Career
Alward was highly active in the resistance movement against Saddam Hussein in the 1970s and 1980s. Namaa comes from a Shi"a family. She also has family back home in Baghdad.
When questioned about United States policy and the recent United States-led invasion of Iraq, she replied, "Let them end the sanctions, stop this crazy war and allow us Iraqis sort out our own problems." She currently works in theater and film along with participating in numerous humanitarian organisations.
Alward traveled to Iraq in 2003 as a participant in the human shield action to Iraq.