Sheik Akbar, son thank coalition forces for shrine restoration

Courtesy Photo | Col. Eric Overturf, 506th Air Expeditionary Group commander, and Brig. Gen. Shihab...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Col. Eric Overturf, 506th Air Expeditionary Group commander, and Brig. Gen. Shihab Ali, Al Hurria Air Base commander, shake hands during a Sultan Saqi shrine restoration ceremony, May 27. Members of both the U.S. and Iraqi air forces partnered to restore the shrine. Col. Overturf, is a Greeley, Colo., native deployed here from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.  see less | View Image Page

KIRKUK, IRAQ

05.29.2009

Courtesy Story

506th Air Expeditionary Group

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KIRKUK, Iraq - The Sultan Saqi cemetery and shrine caretaker stands in the mid-morning sun with his head covered by a knitted white beanie. Sheik Akbar Hussain, in his 70's and slightly fragile, is a little ill, his son, Zakaria, explains through an interpreter.

But on May 27, Akbar, his son at his right side, is happy and filled with a joy he's not had in decades. Standing with his back to the Sultan Saqi shrine, amidst grave sites without headstones, he said "It's like a homecoming. It was a great feeling."

Akbar and Zakaria are among more than 70 invited Iraqi visitors, including civic and religious leaders, and family members of the buried, who are here to attend a shrine restoration ceremony in the middle of this base—known to the Iraqis as Al Hurria—May 27.

Akbar is a leader among leaders this day. His family was responsible for tending the grounds and shrine in days gone by

Before the mid 1970's, when the former Iraqi base leaders expanded the installation and incorporated the Tis' ayn neighborhood that contained the cemetery, Zakaria explains that his family owned approximately 100 acres surrounding the spot where they are standing, sweeping his right arm and gazing around as if he can still see it as it once was.

The family has six generations buried in the cemetery, Akbar said. That he and the other visitors are able to be at the cemetery on May 27 makes him happy.

"He likes that people can visit this place," Zakaria said for his father. Speaking with the U.S. Air Force base commander earlier, Akbar said, "On behalf of other people, we want to thank you so very much," before pausing. He then shared a religious verse that the interpreter translated: "If you do something good, it will come back to you."

"It's kind of you to take care of this project," he continued telling Col. Eric Overturf, 506th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "All of us, we want to thank you so very much."

During his speech, Overturf focused on the partnership between the Iraqi and U.S. Air Forces that made the effort successful.

After Al Hurria base commander, Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Shihab Jahid Ali Zangana, invited him to speak, he said, "We have heard from the leaders, but now I would like to recognize some of the people that did the real work to make this happen. Because I think the people that did this are the most important to talk about today.

"This is [Senior Master Sgt.] Gary Lytle and this is [Master Sgt.] Todd McGee, Colonel Adnan and Abas. These are only four men, from different countries; different ethnicities; different religions. But they came together to do this project.

"It didn't matter what country they were from, or what boss they worked for, because we work together as partners," he said while gesturing toward Shihab, "and they worked together as partners.

"So, because of these people there is water, electricity, [the shrine] is repainted, and cleaned, and we have a beautiful shrine for all the people here.

"And these are only four men, but they represent the partnership of all of the people, of General Shihab and me, the people of Iraq and the coalition forces, and I think a great hope for the future nation."

Human Terrain Team research manager Dan Sockle spoke after Overturf. "There has been a rejoicing that Sheik Akbar Hussein has been a part of this," said the Vancouver, Wash., native. "I believe that one day we will all reflect on how these small steps and goodwill gestures led toward a better Kirkuk, and hopefully a better Iraq."

Following the speeches, Akbar was presented the keys to the shrine door by temporary caretaker Lt. Col. Mark Rowan, 506 AEG Group chaplain. The sheik then led visiting Iraqis into the restored shrine.

Zakaria, who said he can't remember the last time he visited the shrine, said he saw very nice ceramic and tile, and the paint was very nice. "It made me very happy the first time I saw it."

Close to 11:30 a.m., the sheik—slowly but sure-footed-- and his son began walking from the shrine in the back of the cemetery to the gates of the cemetery. Akbar said people from all ethnicities--Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen--are present. His son affirmed his father's assertion, noting that diversity is a good thing.

Now outside the cemetery, Akbar takes a seat, and Zakaria - presumably the caretaker-to-be - stands in the welcome shade of a canopy. He recommends that the coalition forces make a sign that they did the restoration work. "We appreciate that."