About “Prison of Mosul”

A simple and coherent narrative of captivity

Elham Saleh
Translated by Natalie Haghverdian

2016-5-1

Eight years of life is compiled in a book; every second of these eight years is fraught with suffering. Eight years of suffering is narrated to give a glimpse of memories that words can’t describe. Prison of Mosul is the story of Ali Asghar Robat Jazi and his eight years of captivity in Iraq designed in 8 chapters.

Selection of 8 chapters for this book is targeted and the author has chosen the term “gate” for each chapter and explains: eight has a special status in our religious and national literature and is the symbol of freedom and liberty. It might be the reason why the war took eight years and the most prominent tower in Iran is built octagonal and is named the tower of liberty. In ancient mythology “eight” symbolizes emancipation and liberation. Rostam, the hero of the Shahnameh, after defeating seven readers, sets foot on the eighth reader of victory.

The fact that the narrator is born in the city where the Shrine of Imam Reza is located[1] and eight years of captivity in Iraq are other reasons for selection of eight chapters.

Book chapters, evoking the narrator passing through the gates of life, are titled "gateway" which is acceptable considering the mentality of the author and the reasons stated above; however the chapters are only titled gateways characterized with numbers. Consideration of an elaborating title signifying the subject of each chapter would have been more illuminating.

The first gateway represents childhood, family, life in Robatjaz village, residents of the village and migration to Tehran. Complementary information is provided by the end of each chapter. For instance, in the first chapter detailed information on parental families and even age of siblings is indicated along with terms with which the reader might not be acquainted. Such information is not included as footnotes but stated in the content; however indicated with a different and small size font.

The second chapter covers Robatjazi’s life in Tehran; attendance of school; high school education and his fight against Pahlavi regime.

The third chapter continues with his fight against Pahlavi and distribution of fliers including statements of Imam Khomeini. This chapter starts with the resistance fights in 1977 and ends with the victory of Revolution: “Aroma of freedom was everywhere. We marched slowly and delivered the tank to Geographical Organization of the army. They had conquered the garrison. Ghassr garrison was under our control along with the Geographical Organization. It was like a dream.”

Victory of the Revolution, the days after, teaching in “Bashar Hagh” school, marriage and deployment to the fronts are topics of the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter narrates the story of deployment to DoKuheh garrison, Allah Akbar garrison, Moharram operation, being wounded and captivity.

The sixth chapter describes interrogations and transfer to the camps called “Captives’ Cage” by Iraqis.

The seventh chapter covers the incidents in Mosul 2 camp and six months economic, political, social blockade in the camp; initiatives of the captives to endure their years of captivity including storytelling and matches and crosswords; suffering ulcer, pain and sickness, Imam Khomeini passing away and its emotional impact among captives and the news of freedom in summer of 1990 are all described. The impact of letter correspondence is also included in this chapter: “We lived with letters. Those who have not lived in exile can’t understand the feeling. But this was the reality of captivity. It wasn’t only me; many other captives lived with their letters. I used to read them over and over again when I missed home. I used to travel to my city in my mind and visit everywhere and everyone.”

The eight gateway describes freedom and return and follows the course to the present day. Just like the picture presented in “Documents and Evidence”; the words of the narrator follow the time and reach the days of teaching in “Abr Poush” school and the biography of his children.

“New Ray” is the chapter of a new life that the narrator started upon passing the eight gateways. It is in fact a white page.

The “Documents and Evidence” chapter includes pictures of the fellow combatants of Robatjazi along with definitions for the audience to share the experiences of the narrator. These definitions clearly state the ambiance of those days. There is also a picture of Akram Molayi, the wife of the narrator with a letter she wrote him stating: Deloved Asghar, this is a picture taken in front of Imam Reza’s shrine. Summer of 1984, one week before the schools start we went there with couple of friends. It was painful that you were not there. We have been there together before. Every step of the way I could see you.”

The fact that there is a typed version of the letter is very important; there are other letters in the book that the typed version is not included.

The last entry in Documents and Evidence includes a picture of Ali Asghar Robatjazi in summer of 2015 which links those days of the narrator with his present days.

There is a Reference section in Prison of Mosul which includes all books, publications, documents, interviews and virtual references.

Normally virtual sources are not included; however they are indicated for bailment.

Prison of Mosul is a simple and coherent narrative about one of the captives in the Iraq imposed war against Iran. There are interesting issues in this narrative. There are Arabic quotations in the book to create a closer attachment between the audience and the book which also is an evidence of proof and makes the book more interesting: The translator was staring at me and wasn’t simultaneously translating. The Iraqi officer lost his patience and ordered the translator to translate. He translated only a part of what I had said. The officer got angry. Put his foot on my wounded foot and pressing it he said in Arabic: Do you want me to slaughter you right here?

The book could have had a better cover using a better design instead of a low quality picture.

Prison of Mosul integrates suffering with light of hope. Ali Asghar Robatjazi tried to keep his spirit up during years of captivity. Letter correspondence with his wife would create a wave of hope for both of them; correspondence was maintained during all years of captivity. He would recount messages of hope trying to revive hope in himself of those of others. These contents are printed at the end of the book.