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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 2, 2004 2004/363
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL
Anniversary of the Assassination of Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei
The assassination of Hojjatulislam Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei
nearly one year ago deprived the Iraqi people and the world of an activist and a
leader with an inspiring vision for the future of Iraq. Through his
leadership of the al-Khoei Foundation, Sayyed Abdul Majeed was a powerful
advocate for human rights and cooperation among communities.
Sayyed Abdul Majeed came from a distinguished family of clergy who called for
dialogue among the various faiths, not only of Iraq, but throughout the world.
Sayyed Abdul Majeed al-Khoei grew up in the holy city of Najaf, witnessing first
hand the inhumane acts of the cowardly and brutal regime of Saddam Hussein.
After leaving Najaf to live in exile in 1991, Sayyed Abdul Majeed became a
leader of the Iraqi exile community and worked hard to preserve the unity of his
country that Saddam Hussein so much tried to destroy. He returned to Najaf to
help rebuild his country shortly after Iraq's liberation. His senseless murder
last April 10th left his countrymen and his many friends deeply saddened.
As we remember Sayyed Abdul Majeed and the many other courageous Iraqis who have
died for the causes he championed, let us rededicate ourselves to assisting the
Iraqi people to build an Iraq that is democratic, independent, peaceful, and
prosperous.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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