Expert: Mohammed - 9/1/2005

Question
Hello,

My name is Chris Kelly, and I am a reporter with the CCNY Campus- the official college newspaper of the City University of New York.

I am currently putting together a story on Iraqi culture, and I would appreciate your expert opinion.

Included below are a few questions for my story. I would greatly appreciate your assistance, and I look foward to hearing from you soon.

Best,

Chris Kelly
CCNY Campus


Does the western definition of democracy or freedom conflict with the traditional beliefs of middle eastern society?

Can the civil unrest in New Orleans be compared to every day occurances in Baghdad?

For the average Iraqi, is Iraq today a safer place than under Saddam Hussein?

Would a democratic government in Iraq survive without the presence of American troops?

How is the Iraqi insurgency seen by the average Iraqi?


Answer
Hi,

Following are my answers, and sorry for poor English:

>Does the western definition of democracy or freedom conflict with the traditional beliefs of Middle Eastern society?

>>No, there is no conflict.
In Middle Eastern society, Islam religion has important effect, so that any system that is accepted by Islam will be accepted by most of people.
Islam calls for democracy which allows people to choose their ruler and judge him; also it calls for the freedom of people. However Islam doesn't accept the current western type of freedom in relationships between men and women outside marriage.



>Can the civil unrest in New Orleans be compared to every day occurrences in Baghdad?
>>What has been happening in Baghdad since the USA Invasion is more painful than what happened to New Orleans, hundreds of innocent Iraqi people are killed every day, not because a natural phenomenon, but because of USA Avidness.

>For the average Iraqi, is Iraq today a safer place than under Saddam Hussein?
>>Absolutely No, It was long far safer than now.

>Would a democratic government in Iraq survive without the presence of American troops?
>>In the first two or three years, some American troops are needed.


>How is the Iraqi insurgency seen by the average Iraqi?
>>The Iraqi resistant who target American troops are accepted by some Iraqis, but those who target civilians are not accepted by anyone.


Regards