Founding of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraqi
June 22, Baghdad

Dear Friends,

We celebrated our founding event of the Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq in Baghdad yesterday the 22nd of June, 2003. The event took place in Hiwar Hall that was full and many of the audience had to watch the event while standing. Seven satellite tv channels and most of the local newspapers were present.

There was general compassion and positive support from the audience, many of which (women and men) have immediately joined our organisation. Many of whom are lawyers , researchers and human rights advocates. All the women (veiled and unveiled) congratulated us for having the courage to reveal the facts about women in Iraq for the first time and having the courage of setting the precedent of standing against the dark forces of political Islam - a task that no other women's group or political group has done so far.

After reading the founding statement by Nasik Ahmad, I demonstrated an overview of the situation of women in Iraq and their sufferings, aspirations and our vision in shaping the future of Iraq, followed by a documentary of our women's shelter in Suleimaniyah in the years 98-99. Congratulating speeches were delivered by the representative of the preparatory committee of the Workers Councils and Trade Unions (Sabah Hussein) and also from the member of political Bureau of Worker Communist Party of Iraq(Moayad Ahmad).

We have launched our organisation, announced our present and future campaigns and projects and announced (Al Mousawat) as the newspaper of this organisation.

Our relentless work to create a new era for women in Iraq has just started....
History is in the making ...in Baghdad

Best Regards and looking forward for your support,

Yanar Mohammed - Editor in chief of Al Mousawat & Founding member of
Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI)