Iraqi blogs
It was Iraq that got me into reading blogs. I liked the idea that someone from Baghdad could sit there watching TV to see what time the bombers were leaving their UK bases, calculate the flight time, batten down the hatches and then log on to tell us that another bout of shock and awe was on its way. This is exactly what Salam Pax did in those early days of the Iraq War. Somehow it brought a compelling human touch to the wanton destruction. As well as Rageh Omar telling us what was going to happen from the top of an office building, we had unknown Iraqi bloggers, cowering in their homes, but logging on and sharing it all with us.
What was even more interesting was the spread of opinion, ranging from outrage to encouragement. There were Iraqis back in those days that actually did feel a form of sado-masochistic liberation with every devastating explosion. Don't believe me? Read on...
Yet it was all to end in tears. As George Washington would have predicted, and every teenager knows, sovereignty and self-determination require power, and power is never handed over on a silver platter and received with a grateful and obsequious bow. Instead it has to be snatched from a clasped hand by one with a purposeful grimace. We now know that the faces wearing such a countenance bear the names of Sadr and Jafaari.
However, on the other hand we have been blessed by the presence of an excellent cast of Iraqi bloggers. But catch them quick! They are becoming noticed and are steadily leaving for greener (and less dangerous) pastures. Their contribution: To have reminded us all of the immense human cost of the Iraq folly and to have humbled us in their demonstration of high cultural values. Just compare their (generally) thoughtful writing with the patronising profanities of the armchair warriors or, for that matter, with the hopeless handwringing of Blair and his guilty conscience. For those with time on their hands, try browsing through the back issues for an authentic Iraqi take on things.
So here is their curtain call. I am not going to label them as Sunni or Shia and their eclectic views may surprise you. Despite the best attempts of their respondents in the comments sections they cannot (and should not) be boxed into neat and rigid packages.
Faiza. Now living in Jordan, Faiza is the heroic mother of three sons who finally left Baghdad after she was robbed at gunpoint and later a bomb exploded outside her house. Some of her posts are poetic; others are simply stunning in their observations and analysis.
Raed. Faiza's oldest son, now living in California. Organised a collection of medicine for Fallujah to help those hurt in the siege. Raed previously worked on a needs assessment survey in the initial aftermath of the war. His name is the subject of "Dear Raed", Salam's first blog.
Khalid. Faiza's middle son, now living in Jordan.
Majid. Faiza's youngest son, now living in Canada.
Zeyad. An Iraqi dentist in Baghdad. His initial optimism about post war Iraq was tempered somewhat when US troops killed his cousin (for which they were later prosecuted). However his educational and pedagogic posts are an example to all. May shortly leave Iraq.
Riverbend. All we know is that she is female, young, opinionated and has been nominated for a host of blog awards. Her sense of humour and powers of dry observation add to the power of her blog. Her recounting of a US/Iraqi army raid on her house is as dramatic as it is terrifying.
Mohammed. A very optimistic person who initially believed in the US / UK discourse of a free, secular and democratic Iraq. Fully in favour of the invasion. His interesting blog represents an excruciating slide into despair and straw clutching.
Sam. Another enthusiastic supporter of the invasion who has gradually polarised his position into one of support for a particular faction. The metamorphosis towards his current opinions is a fascinating study of objective conditions and subjective thoughts.
Salam Pax. The grand daddy of them all. The original Salam makes a return in a new blog. His humanity is what springs out at you from his analyses and comments. His short films are well worth a viewing.
What was even more interesting was the spread of opinion, ranging from outrage to encouragement. There were Iraqis back in those days that actually did feel a form of sado-masochistic liberation with every devastating explosion. Don't believe me? Read on...
Yet it was all to end in tears. As George Washington would have predicted, and every teenager knows, sovereignty and self-determination require power, and power is never handed over on a silver platter and received with a grateful and obsequious bow. Instead it has to be snatched from a clasped hand by one with a purposeful grimace. We now know that the faces wearing such a countenance bear the names of Sadr and Jafaari.
However, on the other hand we have been blessed by the presence of an excellent cast of Iraqi bloggers. But catch them quick! They are becoming noticed and are steadily leaving for greener (and less dangerous) pastures. Their contribution: To have reminded us all of the immense human cost of the Iraq folly and to have humbled us in their demonstration of high cultural values. Just compare their (generally) thoughtful writing with the patronising profanities of the armchair warriors or, for that matter, with the hopeless handwringing of Blair and his guilty conscience. For those with time on their hands, try browsing through the back issues for an authentic Iraqi take on things.
So here is their curtain call. I am not going to label them as Sunni or Shia and their eclectic views may surprise you. Despite the best attempts of their respondents in the comments sections they cannot (and should not) be boxed into neat and rigid packages.
Faiza. Now living in Jordan, Faiza is the heroic mother of three sons who finally left Baghdad after she was robbed at gunpoint and later a bomb exploded outside her house. Some of her posts are poetic; others are simply stunning in their observations and analysis.
Raed. Faiza's oldest son, now living in California. Organised a collection of medicine for Fallujah to help those hurt in the siege. Raed previously worked on a needs assessment survey in the initial aftermath of the war. His name is the subject of "Dear Raed", Salam's first blog.
Khalid. Faiza's middle son, now living in Jordan.
Majid. Faiza's youngest son, now living in Canada.
Zeyad. An Iraqi dentist in Baghdad. His initial optimism about post war Iraq was tempered somewhat when US troops killed his cousin (for which they were later prosecuted). However his educational and pedagogic posts are an example to all. May shortly leave Iraq.
Riverbend. All we know is that she is female, young, opinionated and has been nominated for a host of blog awards. Her sense of humour and powers of dry observation add to the power of her blog. Her recounting of a US/Iraqi army raid on her house is as dramatic as it is terrifying.
Mohammed. A very optimistic person who initially believed in the US / UK discourse of a free, secular and democratic Iraq. Fully in favour of the invasion. His interesting blog represents an excruciating slide into despair and straw clutching.
Sam. Another enthusiastic supporter of the invasion who has gradually polarised his position into one of support for a particular faction. The metamorphosis towards his current opinions is a fascinating study of objective conditions and subjective thoughts.
Salam Pax. The grand daddy of them all. The original Salam makes a return in a new blog. His humanity is what springs out at you from his analyses and comments. His short films are well worth a viewing.
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