MUSIC FOR IRAQ:

U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer, Capt. Justin Thomas is asking for help getting musical instruments for the Kurds in No. Iraq as part of his unit’s efforts to help local people, build American-Iraqi relationships and counter the forces of radical Islamists. Capt. Thomas says,

“I believe that one necessity [for helping people] is musical instruments. I know this sounds trivial, but the towns around Halabja and Khormal are known throughout Kurdistan for their cultural history, to include musicianship and traditional Kurdish music. However, when Ansar al Islam and other Islamist organizations took power, they forbad any type of music playing or listening, to include Kurdish folk music. Music was outlawed until the people were liberated at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are children who are only now hearing their traditional music, and adults who very much want to celebrate their traditions.”

You can help by making a donation at Spirit of America.

What is it with these people and music? And Iraqi law students need money for law books; here’s a post on how you can help, via Lawyers Without Borders.