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Exiles living in Phoenix area hail changes in Iraq
April 10, 2005

The day two men from Saddam Hussein's security forces came looking for him in 1998, Dali Sabih was in class at a Baghdad university.

"They said they wanted to ask me some questions," recalled Sabih, 28, of Phoenix. "It would only take a few hours."

The interrogation lasted two weeks.

The experience, which spurred Sabih to flee Iraq and ultimately seek refuge in the United States, remains a reminder of life in Iraq under Saddam.

It's through this lens that Sabih and other Iraqi exiles view the war in Iraq, which began two years ago. Those exiles in the Phoenix area, who include Shiite Muslims, a small number of Kurds, and about 10,000 ChaldoAssyrian Christians, choose not to focus on the carnage that continues.

Instead, they hail the elections that took place in Iraq on Jan. 30. The elections, they say, gave them a renewed sense of hope that their native land has taken an important step to becoming a secure and democratic country.

"After 30 years of oppression, Iraqis are eager for democracy," Sabih said.

The police took Sabih to jail and held him in a room with no furniture except a chair. At night, he slept on the floor, with no pillow or blanket. The men used humiliation to get Sabih to reveal information about his father, Kadam Sabih Aldakhal, who lived in Sweden and belonged to a political party trying to overthrow Saddam.

Sabih knew little of his father's activities, and the police finally let him go.

Others were not so lucky.

Many exiles living in the Phoenix area were beaten and tortured by Saddam's security forces. They are not shy about lifting their shirts to reveal long, red scars left on their backs and stomachs.

For them, daily images of insurgents killing people with suicide bombings in Iraq pale in comparison with the number of political killings and military conflicts that Iraqis endured under the dictator.

"Iraq lost 3 million people under Saddam Hussein. We are ready to sacrifice another 1 million for the price of freedom," said Sheik Latif Al-Khafaji of Avondale, a 55-year-old imam of the Alsadiq Mosque in Phoenix and spiritual leader of the 5,000 Shiite Muslims from Iraq living in the metro area.

Since April 9, 2003, the dramatic day Saddam's statue was toppled in Baghdad, symbolizing the end of the dictator's regime, scores of Iraqi exiles from the Phoenix area have returned to their homeland to help rebuild the country. They risk their lives to work as interpreters and translators for the U.S. military or defense contractors.

Among them is Phoenix Realtor Sam Darmo's 20-year-old son, John, who is working for a defense contractor in Ramadi, an insurgent stronghold inside the so-called Sunni Triangle.

In February, John e-mailed a photo to his father's home showing a plume of smoke rising from a bomb that had exploded a hundred yards away.

Despite the violence, Sam, the Arizona spokesman for the Assyrian Democratic Movement, and other Iraqi exiles, are certain democracy will take root and then spread through the Middle East.

Exiles point to events that have unfolded since the Iraqi elections, including democratic reforms in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, demands for women's rights in Kuwait and peaceful demonstrations against the Syrian occupation in Lebanon.

"(The elections that) happened in Iraq was like opening the door to democracy in the Middle East," said Jafar Jawad, 33, a Shiite doctor who came to the United States five years ago and now lives in Glendale.

Robert Shawil echoed those feelings.

"I have no doubt in my mind that Iraq will be the turning point for democracy in the Middle East," said Shawil, a 45-year-old Assyrian Christian who came to the United States 25 years ago. He now is a businessman in Phoenix.

Exiles recognize that the process to achieving democracy could take many years. And Iraq still faces challenges, including uniting the country's splintered ethnic groups and battling an insurgency fueled by neighboring dictatorships determined to see democracy fail in Iraq.

"Winning the postwar is harder than winning the war itself," Sabih said.

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Who are the Christians of Iraq? 

Exiles living in Phoenix area hail changes in Iraq  April 11, 05

Pope, example of humility to Iraqi Christians  April 11, 05

Assyrians pray for shock in Swedish league debut April 11, 05

A late report about Kha b'Nissan Celebrations in Australia  April 10, 05

MIDYAT CITY OF STONE 

Re-emergence of discredited Ilisu Dam project April 9, 05

Assyrika supported by Assyrian communities in 82 countries  April 9, 05

In Iraq, thanks for man who gave help and hope April 9, 05

Photos of Assyrians Celebrating the Kha b'Nisson New Year in Tur-Abedeen Turkey  April 5, 05

Assyrian Candidate Runs for Congress April 6, 05

Turkish Nationalism Reflected in Southern Town's Growing Homogeneity  April 5, 05

Seventy Thousand Assyrians

Turkey Allows a First Assyrian New Year Celebrations April 4, 05

Sadness and fear in Iraq Because of Pope John's Death  April 3, 05

Picures of the Assyrian New Year celebration in Germany April 4, 05

Pictures of Assyrians in Syria Celebrating the Kha B'Nissan April 1, 05

Pictures of Parade in Baghdad celebrating the Assyrian and Babylonian New Year  April 1, 05

Baghdad priests pray for pope, remember appeals for peace April, 1, 05

Kurds Prevent Assyrian Representation, Continue Divisive Formula in Iraq March 28, 05

Australian MP About the Assyrians of Iraq  March 28, 05

Church of martyrs, The Plight of the Christians in Iraq  March 26, 05 

Christians of Mosul, the light of the Resurrection in the Calvary of war March 26, 05

Relations between Chaldeans and Assyrians?  March 25. 05

ADM Rep: favors a "Nineveh Plain Christian Province" March 24, 05 

Mahdi Army Beats Assyrian Female Student to Death  March 23, 05

The Plight of Iraqi Children  March 23, 05

Iraq's endangered church looks to Western fellowship for helpMarch, 22, 05

Iraqi Christians Longing to Be Heard  March 22, 05  

"Chaldeans" Living in Semblance of their True Identity  March 22, 05 

Iraq's Assyrians Seek Voice in New Government March 19, 05 

EXODUS, Many Christians Flee Iraq, With Syria the Haven of Choice March 19, 05

Ansar al-Sunna claims killing of Christian Iraqi general March 18, 05 

Bishop Gabriel Kassab Visits London March 17, 05 

The Christian minority want to be like yeast in the dough March 17, 05

KRG statement regarding the situation of the Christian minority in Iraqi Kurdistan March 17, 05 

A Nun's Message of Hope March 16, 05

Christians of Syria and Mesopotamia are not Arabs  March 15, 05

An open letter form Turkey to the people of the world. March 14, 05

The persecution of the Christians in Iraq  March 14, 05

Yonadam Kanna on ChaldoAssyrians and Iraq Assembly March 10, 05

Interview: Iraqi cleric -- Civil war impossible: March 8, 05

How Ancient Assyrians helped communities to prosper March 8, 05

Iraqi women face uphill battle to maintain their rights March 8, 2005

The eagerly awaited Assyrian dictionary by Gabriel Afram March 7.05

Torment of the Assyrians of Turkey after world war one by the Turks and the Kurds March 5, 05

The Tragic Situation of the Assyrians of Barwari Bala March 4, 05 

The persecution of the Christians in Iraq March 2, 2005

Relentless pressures drive Christians from the Middle East  March  1, 05

Iran Sentenced Protestant clergyman to three years in prison  March 1, 05 

Demonstrators Protested The disenfranchisement of the Assyrians in Iraqi Elections in Front of UN  Feb. 27, 05

Assyrian Christians of Iraq wanted to vote but were not allowed. Feb. 27, 05

Is Christianity Growing in Iram? Feb. 26, 05

Letters of Protest to the Independant Elections Council of iraq  Feb. 24, 05 

Assyrians a forgotten minority  Feb. 24, 05 

SAT-7 to Broadcast First TV Show Made by and about Iraqi Christians Feb. 24, 05

Iraqi Assyrians are victims of Kurdish ethnic cleansing Feb, 23, 05

Amid the chaos of Iraq's war, the cradle of civilization is being looted Feb. 23, 05

Assyrians from the fall Nineveh to the Present Feb. 20, 05

Iraqi Prelate Confident Exiled Christians Will Return Feb. 20, 05

Fertile Crescent' treasures debut Gallery at university's Oriental Institute Feb. 18, 05

Iraqi exile voters put Chaldo-Assyrian Christian in Iraqi assembly Feb. 16, 05

Assyrian demonstrations protest Iraqi voting lock out Feb. 16, o5

Assyrians to Protest at the United Nations against Unfair Iraqi Elections Feb. 15, 05

ASSYRIAN CHRISTIANS DAILY PERSECUTED IN IRAQ Feb. 14, 05

Assyrian Christians Here Say Iraq Vote Unfair Feb. 14, 05 

Iraqi Militant Group Claims Kidnapping of a Christian Feb. 13, 05

preliminary list of the Assyrians/chaldeans and syriac representatives elected   Feb. 13, 05

To Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles President of the European Parliament Feb 14, 05

Protest in Europe to Bring Attention to the Iraqi voting Injustice  Feb. 12, 05

The Struggle for Survival of Iraq's Christian Assyrians Feb. 11, 05

AUA appeals to World Governments to restore voting rights to Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs and Yazidis Feb. 11, 05  

Iraqi Assyrian Christians Flee to Safer Ground  Feb. 10, 05

Iraq electoral commission admits ballot box irregularities In the Christian Assyrian Region Feb. 07, 05

Provisional Iraq election results from US show Assyrian strength Feb 06, 05

Possible Outcome of Iraq's Vote for the Assyrians Feb. 06, 05 

In Iraq, ancient minority flees atrocities Feb. 06, 05

Iraqi Turkmen Accuse Kurds of Voting of Fraud  Jan. 30, 05

KDP Statement about Kurds Preventing Assyrians From Voting in North Iraq  Jan. 06, 05

Assyrians Protest Iraqis Protest Voting Irregularities Feb. 06, 05

Losing the Language of Jesus  Feb. 3. 05 

Christian Assyrians Face Obstacles in Iraqi Elections Feb. 3, 05

US Dominicans Contacting UN, US Officials in Attempt to Restore Right to Vote for 150,000 Iraqis Feb. 02, o5

One dictatorship replaced with another!  Feb. 2, 05 

Iraqis Report a Variety of Complaints About Irregularities on Election Day Feb 2, 05

Iraqi Christians claim their votes blocked   Feb. 2, 05

Assyria: 150,000 Chaldo Assyrians Protest Their Exclusion From Voting  Feb. 2, 05

London's Assyrians: Babylon or Bust  Fen. 01, 05

ADM Press Release protesting the prevention of the Assyrians in northern Iraq from voting.    Jan. 31, 05

Chicagoan's 'so happy' to cast Iraqi ballot  Jan. 31, o5

Iraq's Christians Disenfranchised at Home and in U.S. Jan. 31, 05

Assyrians Prevented By Kurds From Voting in North Iraq  Jan. 30, 05 

Iraqi Christians Flourished Long Before Muslims Jan. 30, 05

Assyrians Prevented from Voting in Northern Iraq Jan 30, 05

Pictures of the Assyrians Voters Celebrating  Jan 30, 05

Iraqi Christian Voters Hope for Security Jan. 30, 05

Assyrians of Modesto Travel to Los Angeles to Vote   Jan, 30, 05

Arizona Assyrian Iraqis travel to California to vote Jan. 30, 05

Assyrian Family sees both sides of election  Jan. 30, 05 

Assyrian Christians Protest Iraqi Election with Crucifixion/Fast in New York! Jan. 29, 05

Misinformation about Assyrians From a Finnish Immigration Official  Jan, 28, 05

Artifacts Give the Ancient Assyrian Side of the Old Testament Story  Jan. 28, 05

Iraqis in Canada prepare to hit the polls Jan. 28, 05

Iraqi Christians Pray and Brace for Election Outcome  Jan. 27, 05 

Campaign in London to Save Assyrian Christians Jan. 26, 05

Ex-archbishop in fight to save ancient Christians Jan. 24, 05

Trek to democracy Ariz. residents heading to LA to register, vote Jan. 23, 05

Iraq Overseas Voter Registration Extended   Jan. 22, 05

Map and Driving Directions to the Iraqi Voter Regestration center 

To Vote in Iraq's Elections in California 

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Iraq Overseas Voter Registration Extended   Jan. 22, 05

Travels of the First Assyrian to the New World

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Critics: Limited number of Iraqi po lling places in United State disenfranchises Christians Jan. 19, 05

CSI Founder Welcomes Release of Kidnapped Archbishop in Iraq Jan. 19, 05

Local Iraqis make long journey  Jan. 18, 05

Seyfo: The Unmentioned Genocide of the Assyrians during world war one Jan. 18, 05

I prayed and was ready for the worse, says the Bishop of Mosul Jan. 18. 05

Many Iraqis travel far to register to vote Jan. 30  Ja n 18, 05

Relief after kidnapped Iraqi archbishop is released Jan, 18, 05

Kurdish Attacks on Assyrians in Iraq Intensify As Election Nears  Jan. 17. 05

Christian Assyrian Heritage of Iraq Before Islam  Jan. 16, 05

Armed Kurdish Groups Terrorize Assyrian Town in Iraq Jan. 15, 05

Muslims Identify Christians as Western Enemies Jan. 14, 05

BABYLON TRASHED Jan. 15, 05 

Iraq expatriates want vote Jan. 14, 05

Iraqi Christian campaigns struggle Jan. 14, 05

"Assyrian dreams of going back for vacation, taking his kids to Nineveh"  Jan.23, 05

Iraqis here to have say in nation's Jan. 30 elections Jan. 13, 05

Local Iraqis in Chicago to Vote with Hope Jan. 12, 05 

Petition to Protest Iraq Out-of-Country Voting Program's Discrimination of ChaldoAssyrians Jan. 11. 05

Locals face long trek for voice in Iraq vote Jan. 11, 05

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Assyrian National Gathering (Assembly) Jan. 11, 05

Terrorism Strikes All Iraqis, Says Patriarch Jan. 11, 05

Pastor tells of his visit to Baghdad Jan 10, 05 

A Look At Iran's Christian Minority Jan. 1- 05

Assyriska rises to Sweden's promised land  Jan. 6, 05

Good News from Midyat Turkey Jan. 8, 05 

Christians flee genocide as fear sweeps Iraq  Jan. 8, 05

Will the indigenous Christians of Iraq surviv e? Jan. 6, 05

Members of ancient Turkish Christian community try to get back to normal  Jan, 6, 05

Paticipating in Iraq's Elections Jan. 2005 

Chaldean population in Sterling Heights to take part in shaping new Iraq  Jan. 4, 05

Minority Christian groups want more parliamentary clout  Jan. 4, 05

Egypt frees Christians detained over December unrest  Jan 4, 05

Bleeding of the Week  Jan. 3, 05 

World's Assyrians savour Swedish soccer saga Jan. 2, 05  

Christians provide their own security for Christmas  Dec. 25, 04

Wearing one seen as way to avoid violence Dec. 25, 04

New Hope of Syrian Minorities: Ripple Effect of Iraqi Politics Dec. 29, 04 

Iraqi Christians in Jordan Cite Bombs, Intimidation Dec. 25, 04

Iraq's Christmas Spirit: Fear Dec. 25, 04 

Christmas in Iraq  Dec. 25, 04   

Iraqi Refugees will not Be Home For Christmas Dec. 24, 04

Is Iraq Another Yugoslavia? Dec. 23, 04

Kurds: Bombers are militant splinter group Dec.23, 04 

USCIRF Letter to President Bush about the Non-Moslems in Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Christian orphans stuck in limbo in Iraq  Dec. 21, 04

Christian Plight in Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Chaldo-Assyrian Community of Iraq Dec. 21, 04

Despite Fear of Attacks Baghdad Christians celebrate birth of Christ Dec. 21 ,04 

Churches attacked in Mosul. Christians Kidnapped and Injured  Dec. 20 ,04

Christmas services canceled by fearful Iraqi Christians Dec. 20, 04

Turkey, the EU and the Assyrians  Dec. 20, 04

Voting ProceduresFor the Out Country Iraqi's  Dec. 16, 04

Iraqi Christians to Take Role in Elections DC. 15, 04 

Updated: Oppression and Murder of the Assyrians in Iraq Dec. 10, 04

Iraq's besieged Christians weigh taking up arms, fleeing into exile  Dec. 12, 04

Pope expresses concern about recent terror attacks against Iraqi Christians Dec. 8, 04

Iraq Churches Bombed; 1,000th American Killed  Dec. 7, 04

1,500 members to protect Christians in northern Iraq Dec. 4, 04

Christianity Under Fire In Egypt  Dec. 6, 04

Interview with younadam Kanna of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM)  Dec. 5, 04

Kurd's Tactics to Divide Assyrians into Insignificance Dec. 3, 04

The Advantages of a Governate Region Versus Safe Heaven  Dec. 1. 04

AINA: Appeal for a ChaldoAssyrian Safe Haven in Northern Iraq  Nov. 30, 04

Iraq's Christian Minority Under Threat Nov. 29, 04

More and more Christians Fear Life in Iraq Nov. 29, 04

Appeal for a ChaldoAssyrian Safe Haven in Iraq  Nov. 24, 04

Interview with Archbischop of Kerkuk - Louis Sakko Nov. 24, 04

US support seen as 'disaster' for Christian minority in Iraq Nov. 23, 04

Iraqi Christians seek U.S. support  Nov. 23, 04

A Conference for the Defense of Human rights for Minorities in Iraq  Nov. 18, 04

U.S. Must Protect Iraq's Christians  Nov. 16, 04

The Coming Elections in Iraq and the Expatritots  Nov. 15,04

The Ethnic Cleansing of christians In Iraq Continues  Nov. 13, 04

Northern Iraq's Mosul Tense After U.S. Air Strikes Nov. 12, 04

Bombs explode at Baghdad Orthodox churches Nov . 8, 04

Militants bomb Orthodox church in Baghdad  Nove. 8, 04

Is Mosul Next after Falluja?  Nov. 7, 04

Companions in suffering: An Interview with Thea Halo Nov. 6, 02

Iraqi Christians Face Escalating violence: Urgent Appeal For Help  Nov. 4, 04

Update of Opression and Murder of the Assyrians in Iraq Nov. 4, 04

Two Assyrians Killed in Syria  NOv. 3, 04

Assyrian Family Attacked in Baghdad, Two Killed  NOv. 2, 04

Restoring Sanity to Iraq  Oct. 25, 04

Apeal for an Administration region for the Christians of Iraq  Oct. 24, 04

Kurd's Confiscation of Assyrian Villages  Oct. 25, 04

Christians of Iraq under Siege Oct. 25, o4

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