Dear Friends,

I have not slept for over a week; when I do fall off, I dream of the horror and murder my government is committing against innocent people. I have been, like so many here in the US and the World, fighting against this war.

I am a mother. During the day, I hold my children tightly and cry at the thought of an Iraqi mother trying to comfort her precious little ones.

President Bush does not speak for us. The majority of us are not racist pigs bent on greed and murder.

I see the Iraqis as my brothers and sisters, their children as my children. I want you to know that I, and so many others, will continue to march and write and wage peace in the name of God, who George Bush certainly does not know.

I want you to know that the fight is on here. You will not see it on US news, but people are in the streets here today, some blocking or chaining themselves to Federal Buildings around the country; and around the world there are more protests and work strikes, etc. The people will not be silenced, neither will the truth be silenced.

I cried as the first missiles were launched, cried for the soul of my country, hijacked by a mad man from Texas; but moreover, I cried for my brothers and sisters in Iraq, and also in Palestine.

I feel pain in my heart because this is my government killing my brothers and sisters and my dear babies in Iraq. But even in this moment of darkness, I know God is listening to our prayers, He feels our pain and will dry our tears.

I did not know what to do with my pain, anger and sadness; finally, I went into a quiet place and prayed. I prayed for justice, peace and the safety of my brothers and sisters in Iraq.

As Ghandi said, "Do not despair, it may seem you are losing the battle, but remember all throughout time, the tyrant always falls, the truth always wins."

With you all in solidarity,

An American Mother

Mothers’ letters are received at spotlightoniraq@islam-online.net. We welcome your comments, suggestions and contributions.

Dear Friends,

The titles of some emails in my inbox today say, "War is still not the answer" and "Please stop this war". I would like someone sane, wise, compassionate, someone with a conscience, a God fearing human being in the White House to understand what these words mean and help us stop the war. These words are telling the US government not only to have mercy on the Iraqis, the Kurds, the Arabs, but also on the American youths who make up the majority of the ground troops in Iraq.

Has Bush seen the face of the youth kept in captivity in Iraq? Has he seen the fear and the confusion on his face as he is being asked why he has come to Iraq? These were his words:

"Why are you here?" "Because I was told to come here." "Why are you here?" "Because I follow orders." "Did you come here to kill Iraqis?" "No, I came here to fix things." "Do you hate Iraqis?" "No, they leave me alone, I leave them alone."

And how about the young African-American girl who sat there petrified? Has he seen her face? She had the eyes of a child, eyes filled with a fear that only the young understand.

When I saw that, I, an Arab, a Muslim, one of the millions that Mr. Bush accuses of being the enemies of America, shivered from head to toe and felt my heart swell with horror. So these are the faces that make up young America, the faces of the soldiers that Bush did such a good job at dehumanizing, these are the faces of the boy and the girl for whom mothers and fathers across the globe will tremble in fear.

I immediately prayed in my heart that when Bush 'condescends' to watch the news, just this once, the faces of the slain youths who figure among the first casualties of his war should haunt him until the day he dies; he has sent innocent youths to offer their lives for an aggression, an invasion that nothing can justify.

These youths in the ground troops obviously cannot absorb the true motives behind sending them to a country that is not theirs to occupy. And the Iraqi men who so honorably resist the invasion and destruction of their homeland are men who have endured so much misery; it is a wonder that they still have the spirit and energy to resist in spite of the American supremacy in military technology.

Oh! I forgot! Bush did mention something about this footage as he was trying to prove to the American public how evil Saddam is. So now he blames his dead on Saddam?

Mr. Bush, did you expect the Iraqi people to tell you : "Welcome, Mr. Bush, blast us, snipe us, burn us, tear us into pieces, terrify us, destroy our homes, murder our kindred and children, save us from the oppressors. We welcome you?" Did you expect them to say: "Oh! you blasted the skulls of some of our kids, but don't worry, this is not your fault, it is Saddam's fault?"

The Iraqi men are defending their lands. Their resistance is not about Saddam, it is about their homes, their identity, their dignity, their honor.

Mr. Bush, I hope that every family of every youth that you have coldly brainwashed and manipulated into fighting will make you pay a heavy price for the deaths of their loved ones. These are children, the children of America, not your children.

Mr. Bush, God takes His time, but He never forgets, He never neglects. His justice will be done for the murder of every Iraqi, Kurdish, Palestinian and American human being that you have committed. Justice will be done.

I second every word the Iraqi man said on the news when showing the homes that had been destroyed by American bombs, the homes which had collapsed on their inhabitants. He said, "Mr. Bush, you are the shame for America." This man's face was torn with anguish and sorrow.

Oh! What misery your cowardice has brought to humanity, Mr. Bush! What horror!

If only you could have a fraction of the compassion my friends and I have! We shed tears for the young American troops. I am so sorry for all the damage done to humanity. I have great respect for all the people who oppose this war with dignity. I send my heartfelt condolences to every Arab and Western family that is mourning the death of an innocent loved one at this very moment.

O Allah! Imbue the heart of all your creatures across the globe with mercy, love, and peace. O Allah! Give us the strength and wisdom to wage peace all over the world.

A Saudi Mother