Iraqi Student Solidarity with Virginia Tech Students

Bushra Juhi, Associated Press writer, submitted a story today on the reaction of the Virginia Tech terrorist act by the students at Iraqi Universities. There is a bond between students that transcends senseless acts of suicidal fanatics regardless of their motivations.

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Students in Baghdad, where universities have been hard hit by violence, said Monday they were saddened by last week's massacre at Virginia Tech and hung up a banner to express their solidarity with "our brothers in humanity and in pursuing knowledge."

"We want to let the whole world know that we do not support terrorism anywhere," said Yassir Nazar, head of the student union at Baghdad Technology University, who organized the hanging of the banner near the campus gate.

It reads, "We, the students of Technology University, denounce the attack at Virginia Tech. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims who faced a situation as bad as Iraq's universities do. The sanctity of campuses must be protected around the world."

"We have lost many friends and professors," said Nazar. "But in spite of our wounds, we want to show our solidarity with the students of Virginia Tech who are our brothers in humanity and in pursuing knowledge."

In Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, scores of students have been killed and their campuses targeted by Iraqi insurgents who often regard universities as bastions of Western thought and political activities they oppose.

More than 200 university professors have been killed in the past few years, and thousands have fled the country to teach at universities abroad, said Basil al-Khateeb, spokesman for the Iraqi ministry of higher education. More...

One day perhaps all this senseless violence will come to an end. Hopefully, mankind will still be around to experience it when it does.

Tags: terrorism, world news, media, zz