MUSCAT, 17 February 2003 — Women of 16 different nationalities took to the streets of the Omani capital yesterday to denounce US plans to invade Iraq, in the first all-female rally in the sultanate’s history.
It was a volunteer effort on the part of some 80 like-minded women, angered by the drums of war being beaten by Washington and London and inspired by the worldwide anti-war demonstrations.
Placard-carrying participants shouted slogans to drive home the message that “war destroys families and turns children into orphans,” as they paraded through the posh Shati-ul-Qurum seaside quarter of Muscat.
Siw Rantapaa-Buring, a Swede living in Oman for the past 16 years, said that it was the first time she was taking part in a demonstration. “That only shows how strongly I feel about the US plans to attack Iraq,” said the 55-year-old.
“There is no other way for us to display our dislike for war which in this case can bring about untold catastrophe for no rhyme or reason.”
Jane Jaffer, a social worker, said war was no solution. “We, the women, implore the governments of the world to strive for peace for the sake of our parents, husbands, brothers, sisters and friends.”
An Omani woman, who preferred anonymity, said “history will never forgive the aggressor”, noting that war would be an “expression of sheer arrogance and high-handedness by the world’s sole super-power.”
Brigitte Azhari, a German married to a Syrian, said a petition signed by all the women, was sent to the US and British ambassadors. “We are not anti-American, we are anti-war,” said the mother of three.
“There is no cause worth dying for or killing innocent people. The only path to peace is through negotiation, developing empathy and understanding for ourselves and others,” she said, quoting the petition.
The rally took place a day after more than 10 million people said “no” to war in protests worldwide. (AFP)
