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Communicating Peace Principles in Iraq
Written by David Mikho, Ambassador for Peace
Sunday, March 30, 2008
My wife, Leyla, and I are from Duhok, which is in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq on the border with Turkey. My life’s story is similar to that of many Iraqis who experienced the Saddam Hussein regime, and the fact that I am alive to give this testimony is a miracle. Now I can look back and clearly see how God has directed me and my family to this wonderful movement, UPF.
I saw battles as a medic in the wake of Saddam’s wars and was sentenced to prison for life at the whim of that dictator. The main reason others and I were allowed to dodge our life sentences is that the prisons were too full. When it was time to sleep, we had to lie on the floor head to feet, like a puzzle, with not an inch to spare. Release from prison, however, did not mean freedom, and we were under heavy surveillance. Because everyone in prison knew my character and philosophy, I was a threat to the regime. I was required to report every fifteen days, and they would make surprise visits. In school, my children were treated like part of a family of traitors. I witnessed many of my fellow Iraqis from different cultures and religions brutalized in ways that words cannot describe.
Leaving my country meant leaving all of my relatives and belongings behind. It would have been one of the most difficult things to do had it not been for a firm voice in my head giving me comfort that “Everything will turn out OK.” The story of how we came America is a testimony of God directing our lives.
We headed for Istanbul, Turkey, because we heard it was a gateway for other countries. My brother, who was living in England, submitted paperwork for our family to settle there. We waited for two years in Istanbul. I felt hopeless, trying to provide for my young family. Every week I would report to the offices of Caritas, a Catholic charity. One day a French woman at the agency asked me, “Why don’t you move to the United States?” I told her that it seemed an impossible dream, but she said to come back the following Tuesday. It didn’t make sense to me that someone from France working with an agency of the Vatican was encouraging me to go to America where I had no sponsor.
On Tuesday, I walked miles through the rain to the Caritas office, knowing that thousands of people were more qualified than our family to go to America, where we had no relatives or sponsors. My wife had put a heavy raincoat on me, handed me an umbrella, and pushed me out the door. When I got to the building, my agent said to me with the brightest smile, “Congratulations!, You are going to the United States!” I couldn’t believe it. I began to thank her knowing that it would never be enough. I walked home with the most wonderful feeling, even though the weather was still miserable. After a few months of paperwork, we were on our way. Thus, I am here for reasons beyond my own.
I believe that the philosophy of UPF can bring lasting peace to my country, the Middle East region, and ultimately the world. After attending the International Leadership Conference in Hawaii, it became clear to me that the dreams that I had as a young man were preparation for this time of my life. Living in the worst hell imaginable, I had dreamed that one day all good people, whatever their religion, would live together in peace. UPF has erased any doubt in my mind that this can now be achieved.
I determined to go back to Duhok and nominate as Ambassadors for Peace friends and community leaders who are already true Ambassadors for Peace. Duhok is now under the semiautonomous government of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). I arrived on September 11, 2007. The first person I nominated was my friend, Mr. Patros Jajo, a commissioner with the KRG and a member of the Christian High Council. Mr. Jajo is a humble man, well loved throughout the region as a hero because of the many lives and families he saved. When I shared the five principles of Ambassadors for Peace with Patros, he was so moved and said, “This is the movement we need.” In the midst of his busy schedule, he immediately began to introduce me to local leaders, beginning with Mr. Mohamed Mohsin, regional director for the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
He accompanied me practically every day and helped me with transportation. When I explained the five principles, everyone understood that this is not another religion or a political point of view but a movement capable of bringing people together. I was able to speak with hundreds of people during the 80 days I was in Iraq, and as this new idea spread the radio and TV media gave us coverage.
After two weeks in Duhok, Patros began to call his loyal friends and contacts in the KRG in Erbil, the capital. I was greatly inspired by a woman leader in the KRG, Mrs. Shirin Fatah Amedee. She is well known for her role in advancing women’s rights. I was inspired that someone with her status and popularity had such a humble heart and compassion for others. She traveled four hours to meet me in Duhok and listened intently as I shared with her Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s philosophy of the five principles of peace. “These five principles are already in me,” she responded. “We have been waiting for them.” She introduced me to key KRG Cabinet Ministers the following week.
The President of the KRG Parliament, Mr. Adnan Mufti, was intrigued by the philosophy of peace and especially the character education program. I explained to him, the best way I could, that lasting world peace takes generations of character education. He recommended that I make an appointment to meet the Minister of Education, Mr. Dilshad Mohammad. The two weeks in Erbil allowed me to meet numerous members of the parliament and other KRG officials.
I met with people from almost every religion and political party and shared with them the principles taught by Dr. Moon. All of them received the principles gratefully and graciously. We will continue to develop UPF there with increasing fervor.
David Mikho, an Ambassador for Peace, lives in Sterling Heights, Michigan with his wife Leyla and their five children. David is a member of the Iraqi Human Rights Society in the US.
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