It has been exactly six months since we lost our friend, Haiffaa Ali.
It was in the summer of 2007 that Haiffaa, still new to Colorado, joined the fledgling group, A Little Something: The Denver Refugee Women's Crafts Initiative. She became one of our most ardent supporters and she passionately spoke about this and refugee issues to anyone who would listen.
In her time in Denver, Haiffaa met hundreds of people and befriended many along the way. She was on a mission to learn as much as she could about the place and people who had so intimidated her early on.
After Haiffaa died, many people were left with a feeling of loss, but also with a need to talk about Haiffaa and how she had left an impression on so many. These rememberances were originally posted on the A Little Something blog. Now that some time has passed, it seems appropriate to create a dedicated space for these essays and farewells so they don't become buried amid the bits of news and postings about events that fill the blog.
The world lost a true original when Haiffaa Ali's life was abruptly cut short. She had great hopes for the world and the people in it, even after experiencing some of the worst moments created by mankind.
We miss you, Haiffa, we truly do.
If you would like to share your memories of Haiffaa, please send an email to beadwomen@gmail.com.
Eight Dollars
Click on the picture to learn how A Little Something became Haiffaa's big something...
Haiffaa on Colorado Matters
Click on the logo to hear Ryan Warner's 10-minute interview with Haiffaa.
CPR Interview
Click the logo to hear the CPR story about Haiffaa
The NPR version the CPR story (Click logo to listen)
The Iraqis who fall victim to their country's ongoing violence often register as little more than a number in a newscast for most Americans. But one of those recent statistics represented a real loss for many people in Denver. Haiffa Ali arrived there as a refugee in 2007, nervous and hostile to a country that was occupying her own. In less than two years, she was settled in — helping with a craft organization for refugee women and finding her own place in the local arts scene. But Ali went back to Iraq for a visit in October and was killed by a bombing in Baghdad. She left behind friends and family in Denver who grieve her loss.