Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Thank You Jeff

I have stopped blogging for the past period since I felt that nobody visits my blog. What happened in the last month encouraged me to write again. A new American pen pal incited me to do so, though my phone line is out of order since last week. Thank you Jeff.

What jumps to my mind now is recalling a memory about what happened during the war:
Sometimes the bombardment becomes so close to our home that some window glasses break. It happened in our neighbor houses. My concern turns to keep the members of my family calm.
I have two nieces, 5 and 6 years old, whom I pay much attention. And to divert their attention away from the thundering bomb sounds, I start to create silly songs and games. On the other hand it helps me to discharge some of the tension I feel.Together, we start to sing and shout loud in a funny way. Sometimes it's just like an earthquake, you feel the floor shaking and after a little while you hear the sound of the explosion. It causes the windows to shake violently, which adds more fear. We gained experience in being aware that a very high sound is going to be heard, for example by a sudden shake of the curtains, or a very flashy light at darkness. Getting ready to hear the explosion is much better, at least to avoid heart attack.

65 Comments:

Blogger Fayrouz said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

10:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As an American nervously waiting for our own election, I can only be thrilled for others in the world who get to experience for the first time the thrill of having a say in their own futures. Democracy is a snowball rolling down the mountain side. It can't be stopped and some danger is in store for those who get in the way. Keep up your writing and the readers will find you. Every voice out of Iraq is eagerly anticipated by the whole world watching you.
Best of luck to you and your country.

5:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please continue posting...especially if you want American assistance in restoring your country. We have been villified by so many inside and outside of our country. We, here in America, need some encouragement too. It is difficult having our sons and daughters halfway around the world risking their lives. It is more difficult when here at home and abroad we are accused of being occupiers. When people say our efforts and sacrifices are for nothing and this is the only viewpoint expressed in the media, it bites deeply.

Our sincerest intention is to help Iraq and any other nation suffering under tyranny and oppression to be free. Not free as the terrorists want...freedom for a few to brutalize the many in the name of the Koran...but freedom where each man, woman and child is free to command their own destiny within a stable governmental framework designed to foster and maintain mutual personal integrity, respect and cooperation. This is not an easy ideal to achieve, but working in that direction alone will liberate most people.

Those who say we are trying to impose western politics on the Mideast are wrong. The first social democracy in recorded history was in ancient Sumeria...where you now stand. We are only trying to restore to the Mideast its own historic legacy from which we have benefitted mightily these past few centuries.

Warmest regards,
gail

5:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Came here from Iraqthemodel blogspot. Every voice is essential to liberty. The enemies of liberty shall not prevail. We stand with you. Keep on blogging.

5:29 PM  
Blogger Louise said...

Good morning Ibn Al-Rafidain. I just found out about your site at Iraq the Model. Iraq the Model gets a huge number of visitors every day, so I think many more people will come for a visit here.

I never knew what the word Rafidain meant, but now I do. I have connections to Iraq through my former husband. His father used to work in the Rafidain Bank and he once gave our son a piggy bank in the shape of the downtown Baghdad Rafidain Bank. I don't know if that building is still there. My son is now 27 years old, so it's been many years since he got that little Rafidain bank.

I'm glad you are still blogging. Another way you can increase the number of people who visit your site is to participate in the comments of the existing bloggers. There are many good ones that get lots of hits, but the two biggest ones (that I visit, in any case) are Hammorabi and, as I mentioned Iraq the Model. If you leave your website URL in the homepage spot, anyone who reads those comments will know how to reach yours.

I sure hope the bombs and explosions in your neighbourhood stop very soon. I passionately believe Iraqis deserve and can achieve democracy and when you do, your country will contribute great things to the world.

I'm a Canadian, by the way. If you ever read my comments that might help you make sense of them. (If they make sense.)

5:40 PM  
Blogger Asher Abrams said...

Thank you for keeping this blog. I didn't know about it before, but I found it through Iraq The Model. I am sorry for the fear and suffering that you and your family have had to endure, both under saddam and during the war. I am sorry you still have to face the danger every day. All I can say is, stay strong and brave, and know that the American people are on your side. We will win this together. Please keep writing.

5:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings Ibn_Alrafidain!

I just followed the link from Iraq The Model to find your blog. After reading your previous posts, I added your blog to my favorites list and I'll be coming back often. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts on current events, as well as past events and hopes for the future. The only reason you have lacked visitors is because people didn't know about your blog. What you've written so far is interesting and sounds very honest to me. I hope you will continue.

Shari - California USA

5:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just found you - please stay with it. I depend on five or six Iraqi sites to get my news on the subject. I like to read thoughtful people like you.
I hope you are able to convince many of your people to not view the US as occupiers. Many of our people have given their lives and many gifts to the Iraqis. If they want to avoid working with the US Iraq will slide back to where it was.

regards
c wilson
texas

6:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please keep it coming, this American wants to hear your voice, something directly from Iraq, not filtered by the media.

6:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want you to keep bloging. I hunger for direct news from Iraq. I know that what I read and hear here in the U.S. is NOT the real news.
I have great hope for you and your country.
Palouse

6:47 PM  
Blogger Mike O said...

Keep on blogging! If nothing else, it's as good for the blogger as the blogee :) Kind of like therapy. My 'therapy' is at http://datatroll.blogspot.com.

It is amazing that, during times of crises and fear, it is our attempt to calm the kids that help us adults so much. Hopefully, your country will complete it's difficult journey to freedom and democracy soon. And decades from now, you can tell wide-eyed grandkids of your experiences during this time, letting them know that freedom is *never* free.

6:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Debra,

Thank you for commenting here. Your faith is truly an inspiration. God Bless You!

Shari

6:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep blogging. Your perspective on what's happening in your country should be heard. I came here via a link from Iraq The Model, whom I read daily. You are now in my blogrolls. Keep posting!!!

7:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just found you through Iraq the Model. Thank you for starting to write again as you said in your post. All I can say is Good Heavens - how frightening the bombing is. I am glad you found a way to help the little ones. I will continue to check your blog for news and your thoughts on life in Iraq. What I read in the Iraqi blogs is so valuable to me and I appreciate it. Many people in the US are praying for you and your country. We want you to be strong and safe and have a future of hope. From the City of Brotherly Love....Monica.

7:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just let us know what is really happening in Iraq and I will read your stuff. As Bill would say...No Spin!!!Just the truth.

Democracy (sp) isn't easy but its well worth the pain and suffering.

Always remember that a Democracy is the majority protecting the rights of the minority........

7:15 PM  
Blogger Sami said...

Deer balik 3ala nafskik oo bil mowafaq inshallah,
i7na ka 3raqiya kulna wiyak and keep up the good work...nice to find your blog.

7:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts.

I am happy that you get the time to spend with your nieces. The children are so special. It sounds like you keep them as safe and as happy as possible. You are a beautiful man for doing that. They will always remember the joy you give them each day you are with them.

Thank you again for sharing this.

7:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The American media publishes such a small amount of news and all the same. It is as if they are saving money by simply retreading last week's, last month's blah-blah. Much of it is negative toward the U.S. and negative as to how Iraqi's feel about the U.S. Never do they discuss the difficulties of building a democracy from the ground up.

Many of us Americans tend to be cynics toward our own government, especially the influence of Big Business. Observing Iraq's traumas of dealing with terrorist destruction has given me a newly found appreciation for the rights within our American constitution. Rights not frequently discussed such as the right to petition the government for redress, the right to peaceably assemble -- which rights have led to major and needed changes in American society -- not entirely peaceably but mostly so. Also, it has given me a keener appreciation for the power of the rule of law, democratic law that is, over the power of the gun and sword. To my way of thinking the only thing the Iraqi "resistance" is resisting is not being able to establish a different form of tyranny in Iraq. If they really want the U.S. military to leave, they should chill out. I guarantee you no one in this Country wants to make the sacrifices individual soldiers and families are now making and no one in this country wants to occupy Iraq.

Stay safe, and please keep blogging. It is a source of information we need as Americans. While I picked up your link from Iraq the Model's blog, you can also expand readership & comments by posting comments on HealingIraq's blog and perhaps he would put a link to yours, as perhaps would Hammorabi or Road of a Nation's blog.

FYI, I am a woman living in Detroit, Michigan -- not born here but from a family who moved frequently. I am an attorney. My children and grandchildren live in another state, where I visit. I tell them, as well as co-workers, about what I read on these blogs and give them the links.

7:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I now subscribe to 8 Iraq blogs, including yours (as of a few moments ago). They give us an insight we don't get from the American press (well known to be slanted heavily to the conservative right).

The other blogs:

A family in BaghdadBack to IraqBaghdad burningHealing IraqIraq the futureIraq the modelNabil's blog

7:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

More people than you think read blogs. Most however do not post. Keep writing. You have a talent.

8:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a silly person who likes correcting trivial errors, so here:

Thiking Loudly To Be Heard By The World

should be:

Thinking Loudly To Be Heard By The World

My apologies, I would have sent this as an email but did not find an email address.

8:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Also found your name via Iraq The Model. Would be interested in your comments about Mithal Al Alousi's recently announced “Iraqi Nation Democratic Party”. Given his controversial visit to Israel last month, would you be inclined to support him or his party? Why or why not?

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I found you through Iraq the Model. As others have said, please keep blogging. It is important for us to get to know one another in a forum that is not biased like many of the media. There has been so much miscommunication between America and the Middle East.

Take care.

Lynnette in Minnesota

9:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

IBN_ALRAFIDAIN,

I will add you to my "Favorites" and visit often. When this is all over and things have settled down, these blogs would make a great book. Imagine compiling all these observations and comments into a compelling view of Iraqi liberation. Think about it.

I wish you and your family safety. I am praying for all Iraqis.

Also, thanks to Debra for her encouragement and reminder of what Americans truly value.

10:04 PM  
Blogger Mike said...

Good stuff. It's nice to hear a voice that's actually experiencing what everybody else is merely talking about. I look forward to hearing more.

10:15 PM  
Blogger NeoUz said...

Hello,

I found your blog through my relentless searching through blogger to find someone with something interesting to talk about. Please keep posting. (In the future my comments will mean something, sorry I don't have something to talk about now other than to offer my condolence for the events where you live at the moment)

10:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Ibn El-Rafidain, Ibn El-Warda

Please keep posting and keep your thoughts coming. I need that becaue I am an Iraqi living in the United States and I need to hear my peoples opinions and thoughts and your daily actions and interactions. It helps me a great deal in understanding what you are going through especially I still have family in Baghdad. My prayers for your safety and the decent "shurafa" Iraqis. Good Luck

11:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One day you will have nothing but background music to go with your song. I look forward to that day with a desire impossible to explain.

Thank you for telling us of your daily life. We never see anything but burning cars in our news. Which makes many in the US feel that we have done nothing good in Iraq. On many blogs I have seen otherwise. But most US people do not see these sites.

Keep blogging, and keep up your hopes and dreams,
Sarah

11:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is just to let you know that somebody in Argentina reads your blog...keep up the good work!

12:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and honor your courage to speak your thoughts loudly. Continue blogging please! I am very interested to hear about your experiences and thoughts and opinions.

Best wishes to you,

Andrew

2:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Too few American's know what Iraqi's really think. Your words give us the information that our media keeps from us. thank you.

3:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I also came in from Iraq the model and find your blog very interesting. Please keep blogging. Your struggles and aspirations are supported all over the world

3:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,
I am glad you are being encouraged to continue blogging. The main media in the U.S. is basically void of good news from Iraq so bloggers from Iraq are one way we can hear some. Of course, there is bad to be heard but hopefully it will not last long and Iraqis will soon rule their own destiny and enjoy freedom.
Thank you and be safe,
Rand

4:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From a previous post
"Now, it is our turn to adjust our interests to conform with theirs, since the Americans are ready to react positively."
You should still stand up for your own interests. What would be helpful is if you define where your interests agree with the Americans' interests. Then work for those interests, while recognizing that other points of disagreement are acceptable and should not jeopardize the new relationship.


"I have stopped blogging for the past period since I felt that nobody visits my blog."
Well now you are going to have to write more!

Bobby - Virginia, USA

4:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please keep on blogging. Many like me read and say
nothing. However your views and the courage to post
them it's admired and supported.

AC.

5:04 AM  
Blogger Chip Anderson said...

Hello Ibn Al Rafidain,

I find your story from the war interesting. Post what you think and get some of your relatives and friends to give us some information too.

I would like to see more news from you regarding current events. It could be such things as descriptions of your everyday life in the area you live to what you think about American politics from afar.


Chip

5:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep on blogging. I am an American Christian. I am very keen to know what's going on in your county. I am saddened by all the carnage, yet hopeful too. I will add your blog to my list. I check up on the news from your country every day.

Stay safe! Take courage! Do what is right!

May God bless Iraq and America!

Dub in Texas

5:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please keep writing.

We need your perspective.

5:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We're all in desperate need of first hand accounts of the daily lived of iraqis. Please continue to blog!

6:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Another voice to say, "Keep writing!"

6:15 AM  
Blogger Tess said...

Hearing about whats going on in the minds of Iraqi's is so very important and will benefit both Iraq and America. Please do continue to write.

I am adding your site to my list of Iraqi blogs and will also be checking in on a regular basis.

Deborah Mack
www.pajamajournal.com

6:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Welcome ibn_alrafidain. I also found you through Iraq The Model. Thank you for being our eyes and ears in Iraq, as we are starved for real news about what is going on. What coverage we get through the mainstream media is superficial and biased. Please tell us about daily life, what you think, and how you feel. Your voice is invaluable to us. I have been folllowing Iraqi blogs since before the war (Salam Pax) and feel very lucky to have this medium of communication. Please keep posting.

7:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

keep posting, its always good to hear another voice and opinion from iraq

Dave - California

10:20 AM  
Blogger Erik said...

Keep truckin'…

1:11 PM  
Blogger MiKe said...

Control your fear and overcome its might,
With the power of your hope that holds eternally.
A new nation will rise and see the light,
That showers over her, making your people free.

MiKe

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now that Iraq the Model has found you, many more will too.
In the words from Field of Dreams,
"If you build (blog) it, they will come" ;-)

SLC

4:48 PM  
Blogger Pat in NC said...

IBN, Ali at iraqthemodel sent me too. So glad to find another Iraqi blog. I have met so many good Iraqi friends from the brothers and other adults to the teenagers. This is such a good way to learn about each other. Please visit my blog sometime and you will get a sense of my opinions. My wish for Iraq is that soon the troublemakers will be conquered and your elections will give the people the government they want. There is so much of beauty in your country and beauty in the people as well.

9:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for returning to your blog. I've read through your excellent posts and look forward to your future posts. Our media here takes the view that Iraq is probably doomed. But the voices on Iraqi blogs, which are realistic but also hopeful and determined give us more reason to believe that Iraq's future is very bright.

11:03 PM  
Blogger Doug Klassen said...

The writing you are doing is important because the more voices the come out of Iraq that are not part of the mainstream media, the more the world will understand what it is that the regular Iraqi people think and feel. Iraqis should not limit their voice to elitist journalists, politicians, and religous leaders with hidden agendas.

I suggest you attach a "hit counter" to your blog page to see how many visits you are getting. You may find that many, many people visit but only few comment. This will be an encouragement to try harder and constantly improve your writing skills and refine your ideas.

11:36 PM  
Blogger Guillermo said...

Hi!! i'm writting you from Argentina.. I'm really sorry for what happened to your country... Sometimes I feel like our countries will never be left by the "Empire" They need our resources and they'll do whatever it takes to steal it... Today's your oil, tomorrow will be our water.. or whatever they want from us...
Hey, take care and keep posting... !!

11:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep on blogging, like many I read but seldom post. But all blogs from Iraq are important to us; I am from the US myself.
The counter is a good idea to get an idea of those actually visiting you.
To Debra, my condolences and thank you for your thoughts.
Dave Glaspell
glaspelld@hawaii.rr.com

1:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep blogging! You're doing a great job and it's always good to hear new voices online from inside Iraq!

5:17 AM  
Blogger Joel Gaines said...

Keep posting and taking care of your family. You seem to be doing a great job at both.

We are listening to your words and keeping you in our thoughts.

JG

6:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

IBN_Alrafidain,
I also found out about your blog from Omar on the Iraq the Model Blog.

That has got to be very hard, I mean what you guys are going through right now with the bombs and all.

I just have to say as an American, that my country is trying to help yours right now and it is very messy but soon your freedom will be the result of all these bombs and shelling etc.

Thanks for blogging. We in the USA depend on Iraqi bloggers like you to tell us what is happening in your country right now.

For what it's worth, I am praying for you and your countrymen and women. I know that alot of muslims feel that we christians are infidels but I tell you right now that we believe in an all-mighty God who doesn't discriminate whether we are muslims or christians or jews or whatever, he just loves us all and wants what's best for us.

Thanks again and I look forward to more of your insights here!!

6:55 AM  
Blogger Andrea said...

Glad to see you've come back to blogging and I have added you to my favorites. Please take care and know that there are many people around the world who care about you and your countrymen and hope that better days for Iraq will come soon. We wish you well and want nothing more than for you to be free:)

8:25 AM  
Blogger D.V. said...

A great welcome to the blogosphere from Warsaw, Poland. Thank you for letting us know what you think of your world. Keep up the good work, keep posting and you will be heard.

may God bless Iraq as a whole, and you as a person.

5:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please continue....news from traditional sources is woefully lacking in depth and honesty (and sad to say, that's in the USA). I can't get a real sense of how the Iraqi people feel about anything unless I can read journals like yours.

6:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Alrafidain,

Please keep blogging! It is important for Americans to see another side of Iraq versus our crazy media. And also, know that most Americans pray for the future of your great country and for your family (nieces included!). God speed and best wishes...Austin, Texas

10:43 PM  
Blogger Queen of the Land said...

I am so glad I was referred to your site from Iraq the Model, which was a reference from Healing Iraq, which was a reference from Lt. Smash! The blogosphere is so great! Keep up the great entries. I think it is so important to read the Iraqi perspective. Through knowlege, we gain understanding. Thank you!

2:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blog on, and know that love and the power of all that is good (GOD) is with you.

2:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I read Iraq the model everyday to see the positive things going on over there.I also realize it must be incredibly difficult for you and your family.My prayers are with you.stay as safe as possible.en-shalla

4:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings from California. Just wanted to compliment you on your excellent blog and encourage you to keep sharing your thoughts. Tell it like you see it, always. God Bless the people of Iraq.

Sean

10:26 AM  
Blogger Midwest Jay said...

Dear Ibn Alrafidain,
America will stay til the job is done. What ever it takes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1:15 AM  
Blogger liminal said...

More power to you my brother.
Lim.

4:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep bloggin my friend. A reader from Ohio!

3:57 AM  

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