Themed Articles

From Baghdad to Northern Iraq:
An Interview with an IDP

The following is an interview with Nazani,
an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) living
in northern Iraq. The only furnishings in
her lounge are a carpet and a small
television. The kitchen contains a small
table, four plastic chairs, a cooker, a small
cabinet and a donated refrigerator. The
bedroom contains two single beds and
three mattresses.

Q: Tell me how you came to live here.

A: We were living in Baghdad and left
because the situation was becoming very
violent. Fighting, car bombings and suicide
bombings were increasing and then they
began kidnapping people and demanding
huge ransoms. When children also began
to be targeted, we became very afraid.
Our children’s school was quite a distance
from our home and we were always afraid
because it was in an area where there were
many bombings. Every day, all we could do
was pray for their protection. On one
occasion, a car bomb exploded in front of
their school. We then decided it was time
to leave.

Q. When you left Baghdad, were you able
to bring anything with you? 

A: No, we left everything behind. We tried to
sell a few items, but time was short. It wasn't
possible to bring too much because if you are
stopped at the checkpoints and the soldiers
see you are moving, they may not let you
come into the city without a special permit
from the government. We had a large house
in Baghdad but left with only the clothes we
were wearing and what we could put into a
few bags in the car.

Q. As a wife and mother, how do you feel
having left so much behind?

A: First of all, I am a wife and must follow my
husband. As parents, we needed to put the
safety and security of our children first. We
needed to take care of them and that meant
sacrifice. Of course I miss my family, friends
and personal belongings, but I had to
sacrifice those things for the sake of my
children and husband.

Q: Do you have food every day?

A: Not always, so we take care with what
we have. Sometimes, I make small meals
to make sure there is leftovers for another
day.

Q: What do you hope for the future here?

A: All I can hope for is good health for my
husband and children. We were facing many
problems and hardships in Baghdad, so
coming here has been a good thing. We
have somewhere to live and everything
else is up to the Lord. I trust he will look
after us.

Q: Would you like to go back to Baghdad
one day?

A. Yes. It is the place where I was born. I
have my family and friends there.

Q. How can Christians in other parts of
the world pray for your situation?

A. The most important thing for us is our
faith in God. It is very helpful knowing that
others are praying for us to remain
strong in our belief.