The Art of Resistance: Defending Academic Freedom since 1933 | Page 78

At that time, I was shocked to learn of the kidnapping and
killing of my relative, the gentle and brilliant academic Dr. Safaa
Hafiz in Iraq. Later Iraq was invaded (2003), forcing thousands of
prominent academics to suffer destitution, hunger, imprisonment
and assassination. Now when I contemplate Yasemin’s painting
Loss I recall the saying: “Sense with your hands the souls of those
you meet and when you find a wound, pour your love inside it.”
Mahmoud Al-Bayaty
Iraqi writer living in exile in Sweden, 25 October 2013

On the Term of Exile
No need to drive a nail into the wall
To hang your hat on;
When you come in, just drop it on the chair
No guest has sat on.
Don’t worry about watering the flowers
In fact, don’t plant them.
You will have gone back home before they bloom,
And who will want them?
bertolt brecht

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The Art of Resistance? Defending Academic Freedom