Honor and Dignity

Exhibit Organizer with photos of Anfal genocide survivors. Photo by Adam Jones, Ph.D. (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Exhibit Organizer with photos of Anfal genocide survivors.
Photo by Adam Jones, Ph.D. (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Iraq Army Day was Monday, January 6. The day was celebrated by the Iraqi military, but a growing murmur filled the air as the people of Kurdistan rejected the holiday and instead honored their own Peshmarga forces by opening a photographic exhibition of anti-Kurdish atrocities committed by the military under Saddam Hussein.

Genocide is the manifestation of hell on earth. Since the 1960’s, the Kurdish people have lived in terror when a systematic and brutal campaign for their extinction began. During the height of Saddam Hussein’s regime, he launched the Anfal campaign, resulting in varied reports of the actual numbers of civilians killed. More than 5,000 civilians were killed in one attack, while hundreds of thousands more are believed to have died throughout the bloody regime of Saddam Hussein. To date, we know over a million people are missing, over 50,000 deaths have been documented by Human Rights Watch and this does not include all of the dead.

Additionally, the Kurdish people have become dispersed when many fled the area as a matter of survival. Of these people, many will not be able or willing to return, taking with them portions of the cultural fabric which has woven the people together. As these people resettle in various parts of the world, they are no longer able to participate in the traditional community appreciated by their ancestors.

Occupy World Writes stands in solidarity with the people of Kurdistan who have suffered beyond measure. Their honor and dignity as a people should remain a lesson to the world that the human spirit will not be defeated.

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This entry was posted in Human Spirit, Solidarity, War Crimes and tagged , , , , , , on by .

About MNgranny

MNgranny has been an activist since the age of 17. After earning a BA in Mass Communications and enjoying a 30 year career, she is now disabled and dedicates her life to that activism. Her experiences include volunteering in community service organizations and taking leadership roles throughout her academic and professional life. She is also a survivor of rape and domestic violence, a published author and a master naturalist. She is also a professional member of the United States Press Association. She has focused for the last several years and specializes in Kurdish history, culture and politics.

6 thoughts on “Honor and Dignity

  1. mahmoud Taha

    Dear MNgranny

    I hope that others like yourself will post these blogs about the struggles of the Kurds not only in Iraq but also in Turkey, Iran and Syria. After WWI, the Kurdish nation was dismantled and different parts were given to other states. This was unjust. Many people know these facts but don’t report them. However, we consider you a hero for having the courage to bring this to the forefront. Thanks much.

    Reply
    1. MNgranny Post author

      Dear Mahmoud,

      It has been my honor to bring this for open discussion. I am learning more every day about the plight of the Kurdish people. Other articles we have may also pertain to regions inhabited by Kurds. The articles can be found in the “Solidarity” category on the right side of the screen. We have also posted a link to the Kurdish Human Rights Project on our Links page.

      We will continue to look for news and write more articles that we hope will help others learn more. The more I see and learn, the more I believe it is the Kurdish people who are the heroes. We are all connected through our humanity, and the resilience of the Kurdish people is a testament onto itself.

      Peace Always,
      MNgranny

      Reply
  2. Malika K

    Thank you very much. Now I am very happy see people talking about the Kurdish. About their problem and you help them. Thank you

    Reply
  3. Cam M.

    Thank you very much! Loved the article. I will forward this to family and friends but also to the Kurdish Regional Government, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and the PUK in Washington DC so that they’re aware. I am sure they will appreciate this as much as I have. I had lost family members to the Baath regime in Iraq…

    It feels awesome to know that someone in the United States takes takes time to tell the world about the events during those horrible decades. I’ve never felt any sense of belonging to Iraq nor will I ever. I am extremely comfortable to know that the US is my home… but that I am originally from Kurdistan.

    Thanks again.
    Peace.

    Reply

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