update on Sami Rasouli, MN restaurant owner who moved back to Iraq.

[annm4peace]

Update on Sami Rasouli



Well-known restaurateur and peace advocate, Sami Rasouli, was injured in a car accident in Nasiriyeh, Iraq on June 7, 2010. He suffered a fracture of his hip trocantor (ball at the top of this femur) and a broken hand. Rasouli, who is a U.S. and Iraqi citizen, was in Nasiriyeh collecting original art to bring to Minneapolis in late July for the “Art of Conflict” exhibit and showing of the film “The Unreturned,” about Iraq’s war refugees. His peace-keeping work includes Sister City coordination between Najaf and Minneapolis, providing water filters for schools, conducting peace keeping missions, and participating in the “letters for peace” program between children here and in Iraq. Due to his injuries and protracted recovery he will not be able to travel with the others coming to Minneapolis in July. Rasouli has had two surgeries to repair and reset the fracture, and has suffered nerve damage. Iraqi health care provides basic coverage, but due to the complexity of the surgeries and nerve damage, Rasouli incurred additional uncovered expenses. He continues to be in the hospital in Najaf. Donations to assist Sami and his family with their medical bills are being collected through St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis. Donations will be collected until July 10th and then forwarded to Iraq.