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Why I Defend Saddam Hussein

Friday, September 07 2007 @ 10:30 PM CDT

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Ibrahim Ebeid

The great city of Mosul, that overlooks Nineveh and Assur, has an old and historic monastery, commonly known as Deir Sheikh Matti that is perhaps the most ancient religious institution in Iraq. Many Christians believe that St. Matthew lived and died at this location.

St. Matthew's Monastery remains a monumental Christian historical legacy revered by both Christians and Muslims of Iraq and neighboring countries.

Not far from the monastery lies a village of 30 Christian families. The monks at St. Matthew’s Monastery often received visits from Christians on pilgrimage to this holy site, which was built in the fourth century AD. On 18 April 1980 they received a visitor who was not a Christian and whose visit was unexpected: President Saddam Hussein. They were amazed when they saw him alight from his helicopter. The President toured the monastery, asking about the health of the older monks. He decided to send two of them abroad for eye treatment at state expense. He then visited the village, which had suffered a lot during the Kurdish rebellion, and gave instructions that 1,000 dinars be given to each family to make up for what they had endured. President Saddam Hussein often visited towns and villages in Iraq, but the visit to the monastery was symbolic as it had been looted and damaged during the Persian occupation of the country. He discussed this role with the head monk, Izhaq Sas, and also referred to the important role the Arab Christians played in the struggle against the Persian aggressions.

One time, President Saddam visited the Church of the Virgin Mary, probably the oldest church in the city, which is located in the old section of Baghdad of Haroun Al Rashid (786-809), who was the fifth and most famous Abbasid Caliph. His time was marked by scientific, cultural, and religious prosperity. Art and music also flourished significantly during his reign. Saddam Hussein was always fasinated by historic buildings, mosques and churches which were built by our Arab ancestors and he believed in preserving them for future generations to witness their significance and glory. When he entered the church, he was disturbed by its condition and deterioration, and he realized that the church needed many repairs. Because the priest was not there at the time but his wife was, Saddam inquired about his whereabouts. The president was told that the priest was in Mosul. Saddam told the wife of the clergy that the church should be repaired very soon, and that he would allocate the amount equal to two million dollars for this purpose and that the sum was available in the Ministry of Religious Endowment. "This Ministry belongs to all religions in Iraq and it is not for Muslims alone," said Saddam. He added, "The church was built by our ancesstors and we have to preserve it."

I was impressed, because I witnessed these events on Iraqi television while visiting Baghdad. He was indeed a great president who cared for all the people of Iraq, and for this reason I support and admire his legacy. He will continue to live in our hearts and he will stay as a motivation for revolutionaries to continue the struggle. Will the American anti-war movement see the real Saddam Hussein and not the distorted image painted by President Bush and the Zionist Neocons?

http://www.uruknet.info/

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