Iraqi refugees facing enormous problems

News, May 2003, Al-Jazeerah.info

Iraqi refugees facing enormous problems
Dubai |By Bassam Za'za' | 31-05-2003

Goodwill ambassador to the UN and renowned Egyptian actor, Adel Imam, called on UAE authorities to focus on Iraq's refugee problems.

He said the enormous problems faced by the refugees can be brought to sharp focus if UAE authorities fly a media delegation to Iraq.

He pointed to the tremendous benefits refugees could gain if the media threw more light on refugee matters and requirements.

Imam said: "Closing down Iraqi TV was an act of shame for the media and the Arab world as well. Iraqi TV was the voice of Baghdad, one of the biggest Arab capitals."

Adel Imam addressed over 150 people on Wednesday on the role of art in humanitarian issues. He spoke at the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation in Dubai.

Abdul Elah Abdul Kader, Executive Manager of the Al Owais Cultural Foundation, introduced the renowned actor.

He called on Arab artists to organise more artistic events for the benefit of humanity and to help raise funds for refugees and war casualties.

Speaking from a personal point of view, Imam said: "I'm a proud Muslim and cherish Islam. I also relish my job especially because I excel at delighting and making people laugh. I love the fact that I am a comedian because comedy is a thread that binds the Arabs together."

"It's a great honour for me being in this well-known cultural edifice. A long time ago I wasn't aware of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award. Thus when I was informed that I won the award and $100,000 I was thrilled. Later I had the opportunity to meet the late Sultan bin Ali Al Owais. I consider him a distinguished intellectual."

Imam said that when he was in school he hated poetry.

Later on he started doing more research and reading on poetry and poets. He was then drawn to intellectuals like Abu Al Qasim Al Chabbi, Tayeb Al Tujani, Abu Al Tayeb Al Mutanabbi, Abu Al A'ala Al Ma'arrri and Bayram Al Tunisi. He noted that he admired Al Tunisi because he used to read poetry in Egyptian slang.

Imam praised the Al Owais Foundation cultural approach because it helps humanity attain constructive results.

Imam performed many roles, mostly comedy, during his long career in film and stage, but his role as UN goodwill ambassador is one he takes seriously.

He visited refugee camps in many Arab countries, focusing public attention on the squalid and unbearable conditions.

"I was stunned when I visited refugee camps in Yemen. The camp contained more than 400,000 refugees. A large number of people have moved there to escape from food shortage and war-ravaged areas in African countries," Imam explained.

"I heard many traumatic stories about families trying to escape from Africa to Yemen and paying hundreds of dollars to middle men.

"The middle men used to get their cash first then take the refugees on ships. Then, far away from Yemen, they used to drop the refugees into the sea. Those who knew to swim barely saved themselves. Those who didn't, drowned."

He admitted that his role as a goodwill ambassador has given him an unprecedented opportunity to meet Hollywood movie stars and great personalities.

"It was impressive to meet five winners of the Nobel Prize, American boxing legend Mohammed Ali, actors Michael Douglas, Sean Connery, Peter Ustinov and many others."

Imam took part in a documentary film aimed at replenishing the fund of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

He regretted that despite its enormous task of helping rehabilitate refugees worldwide, the UNHCR's budget was meagre.

He said: "The UNHCR is doing its best through all the goodwill ambassadors scattered all over the world. It carries out camps and takes care of refugee health, education, social life, housing and accommodation."

He said in recent meeting he attended at the UNHCR they talked about African women's health and AIDS.

Speaking on the UNHCR's precautionary measures during the war on Iraq, Imam said: "The commission expected the number of refugees to exceed 600,000. There were some 28 scenarios set to manage the refugee conditions. Yet the surprising 29th scenario popped up when the number of refugees was so low."

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

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