With most of the theater seats filled at Rainy River Community College Tuesday, Iraqi native and United States citizen Sami Rasouli spoke about ending the war in Iraq.
Those in attendance came to hear the story of why this Muslim left his country as a young man 27 years ago to become a successful businessman on the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. They came to hear why he gave up that success to return to his homeland and family. (See story in May 1 edition of The Daily Journal.)
Rasouli chronicled the details of what led him to psychological devastation in being both the aggressor and the oppressed when his country (the U.S.) attacked his homeland. For the last three years, the acclaimed Minnesotan has worked as an international peacemaker dividing his time between helping the Iraqis and speaking on tour in America.
Dozens of images of children and families in Iraq flashed on a large screen on the stage, while Rasouli talked about his experiences with the Muslim Peacemaker Team, of which he is the founder, and the catastrophic conditions in Iraq.
Following his presentation, Rasouli called for audience questions.
The Rev. Cory Rintala, who said he has studied the Middle East, asked Rasouli if he was fearful for his life, considering the topics he speaks out about. Rasouli’s response indicated that his fears were more weighted in his American experiences, than Iraqi. Even though fear was evoked when his business was bugged; when detectors go off in airports and he is the only Muslim among a white crowd; and when he leaves his wife behind in Iraq to travel; Rasouli isn’t focused on security when he is in his native land.
“My safety is in the closeness to the people,” he said.
Another who attended said that while he appreciated and believed Rasouli’s impassioned plea for peace, he felt it only represented one secular side of the story, referring to the centuries of rivalry between zealots in Middle Eastern countries.
“You said you were afraid when you left,” the man said. “The truth is that there was violence and bloodshed then, and it will be there whenever you return.”
Rasouli responded that there were extremists everywhere and that was not a reason to continue the Iraq war.
“This administration plays on American’s ignorance, because you don’t know enough about the region,” he said.
Rasouli asked the audience to consider why, when all other world leaders are referred to by their last names, Saddam Hussein was frequently referred to in the U.S. as “Saddam.” “I will tell you why,” he said. “Because Hussein is a Shiite name and that was confusing in U.S. business deals.”
Regarding the oil crisis, another man asked: “ America needs oil. Is there oil in Iraq?”
Rasouli said there is plenty of oil in Iraq and that billions worth is being pumped out of the country “with no meter running.” He reports that one of his Iraqi connections has asked “Do you know who oil could be sold to, at about $25 a barrel?”
“Iraq is getting raped when it comes to oil,” he added. “And the rapist cannot be the therapist.”
His presentation was not without humor. Rasouli bemusedly conveyed how his oldest son, in exercising American liberties, told the father that he was free to “use his middle finger.” “We are American!” his son said. And he reports that the boy was moving away from the Sunni or Shi’a religions, and at one time was becoming a Baptist, he exclaimed. “Lately, he’s an agnostic!”
Tom Aitken, newly elected Lutheran bishop in Minnesota told Rasouli, “You are to be commended for helping to break down these walls.”
Marie Braun of Minneapolis, who calls herself Rasouli’s “handler,” reiterated to the crowd what he had said earlier. “The people of the United States want this war to stop. This administration, or the next, isn’t going to do it. We are.”
She then announced that a march to put an end to “this illegal and immoral war and occupation of Iraq” is being organized for the Republican National Convention. She encouraged the community to start making plans to be in St. Paul on Sept. 1 to rally with 50,000 other people from across the country.
Organizational material on the RNC protest states “The Republicans picked Minnesota, betting that activists would just stay home.” And, according to Braun, the march to demand peace, justice and equality would be held whether it was the Democratic or the Republican convention.
“Most communities can figure out how to send bus loads of people to basketball games, and we believe you will organize this, too,” said Braun.
For more information on the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, visit www.marchrnc.org [1] or call 612-234-8774. The Web site for Muslim Peacemaker Teams is: www.mpt-iraq.org [2].
The event was ecumenically sponsored and coordinated by Pat Bjorum and Nancy Lindstrom of St. Thomas Catholic Church.
An extended discussion at Faith United Church of Christ was held Wednesday. Although his engagement at Falls High School was preempted, Rasouli said his strongest hopes lie in the young people of America.
“This war is not about victory, or peace,” he said. “It is about intense pain and death. It must stop.”