December 14, 2003

Dear All,

Well, I am not sure what to say. For the past few weeks the whisper in the back of my mind kept getting louder - what are you doing in Iraq? Why are you risking your life? Are you really making a difference? Today, the whisper was once more silenced.

I had the honor of being among Iraqi women - who I now see as my sisters - when they first heard of Saddam's capture. Thirty women leaders from Iraq were gathered at our conference, and almost all broke into tears and sobs after hearing that the man who had managed to reach into each individual's personal life - and rip it apart by killing their husbands, sons and fathers and raping and maiming their women - was brought to justice. Moreover, the man who brought one of the Arab world's greatest countries to its knees through a dictatorship of fear now found himself at the bottom.

After the tears, the women began to yell "Allahu Akbar," and many of the widows turned to each other as if to say: "See, God does not let the prayers of the oppressed go unanswered. I am sorry I ever doubted, but here is my prayer answered. I have seen with my own eyes - in my lifetime - what I had only dared dream in the most secret chambers of my mind." The Iraqi women's voice became one as they broke out into old Iraqi songs of joy, singing "tonight is an amazing night, a night to celebrate."

In the beginning, the Iraqis were yelling at the international world, asking if the mass graves were not proof enough. Now I look at the women, all of whom had been scarred by his touch - and wonder what more proof do we need. Iraq is a proud, power and determined country - its independence will come, and is well deserved.

My only request to my dear friends and family is to not underestimate what the people have seen, and that for once we take the time to listen and to hear what the Iraqis want, and to help them get there.

With all my love, prayers and thoughts,

Manal