Monthly Gathering—June 2004
An Iraqi’s Perspective on the Situation in Iraq
As the occupation of Iraq enters its 15th month, many of us are asking questions, such as: What really is the current status of Iraq? Why have U.S. forces been unable to restore the rule of law in Iraqi cities? How is America perceived by the Iraqi people—as liberators or invaders? And probably most important of all: Was it worth it?
Join us on Saturday, June 19, for the Iraqi perspective. Our guest speaker will be Imam Husham Al-Hussainy, founder and director of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, in Dearborn, which serves the Iraqi refugee community. Al-Hussainy, who was born and raised in Iraq, fled the country in 1980, a wanted man for his opposition to Saddam Hussein. Since then he has worked to help liberate his homeland and recently returned to Iraq for the first time since his exile.
Al-Hussainy is the U.S. representative to the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the largest of all the Iraqi opposition groups, and the only one with its own army. He was also a top aide to the Ayatollah al-Hakim, the spiritual leader of Iraq’s oppressed Shiite majority, until the Ayatollah’s death in a terrorist bombing last August.
Al-Hussainy has been interviewed by numerous national and local news organizations seeking an opinion representative of Iraqi Shiites and for his belief that there are two visions for the future of Iraq, the Coalition’s and that of the Iraqi people.
During his visit, Al-Hussainy will recount his recent trip to Iraq, his views on the current situation and the prospects for Iraq’s future. No matter where we stand on this critical and often divisive issue, we all have questions and here is an ideal opportunity to get some answers.
Page last updated: Sunday, February 15, 2009