From the author: People from the Middle East and North Africa have a special place in my heart. Though all of these countries are unique, there is something universal and profound about their hospitality and their love for all things beautiful; music, food, customs and poetry. (Just to name a few.) On a warm day in Spring in Southern California, Hisham Ali opens up about his time in the Iraqi army and his new life in the United States as an actor and real estate agent.
“I envisioned myself becoming a professional soccer player until I was about 17 years old. My father was in the Army and a few uncles of mine were officers as well and so was my grandfather. Growing up, I saw my dad with a uniform most of the time. My father told me: “Find a normal job, I want you to enjoy your life. You don’t have to go into the army to become something.” I had seen him as an army man all his life. We were used to it and he was in a good position. He earned the respect of the other officers and his position was valued & protected. That’s why I proceeded to become an officer. Being in the army comes with a lot of obligations, you don’t have much freedom to do what you want. My father warned me I would get stuck with the uniform all my life. My time ended up being different than his, because he served during the war between Iran and Iraq for eight years. He got injured three times and he truly felt mentally and physically tired of one war after the next.
“The first unit that I served in Iraq, was called Baghdad Brigade at the International Zone and was under US control.”
In the beginning, you don’t know what’s going to happen or where you’re going to be deployed, since you don’t have the right to speak a preference. In the army you’ll receive orders all your life. So this is what happened. My dad said: “From now on, you are not living for yourself. You’ll be serving this country and executing orders.” After I graduated from the academy I received the news to serve in Baghdad, so I was blessed to stay close to the family for a few years. I witnessed other people that had to serve hundreds of miles away from home at that time and wouldn’t see their families for months. That’s very tough. When you serve in different states, traveling is very challenging. We had to be enormously cautious. You have to be sure who you’re talking to, which roads you take, it was all very unstable and unsafe. The first unit that I served in Iraq, was called Baghdad Brigade at the International Zone and was under US control. It had 7 gates and there were many different departments in the green zone. People would go in and out every day, all day. We were working together at that time and they were training our soldiers on how to handle military convoys: entrance and exit from the green zone, searches with canines and how to manage your unit. We all had a lot of responsibility because it was a sensitive zone and it was a lot of work. We served 12 hour shifts at each gate, the Americans as well until we fully took over in 2011.
“Most of the officers that I served with, were killed. They didn’t die during the war but on vacation or they were attacked at home!”
In 2003 the end of major combat battles was announced in Iraq and the war with Saddam’s regime was ‘over’. An order was signed to disband the Iraqi army and intelligence services and the US military started to build a new Iraqi government. And in 2004, they began forming a new army. They invited Saddam’s army leaders to assist in building it. That’s the time we joined; after Saddam’s reign. My father joined as a colonel at that time as he worked together with the US military. The war was over but there were other battles between the US Army and some groups that were attacking them day and night. We didn’t know who they were but they would attack them on the highway. We were facing the same risk because we served at the same base.
Most of the officers that I served with, were killed. They didn’t die during the war but on vacation or they were attacked at home! All of us had this risk. Our family lost three houses that way; including the house I grew up in. We aren’t perceived as officers in the Iraqi army; they look at you as an officer working with the US military troops, which makes you a traitor. Later on, I transferred to Baghdad Airport. This base provided us housing. If you can’t go back to your city or your town, you can bring your family to the military base and stay there so you don’t have to go outside as much and risk being killed. My family didn’t like feeling stuck there, but it was safer. You can’t protect yourself aside from being cautious. I lost a friend of mine this way when he went home for only 3 days after being at the base for months. A bomb was placed under his car and the explosion was set off with a remote control. We all carried a little mirror to check our cars. We were anxious. We had cameras around the house. It’s very sad to lose people, you get close to them when you’re serving together for a long time. I did have anxiety but at present I’m comfortable, especially with my life right now and the environment that I’m in. It’s a blessing. Everything changed for the better but still, when you think about the past, you feel sad. It has had a big impact on my life.
Generally, it seems that Western people seem to associate Iraq with Afghanistan in the same breath. I don’t know why. Speaking as an Iraqi citizen: I promise you we didn’t know what terrorists were or why they did what they did on 9/11. Yes, the Saddam regime created peace based on maintaining a state of fearfulness within people, but it was a safe environment nonetheless. Now, when the term “Iraqi” is mentioned, people still think about terrorists because they connect us to the twin towers. That’s the label we got. The terrorists that attacked the USA were not from Iraq. None of them were. We were invaded with the Authorization of Use of Military Force (AUMF) under the narrative that our country had weapons of mass destruction. Which turned out to be false.
“Thankfully, tourism is growing and you witness more people visiting Iraq, taking pictures and even making documentaries.”
The biggest misunderstanding about Iraq is how it’s made up. There are many different religions and cultures in my home country, including Jews and Christians. Iraq has a diverse environment, an incredibly rich history since it’s also the cradle of civilization. I would like to speak of how beautiful my people are. My people are very intelligent, educated, kind and peaceful. They just love life. Whatever happened in the past, when you see them, they’re smiling. There is sadness in every house, because you can feel that everyone has lost somebody in the wars but they are still generous. Thankfully, tourism is growing and you witness more people visiting Iraq, taking pictures and even making documentaries. This will slowly but surely improve the narrative of the past and create a new image. If you travel to any of the countries in the Middle East, the generosity you will see is something very special.
“Ever since the start of this journey, we encountered one war after another- nonstop. I needed some peace.”
A friend of mine had family in Chicago and he asked me to come visit them. The Iraqi Embassy gave me a VISA for the United States. I had never been there before and I didn’ inform the army of my trip. It takes a very long time to get permission. He couldn’t come with me but his wife welcomed me and showed me the city. I stayed for about 10 days. After that there were many things for me to consider. After a year of war, I realized it wasn’t going to end any time soon. This was from 2013 to 2014. The Iraqi government was at war with ISIS because they had taken over the city of Fallujah. It was a huge mess. I had renewed my VISA and a friend of mine said: “You know what, go over to the United States because if you don’t try, you will lose this opportunity. Maybe, this is your chance.” I felt very guilty because I was an officer. I had responsibilities. I have a family, yet I knew that in the United States the door would unlock to become something. Ever since the start of this journey, we encountered one war after another- nonstop. I needed some peace. One of the officers encouraged me to do it and take action. My father told me that it’s my choice: “I cannot decide what you should do with your life, so whatever you do, I respect it.” Though, I knew that in his heart, he didn’t want me to leave because I’m the only son but he understood I would be safe there and could have a normal life as a civilian.
One day, before getting ready for another mission I took a little nap and I had a vision of Lord Christ. He was wearing all white and he was waving with his arms to signal me to go into a certain direction. I opened my eyes and I knew: I’m leaving. I’m not staying. That was really something. Afterwards my mother called me and said: “I have the feeling if you go join the war this time, you will not return.” So, I left for the United States. All the people that I served with, they’re dead now including the guy who encouraged me to come here, he was killed in the battle of Mosul with ISIS. I felt so bad that they died out there and I’m here. I need to do something with my life in order to appreciate this sacrifice. I started a new journey, one that has value.
It was hard to take off the uniform. People treat and talk to you differently when you wear it. It was attached to my personality. Even when I went home, I would have to speak differently. There, I’m not an officer but I’m a husband, father, or son. When I arrived in America I needed to change the way I think. Some people would ask me: “Are you in the army? Have you served before?” They would tell me that it’s the way I hold myself, the way I walk and talk. It comes from discipline, honestly. I expected people to respect me especially at a young age. I carried a lot of expectations. It was a really heavy character to carry. I seeked healing and I learned I should focus on who I am, not my position. Even when I joined acting school, they would remind me I’m not an officer anymore; we can still see it in your face and hear it in your tone. It took a long time.
It was my wife that suggested I do some modeling in 2018. I found an on camera acting school in Chicago. I found it very interesting and fun. I’m still working on my craft and my brand with a coach in New York. Now I’m close to Los Angeles, so I can go back and forth for auditions and make more connections.
“In essence, I’m talking about freedom of our personal time, of our wellbeing. By committing so much of your time to a company that underpays you, you’re signing away your life.”
So many things are different in America. The food, the culture, the mindset. In Iraq, you cannot work more than five hours. I mean, you can if you want, but it’s not a custom. You feel like the people you connect with are more relaxed. When I came here none of it made any sense. People work 12 hours every day, all their lives. They work overtime to cover their bills, expenses, and credit cards. That’s half of your life! You still have to sleep, so what time is left for yourself or your family? They get two weeks vacation per year! I was shocked. I couldn’t live like this, it’s not healthy. It’s a form of slavery.
I was fortunate to have my wife by my side who’s really a smart lady; she’s very educated. My partner knows my personality and my background. She encouraged me to venture into real estate: to invest in becoming financially free. The goal is to have your assets work for you, while you sleep. I’m still new to the business but think along the lines of: flipping houses, wholesale deals, Airbnb rentals, multi-family properties, commercial buildings. You don’t have to have money to start real estate. You can leverage other people’s money. In essence, I’m talking about freedom of our personal time, of our wellbeing. By committing so much of your time to a company that underpays you, you’re signing away your life. It’s also highly likely that after your retirement you’re still going to have to work. Real estate is a good way to achieve financial freedom. My business is growing and I love to share this information with people, because so many are struggling to pay the bills. Currently, they’re stuck in the rat-race. I want to assist them on their journey so they, too, can become free. 
The more you serve, the more you get. My religion has many meaningful things such as honesty, respect for other people and their religions. We learn respect for older people and to have integrity, generosity and to always offer help to others.
“I’ve seen so many people lose their opportunities because of war or worse yet, they lost the most valuable thing: their life. We need love and we need to enjoy life while it’s here.”
I still have my faith as Muslim but my energy changed when my environment changed. My family, my wife and her family, were teaching me something that I recognized in my heart. The energy, the environment, and the universe can affect the outcome of things. When I believe in something, I imagine it, write it down and focus on it. Then I put out the intention and see it come to life. If not today, then probably tomorrow or next month. This gave me different thoughts and beliefs. I realized there is something powerful beside faith and religion. It’s energy, and you have to work with it. I did more research and I was also blessed that my mother-in-law is a healing facilitator and a spiritual teacher. One day she wanted to have a conversation with me but she wasn’t sure if I was ready. She was cautious because everyone comes from a different set of beliefs. She said: “Some get offended with my work, are in disbelief or they’re simply shocked.” She explained to me that she works with the angels and the divine and the higher realms. After which, I was intrigued and joined a school in San Diego called the Spiritual Art Institute. I started this journey almost six years ago. There was a mission. I had to move into a different direction because I felt a purpose within that.
Another acquaintance came over to our house once. She was a good friend of my mother in law. She is clear-voyant. She predicted I would start an ex-military themed podcast! She suggested I would start helping soldiers with their state of mind, communicate their stories and share advice on how to regain strength in this life. Truly, when she told me this, I disagreed internally because my intentions were set on becoming a movie actor. I didn’t want to make a podcast! She proceeded to tell me that something is going to shift in your life; someone will knock on your door and will want to create a movie about it. Every story can potentially be its own short/film or movie. In the military you’ll find hundreds of stories. I was resistant to the idea but life and its circumstances are slowly leading me into it. Even this interview. I want to speak about my journey out loud and give it to the public so people will hear it! It could benefit me. Not financially speaking but it will make me feel proud about my life. Perhaps my family and friends will also better understand my journey because I had a unique life.
People forget who they are because life took their joy away from them. They complain and become negative. From my perspective: I’ve seen so many people lose their opportunities because of war or worse yet, they lost the most valuable thing: their life. We need love and we need to enjoy life while it’s here. Lot’s of folks with money are unhappy. We need to be grateful for what we have. Some type of financial issue or physical condition is still a blessing because it is a lesson that will propel you to a different level. Whatever cards God has given people; the challenges in their life are all meant to improve us. It’s meant to build a stronger character and to evolve unto a higher level.”
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Notes & Quotes:
شكرا لك على قراءة قصته
بقلم أندارا
You breathe out the music of mourning. #ENHEDUANNA
Living in war is co-existence with death. #ZainabSalbi
Baghdad travel vlog 2023
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Written by ANDARA