Pilgrims of Freedom: During the Era of Saddam Hussien

By Ahmed Fakhri

Pilgrims of Freedom depicts a dark period in the 1980s and 1990s during which Iraq was under the brutal regime of a mad dictator named Saddam Hussein. It portrays ordinary people trying to survive the psychopathic behaviors of some of the regimes elements, such as the Iraqi security police with their devious minds that invented cruel torture techniques. It also shows the main characters will to survive his ordeals and press on with his life albeit going through harsh obstacles. Despite all that, he finds in his soul to go through romantic adventures. It also portrays a very close friendship between two men from different backgrounds going through very painful circumstances; their main aim is to reach the safety of the Western world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Dec 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490717159

Ahmed Fakhri

The author was born in Iraq in 1954. He lived in England for ten years and graduated from London as an electronic engineer. He specialized in computer hardware. He travelled around the world only to settle in Denmark. He already wrote two books (Fatal Episodes and Asylum). This new book, Pilgrims of Freedom, is the latest.

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© Copyright 2013 Ahmed Fakhri.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-1714-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-1715-9 (e)

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Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Dedication

To all those Iraqis who suffered during Saddam Hussein’s era, and to all those souls who lost their lives crossing to Europe seeking freedom.

I wish to pay tribute to my friend Dr. Martin Knudsen for reading and proofing this book, his remarks and suggestions improved my book immensely. I also wish to thank those people who were prisoners during that period whom I interviewed for the purpose of describing dire conditions and horrifying interrogation techniques.

I also wish to present this book to my two grand sons Mahmoud and Aus, I hope they can read it one day when they are old enough.

Introduction

Saddam Hussein a president of Iraq, a ruthless leader who knew no language other than death and destruction to tame his people, opponents and allies. Ruling Iraq for more than three decades he proved to the world that he was no less in cruelty and brutality than the most vicious tyrants in history such as Nero, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Hitler. He was the ultimate fiend. To his people he was the stick that had no carrot to associate with. His personal resolve in leading his nation to destruction knew no limitations. There wasn’t a family in Iraq who was not affected by his brutality one way or the other. During his regime people in Iraq always punned with a line that said, You are always guilty until proven innocent. They lived in a constant state of fear from punishment for the smallest action in life. Some were even afraid to act normally in case their actions might offend the ruler. It was a matter of interpretation to one’s actions that might have given rise to a punishment. Then there were the parasites. These were the people who surrounded the president with their phony loyalty and allegiance in order to reach their selfish and greedy personal gains. They were the worst in the stance they took toward normal citizens when it came to putting them in positions that were punishable by prison or even death. The Ruling political party widely known as The Ba’ath party encouraged all their affiliate members who were in their hundreds of thousands to spy on their fellow citizens and report anything no matter how small or insignificant it may be, so that they can guarantee their survival from enemy plots. In doing so, they managed to entice the greed of opportunists to falsely implicate others in order to get promoted within the party’s hierarchy. This practice became so widely used that ordinary people started to view this kind of practice as a justified action. Things went so out of hand that some incidents were recorded of people spuriously reporting their own family members allegedly to have committed acts of treason which subsequently lead to their execution.

Pilgrims of freedom is a fictitious story created from the imagination of the author. All the names of the characters are non-existent. However, the events of the story are terribly real. It was depicted from the misery and suffering the Iraqi nation endured during the horrific period of Saddam’s era. The torture methods and prison conditions portrayed in this story were the result of interviews conducted with those prisoners who faced unfortunate sentences during that horrendous period. Iraq is the fifth largest oil producing nation in the world and the second in oil reserves, yet some of its citizens needed to flee the country and work in undignified labor in order to survive. They spread in all four corners of the world in order to seek refuge. A lot of them expired during their ill fated attempts to reach the shores of safety.

The heinous crimes committed by this president against an entire nation remains deeply embossed in their memory, making a fresh new start, a fairly difficult task to accomplish.

Chapter 1

IRAQ

The telephone rang only once. He picked it up with haste and with a shaky voice, he heard himself saying,

Hello, this is Omar

A voice on the other end said,

Omar It’s me. I’m your dad. I only wanted to know if everything went well

Dad he didn’t call me yet, I am waiting for him to ring. Besides, I told you that I will let you know what happens with him as soon as he calls Omar said.

Yes, ok. Come over to my house the moment you hear from him His father said.

Ok dad. But please don’t call me again. I have to keep this line free, in case he decides to ring after all Omar said.

But son, he said he was going to call you at 6pm. And that was two hours ago. What’s going on?

I know dad, but I ran out of options, I must wait, just in case he calls

Good luck son. I hope he calls you soon, for your sake

Thank you dad, talk to you later The line went dead, as Omar put the receiver down, few seconds later the phone rang once again.

Oh for God’s sake father, what is it this time? Omar asked.

This is not your father, it’s me The voice on the other end said.

I am sorry man. I have been waiting for your call for two hours. Did you manage to… ? Omar was sharply interrupted by the man on the other end by saying,

I told you I will and I did, meet me by number 19 like we agreed. And don’t forget to bring me the magazine

Ok, I will be there in half an hour Omar said.

No, make it an hour. I can’t get there in half an hour. It is too far for me The voice on the other end explained.

Right, one hour. I will be there Omar said.

Omar put down the receiver and lifted his head up thanking God and thinking to himself,

At last, I am going to be free

He went to the kitchen and made himself a mug of coffee, then he went back to the living room, sat down and looked at the clock on the wall again, but that clock did not appear to be moving, it was as if time had stood still. He needed to have that meeting with this person who just spoke to him over the phone. He needed to get the passport from him and get back to his house as quickly as he can. He didn’t want to be caught having the passport on him because that might make him face the death squad or worse, go back to the General Security Complex. But now he has reached a point of no return. The risk he was taking has gone beyond the fear of death after all the torment he was subjected to. He wasn’t going to back-down now. In fact he has nothing left to hope for in his life except to leave. His mother and his wife were gone. He lost his job, almost faced execution and the girl he wanted to marry so much committed suicide. It is like that in this blood-ridden country. People treat us like insects. They squash us whenever they feel like it. They don’t think that we are human beings

Omar lifted his eyes to the clock on the wall while sipping his coffee and it would appear that only five minutes have passed, he still has 55 minutes left for the meeting. Besides, the sports stadium is only five minutes drive from his house, and there is no traffic at this time of night, and since there are no games being played in the stadium, the traffic will be non-existent, so there is no chance for anything to prevent him from being there on time. A bright idea suddenly flashed in his head. Why not go to his father and tell him about the phone call? His father will only be too glad to hear it. Perhaps that will help pass the time.

Omar picked his car keys and got into his 10-year-old Russian-made Lada. He loved his car because it starts every time, it never lets him down. This time was no exception. As soon as he turned the key, the ignition fired-up and the car was ready to jive. He drove to his father’s house, switched off the engine and engaged the gear because his hand-break was not functioning very well, but that never stopped him using the car. He went inside the house looking for his father but he was nowhere to be found. He automatically assumed that he was in the back garden, he went out to the back garden and fond his father sitting there alone smoking his water pipe.

The man finally called me dad, I am going to meet him in… . 43 minutes Omar said.

Good, but did he tell you if he has the passport with him? His father asked.

Well not in so many words. He obviously can’t speak freely on the phone because he knows that all phones are wiretapped. He simply said that he will meet me at number 19. Meaning gate number 19 of the Nation’s Stadium and he asked for the money, he referred to it as The magazine I assured him that it was ready Omar said.

Ok then, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you go now? His father asked.

I came to tell you about the phone conversation. I am on my way now. Oh and didn’t the doctor tell you not to smoke? Do you want another heart attack dad? Omar warned.

Oh just go away. Go on, I don’t want you to be late His father said.

Omar hugged his father and left the house. He got in his red Lada that now has a color that does not exactly look red. It has faded over the years, and couldn’t afford to get it repainted. He sped toward the stadium. Omar parked the car in the parking lot which was about 200 meters from gate number 19 and ran the rest of the way. The entire place was dark and deserted. He looked at his watch and knew that he still has 30 minutes for the rendezvous. But that’s fine, he was willing to wait, better early than late. He did not want to upset the man, in case he changed his mind.

He looked at the main entrance and he can see that it was deserted. Suddenly memories began flooding his mind like a deluge. It was only 9 years earlier when he came to this stadium to participate in the Iraq’s national Olympic tournament. Spectators came from every part of the country they were by the tens of thousands. It was fully packed with supporters from all parts of the country. At that time he was young and energetic, full of hope and zest for life. Running was one of his greatest passions. He was so sure that he was going to get the first prize. But as the events started, his hopes began to diminish gradually. He met some competing runners who seemed in a better shape than he was. But he didn’t fair so badly after all. He managed to get the bronze medal. A bronze medal in the national Olympics was something very good, considering that on that race alone 29 capable athletes took part. He did not have any noticeable problems. He started the race very well, but as they approached the 1000 meter point he began to slow down, he looked to his left only to find the two men from the southern team gaining half a meter over him. No matter how much he pushed himself. He simply couldn’t beat them right until the fourth 1000 meters and on to the finishing line.

He remembered the crowds cheering him as he received his bronze medal from Oday, the son of the country’s President. It was such a moment of pride and victory to be receiving a medal and to shake the hand of President Saddam’s elder son.

Omar walked back and forth in front of gate no. 19, covering a distance not more than 20 meters, not wanting to walk further away from the gate in case the man shows-up earlier than expected. The northerly wind blew in his face causing a sudden sharp pain in his left wrist. With his right hand he rubbed the aching wrist in a massaging action to relieve the pain. He kept looking at his watch, and time was literally standing still.

As the rendezvous time came and went, the man did not show up, but Omar was determined to stay-on a little bit longer in the hope that he will eventually turn-up. Omar continued looking at his watch and paced the place with nervousness that was building up by the second. When one whole hour past the rendezvous time, a car pulled-up from a distance and a fat man stepped out of it. Omar kept looking at the fat man as he approached him, until he finally began to recognize his features. It was the one he was waiting for. And when they were at arm’s length, Omar greeted him and asked if everything went well. The capricious man was nervous, he did not have time for niceties, he simply said,

Look man, just take the passport and give me my money

Here it is. I counted it three times. It is exactly 1000 Dollars. Let me see the passport Omar said.

Look, this passport is not a fake one. My job at the ministry is to issue legal passports. This one had all the legal stamps and signatures on it. No one will be able to tell the difference. You have to memorize your new name on the passport, your new name is Saad Mahdi Salih. I even added several stamps on the pages to show that you have exited and entered the country several times in the last six months The man said.

But why did you do that? We agreed that you will make me a brand new passport with clean pages Omar said.

Don’t be stupid man, if I do that it would be very obvious to the policemen at the border post when you try to exit. Brand new passports are very obvious, they call for suspicion. It is like writing a sign on your forehead saying I am defecting, catch me if you can I did you and myself a great big favor. I know for sure that if you get caught, the first thing you do will be to snitch on me. And I don’t like that, it will be my neck that will go missing The man said.

I suppose you know better. Sorry man. I take it back Omar said.

The man took the money and disappeared in the darkness of the night. Omar turned back and returned to his car. He was very happy that he finally had the means with which he can leave the country. His whole life will be saved by these damn pages. The tribulation he endured could have been spared if he had this passport just a few years earlier. Oh what an ordeal.

Omar drove back to his father’s house and went in by the kitchen door. He saw his father through the living room’s window still sitting in the garden. He walked over to him and said,

I finally got it dad, it is here. I got the passport

Let me see it son

Omar handed the passport to his father and stood behind his chair breathing down his neck. His father did a thorough inspection on it, page by page without uttering a single word. He then looked up at Omar and smiled.

This man knows exactly what he is doing

Dad, this man is not a counterfeit artist, he is an official working at the passport office, he happens to be a dirty official Omar said.

They both burst out laughing. His father turned around and asked,

Will you be leaving tomorrow then?

Yes dad, you know that I want to get it over and done with, I can not stay in this country a day longer than necessary

His father produced a golden pendant from his shirt pocket. It contained a miniature Holy Koran inside it.

God be with you all the way. I want you to have this pendant son. Please look after it; it belonged to your mother. It will protect you from harm on your journey His father said.

Omar took the pendant, kissed it then wore it around his neck. He left his father’s house and went straight to his own house, having mixed feelings. On the one hand he was happy that he finally got what he wanted and on the other he was sad that he will be leaving his 69 year old father all alone, with no one to look after him especially since he developed his heart condition few years ago. But he needed to leave the country at any cost because Saddam’s secret police won’t leave him alone.

That night, Omar couldn’t get his eyelids to close. He was thinking about his journey and what he should and should not do. He now knows that he must buy the bus ticket at the crack of dawn, otherwise the bus might be fully booked and he would need to be deferred to the following day. At 7 O’clock he rose from his bed, not caring that he did not even sleep for one second all night. He washed his face, put his clothes on and left the house in a hurry heading for the bus station in downtown Baghdad. But first he knew he must go and bid farewell to his father. Who knows? Maybe he won’t see him again. He drove his car to his father’s house, went in and saw his father brewing a pot of tea. He looked at him and wanted to open his mouth but his father spoke first,

This is it then… you are leaving. I don’t know if I will ever see you again my son. But please be careful. I will be worried sick about you until you call me straight after you cross the borders. And if all goes well you can say that you have cooked me a meal and it is in the fridge. I will know then that you are safe and sound outside the borders. Oh and I made you a little something for the trip, I know you will get hungry during the journey

His father’s face was covered with tears. Omar went closer, wiped his father’s tears with his bare hands. Hugged him and then pushed him away gently, he then picked his father’s hand and kissed it, in a show of utmost respect and affection.

Please dad, look after yourself, and please don’t smoke any more Omar pleaded.

I will be in my best shape if I know you are safe and sound outside this God forsaken country his father said.

Omar left his father’s house and went back to his own house where he parked his car for the last time. He spoke to it as if it had a soul and said,

I don’t know if I will ever find a car as good as you, good bye my old friend he tapped on the bonnet and left. As soon as he walked away from the garage, he saw a taxi moving very slowly near his house, he waved for it to stop.

Take me to Khullany square please Omar asked.

When the taxi reached the bus station he saw a very big crowd gathered around the ticket office.

Oh my God, all these people are going to Jordan just like me, and I thought that I was going to be the first one to buy the ticket. These people must have waited outside the station all night in order to outdo everyone else and get a ticket. What chance have I got?

He stood with the crowd just the same, until finally the man at the ticket office began selling tickets. People were buying several tickets each, which made Omar nervous as his chances of getting one, became slimmer and slimmer. Until at last Omar reached the window ready to buy his ticket, when he heard the man behind the counter say,

That’s it. All tickets are sold for today’s trip. You may purchase tickets for tomorrow’s trip if you wish

At this moment Omar was furious, he pleaded with the man to see if he can find him just one single ticket, he kept saying to the man that he only needed one seat not more because he was traveling alone. But the man said,

Look man, I can’t sell you a ticket so that you sit on somebody’s lap. The bus is full. If you want a ticket for tomorrow, I will sell you one gladly

Omar gave it a thought, and finally decided that something was better than nothing, he might as well settle for the next day, he does not want to repeat the same disaster the next day. He looked at the man and said,

Ok man I will take one ticket for tomorrow

As he was counting his money to give to the man sitting at the counter, he heard a woman from behind shout,

Does anybody want to buy a ticket for today’s trip? I need to go back to my house, because I can’t travel to Jordan today

Omar thought that this opportunity has descended to him from up above, He shouted to the woman with all his might.

I WILL TAKE IT LADY. Here is the money. Please sell it to me. I need to go today urgently

The woman was just as glad to sell her ticket to Omar as he was glad to buy it off her. He turned around, picked his shoulder bag and ran toward the bus. He handed the bag to the man that was arranging the bags in the luggage compartment at the belly of the bus. He then boarded the bus but the man told him to keep the bag with him because it was too small. Another man tore the ticket in two and gave him the stub back. Omar went in and looked for an empty seat at the back of the bus and finally sat down next to the window. He looked at his watch and it was 8.30 am.

The bus was supposed to move at 9.00 am but it didn’t start moving until 9.45 am apparently there was a party official from Saddam’s government who was late for the trip. Naturally the whole bus was delayed because of him. In any case, the bus budged in