Profile: Minister for the Martyrs and victims of the Anfal campaign,Chinar Saad Abdullah 31.5.2006 
By Ma'ad Fayad

Before being elected to the regional parliament, Chinar used to work "with students and youths in the Arts Faculty at Salaheddin University in Erbil, as well as with women's groups. We published a newspaper and held conferences and organized several trips."

The voice of Kurdistan's young population in parliament, Chinar was encouraged by her friends and family to "represent Kurdish youths in the national assembly."

"I was confident I would be elected because I have a strong will and personality. I have clear objectives to serve young people and women and I usually consult those older than me. I am confident I will succeed."

When appointed to the Kurdish cabinet, Chinar did not celebrate. "I wanted to remain in parliament and work amongst my constituency. I can assist others through any position. However, as long as I was selected by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, I have to succeed because my success means young people and women have triumphed. I will open the way for young people to take part in leadership positions."

With a high percentage of Iraqi Kurds under 25 "young people have an important role to play. The older generation has had its chance in politics and should give young people the chance to succeed," the cabinet minister said.

As to whether her political career had brought romantic success, Chinar laughed and said, "On the contrary, men now are scared of me. They believe that I will only marry a minister or Member of Parliament." "I have always been busy studying and working to help young people and women. As a minister, I have no time for my family or for family visits and let alone any romantic involvement. Some people say I am just young and excited. I want to prove myself to these people and show them I am capable of succeeding."

The death of her father in a suicide attack in the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in 2003 spurred the young official to assist survivors of the Anfal campaign.

Every morning, Chinar meets with dozens of widows and the children of victims of Saddam Hussein's campaign as they wait to receive financial aid. Describing her work, the minister said, "I meet the families with a smile. They need moral support more than financial aid. We need to make them happy. I myself am the daughter of a martyr and my mother is a widow. I share the families' feelings and I strongly belong to them."

Explaining her work philosophy, the Kurdish official described how, "From the day I was appointed, I held a meeting with all the employees in the ministry. I told them, "Let us forget about our ranks. We are all one team and there is no difference between one individual and another."

Chinar is currently busy carrying out a number of studies to establish the exact number of Kurdish civilians and fighters killed in Saddam Hussein's campaign. "38,000 died at the front and more than 80,000 died during the Anfal. Many were also buried in mass graves."

A typical day for the young minister consists of "working for very long hours and returning home very late. I have less time to see my mother and attend family and social occasions. I barely have any time to stand in front of the mirror. I have work clothes and outfits for special occasions. I have to dress appropriately for the ministry, which is a problem. I have always preferred wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I will try to return to my life as I want it."

Summarizing her philosophy, Chinar said, "I have to change the post and not let it change me."

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