Eyes Wide Open, Columbus, Ohio: June 12-14, 2006
by ciaospirit
Eyes Wide Open, The Human Cost of the War in Iraq exhibit was set up on the lawn of the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, June 12-14, 2006. The anti-war, non-violent action group American Friends Service Committee brought the event to Columbus. Local churches hosted the event, particularly the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. The following is my photo experience over the three days. I did a video interview with Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) which proved very interesting, as well as interviews with some of the organizers, and some protesters.
-- ciaospirit, Columbus Ohio
(Note: though this report is being hosted on zombietime, all the pictures and commentary are by ciaospirit, not by zombie.)
Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) spoke at the Eyes Wide Open event. I caught up with him to ask a few questions. Here's a videotaped report of what he had to say, in five parts.
In Part 1, Dr. Al-Akhras outlines his message which is bring the troops home. He states that we are sending our women and children to die for an illegal war:
CAIR representative Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Part 1.
In Part 2, Dr. Al-Akhras says the U.S. lied about WMDs, and the U.S. is causing the deaths in Iraq, not the terrorists. He believes Iraq is "none of our business" and it's a "mad war." And he has a question for all of you:
CAIR representative Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Part 2.
During Part 3, Dr. Al-Akhras states that it is not true that Muslims are killing other Muslims in Iraq, and, at first, states that 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed, until that number is challenged by me:
CAIR representative Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Part 3.
The Part 4 segment of the interview with Dr. Al-Akhras includes an explanation of Sharia Law. I asked him if he wanted Sharia Law, but he wouldn't answer that. He explained that Sharia is the preservation of the sanctity of life and the preservation of honor. Dr. Al-Akhras also makes an appeal to the viewers:
CAIR representative Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Part 4.
In the final segment of the interview with Dr. Al-Akhras, he states that we must be ashamed and we should apologize about what we are doing, and he asks me if I'm happy. Check it out:
CAIR representative Dr. Ahmad Al-Akhras, Part 5.