June 16, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United
States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania
Ave. NH
Washington D.C.
20500
Dear Mr. President
As an American Iraqi Muslim religious leader, I am writing
to you because I have great concern over the situation in Iraq
today. As you are well aware of, the situation in Iraq
continues to worsen daily. National stability and public security in Iraq
are nearly non-existence, especially in light of the second attack on the
Golden Mosque in Samarra.
It was only a year ago that the first attack on the revered
Shia shrines prompted the initial widespread sectarian violence, I fear that
this vulgar and deliberate second attack on the beloved
shrines will violently fuel the division even further. My growing frustration
extends to both, the Iraqi and American governments, in their inability to
rebuild, protect, and defend the holy shrines of Muslims, and more importantly,
safeguard the lives and property of ordinary Iraqi citizens.
When American forces liberated Iraq
from its despotic ruler I had such hope and dreams for a better future of my
native homeland. I truly believed that the Iraqi people, especially the Shia
Muslims, after decades of persecution, would now have the opportunity to live a
life based on liberty, dignity, and prosperity. Nonetheless, even with four
years of the American forces presence in Iraq,
a day in the life of the average Iraqi is still full of much hardship and
despair. As unfortunate as it may be the future looks ominously grim for the
Iraqi citizens. The country has become a magnet for insurgents, terrorist organizations,
and religious fanatics who have no value for the lives of other people, let
alone Iraqis.
Despite the reality, I truly believe that there is still
hope, as long as America
remains true to its promises to deliver a nation where its people can determine
fully, without coercion or threat, its future. Mr. President, I earnestly call
upon you to fulfill the promise you made to my native homeland—to rid the
terrorist insurgents and rebuild the country. It goes without saying that the
stability and success of Iraq
is also the stability for the entire Middle East and the
world.
Sincerely,
Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini
Founding Imam at the Islamic Educational Center
of Orange County