Human shields from four corners of the universe flocked to Iraq to show solidarity with Iraqi people

Yazed Kamaldien, IOL South Africa Correspondent

JOHANNESBURG, March 19 (IslamOnline.net) - A delegation of 34 South African human shields left for Iraq on Tuesday, March 18, and the only fear they had was arriving there when the war had already started.

The human shield delegation organizer, Abie Dawjee, said they were ready for their mission.

“This is no picnic,” he said before boarding the Iraqi-bound flight.

Dawjee, director of the South African-based Iraq Action Committee, said the delegation had decreased by four members – a result of “pressure from their families”.

“We are sad that some members of our delegation won’t be accompanying us. They had tremendous pressure from their families who did not want them to leave. One young woman was shattered, she cried and reluctantly withdrew from the mission,” he added.

A few hundred people bid the delegation a safe journey at Johannesburg International Airport.

Tears flowed, God is great was chanted in Arabic and the atmosphere was electric.

“The only worry we have is that the war may have started before we arrive. The entry gates may be closed and we just hope that we will not be blocked to do our work,” said Dawjee.

“The human shields have prepared themselves. They know what they’re going to face. They know they could get injured, or die. But I don’t need to comfort them. They are prepared.”

One delegate, Reggie Reddy, said: “I thought it would be all doom and gloom when leaving. But there’s support from so many different people.

We know we’ll be in a dangerous area within a few hours, but we are ready for that.”

Another human shield, Mduduzi Manana, added: “I’m going to show my solidarity with the people of Iraq. I’m against any form of war. We need to show (U.S. President George) Bush what he is doing is inhuman and unjust.”

“I can’t say when I’ll be returning. But we are coming back. God will bring us home.”

In a related development, a South African-based non-governmental organization, Gift Of The Givers, is also preparing to send more than R2 million – almost U.S. $25 000 - in aid to Iraqis.

The organization’s director, Imtiaz Sooliman, said the aid campaign was kick-started in 2002, recalling that the organization has assisted Iraq four times since 1991.

“We visited Iraq last year, and upon return started discussions with businesses on how we could help the people of Iraq. We knew this war was going to come sooner or later,” said Sooliman.

“With every war there are refugees, and we are also planning to send aid to Iraq’s bordering countries that will be setting up refugee camps. We know these people will need our support.”

Sooliman said aid will be shipped to the region - as this is more cost-effective than flying - and the South African civil society has already contributed generously to the cause.

Meanwhile, South African Department of Foreign Affairs has decided to evacuate “non-essential staff from its mission in Jordan due to the threat of war in Iraq”.

The DFA issued a statement on evacuation measures for South African missions in the Gulf and Middle East region.

“Given the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Gulf Region, as a consequence of threats of a possible war against Iraq, the South African Government has put interim measures for its diplomatic staff and South Africans in and around the region,” said DFA spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa.

The DFA has also requested that all South Africans currently visiting or working in the region register their presence with the nearest South African embassies, consulates and honorary consulates.

It has called on its citizens to take “extra care when planning visits to the region”.

“South Africa has no diplomatic mission in Baghdad and therefore the need for evacuation of diplomatic staff does not arise.

South Africa services its diplomatic relations with Iraq through the mission in Jordan,” said Mamoepa.

The other South African missions in the region, including Kuwait and Syria, have not yet advised the department of the need for evacuation.

“The decision for possible evacuation of diplomatic staff in the region depends largely on the advice of our ambassadors based there,” said Mamoepa.