Dear Sir/Madame
Join The Rebuilding of Baghdad Library Campaign
The National Mobilization Committee for the Defense of Iraq (NMCDI) in
Jordan has initiated an academic book collection Campaign for Iraq. The
goal of this campaign, which has been dubbed "the rebuilding of the Baghdad
Library", is to provide Iraqi students, academics and intellectuals with
scientific and academic books and references that have been prohibited entry
to Iraq for the past ten years. The excuse used is that these items are
considered to be "double usage items". Thus Iraqi's have been denied the
right to learn which is and internationally recognized and protected right.
NMCDI, which has initiated this campaign, is a Jordanian popular committee
that includes political parties, many civil society institutions, unions,
organizations and independent personalities. This committee was established
for the sole aim of raising local, regional and international public opinion
regarding the need to lift the comprehensive economic sanctions that have
been imposed on Iraq for since 1990. The NMCDI believes that the sanctions,
which according to he UN have directly resulted in the death of at least 1.5
million Iraqi civilians and have caused a near total breakdown in the
economic, social, educational and health sectors are a crimes against
humanity.
The book campaign is an attempt among many serious attempts carried out by
the NMCDI to challenge the sanctions that have crippled a nation of 22
million. We believe that we can succeed in bringing people from all over
the world together in unison to stop this atrocity which has denied ordinary
Iraqis from the right to live learn and develop.
Politics aside, we simply believe that it is immoral to deny 22 million
Iraqis the gift of knowledge. Iraq's historical legacy is that it is the
cradle of civilization and it gave humanity the first form of script and the
first legal doctrines. In our time, Iraq was able was able to offer free
education from kindergarten through university. However, after the
destruction of the Iraqi economy as a result of the sanctions and the severe
UN restrictions imposed on Iraq , its legacy and achievements have been
reduced to day to day survival.
The NMCDI has already announced this campaign in Jordan and work has begun
in the book collection plan. However, to achieve our set goals, and to make
this ambitious campaign a global effort, the NMCDI will be working with the
Mariam Appeal organization based in London and led by British MP George
Galloway. Information about the campaign can also be found on the Mariam
Appeal Web Site: www.mariamappeal.com
Our major goal is to collect and forward to Iraq the 8000 academic and
scientific references needed by Iraqi universities and academic
institutions, in an effort to replenish the their empty libraries.
Therefore, our committee is contacting as many institutions, organizations
and individuals as possible to participate in our campaign.
With this letter we would like to officially invite you, your organization,
your company to participate in this humanitarian campaign and help give back
to Iraqis the gift of knowledge.
If you choose to contribute to our campaign, please send us a return email
choosing one or more of the following options for participation:
ٱ I agree to purchase one or more of the needed books, periodicals,
CD's and forward to your address.
ٱ I wish to contribute money to your campaign to go towards the
purchase of one or more books, periodicals, etc.
ٱ I wish to participate by organizing my mini book campaign in my area
to collect academic references to forward to Iraq through your campaign
Once we receive a return email from you stating your selected contribution,
we will contact you immediately with the necessary details.
If you wish to be taken off our list, please send us an email requesting
that your name be omitted
Please feel free to contact us at any time to answer any questions or
respond to any comments you may have. Our aim to succeed in our goals and
we know that together we can make a difference in making our world a better
place.
Contact person: Mr. Fawaz Zuriekat
National Mobilization Committee for the Defense of Iraq
International laison/ Rebuilding Baghdad Library Campaign
Tel: 962-6-5533166
Fax: 962-6-5533177
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Best regards
Fawaz Zuriekat
