Tuesday, April 03, 2007

The Daughter of Mesopotamia

"Her triumph will show the world that Iraqis will still sing despite their wounds." So said Israa Tariq, a homemaker in Baghdad.

Gunfire was heard in Baghdad Friday night, the celebratory kind. Why? How could there possibly be anything joyful in Baghdad? For those with electricity to watch their tv sets, a moment of pride was found as Shadha Hassoun was surrounded by her fans as she won the Arab version of American Idol. She triumphed over three other finalists, a man from Egypt, a man from Lebanon and a woman from Tunisia.

Hassoun wrapped herself in the flag of Iraq and burst into tears. It is the Arab world's most watched tv show and it was a ray of hope amidst a week of a series of suicide bombings in marketplaces and sectarian cleansing exercises of insurgents shooting innocent men, execution style, after dragging them out of their homes.

Her people have dubbed her the "Daughter of Mesopotamia" and they are grateful for the distraction her ascent in the competition has provided. She is a 25 year old young woman born in Casablanca, Morocco. Her father is her connection with Iraq. He is a native of a tribe of southern Iraq. Some say part of her success is due to the fact that no one knows if she is Sunni or Shiite, so everyone is comfortable claiming her as their own. She is Paris educated and does not live in Iraq. She has embraced the country and the people as her own.

She is a symbol of hope. She is accomplishing a great feat to inspire others as a message to abandon the violence and pull together, to do something constructive for their country. Ziad al-Qaisi, 31 years old, of Baghdad said "Iraqis should focus on art, music and sports where they can find love, beauty and tranquility."

It is easy to be critical, to be shrill and hateful against those wanting to help the Iraqi people have a better life. It is easy to surrender in times of trial. Those doing the hard work, the necessary work, can use all the inspiration they can get.

It's not such a difficult choice.

3 comments:

Beverly said...

God bless the daughter.

Paul is a Hermit said...

It's also a good example that religion does not belong in the governing of a country where beliefs are so different. A commonality must be reached or the three large distinct groups will not avoid a civil war. Even then, the winner will suppress the other two.
God is fine everywhere but the methods of worship have no place in government.

srp said...

I'm sure she has real talent... unlike the Sanjaya that still managed to stay on the show. I predict that if America doesn't wake up and start voting on talent rather than a "cute boy", this will be the last season for Idol. I would be extremely ticked off if I were both the judges and the other contestants.

Did any of the Iraqi people have a problem with her not wearing the typical garb or do you know.