Iraqi writers demand gov’t treat famous poet Mohammed Ali al-Khafajy

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Writers in southwestern Iraq’s holy city of Karbala have called on the Iraqi government and the Province’s local administration to take urgent steps to treat the famous Iraqi Poet and Writer, Mohammed Ali al-Khafajy, suffering from kidney failure in both of his kidneys.   “Due to the sufferings of the great Iraqi poet and theater writer, Mohammed Ali al-Khafajy, from poor health conditions, forcing him to stay in bed, the Iraqi Writers are demanding the Iraqi government and the Prime Minister in person, along with Karbala’s local administration to accelerate steps to treat Poet Khafajy,” a statement by Karbala Writers Union said on Sunday.   “Poet Khafajy is facing bad health conditions, and any delays in his treatment may worsen the situation,” the Union’s statement pointed out.  “Karbala Writers hope for a response to their demands to treat Khafaji, being a writers symbol for Karbala, Iraq and the Arab Homeland. His treatment at the expense of the Iraqi government shall be a real achievement reflecting its attention and care for writers and cultural symbols of Iraq,” the statement noted.   Poet Khafajy, on his part, told IraqiNews.com news agency by telephone that “he has been suffering from kidney failure in both of his kidneys for a long time. He has not wanted to announce it, and plans to leave for Turkey to carry out an operation, after the failure of treatment inside Iraq.”   “I have lost all my property, but the operation did not succeed, and I returned back home to stay in bed,” Khafajy said, expressing gratitude for all Iraqi Writers and mass media who followed his case, saying that he “is in debt for Great Iraq, as he felt through such contacts that what he wrote for Iraq had ‘given fruit for his tree of love.”   The first poem written by Khafajy was when he was a third year primary pupil. By the time he was a secondary student in 1956, his first poem was read over Baghdad Radio Station, followed by several other pieces of literature.   Khafajy had written several theatrical literature, among them “Hussein comes again,” in a hint to Prophet Mohammed’s Grandson, Martyr Imam Hussein, in 1967, “Morning has reached Shehrazad” in 1972, “When dancers are tired, the hall dances,” in 1973, and several other pieces.   Khafajy has also received several Iraqi and Arab prizes.   Karbala city is 108 km to the south of Baghdad.   SKH (TF)/SR 1496