1/8 Marines celebrate Eid with the people of Musa Qal’eh

MUSA QAL'EH, AFGHANISTAN

11.15.2010

Story by Cpl. Joshua Hines 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan - Crowds of Afghan nationals traveled to the Musa Qal’eh District Center in celebration of Eid, a Muslim holiday of sacrifice, where Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Team 2, met them with gifts Nov. 15.

As Sgt. Ali Javied, the civil affairs team chief with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Bn., 8th Marines, explained Eid is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead.

Part of Eid is the tradition of giving gifts to friends, family and the needy. Marines participated in this tradition by handing out gift bags to over 400 people selected by elders of their village. Each gift bag contained beans, rice, tea, blankets, and socks.

During the distribution, Cpl. John Noh, a civil affairs specialist with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, expressed his thoughts on the importance of the gift giving.

“The gift giving is a way for us to reach out to the people and show them we’re here to help, and we respect their religion and culture,” said Noh. As we continue to show that to the people, we build a relationship with them, which in the end is a huge part of our mission.” Noh continued to say, “Building a strong relationship with the people allows us to better understand and help them. As we gain their trust they will feel safer, which gives them the confidence to talk to us about issues

With many more civil affairs projects in planning, the Marines of 1st Bn., 8th Marines will continue to build a strong relationship with the Afghan people, bringing the Marines one step closer to accomplishing their mission.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2010
• Date Posted: 11.23.2010 13:45
• Story ID: 60733
• Location: MUSA QAL'EH, AF