Bahjat, a 23-year-old civil engineering graduate from Baghdad University, exemplifies the determination of Iraqi citizens to participate in democracy despite the dangers they face. Following the tragic death of his friend Mohammed Abdul Karrem in an insurgent attack, Bahjat voted alone, emphasizing that voting is his way to combat terrorism. Even amidst violence, such as a rocket attack that killed three at a polling station, the resolve of the Iraqi people to exercise their voting rights remains strong. This discussion highlights the significance of voting as a fundamental right and a powerful tool for change.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for political scientists, human rights activists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of democracy in conflict-affected areas. It provides insights into the resilience of individuals fighting for their rights in challenging circumstances.
"I came here to vote for my friend," said Bahjat, 23, a Sunni Arab and civil engineering graduate of Baghdad University. His closest friend, Mohammed Abdul Karrem, a Shiite Arab, was killed in an insurgent mortar attack in August that left Bahjat wounded. Four pieces of shrapnel are still in his body.
He woke up at 5 a.m., waiting for his polling station to open. "I am voting alone and fighting back tears," he said. "This is the only way available for me to fight the terrorists."
These people know the power of voting, even if Americans (and the rest of the world) have forgotten.Yet even after a rocket killed three people at a polling place in Baghdad, residents asked if the voting could continue, according to Army Capt. Todd Napier, a commander with the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry, at the site.