Mohammed Qassim plays the violin — a beautiful 19th century violin that he bought in Czechoslovakia 25 years ago and has treasured ever since. But in a raid on his apartment building by U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, his priceless instrument was taken out of its case and smashed to pieces.
“The whole apartment was in a complete mess,” said Qassim, his face twisted in pain. “It reflected some basic hatred by these people. Some extremist soldier says, ‘What’s this?’ and then goes, ‘Bang! Bang! Bang!’ and just leaves it.”
Qassim picked up the splintered remnants of his lovely violin, which he still keeps inside its case. He cannot bear to throw it away, though it’s beyond repair.
Music Struggles to Drown Out War in Iraq (ABC, via TMN)
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