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Ben Balata, who left Iraq in 1974, is an Iraqi
Kurd chartered engineer from Dohuk City in Kurdistan
and has been living in Scotland since 1991. He
travelled to Manchester from his Glasgow home to
take part in Iraq's general election and said every
vote was a "step towards a peaceful and stable
future".
About 11 million Iraqis are believed to have voted
in last Thursday's election, a turnout of nearly
70%, with the result expected in two weeks time.
" I was on board one of the two coaches which left
Glasgow to Manchester, on Wednesday 14 December,
full of Iraqi Kurds living in Scotland to vote for
the Iraqi National Assembly.
Three more coaches left for Manchester the day
before.
Many men, women and children turned out smartly
dressed in their traditional Kurdish costumes
carrying Kurdish flags.
Obviously, this day is a very special occasion and
historic for all Iraqis and especially the Kurds and
Kurdistan.
The journey to Manchester was long but the mood on
the coaches was festive, the Kurdish band Newroz was
on board singing traditional songs and everyone was
joining in all the way.
On our arrival to the polling station we saw big
crowds of Iraqis; they were mainly Kurds, many
holding Kurdish flags with some dancing after
casting their votes.
Young Kurds in their cars were beeping horns,
singing and carrying Kurdish flags. The atmosphere
was festive here too, with smiles on every face.
Queues were moving smoothly to the polling station
amid tight security.
Like many of my Kurdish countrymen, I voted for the
Kurdistan Alliance.
I voted for Kurdistan, felt great and hoped that one
day we would have a true democratic and prosperous
country where the Kurds and Kurdistan won't suffer
anymore.
'Strong voice'
This is my second time voting in the Iraqi election,
the first time was in Glasgow in February this year.
The first time I voted in my life was in the British
elections, aged 45.
For Kurds, every Kurdish vote counts and helps us to
get more seats in the Iraqi Parliament - this will
give us a strong, authoritative voice.
The long Kurdish struggle for their rights will be
channelled through the ballot box and it will be a
difficult road.
The Kurds have suffered for a very long time under
all central regimes of Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria,
and especially under Saddam's murderous regime.
The Kurdish achievements in Kurdistan of Iraq
through ballot boxes and democratic society will be
an example to other Kurdish parts of those
countries.
The Kurds at present have a very strong political
presence in Iraqi political life and have an
international presence too. The current Iraqi
president is a Kurd.
The Kurds are not only working for their own rights,
but also for the rest of Iraqis, to build a strong
civil democratic society in Iraq, where law, human
rights, women's rights, freedom of expression and
individual religious beliefs are respected.
As a Scottish Kurd who has lived in Scotland for
very long time, I see the Kurds like the Scots have
struggled for their land and rights throughout
history.
We are brave Highlanders too and we have our own
Braveheart, called Mustaf Barzani.
I dream of the day where the Kurds achieves what the
Scots achieved and. the Scottish example is an
inspiration for every Kurd. "
www.bbc.co.uk
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