Injured Iraqi Boy

Omar was injured when a passenger vehicle was hit by American fire in Samara, Iraq. Soon he will be traveling to Boston for medical treatment.

Subtitles will be added soon. In the meantime, please see transcript below or visit www.nomorevictims.org for more information.

(Commentary)

00:1-12

Today we present to you the case of the child Omar. But I want to do more than simply present the case. I want to ask you to help this child.

00:12-22

When childhood is killed, when innocence is replaced by pain and suffering...

00:23-26

What is the guilt of this child -- or any other child?

00:16-36

How is he to live? How is he to live a normal life after such trauma?

00:37- 40

And the father. What can he do? Who can he turn to?

(Interview)

00:41- 43

Interviewer: Brother Sabah, Peace upon you.

Sabah: Peace, mercy, and God's blessing, upon you.

00:44- 47

Question: Could you tell us what happened?

00:48- 53

Answer: We were traveling from Mosul to Baghdad. The incident occurred in Samara.

00:54- 57

The Americans shot at us, an American convoy shot at us.

00:58- 01:01

My wife was killed, the driver was killed, and our neighbor was killed. I was injured and my son was injured.

01: -05

Q: When did it happen?

01: 05-09

A: It was the night of Eid -- January 1, 2006.

01: 10-

Q: Why did you come to Baghdad?

01: 10-15

A: We were on our way to Baghdad to visit my wife's parents, when our bus was hit.

01:16-18

Q: Do you have children other than Omar?

01:18-20

A: I have my son Ali, who is 6 years old.

01:21-23

Q: Was he injured too?

01:23-27

A: He was with us but he wasn't hurt.

01:27-29

Q: What were your injuries?

01:30-35

A: Bullet wounds in my arm and back

01:35-40

Q: Did you lose consciousness, or were you still awake?

01:41-43

A: No, I was awake.

01:43-46

Q: Where were you taken for treatment?

01:47-59

A: We were taken to a field unit in Samara...of the air base in Tikrit. I remained there a month, and then they moved us to the Bakr military base in Balad.

02: -04

From there we were then moved to Bin Sina hospital in Baghdad

02:05-13

Then they moved us to a hospital in Mosul for the medicine... They gave us ointment, and said, that's it -- your treatment is finished. The operations Omar needs will have to be done abroad...

02:14-20

Q: Did you try to ask humanitarian organizations or some official authorities in the country to arrange treatment for your son?

02: 20-21

A : No.

02:23-27

Q: Why did you come to our news channel? What's the purpose?

02:27- 34

A: We call upon humanitarian organizations and all people of conscience to help Omar.

02:35-37

Q: What is your work? Do you work now or not?

02: 38-45

A: I was a blacksmith, but I haven't been able to work.

02:45-48

Q: So how do you support your children and yourself?

02: 48-52

A: With the help of God...We say that God is generous...We only need to heal.

02:53-03:00Q: I understand that you came to Baghdad Satellite Channel to call for help? Who do ask for help?

03: 01-07

A: I call upon anyone who can help, by the will of God.

03:08-11

We hope that you find the help Omar needs. Thank you very much

03:11- 13

A: Thank you, May God's mercy be upon you

(Interview over)

Commentary:

03:17-20

Maybe the bitterness of these pictures has touched you.

03:20-30

But I want you to be more than touched. I want to call upon the human conscience now.

03:30-35

I call upon you for acts of humanity and compassion.

03:36-40

If you can help this boy, do not hesitate.

03: 40-46

I am talking about an innocent child who has already survived a kind of death...

03:46-55

Omar is knocking on your door. Is there an answer? We hope you won't disappoint him.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Omar
• iraq
• war
• children
• injured