International Action for Iraqi refugees (IAIR):
Special Iraqi Charity Dinner 7th May 2011


The main purpose of the Charity dinner was to raise awareness of the plight of Iraqi refugees in Syria, Jordan and Egypt and to raise funds for IAIR’s health and educational projects to support them in these countries.

IAIR’s Charity dinner took place at the Central Park Hotel in London on Saturday 7th May. The evening featured joyous Iraqi heritage, dinner and entertainment. The turnout was excellent, attendees were, chatting, laughing and enjoying the lively atmosphere throughout the night. There was a variety of delicious Arabic food, which many attendees commented on the generosity. For desert, traditional Halawa was served namely Zilabeeya, Halawa Jizar, Halgoum and Min Alsima.

The wedding show was acted out by young school students. The girls were wearing traditional Iraqi dresses of vibrant colours and sequences known as Hasheemeeya’ The bride entered acting out the wedding pre-paration stage whereby she wore a traditional Jalabeeya and Henna was applied to her hands. After, the bride changed into a modern white wedding dress and the groom entered by her side wearing the traditional dress of Arab Iraqi men, the dishdasha, an ankle length, typically white, loose-fitting, shirt like garment along with the Kooffiyah on the head which is a large chequered square scarf folded into a triangle with a black rope piece to secure it on the head.

On sale were unique Islamic decorative items for wall handing; CD compilation of traditional Iraqi songs which had a huge demand and was sold out quickly raising approx. £1,900. In addition, to add to the Iraqi theme, traditional wedding favors known as Shakar Aqid were being sold that included wrapped sweets, sugar coated almonds all wrapped up in a colourful Satan pouch with decorated ribbons. This raised £320 pounds.

Overall attendees gave positive feedback and enjoyed the atmosphere, some of the attendees quotes were:

“Tremendous! Well done! 200 people attended!!! Yesterday was such a lovely truly Iraqi night! The cultural aspect was wonderful, The wedding theme's idea, is pure genius! Looking forwards to more of the same! Long live your hands” Said Mrs. Tahrir Swift.



“Me and My daughter had a lovely time and my daughter particularly enjoyed taking part the show, it’s the first time she has worn a traditional outfit and she has now developed a great interest to learn more about the Iraqi heritage, thank you IAIR” Said Thikrayaat, Mother of one of the young volunteers.

“This is the first time I attend an IAIR event, I enjoyed the food, entertainment and lively atmosphere. I look forward to your future events” said Ahmed.

IAIR would like to thank everyone for attending and to all your generous contributions. We look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.

Official Trailer for The Unreturned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMVj5QUsKD4&feature=player_embedded

Horrible Details on the child trafficking in Iraq

Saturday, 05 February 2011 13:36

Shafaq The Guardian newspaper shed light on one of the most heinous crimes against humanity being committed in Iraq…

This revealed that 150 Iraqi children are sold on the black market annually with an estimated amount of money between 200 and 4000 BP. per child. The newspaper, which conducted extensive investigation on the subject, wrote that these children are subjected to various inhuman practices, including sexual abuse. The newspaper added that the failure of the authorities of Iraq in doing their duty to enforce the law on the street, and the state of lawlessness prevailing in the border between Iraq and neighboring countries, is the major cause of this humanitarian disaster, through which the children's trade grew up, not only in terms of sailing the little creatures in the local market, but also in transferring them abroad. It is clear that as a result of the popularity of this trade the incidences of children abduction increased and the kidnappers, sell them later in a small amount of money.

Iraq: Broken bodies, tortured minds: Abuse and neglect of detainees in Iraq

Date Published: 8 February 2011
Torture and other ill-treatment were widespread in Iraq before the US-led invasion in 2003 and continued in prisons and detention facilities controlled by coalition forces and the new Iraqi governments. After US forces handed over tens of thousands of prisoners to Iraqi custody between early 2009 and July 2010 without any guarantees that they will be protected, there is every likelihood that torture and ill-treatment will remain widespread. Urgent action is needed to end the pattern of abuse and to help the victims and their families.

UN discusses the growing number of Iraqi refugees
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12266372
24 January 2011 Last updated at 14:00 Help Years of upheaval have left Iraq with an economy in ruins and millions of shattered lives.

At least a million Iraqis have sought refuge outside the country and another million and a half remain displaced within its borders.

The head of the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, Antonio Guterres, is in Iraq for talks on the continuing crisis facing the internally displaced.

The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad looks at the plight of the worst-off .
Read more Australia convicts Iraqi smuggler

IRAQ: Displaced women still struggle for survival

Life is tough for female IDPs who have returned to their homes (file photo)BAGHDAD, 7 December 2010 (IRIN) - Displaced Iraqi female-headed families who have returned home are still experiencing major livelihood challenges, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM). ...to read more please visit the site above.

Iraqi refugees torn between homesickness and fear

More than 2.5 million Iraqi refugees choosing discomfort over dangerous return, to read more please click on the subject above.

أسمى التبريكات واطيب التمنيات بمناسبة حلول عيد الأضحى المبارك
اعاده الله عليكم باليمن والبركة وعلى عراقنا بالأمن والسلام - اللهم فرج عن جميع العراقيين ويسر لهم أمورهم - مع أطيب التحيات

In Syria, Iraqi Refugee Daughters Risk Being Sold | Womens eNews

العراق : تجارة الجنس بين القواعد الامريكية ودول الجوار

www.alquds.co.uk
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