This post is contributed by Dr. Diane Hassan, author of “Angels Among Us Even in Iraq”, who is currently participating in “On Loan at You Served” as a guest blogger.
When I arrived in Baghdad in August 1976, I was excited about being in the land of Ali Baba and the forty thieves. I never realized at that point the hardship that lie ahead. My husband tried to protect me as much as possible from the dangers of Baghdad.
I always had that inner feeling that I was in danger.. as the weeks passed and all the invitations to various homes started to dwindle, and my husband became busier; I was alone to wonder my apartment and sit on the floor in my living room and watch the unfamiliar world go by. I saw the numerous cars,people wearing abias, and horse drawn carriages pass my window.
They were unaware of a lonely South Alabama, Arab American watching them and wishing that she was a apart of their life. I was lucky to be able to visit the north of Iraq with my husbands friends. The North reminded me of California, it was beautiful. I was able to see a beautiful part of Iraq before Saddam started his destruction.
My life began in Iraq when I became a medical student. I had so many friends. I was no longer lonely ,I had a part in the ancient city, that i knew so little about. Although I was an Arab American,I did not know Arabic. I learned Arabic from my mother-law who lived in the South of Iraq ,Basrah. She came to visit me often and stayed for long periods of time.
I spoke Arabic with a Southern accent. My husband was Dean of the Dental School in 1976 when I arrived in Baghdad,later to become President of Mustansiriya Unversity ,one of the oldest Universities in the world. We had an apartment on the Tigris river and I had a driver who took me to class and returned me home. When the bridge was completed I was able to walk to class. I was now, a medical student, and the wife of the President of one best universities in Iraq.
I was so busy studying and socializing, I no longer had the time to be lonely. I felt my life was great. I was enjoying my classes and my friends.I was able to visit the museum and all the ancient sites in Iraq. I was able to visit my family in Alabama every summer. Airlines from all over the world flew to Baghdad.Baghdad was a beautiful busy city at night .The people were unaware of the suffering that lay ahead……
