Name: Anonymous 2006-04-23 0:11
Iraqi actors killed for entertaining kids
BAGHDAD, April 22 (UPI) -- Faud Radi and Haidar Jawad, Iraqi children's entertainers, were executed by armed militias -- the new moral guardians of Baghdad.
The two actors were part of the Happy Family Team, a troupe seen on television and adored by millions of children, the Times of London reported. Their troupe was part of an 11-day festival intended to help youngsters forget Baghdad's curfews, bombings and the dangers of daily life.
The group had been threatened by gunmen who objected to drama classes the company gave to children of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, the newspaper said.
"We didn't take them seriously," said Safaa Eadi, 31, a founding member of Happy Family Team.
The troupe's building was burned down and, on the eve of the festival, Radi and Jawad were shot. Jawad died instantly and Radi was dragged from their van and beaten to death.
"What has Baghdad come to when actors are seen as the enemy?" Eadi asked.
Surviving members of the group voted unanimously to go ahead with the pageant and have vowed to carry on.
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Oh look how mighty are the brave warriors of Islam, they cut down these vile and dangerous children's entertainers without a thought for their own safety. allahu akbar! allahu akbar! allahu akbar!
BAGHDAD, April 22 (UPI) -- Faud Radi and Haidar Jawad, Iraqi children's entertainers, were executed by armed militias -- the new moral guardians of Baghdad.
The two actors were part of the Happy Family Team, a troupe seen on television and adored by millions of children, the Times of London reported. Their troupe was part of an 11-day festival intended to help youngsters forget Baghdad's curfews, bombings and the dangers of daily life.
The group had been threatened by gunmen who objected to drama classes the company gave to children of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, the newspaper said.
"We didn't take them seriously," said Safaa Eadi, 31, a founding member of Happy Family Team.
The troupe's building was burned down and, on the eve of the festival, Radi and Jawad were shot. Jawad died instantly and Radi was dragged from their van and beaten to death.
"What has Baghdad come to when actors are seen as the enemy?" Eadi asked.
Surviving members of the group voted unanimously to go ahead with the pageant and have vowed to carry on.
---------------
Oh look how mighty are the brave warriors of Islam, they cut down these vile and dangerous children's entertainers without a thought for their own safety. allahu akbar! allahu akbar! allahu akbar!