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Correction appended

When UCLA law Professor Stephen Bainbridge first heard about the “Books for Baghdad” campaign he saw the chance for individual Americans, regardless of their views about the war, to contribute to peace in Iraq.

The “Books for Baghdad” campaign is a drive to send college textbooks and supplies from the United States to universities in Iraq.

Putting politics aside, Bainbridge joined hundreds of other university faculty and community members from across the nation collecting textbooks to send to Baghdad University.

“Certainly as an academic, helping to restore an academic library was something that was very attractive,” said Bainbridge, who compiled about 40 books on law to donate.

In addition, Bainbridge e-mailed colleagues and posted messages on his weblog, informing others of the project.

Safaa Al-Hamdani, a biology professor at Jacksonville State University in Alabama graduated from Baghdad University in 1977. In April 2004 he initiated the “Books for Baghdad” drive to help his alma mater in Iraq.

Education and health were neglected during former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s regime, so universities lack up-to-date textbooks and supplies, Al-Hamdani said.

“I graduated from Baghdad. I think I owe it to them to do something,” Al-Hamdani said.

“Plus it’s the American way – to help others,” he added.

Al-Hamdani’s awareness of the desperate state of the education system in Iraq became even more acute when he presented two seminars in 2001 at Yarmouk University in Jordan as a Fulbright Scholar – part of a competitive study-abroad program for students and faculty sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

In addition, Al-Hamdani said he has been trying to send textbooks and scholarly magazines to Iraq for years. But, at the time, packages of texts weighing more than 13 ounces were not accepted in Iraq.

Now, following the war, Al-Hamdani said he has the opportunity to send textbooks and scholarly journals.

With the unexpectedly high level of participation in the program, Al-Hamdani has expanded the project to include aid to the University of Al-Munspansyriah in Iraq. Depending on the donations to come, the program may help other universities in Iraq as well.

“The involvement of the people from coast to coast has become overwhelming,” he said.

The “Books for Baghdad” campaign has attracted support from university faculty to young community members, including Adam Huller of Jacksonville, Alabama, a 14-year-old boy scout.

Huller, who heard about the drive from his father, volunteered to stand in front of a local Wal-Mart store, collecting money for the project. He collected about $2,000.

Al-Hamdani and the ad hoc committee of teachers established at the Jacksonville university are asking for college textbooks printed in the last five years, particularly in the subject areas of math, science, medicine and technology. These subjects are taught in English in Iraq, making contributions of textbooks written in English valuable.

The committee is also accepting school supplies and monetary donations to help pay for shipping costs and to send to Iraq.

Donations are mailed to Al-Hamdani at the Jacksonville university. Committee members may also consider picking up donations.

Both Al-Hamdani and Bainbridge agree that this campaign can help build a peaceful and understanding relationship with the Iraqi people.

In addition, Bainbridge feels that economic benefits may result.

“Education will help promote the economy over there and people that see a good economic future are less likely to follow extremists,” he said.

The committee at Jacksonville State University will continue collecting donations into fall quarter. Also, due to the large volume of donations thus far, a shipping company must be contracted.

Correction: August 2, 2004, Monday

In “Book donation program aids Iraqi universities,” (News, July 26) Al-Mustansiriya was misspelled.

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