Student Spotlight: Anmar Jerjees

When we look at the broad, scant overview of contemporary politics incorporated in

the high school curriculum, we find many topics not covered about the modern world. For
many of us, assumptions fill in these gaps which give way to false ideals and stereotypes
about various peoples and places. So it is possible that teenagers in our own school may
have similar misconceptions about people in the very country that our nation has occupied
for nearly seven yearsIraq. When asked what they knew about the Iraqi society, nearly all
students responded by saying, The people are all Muslim or Al Quaeda resides there.
Not so, and it is because of these results that I interviewed Amnar Jerjees, an Iraqi citizen
who moved to the United States nearly two years ago.
I came to the United States to escape from terrorists who were targeting my
family, said Jerjees. In 2003, when the United States occupied Iraq, Anmars parents took
jobs to work as translators for the United States Army. After eight months, his aunt was
murdered by a small terrorist faction who later informed the family that the intended
target was actually his mother.
We were targeted for being Christian and working for the United States, said
Jerjees. In Iraq, Christians comprise less than three percent of the population, Muslims
dominating the population. They are one of the oldest living Christian communities. The
overall dispersal of Iraqi citizens since is called the Iraqi Diaspora, which began early in
the regime of Saddam Hussein and continued through to 2007. The UN High Commission
for Refugees has estimated that nearly two million Iraqis have fled the country in recent
years, mostly to Syria and Jordan. Half of them are Christians, most of who were fleeing
systematic persecution and have no desire to return. Vulnerable to the radical Muslim
militia without a militia of their own, more than half of the Christian inhabitants in Iraq left
within the past seven years. Almost every familys plight was instigated by tragic
encounters with radical Muslim factions similar to those experienced by the Jerjees family.

The Jerjees family consequently moved to Syria and later back to Mosul, the city in
northern Iraq where he lived before, when it showed signs of improvement.
Despite ht improvement, four days before Christmas in 2004, terrorists notified the
family that Amnars uncle was being held for a $40,000 ransom. After the ransom was
negotiated to half of the original sum, he was returned safely. For another year the family
received more threats until extended family members in Sweden persuaded them to move
elsewhere. The Jerjees moved back to Syria for two years and arrived to the United States
in February of 2009.
Refugees are normally mired in poverty as they are generally barred from working
in their host countries. Anmar and his family, under special circumstances regarding their
relationship with the United States were allowed to become American citizens.
I thought that Americans might think I was a terrorist because Im from Iraq,
Jerjees laughed, but Ive been getting along really well. Ive made a lot of friends here. At
St. Gabriels Parish, Anmar plays soccer, the most popular sport in Iraq, often noted as a
considerable uniting factor during years of war and unrest.
In Iraq, Jerjees began learning English in fifth grade, receiving support at home
from his parents. Eventually he became the third best English student in Damascus.
Recounting school in Mosul, Jerjees said, Teachers are allowed to beat the students if they
misbehave. Even if one person is talking, sometimes everyone would be punished.
In some parts of Iraq, risk of terrorist attacks in public places is high and it is necessary for
armed forces to safeguard these areas. I remember a time when I was at recess during
elementary school there were snipers on our schools roof that began firing at some
suspicious men around the area. I was terrified especially when I saw a bullet hit the wall
one foot away from my friends leg said Jerjees.

Like many new Americans, Jerjees has a great appreciation of our basic civil liberties. If
there is anything I would like to express to people at Charlotte Catholic, its to recognize
how lucky we are to live in a country where our families are safe and we dont have to
worry about religious discrimination or persecution for how we live our lives. Living in
such a secure nation as the United States allows many of us to distance ourselves from the
struggles playing out abroad. What should I say here?
In recent times the Diaspora seems to be reversing with the increased security of the last
few months, and the Iraqi government claims that so far 46,000 refugees have returned to
their homes in October 2007 alone. Few Christians plan to return.
Iraq is my home no matter what said Jerjees. I still maintain my Iraqi citizenship and Im
proud of it, but I dont think I will ever live there again. God prepared me to come to the
U.S. and Im very happy to be living here and going to this school.

Picture Caption: Anmar (middle) and his family