Memorial meeting in London for martyr Kamil Shiaa

A memorial meeting for the prominent Iraqi intellectual and Communist, Kamil Shiaa, was held in London on Sunday 31 August 2008. The late comrade had been cowardly assassinated in Baghdad on 23 August 2008.

The meeting was organised by members of the martyr's family, including his son, Elias, and brother Faisal. Kamil Shiaa was remembered by close friends and intellectuals, as well as many members of the Iraqi and Arab communities, amid sentiments of strong denunciation of the heinous crime.

After an opening speech by the artist Ziyad al-Khuza'i, the poet Fawzi Karim recited a poem dedicated to the memory of Kamil Shiaa. Dr. Salam Ali delivered a message of condolences from the editorial board of "Al-Thakafa Al-Jadida" (New Culture) magazine. The writer Ridha al-Dhahir read out a letter that Kamel Shiaa had sent to his son Elias, entitled "When we are in Baghdad". The writer Ali al-Shawk recalled his first meeting with Kamil. The Palestinian

journalist read out an article by Kamil entitled "A Return Without Illusions".

Kamil’s brother, Faisal, addressed the meeting on behalf of his family, thanking all those who expressed their solidarity with the martyr's family in their sorrow for the big loss.
The memorial meeting was concluded with an emotional speech delivered by Elias, the young son of Kamel Shiaa. He expressed his pride and great admiration for his father, and his gratitude to all those who demonstrated their love for the late comrade.