Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Below are a few photos of Mustafa, 9. Due to war, instability, and chaos, Mustafa was exposed to High Pressure Electricity Current that passes over his home on Nov. 11th, 2009 in Najaf. The accident caused him the loss of his right leg (under knee) and two toes of his left foot.

Mustafa is in Minneapolis for medical treatment, thanks to St. Joan of Arc Church, Shriner’s Hospital, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, IARP, and other generous donors.

In Minneapolis:

All photos by Alex Potter

By Alex Potter, Program Assistant

“I want to be whole again.”

When Ikhlas came to Minneapolis in August, she was frustrated and resigned. Three months later, with the help of the Minneapolis-based Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, Ikhlas is taking new strides.

Six years ago, an errant US missile left Ikhlas immobile: she lost her left leg from above the knee and most of her right foot after multiple unsuccessful surgeries. Although a US military unit stationed in her hometown in Iraq supported her through several surgeries, the promise that a US colonel made of ‘new legs’ never materialized. Ikhlas and her family did everything they could to facilitate recovery: they searched for funds high and low, were supported by friends and family, and traveled for more surgeries, but it was never enough.

Photo by Anne Nettles

Ikhlas’ prostheses were painful and ill-fitting, and war-torn Iraqi society was unkind and inaccessible to the disabled. While visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in September, Ikhlas noticed the elevators and ramps and commented that none of that is available in Iraq. Before her accident, Ikhlas was trained as a schoolteacher. While teachers in the US are fully able to work while in a wheelchair or on crutches, Iraqi teachers are not. A government job center in Iraq threw Ikhlas’ papers on the floor when she went to apply for a teaching job. They said that, since she was disabled, she could never teach in an Iraqi school. Ikhlas set out to prove them wrong.

After hearing of her plight and how she believed herself to have “…so much potential that has not been reached…” the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams agreed to sponsor her expenses to come to Minnesota to receive new prostheses and regain the ability to walk through physical therapy. Partnering with Winkley Orthotics and Prosthetics and the Courage Center of Golden Valley, MN, Ikhlas set out on a long road to recovery.

Photo by Alex Potter

Working with physical therapists, nurses and doctors, Ikhlas was fitted for two new prostheses. Her right foot had a continuous open spot – a risk for infection and further surgeries – so the new boot-style prosthesis was fitted with the ability to slide on and off easily, as well as fit into more visually-appealing footwear. Amputations above the knee are always challenging to fit prostheses, but Ikhlas’ old leg was almost unusable. Painful, unsteady, and, in Ikhlas’ words, ugly, her old prosthesis forced Ikhlas to sit in a wheelchair most of the time. Winkley provided state-of-the-art prostheses – custom fit and adjustable according to comfort, height, and level of activity. With the new prostheses, Ikhlas practices her stride every day and is walking with less and less of a limp.

During her rehabilitation process, Ikhlas strengthened her unused muscles at Winkley and the Courage Center, a Minnesota-based rehabilitation center for children and adults with disabilities. Staff helped her walk on the treadmill, regain arm and core strength, and recover the balance and coordination lost from years in a wheelchair. The process was always difficult and sometimes frustrating, and she still has a long journey ahead of her, but Ikhlas has put forth an inspiring effort and begun to regain the ability to walk and to pursue her dream of teaching.

Throughout their time in the Twin Cities, Ikhlas and Sami Rasouli, Director of the Muslim Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, spoke at various venues about their stories and the processes of peace and recovery in Iraq. Along with Mustafa (an 8-year old Iraqi boy also in the Twin Cities for medical treatment) and Mustafa’s mom, Ikhlas and Sami talked with Americans about their lives in Iraq since the Iraq War began in 2003 – personal narratives rarely heard in the media. In addition to public presentations and medical treatment, the visiting Iraqis enjoyed touring the Twin Cities, shopping, visiting art museums, going sailing, meeting local Iraqi refugees, and spending time with new American friends.

Photo by Anne Nettles

Returning to Iraq will not be easy for Ikhlas. Despite her enormous progress, Ikhlas points out that she will still be viewed as disabled by Iraqi society. Iraq is recovering from a still-ongoing war, and it is a harsh environment for the disabled. Still, Ikhlas’ trip to Minneapolis has opened many doors for her. Her enhanced ability to walk will help her pursue a teaching position in geography – what she would love to do.  If this turns out to be not possible, she would also like to advocate for others, like herself, who are disabled in Iraq. “I want to be whole again. Then I can be a voice for the challenged in Iraq today.”

Ikhlas will be taking new strides in Najaf, ones with mobility, purpose, and confidence. Though her wounds will never disappear, Ikhlas will return to Iraq with new abilities and a new vision for herself and her future.

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Zuhair Sharba

Zuhair Sharba, President of the Najaf Chamber of Commerce, arrived in Minneapolis on Thursday, November 4. Mr. Sharba is in Minneapolis to meet with local government and business professionals about expanding trade between Minnesota and Najaf, Iraq.

Mr. Sharba was a member of the first official delegation from Najaf to Minneapolis in September of 2009 after the two cities became official Sister Cities in July of 2009. Since the beginning of that relationship, Minneapolis has welcomed multiple delegations from Najaf, including artists, business professionals, academics, and individuals injured by the war coming for medical treatment. A mental health professional from Minneapolis traveled to Najaf in January, 2010 to conduct trainings on identifying and treating mental health needs in a post-war context and a team of academics from Augsburg College plans to visit Najaf in January, 2011.

Mr. Sharba’s current visit builds on the relationships and trust established during previous delegation exchanges and will lay the ground for increased trade and business between the two cities. Najaf is a growing economic and cultural center in southern Iraq and many Minnesotan businesses have expressed interest in working there. The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) in Minneapolis and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT) in Najaf are facilitating Mr. Sharba’s visit as an Iraqi-led trade mission and effort to promote the economic recovery of Iraq.

As President Obama holds high-level meetings to expand US trade and business in Asia, IARP is working at the local level to build economic ties that promote not only business but peaceful relationships. Mr. Sharba’s trip will expand economic opportunity for both Iraqis and Americans, but it is also part of a larger relationship growing between the people of Minneapolis and Najaf.

If you would like to inquire about a meeting with Mr. Sharba, please contact Luke Wilcox at luke@reconciliationproject.org.