Perspective: Iraqi professors fear staying amid violence

Entrance to the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An odd thing has happened at Baghdad's universities: The professors have begun hiding their education by donning ratty clothes, pulling on traditional Arab head scarves and driving to campus in beat-up cars.

It's all part of an effort to keep from getting fired.

With the threat of violence emptying university campuses, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki earlier this month ordered students and professors back to class. Anyone who doesn't obey could face dismissal or expulsion.

Al-Maliki's aides defend the order, saying that education is the lifeblood of Iraq and its collapse would threaten the government and the nation.

But those forced to obey the order complain that they're risking their lives as unwilling pawns of a government that can't guarantee their security.

Read the rest at the Sacramento Bee