By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF, Associated Press Writer 2 minutes ago
CAIRO, Egypt - A Sunni insurgent coalition in Iraq announced Monday the appointment of an education minister to the group's so-called 10-member "Islamic Cabinet," set up in April to challenge the Iraqi government.
In a statement posted on an Islamic Web site, the Islamic State of Iraq, made up of eight insurgent groups, including al-Qaida in Iraq, said its leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi chose Mohammed Khalil al-Badria for the education position.
Al-Baghdadi tasked al-Badria with "protecting our sons against moral and ideological deviation and raising a new generation of sons of Islam based on true Islamic teachings and away from the filth of secular tenets."
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified, but it was published by an Islamic Web forum that usually carries announcements by militant groups.
The formation of the Cabinet in April was meant to present the Islamic State of Iraq as a "legitimate" alternative to the U.S.-backed, Shiite-led administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — and to demonstrate that it was only growing in power despite the U.S. military push against insurgents.
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Dangerous area
According to Haydar, since January 2006 the number of blood donors has been decreasing as the level of violence has increased in the Bab al-Muadham District of Baghdad where the INCBD has its premises.
“The centre is located in one of the most dangerous areas of the capital and people are scared to take the risk
but we have to continue with our appeal,” Haydar said. “We have asked the Ministry of Interior to reinforce security in the district to allow people to donate blood in safety, but the presence of different militias has brought fear.”
The centre has issued many appeals for blood donations in the past three years but according to officials the problem is now critical.
Abu Muhammad Farez, 41, has been donating blood to the centre for the past eight years but he has told IRIN that this will be his last time as security has been deteriorating and he cannot take any more risks.
“To reach the centre I was stopped at checkpoints manned by militias and local police… Because I have a long beard they accused me of being a supporter of the insurgents,” Farez said. “I know it is ridiculous but they didn’t believe that someone was in that area to help other Iraqis rather than kill them.”
“Unfortunately I will stop donating until I feel secure enough to return to the centre,” Farez added.
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