Lucky translator in Iraq loves the BeeGees, staying alive
They call him ‘Lucky’. His real name is Omar Sattar Hussein, and he’s a translator for the U.S. military in Iraq. So far, he’s survived “37 shootings, 30 bombings and 11 mortar strikes in Iraq.” Omar is the only translator in his hometown who doesn’t wear a mask to shield his identity. Hailing from the ...
They call him 'Lucky'.
They call him ‘Lucky’.
His real name is Omar Sattar Hussein, and he’s a translator for the U.S. military in Iraq. So far, he’s survived “37 shootings, 30 bombings and 11 mortar strikes in Iraq.”
Hailing from the restive city of Baquba in Iraq’s Diyala province, now the scene of vicious sectarian battles and confessional cleansing, Hussein first learned English in school, but mastered the language from old music cassettes.
Abba, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie all helped him along his linguistic journey. To this day, his favorite song is the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive”.
“That’s what it’s all about these days in Iraq,” he joked.
He doesn’t plan to stay in Iraq forever. Right now, Omar’s main mission becoming a U.S. citizen so he can get out of Baquba as quickly as possible.
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