Year 2003 was a bolt form the blue for the Iraqis. A start of new era that began the saga of miseries as soon as US pulled the panic lever of ‘war on terror’ forcing Iraqis to look for the refuge away form bullets and bombs and away form the threat of losing their dear ones, somewhere close to peace. However, peace came at a cost, leaving Iraqis with no other option but to sell everything that they had…even honor had to be sold in the market to survive. Though, this market was not new in this part of the world but was different owing to the merchandise on sale.

This is the lazy story that begins in Iraq goes to Syria and again ends up in Iraq and myself being the sole witness of humanity-lost along a lane that passed through insanity to end up in wretchedness.

Yes, in this part of the world, cost to live was honor that made parents of teenager girls sunk into humiliation. But what to do when someone is at war with survival – the moral ethics are shrugged off. Our brethren went through all such humiliation and their honor, dignity and women’s virginity (girls as young as 11, 12, and 13 involved) were auctioned in the streets of Damascus – the most living example of how much people of a war ravaged county have to pay.

Refuge in Syria was never a smooth one and Iraqi women and teenagers selling themselves in Damascus nightclubs was the starting of new fallout from Iraq war. And human rights organizations got another topic to address and responsibility to met which they, as usual, failed to cater to.

However, as the situation has started improving, our war torn brothers and sisters are returning to their nests. And again, miseries never seem to end for them, for this time even surprises and shocks are waiting for them. When our brethren are coming back with the hope that they will again settle down with peace, they find the rags of their houses. They are either looted or else occupied. Perhaps no nest for the birds who once flew away and only the sky to look up to with tearful eyes.

This is the destiny of every Iraqi – loosing everything. No one else but we can understand what we people were through and are up to. When everyone in western world was celebrating New Year or Christmas sharing gifts and pleasantries, we Iraqis were gifted with the dead bodies of our near and dear ones.

The ebb and flow of refugees in search of bright and peaceful future has always resulted in desperation, wherever they went. The lull in violence and humiliation was never enough for we people to sleep a full night without fear or stigma.

Returning Iraqis have many stories of suffering to tell that they met during the refuge, but here even the scenario has not changed totally. Certainly, there is reduction in the violence but one never knows how long the streets will be serene. And it’ll not at all be an exaggeration to say that we Iraqis are firmly tied in a nuptial knot with the suffering. No end in site, no reconciliation, or denouement…only the pinnacle of miseries. Can you name it? Yes, it’s Iraq.