Letter to the Media

The following letter I wrote to help assist news media who are attempting to understand CPT's Iraq work. I thought I would post it here if there anyone might use it in their own community newspapers to inform media about the situation and who they may contact for further information. If it is helpful, please feel free to use it.

We continue to "storm heaven with our prayers" for the safe release of our friends in CPT. Let us also pray for the thousands of Iraqi's who continue to be kidnapped, and those who are arrested everyday and detained in prisons all over Iraq.

In Solidarity, Farah Marie

Voices for Creative Nonviolence

1249 W. Argyle St.

Chicago, IL 60640

www.VCNV.org

Phone: 773-878-3815

Dear Editor:

I am writing in gratitude of your coverage of the abduction of four Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) members in Iraq. As an allied organization of CPT we are anxiously working to circulate information about the identity and work of the four being held by the Swords of Righteousness Brigade in Baghdad.

CPT has worked for over three decades, in various parts of the world, as a non-missionary, independent humanitarian aid and violence reduction organization. They have worked in Iraq since October 2002 opposing the U.S. /U.N. economic sanctions policy, the escalation of the war against the Iraqi people in March 2003, and the continued occupation of Iraq by all Western military forces. As many prominent journalists have confirmed, including renowned writer and commentator on Middle East and Arab-American affairs, Ali AbuNimah, CPT was amongst the first groups denouncing the abuse of Iraqi detainees being held by U.S. military forces in Iraq. Each of CPT’s members is a seasoned nonviolent activist, in service to no government, and continues to publicly oppose the occupation of Iraq by any foreign troops. The four men being held are not spies of any foreign government. Their active dedication to bearing witness to the injustices suffered by the Iraqi people under the illegal occupation of Iraq has continued despite great personal risk.

It is apparent that there are various interpretations by a variety of news media on CPT’s work in Iraq. It is critical at this juncture that the full story concerning CPT’s work in Iraq be widely disseminated. We believe the news media may do this by posting the statement from CPT’s Baghdad team regarding the abduction of their colleagues and the nature of their work in Iraq. This may be found at www.cpt.org. It may also be useful to refer readers to the variety of news stories covered by prominent journalists, like Seymour Hersh, on the work CPT continues to do in documenting Iraqi detainees, and working along with their families to have them released.

A small group of CPT workers remains in Baghdad. To reach them contact Greg Rollins at 07901-339-537.

For interviews in the United States please contact Kryss Chupp at 773-277-0253 or email Kryss@cpt.org.

For interviews in Canada contact Doug Pritchard at 416-423-5525.

Thank you very much for your time and efforts.

Sincerely,

Farah M. Mokhtareizadeh

for Voices for Creative Nonviolence

Update from Christian Peacemaker Teams

"Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free." Eugene Debs

This evening I had the opportunity to deliver a dinner to the residents of the CPT office on the South West side of Chicago. Many have now heard that four CPT workers were kidnapped after a meeting in Baghdad on Saturday. Nearly 225 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Iraq since the beginning of the war. Close to 5,00 Iraqis have been abducted. We at Voices, in solidarity with our friends at CPT, are asking for many to remember these four in your intentions.

The reality of this event is haunting. Its extremely difficult to imagine life from Iraq, even as one fully invested in work related to lessoning the suffering oIraqis. Yet, it is a reality we all must face as we contemplate our personal relationship to war-making and peacemaking. Given Voices history, our office was a nonstop station of the passing of information on how to negotiate a release of the CPTers caught in the midst of this war. We are extremely concerned for their safety and pray for their return unharmed. We also must remember that many Iraqis are taken from their homes and tortured or killed whose options are very few as far as outside resources. This doesn't include the many whom CPT folk have tried to help, the thousands of Iraqi detainees taken by the occupying forces, sometimes tortured without charges or rights to seek council. There are many thousands more in U.S. prisons in Cuba and Poland or Upstate New York.

Last year, folks from CPT and Voices had an opportunity to visit two young students being held in a prison in Southern Iraq that they had known previously. The students were "kidnapped" by occupation forces for the crime of being Palestinians in Iraq. When the group from CPT and Voices were about to depart the prison they asked the two young men what else they could do to help them. One of the boys said, "There are many of us. Help us all."

Please read this statement by CPT's Iraq Team, and please pray vigilantly for the safe return of the four CPT folks in Iraq.

In Solidarity, Farah Marie

CPT confirmed on 29 November that the four human rights workers missing in Baghdad on 26 November are associated with our organization.

Update on Missing Persons in Iraq

Wednesday, 30 November 2005, 1:00 am, Baghdad, Iraq

BAGHDAD: We were very saddened to see the images of our loved ones on Al Jazeera television recently. We were disturbed by seeing the video and believe that repeated showing of it will endanger the lives of our friends. We are deeply disturbed by their abduction. We pray that those who hold them will be merciful and that they will be released soon. We want so much to see their faces in our home again, and we want them to know how much we love them, how much we miss them, and how anxious and concerned we are by what is happening to them.

We are angry because what has happened to our teammates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments due to the illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people. Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has worked for the rights of Iraqi prisoners who have been illegally detained and abused by the U.S. government. We were the first people to publicly denounce the torture of Iraqi people at the hands of U.S. forces, long before the western media admitted what was happening at Abu Ghraib. We are some of the few internationals left in Iraq who are telling the truth about what is happening to the Iraqi people We hope that we can continue to do this work and we pray for the speedy release of our beloved teammates.

We can confirm the identities of those who are being held as follows:

Tom Fox, age 54, is from Clearbrook, Virginia and is a dedicated father of two children. For the past two years, Mr. Fox has worked with CPT in partnership with Iraqi human rights organizations to promote peace. Mr. Fox has been faithful in the observance of Quaker practice for 22 years. While in Iraq, he sought a more complete understanding of Islamic cultural richness. He is committed to telling the truth to U.S. citizens about the horrors of war and its effects on ordinary Iraqi civilians and families as a result of U.S. policies and practices. Mr. Fox is an accomplished musician. He plays the bass clarinet and the recorder and he loves to cook. He has also worked as a professional grocer. Mr. Fox devotes much of his time to working with children. He has served as an adult leader of youth programs and worked at a Quaker camp for youth. He has facilitated young people's participation in opposing war and violence. Mr. Fox is a quiet and peaceful man, respectful of everyone, who believes that "there is that of God in every person" which is why work for peace is so important to him.

Norman Kember, age 74, is from London, England. He and his wife of 45 years have two married daughters and a 3-year old grandson. He has been a pacifist all his life beginning with his work in a hospital instead of National Service at age 18. Before his retirement he was a professor teaching medical students at St Bartholemew's Hospital in London. He is well known as a peace activist, and has been involved in several peace groups. For the past 10 years he has volunteered with a local program providing free food to the homeless. He likes walking, birdwatching, and writing humorous songs and sketches. In his younger days he enjoyed mountaineering.

James Loney, 41, is a community worker from Toronto, Canada. He has been a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams since August 2000, and is currently the Program Coordinator for CPT Canada. On previous visits to Iraq, his work focused on taking testimonies from families of detainees for CPT's report on detainee abuse, and making recommendations for securing basic legal rights. James was leading the November 2005 delegation in Iraq when he went missing. James is a peace activist, writer, trained mediator, and works actively with two Toronto community conflict resolution services. He has spent many years working to provide housing and support for homeless people. In a personal statement from James to CPT, he writes: “I believe that our actions as a people of peace must be an expression of hope for everyone. My hope in practising non-violence is that I can be a conduit for the transformative power of God's love acting upon me as much as I hope it will act upon others around me.”

Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 is a Canadian electrical engineer. He is studying for a masters degree in English literature inAuckland University in New Zealand to prepare for a teaching career. He enjoys art, is active in squash and worked part time as a local squash coach. His family describes him as peaceful and fun-loving and he is known to be passionate about the plight of the underprivileged around the globe. He works tirelessly in his spare time to educate and help others.



Statement of Conviction

In a "Statement of Conviction," the long-term Team members stated that they "are aware of the many risks both Iraqis and internationals currently face," and affirmed that the risks did not outweigh their purpose in remaining. They express the hope that "in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening non-violently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation."

CPT does not advocate the use of violent force to save lives of its workers should they be kidnapped, held hostage, or caught in the middle of a conflict situation.

Christian Peacemaker Teams has been present in Iraq since October 2002, providing first-hand, independent reports from the region, working with detainees of both United States and Iraqi forces, and training others in non-violent intervention and human rights documentation. Iraqi friends and human rights workers have welcomed the team as a nonviolent, independent presence and asked that the team tell the their stories. CPT teams host regular delegations of committed peace and human rights activists to conflict zones, who join teams in working with civilians to document abuses and develop nonviolent alternatives to armed conflict. The CPT Iraq Team has hosted a total of 120 people on sixteen delegations over the last three years.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is a violence reduction program. Teams of trained peacemakers work in areas of lethal conflict around the world. In addition to the Iraq Team, teams of CPT workers are currently serving in Barrancabermeja, Colombia; Hebron and At-Tuwani, Palestine; Kenora, Ontario, Canada; and on the Mexico-United States border.

Six Men of Indostan

American poet John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) based the following poem on afable which was told in India many years ago.

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the ElephantIs very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried,"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "Even the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

Moral:

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

Catch Courage Camden!

Dear Friends,

It’s been almost three months since I left Camden. The journey has been as many journeys are – a beautiful challenge of love, heart ache and transcendence. Today I sat down with Elissa and Jeremiah for a conversation about our lives, our journeys and our hopes. It seems a lot has changed in our little community house since I left at the end of August, and yet much of the change continues to inspire courage and radical hope. I’ve heard it said that courage is contagious, and anyone who visits our little church on the corner of Broadway and Ferry will meet many courage catchers – people who hold the vision that in small acts of love we may transform our hearts, transform our city, and transform our world.

A friend of mine, who moved down to Greensboro from his Catholic Worker house in Bridgeport told me stories of people he knew, experiences he had and the transcendence he understood through his experience in community in Bridgeport. Bridgeport is a lot like Camden, a city struggling to break free from the bondages of poverty and addiction. But it was what he said last that stays with me. He said, “The horror of Bridgeport was the beauty of my life.”

It may seem strange, but for anyone who has spent even a little time caring for the abandoned places and people of Camden, perhaps there is a part of your heart that understands this reality. I think of it as a prayer that we will continue to have the courage to encounter each other and through that encounter, understanding.

I came back yesterday from the annual fall SOA vigil. Forty-one people crossed the line and were arrested. I am not a huge fan of large “protests”, but the organizers rightly encouraged people “to take the vigil home.” I wondered in what ways I could actively vigil to protect the rights of those whose lives have been torn apart by perpetual war-making. I know that my faith holds me accountable and encourages me to go deeper and take more risks as the spirit leads.

I read an article in the New York Times about Camden today. For the second year in a row it was named “America’s most dangerous city.” I was greatly saddened by this reality, and even saddened further that the people of Morgan Quinto had never experienced the small miracles of Camden that inspire so many to live more faithful, more holistic lives. But perhaps they didn’t stay long enough in Camden to visit Eve’s garden, to sit with children from Sacred Heart School and “see the rainbow’s in the puddles”. Perhaps they have not visited Sacred Heart Church on epiphany or Mother’s Day or any given Sunday when the church bells call in all to worship a God of abundance – enough for all if we give our hearts over to the gentle calling of Christ in our world.

Maybe they were busy the week CCOP organizes cross denomination conversations on how to heal Camden, or had no time to visit the countless volunteers who pour their hearts into Camden everyday. Certainly Morgan Quinto didn’t meet many residents of Camden, those faithful people who have inspired all of us to live lives of greater faithfulness. Maybe then they may understand why the horrors of Camden, this marginalized and abandoned city, are really a place of resistance and hospitality.

There is no other place on earth that I have found as frustrating as Camden. However, I have never felt as alive and as ready to risk myself for the sake of greater fidelity to my God and my sisters and brothers.

I am thankful for Camden. I am thankful for Sacred Heart Parish. I am thankful for 1718 S. Broadway – and I am thankful for all of you who continue to pray and work and dream.

Let the challenge of Morgan Quinto’s rating be a catalyst for us all to catch courage!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Farah Marie

A Farewell to the Emerald Isle

This Sunday I return to Chicago. I am very glad and yet mournful to return "home" to the states. Firstly, the trial will spill over into another week and so after all these weeks and all the work others as well as myself have done, most of us will not be here to hear the verdict! The trial from our perspective has gone extremely well. The Judge in the case has allowed several elements that were not allowed in the last trial, like, for example, the pictures of children who parished after a no fly zone bombing in the South that were left in a shrine erected to commemorate those who died under sanctions and continued bombing of Iraq throughout the 90's.

Also allowed this time and not last were defense witnesses to give testimony on why the Pitstop Ploughshares might have formed the views that they did. Kathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness took the stand and described the humanitarian catastrophe of sanctions. Dennis Halliday described the illegality of the economic sanctions policy and the UN's general response (ambivilence) to the sanctions policy. There was also a man who is a Juris of international law who gave testimony as to the illegality of the no fly zone bombings, sanctions policy and gulf war two.

Each of the five "accused" also took the stand and spoke powerfully about why they took action. Nuin Dunlop, the only American member of the 5 pitstop ploughshares actually apologized to the members of the jury of five men and seven women stating she was so sorry the US, in violation of the constitution of Ireland and the will of her people, was faciliatating it's illeagal war through Shannon airport.

Dennis Halliday, former assistant secretary general of the UN, an Irish-native explained how sanctions designed to "punish" a government with tyranical and dangerous associations and aims, actually helps to keep the population in a position of servitude to the state, while those in power never miss a meal. When the defense asked him to give evidence as to the content of a documentary he did with John Pilger (also left in the shrine) called "Paying the Price". Dennis explained that the documentary was focussing on bringing in medicines to Iraqi people dying of cancers due ot depleted uranium and how he had to break the sanctions himself to do so, but he added that the man who smuggled the medicine in with him was the former head of the World Health Organization.

More later,
farah marie