Mustafa Zaidan al‑Khaleefa

From the news reports:

The poor shopkeeper had been receiving threats from supporters of the old regime since shortly after Baghdad fell, when he and a few friends decided to set up a representative council for their neighborhood.

Though his shop was tiny, he had a degree from the state administrative institute and a background in the theory of setting up a local government. When US forces arrived in the district, they set up elections for local councils, and Mr. Khaleefa won the chairmanship.

"We forced him to quit at first, but he wouldn't stay away," says his cousin Taufik al-Khaleefa, taking a break from Mustafa's funeral. "The people wanted him and he felt he could make a difference." ...

Mohandes called his friend: "One of the real heroes of the new Iraq."

"He was so excited at the prospect of bringing democracy to Iraq," says Mohandes. "It's people like him who are going to make the difference."

CSM 07 Nov 2003