Building structures and relationships between ISAF and Afghans

MUSA QA'LAH, AFGHANISTAN

05.01.2010

Story by Cpl. Megan Sindelar 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

MUSA QA'LAH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan – Marines in Musa Qa'lah District Center, Helmand province, Afghanistan put in a substantial amount of time and effort interacting with local Afghans and continuing friendly relationships between themselves and the community.

Navy Chaplain Lt. Christopher A. Adams, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, visited the bazaar in the heart of the district center and brought five prayer rugs to give to the mullah, or respected religious elder, April 27. This was an opportunity to meet the mullah and put a face to a name.

Adams, from Elberton, Ga., said mullahs are usually weary toward anyone from the west, so they brought prayer rugs as a gift, such as Americans do when greeting a new neighbor with a housewarming gift.

"He was grateful, and I was surprised he was so welcoming," said Adams.

Construction of a new mosque was also a topic of conversation during the meet-and-greet. The original mosque was destroyed years ago, during an intense battle between the Taliban and British forces for the Musa Qa'lah District Center forward operating base, and Marines are working with the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Rural Development to rebuild one. Even though Marines are not physically building it, they are providing the support necessary for the MRRD to begin the construction.

Maj. Chad R. French, civil affairs officer-in-charge, 1st team, 11th Marine Civil Affairs Detachment, 1/2, said the citizens have been asking for a mosque. It is one of their top priorities. Construction on the new mosque will begin within days.

"It's going to be three times larger than the old one and be able to hold 700-800 worshipers. This will be the backbone of the society here in Musa Qa'lah," said French, who is originally from San Diego, Calif.

There are many projects currently in the works. Between building a government center and installing solar streetlights and running water throughout the bazaar, the civil affairs detachment and MRRD stay busy.

French said the locals are warming up and welcoming international forces. The effort the Marines in Musa Qa'lah District Center put into the relationship with locals makes a large impact on the unity between the Afghans and international forces. Adams said that it was a good time to reach out to the mullah to let him know the Marines are here to help.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2010
• Date Posted: 05.01.2010 12:13
• Story ID: 48982
• Location: MUSA QA'LAH, AF