History was made on Sunday when Iraq held its first election since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Following the event with keen interest were Sacramento State professors, Ramzi J. Mahmood and Ayad Al-Qazzaz, who were both born and educated in Iraq. Although they share the same birthplace and both are eligible to vote, their opinions on the election are miles apart.

Al-Qazzaz, professor of sociology, teaches a Middle Eastern society and culture class. He attended the University of Baghdad located in the city where many of his brothers and sisters still reside.

“I don’t believe I have the ethical or moral right to decide the destiny of a people I’m not living with,” said Al-Qazzaz, who has lived in the United States for 42 years. “I don’t believe the majority of Iraqis living here should vote unless they have the intentions of going back.”

Mahmood also attended the University of Baghdad and in the past has been reluctant to voice his opinions for fear of retaliation on his relatives still living in Iraq, including his elderly parents. He came to the United States in 1978 on a scholarship and is now an American citizen. He has taught civil engineering at Sac State since 1994. A little over a week ago, he and his wife traveled to Irvine where they registered to vote.

“I feel it is my duty to vote,” Mahmood said. “It will not be perfect, but people learn through experience. It will take time. It will be an evolution. This is a first step.”

Both professors agreed that Hussein should have been eliminated but were against the United States going into Iraq. Sanctions imposed on Iraq hurt both their families. While Mahmood believes the election is a first step, Al-Qazzaz called it a “charade.”

“The U.S. government is spending millions of dollars to support a candidate who will wish (the troops) to stay,” Al-Qazzaz said. “When they talk about democracy, they are talking about a puppet government. It is a code word from our foreign policy.”

Al-Qazzaz believes the ballots and voting process the Iraqi interim government is using will be difficult for the citizens to use and understand.

“There are 275 names on each list,” Al-Qazzaz said. “Some don’t even list all the names for security reasons. It’s very complicated. When you go to the booth you don’t vote for the name, but for a number assigned by the committee. How do you make a distinction?”

Mahmood said each list represents a party. The percentage of votes received by each party determines how many candidates on its list will be a part of the Transitional National Assembly. Once the assembly is formed, it will draft a constitution, select a president and two deputies then ultimately choose a prime minister. There are over 100 lists of coalitions on the ballot.

Mahmood sees the biggest obstacle for the election is getting people to the polls.

“The problem I see is the level of participation because of security concerns and logistics,” Mahmood said. “They aren’t allowing any cars in the city or near polling places. This may impact the election.”

Both men feel the media misrepresents their country and the events that are happening there.

“What bothers me most is the level of simplification the media gives this issue,” Mahmood said. “It’s just not simple. Iraq has a rich history and was a very progressive country. We had the best educational and health care systems. I am really proud to say I’m a product of that system.”