Iraq. The struggle for social justice
Iraqi civil society initiatives. Activists musicians, students and civil society meet in Baghdad to build bridges from the rubble. Here are their stories.
“What do we find online, if we search the cities of Mosul, Fallujah, Ramadi or Tikrit? Gutted buildings, armed men, destruction.” “But this this is what we are actually doing.”
Young smiling men and women in sportswear, reclaiming the spaces long occupied by armies, militias, men holding kalashnikovs. We are in Baghdad, in the spacious hall of the Iraqi engineers Society clubhouse. Ahmed Al-Baghdadi of Sports against Violence, casually shows on the screen how things were before and how they are now, the difference between stereotypes and reality. He explains what Sports against Violence Iraq is doing: “projects to create cultural bridges, cohesion through sport.” Ahmed is one of the activists from the Iraqi Civil Society Initiative (ICSSI) which was founded in Italy in 2009 thanks to a network of Iraqi and international NGOs, social movements and trade unions. From 31st January to 3rd February ICSSI organized a 4-day conference to assess how the progress which has already been made and where efforts still need to be focussed.
“Overall it is looking good: civil society is gaining new ground and is more effective than before, although activists are still taking risks” explains Martina Pignatti Morano, who manages the peacebuilding activities of Un Ponte Per…, an Italian association which has been working in Iraq for many years, including with movements for non-violent social change.
“This is not just a technical choice, but a precondition for building a different kind of society.” says Ismaeel Dawood as he moves around Baghdad, loaded with person memories. This city has undergone enormous change and in recent months, it is change for the better. Less violence and insecurity, fewer attacks. People are breathing a sigh of relief.
Tail Alwachi, has just turned 28 and has a contagious smile. It is the first time since 2003, “that we have seen such a large delegation of foreigners, without armed guards,” adds Martina Pignatti Morano. Almost 200 Iraqis and 41 internationals are gathered in the hall.
Iraqi by birth but Pisano by adoption Ismaeel Dawood embodies the strong bond between Iraqis and non-Iraqis. Best practices are developed together. The most effective strategies are established together. “But lasting solutions can only come from within,” states Florent Schaeffer of project partner Ccfd-Terre Solidarie. the goal is twofold: repair damage caused by war, healing wounds and divisions. And in the process try to build an inclusive society. Based on social justice and founded on the youth.
Students, musicians, young men with slicked back hair, young women both with and without the veil: the volunteers and activists gathering in Baghdad are all brimming with ideas and energy. “They are the vanguard, perhaps a small section of society, but a sincere expression of the energy which now characterises this country.” comments Domenico Chirico of UN Ponte Per…
Duda Jabbar works on ecology and environmental protection. Ali Al-Karkhi is with the Iraqi Social Forum, Mustafa Jassim and Abdullah Khalel are the organisers. Like many of their peers, they tackle politics with a smile.The enthusiasm of 20-year-olds combined with the political maturity to handle even the most delicate issues. Relations with institutions, the balance between activism, volunteering and project demands, challenges of rebuilding, Centrifugal forces of this extremely diversified country.
“Here communities have different histories, religion and languages. We have to learn how to live together again, in harmony.” Which is hard to achieve when inequality is so widespread. And when already limited resources are plundered by the strongest groups. Including environmental resources: “Without equal access to natural resources, there can be no justice,” states Salman Khariralla, before the conference closes with a wonderful musical performance.
Farhan: “Make space for the Yazidis”
“We deserve to live like everybody else, we are human beings.” Farhan Ibrahim’s appeal is touching. Activist and representative of the Youth Bridge Organisation, she comes from Sinjar near the Syrian border. She is part of the Yazida community, one of the ethnic minorities who suffered the most at the hands of Islamic State. “Many people have still not returned – they would like to but are afraid that Daesh fighters might come back.” Despite everything, She is optimistic: “We have opened a youth centre, spaces for civil society are limited but we are fighting to reclaim them. But we need international solidarity.”
Piana di Ninive, Alla is taking down walls
“We have to understand the roots of the conflict, the divisions between the various communities. If we understand the divisions, we can rebuild mutual trust.Alla Refiq runs Bridging Communities, one of Un Ponte Per’s projects in the Ninive province, in the north-east, where war destroyed cities and villages, social, community and institutional links. Everything was lost and “ everybody suffered.” Reconciliation “is a long process, but we are already seeing results.” On June 2nd 70 community representatives from the Ninive Plain Province signed a peace declaration.
Jameel’s poetry for the children of Daesh.
“Nobody is taking care of them, they are left to themselves.” Journalist and activist, writer and poet, Jameel al-Jameel looks after the family members of ISIS fighters. “There are at least 6000 families in the refugee camps in Al-Salamiya and Hammam Al-Alil, near Mosul” he explains. “Mainly women and children. If they are marginalised, they will return to terrorism.” A controversial choice in a country which is still suffering the violence inflicted by the Islamic State. “There is a lot of criticism. They tell me it is a disgrace for all Christians. But it is precisely that religion which teaches forgiveness.”
Arte per la pace, Fatima fa comunità
«L’arte è uno strumento potente. Arriva a tutti, al di là delle provenienze. Noi la usiamo per trasmettere messaggi di pace», racconta Fatima al-Wardi, giovane coordinatrice dell’Arts of Peace Team dell’Iraqi Social Forum. Per Luca Chiavinato, musicista veneto, «la musica rompe le barriere culturali e crea nuovi legami, descrive la nostra identità, racconta la nostra storia». Da qui la decisione di dar vita a una serie di laboratori musicali in Iraq, nati anche grazie al sostegno dell’associazione YaBasta. Nel tempo, si è creata una vera e propria comunità di musicisti («ne contiamo circa 170 in tutto il Paese») ed è nata l’ensemble Mshakht.
At (state) school with Wistam
Unless we start with schools, rebuilding will be fragile.” Wistam Ibrahim Anber, member of the Ufuq NGO and the Iraqi Social Forum, believes that education is vital but neglected. “We don’t have the right infrastructure. There are 50-60 children in every class. Drop-out rates are very high. Teachers don’t get refresher training. The government is not investing: only 3% of its budget is spent on education.” A recent risk, he explains, “is that large parts of the education sector are being privatised.” He underlines the importance “of understanding the link between education and citizenship, government spending and the quality of teaching.”
Trade unions. Without borders
From Iraq to the United States, one people, one battle!” Professor Emeritus of the Stony Brook University of New York, Michael Zweig is at the forefront of US Labour against the War, a network of unions and workers founded in 2003 in the United States against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I am here to make up for the mistakes made by our governments,” he says. He is flanked by Iraqi unionists Wesam Chaseb and Falal Alwan, who is president of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI). “Workers are exploited all over the world. International solidarity is vital,” According to the young activist and researcher Mustafa Qusay, “we pay the price for generational differences and the government does not fully respect the freedom of association.”
Shared water resources for river dwellers
Salman Khairalla is thirty years old and works on environmental justice. co-founder with Ali Al-Karkhi of Human Al-Dijlah, a network of observers and protectors of the River Tigris, he coordinates the Save the Tigris and Marshes campaign, promoted by an international coalition to prevent over-exploitation, pollution and dam construction. Water resources are a vital heritage for communities and also a source of international conflict. Relationships with Iran, Syria and Turkey are strained. From 5th to the 7th of April, the Mesopotamian Water Forum will take place in Sulaymaniyah, in Iraqi Kurdistan: “From being a source of conflict, water can become a driver of cooperation between all the populations living near the Tigris and the Euphrates.” conference organisers have declared.
Giuliano Battiston, “Il Manifesto” 02.14.2019