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Edmontonian Amin Malak got to travel in a group to
Calgary to vote in the Iraqi election yesterday - a
luxury his five siblings won't enjoy today in
Baghdad when they cast their ballots. Due to recent
violence, his brothers and sister will go to the
polling station one by one - a precaution against
guerrillas out for their blood.
"That's in case anything unfortunate happens at the
polling station. The whole family won't disappear,"
said Malak, who is Kurdish and Shia. "They all won't
be killed."
Malak and three other men - including one who made
the trek from Grande Prairie - cast their ballots in
Calgary, one of five national balloting centres in
Canada.
Malak said he had mixed emotions about voting. "I'm
elated. I'm excited for the opportunity, but I'm a
little bit sad because the election in Iraq is
happening under difficult circumstances. But I'm
doing my part," Malak said.
Malak said he fears more violence will erupt before
the election finishes, but insisted it's worth the
risk.
"How can you have a democratic society without an
elected government?" asked Malak. "It's a crucial
first step."
Ibo Omar, a 27-year-old Kurd originally from Iraq,
also made the drive to Calgary from Edmonton
yesterday to vote, but had a tough time explaining
how happy he was.
"You can't describe it," said Omar. "I want to thank
Canada for the freedom to vote."
Apo Kurd, also from Edmonton, said he didn't mind
having to make two trips to Calgary for the election
- one to register and a return trip when he voted
Friday.
"It's the first time in my life to vote for a new
democratic Iraq," said Kurd, a Kurd from Iraq.
"We've been suffering ... under the Iraq regimes,
under dictators - so we don't mind if we come 10
more times here to vote because it's important."
http://www.canoe.ca
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