UK News

UK-Syria solidarity against Coronavirus 

More than 20,000 families in Syria are to benefit from an emergency COVID-19 aid package approved by a leading Catholic charity. 

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Travel back in time with The Wolf of Baghdad 

The Wolf of Baghdad is a graphic memoir of a lost homeland and a wordless narrative by an author, homesick for a home she has never visited. 

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Exploring Iraqi heritage with the Wolf of Baghdad 

The following interview has been conducted by Hussein Al-alak with Carol Isaacs, whose project the Wolf of Baghdad, tells the unique and remarkable story of Iraq's lost Jews.  

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Christmas Appeal 

For over 26 years, AMAR has been on the front line inside of Iraq and have treated more than 10 million patients, and opened 46 medical centres. Your festive donation will help AMAR to provide health care and specialised mental health care, to people who have suffered trauma at the hands of extremists. 

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Mental Health Appeal 

The psychological and emotional scars of war in Iraq are immense, with thousands of people needing mental health assistance. Among those in desperate need of care, are people suffering PTSD, depression, schizophrenia and severe anxiety. 

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An Educated Future 

Causes of illiteracy can include children of parents with little schooling, displacement, difficult living conditions, which can also include mental health conditions, learning disabilities, war and poverty. 

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Get close to nature 

Environmental awareness has a proven positive effect on personal and communal well-being and is also effective in the treatment of mental health conditions, including PTSD. According to the World Health Organisation, Mental Health is shaped "to a great extent by the social, economic, and physical environments in which people live." 

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Over 200 bike across Manchester for Palestinian kids 

The following pictures were taken by Hussein Al-alak, at the starting line on The Big Ride for Palestine, which set off on Saturday morning in Manchester. Over 200 people cycled across the UK's northern city of Manchester, to raise money for the Middle East Children's Alliance. 

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The Big Ride for Palestine is coming to Manchester 

On Saturday 3rd August, the UK's northern city of Manchester will host The Big Ride for Palestine 2019, an annual event which combines a love of cycling and solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

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No place for Anti-Semitism - brief points on UK Labour’s education 

Reading through the Labour Party's website "No place for Anti-Semitism", the following points have been identified as missing and these internationally recognised facts, should be included in Labour's attempts, to educate their members on Anti-Semitism. 

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Calling the AMAR Foundation, the real life International Rescue 

On the 27th June, Hussein and Tracy took part on Salford's Run Media City, to support AMAR's efforts across Iraq and in this exclusive interview with Sile Martin - on Manchester's ALL FM - Hussein and Tracy explain their reasons for supporting AMAR's work and recall their recent Run Media City fundraiser. 

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Exploring Iraqi heritage with the Wolf of Baghdad 

The following interview has been conducted by Hussein Al-alak with Carol Isaacs, whose project the Wolf of Baghdad, tells the unique and remarkable story of Iraq's lost Jews. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Iraq's Jewish heritage and Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra) would like to thank Carol for speaking with us. 

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How the slave trade still speaks to us about the world 

Discussing global events with young people, can sometimes seem like a daunting task. How do you explain the situation in Iraq, the Holocaust or even the slave trade? 

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Run Media City - the power of words can change lives in Iraq 

On the 27th June 2019, Hussein Al-alak and Tracy Hollowood are taking part on the Run Media City 5K, to aid the ongoing work of the AMAR Foundation in Iraq.This is the second time Hussein and Tracy have taken part on the 5K, around Salford's Media City, and they are inviting you to support the AMAR Foundation. 

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The Genocide Against Middle East Christians 

The persecution of Christians is "approaching" genocidal levels in the Middle East, North Africa and the Philippines, according to a 2019 report commissioned by the UK government. 

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Building Manchester solidarity for the people of Iraq 

It was a pleasure to listen to Len McCluskey - General Secretary of Unite the Union - who spoke on Sunday at the May Day Festival, that was held at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester - the United Kingdom. 

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AMAR hit the airwaves in Manchester, to rebuild lives in Iraq 

On 6/9/2018, Hussein Al-alak went on to the ALL FM 96.9 radio station in Manchester, where he spoke extensively about the life saving work of the AMAR Foundation inside of Iraq. 

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Running Media City for AMAR's work in Iraq 

On Thursday 19th July, Hussein Al-alak and Tracy Hollowood took part on Salford's Run Media City, to raise awareness of the AMAR Foundation's work across Iraq. 

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Running with history, for modern education across Iraq 

On Thursday 19th July, myself and Tracy Hollowood are taking part in the Run Media City 5K - to raise awareness of the educational achievements and mental health services of the AMAR Foundation in Iraq. 

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For Arab Americans, history is made through community experience 

Since 2005, the Arab American National Museum has shed light on the experiences of Arab Americans, whilst paying tribute to the many historical features of the community. 

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For 40.000 people's lives, ACN walk for Iraq  

The following interview was conducted by Hussein Al-alak with Caroline Hull, the North West manager of Aid to the Church in Need. This is our second interview with Caroline, who along with her colleague Bridget, are doing a series of fundraising walks throughout 2018 - to help Iraq's Christian's rebuild their lives. 

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Frankenstein in Baghdad discussed in Manchester 

On Thursday 24th May, highly acclaimed Iraqi author Ahmed Saadawi spoke in the city of Manchester, about his award winning novel "Frankenstein in Baghdad". Hosted by the Manchester Metropolitan University, Mr. Saadawi was joined by guests and fellow speakers, who recited excerpts from his book in both Arabic and English.

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They asked us not to forget them - Aid to the Church in Need on Iraq 

This interview was conducted by Hussein Al-alak with Dr. Caroline Hull, the North West manager of Aid to the Church in Need UK. Having been to Iraq, Caroline speaks about the work of ACN, their efforts in Iraq and how the people of Iraq have asked "us not to forget them".

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Manchester Church in Need fundraiser for Nineveh 

On Thursday 3rd May, the Holy Name Church on Oxford Road in Manchester, hosted Aid to the Church in Need - North West and a fundraising clothes sale, that was organised to help further the reconstruction of thousands of Iraqi Christian homes, across the Nineveh Plains. 

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War and peace: SOE agent remembered in Manchester 

It was a pleasure to attend the unveiling of a plaque in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, on Saturday 12th May, in honour of Madge Addy; a former nurse in the Spanish Civil War and World War Two agent for the Special Operations Executive.

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The toxic legacy of chemical weapons in Iraq 

Between October 2006 and June 2007, Iraq experienced fifteen chlorine bomb attacks by Al-Qaeda. According to the US Defence Department, the first incident was in Ramadi, where Al-Qaeda detonated a car packed with 12 120 mm mortar shells and two 100-pound chlorine tanks.

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After Syria, what now in Iraq? 

In a study conducted by the U.S. State Department in 2015, it found that one third of Iraqis believed the USA “supports terrorism in general or ISIL specifically,” and the USA is purposefully “working to destabilize Iraq" and the region to "control its natural resources.”

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A fresh perspective on Chemical Weapons 

It's always fascinated me, how everyone described the events on 9/11, as being a "terrorist attack" but at no point was it ever classified as an Al-Qaeda "chemical attack" against a "civilian population". 

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“Government should be helping refugees”, letter to Hussein Al-alak from Jeff Smith MP 

Jeff Smith is the UK Member of Parliament for Withington in the city of Manchester. Hussein Al-alak is the editor of Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra). In this letter, Jeff Smith states that "The UN has estimated that there are over 20 million refugees worldwide, and in recent years over 20,000 people have made the perilous Mediterranean crossing."

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Care for those living with Dementia, Labour MP to Hussein Al-alak 

Jeff Smith is the UK Member of Parliament for Withington in Manchester. Hussein Al-alak is the editor of Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra). The following is a letter from Jeff Smith MP to Hussein Al-alak, where Mr. Smith states "more people with dementia are spending time in hospital and, once admitted, are finding that the support is simply not in place in the community for them to return home."

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Why Putin? 

People refer to Putin as being "good" or “bad”, but it was his own working background in the KGB, which established within him and his Government, a firm understanding of Russia’s place in the world and what was necessary to achieve their aims. 

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On Iraq, points of clarity for Emmanuel Macron 

According to the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in 2016: the “overall number of radicalised French nationals or residents involved in jihadist networks but not necessarily having travelled to Syria [and] Iraq is estimated to be close to 2000.” 

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The tipping point in the scales of justice? 

Max Hill QC, who is the Government’s reviewer of terror legislation has stated to The Telegraph, “we (the UK) should be looking at reintegration” of British IS fighters and confirmed “not a huge proportion of returnees had been prosecuted" because it was “often hard to prove someone had committed a crime in a war zone.” 

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The Arab American Experience 

Almost every aspect of American life has been enhanced by Arab Americans. Not only are their actors, such as Rami Malek, Vince Vaughn, Tony Shaloub or Kathy Najimy, but we enjoy the humor of people such as Dean Obeidallah, Aron Kader and Ahmed Ahmed.  

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Have We Forgotten? Remembering Amara and the soldiers of WW1 

Here are some fascinating pictures, that were taken on the 17/8/2017 at the Amara War Cemetery in Southern Iraq. The monument lists the names of the British men who died in the Mesopotamia campaign during the First World War. 

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Showcasing Iraq in Glasgow 

The Rumman Festival – the first instalment of what Two Rivers hopes will become an annual event, presented a new narrative in Scotland, and gave audiences a creative outlet and fresh introduction to Iraqi culture. 

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A Welfare State is life after the #MosulOps 

By the very nature of the Mosul Operations, Iraq is under going change and with it, the Iraqi people are again changing. While many now debate a post-ISIS Iraq, what is actually being faced, is a period which echoes Britain and Europe in the wake of World Wars One and Two.

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LETTERS FROM BAGHDAD 

Letters from Baghdad is the story of a true original—Gertrude Bell—sometimes called the “female” Lawrence of Arabia. Voiced and executive produced by Academy award winning actor Tilda Swinton, the documentary tells the dramatic story of this British spy, explorer and political powerhouse. 

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Church in Need: “Iraqi Christians can start to go home!” 

On Wednesday 28th June, Aid to the Church in Need UK published their latest report: ‘Now Iraqi Christians can start to go home’. In the report you will discover how compassion is making the difference to Christians in Iraq. 

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Saving lives in Iraq, with AMAR in Manchester 

It was a genuine delight, that the AMAR Foundation took part on the Manchester 10K, on Sunday 28th May 2017. The Run for Manchester attracted a number of charities, who were raising money for a variety of domestic and international causes, where volunteers ran to raise both funds and awareness of their work. 

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AMAR Foundation in Manchester, running for the people of Iraq 

Among those taking part in the Manchester 10K, are Hussein Al-alak and Claire Carrie, who are residents of Manchester. Both decided to run for the AMAR Foundation, in response to the services AMAR is providing, which includes Escaping Darkness - a specialist service that was established by AMAR, to support Yazidi women overcome the trauma of having been captives of IS.

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Effective for Iraq, How AMAR Supporters Change Lives 

As a member of the fundraising team at the AMAR Foundation for almost a year, I love that each day in this job brings new tasks and interesting opportunities. In 2017, AMAR are delighted to be celebrating our 25th Anniversary. 

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How AMAR Inspired Melanie to Run 

Melanie Minns is from Norfolk in the United Kingdom. Melanie recently took part in a fun run to support the AMAR Foundation’s work with young Yazidi women, who are part of Escaping Darkness - a specialist Post-Traumatic Stress service, which was established in Iraq by the AMAR Foundation. 

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Building a 2017 vision for Iraq 

The AMAR Foundation is a British based charity, who since 1991 have been working with displaced people across Iraq. For over quarter of a century, the AMAR Foundation has been at the fore-front of “rebuilding” the lives of some of the most vulnerable people, whilst training and employing local Iraqi’s to lead the way.

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The World Youth Day Legacy

Like so many, I was thrilled by the presence of over 200 Iraqi young people at the World Youth Day celebrations in Krakow, Poland. Accompanying the young people from Iraq, included Bishops, Priests and Sisters, representing a broad layer of the Iraqi Christian community, from Churches in Baghdad through to Iraqi Kurdistan.

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The Beats and the Bedouins 

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, day to day accounts of what was taking place, did not come from left or right wing journalists but from ordinary Iraqi writers, who in a style echoing the Beat Generation, gave outsiders a unique insight, which was lacking in both Britain and the United States.

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Saving Lives in Iraq: The AMAR Foundation Speaks 

The following interview was conducted by Hussein Al-alak, editor of Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra), with Laura Puddefoot-Knaggs, who is the head of fundraising for the London based AMAR Foundation. 

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Playing for Time, Paul MacAlindin on Upbeat and Iraq 

The following interview was conducted by Hussein Al-alak, editor of Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra), with Paul MacAlindin, who is the author of the new book Upbeat, the Story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. 

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Iraq's youth orchestra - a musical dream that shattered 

For nearly six years, young Iraqis defied the war, coming from all over the country to play in an orchestra, but the emergence of Islamic State has dashed their dream of making music to bridge deadly sectarian divides. 

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Being UPBEAT about Iraq at Waterstones, London 

Waterstones Piccadilly could offer standing room only for lovers of books, music and Iraq as Paul MacAlindin launched UPBEAT: the Story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq in London on Thursday 25th August. 

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Upbeat The Story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq 

The story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is here told by Paul MacAlindin its musical director, from its inception to its eventual end. The NYOI came through the most difficult and dangerous of times to produce fine music not only in Iraq but also in Britain, Germany and France. 

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