Correction appended
When UCLA law Professor Stephen Bainbridge first heard about the
“Books for Baghdad” campaign he saw the chance for
individual Americans, regardless of their views about the war, to
contribute to peace in Iraq.
The “Books for Baghdad” campaign is a drive to send
college textbooks and supplies from the United States to
universities in Iraq.
Putting politics aside, Bainbridge joined hundreds of other
university faculty and community members from across the nation
collecting textbooks to send to Baghdad University.
“Certainly as an academic, helping to restore an academic
library was something that was very attractive,” said
Bainbridge, who compiled about 40 books on law to donate.
In addition, Bainbridge e-mailed colleagues and posted messages
on his weblog, informing others of the project.
Safaa Al-Hamdani, a biology professor at Jacksonville State
University in Alabama graduated from Baghdad University in 1977. In
April 2004 he initiated the “Books for Baghdad” drive
to help his alma mater in Iraq.
Education and health were neglected during former Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein’s regime, so universities lack
up-to-date textbooks and supplies, Al-Hamdani said.
“I graduated from Baghdad. I think I owe it to them to do
something,” Al-Hamdani said.
“Plus it’s the American way ““ to help
others,” he added.
Al-Hamdani’s awareness of the desperate state of the
education system in Iraq became even more acute when he presented
two seminars in 2001 at Yarmouk University in Jordan as a Fulbright
Scholar ““ part of a competitive study-abroad program for
students and faculty sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
In addition, Al-Hamdani said he has been trying to send
textbooks and scholarly magazines to Iraq for years. But, at the
time, packages of texts weighing more than 13 ounces were not
accepted in Iraq.
Now, following the war, Al-Hamdani said he has the opportunity
to send textbooks and scholarly journals.
With the unexpectedly high level of participation in the
program, Al-Hamdani has expanded the project to include aid to the
University of Al-Munspansyriah in Iraq. Depending on the donations
to come, the program may help other universities in Iraq as
well.
“The involvement of the people from coast to coast has
become overwhelming,” he said.
The “Books for Baghdad” campaign has attracted
support from university faculty to young community members,
including Adam Huller of Jacksonville, Alabama, a 14-year-old boy
scout.
Huller, who heard about the drive from his father, volunteered
to stand in front of a local Wal-Mart store, collecting money for
the project. He collected about $2,000.
Al-Hamdani and the ad hoc committee of teachers established at
the Jacksonville university are asking for college textbooks
printed in the last five years, particularly in the subject areas
of math, science, medicine and technology. These subjects are
taught in English in Iraq, making contributions of textbooks
written in English valuable.
The committee is also accepting school supplies and monetary
donations to help pay for shipping costs and to send to Iraq.
Donations are mailed to Al-Hamdani at the Jacksonville
university. Committee members may also consider picking up
donations.
Both Al-Hamdani and Bainbridge agree that this campaign can help
build a peaceful and understanding relationship with the Iraqi
people.
In addition, Bainbridge feels that economic benefits may
result.
“Education will help promote the economy over there and
people that see a good economic future are less likely to follow
extremists,” he said.
The committee at Jacksonville State University will continue
collecting donations into fall quarter. Also, due to the large
volume of donations thus far, a shipping company must be
contracted.
Correction: August 2, 2004, Monday
In “Book donation program aids Iraqi universities,”
(News, July 26) Al-Mustansiriya was misspelled.