This time, the so-called “infidels” won the hearts and minds of many Iraqis who are relentlessly sharing a YouTube video of the Australian version of Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, in which Iraqi war survivor Emanuel Kelly performs.
Emanuel, who doesn’t know his actual age because he was raised in an orphanage for disabled Iraqi children, was rescued and adopted by Children First Foundation director Moira Kelly along with his brother Ahmed after they both suffered from limb deficiencies as a result of chemical warfare in Iraq.
After I watched the clip in which Emanuel performs in the show’s auditions, all I was able to think of is how happy I am for him. He’s lucky he’s no longer in Iraq where orphans and the disabled are in most cases not treated as equal or in some cases as human beings.
Our Iraqi society, or the Arab society as a whole to be specific, has no mercy on disabled people. It’s harsh, non-accepting and degrading. Most people like Emanuel would end up being beggars on the streets.
In the non-Arab societies, however, Emanuel has a better life in Australia where there is a great deal of respect for humanity. In advanced societies, the disabled are considered different only by the way they look. They are still talented and useful to build the society.
On several occasions, I have come across disabled people working in some of the busiest jobs. The Apple stores in the US, for example, do not discriminate against the disabled. I was helped a few times by blind and deaf employees and an employee whose hands were missing most of their fingers.
Now imagine that in Iraq! The successive wars created hundreds of thousands of Emanuels. What is happening to them when even the healthiest Iraqis can’t find jobs?
I’m very proud of Kelly who made Emanuel and his brother Ahmed see the light of life again after being buried alive in Iraq. I’m very thankful that she paved the road for them to expose their talents and be confident of themselves.
Those who call non-Muslims “infidels” should go to hell. Those “infidels” should be rewarded for making humanity meaningful, not death and blood tainted.
Here is a video of Emanuel’s audition:
And here is an interview with Emanuel after the show:
After I watched the clip in which Emanuel performs in the show’s auditions, all I was able to think of is how happy I am for him. He’s lucky he’s no longer in Iraq where orphans and the disabled are in most cases not treated as equal or in some cases as human beings.
Our Iraqi society, or the Arab society as a whole to be specific, has no mercy on disabled people. It’s harsh, non-accepting and degrading. Most people like Emanuel would end up being beggars on the streets.
In the non-Arab societies, however, Emanuel has a better life in Australia where there is a great deal of respect for humanity. In advanced societies, the disabled are considered different only by the way they look. They are still talented and useful to build the society.
On several occasions, I have come across disabled people working in some of the busiest jobs. The Apple stores in the US, for example, do not discriminate against the disabled. I was helped a few times by blind and deaf employees and an employee whose hands were missing most of their fingers.
Now imagine that in Iraq! The successive wars created hundreds of thousands of Emanuels. What is happening to them when even the healthiest Iraqis can’t find jobs?
I’m very proud of Kelly who made Emanuel and his brother Ahmed see the light of life again after being buried alive in Iraq. I’m very thankful that she paved the road for them to expose their talents and be confident of themselves.
Those who call non-Muslims “infidels” should go to hell. Those “infidels” should be rewarded for making humanity meaningful, not death and blood tainted.
Here is a video of Emanuel’s audition:
And here is an interview with Emanuel after the show:
