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Good News from Iraq
Posted in October 9th, 2008
by Brian "Nomes" Baughan
 
When’s the last time you read a story about Iraq? I honestly can’t remember, with all the hullabaloo about the financial crisis and Palin gaffes. I’m sure if I read the story on cnn.com or some other mainstream outlet that it was about a car bombing. The U.S. forces, the insurgents, and the militias certainly command our attention. Violence has a way of doing that.

But what about nonviolence in Iraq? I was deeply encouraged with an e-mail I received today about LaOnf, a grassroots group in Iraqi advocating for democratic reforms and nonviolence (LaOnf means “no violence” in Arabic).

So far, LaOnf has launched two annual weeks of nonviolence, and the upcoming Week of Nonviolence, beginning October 10, promises to recruit the most participants yet. It’s active in every governorate, and is supported by a whole slew of American activist groups, including American Friends Service Committe and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.

This statement by Ismaeel Dawood, founding member of LaOnf, moved me:

“Please, spread the message: there is not only violence in Iraq, there is something more; people are building peace and seeking real change. . . Today LaOnf exists within the polarized and dangerous political environment of Iraq where if you speak about resistance you are accused of supporting terrorists and advocating violence; but if you speak about nonviolence you are accused of supporting the occupation. LaOnf seeks to create a third way with its message that nonviolence is a tool to resist occupation, terrorism and corruption.”

Here is a page providing ways to participate in the international campaign of solidarity with LaOnf.  www.peacefultomorrows.org

Peaceful Tomorrows has also done a 10-minute presentation on the work of LaOnf and put it on YouTube. I believe it would be worth your time to check it out. Save a viewing of an SNL Sarah Palin skit for another day.

©2008 Shalom House