction of truth that can’t be seen from only living the war. What is more important for them is to focus on their fight for freedom and liberty and to realize that what is left for them after April 9 2003. That is, U.S. troops still have work to do, brave Iraqis still have to fight both to achieve their dreams, and to maintain a vison of peace that is still finding its route to them.
The first genuine initiation for the peace vision in Middle East was implemented through the establishment of the Abraham Accords.
During Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq on March 8, 2021, he called for an end to violence and extremism.
On the second day of his three-day trip, Pope Francis met Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a spiritual authority for many Shiite Muslims. He also toured the ruins of the ancient city of Ur.
Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldeans. Ur is a city near Nasiriyah in southern Iraq
Could Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq help to manifest the vision of peace and harmony among the three largest Abrahamic religions: Judasim, Christianity and Islam? Will Iraq be ready to sign the Abraham Accords, thereby joining the vision of peace along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Arab countries?
The politics of the UAE take place in a framework of a federal presidential elected constitutional monarchy (a federation of absolute monarchies.) The UAE is a federation of seven constituent monarchies.
According to the convention, the ruler of Abu Dhabi is the president of the UAE. Despite holding a title of president, the country is not governed as a presidential republic, and the head of state, and the ruler of Dubai, is the prime minister of UAE, the head of the government.
The UAE, and its pioneer leadership in the world, is a great example for young Iraqis who want to make a change for their future. Iraq has the tools to invest in and adapt a similar, if not identical, path of their Emirates brothers.
The Iraqi Constitutional Monarchy (“ICM”) is a monarchist political party in Iraq led by Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein. Al-Hussein is related to the Hashemite royal family which ruled Iraq until 1958. He has succeeded in establishing himself as a claimant in the international press and currently in the politics of Iraq.
Iraq is a blend of strong provinces with its people. When all are merged without a single integration, they lose their strong cores and become a struggle for each other rather than a support, especially when its government is not strong enough to empower itself and its people.
In general, if we take a glimpse at the history of Iraq we will see that each land or province have a certain strength, and when recognized individually, they will add a great value toward the achievement of Iraq’s sovereignty.
The 1991 uprisings in Iraq were a series of popular rebellions in northern and southern Iraq in March and April 1991 during a ceasefire in the Gulf War. Their courage and bravery to fight for the freedom of their lands are equivalent to many Irishmen and Scottish soldiers who fought in many battles in both World War I and World War II as part of the British forces.
The west and east of Iraq are rich with great political and influential figures, business pioneers and visionary mindset who are ready to open to the world, make deals, peaceful agreements and rebuild their cities. Baghdad will always be a flourishing center of knowledge, culture and trade.
Change in Iraq can only happen when peace is established. My hope for Iraqis is to see the harmony of Star and Crescent used to represent Islam, the Christian Cross and the Jewish Star of David.
Mrs. Al Saadi is the Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman for PACEM Solutions International LLC. Mrs. Al Saadi is a refugee from Iraq and now a naturalized American citizen. Read Rana Al Saadi's Reports — More Here.
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