Hamid Ali Alkifaey: Save Iraq's cradle of civilisation

Iraq is an important country. It is important historically, because it is the country where the first law, the Hamurabi code, was enacted thousands of years ago. Iraq is where writing was first discovered 5,000 years ago at Uruk, and where the seventh wonder of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, is situated.

Iraq is an important country. It is important historically, because it is the country where the first law, the Hamurabi code, was enacted thousands of years ago. Iraq is where writing was first discovered 5,000 years ago at Uruk, and where the seventh wonder of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, is situated.

It is important culturally because Iraq was the centre of the Islamic empire, and Arab civilisation for hundreds of years. Iraq is where science and culture prospered, where Arabic language has its two distinguished schools, Kufa and Basra, and where one of the oldest universities in the world was built, al-Mustansiriyya University in Baghdad.

It is important economically because it has mineral resources such as oil and gas, that are vital to world's prosperity. It is also important religiously, as it has the oldest established church in the world, the Church of the East, founded by St Thomas, one of Christ's 12 disciples. In addition, it has numerous Islamic holy sites such as Karbala, Najaf, Baghdad, and Samara. The holy city of Najaf is the study centre of theology for the world's 150 million Shi'as.

This very important country has been hijacked by a gang of terrorists led by Saddam Hussain. The world owes it to Iraq, the birthplace of Abraham, Noah, Hamurabi and many great scientists, poets and philosophers for many of its great inventions and intellectual advances. Is it not right that the international community act to save this country, and its ancient people, from the terrorists? It is time to reclaim Iraq from the terrorists.