Iraqis Vote from United States
by Sean Maroney

Iraqis are still celebrating their first meaningful opportunity to vote in decades—and the celebration extends to Chapel Hill. Dr. Maha Alattar, a clinical assistant professor in neurology at UNC-CH, left Iraq as a child, but now she has an opportunity to help shape the country's future from here.

Voters chose from 111 political parties and coalitions on a ballot the size of a broadsheet newspaper. In addition to the millions in Iraq—roughly 70 percent of the population—who voted, Iraqis living in 14 other countries also cast ballots.

"I drive anywhere for freedom and democra[cy]. For my country [and] my people, I don't care," said one Iraqi man voting from the United States.

Alattar traveled to Washington D.C. during the weekend to vote with her family. She said she wasn't going to miss this historic election.

"I'm 35, and I went and voted for a democratic Iraq—the first in the Arab world,” said Alattar. “It's really remarkable. And that's why I went to vote, because I want to tell my children that I voted in that election."

This election didn't come without a price. Sporadic violence—including nine suicide bombers—killed more than two dozen people.

As Alattar called her family and friends in Iraq, she says they needed only one word.

"We say congratulations, and we all know what it means,” said Alattar. “It's because we're really proud of it—to actually take the guts and go out and vote knowing that you can get bombed."

President Bush says Sunday's vote is a testament to the will of the Iraqi people.

"By participating in free elections, the Iraqi people have firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists," said Bush.

Alattar says that with U.S. support, the chance for democracy has left Iraqis feeling empowered.

“They really feel united,” said Alattar. “They truly feel it’s a new beginning. They have not only closed the past, but now they are actually looking forward to something new.”

That something is a new constitution. During the weekend, Iraqis were electing a 275 member national assembly, which is similar to a parliament. The assembly's job will be to draft a new constitution by the end of the summer.

The next Iraqis will vote again in October, and if they approve the constitution, the new government will assume power by the end of the year.