Anne Montgomery
Christian Peacemaker Teams

“Tanks and airplanes do not frighten me. Our Fallujah is ours. We will build it with the clay of Fallujah and irrigate it with our blood. The American soldiers destroyed my toys and my life, and I want them to leave.” (Ruah, 10, 5th grade whose name means `vision’)

“If the Americans are strong, why didn’t they find Al Zarqawi? Why did they destroy my books and games, the children’s toys? Is my teddy bear Zarqawi? What is our fault? We have 5 demands before we will go home.” (Rania, l2, 7th grade)

These two little girls, echoing adults yet determined and articulate, spoke to us at the Baghdad University mosque, next to a large tent camp for Fallujah refugees. Even the mosque is partitioned by blankets into cubicles. The sheikh explained that the people’s decision is to remain in the cold and mud until their demands are met: