World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August. It was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2008 to commemorate the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 aid workers.
Well, I was there on 19th August 2003. I had a late lunch in the UN headquarters, but left about half past two. About three hours later the bombing occured.
In case you are interested in details please go to … https://themuslimtimes.info/2017/08/24/glimpses-into-the-life-of-a-global-nomad-part-nine/
extract:
And that is how Sergio di Mello saved my life and lost his. It seems that Allah did not think that I should meet with him in the next world just yet.
Because on 19th August 2003 the UN Headquarters in Baghdad was blown up. Or at least they blew up the corner where my office on the ground floor and Sergio di Mello’s office on the 3rd floor were located. My friend Hussaini died instantly and I would have died instantly with him if I had been on my previous office desk.
To celebrate my survival the United Nations has nominated August 19th as the World Humanitarian Day. (or was it to remember those killed on that day?).
Of course this was a total failure of the so famous UN security team. The gates were controlled so very carefully. We had to show ID cards and all that. But outside of the wall a truck full of explosives could easily drive up to the corner of our offices!
well, please read the full details here
Glimpses into the life of a Global Nomad, Part Nine
Categories: Iraq, United Nations