Pajamas Media

34 Comments

lgude:

How absolutely perverse. The important thing is that you get your visa and I hope you find a way. I think you are a pretty well known person on the Internet - and deservedly so. This is a case where you should use the power of networking to get the help you need to solve this problem. Ruthlessly and without shame!

Jul 23, 2007 - 6:36 am Ryan:

You might want to travel via UAE. There are several airlines flying to Dubai from Baghdad and Erbil (e.g. Jupiter), and from Dubai or Abu Dhabi you can easily fly to the US. You should be able to remain in transit if necessary (there is also an airside hotel), or get a transit visa to stop over briefly, or get a 30 day visit visa processed by someone here for about USD 150. (email me if you need help with that)

I flew into Iraq via Amman once. Never again. Even the military flights are better than going via Jordan.

Jul 23, 2007 - 7:41 am The Informer:

I think you have to consider the context of all things before rushing to rash judgments. First, these complaints reminded me a bit of Arabs rounded up in California over visa issues and stuck in ‘prisons’ while the details of their situations were worked out. This was a tragic wrong here in the USA. But it happened here. And I think consideration has to be given to the context of Jordan in the ME. This is a developing country bursting at the seams with refugees, nearly half the country is Palestinian (some say more) and the estimates on the number of Iraqis are way off. Contacts I have within UNHCR say many are Iraqis not counted as refugees because they are illegal or the number is reduced for political reasons — it is destabilizing to suggest that the country is being overrun by refugees. If you find that offensive, I suggest thinking about the response to immigrants in the US and elsewhere in the West. Jordan is no different, well in fact it is. Jordan remains a third world nation of around 6 million people. The estimates suggest nearly 1 million Iraqis have passed over Jordan’s borders. And, as mentioned there are several million Palestinians there. The Palestinians were given passports and many made Jordan their home. Jordan was unique in the ME for this. This latest Iraqi influx is not just a humanitarian crisis but a real political and security issue. This writer explains that he and his lot were the upper crust of Iraq. But he suggests that is all that is coming. How wrong he is. He flew. Many drive and many more sneak across the borders any way they can. Those that have been there known the truth of this. Jordan is rife with refugee Iraqis. The Iraqi accent is often more prevalent than natives in various parts of Amman. Of course, many of them have brought a great deal of money with them, some earned, some stolen from the work going on Iraq by the US and others. Jordan of course benefits from this. The economy is booming with these Iraqi dollars. But at what cost? The country is as unstable as ever. Obviously, in traditional Arab custom, any Iraqi would expect open arms in another Arab country. But history has shown this is rarely the case. Jordan has done more than most but now it really is a tipping point. The treatment this gentleman and his compatriots received is not justifiable. But its context makes what occurred much more understandable. I would remind that there still exists a gentleman stuck in Charles De Gaulle airport who has no country to return to. Circumstances make certain things more possible at times than others. An Iraqi flying into Jordan two years ago would not have faced these trials. But now, security issues next door, population issues inside the border and the fear of instability in the kingdom have forced these kind of actions. It is not whether it is justifiable or not, it is simply a case of necessary or not. Those in fear regard this as necessary and considering the context of the situation, I’d suggest they do have some very valid reasons.

Jul 23, 2007 - 11:52 am Tati:

So now Omar of ITM is also fleeing Iraq? Interesting. I wonder how the pro-war Americans will spin this development.

Jul 23, 2007 - 2:11 pm Rick OBrien:

Uh…where did Omar say he was fleeing Iraq? Good grief…

Jul 23, 2007 - 3:07 pm Harold Kistner:

Omar:
Thank God you are okay. I’ve been worried sick about you and Mohammed. Every day I look for your post and fear the worst. I’ve been praying and I am so grateful to God for your safety. I know its terribly hot there but remember there are those of us out here who love you and worry when you are silent. God bless brothers.
Yahanan

Jul 23, 2007 - 3:39 pm Joseph:

Jordan isn’t half Palestinian - it is clearly mostly Palestinian. And most aren’t refugees, they lived there before 1948 - before the Palestinian people even existed. It is strange how things work in those parts

Generally though, I remember what my dad always said when we crossed between countries. “You have rights in Country X, you have rights in Country Y - but you have no rights at the border.”

It is quite impressive to treat diplomats that way.

Jul 23, 2007 - 4:53 pm Corey Wayne:

All in time Omar. It will get better. Anything worth having in life never comes easy. It’s times like these that challenge courageous people like yourself to grow and become even stronger. It makes you an even greater leader. The word lead means to go first.

Jul 23, 2007 - 7:35 pm Apologies:

I cannot apologise enough on behalf of my fellow Jordanians. I really feel ashamed as a Jordanian to what the Iraqis have to endure in Amman (airport/otherwise). I just want to say that this behaviour is usually done by a bunch of loosers and people who somehow feel superior to others even though they the the scum of the earth.

Sorry …

Jul 23, 2007 - 10:49 pm P2:

isnt it great how these punks treat their fellow Arabs?!
the libs try and make it seem like we’re “imposing” our brutal culture on the middle east by trying to spread our culture of tolerance and mutual respect but no one cares to check.
just like they treat the “palestinians” or any other class under the elite or military class, travellers with no juice anyway are like cattle to them.
Hype can only get you so far and its getting plain to even to middle easterners that they need to get with the 21st century and quit dicking each other over so much.
NO doubt theres probably some ancient grudge in their heads to justify all this..

Jul 23, 2007 - 11:22 pm William Hopper:

I say you let us know the name of the US university and we (the Internet who listen to you) start a mailing campaign to get you your visa.

Jul 23, 2007 - 11:42 pm Andrew Brehm:

“[Jordan] is a developing country bursting at the seams with refugees, nearly half the country is Palestinian”

Well, since Jordan was carved out of the Palestine territory, I would say that all of Jordan is Palestinian. I’m not sure why you would make a distinction, unless you are referring to Jordan’s Bedouin population (like those that migrated from the Mecca region). Jordan is as “Palestinian” as Israel, Gaza, and Judeaea and Samaria. All these regions are located in “Palestine”.

And refugees are not necessarily a bad thing. Many countries were built by refugees. Consider Israel, which has absorped more Jewish refugees from Arab countries than all Arab countries combined have absorped Arab refugees from Israel. Israel is doing well, and the majority if her population are refugees (or direct first or second generation descendants of refugees).

If Jordan suffers from refugees (still, after 60 years) and the much smaller Israel which has absorpt more refugees does not, then perhaps the problem is not the refugees.

Jul 24, 2007 - 2:05 am Bill Phelps:

Next time try flying out of the Kurdish airport or going overland to Turkey.

Jul 24, 2007 - 10:31 am Jeanette:

There has to be a way to get the visa to you without having to go to Jordan.

We need to get influential people involved to contact the State Dept. I don’t see why the visa can’t be sent to Iraq and stamped there and then you can be on your way.

Best wishes and God bless you and your family.

Jul 24, 2007 - 7:43 pm Ali:

I read your story and I can tell you that Iraq will rise again. Now that is it weak, everyone will treat its citizens badly. Lets unite and have a better and stronger country and everybody will treat us better. Until that day comes, God only can help us. God bless Iraq and its people.

Jul 24, 2007 - 11:00 pm Hamzeh N.:

The guy sitting to my left said “There will be a day when they [Jordanians] will beg us to let them enter Iraq”.

Actually, that day had already come and stayed for months long before this sad episode happened to you and your fellow Iraqis in Jordan.

Not only Jordanians, but all Arab nationals were denied entry to Iraq in at least two periods between 2005 and 2006, with the second one being the longest.

And the funny thing is, during those periods, only Arab nationalities were denied entry into Iraq.

So it’s really not they way the article makes it sound like in the end. Iraq too has played this game in the past, and actually before Jordan, and today, it is Jordan, not Iraq, that has hundreds of thousands of the other country’s citizens living in it.

And when you think about it, it might as well have been a Jordanian saying that quote a couple of years ago about Iraqis, and what happened to you and your friends, was that day that that Jordanian talked about!

Jul 25, 2007 - 2:20 am modbaker:

Tati,

What an ignorant comment you made! A fine illustration of how “your side” thinks.

Jul 25, 2007 - 5:58 am The Informer:

So some of the argument here is: “Jordan is Palestine, what’s the problem?” That’s one of the more ignorant things I’ve heard recently. That may be your opinion but it hardly reflects the attitude of those on the ground, both Palestinian and Jordanian, who both want independent states despite your assertion that they are the same. And your suggestions about Bedouins are downright condescending.

But more to the point, I feel an argument surfacing here that taking on millions of immigrants is just the right thing to do and should be good for a country if they know what they are doing, a’la Israel. I’m sure there are many who would say Israel has not done the best in its integration policies, as many of those integrated are then granted lands on disputed territories. And those Arabs “integrated” into Israel are not full citizens, I must point out. Arab-Israelis do not enjoy all the right and privileges that Israeli Jews do. So, your example fails on a few points.

But that misses the entire point, doesn’t it? How can we expect a small developing country to just ingest this massive influx of people without any controls? The US is not doing this. They’ve, until recently, kept the breaks on Iraqi translators that directly assisted the US military and many others — largely political reasons.

In fact, I’d suggest all countries handle refugees in a political fashion, despite the humanitarian need. But in most every case, political points merit that political consideration. Again, the treatment being meted out to Iraqis by Jordan is wrong, but the context of why must be considered. Jordan is in a really tough spot, we used to say between Iraq and a hard spot (Palestine).

I know that many in Jordan would be shocked to know what’s happening at the borders. But then many are shocked at the sheer numbers or Iraqis found in markets of downtown Amman. Would anyone else feel different? While the treatment Omar received is deplorable, I hope he can keep some perspective and realize this is really difficult time for everyone involved. Toes will be stepped on many times on many levels. It just cannot be helped.

Jul 25, 2007 - 9:27 am The Informer:

Just one more thought: Does something need to be done? Of course it does. Will it? Of course not. The US is up to its eyeballs in realities on the ground in Iraq. The USG is not really interested in accepting huge waves of Iraqi refugees to the US.

There’s only two countries really in this: Syria and Jordan. I wonder if the Syrian handling of Iraqis is all that dissimilar?

I mean, maybe Norway or Sweden will step up and say, give us a few hundred, we’ll take them so that the influx doesn’t drown and destabilize these countries. But that little exchange will not change the reality for Syria/Jordan.

I think the refugee crisis in Jordan is a real worry, it’s hugely destabilizing. There was worry about this when the war broke out, with camps in Ruweshied, Jordan set up to handle this. There was no flood as expected, but now that the spotlight is gone there is a huge issue for Jordan and Syria with Iraqi refugees.

It is a problem for Jordanian-Iraqi relations on a personal level. But the people (not the politicians) need to keep their eye on what’s at stake here. The war in Iraq is called “destabilizing” to the region. The refugee issue is a huge reason why.

I’m sure the argument will be made, “but I’m just getting a visa” or “some of these people are businessmen,” etc. But the reality is that when dealing with a crisis these kind of brutal measures become part of life; they are based in fear.

Jordan should surely do something to improve things. But consider this: Things have gotten so bad, Jordan has nothing else but this to offer. It is clear that the kingdom is just doing what it can to try and handle this. It’s not capable of more. Jordan doesn’t have proper facilities at the airport to deal with this. Clearly they are overwhelmed.

We could hope they’ll get funding to do something and make things better for those that are held. But it’ll likely not happen in time, if it ever does. This is a tragic situation for the people but what is going on is political. Jordan is fighting for stability as Iraq is torn to pieces. Likely Syria is thinking the same.

The Middle East is awash with refugees, from Palestine, Lebanon and now in full-force … Iraq. The US policy in the Middle East when seen in this light can clearly be called a failure.

Jul 25, 2007 - 9:52 am Bill Jackson:

“Consider Israel, which has absorped more Jewish refugees from Arab countries than all Arab countries combined have absorped Arab refugees from Israel. Israel is doing well, and the majority if her population are refugees (or direct first or second generation descendants of refugees).”

Yes, let’s consider Israel, the number one recipient of US aid, despite its place as a first world nation. A country where those that immigrate are given land on terrority claimed by another people. It’s funny how Israel has had so much success despite the billions in dollars of aid its been granted by the US. It’s surprising all those billions of dollars didn’t negatively impact its development. Yes, let’s consider Israel as a real success story, shall we?

Jul 25, 2007 - 10:10 am NahnCee:

I wonder what would happen if the American embassy called the Jordanian authorities to request that Omar be admitted. If an American voice of authority made the request, followed up by an Embassy limo complete with little flittering flags on its fenders waiting to pick up a passenger outside the airport’s doors.

Note to future generations of terrorist wannabe’s — this is what happens once it gets around what your behavior may be. Although Omar has never been an “insurgent” apologist, I’ve read plenty of Iraqi’s who *do* (or did) think that blowing up shit and people was fine and dandy, thank you very much, as long as it brought their grievance to the attention of the world. And especially if the resultant explosion happened to kill an Israeli or an American.

Once you get labeled as a supporter of this sort of mindset, then you will remain so-labeled. Just ask the dreadful Palestinians.

Jul 25, 2007 - 12:08 pm Joe Cypherpunk:

The US isn’t able to issue visas to Iraqis in Baghdad? I’m shocked! Clearly, America needs to increase its presence in the country.

Jul 25, 2007 - 4:04 pm Fair and balanced:

When someone comes from a country has an epidimic other countries have the right to take measures to prevent this epedimic from spreading to its land, and sadly your country is infested with terror so you don’t have the right to blame jordan or jordanians for treating you like this, they must make sure that each and every iraqi is not a terrorist that is coming to blow something up in safe jordan.

First clean up your country and clean your police and army from militias, then we can talk freedom, but until then you should expect to be searched like that, and I am sure they did to you worse than that in iraq, no?

Jul 25, 2007 - 4:52 pm Andrew Brehm:

“Yes, let’s consider Israel, the

And while we are at it, “Informer”:

It is NOT my fault that Jordan was carved out of Palestine. So please don’t act as if it somehow inappropriate for me to mention that fact.

number one recipient of US aid, despite its place as a first world nation.”

Israel was a success story before it received US aid. And can you tell me how much of the aid goes to non-military projects?

The fact is that Israel is doing much better than the Arab countries, despite absorption of refugees and despite the fact that it has to spent an extraordinary amount on defence in order to prevent another holocaust.

And Arab Israelis, can you tell me which rights they do not have? The “argument” that Israeli Arabs are not full citizens is often used, but I have never seen anybody back it up with facts. Which particular law discriminates against them?

As for the Bedouins in Jordan, here is what I said about them:

“[…] unless you are referring to Jordan’s Bedouin population (like those that migrated from the Mecca region)”

Can you tell me exactly what is “condescending” about that?

And then I am curious about the definition of “Palestinian”. You seem to have a very clear picture of who is “Palestinian” and who isn’t.

“Palestine” was, ever since the Romans named the region such and certainly under British rule, what is now Israel (except Golan), Gaza, Judaea and Samara (or the West-Bank, if you will), and Jordan (or Transjordan).

I understand that a “Palestinian” is not simply an inhabitant of that region. So presumably a “Palestinian” is a “non-Jewish inhabitant of specific parts of Palestine”?

I know that the argument about the “Palestinian people” not existing before the 1960s is old, but I have yet to see anybody react by showing evidence for a discrete Palestinian culture in the past rather than call Zionist propaganda attempt.

For me “Palestine” is a region named by the Romans (which was formerly known variedly as “Israel” and “Judaea”) and a “Palestinian” is an inhabitant of that region, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Is that not good enough?

If you have a different definition of “Palestine”, then please show evidence that that definition was ever valid in the past.

And if you have a different definition of “Palestinian”, then please make a case for why certain inhabitants of Palestine would be excluded (and why the occasional Egyptian would be included).

Jul 26, 2007 - 1:54 am Hussam:

As a Jordanian I wish to express my deep regrets over the mistreatment of fellow Iraqis. Jordan has benefited tremendously from the goodwill of our Iraqi neighbors and with little in return. But I want to assure you that most Jordanians sympathize with your plight but can do nothing about it. our prayers are with you.

Jul 26, 2007 - 4:29 am Andrew Brehm:

(The top half of my posting appears to have been cut.)

Israel was doing better than most Arab countries long before American aid started coming in.

And I also understand that American aid is used to pay for Israel’s defence. Israel’s defence is very expensive because a second holocaust is perceived as a very bad thing for the Israeli economy and hence something Israel tries to make impossible.

I’m afraid Israel’s success cannot be easily explained with American aid.

Arabs will have to face the fact that refugees are not necessarily a problem for an economy and that it is possible to make a desert bloom.

Jul 26, 2007 - 4:33 am The Informer:

More on the wonders of Israel shortly, but first …

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/07/26/jordan_complains_of_iraqi_refugees/
Iraqi refugees burdening neighbors

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) Jordan and Syria complained Thursday they have been abandoned by the West to deal with the massive burden of more than 2 million Iraqi refugees who have fled the violence in their homeland. Both countries issued urgent calls for help at a conference on Iraqi refugees, specifically expanded resettlement opportunities in the West and financial assistance.

Milad Atiya, the Syrian ambassador to Jordan and head of his country’s delegation to the conference, said the international community “must be involved, especially the United States because its policy led to the plight the Iraqis are currently in and it bears responsibility.” Jordanian Interior Ministry Secretary-General Mukheimar Abu-Jamous argued that Western nations “relinquished their responsibility in shouldering the Iraqi refugee burden, and we urge them to rise to their obligation and resettle the largest number possible of those Iraqis.”

The influx of 750,000 Iraqis is costing Jordan $1 billion a year in basic services, Abu-Jamous told the gathering in the Jordanian capital. He also said the Iraqis posed security concerns for Jordan, which experienced its worst terror attack in 2005 when Iraqi suicide bombers linked to al-Qaida in Iraq killed 60 people at three Amman hotels.

Jul 26, 2007 - 11:59 am Mary:

I’m with you, Omar, and with William Hopper who suggested that we all might do some good by writing to the various authorities on your behalf. Stay strong in faith and courage, my friend!

Jul 26, 2007 - 1:43 pm John D Infidel:

Omar,

Sorry to hear about the discrimination you and your fellow Iraqis are experiencing in Jordan. Let us hope Iraqis do not become the next Palestinians who lack a homeland and a hearty welcome from their Arab brothers. Decades in refugee camps without integration into society is unforgivable between brothers.

John D Infidel

I, INFIDEL

Jul 26, 2007 - 3:56 pm Grumpy:

“…especially the United States because its policy led to the plight the (refugee) Iraqis are currently in and it bears responsibility.”

Don’t forget to bill the Sunnis for Shiite resettlement, and the Shiites for Sunni resettlement. How many of the refugees are fleeing the US Army, and how many are fleeing their fellow Muslims?

Jul 26, 2007 - 5:43 pm Mrshall Adame:

Omar Fadhil’s story is familiar. As an American who has traveled in and out of Iraq via Jordon, I have witnessed many times the seperation of the Iraq citizens at the Airport.
I noticed one of the comments actually suggested that the American Liberals were responsible. How Juvenile such thinking is. There are many reasons for the Jordanian government to be careful, but understanding that need also does not dignify or justify the Human Rights abuses employed at the Amman Airport. I was one of the fortunate ones as I traveled on a Diplomatic Passport, but I am very aware of the treatment recieved by the Iraqi travelers. It is undignified and unjust. If they decided to, the US Embassy could interviene on Omar’s behalf, but I am sure that will not happen either. Overall the whole situation is very sad indeed.
The Iraqi people deserve American assistance beyond guns and bullets. They need American help outside of all the Iraqi military bases we are building for them.
I do believe that the opportunity to really be helpful to those we supposedly rescued (the Iraqi people) has passed. After three years in Iraq I have returned to America. Hopefully I will help to accomadate the peaceful and just end to the hell on earth which is now the day to day life of every Iraqi.

Jul 27, 2007 - 7:19 am Bill Jackson:

@Andrew Brehm

Regarding the unequal treatment of non-Jewish citizens of Israel:

From the Dec. 2000 edition of Colorlines Magazine:

“Many other special privileges are reserved for those who have served in the Israeli military. And military service is compulsory for all Jews (male and female), except for the ultra-Orthodox who get the same privileges as other Jews, but excludes Palestinians, who do not.

Over 80 percent of the land within Israel that was once owned by Palestinians has been confiscated. All told, 93 percent of Israel’s land can only be leased or owned by Jews or Jewish agencies….

Unlike any other country in the world, Israel does not define itself as a state of its residents, or even a state of its citizens, but as a state of all the Jews in the world. Jews from anywhere in the world, like me, can travel to Israel, declare citizenship, and be granted all the privileges of being Jewish that are denied to Palestinians who have lived in the area for hundreds of years.

Of course, there’s an entire book written about this subject detailing it further if you are interested Andrew.

The Arab Minority in Israel’s Economy: Patterns of Ethnic Inequality by Noah Lewin-Epstein, Moshe Semyonov. 169 pgs.

Or review the information on Adalah.com or read this commentary on Jewish Journal: http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=16509

It’s just ridiculous to suggest that a state that proffers itself a home to jews the world over and offers them benefits (land, grants, etc.) only to people of Jewish heritage or the Jewish religion is somehow equal. It’s just not. And the money that is uses to pay for these programs, where does this come from? And the land many of these people are settled on (for free) from where do they get this land and from whom?

Jul 28, 2007 - 10:18 am Bill Jackson:

Oh I nearly forgot this from that same article:

“All Israeli citizens, including Palestinians, have the right to vote in elections for members of the Knesset (parliament) and for the prime minister. But not all rights are citizenship rights. Other rights are defined as nationality rights, and are reserved for Jews only. If you are a Jew, you have exclusive use of land, privileged access to private and public employment, special educational loans, home mortgages, preferences for admission to universities, and many other things.”

Jul 28, 2007 - 10:21 am Ahmed:

What goes around, comes around! In-shaa Allah.

Jul 29, 2007 - 2:51 pm

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