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Iraqi expats suffer in silence, pray for loved ones

"We cannot do much for our people from outside Iraq, but, we can at least give them moral support and show our solidarity towards the battle against the ‘invaders'," said a cross-section of Iraqis in the UAE.

"If the need arises and we can gain access to Iraq, a whole lot of us are prepared to go and fight the battle. But, we refuse to live under constant fear and agony of being attacked and see our relatives and friends being killed everyday by the ‘invaders'. We do not want our children to be traumatised by the catastrophe of war and have memories lingering in their minds of the black days," the Iraqi nationals said.

"Although, many of us are going through our own personal trauma of losing members of our families in these air raids on Baghdad and Basra, many of our houses have been destroyed. Many Iraqis are unable to establish contact with their families and relatives due to disruption in telephone lines with Iraq, I am determined to continue to work here and retain my UAE residence so that some day I can bring over my family to this safe country and help rebuild our lives," said Kaif Mohammed Shaukat, an Iraqi living in Dubai for the last three years.

Mr Shaukat who has lived in Iraq through the 1991 Gulf War, said, he can imagine what his family, comprising of three sisters in Baghdad, are going through at this point of time. "The last time I spoke to my sister was two days back and now the telecommunication link with Iraq from Dubai has completely broken down. I wonder how my sisters are coping under the situation," he said, recalling that his sister expressed fear of getting killed any moment under the heavy shellings and bombings by the coalition forces on Baghdad.

Ali Mohammed Abdul Karim, a resident of Al Anbaar, about 60km from Baghdad city who has not heard from his parents, wife and five children since the war broke out in Iraq, said: "I am unable to concentrate on my work. I am only glued to the television all day and night to keep myself posted on latest war developments in Iraq. I wish I could go over to Iraq and be with my family," he said, hoping that they are still alive and safe.

Another Iraqi national who has been residing in Dubai for over seven years, disclosed that the window panes of his house have shattered in Baghdad due to heavy bombing in the vicinity of his house. "Besides, my brother's children are traumatised and have been heavily sedated to get some sleep," Bilal Ahmas, who runs a trading business in Dubai, said, adding, his business has also come to a standstill since the war broke out in Iraq.

He urged the Arab nationals around the world to extend their fullest support to Iraq and the Iraqi people and come out openly to condemn the war. "Personally, I have never liked the Iraqi leader and the regime, but, now I love him and my country, and I am prepared to go and fight for its integrity."

Khamar Abdulla, Iraqi engineer, said that he has no clue about his parents and relatives as phone lines have broken down after the American bombardment.

"All Iraqis were communicating with their parents and acquaintances during the previous weeks, but suddenly telecommunications were disconnected as the Americans shelled communication stations," he noted.

"I am much worried about my parents who live on the outskirts of Baghdad. I have lost all contact with them. They said that areas crowded with civilians were being plundered with bombs, and noted there were several civilian casualties."

There are more than four million Iraqi immigrants who are worried about their families and relatives inside Iraq, Mr Abdulla said, adding that even the roads were closed as a result of the bombing.

"When I had my last conversation with my parents four days ago they informed me that bombing in Baghdad is very heavy. The buildings shake violently whenever Americans start bombing the city. We can do nothing but watch news and follow up the casualties, which has become a daily suffering that we have to go through," Mr Abdulla noted.

Ahmed Abdullatif, condemning the war said: "Although, we are unable to cross over to Iraq since the borders are sealed, least we can do is send out emails to all our people living in the US and Europe and update them on the plight of the Iraqi civilians."

"We don't need food and financial aid, but, we need the support of the international community to help end the war soon," Mr Abdullatif said, pointing out that how could they accept aid from those countries which on the one hand are silent over killing of the Iraqi people, and on the other hand want to show their concern for the poor Iraqis by sending so-called aid.

However, some Iraqis living in the UAE have thanked the UAE authorities for extending all assistance, including issuing visas, waiving of fines for overstay in the country, financial aid and other facilities required at this point of time.

Nabas Ghalib, a resident of Dubai for five years, said he was grateful to the UAE authorities who helped him bring his parents and sister to the country before the war broke out in Iraq. "But, my heart bleeds for those of my relatives who are living in Iraq and facing threats to their life everyday."

"I am proud of my people, who are not afraid and are determined to live there and fight the invasion forces that are gradually penetrating into the country and causing heavy destruction."

Mr Ghalib, however, takes comfort from the fact that life is safe in the UAE, and hopes that one day Iraq, too, will become a safe haven like the UAE, but he is constantly faced with questions on the war from his five-year old son who has been following the television news with them. "Now, I have decided to keep him away from the TV as I do not want these horrible memories of war linger in his mind," he said.

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