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In
the Name of Allah, the Infinitely Compassionate, the
Most Merciful
June 16, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NH
Washington D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President
As an American
Iraqi Muslim religious leader, I am writing to you
because I have great concern over the situation in Iraq
today. As you are well aware of, the situation in Iraq
continues to worsen daily. National stability and public
security in Iraq are nearly non-existence, especially in
light of the second attack on the Golden Mosque in
Samarra.
It was only a year
ago that the first attack on the revered Shia shrines
prompted the initial widespread sectarian violence, I
fear that this vulgar and deliberate second attack on
the beloved shrines will violently fuel the division
even further. My growing frustration extends to both,
the Iraqi and American governments, in their inability
to rebuild, protect, and defend the holy shrines of
Muslims, and more importantly, safeguard the lives and
property of ordinary Iraqi citizens.
When American
forces liberated Iraq from its despotic ruler I had such
hope and dreams for a better future of my native
homeland. I truly believed that the Iraqi people,
especially the Shia Muslims, after decades of
persecution, would now have the opportunity to live a
life based on liberty, dignity, and prosperity.
Nonetheless, even with four years of the American forces
presence in Iraq, a day in the life of the average Iraqi
is still full of much hardship and despair. As
unfortunate as it may be the future looks ominously grim
for the Iraqi citizens. The country has become a magnet
for insurgents, terrorist organizations, and religious
fanatics who have no value for the lives of other
people, let alone Iraqis.
Despite the
reality, I truly believe that there is still hope, as
long as America remains true to its promises to deliver
a nation where its people can determine fully, without
coercion or threat, its future. Mr. President, I
earnestly call upon you to fulfill the promise you made
to my native homeland—to rid the terrorist insurgents
and rebuild the country. It goes without saying that the
stability and success of Iraq is also the stability for
the entire Middle East and the world.
Sincerely,
Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini
Founding Imam at the Islamic Educational Center of
Orange County |
