I was one of about 30 people who attended a report and discussion Wednesday evening, October 22, 2003 at the Babylon Art and Cultural Center, 1624 E. Lake Street. The speaker was Hannah Allam, a reporter from the St. Paul Pioneer Press who recently returned from Iraq after arriving July 21, 2003, the day before Saddam’s sons were killed. While there, she interviewed guerrilla fighters as well as Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers.

One interview with a resistance fighter was cut short when the explosive-clad interviewee was informed of an opportunity to attack an American convoy. While being escorted away from the interview site, Allam heard a thunderous explosion. The next day she learned of an attack in the area. The story was featured on the front page of the September 14, 2003 Pioneer Press.

Despite the excitement of the guerilla fighter interviews, the diverse group in attendance, which was disproportionately of Middle Eastern descent, was more interested in daily lives of Iraqi citizens and how the American occupation is affecting their attitudes about western culture.

Allam’s part Egyptian heritage and Middle East upbringing helped her avoid standing out as an American. She was saddened by her much more respectful treatment by many U.S. soldiers after speaking fluent English and identifying herself as an American.

Allam stated that here in America she often hears war proponents mentioning improved status of women as a supposed war benefit. Her experience belied that view. Saddam’s rule, though harsh, was mostly secular. Wearing of the hijab by Iraqi women was optional then, but it has recently become much more taboo to appear uncovered in public. She recalled an instance when icy stares caused her to retrieve the hijab from her car that she’d neglected to wear. She said this is most common in areas that are predominantly Shiite.

She noted a Christian Iraqi girl she’d interviewed who showed a closet full of western clothes that she no longer felt comfortable wearing. Allam feels that national pride is growing among Iraqi youth at the same time their interest in western culture is fading.

Despite Bush administration claims that power has been restored to pre-war levels, she talked to many people who had adequate service before the war and have little or none now. The abundance of oil hasn’t benefited ordinary commuters in Iraq who must wait for hours for a small ration of fuel. There is also a significant water shortage and she saw fist fights break out during distribution. One improvement she noted was that trash removal had begun for the first time.

She believes we’re getting a full reporting of all the American deaths in Iraq but injuries, which are often severe, are underreported. She claimed there is inadequate reporting of the frequent injury or deaths of innocent Iraqi citizens. She found tobacco vendors on the street to be better sources of information than U.S. military liaisons.

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Paul Oman is a software engineer and compulsive barefoot waterskier who skis in shows with the Twin City River Rats. In winter, Paul plays hockey and sings in St. Joan's choir. He hosts some events with the St. Joan Singles group and lives in Brooklyn Center.

Most of her travels and experience was in Baghdad and southern Iraq. She believes conditions are better for Kurds in northern Iraq. Members of the governing council, which are often returned exiles, are also better off than the general populace. She noted that interaction among various religious and ethnic groups is much more commonplace and congenial than portrayed in the media.

She recalled a meeting where a group of fellow reporters were being chastised over the negative press coverage of events in Iraq. One colleague challenged “Show us something good and we’ll report it”. There was no response.