Novel: Men and the City

Introduction
"Men and the City" is a novel composed by the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, published in 2002 under the pen name "He Who Writes". The unique, the latter one in a series of literary works by the author, is set in the mid-7th century, during the Islamic conquests of Persia. It tells the story of a group of Arab tribes that arrive in the region of Ctesiphon (present-day Iraq) to spread out Islam and challenge the Persian ruler, King Yezdgerd. Checking out styles of love, loyalty, tyranny, and religious beliefs, the novel also works as an allegory for Saddam's guideline of Iraq.

Plot Summary
"Men and the City" centers on the story of Abu Hatem, the brave and tenacious leader of a group of Arab tribesmen who are identified to spread out Islam across the areas ruled by the Sassanian Empire. The novel begins with the tribesmen marching towards the city of Ctesiphon to challenge the Persian king, Yezdgerd, who is represented as an autocrat.

The story weaves through various characters and events, detailing the difficulties and challenges the Arab tribesmen face when they show up in the brand-new area. As the story unfolds, Abu Hatem falls in love with Aryaz, the daughter of a wealthy male, and a subplot occurs where the couple should find a way to be together in spite of the political and social turmoil occurring around them.

The story likewise moves focus to various other characters, such as 2 lovers, Saniyah and Arab, who are required to conceal their relationship due to their varying social statuses. Saniyah, the daughter of a Persian worthy, creates debate by selecting to convert to Islam and wed Arab, a blacksmith.

As tensions increase between the Persian Empire and the Arab tribes, Abu Hatem and his men work tirelessly to spread Islam throughout the region, in spite of facing brutal suppression by the ruling Persian forces. Through an epic fight, where the Arab people handle to overthrow Yezdgerd's rule, understanding their objective of spreading out Islam.

Styles and Symbolism
The novel is filled with styles that represent loyalty, love, tyranny, and faith. The characters are driven by their undeviating commitment to their cause and beliefs, dealing with perilous dangers and, in many cases, sacrificing their lives in the name of Islam. The love stories, consisting of Abu Hatem and Aryaz, exhibit the power of love to sustain even in the middle of war and mayhem.

The representation of King Yezdgerd as an autocrat who oppresses his individuals is a symbolic representation of Saddam Hussein's own rule of Iraq. The novel functions as an effort by the author to present himself as an Arab leader who, much like Abu Hatem and his guys, brings order to a troubled land and develops an Islamic guideline.

Reception and Impact
"Men and the City" got mixed reviews, both locally in Iraq and internationally, mainly due to the political context in which it was released and its prospective allegorical connections to Saddam's guideline. Supporters of the novel and Saddam viewed it as a work of patriotism and a celebration of Arab and Islamic culture. Critics, meanwhile, saw it as an effort to more solidify Saddam's grasp on power by glorifying elements of his guideline through a fictional lens.

In spite of the debate surrounding it, "Men and the City" is an important literary work that clarifies the political and social environment in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's reign. The novel demonstrates the previous President's attempts to get in touch with and improve the country's history, all the while wielding power on a grand scale. This element of the story is particularly notable and adds another layer of intricacy to the overall story.