Yuram writes perspectives on Islam, social justice, economics and politics from the viewpoint of an American convert to Shia Islam, focusing on the deleterious role played by the U.S. in the Middle East and elsewhere. A dissenting voice from the “Belly of the
Beast”, he lives in Denver, Colorado and can be reached at yuram@sahafa.com.
On a recent Saturday evening, I shared an experience with an Iraqi friend of mine. I met him over two years ago at a seminar where he gave a lecture on the situation in Iraq. At that time, I couldn’t help but marvel at how he spoke out against the US occupation of Iraq despite having been imprisoned by Saddam Hussein at Abu Ghraib. Since then, we have become close friends. He had been given two tickets for a concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Denver, Colorado USA, by a colleague from an interfaith program. Ibrahim invited me to go with him and I accepted, as being with him is always a learning experience as well as providing needed reinforcement for my world outlook. Frankly, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the evening turned out to be an opportunity to clarify my identity as a Muslim and as an American.
(More)My goal in writing this article is the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and for an end to the occupation. I am disturbed by lack of logic and rationality that has permeated our government concerning the US-led war and occupation in Iraq. I am troubled by the language that is used by the media to describe it, as the choice of words veils the reality of the violent and volatile situation in Iraq that the United States, Great Britain and allies have created.
I am appealing for the immediate withdrawal of all US forces and an end to the atrocities of occupation and aggression for the following reasons which I will attempt to validate below:
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