Iraqi skydiver does jump over Kabul for peace

Tue, 08 Mar 2011

Kabul - Fareed Lafta was scared to go out in war-torn Afghanistan, but that did not stop him from free falling in the sky over Kabul Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Iraqi extreme sports athlete jumped from a helicopter at an altitude of 2,100 meters in what he claimed was the first-ever civilian skydiving jump over the capital since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Lafta spiraled in the air before landing at Ghazi Stadium in front of an audience.

Afterward, he said he did the "peace jump" as a call for unity and harmony in Afghanistan.

In 2009, Lafta did a similar peace jump over Baghdad at the invitation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"Some jumps are for fun, some for training, others for records, but this one is for peace," said Lafta, who participated in the 2008 record-breaking jump of more than 9,100 meters above Mount Everest.

"That is why Baghdad and Kabul will remain special to me," he said. "The peace jump over war-stricken Kabul is a great opportunity to say that we should all strive for peace.

"This is symbolic. I want to give hope to Afghans and especially the younger generation to strive for something better."

Sport once again sent a message of unity, event co-organizer Skateistan said in a statement. The Afghan co-educational school trains displaced youths in skateboarding as well as providing academic classes.

Hailed as an Iraqi idol, Lafta said he believes sport can help bring peace. The first Iraqi to become a qualified cosmonaut, he has been a role model for the youth of the Middle East.

Lafta, who lives in Dubai, has several other achievements under his belt, including scuba diving instructor, motorcycle racer and Muay Thai fighter.

"I always tell myself I would not do crazy stuff to put myself on the line, but I always end up doing them," he said.

Lafta said his appetite for the extreme and adventure has taken him around the world and allowed him do what he wants to do.

An adventurer from an early age, Lafta also went through troubled times during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. His brother was kidnapped by a criminal gang and held for ransom while Lafta was shot in the leg.

"I have seen the violence right in front of me, so I know the price of freedom and the need for democracy," Lafta said.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/370745,does-jump-kabul-peace.html.