The Carnival of the Liberated
Dave Schuler
Welcome to the Carnival of the Liberated, a sampler of some of the best posts from Iraqi and Afghani bloggers. This week we have the panic on the bridge in Baghdad, Hurricane Katrina, strict constructionists and loose constructionists, and much, much more.
Afghan Warrior reports on the obstacles that women candidates there must overcome in running for office.
As you can imagine the big news in Iraq this week was the panic on the bridge in Baghdad that resulted in so many deaths. An Average Iraqi has a good recap of the story and some commentary. More from Hammorabi. Did some kind of chemical contribute to the tragedy? Ibn Al-Rafidain has observations.
Abu Khaleel of Iraqi Letters gives us his take on the new Iraqi constitution.
Salam Pax misses the old optimism.
There's a very interesting post on Friends of Democracy on strict constructionists vs. advocates for a “living” Qu'ran with a particular focus on the issue of usury. I've been somewhat surprised that there hasn't been more discussion of this issue. Usury (lending money at interest) is, after all, the basis of Western economies and it's strictly forbidden under Islam (yes, yes, I know there have been fatwas on how to lend money at interest without it being forbidden—that's what the post is about).
The other big story of the week among the Iraqi bloggers was Hurricane Katrina. There was a spectrum of reactions. Hammorabi, Ishtarria, Iraq the Model, and The Mesopotamian generally offered condolences. Imad Khadduri is, of course, crowing. Raed Jarrar mostly uses the hurricane as a jumping-off point for demands for immediate removal of U. S. troops from Iraq. His mom's reaction was unique: jealousy.
I see the world inside and outside of America sympathizes, panting to offer help…and I do not know whether it is an honest humanitarian feeling, an adulation to the American government, or hypocrisy, and favor-seeking… Because most of those who rushed to help, Arabs and non-Arabs, were almost silent about what befell the Iraqis during their days of ordeal, and the war against them, or perhaps they restricted themselves to shy protestations, fearing the anger of their people… Who rushed to send humanitarian aid to us while we were under the air and land raids? Who donated millions of dollars to relieve us? Are the humans other than us worthy of life and aid, while we aren't? I see some Arabic countries do this before the western countries, to aid the Katrina hurricane victims… and they were the same who abandoned us in our ordeal….keeping silent, like mutes. Where were these noble, high humanitarian feelings hiding? I see they emerged today, hot and strong, to help the residents of New Orleans….. Why wasn't a part of them shown to the poor Iraqis, while they were under the bombardment of missiles, and hell?
There's a new Iraqi blogger: Treasure of Baghdad. Take a look!
Dave Schuler posts regularly to his own weblog, The Glittering Eye. The Carnival was originally conceived by Ryan Boots.
