Iraq Elections

videos obtained from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3042924

An Interesting Email I Got from a Friend of Mine

I got this email from a very dear friend of mine, and I would like you to share it with me. Try to read it through.

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them.....and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; They just make the most of everything.

Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of

Reconstruction News From Iraq

Note: stories obtained from http://ar.aswataliraq.info/, http://www.alsabaah.com/paper.php?source=akbar&page=8, and http://www.mawtani.com/ar/

New Projects at Addoura Refinery to Boost its Productivity

Iraq's Minister of Oil inaugurated four new grand projects at Adduran Refinery in Baghdad, at a total cost of 67 million dollars. The projects, which lasted 18 months to accomplish, will increase the productivity of gas (benzene) from 2.5 mlpd to 3 millions, from 2 mlpd to 2.35 mlpd of kerosene, and from 1.8 mlpd to 3.1 mlpd of gasoline, in addition to 100 thousand tons of LPG. The http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=123396

New Leisure City Projects underway in the city of Kerbalaa

Kerbalaa Provincial Municipality's media spokesman said works have started in implementing three new cities including resthouses for the visitors of the city. According to the spokesman, the rest cities will be built at three entrances of the city, at a total cost of 15,8 billion USD. Each city will include apartments, parks, a prayer spot, restaurent and a healthcare center. http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=123313

Two Dams Opened in Kerkuk

Iraq's Minister of Water Resources inaugurated two dams in the city of Kerkuk. The dams will contribute to the irrigation of 6,000 donums in total, according to the minister. http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=123024

Power Generation Plant Equipment to Arrive in Baghdad soon

Electricity Minister's Spokesman said equipment of al-Hameediyya Power Generation Plant are scheduled to arrive from Iraq next month. "The plant, which will be errected in al-Sadr city upon its arrival, shall generate 300 megawatt, and will contribute to the national grid", according to the spokesman. http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=122969

Dewaniya assigns 10 0000 donums to build a new city

Dewaniya, Jan. 25, P. 5
Investment committee in Dewaniya Province assigned 10 thousand donums, or 25% of the province center area, to build a new city as it would contract with a private company to build 1000 homes in the province's outskirts. The new city would cost around $1.5 billion, as the committee considers many bids to build the city that would be named "New Dewaniya" that includes various-designed homes, health care centers, parks, malls, sport arenas and cultural facilities, Hakim Khuza'i head of the investment committee said. http://www.alsabaah.com/paper.php?source=akbar&mlf=interpage&sid=76518

Salahiddeen Province Contracts a Jordanian Company

Salahiddeen's Deputy Head of Investment Board mentioned that his board has recently signed investment contracts with a Jordanian company to implement projects of housing, an olive oil factory, a brick factory (of 300,000 bricks per day)and a truck terminal, at a total cost of 300 million USD. http://www.alsabaah.com/paper.php?source=akbar&mlf=interpage&sid=76542

Arrusafa Water Purification Plant Inaugurated in Baghdad

Baghdad witnessed the inauguration of al-Sadr City Water Purification Plan, in attendance of Mayor of Baghdad, Baghdad Provincial Council's chairman, and the US Ambassador, Ryan Crocker representing the US side which funded the project. According to mayor of Baghdad, the project, which has been executed by Iraqis and supervised by foreign experts, will produce 4,000 cubic meter of water per hour to the District.http://www.mawtani.com/ar/content/articles/090124_water_ir/

MOU Between Missan and a Canadian Firm
January 17, 2009 - 03:36:23
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The investment commission of Missan on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding with a Canadian company to execute eight service projects in the province, according to the commission’s head. “The eight projects consist of an advanced hospital with a capacity of 200 beds near Missan University, brick factory north of Amara city, gas driven power station that produces 500 Mega Watt of electricity, new residential compound, clinics, garbage elimination, in addition to two agricultural projects,” Ali Ward told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=106495

27 Residential Compounds finalized in 2008

January 14, 2009 - 11:06:23
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Housing and Construction Minister Beyan Ismail Dezei on Wednesday said that the ministry finalized 27 residential compounds throughout Iraq in 2008.“The ministry finalized 27 residential compounds; nearly two compounds in each province,” Dezei said during a conference held by the ministry.“Each project embraced 504 residential units,” she added.“There will be five more projects in 2009,” she noted. http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=106308

MoUs with Chinese companies to set up projects in Babel
January 13, 2009 - 01:52:33
BABEL / Aswat al-Iraq: A delegation from Babel has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with several Chinese companies to carry out six investment projects in the province, the deputy head of Babel’s provincial council said on Tuesday. “Work on the projects is scheduled to begin this February,” Nema al-Bakri said during a press conference held at the headquarters of the council.The projects include the establishment of a modern theme park in al-Farsi area, Hilla city, on an area of 32 donums (1 donum= 2,500 square meters), a mineral water factory, a date packing factory and a clothes factory, Bakri noted.


Largest City in Middle East in Nassiriya
January 5, 2009 - 06:38:48
THI-QAR / Aswat al-Iraq: The Thi-Qar investment authority on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with a Turkish company to set up the largest industrial city in the Middle East in the city of Nassiriya, the head of the authority said. “The authority signed the memo with the Austem company to set up the biggest industrial city in Nassiriya at a total cost of $8 billion for five years,” Dr. Ismail al-Aboudi told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. “The company is considered one of the biggest companies in Middle East and has assisted in the development of the Turkish industry by 30 percent because of the company’s experiences,” he added. http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=105829

Pictures From My First Trip to Turkey

The first two pictures taken in Ankara, the rest in Istanbul

3 Suicide Bombers Arrested in Ninewa

10 wanted men, 3 bombers arrested near Mosul
January 21, 2009 - 08:11:38
NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi army forces on Wednesday arrested 13 wanted persons, including three suicide bombers, west of Mosul city.
“Three suicide bombers wearing explosive belts were arrested near al-Hajj Ali village, al-Qayara district (60 km south of Mosul city),” a source from Ninewa’s Operation Command told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. Earlier this week, a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the guesthouse of the deputy head of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front (NDF), Hassan al-Zaidan, in al-Qayara district, killing the parliamentarian and wounding two policemen. Strict security measures are currently in place in al-Hajj Ali village, where a wake is currently being held.

http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=106776

ISI's Justice Minister to Face Justice!!!

Senior Islamic State of Iraq leader arrested in Mosul
January 12, 2009 - 02:54:21

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi army forces on Monday arrested a gunman suspected of being a senior Islamic State in Iraq leader in southeastern Mosul, an army source said. “Elements of the checkpoint of the 2nd division of the Iraqi Army arrested a wanted man suspected of being the ‘the justice minister’ of what is called the Islamic State in Iraq armed group while trying to cross the checkpoint by his car,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=106188

Ironic, isn't it!!! I wonder what did this minister promise his ISI alleged government!!! He must've promised them he would kill iraqis alike!!! And he would make sure to reward those IED makers, VBIEDers, beheaders!!!

The more perverts are removed off the streets, the better future will become.

The One-of-a-Kind Martyr in History

Imam (Saint) al-Hussein (peace and blessing be upon Him), is the son of Ali Bin Abi Talib and Fatimat Azzaraa. He is the grandson of Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessing be upon Him). Prophet Mohammed prophesied his death before he was born, and the day he was born, the Prophet was seen lamenting. Asked why, the Prophet said: ((Angle Gabriel has just told me that my grandson al-Hussein will be killed in a place called Kerbalaa, and his body will be left on desert)).

Imam Al-Hussein stood againt Yezeed Bin Mu'aawiya, the Umayyad caliph who had spread injustice, oppression, persecution, and every sort of corruption. Yezeed was also known of his involvement in twisting many aspects and principles of real Islam.

Reading through the history of Taff Battle (61 AH...680 AC) I have found that Imam al-Hussein (PBUH) had faced the most ferocious and inhumane type of killing. Most, if not all, of the prominent figures who had been killed throughout history, were killed either by sword, lance, arrow, bayonet, knife, sniped down with a bullet, showered with bullets, hanged...etc. What I wanna say is that all of those figures where killed with only one killing tool (weapon). Imam al-Hussein, on the other hand, was killed by people who had used every type of weapon available back then. The first weapon they used was by depriving him and his family from water for several days. They blocked every possible way to Euphrates to prevent him from reaching the source of water. Imam al-Hussein's faced the following:

1. Deprived from water for several days
2. His body received tens of lance hits
3. Tens of sword hits
4. Numerous arrows planted in his body. One was tri-headed and hit him in the heart.
5. Finger cutoff and his ring was looted
6. Family tents burned and contents looted
7. Family members killed or taken captives (chained altogether)
8. His sister (Zeynab) and the rest of his family members and relatives (mostly women and kids)beaten up using whips.
9. Imam's infant (Ali Al-Azghar or known as Arradhee) killed thirst. Imam al-Hussein carried him and asked Bin Zeyad's army to give him few drops of water but the army instead planted an arrow in his throat leaving him bleeding to death in his father's arms.
10. Imam al-Hussein and his barely over-a-hundred people confronted an army of 33,000 fighters (according to historians)
10. Body smashed and bruised using horses by Bin Zeyad's army.
11. Imam's head was cutoff and carried along with heads of other martyrs to Kufa and then
to Cham (Syria)
12. His body left on desert for three days.
13. Visiting his tomb was banned for hundreds of years, and visitors had (have) always faced
death.
14. His tomb (shrine) has faced many attempts of destruction throughout the Umayyad and
Abbasid eras, and even during the recent history, but all were useless.
15. People never stopped visiting his tomb despite of life threats they faced.
16. People never stopped mourning the day of his death.
17. The only tomb on earth that receives millions of visitors in the anniversary, in addition to everyday visits.
18. He is the only martyr that people still lament despite of his death 1369 yrs ago.
19. He was the first one in history that stood against a tyrant and spoke out. He was quoted as saying: "For me! death is nothing but a delight...and living with tyrants is a boredom"