Despite Violence, Iraqis Empowered to Vote

Last weekend, while most of us were anticipating the winners at the Oscars, Iraqis flocked to polling stations to participate in their parliamentary elections.  Despite the acts of violence that took place, the feeling of empowerment and desire to have their voices heard overtook the fear that limited their participation in the previous election. Sixty-two percent of Iraqis turned out to vote on Sunday.

While most of us outside Iraq are interested in what the Iraqis will do with their oil resources, whether their armed forces will falter after the eventual US withdraw, or how their relationship with Iran will evolve, let us not forget the almost 5 million displaced Iraqis who remain mostly hidden from the public eye.  These Iraqis are living as refugees all over the world. Their daily lives are filled with uncertainty, their pasts scared by violence, and their futures on hold. Let us hope the new Iraqi legislators that were elected on Sunday will commit themselves to help Iraq’s displaced population, for a citizen is the most precious resource any country, especially Iraq, cannot afford to lose.