DAVID T. JOHNSON, MINISTER
Speeches & Remarks
02-04-04 Remarks on the Anniversary of the Assassination of al-Khoei
Al-Khoei Foundation, London
April 2, 2004
A year after the tragic murder of Hojjatulislam Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei, we have an opportunity to reflect on his life and his vision for Iraq. Sayyed Abdul Majeed was a visionary thinker, a respected leader, and a devoted humanitarian. He inspired people from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and to work together to improve the lives of people around the world, and particularly in Iraq.
When Sayyed Abdul Majeed escaped Iraq after the 1991 intifadah, he led the charitable, educational and humanitarian work of the London branch of al-Khoei Foundation in the laudable work the Foundation has done since it was first established in An-Najaf by Sayyed Abdul Majeed's father, the late Grand Ayatullah Aboul Qassim al-Khoei. Sayyed Abdul Majeed became the Foundation's Secretary General, and served on its Board.
Under Sayyed Abdul Majeed's leadership, the Foundation's work reflected his commitment to human rights - a cause for which he was a powerful advocate. His fervent calls for Iraq's Ba'ath regime to respect the basic rights to which all are entitled resounded in the Iraqi community. We should be encouraged that the Iraqi people have seized the ideals he championed -equality of all without regard to religion, ethnic origin or gender; freedom of thought and speech; the rule of law - as they begin their path towards democracy.
Sayyed Abdul Majeed was also a powerful advocate of understanding and cooperation between diverse groups of people. The Al-Khoei Foundation, under his leadership, hosted several important interfaith dialogues in which Sayyed Abdul Majeed stressed that there should be no confrontation between religions. Sayyed Abdul Majeed eloquently challenged us all to rise above those things that divide us, and work towards the greater good that can only be accomplished by our joint efforts. Sayyed Abdul Majeed's death was mourned, and his leadership missed, not only by Iraqis of all groups, but by people throughout the world.
Less than six weeks before his murder, Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei wrote an article about the Iraqi desire for freedom. He wrote about the suffering of Iraqi women, children, and men living under the dictatorship of Saddam for over three decades. al-Khoei wrote of his belief that "the liberation of the Iraqi was an issue of ethics and humanity, an obligation enjoined by code of law and supported by every ethical secular system."
Sayyed Abdul Majeed returned to Najaf on April 3, 2003, to help restore hope, justice and reconciliation in this holy city. In less than a week, he helped organize a civilian council there to restore electricity and water in Najaf and had developed ambitious plans for the modernization of the city.
The murder of Sayyed Abdul Majeed was a cold-blooded and calculated act for which a dozen perpetrators are now being tried in the courts of a free Iraq. The United States is committed to working to achieve justice in this important case.
One year after the murder of Sayyed Abdul Majeed, it is clear that his message of hope, tolerance and justice resonates among the people of An-Najaf, Iraq and around the world. He, like other Iraqis, Coalition members, UN staff and others who have fallen, have given their lives to ensure a free and democratic Iraq. Their sacrifice must be honored by making real the hope for a united and diverse Iraq that Sayyed Abdul Majeed advocated so powerfully when he said, "We are looking for a new Iraq in which everyone has a share. There are differences between groups, but this is the main aim and we all agree with it. Some people think that the future of Iraq will be bad for them, but we want to forget the past and shake the hand of everyone."
As we mark the one-year anniversary of Sayyed Abdul Majeed's tragic murder, the United States recommits itself to assisting the Iraqi people to realize the vision of an Iraq that is united, peaceful, and respects the diversity of the Iraqi people --- and to working with all who share this goal.
I would now like to read a statement Secretary Powell will be releasing on this sad anniversary.
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Speeches & Remarks