They Are But Things, My Friend
Once Ali felt worn out, he flopped down on the couch and breathed hard. The television was still on. Mohammed picked up a book that lay at his feet and walked up to the shelf to put it back. He stopped in front of Ali and, looking at him, asked in a very composed voice, “So, are you all through, my friend, or would you care to smash up a few more of my things?”
Mohammed’s comment brought Ali back to reality. He knew what he was doing was wrong and felt embarrassed by his behavior, but he was still infuriated. He dropped his head into his hands and said, “I’m sorry, old man, I…”
“They are but things, my friend,” Mohammed replied, “and I know you needed to, as the Americans say, vent. Now please, rest, and then we’ll…”
Even before Mohammed could complete his sentence, Ali said, “You have been telling me to get ready to go back home. Now what? I have no home now! They have taken all that I had away from me! Do you realize that all doors are closed for me now? They are pushing me to live a life of anonymity, secrecy, and fear!”
Mohammed turned up the TV as a report on a rally that was taking place in Iraq came on. Young students were protesting against the people currently in power. It was a silent march being conducted peacefully. The video in the report showed the police breaking up the rally, beating protesters and arresting them. Mohammed saw all this as a clear violation of human rights.
“Tell me, Ali. Have they taken this away from you?” asked Mohammed, pointing at the TV screen. “Remember all that the revolution truly stands for. Remember the people, the simple ordinary people, of our homeland. Look at them. This is what the Supreme Party is doing to them. You yourself know that our people do not merely live in Iraq.” Mohammed attempted to raise Ali’s morale. He understood very well that Ali was feeling depressed and upset about what was happening. He saw that a man of action was feeling helpless.
“So what should I do?” asked Ali. “Simply move to Dubai or France? No, Iraq is my home and not to live there would be like not breathing. I must figure out a way of getting back.” Ali rose to his feet and began pacing back and forth in the room frantically.