The two ladies we visited today haven’t seen their husbands in over 20 years, they don’t know if they are alive or dead. They were separated from each other during the genocide of Saddam’s army against the Kurds, known as al-Anfal. Al-Anfal or “the spoils” is a reference to the Koran where it says:
“I shall cast into the unbelievers’ hearts terror, so smite above the necks, and smite every finger of them … the chastisement of the Fire is for the unbelievers.”
Basically giving the right to destroy, rape, and kill all non-muslims. The men of army age were taken to one camp, and the women and children were taken to another camp. The men haven’t been heard from since, and many of the women and children died in that camp. The first lady we visited was tortured in the camp for 4 years, where she had a baby, and then was released. One of her sons was beaten to death, the other escaped and now lives in Holland. Her youngest boy, 16, works constantly to provide for the family, and has done so for 3 years.
After the husband of the other family we visited was captured, the mother ran with her two babies (one 2 weeks old, and one 1 year old). She went house to house trying to find safety, but couldn’t stay long at the risk of being caught. She ended up in a tent with her father where she begged for food on the streets to feed her two kids. I could tell she had gone through much, but had such a strong spirit to her. When I asked her to smile for me to take a picture she said “I’d rather cry.”
These people live in very poor conditions, many of the homes were provided by habatat for humanity. Most of the widows can’t even provide food for their children, much less any other luxury. SP is building a community center to serve the people in this area. It will provide a dental clinic, medical clinic, english classes, computer classes, sewing classes, elderly and orphan care, two large areas for sports, and living areas for the staff. All FREE OF CHARGE to the community. I can’t wait to go back once it’s finished.
first family we visited, one of the boys in the photo on the wall was beaten to death
first family
some of the people in the town, Shorish
second lady we visited
second lady with her daughter
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Hey there Paul,
Is it possible to call you somehow while you are traveling? Or perhaps you can just answer me this. Are you coming through London on your way back to the states? If so, we want to meet you somewhere if its possible for you. I love the entries and the stories, and to be completely honest, I cannot look at the photos of the 15 year old boy and read his story without weeping. You really capture people’s lives so well. Thanks for publishing your travels before you forget to tell someone….
-Ian & Mon
English Cell Phone: (+44 Country Code) 07503 973339
thanks for the stories. never knew you could write. knew your dog could write, didn’t know you could.
God bless…
I just returned from the Photo Expo in NY, and while there, caught the Susan Meiselas retrospective at ICP. Incredibly moving project on documenting what happened in Kurdistan. Then I get home and catch your blog, which carries on the story. Very well written, Paul, and your visual poetry continues to strengthen. Nice work.
David Crosby
Paul!!! I second everything stated above. THANK YOU! Thank you for putting your heart and mind into doing this for us here. We need you.
Do you know who will be providing those services to the community once it is built? Is that something SP is working with also, or do they mainly do facility set-up? Do you know if this is an opportunity for long-term missionaries?