Burma: an interview with Iqbal

“There is one incident that will always remind me of how special she is,” Iqbal relates. “It was Thingyan (Burma New Year) celebrations in 2006 at Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence. The military junta had blocked off the house and street to prevent everybody from leaving the (NLD) compound. Many soldiers were in front of the residence, including the divisional commander. We were all about to leave the front gate. The military commander, along with his soldiers ordered us not to attempt to leave the residence. But Aung San Suu Kyi simply walked out the gate, ignored the soldiers, and continued to walk on without looking back. I was amazed at this show of resilience.”

It is this act of defiance that is written about in books and recorded in documentaries, but very few individuals have the distinct honour of witnessing it in person.

Iqbal continues, “Later that evening, I asked her, ‘Auntie (a term of respect), why didn’t you look back when they were out to stop you?’”

Her response was, “When they call out your name, you don’t look back. You do what you have to do. A soldier might shoot at you, but looking back will make you feel something. That feeling may cause you to lose sight of your ultimate goal.”

Aung San Suu Kyi’s endless courage provides Iqbal with the inspiration to spend his life working to see Burma achieve a genuine democracy that its civilians have prayed and paid the ultimate sacrifice for.

“Since I know injustice takes place in Burma every day, I know that I am safe in Australia, but I cannot forget what has happened to me. The pre-condition of having all political prisoners released before any democratic election taking place in Burma in 2010 is very important. No votes in Burma can be cast freely and fairly before then. Until that day arrives, I can never be at peace.”