LaOnf - The Iraqi Nonviolence Movement

There is a growing movement of resistance in Iraq, a movement of nonviolence, and I believe that this approach of non-violent resistance is the solution to the dilemma of how to win in Iraq. I learned about LaOnf (pronounced La-oonf) recently at the Gandhi-King nonviolence conference in Memphis, Tennessee. The conference is an annual gathering of activists and non-violence advocates who present papers and network on the subject of non-violence on an international level. The conference is held annually in Memphis, Tennessee on the campus of Christian Brothers University because this was where Arun Gandhi chose to call home. The conference is also held in Memphis in honor of the Revered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was murdered in Memphis while working to organize sanitation workers in 1968.

LaOnf is translated as non-violence in Arabic and is reflective of a growing ideological framework in Iraq that is neither pro-occupation nor pro-militia but rather is pro-peace and anti-violence. This movement is composed of organizations and individuals with different ideological and political backgrounds, gathering around the idea that non-violence is the most effective way to struggle for an independent, democratic and peaceful Iraq. This movement is not a political party nor is it an organization. It is a free gathering of people and any Iraqi who shares the same ideology is welcome to join it.

Nonviolence is a relatively old concept in international relations and world history whose roots go deep into human history. The most prominent movements for non-violence in recent history include the liberation of India from the British through non-violence led by Gandhi and the desegregation of the American South through the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Iraq is ripe for a practical non-violence movement. It is clear that American leadership in Iraq has failed and that Iraqis want the United States out of Iraq. The United States is the visible symbol of occupation in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. As the global purveyors of imperialism and militarism, the United States is not in a position to provide leadership in the formation of a new Iraqi state. LaOnf recognizes the need for resistance to occupation but provides a unique avenue to democratic self-determination through the rejection of violence.

LaOnf is a growing movement in Iraq. This movement believes that the correct solution to Iraqi self-determination is non-violent struggle, which is made real through supporting a peaceful movement of activists from throughout the nation with the support of the international community. LaOnf rejects occupation and war as a means of building democracy. As a peaceful movement of non-violent resistance, LaOnf celebrates the historical culture of non-violence in human history with a special focus on non-violence as a traditional movement within the Islamic world and the Middle East. LaOnf looks forward to becoming a major focal point in Iraq to defend the right of citizens to use non-violence as a means to struggle for democracy, equality and respect for human rights. LaOnf works to promote the widespread culture of non violence as an effective means of resistance to the occupation of Iraq.

In the waning years of the US occupation and with a new administration on the horizon in Washington D.C. it is critical at this point in history for Americans to become aware of the non-violent movement within Iraq. The current administration presses for continued US leadership in Iraq. This leadership has failed and the Iraqi experiment in democratic leadership has failed under US guidance. It is not even clear whether there is widespread support within Iraq for the current representative government. The next administration has a unique opportunity to support an indigenous movement that has the best intention for the Iraqi people at the heart of its organization. By supporting LaOnf while at the same time withdrawing US military forces from Iraq, the United States could show that it supports in principle the idea of Iraqi self-determination. By making amends and providing economic aid for reconstruction and infrastructure development, the United States could once again show that it has the best intentions of the global community at heart. LaOnf is an idea whose time has come. Non-violence and peaceful resistance to warfare and occupation is the solution to the social and humanitarian dilemma that has become the nightmare that is Iraq, and by supporting this movement the United States has an opportunity to redeem itself in the eyes of the international community.

For more information on LaOnf and the growing community of non-violent peace activists within Iraq who reject both US Occupation and Militia Rule please visit: www.laonf.net