Obama's rise inspires African Iraqis in politics

By Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY ZUBAYR, Iraq — In this dusty town with a large population of Iraqis of African decent, the rise of President-elect Barack Obama spurred a simple question: If he can, why can't we? For many years, the black residents of Zubayr say, they have lived a second-class existence in Basra province, an area where Africans were first brought as slaves about 1,500 years ago. They hold no political office, often live in crippling poverty and are still sometimes referred to as "slaves" by other Iraqis. ANALYSTS: N. Korea after spot on Obama radar Yet, taking inspiration from Obama's campaign, a slate of black Iraqis who call themselves the Free Iraqi Movement is making a long-shot run in the elections for provincial legislatures Jan. 31. "We heard Obama's message of change," said Jalal Chijeel, secretary of the political party. "Iraq needs change in how they see their own black-skinned people. We need our brothers to accept us." The eight black candidates are competing with 1,800 others for 35 legislative seats in the Shiite-dominated, oil-rich province. "Even if we don't win, this is a very important first step to allow us to take our place as leaders in Iraq," said Sala al-Qais, 45, a black candidate who acknowledges his chances are slim. Chijeel said he first learned of Obama after the Democratic presidential candidate's upset victory in the Iowa caucuses a year ago. By July, Chijeel and his colleagues were inspired enough to announce their intention to run for office. He said other Iraqis initially "laughed at us for thinking we should be leaders." There are no reliable data on how many Iraqis are of African descent. Chijeel said they may account for as few as 300,000 of Iraq's 28 million people. The history of discrimination is clearly visible: Many black Iraqis in Zubayr live in stone and mud huts that are little changed since they were built three centuries ago. Chijeel and others here complain that black Iraqis are denied good jobs, which means many can't afford to pay for uniforms or books so their children can go to school. Even the relatively affluent face problems. Khalid Majid, 39, said he took his 6-year-old daughter out of school because she suffered constant harassment from classmates who called her abd, the Arabic word for slave, and other derogatory names. "It is my wish that she will read and write, but I cannot let her have these … problems," Majid said. On Tuesday, the Free Iraqi Movement will host some of the 2,500 black Iraqis who live in the neighborhood to watch Obama's inauguration speech. They'll have a feast where candidates will mingle with potential voters, and they plan to perform a traditional dance they inherited from their East African ancestors. Shihab Musat, 57, will be among those celebrating Obama's inauguration and voting for the black candidates. Musat said he remains skeptical that Iraq is ready to accept blacks as equals. "I don't know this Obama well, but I hope he will push Iraq's leaders to treat the black people with respect," Musat said as he stood outside a one-room house he shares with 14 family members. "My life has not been very different than my father's. I do not expect my sons' lives to be much better." http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-01-18-iraqobama_N.htm