EL CAJON, Calif. -- The Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon was packed Wednesday evening, as hundreds turned out to welcome the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States.

While he received a warm reception, there were some dissenting views being voiced by members of the audience.

Iraqis of all races and creeds turned out to see Samir Sumaida'ie, the man representing the new Iraqi government in the United States. Speaking before a packed hall in El Cajon, he said his role was to educate and listen.

“The big concern is what’s going on in Iraq. Are we going to pull through or are we in trouble?” Sumaida'ie said.

The Ambassador has been traveling throughout California talking to Iraqis. He has been delighted with the response.

“Very warm, very welcoming. I have been overwhelmed by the sense of patriotism, the sense of concern about what is going on in Iraq,” he said.

But a lot of people there were concerned about everyday problems for ordinary Iraqis.

“Very little progress has been made on the level of security, politics, economics and day to day life for the people. For me, it's like Sadam Hussein's dictatorship has been divided among Sunni, Shiites and Kurds,” said Sam Kosa.

Some of the issues facing the future of Iraq were on display in the hall itself.

“I walked in to the hall and I see there's an American flag and an Iraqi flag but I don't see the Kurdish flag, so that upset me straight away,” said Zozan Berwari.

With Iraq still trying to find the right path, people there were hoping that even with all the challenges that lie ahead the future of Iraq will be better than its recent past.